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“I want you to carry my pup.” Jungkook’s raspy voice billows in the air as the sentiment reveals itself to reality, the alpha’s fresh laundry scent cascading into Jimin’s senses while his mind attempts to process such an unimaginable string of words. “Rather, I’m asking you to carry my pup.”Slow blinking.A blank expression.Jimin’s body ceases existing as he deciphers whether his ears function correctly due to the gravity of such a statement uttered from the mouth of his own boss.“Pardon?”“You heard me.”“I don’t think I did.”They stare at each other from across the table at a fancy restaurant they frequent at the end of work days, a cacophony of sounds creating a lull of background noise that fades into nothingness, the setting sun outside the window and luminescent chandeliers above their heads bathing them in a warm glow.Life feels frozen in time, nonexistent, suspended without further notice. The world discontinues its rotation around the sun amidst such an unbelievable occurrence in the course of history.“I, Jeon Jungkook, the most renowned criminal defense attorney in South Korea who has never lost a single case, am sitting humbly before you today and proposing that you bear my pup in the bowels of your womb and henceforth birth it into the world.” Jungkook repeats himself with a mischevious sparkle in his dark eyes, sipping from his glass of red wine while he observes Jimin’s every move.“Are you being serious? Is this some weird joke or prank? Am I missing something?”“Serious as a heart attack.”“Really?”“Yes.”It takes time for the concept to fully unfold in the vast recesses of Jimin’s mind, never expecting to hear this combination of syllables from the lips of his own employer.His heart rate quickens while he stares ahead at the expectant face in front of him that appears more amused than anything else. His hands grow clammy in his lap, his stomach bubbles with a flurry of nervous emotions, and his chest tightens as he breathes in cozy cotton.The initial admission intrigues him more than he wants to admit.“Are you saying that you want me to carry your pup or that you want me to carry, birth, and help raise a pup that is both yours and mine?”“The latter.”“So you’re not just asking me to carry your pup. You’re suggesting that we have a pup together, correct?” Jimin attempts to clarify the situation, head spinning. “The way you worded it at first is a bit misleading.”“I want us to have a pup.”“It sounds no less incredulous each time you repeat yourself.”“I do understand how this is quite sudden and unexpected, but I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. I’m nearly 30, in a great place in my career, and want to start a family. Dating around would take forever and there’s no guarantee that I find someone I trust and care about enough to have my children. Rather than going to some random surrogate or carrier, I wanted to ask you if you’d be interested in the idea.”“Wow.” Jimin mutters breathily, both flattered and shocked by the information.“Yeah.”“Why me?”“Hm?” Jungkook hums in a low voice after he turns back from offering his credit card to the waiter. “Sorry, didn’t catch that.”“Why do you want me to be the omega parent?”“I think you’d be a great father. You’re wonderful with pups and they always love you. You have an incredibly kind heart, a gentle disposition, and endless compassion. Not to mention how our pup would clearly be cute as hell. We get along well—““We argue every day of our lives.” Jimin deadpans, lungs still struggling to intake oxygen.“We don’t see eye to eye sometimes.”“Same thing.”“Disagreements are a perfectly normal and healthy part of relationships, especially with such close proximity. We work through our issues with civility every single time. I’d consider that a good sign for raising a pup together.” Jungkook always explains himself so well that Jimin battles to find fault in his words.“Well… That’s true, I guess.”“You and I get along better than anyone I’ve ever known. We’re an unstoppable duo with success that others watch with envy. I don’t see why parenting would be any different.”“I think there’s a whole lot more to raising a pup than that.”“Absolutely.”“Is that all there is to it? You think we work well together, so you want me to have a pup with you? Am I just at the top of your list before you ask someone else, or what?” Jimin remains skeptical regardless of how this request evokes something that yearns from the depths of his being.“There is no list, Secretary Park.”“No?”“You’re the first and only person I would consider for something so important to me. I trust you with my life. You’re a truly good person whom I admire and respect. It would be an honor to have someone so intelligent, sweet, beautiful, and creative as the parent of my pup. I could sing your praises for days, but I fear that would bore you.”“Write it all down in an e-mail and send it to me over the weekend.” Jimin jests, throat tight and dry, his wine only making it harder to speak.“Yes, sir.”“I’m honestly not sure what to say. This is a lot to drop on me at once. I would obviously consider you one of my closest friends after working together for so many years, yet you’re still my boss.”“Which is why I wish to keep this as professional as possible, though I make this proposal as a friend more than anything.”“Hmm…”“Share your thoughts with me.” Jungkook requests kindly, his dark eyes pooling with warmth as he supplies Jimin with his undivided attention, his crisp suit fitting for the environment.“Having a pup is a huge commitment.”“It is.”“There would be a gigantic, potentially dangerous, strain on my body for months, possibly even after I give birth.”“Yes.”“There would be all sorts of things to work out from how we’re raising them, where we’re raising them, what we’ll name them, when we’ll do certain things in their life. I mean, the list goes on and on. We’d have a million things to figure out.”“That’s true.” Jungkook nods, leaning over to the chair beside him to pull something from his briefcase. “Which is why I drafted this.”“What is it?”“A contract.”“Of course.” Jimin sucks in a sharp breath, the seriousness of the situation smacking him in the face.“This is, obviously, only a rough outline of what a document like this would look like. I’m aware of your familiarity towards these, so I won’t go into detail, but it’s something that would protect both of us and if we truly go forth with the idea.”“A contract feels intimidating to me.” Jimin admits candidly, vulnerability on full displays, nerves fizzling beneath the surface of his skin.“Why is that?”“I don’t know. I understand why they exist and the protections they offer, but it feels really serious. There’s something less personal about writing it in an agreement instead of just having a pup together.”“To be clear, we could do that. I personally think it’s a good idea to formalize our plans in writing. I see your point as well.”“What’s in here?”“Everything I could think of off the top of my head. I put sections regarding financial support, the length of different obligations, options for splitting parenting, attending class together, and beyond. It’s just a brief summary to give you an idea.” Jungkook states in that professional, commanding tone he adopts during work.“Can I add things to it?”“Whatever you want.”Jimin breaks away from the tension captivating his attention to focus on the pages of the contract laid before him, flipping from section to section without allowing him to remain on any singular idea for long, disbelief still flourishing in his veins as the gravity of the situation weighs heavier and heavier on his shoulders.A pup.Not just any alpha, but Jungkook—technically his employer—wants to have a pup with him.He feels utterly out of his mind for even entertaining such a concept, yet it sounds oddly interesting and enthralling the longer he contemplates it.Maybe the wine affects his rationale.“This is only a preliminary conversation about the possibility of this even happening. If you want to entertain my proposal even the tiniest bit, we can have many different meetings to discuss every detail. Refine the contract, create a plan that works for us, and come to an agreement. I only want to introduce the topic for tonight.”“I understand.” Jimin gently nods his head, closing the contract to slip it into his tote. “I’ll need to think about it a lot before I can give you any sort of concrete answer.”“As you should. I would be worried if you answered with anything else.”“Do you already have a timeframe in mind? Have you thought that far ahead? Are there dates that you want certain things to happen?”“Not at all.”“Okay.” Jimin breathes a sigh of relief to know that this tremendous pressure bears no immediate urgency, already lofty enough just considering the proposition itself without adding time constraints.“Take your time to think about it. Having a pup isn’t something to take lightly. I totally get that.”“If I turn it down?”“Nothing in our lives will change.”They remain at the table for a while longer since Jimin finds himself in no rush to return home early on a Friday night, staring out the window to watch the sprawling scene of the city that twinkles before his eyes. He thinks of how baring a pup would change his life forever, the advantages and disadvantages of such a prospect, and whether he intends to earnestly wager on Jungkook’s proposal.A million and a half notions flitter through his racing mind while he gazes at the flow of neon lights that paint Seoul as a masterpiece.As much as he hates to admit it, the alpha would be a good parent if given the opportunity.“I’ve always wanted to be a dad.” Jimin says softly, wearing his heart on his sleeve because he knows it lives safely in his friend’s presence, a distant ache throbbing in the far reaches of his soul.“I know.” Jungkook rasps, gentle.“Society makes me feel like being 30 is equivalent to crawling into my deathbed.”“Don’t let fear of missing out persuade you one way or another. You have plenty of time to make your dreams come true, regardless of what that looks like.”“You say that, yet you’re in a rush to have a pup.”“I would argue that I’m highly motivated to be a dad while I still have the energy to chase after my pup, not because I think my time is running out. Of course, our situations aren’t entirely the same.” Jungkook offers him a warm smile before taking a swig of his remaining water.“My moms had me in their forties and look how that worked out for them.”“Look how that worked out for you.”“Ouch. I’m uncomfortable with the energy you’re bringing to the table today. Is it your goal to make me question my entire existence and the meaning of life?” Jimin shakes his head, groaning.“Sorry.”“It’s barely the middle of April, so you shouldn’t be so philosophical yet. That’s an end of year thing for you.”“Old age is hitting me these days.”“Old age? Are you kidding me? Talk about adding insult to injury. You’re still young! Stop making me feel like a granny.”“I’ll see you bright and early on Monday morning. Have a good weekend, Secretary Park.” Jungkook’s eyes twinkle when he bows his head in greeting, the softness of his fresh laundry scent swirling in the air to grace Jimin’s senses.“Thank you, Attorney Jeon. You too. I’ll try my best with this bombshell you’ve dropped on me.”A couple of weeks transpire in the blink of an eye with a mountain of tasks piling on his desk each and every day, Jimin hardly possessing time to think about what he wants to eat for dinner, much less ruminate on the idea of carrying Jungkook’s pup in his belly.While the topic weighs heavily on his mind, he always forces his attention back to the duties at hand.He takes his job seriously.Waking with the sun in the morning allots him enough time to shower, fix his hair, pull on a presentable outfit, cook a healthy breakfast, and feed himself before he heads out the door.The steadily increasing temperatures of spring bring joy to his being while he treks down the street to the subway station, his boots clacking against the pavement while he hurries to beat the worst of the foot traffic. Sunshine beams across the slivers of skin visible beneath his trench coat, a smile forming on his lips without even thinking about it, his neatly styled, blonde hair bouncing with every step he takes.Living in a cheaper, less luxurious part of Seoul means a longer commute to the office.Jimin practically fights his way through the obscene crowds of people to cram into the subway cart right before it exits the station, squished from head to toe against total strangers.Coconut.Iron.Tulips.All manner of scents filter into his nose as he patiently waits for his stop to arrive, holding his breath while distracting himself by counting the passing seconds.Gangnam.Notorious for its wealth and opulence.It amazes everyone to learn that such a young lawyer operates his own firm out of a skyscraper in the most expensive part of the capital city of South Korea, relocating to this building after only 4 years of working in the industry and successfully taking on several high profile cases, Jimin still not used to the sights around him as he steps out of the subway station to make his final stride to the place he spends most of his days.For someone from a small, seaside town, he may never truly adjust to this big city life.Entering into the massive doors guarding the entrance, scanning his key card to slip past the turnstile, stepping onto the elevator to ride to the 27th floor, heading into the Jeon Law Offices, and walking to his personal desk takes nearly 15 minutes.“Would you like your usual coffee today, Jimin?” Seo-ah, the front receptionist, asks when she taps her knuckles against his office door.“That would be lovely.”“Be right back.”“Thank you so much.” Jimin bows his head in appreciation, her bitter mustard scent mixing with the sweetness of the coffee that she places on the edge of his desk. “You’re the best.”“Let me know if you need anything!”As Jungkook’s personal legal secretary—working for the highly renowned and respected lawyer, attending to only the alpha’s cases and not anyone else in the firm—Jimin spends the majority of his time dealing with repetitive tasks like filling out paperwork, filing information in the system, researching laws pertaining to their situations, and gathering documents for use in court.He handles most of the finer details of each case while he performs tedious work to ensure everything runs smoothly for Jungkook when the time arises to present the case in front of a judge and jury.Criminal law in particular involves possibly heinous, grotesque, inhumane, vile subject matters that make his skin crawl and his stomach turn, but he powers through to accomplish all of his responsibilities to maintain the team’s momentum like a well-oiled machine, bringing victims to justice his motivation to torture himself with nightmarish scenes on the daily.At his desk, with stacks of files and documents, he types away until his fingers cramp.Busy.Hours fly by without warning, especially these days when the number of cases on their roster surmounts into something nearly impossible to manage.Spanning beyond celebrity cases that merely require backend work because they wish to settle their charges outside of court, or wealthy socialites who commit crimes and hope that a highly successful lawyer will save them, an endless amount of victims seek counsel from the only person who they trust to help them.Accepting and working cases requires an extreme balancing act.“Are you mad at me?” Jimin questions in a low voice, eyebrows furrowed where he stands in the doorway of Jungkook’s massive office, cotton drenching him the moment he enters into the alpha’s vicinity. “Is it because of the typo on that contract yesterday?”“No.”“I started using a new brand of soap because it was cheaper. Do I smell bad?”“Also no.”“Did you fall down the stairs and break your ankle? Do you have some kind of injury I should know about? Are your legs not working anymore?”“Still no.” Jungkook looks away from his computer screen to meet Jimin’s intent gaze, a ghost of a smile dusting his cheeks as he deals with the incredulous musings of his secretary. “Nothing is out of the ordinary today, Secretary Park.”“Then why are you avoiding me?”“I’m not.”“You most certainly are.”“I’ve never avoided you once in my entire life. I quite literally would sink and burn with you, so I just have to suck up my disdain and swallow it.”“You haven’t come to annoy me all day. It’s already 2 o’clock.” Jimin’s tone verges on a petulant whine.“Ah, right.”“I even forgot to eat lunch because you weren’t there rambling in my ear or throwing my pens across the room or trying to distract me from working. What gives?”“Pro-bono.” Jungkook answers succinctly, shoulders sagging, obvious sadness in his dark eyes.“Oh.”“Yeah.”“It’s never easy to choose which poor, powerless, undeserving victims should receive your help this time around. There are so many people that need justice and such little time for all of them. Even I feel the pain, yet I don’t have to make these tough choices.”“You’re really not helping me feel better at all.”“Let’s go for lunch, Attorney Jeon. I know just the thing that’ll brighten your spirits.”“Jjajangmyeon?”“Jjajangmyeon.” Jimin swiftly nods his head, smiling so big that all his teeth show, expectantly turning to walk down the hallway to the elevator knowing that Jungkook follows him.Although breaks never last long enough to alleviate the multitudes of stress that accompany such an important job, not enough time in the world to fully cure the woes that result in charging oneself with the duty of serving the people this directly, Jungkook always perks up after shoving copious amounts of food into his mouth and temporarily taking his mind off of the cases at hand.Jimin, of course, appreciates the chance to wind down, fill his belly, and talk with the only alpha that he actually trusts in this world, both of them returning to their offices to finish a full day of hard work.Luckily for the omega, the rest of the day passes swiftly due to his excitement about his approaching dinner plans with friends.“You’re fucking lying.”“Nope.”“All your medical expenses, a 50 million won lump sum, and 5 million won per month until the pup turns 18? That’s his opening offer before you even negotiate at all? Are you serious?”“It’s right here in the contract. Page 9. Read it for yourself if you don’t believe me.”“Take it.” Seokjin, aggressively nodding his head, says with confidence. “Just do it.”“I thought we were against it?” Taehyung asks with confusion written across his face, utter disbelief in his voice while he stares at the contract laying on the table between them.“I changed my mind.”“To be fair, if you want a pup anyway, why not just have it now when someone’s going to pay you life changing money to do it? He’s a great alpha, has plenty of money, and you’ll be set for life. That’s about as good as it can get.” Hoseok declares firmly, the beta’s root beer scent light and sweet in the air.“To be honest… I’m not sure about the money part. It feels weird to take so much when I’m also benefiting because I’m birthing my own pup. It’s not like I’m. surrogate or something.”“What?”“No way!”“Doing it without the money is insane.” Seokjin glares at him, his beta scent of lavender shifting stronger in an instant. “That’s the best part.”“The whole point is the pup!” Jimin counters, incredulous.“What else does this contract say?”The 4 of them sift through the pages of the contract while discussing the contents in excruciating detail, spending literal hours hogging a table at a restaurant while they delve into the fine points of the agreement regarding Jimin carrying Jungkook’s pup. They debate nearly each section, someone always contrarian, creating stipulations and ideas of their own that should apply if he accepts the proposition.While he obviously contemplates the notion every free second that he receives, he never fully pontificated every line until this precise moment. It almost scares him how tempting the offer sounds the longer he stares at the contract.“At first, the contract freaked me out because it felt so serious, but it might be what convinces me.”“Why?” Taehyung asks, the fellow omega struggling to see Jimin’s side during this whole situation, his maple syrup scent thick with worry.“Because it’s guaranteed money?”“No, it’s not about the money. It feels really safe and… and secure. Most omegas have pups without any sort of guarantee about the future, but it’s literally all written here with legal confirmation. He’ll be present in the pup’s life, pay for everything it needs, and even allow me to choose our custody terms. If I want to have a pup, which I definitely do, then this is the ideal way to do it.” Jimin explains his thoughts to the best of his ability, unsure why he suddenly defends his mindset like his life depends on it.“Does it not bother you that you won’t be having a child with someone you consider the love of your life? It’s just a practical agreement, not a passionate decision.” Taehyung asks.“No.”“Really?”“Well, a little… I just feel like that’ll never happen regardless, so why wait and miss out on this amazing chance for a family?” Jimin pouts until his lips form a little beak, sighing in response.“I see your side and I get why you’re considering it.”“Me too.” Seokjin nods in agreement with Hoseok. “It makes logical sense, which is surprising considering you’re usually so sentimental about things.”“You’ve always wanted a pup.”“I have.”The night ends with them finishing their discussion about the contract, Jimin becoming a parent, and the pros versus cons of choosing to accept or decline the proposal. Everyone knows Jungkook and the closeness between them, so that aspect of the conversation hardly receives any focus. If Jimin trusts him and wants to raise a child with him, they find no reason to stop him.“Wait a damn minute!” Seokjin screeches, dramatically loud outside the front of the restaurant, his eyes wide and mouth dropped open in shock. “How are you planning to conceive this pup?”“IVF?”“H-Huh?” Jimin breathes out, heart pounding in his chest until he feels faint.“You’ve never even taken a knot before! You’re still a virgin! Are you really going to give birth to a pup without ever getting fucked?”“He’s got a good point.”“Jimin?”“Oh, look at the time. I… I’ve got to go! Yeah, right now. I definitely have to go. No time to talk anymore. Bye!” Jimin rushes out his words in a frantic manner, pulling his tote bag high on his shoulder before he turns to bolt towards the subway station.“Get back here!”“See you guys again soon!”Fizzling sparks of nervous anticipation flourish to life in the pit of Jimin’s belly as he gracefully strolls through the fancy cafe where Jungkook waits for him, hands trembling while he puts one foot in front of the other and focuses his energy on remaining collected in the face of such consuming emotions.After a month of incessantly ruminating over the request of carrying, birthing, and raising a pup with the alpha who technically serves as his boss, Jimin reaches a conclusion.It both terrifies and thrills him simultaneously.Goosebumps decorate his skin when he approaches the secluded table in the corner of the establishment, Jungkook already waiting for him with drinks and pastries spread across the wooden surface, the familiar comfort of his fresh laundry scent helping to calm the storm brewing in the omega’s soul. They share polite smiles, though Jimin finds it impossible to breathe with his heart thudding like a war hammer in his chest.Decisions, decisions.“Attorney Jeon.”“Secretary Park.”“I’ll do it.” Jimin announces without any prior explanation, build-up, or preamble. His ears struggle to believe the words tumbling from his own lips, head spinning at the confident declaration. “I’ll have a pup with you.”“I take it you thought it over for the past month and decided to accept after considering every possible aspect of the proposal?”“Yes, of course.”“Then I won’t waste my time or disrespect you by questioning whether you’re sure of your choice or not. I’m pleased to hear that you want to move forward with it. What swayed you to decide to accept?” Jungkook asks as he hums from within his chest, unable to hide his satisfaction in his spikingv scent and faint smile.“I want a pup, but I’ve always been against the societal standard of having children with partners who are incapable and unwilling to properly raise them as they deserve.”“I would expect nothing less from you.”“You’re a self-sufficient, ambitious, hardworking, attractive alpha who earns his respect and stays true to his word. While you might not have experience with raising a pup, I’m confident that you’ll do everything in your power to make sure the pup lives a great life. Not only through material means, but with emotional support and care as well.” Jimin earnestly asserts his final position after carefully crawling to this conclusion over the past few weeks.“I will do everything in my power to support not only our pup, but you alongside them. This commitment isn’t something I make lightly.”“I believe you.”“What about the contract? Where are the list of changes you’d like to make? Can you show me what you want to add and remove from the initial draft?”“How do you know I want to change anything?”“I know you, Secretary Park. After all this time, do you think I’m a stranger to your ways? I’m certain you’ve got all kinds of things you want to negotiate, a fact that I cherish about you.” Jungkook flashes him a grin while he expectantly tilts his head to the side, dark hair perfectly framing his face with his hands folded in his suit-clad lap.“Here.”“Did you already make a new contract with these stipulations included?”“Of course.”“Let’s go through them, then. Have a sip of your coffee because I expect this to be a lengthy meeting. I got your favorite, plus that salt bread is yours too.”“Thank you.” Jimin smiles, relaxing just enough to take a sip without spilling the drink all over himself.Addressing the points Jimin wishes to alter from the contract sends a flurry of nerves through his system, usually not personally affected by the negotiation process in a situation like this, unsure how well he can hold his own if Jungkook adamantly disagrees with any of his changes. While well-versed in more technical aspects of the law and constantly gaining judicial knowledge, he never needs to fight for his beliefs like the alpha in front of him.“I’m immediately noticing the fact that you don’t want the 50 million won lump sum. Why?” Jungkook’s brows furrow, his lips purse, and the darkness of his eyes peer across the table.“It makes me uncomfortable to accept money to carry my own pup.”“Well, I don’t want to invalid your feelings, but I wish you would allow me to compensate you for putting your body through tremendous stress and suffering.”“I want you to use that money for my parents instead.” Jimin says softly, pointing down the page to the new addendum regarding this aspect of the financial agreement. “Not directly, because I think it would make them feel burdensome, but I’d like you to put it in a savings account for me to use to pay for them whenever the need arises.”“Okay.”“Really?”“Why would I argue against that? Hm? The money is yours to use how you please.”“Next.”“Most of this is simple and straightforward. A college fund for the pup, responsibility for medical insurance and bills, private education, and at least 2 vacations per year. I don’t disagree with any of the financial details you’ve added in.” Jungkook says lowly, flipping the page to the next section.“Good.”“You want a year of paid leave? Minimum? Is that including your maternity leave? Are you serious?”“Do you really think that’s a long time?” Jimin questions, taken aback, his face falling.“It’s an eternity.”“A year is hardly anything in the grand scheme of things. I’d like to have plenty of time to care for the pup, bond with it, raise it, and adjust to parenthood before I return to work. My body will be out of whack for months at a minimum. It’s shocking that you—““You deserve that much and more.” Jungkook states swiftly, nodding. “I only mean to say that working without you by my side for a year will be hell on earth. I’d selfishly like to have you there as soon as possible, but I’ll accept your request. Stay home for whatever length of time you find necessary.”“I’m open to reasonable negotiation.”“How about a tentative clause where you consider returning after 6 months of postpartum leave?”“Part-time.”“Ah, fine. A year minimum of paid leave, tentative to return to work part-time after 6 months.”“Sure.”Discussing each line, clause, and section of the contract requires tedious consideration and heaps of time, but they mostly agree on everything. The general concepts that Jimin wishes to add or change seem basic enough that Jungkook finds no major faults with them. They move from one page to another while clarifying things, asking questions, and altering what needs further specification.Since conversations around things like parenting will require far more discussion than possible in a single meeting, they plan to meet several more times to continue building their contract before they actually sign it into existence.Most of Jimin’s anxieties dwindle away, though his disbelief of the situation remains.“Do you plan on continuing to work as much as you do even when the pup is born? You’ll realistically only be seeing them during the weekend if that’s the case. It’s not all that different from normal working parents, but I imagine you’d like to be more involved than that.”“If I’m being honest with you, I’m unsure about how much I can cut back at work.”“I get it.”“I would love to say that I’ll cut back on my cases and never work past dinner on the weekdays, but it’s not something that I commit to at this time. Of course, I want to be with them whenever I have the chance.”“Okay.”“That leads well into a point of my own that I was thinking about the past couple of weeks.” Jungkook states blankly, looking up from the contract with something timid in his dark eyes. “How would you feel about moving into my apartment?”“Huh?”“You and the pup, I mean.”“You want us to live together?” Jimin chokes out with a gasp, eyes wide as saucers.“It would easily allow for us, the pup and I, to naturally spend time together without stealing extra time by constantly traveling all over the city. You currently live an hour away from me. I could come home, unwind while taking care of the pup, and be a constant part of their life if we lived together.”“Hmm… I… I guess—““You’d have your own room and personal space right beside the pup.”“Can we think about it and come back to this part later? I think I need some time to think it over. That sounds good in theory, but I’m not sure about it yet.” Jimin leans back in his chair, pausing to gulp down the rest of his iced coffee.“Absolutely, take your time.”Throughout the duration of their perfectly amiable, civil conversation regarding the topic of having a pup together, Jimin clutches a certain detail to his chest while he musters the courage to utter it aloud, his nerves building again when their hours scrutizing the contract steadily approaches a natural ending point.He knows the absurdity of requesting something so personal, too shy and off-put by the idea of including it in formal writing.Professional.While slightly deceptive because he wishes to proceed this way for both personal and technical reasons, Jimin reaches into his bag to retrieve a stack of papers containing the statistical facts about what he wishes to happen between them.His hands embarrassingly shake like leaves as he lowers them onto the center of the table.“I didn’t include this in the contract because it felt weird to put in writing, but there’s something else I want. You’re obviously within your right to refuse if you aren’t comfortable with it, but I’ll admit that it’s important to me.” Jimin states, calm and collected, willing his marshmallow scent to not betray him now.“What is it?”“I, uh… I want to conceive the pup through natural means, if possible.”“Oh.” Jungkook falters for the first time since their discussions about this whole situation began, clearly taken by surprise given how his eyebrows ascend into his hairline and he freezes in place. His outward reaction draws hesitance in Jimin’s being, but the swift musk in his scent steals the breath from the omega’s lungs. “Does that mean what I think it means?”“Yes.”“You want to literally conceive the pup ourselves? Spend a heat and rut together? Take multiple knots and—““I think we both understand how conceiving a pup works, Attorney Jeon.” Jimin’s cheeks flush hotter than the surface of the sun, yet he maintains his decorum to appear confident in his decision.“Why is that your preference?”“Medically speaking, it’s the most successful method for implantation and carrying a pup to full term. The chances are almost double because of the instinctual aspect of the whole process. Our bodies react better to true connection. Not to mention the grueling process of IVF and its toll on the body.”“I see. The higher chances of success, plus less suffering for you, are your reasons for choosing this?”“Mostly, yes.”“Anything else?”“I just want to do it this way.” Jimin states truthfully, debating with himself over revealing the information before he ultimately relents. “Nearly every part of this, from the contract to the payment to the co-parenting, is non-traditional. I would like to have just one thing that’s personal and normal about having a pup.”“I suppose if we’re already pushing every ethical and moral boundary we can, why not just go full throttle? As long as it doesn’t affect our working relationship, I’m fine with it.”“There’s no good reason why it should.”“Exactly. It’s only a heat and rut, so we won’t even be in our right minds. What’s the worst that can happen?”“I’m glad you agree.”Since most people in the modern world take suppressants to subdue their hormones and prevent their mating cycles from ever occurring, the wonders of medicine providing an endless amount of conveniences that rid them of these pesky aspects of life, Jimin and Jungkook visit their doctors to receive prescriptions for heat and rut inducing medications that will make the conception possible.Only 6 weeks after introducing the topic, they decide to try for a pup at the end of May.Both of them sign the official version of the contract that includes their various revisions, sitting in the presence of other lawyers that work in the firm to ensure the legality of the document upholds should anything go wrong.Jimin chooses not to tell his parents yet.They arrange to take their pills on a Monday, which means their cycles will start on Wednesday, so they only take 3 days—Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday—off from work, planning to return on Monday unless their physical condition prohibits them from doing so.Easy.All things in consideration, neither of them display any reluctance, life continuing as normal even with this massive knowledge hanging over their heads.A secret close to their hearts.Only their closest friends, and lawyers legally obligated to follow privacy laws, know the truth of what they plan to commit, never once discussing how this might affect their reputation among their peers when the information eventually reveals itself to everyone. Jungkook remains highly private and out of the limelight however possible, so this scandal might draw an obscene amount of attention. At the end of the day, Jimin hopes no one ever finds out and they live happily ever after.“Call me.” Seokjin states blankly, lavender shockingly strong as it wafts through the air while the beta mimics a phone to his ear. “If you have questions, if something feels wrong, if you need help, just call me. I’m a doctor, so I think I’m the most qualified for assistance.”“Well, I might just be in a jazz band, but I’ll do anything I can for you. I’ve already seen you naked a million times when we were roommates.”“That’s actually true.” Jimin hums lowly, nodding to Taehyung’s statements.“I’ve seen thousands of people naked. Nothing can phase me. Trust me.”“This is not a competition. We’re all here to help you when and if you need it. I’m just saying that I’m the only one among us who’s spent a rut with an alpha, so I understand your situation entirely. You don’t have to be embarrassed with me.” Hoseok asserts in a conniving, assured tone.“What the fuck?”“He doesn’t need to be embarrassed with any of us!”“Okay, okay. No need to fight. I’m very grateful that all of you are willing to help me if it comes to that. The best case scenario is that it all goes smoothly and I don’t need anyone.”“Best case for who?” Taehyung asks.“That’s also the most boring scenario.”“Don’t wish on my downfall just because you want some excitement in your life!” Jimin shrieks, highly offended by the notion, carrying grocery bags of supplies up the stairs to his apartment.The only point of contention arises between Jimin and Jungkook when they deliberate which location spend their shared heat and rut, both steadfast in declaring that their apartment should serve as the hub. Jungkook possesses the most spacious, private, luxurious place out of the two of them, but Jimin loathes the idea of experiencing something so monumental in an unfamiliar space.After a couple of heated discussions and adamant refusal from Jimin, Jungkook relents while agreeing to conceive their pup in the rooftop studio apartment that the omega calls home.They over prepare.It feels inevitable considering neither of them truly know what to expect when the worst of it hits.Jungkook purchases a ridiculous amount of prepared foods to store near the bed in case they spend all 3 days stuck to the mattress, even going as far as paying a private chef to cook several healthy meals in advance so they own something filling if they find the strength to pop a container in the microwave.Rather than sustenance, Jimin worries over their comfort throughout this strenuous process.Safety.He stocks his apartment with a handful of fluffy blankets, several sets of sheets, extra absorbent towels, and layers of mattress protection to ensure they lack for nothing, ordering more pillows than will fit on his bed at once. Packs of tissues and wet wipes, ointment for raw skin, pain medication, the list continues. Anything that might evoke a sense of security or comfort remains his priority.When the life-changing moment finally arrives, leaving early from work Tuesday afternoon because he wants to crawl in hole in the fetal position, his nerves threaten to devour him alive.Alpha.“Hi.”“Hey.”“You’re still wearing your suit.” Jimin mutters through a strained, low voice, ashamedly fist-fighting the instincts in his head that want to bury his face in the alpha’s delightfully spicy, musky neck.“I came straight here after work.”“Right.”“Yeah.”“Mhm.”“Are you going to let me in?” Jungkook asks gruffly, something about his demeanor much less polite and tactful when the primal side of him sits in the command seat of his brain.“O-Oh, I… I’m sorry. Come in. Make yourself at home.”“Thanks.”It takes a while for them to properly arrange everything to Jungkook’s liking, filling the fridge with already cooked meals, stocking boxes of snacks near the bed, opening his suitcase full of clothing, splitting his toiletries between the bedside table and the counter in the bathroom, and generally making himself at home.Jimin lingers, watching with tingling ache building in his belly, unsure how to behave at this stage in the process where nothing truly happens yet.He severely underestimated his bravery when requesting this type of conception.“Very… Very brown.”“Yeah.”“Lot of fake wood everywhere.”“That’s because this place is pretty old. It hasn’t been overtaken by modern white yet.” Jimin comments from his spot on the tiny couch, sweating and feverish and undoubtedly reeking sweet marshmallow.“Small building though. And you get the rooftop. It’s fitting for you.”“I like it.”“We couldn’t all fit in here, not comfortably. Way too small. We’ll have to live at my place for sure.” Jungkook rasps in a low, rocky voice.“That’s the plan, is it not?”“Bed’s tiny too. What is it? A fucking twin? Mine’s a king.”“Full, so not much better.”Mishaps in scheduling during work trips resulted in them sharing a hotel room on more than one occasion, but crawling into the same bed feels like an entirely different set of circumstances. An infinitely more personal endeavor, bodies forced into a tight proximity, splitting a space that draws them together against their will.Acute awareness in Jimin’s mind gradually dwindles away, barely containing any shame or humiliation by the time a couple of hours pass while they prepare the apartment for utter chaos.He wants something that only Jungkook can provide for him.His omega craves solace.“T-This might be weird, but—““I don’t think you need to qualify your statements when everything we’re doing here is unhinged. We know what we’re getting ourselves into, Secretary Park.”“Don’t call me that.” Jimin huffs, pouting in disapproval, nervously tilting his head to gaze at the alpha in bed next to him. Sweat clings to his skin from top to bottom, unable to deny the need surmounting inside of him. “N-Not… Not here.”“What should I call you then?”“I don’t know.”“Okay.”“What I w-was going to say—ask, rather—is if… if you’ll h-hold me?” Jimin whispers in a meek, breathy voice barely breaking into the air.“Right now?”“Yeah.”“Yeah… Yeah, sure. Come here. Of course, I’ll do anything you need.” Jungkook’s voice sounds confident, but his eyes scream a different story, jaw clenching as he gulps.Though he expects their first point of shared contact to evoke a mixture of feelings in the depths of his being, Jimin actually sinks into Jungkook’s arms like he spends every night in the alpha’s strong embrace. He possesses no hesitance or uncertainty whatsoever, relief flooding through his veins as he allows himself to drift away to nothingness with his face so close to Jungkook’s scent gland that he only smells the refreshing, soothing scent of laundry.His boss.Technically, since he works directly for him, even if their relationships evolved into something less professional as they spent time together.In a matter of hours, when the urge to breed overtakes them, they plan to make a pup.“Thank you.”“Mhm.”“G-Good night.”“Night.”Panting breaths tear from Jimin’s lungs when he jolts awake with a frantic mind and a desperate body, the bedroom drenched in pure darkness save for the glow of the moon through the open window.Wet.Everywhere.Not just sweat, although it sticks to every crack and crevice of his overheated skin.Tacky, sticky, sugary slick.Jimin’s thighs cling together when he attempts to pull them apart, a puddle of viscous slick dribbling out of his clenched hole from where he lies on his side, already drowning in his own wetness before the event even begins.Refusing to engage in the whims of his desperation just yet, the omega carefully untangles himself from Jungkook’s encompassing hold from behind him to shakily crawl across the bed on his hands and knees. A sliver of logical reasoning hangs on for dead life, leaving him too conscious of his actions to beg for what he needs even as the ache for pleasure consumes him.He devotes himself to obsessively rearranging the pillows and blankets on the bed to ensure they sit perfectly, rubbing the items against his neck while sucking in deep lungfuls of the pieces that contain Jungkook’s cottony scent.Everything hurts so badly.“A-Alpha.” Jimin whines, instinctively pleading from within, hands rough on Jungkook’s sides when he nudges him awake. “Alpha, please—““Huh?”“Need… N-Need you.”“Holy shit.” Jungkook growls his words, the sound so pleasing to Jimin’s ears that he whispers as a wave of slick gushes from between his legs.“Hurts.”“God, why do you smell so fucking good? Literally taste it in the air. How’s it so strong?”“Hurts so bad, alpha.”“Shh, it’s okay.” Jungkook gruffly hushes him, blindly reaching out to grab his hip and shoulder, the spice of arousal in his scent too much for Jimin’s ravaging need. “I’ve got you. Just hold on for a second. Lie down.”“Do… Do you f-feel it too? Are you hurting like me? Don’t you want to… to—““Hell yeah.”“Okay, okay.”“Want it so fucking bad, omega. Losing my mind. Think I might explode if I don’t cum soon. About to pop a knot just from how good you smell. So sweet, holy—““Wet. T-Too wet. Feels gross.” Jimin hiccups, clumsily fighting to slip out of his clothes.“Soaked through your clothes, mine, and the bed.”“I need you, alpha. Please. Please, make it better. Hurts so much. Can barely think. Give me your knot, want your pup inside of me.”“Goddamn it.” Jungkook releases a guttural growl, aggressively ripping off his clothes before he climbs onto Jimin without hesitation, the massive length of his throbbing cock poking against the omega’s thigh where their bodies touch. “Feels like a sauna in here.”“K-Keep the light off, for now.”“Okay.”“No kissing on the mouth.”“Only the mouth? How about everywhere else? Is that okay?” Jungkook chokes out his questions as he roughly fists his own cock.“Everywhere else is fine.”“Alright.”“I… I’ve never… I h-haven’t done this before. It’s the first time. I’m so…” Jimin’s chest rises and falls so swiftly that he feels like he drowns above water, suffocating on the need overtaking him from the inside out.“I know, omega. I know. I’ll take good care of you, I promise. Relax and let me make you feel good, yeah?”“Yes, yes, p-please.”No foreplay. No dancing around their bodies to explore the full glory of their nakedness. No prolonging the endeavor to build tension. No physical preparation. No asking questions. No waiting for the perfect moment.They already discussed the boundaries and limitations of this escapade before arriving here.It just happens.Jimin’s entire body tenses when the blunt head of Jungkook’s cock presses against his clenched rim, an embarrassing amount of slick gushing out like a waterfall, their fronts clinging together to pool sweat where their sweltering skin meets. The action finds little to no resistance due to the wetness and arousal wracking the omega’s existence, simply spearing him open as it slides inside. He tosses his head back in a high-pitched moan, stars invade his vision, and his heart hammers so violently that he loses his breath.“I-Inside.”“Does it—Fuck—Does it hurt?”“So… So full.”“Good?”“Yes, yes, yes. G-Good, alpha. So good.”“Me too.”Despite the uncontrollable desire urging them to fuck like their lives depend on it, a magnetizing force that overloads their senses and destroys any remaining capabilities in their conscious brains, Jungkook conducts himself with an infuriating amount of constraint.Instead of splitting Jimin in half by ruthlessly pounding his cock inside of him without care, he thrusts into him at a moderate, respectable pace.He makes Jimin feel every single of his massive cock.Nothing except consuming pleasure burns through his veins like wildfire, mewling with every stroke of Jungkook’s hips. He fills him to the brim, slow and deep, extending so far inside of him that he reaches the omega’s soul. Their bodies connect, but their wolves do as well, primal beings roaring to life while they offer such unimaginable vulnerability to one another.It feels so good that Jimin verges on insanity just from the first few minutes of Jungkook stuffing him to the brim with his cock.Perfect.“Hot as fuck around my cock, omega. Your blood must be boiling. Going to get third degree burns after being inside of you.”“D-Deep.”“You feel me in here? Hmm? Do you feel how alpha’s filling you all the way up to your belly?” Jungkook’s voice sounds almost teasing, punishing, sinister, pleased with himself as he slips his hand to cup Jimin’s lower belly while he thrusts impossibly deep inside of him to prove his point.“Yes, feel… feel it. Feel everything. G-Going to die from how good it is. More, want more. K-Knot.”“There’s going to be a pup in this belly when I’m done with you. You know that? I’m filling you so damn full with my cum and knot that your body won’t have any other choice. You’re going to have my little pup right here, baby.”“Oh.” Jimin says breathily, brain short circuiting at the pet name.Jungkook’s cock thrusting to into him with pure determination lasts both an eternity and nowhere near long enough to fully satisfy his desperate longing.Neither of them can withstand the pleasure building in their bellies.Taking the first knot of his entire lifetime feels like an event that requires at least a modicum of visibility, Jimin possessing the wherewithal to thwart Jungkook’s movements for a brief second, extending his arm to switch on the lamp that resides on his bedside table, illuminating everything in the apartment in a warm glow that temporarily blinds both of them.“B-Big.”“I’m glad you think so.”“How? It’s so… How w-will it fit? Your knot? Not possible.” Jimin chokes out his words, awestruck and amazed, fingertips dipping down to prod at his stretched rim where they connect as one. “Alpha’s too big.”“You know, I’ve never knotted anyone before, so I don’t know how the fuck it’s going to fit in your tight, little hole, but I’m certain that it’s possible.”“Try.”Sloppy with a mixture of his own marshmallow tinged slick, sweat, saliva, and cum, all of their sins glimmering in the light pouring from the lamp, Jimin reaches up with his filthy hands to cup Jungkook’s face in his grasp while he allows the alpha to lock inside of him in a display of utter vulnerability.They stare into each other’s eyes as the knot slips past his rim to fill him until he fears he might break in half, the essence of their souls soaring together in primal ecstasy during this pivotal moment.His heart swells and swells and swells to the point that it aches where it lives inside of his chest.Right.Everything in the world feels right.Neither of them rush to utter a single word, nor do they attempt to move from their intimate position, gazing into the depths of each other’s beings while Jungkook’s cock twitches and releases thick waves of cum that forever brandish Jimin’s insides as his own.Their innermost selves, their wolves, connect to form a bond unlike anything in the history of Jimin’s life.One.“W-Why are you staring at me like that?”“Like what?”“I… I don’t know. Your eyes are all… w-weird. I feel like you’re looking inside of me.” Jimin whines, shying away from the intensify flickering in Jungkook’s gaze, the spicy musk in the alpha’s laundry scent making his gut burn even with a knot still nestled past his rim.“You just look really fucking beautiful, baby.”“I’m a mess.”“You’re wrapped around my cock, you smell like me from the inside out, my knot is inside of you, your belly is swollen with my cum.” Jungkook states proudly, a low growl building with each wondrous word he utters from his spit-slick lips. “Never been prettier than this.”“Thank you, alpha.”“You good?”“Yeah, m’okay. Hurts a little, kind of stings, but I… I like it. Feels good.” Jimin whispers breathily, still face to face with Jungkook’s jaw in his hands.“Let’s rest while we can, yeah?”“Y-Yeah.”Time perpetually renders in place throughout the duration of their shared mating cycles, no longer moving forward while they spend every minute trapped inside of the same 4 walls. Regardless of the sun rising and setting outside the window to provide the only semblance of external reality, they exist in a loop of repetition that involves fucking, knotting, and sleeping until it repeats again.Jimin wanes in and out of lucidity—sometimes conscientious enough to internalize the sweet nothings whispered from Jungkook’s lips, other times too consumed by the desire gnawing away at his functioning capacity to process anything happening to him—while Jungkook remains stoic, coordinated in his efforts to appease both of their inner instincts by constantly providing a knot without requiring a single request from the desperate omega beside him.For whatever reason, possibly a biological musing surrounding the technicality of the breeding process occurring, Jungkook acts as a rock that Jimin relies on to carry him to the end of the grueling experience.“Come on, baby. Only for a few minutes. Sit with me on the floor and eat.”“E-Everything h-hurts.”“I know it does.” Jungkook states with sympathy, voice soothing and soft, his eyes dripping kindness when he wraps his arm around Jimin’s clammy back to force him off the bed. “It sucks for me too.”“You… You don’t act like it.”“Hmm?”“S-Seem like it’s not b-bothering you at all.” Jimin whimpers as cum dribbles down his legs with every step, distraught at letting it leave like this.“I’ve spent every second of the last day and a half trying not to sink my teeth into your fucking neck like a wild beast. I fuck you so much that you don’t even have time to ask for another knot because I’m already using your hole again. You’ve got marks all over your body from my mouth. I’m out of my mind just like you are, omega.”“Well… I guess…”“Eat.”“Let me have you inside, at least, so I’m not empty. Please, alpha. Need it.” Jimin pleads with tears in his eyes, wordlessly pulled into Jungkook’s lap to sink onto his deliciously satisfying, wholly fulfilling cock.“Now, eat.”They genuinely fuck nonstop for the course of 3 days, neither of them resting for longer than a couple of hours before their ravaging need overtakes them once more.Sleeping, awake, delirious, aware, hungry, tired, the circumstances don’t matter.A pup.Their bodies understand the goal at hand just as much as they know why they spend this intimate time together, intrinsically linked from the fabric of their beings while they work tirelessly to ensure a life forms in Jimin’s belly, unashamed in their plight to create the family they both crave.Jungkook’s sweetness never fades from the first knot to the last.“I think I can manage with just 1 more if that’s okay with you.” Jungkook rasps, voice hot against the shell of Jimin’s ear, his lips trailing across his neck so delicious that the omega’s cock twitches out pathetically weak spurts of cum. “Can I fill you up this last time for good measure, baby?”“Y-Yes.”“Thank you. Such a sweetheart.”“Don’t look at me.” Jimin whines breathily, his awareness too present now that his heat almost entirely fades away.“Why the hell not?”“M’gross.”“You’re beautiful. You always are. You look perfect like this, baby.” Jungkook asserts with confidence as he kisses his way down Jimin’s body, hot and wet and insistent, halting when he reaches the swollen pouch beneath the omega’s belly button.“A-Alpha, please.”Joining their bodies in this primal act of bonding for the last time evokes a humiliating amount of emotion from within the deepest parts of Jimin’s soul, both overjoyed at the idea of sleeping away the soreness that terrorizes his body and devastated to part cdom Jungkook’s side after experiencing something so vulnerable, hiccuping into the alpha’s neck while he fucks into him at a leisurely pace.Somehow, after days of this, both of their nether regions rubbed raw, it still feels good, whole, right.Taking the final knot fully breaks the dam inside of Jimin, pitifully crying for several minutes while all of the pent up feelings from the past few days rip out of him, clinging to Jungkook and his laundry scent like his survival depends on it.He wants to keep it inside of him forever.All of it.“Are you okay, baby? Hm? Is everything alright? Does it hurt a lot? Is that why you’re so upset?” Jungkook asks softly, voice gentle like the petal of a freshly blooming rose.“No.”“No to what?”“D-Doesn’t hurt too much.”“Why are you crying then?” Jungkook allows himself to question.“I… I don’t know. I just f-feel sad. I have a lot of heavy things in my chest.” Jimin answers honestly, choking out a gasp when Jungkook pulls back to separate their bodies the tiniest bit, jostling the knot snug in his walls while he slips his hand down to the omega’s rounded, aching belly. “My heart aches, alpha.”“That’s okay. I’m sure it’s normal to feel out of sorts after everything. I’ll be here with you the whole time to keep you company.”“You… Y-You will?”“Of course. Did you expect something different?”“No.” Jimin lies through his teeth, shaking his head, crying again when he realizes Jungkook wants to stay until they better recover and not just leave him alone to deal with the physical and emotional aftermath.“It’s my job to take care of you two now, remember?”“T-Two?” Jimin’s eyes nearly pop out of his head.“Mhm. You and our precious pup. They’re already starting to grow inside of you. I just know it. I feel it in my soul.”“Oh.”“You did well for me, omega. You took my knot perfectly, made me feel so good, never gave me any trouble. You’re going to be the best daddy to our little pup.” Jungkook sinks down on top of him again, bodies plastered together while he stares into his eyes with reverence and adoration.“We’re really going to have a pup?” Jimin struggles to breathe, heart pounding wildly, unable to break away from Jungkook’s captivating depths.“We’re having a pup.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

By the time Monday morning rolls around to usher in the start of another week, the sins of the past several days almost completely washed from the surfaces of Jimin’s apartment and his thoroughly ravaged body, not a single part of him actually feels like returning to work.He wants to remain in bed, sleep for a week straight, and let himself rest.Sore.Exhausted.Distant.The recent memories of the events that transpired during his heat replay in his head each time he moves, vivid imagery flashing into his vision when his body remembers what causes him to feel this way. He receives brief glimpses, obscene noises, and guttural feelings, unable to escape the reminders of the little he knows about what he let an alpha do to him.Not just any alpha, Jungkook, his boss.Still, even if he allows himself to slack off for a bit too long while he dozes in and out of sleep, Jimin ultimately forces himself out of the comfort of his bed to prepare for a full day of work ahead.His obligations await him.Since a jam-packed schedule and public events reside on his daily roster, he puts extra care into his appearance to ensure he looks the part regardless of how little he feels it. He understands the importance of appearing professional, his image a crucial part of his reputation as he works by Jungkook’s side. A crisp, light yellow suit perfectly tailored to fit his body, but flowy and loose in a way that provides delicacy to his features. Blonde hair curled to frame his face and accentuate his softness. Dangling earrings, rings, and a pin on his lapel. He hopes he hides his physical condition well.No one utters a word when he steps past the office doors at 9:37, over half an hour late.“Good morning, Jimin! Do you want your—“ Seo-ah freezes in place, eyes scanning up and down his body for several seconds, her mustard scent flashing with all kinds of emotions before she ultimately speaks again. “You look like shit.”“Wow, thank you so much.”“No, I just… I mean… Well, I did mean that you look like shit, but not in a bad way!”“I’m unsure if that statement could be anything except bad.”“Your eyes just look very tired today is all. You’re usually glowing, not having dark circles like this. You look fine otherwise.” Seo-ah attempts to correct herself and her rash words.“It’s fine. I know what I look like. I need some extra strong coffee today.”“Coming right up!”“And can you put some makeup under my eyes so no one else gives me that kind of reaction?” Jimin requests lowly, possessing no energy inside his body to take offense at her.“Yes, sir!”Unfortunately, as much as Jimin wants to sit at his desk and isolate himself on his computer while he completes the endless sea of tasks on his roster, other demands take importance and force him out of his little bubble that he desperately needs. Much to his chagrin, they also require him to spend the whole day with Jungkook.If his knees threaten to give out and his heart stutters in his chest at the mere sight of his alpha boss, no one in the universe needs to know.Not even himself.Everything in life freezes the moment Jimin steps into Jungkook’s office, freshly spun cotton and soft floral notes cascading down his body to drown him in their essence, nearly tripping over his own feet as he focuses on normalizing his breathing and reaching the chair in front of the desk without embarrassing himself to no end.They share a brief instance of eye contact where they gaze into each other’s abysses to express a multitude of elements without saying a word.Jimin’s hands tremble.“Did you start the forms for the newest pro bono case? The client is Lim. I sent over the information for the documents this morning.” Jungkook asks as he scans across the list on his iPad, crossing out something with his digital pen.“Yes.”“Great, I’ll need them for—““I’m not writing that.”“Sorry?”“I’m not writing that request.” Jimin states firmly, the festering emotions inside of him replacing the unusual nerves bubbling beneath the surface of his skin. “It’s a slap in the face to the victim to ask for such little punishment for something as insidious as rape.”“Secretary Park—““How could you agree to that? I thought the whole purpose of your career in this field is to bring justice to these heinous crimes.”“My vision of justice might not always match the client’s wishes.”“No prison time? Not even probation?” Jimin’s anger rises in his throat until he burns under the flames with every word he speaks.“It’s what she wants.”“It’s not right.”“This is a case against a high-ranking government official that has ruined her life. Nothing could ever undo the damage she’s suffered, so she’s not even trying. All she wants is to have the world know what happened to her and for someone, anyone, to believe her story.” Jungkook explains calmly, the pity in his tone making Jimin’s heart hurt.“Change her mind.”“Do you think I didn’t try? In what world would I ever propose such a sorry resolution for a client?”“Try harder.” Jimin huffs, crossing his arms over his chest, saddened by the situation. “Make him pay for what he did to her.”“I’ll continue to offer her alternatives and explain her options, but that’s all I can do. What matters to me is bringing her the justice she wants. You still need to fill out the forms so we can proceed with the official claim against him.”“Fine.”“Yeah?”“Yeah, whatever. I’ll fill it out for her sake, but I’m strongly against letting that alpha walk free without any sort of consequences for his behavior.”“As am I.”Treading past the initial barrier of the awkwardness of seeing each other again helps to bring Jimin back to a sense of normalcy with Jungkook, yet something inside of him struggles to forget the magnitude of experiences he shared with the alpha only a few days prior. When he looks at his hands, he thinks of how they were inside of him. As Jungkook licks his lips, he recalls them pressing against his neck. Everything feels like a tortuous reminder of them connecting so deeply.“Bring all of your stuff.”“Why?”“We’re going to the celebration dinner at that hotel after we get the verdict today, remember?”“If you win.” Jimin says teasingly.“I don’t lose, Secretary Park.”“Yeah, yeah.” Jimin rolls his eyes as he walks towards the door, valiantly attempting to ignore the heat simmering in his belly and the shiver wracking down his spine at the low, gruff timbre of the alpha’s voice.“Meet me at my car.”Legal secretaries typically remain in the office since their work entails technical responsibilities from behind the scenes rather than actually representing a client in court. They fill out forms and documents, research different laws, and file motions in the system. Nothing requires them to attend actual court proceedings.Jungkook, of course, prefers to bring Jimin along to highly important appearances because he wants to display the united front necessary for reaching his level of success.Everyone knows Criminal Attorney Jeon Jungkook and his Legal Secretary Park Jimin.Exhaustion tickles at the edges of Jimin’s brain by the late morning, his stomach rumbling and his mind finding it hard to focus, obediently following after Jungkook into the courthouse with a stack of documents in his hands and a pep in his step. He stares at the ground where he walks while he thinks of ungodly things, lost in his own world.He smacks into the glass door of the building in the blink of an eye, barely managing to keep himself on his feet while all of the items in his hands fall to the ground.“What the fuck is wrong with you? I know for a fact that you saw him coming in! Why did you just let the door slam in his face?” Jungkook shouts from the entryway of the courthouse, voice booming and irritated.“My bad.”“That’s all you have to say?”“It’s not my job to hold the door open for a stranger.” The man says with a shrug of his shoulders.“God forbid anyone have common decency nowadays.” Jungkook shakes his head, rushing through the door to help Jimin pick up all things, eyes full of worry when he brushes off the omega’s suit. “What an asshole.”“I’m fine.”“Are you sure?”“Mhm. I should’ve been watching my steps anyway. It’s not his fault.” Jimin says softly, gulping down the lump of emotion in his throat when he thinks of how he should tread carefully now that a pup possible lives in his belly.“Okay, if you say so. It certainly wasn’t your fault, but we can move on.”They never mention it.Not when they first meet in the morning.Not when they travel together to attend a court hearing.Not when sit in a restaurant to eat lunch before they head to the celebration event.The reality of their shared heat and rut exists only in the forages of their minds, neither of them choosing to introduce the topic after their intimacy together meets its end. Lingering glances and poignant eye contact serve as the only expressions of their recognition of the hopeful consummation of a pup less than a week ago.A metaphorical boogeyman.Despite winning yet another case, standing before crowds of reporters who ask him questions for live television, and receiving a handsome sum of money from his celebrity client, Jungkook refuses to revel in his victory, already mentally shifting gears to the next big case on the horizon.Jimin appreciates the way he keeps his eyes on his life’s goals and remains humble regardless of the wins stacking under his belt.Their clients, however, sing a different tune.“The man of the hour!”“Welcome, welcome!” A middle aged man, one half of the clientele for the major case of the day, claps his hands and smiles brightly at Jungkook.“It’s our honor to have you here today, Mr. Jeon! Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our family! We can never have our son back in our arms, but at least we received a tiny piece of justice due to your hard work and diligence.”“The honor is all mine.” Jungkook respectfully bows his head and extends his arm to lightly wrap it around Jimin’s lower back. “Both of us are glad to see you win.”“Definitely.” Jimin nods, bowing too, his skin tingling where Jungkook touches him.“We appreciate you coming here to celebrate with us!”“Feel free to leave whenever you want, but we hope you’ll stay until dinner to give a speech before the meal. We want everyone to hear from you directly since you’re the one who made this possible.”“I’ll prepare my words now.”A ballroom.The wealthy clients who successfully won their case against a doctor for medical malpractice throw their celebration event in a ballroom of a 5-star hotel.Crystalline chandeliers dangle from the ceiling. Hosts of flowers decorate each dining table and outline the reception area. Waiters dressed in all black hand out drinks with expensive appetizers. A live band plays music on the stage at the front. More than a hundred wealthy socialites, friends, family, and acquaintances fill the massive space dressed in their luxury branded clothing.Jimin silently follows along as Jungkook moves through the tables to socialize and network with the other people in attendance, bone-tired and utterly exhausted from head to toe.He fights to pay to attention to the conversations at hand.After years of training in law school, plus several additional years of actual practice, Jungkook knows how to impress almost anyone as if they sit in the court room waiting to pass judgment on one of his cases. He understands people, what to say to win them over, and how to connect with them after only a short discussion.The omega at his side wants to return to the comfort of his own home and sleep until sunrise.“Are you tired of working for him yet?”“My answer is still the same.”“No?”“No.”“It’s a shame you’re so damn loyal.” Yijoon, an omega lawyer who runs in their circle, says with a shake of his head. His lips split into a mischevious smile, custard scent wafting in the air when he raises his glass for a drink. “Forget about him and come to work for me.”“As always, I’m flattered by your offer, but I’m happy where I’m at.”“I’ll make you happier. You can have any conditions and terms you want. I’ll give you whatever Jeon gives you, plus more.”“You don’t need me.” Jimin smiles politely, always amused by this man.“You’re right, but I don’t want him to have you either.”“Are you trying to poach my secretary again, Jang Yijoon? Really? While I’m off on stage giving a speech about how I just won a monumental case, you’re here attempting to steal my team from me?” Jungkook asks with narrowed eyes and a playful demeanor.“I’m a firm believer of worker’s rights. If a better offer comes along, you should let him take it.”“You think you’re the better offer?”“Damn right, I do.”“You’re a glutton for punishment, aren’t you? How many times has he rejected you by now? I can’t tell if you even want him for his skill set or if you’re just obsessed with taking what’s mine.” Jungkook rasps his words, low and grumbly, the confident cadence of his voice sparking something forbidden in Jimin’s gut as he processes the sentiment spoken.“You have plenty of capable people on your team, Mr. Jang. I hope you treat them as well as you promise to treat me.”“I’ll half all their paychecks to afford you.”“Enough.”“You’ve won this round, Jeon. Just know that I’ll be back again next time with some better negotiating skills up my sleeves. Wait and see. You’ll be sorry.” Yijoon declares in a half jest, half serious manner.“You said that the last 25 times.”“27.”“Have a good night.” Jimin flashes him a tired smile, appreciative of the soothing laundry scent that washes over his senses.When the waiters deliver their meals to the table with the commencement of the fanciful celebration dinner, Jimin musters the motivation to force feed himself a few forkfuls of each category of food, the exhaustion licking at his bones and the lack of appetite making it difficult to consume much more than that.He pushes the dishes around on his plate to appear like he eats plenty.Those around him, Jungkook included, merely engage in idle conversation while they enjoy the luxurious meal offered to them by this wealthy family. They discuss the stock market, changes in the weather, current events in the news, and golfing techniques. Jimin zones out while he stares into the distance, legs crossed and his hands folded in his lap. He loathes that he still feels so tired and drained a few days after his heat ended.Fresh air.He politely excuses himself to step outside for crisp, fresh air in his lungs to reinvigorate his senses.With every intention of waking himself up to contribute more to their social interactions rather than existing as an accessory on his boss’ arm, Jimin plops down on a bench against the wall behind the building where he promises to rest for just a second.Only a minute.Closing his eyes tempts him too much to resist.The setting sun in the distance drenches the world in a welcome coolness now that summer inches forward, the shade behind the building providing the perfect atmosphere for a little break.Relaxation.“Secretary Park?” Jungkook’s low voice rattles the walls of his chest as it floats in the air, prickling at the edges of his consciousness since the innermost part of him acutely recognizes the sound. A hand nudges against his shoulder, gentler than the cotton in the breeze. “I was wondering where you went. Are you alright?”“Mhm.”“What are you doing?”“Resting my eyes.” Jimin whispers breathily, too comfortable to move a single muscle.“That’s just called sleeping, I’m afraid.”“No, no, s’different.”“Okay, come on. Let’s go. You clearly need to get out of here. Come.” Jungkook wraps his hand around the omega’s bicep, touch burning like the surface of the sun when he gently pulls him out of his restful slumber and urges him onto his feet.“Where are we going?”“I’m taking you home.”“I’ll take the subway.” Jimin declares, instantly sobering from his sleep-induced daze. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. My place is so far out of the way for you.”“I can’t let you take the subway in this condition, not in good conscience.”“I’m okay, Attorney Jeon. I promise.”“Let me take you home.”Something about the quiet stillness of riding inside of a car at night—melodic music tinkling from the speakers, the cool breeze of the air conditioning, soothing scents trapped inside to drown every breath, total darkness save for the lights on the dash—forces Jimin to fall back into the reprieve of sleep, his head resting against the window while his hand wrap around his torso for extra comfort.He means to stay awake and prove Jungkook’s worries wrong, but that feels like an impossible task when it comes time to do it.No harm in a little rest.“Thank you for taking me home. I’m sorry that you had to leave early and come all the way out here. I’m just… I’m still a bit tired… You know?” Jimin speaks so softly that his voice wisps in the space between them.“It’s no trouble at all to make sure you get home safe.“I’ll see you tomorrow.”“Good night, Secretary Park.” Jungkook offers him a sweet smile that causes his heart to stutter.“Good night, Attorney Jeon.”Glittering rays of sunshine reflect off the surface of the water to blind Jimin where he sits at a table just inside the cabin of the boat, his overnight bag tucked neatly at his feet while he fights to ignore the nausea surmounting with each passing moment.His friends around him appear perfectly fine, tapping away on their phones and taking pictures, unbothered by the rocking against the waves.Jimin might hurl over the side of the boat.“Are you sure it’s okay that I’m coming with you guys to this thing? I don’t even know the couple that’s getting married. This is a destination wedding. Is it weird that I’m a total stranger who’s going to show up to meet them for the first time?” Jimin lists out the questions drawing concern in the recesses of his perpetually worrying mind.“They told me I could bring a plus one.” Seokjin answers blankly, shrugging.“T-There… There are three of us.”“Same difference.”“Wait… Does it actually work like that? Can you bring three people with you as a plus one?” Taehyung asks with furrowed eyebrows, his sugary scent making Jimin’s stomach turn even harder.“No.”“Sure, why not?”“No way!” Hoseok shakes his head, eyes wide, dropping his phone into his lap. “Tell me you’re lying. Say it right fucking now.”“They’re really chill people. It’s totally fine. Why are you guys freaking out?”“The grooms don’t even know we’re coming.”“You’re going to be that annoying asshole who brings a bunch of extra guests that they’re not expecting. It costs money to have a wedding, you know? This is against proper etiquette for sure.”“Just relax. They’re not going to mind. You don’t know them like I do.” Seokjin says with a nonchalant attitude and a wave of his hand, sinking back against the chair before he pops his airpods into his ears. He shoots them an unconvincing smile. “Besides, I paid for our room and travel and everything. It’s not like it’s an added expense for them.”“Oh my god!”“We’re going to get kicked out of a wedding!”The few hours on the rocking boat feel like a lifetime when Jimin battles to keep the contents of his stomach inside his body, none of the patches or pills for seasickness helping at all. He closes his eyes, sucks in steady breaths through his mouth, and attempts to find peace until the turmoil meets its end. Thinking about repeating this trip again in only a couple of days makes him want to scream and cry like a little baby.Luckily, he steps off the boat without any mishaps or unfortunate situations occurring. Not so luckily, he pukes his guts out on the pavement as soon as his feet reach solid ground.Seokjin hails them a taxi as Hoseok and Taehyung comfort him by running a hand down his back while also combing their fingers through his hair, reassuring him that only a few people saw him vomiting and no one took any pictures. They kindly grab his bag to load it into the trunk before ushering him into the front seat where the air conditioning can reach him the easiest. He regrets everything about his life choices leading up to this moment, but no turning back now that they made it to Jeju.Massive.A huge hotel.It resides along the shore of the island right next to the beach, both expensive and opulent judging from the outside of the building.Jimin never forks out the cash to stay in places like this.The three of them wait patiently in the marble covered lobby of the hotel while Seokjin checks them in to their suite that contains enough rooms for all of them to claim their own, Hoseok and Taehyung flouncing around to explore their surroundings as Jimin lies on the couch to regain his bearings. He nearly vomits again when he thinks about eating any sort of fresh seafood, taking deep breaths to calm his queasy stomach.“Jimin?”“H-Huh? Jungkook?”“What are you doing here?” Jungkook asks with raised eyebrows and dropped jaw, halting dead in his tracks near the couch with a small suitcase in his hand.“A wedding.”“Wait, me too. Whose wedding?”“I don’t know.” Jimin answers truthfully, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of his alpha boss, embarrassingly gross after his mishap with the boat ride. He refuses to acknowledge how something inside of him roars in delight at the scent of fresh laundry. “My… My friend.”“Your friend? Your friend is the one getting married? What do you mean you don’t know?”“I came with him as a guest.”“Oh, that’s—““Seokjin! Jungkook! It’s so good to see you guys! Wedding time is almost here!” A tall, dimple smiled man announces as he steps into the hotel, eyes shifting from Jungkook to Seokjin while he rushes over with suitcases on a cart beside him.As it turns out, Seokjin brought Taehyung, Hoseok, and Jimin as guests to the same wedding that Jungkook arrives to attend, both of them somehow friends with the same people without ever realizing it. They just happen to show up at the same hotel at the same time for the same purpose, the coincidence so great that Jimin starts to wonder whether he dreams it all up. Nothing about the day feels real.“Who the hell are all these people?” The second groom, apparently named Yoongi, whispers under his breath to Seokjin while they wait for the elevator.“They’re your wedding guests, duh.”“Do I know them?”“Nope.”“What the fuck? You brought random people to my wedding? Didn’t I tell you it was going to be extremely small and private?”“Yeah, that’s why I brought them.” Seokjin smiles brightly, unbothered.“You’re the worst.”They receive exactly one night to enjoy themselves before the event of the weekend unfolds, spending their time at an expensive pork belly restaurant down the street while everyone drinks their fill of beer and soju, Jimin pointedly avoiding all hints of alcohol since he hopes a pup lives in his belly at this point in time.Jimin, Taehyung, Hoseok, and Seokjin promptly fall asleep in their separate rooms of the suite following a nightly stroll along the beach.An evening wedding means they all possess the privilege of sleeping in for once in their lives, in no hurry to prepare for an occasion that happens so late in the day. They eat whenever they want, relax on the balcony while breathing in the salty air, shower and dress at a leisurely pace, and just soak up the sun while waiting for the time to tick forward. All things in consideration, it flows with ease and abundance compared to the previous day.Beautiful.Golden sunshine, soft breeze, vibrant flowers.The venue for the wedding, on a secluded area of the beach outside the hotel beneath a white trellis covered in flowers, encapsulates a dream come true for anyone who ever dreams of marriage.Regardless of the fact that he met the grooms less a day prior to the official ceremony, not even speaking a single word to either of them, Jimin finds himself struck with emotion as he watches them proclaim their love for one another with everyone they care about in attendance, committing to remain loyal, caring, and devoted to their relationship for the rest of their days on this earth.They exchange heartfelt and humorous vows, Namjoon a blubbering mess while he speaks some of the prettiest words Jimin’s ears might ever hear.A kiss, of course.Choruses of cheers, clapping, and hoorays for the newly married couple.“Are you crying right now?” Hoseok questions in a low voice, Taehyung and Jimin immediately flinging their attention to the beta beside them to survey the situation for themselves.“N-No.”“He is!”“Is he actually crying? For real? This doctor with a self-proclaimed heart of steel?” Jimin asks in disbelief, eyes wide and lips verging on a smile.“W-Why would I be c-crying? That’s ridiculous!” Seokjin exclaims in his broken voice, hiding his face in the material of his dress shirt, refusing to allow them to look at him. “Stop looking at me, for fuck’s sake!”“Aww, are you that emotional about seeing your friends get married?”“You’re such a romantic!”“I’ve just got sand in my eyes. That’s all. Allergies, too. Maybe someone around here is cutting onions. I would never be weak enough to cry at something stupid like two of my best friends in the whole world getting married after 14 years of being together.”“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with crying.” Jimin says softly, both amused and touched by his poignant reaction.“Yeah, cry all you want. It’s perfectly normal.”“We’ll just tease you for it.”Besides the amazing opportunity to visit Jeju Island without spending a dime out of his own pocket, the after party serves as the main driving force behind Jimin’s acceptance of Seokjin’s invite to the wedding. Everyone loves the fun that arises during the reception of a wedding, Jimin no exception to the rule. He wants to eat delicious food, listen to music with his friends, and enjoy himself without any obligations weighing on his shoulders.Taehyung and Hoseok keep him company while the group of about 20 or so guests move into the reserved space for dinner, Seokjin wandering off to cry in peace or wallow in his feelings alone.Buffet style meals never fail to impress an omega like Jimin, in favor of such a variety of foods without breaking the bank.They load their plates to the brim.With no seating arrangements or specific areas reserved for anyone except the grooms, Jimin ends up shoved around a table with Seokjin, Taehyung, Hoseok, and Jungkook. All five of them stuff their faces, laugh way too much, and talk about whatever ridiculous topics that come to mind. The alpha fits right in regardless of how infrequently he spends time with the others in Jimin’s group of friends.A natural fit.Inevitably, as the night descends into chaos due to the copious amounts of alcohol consumed from the open bar, not to mention the overloading of sugar from the cake and dessert bar, the people closest to the newly married couple stand on stage to give speeches and toasts for their continued happiness.Jimin feels like the only one unable to drink, sitting awkwardly with his hands in his lap while everyone raises their glasses again and again.“Here.” Jungkook rasps as he returns to the table beside Jimin, fresh laundry blossoming in the air to knock into the omega like a wave, extending his hand to offer him a glass. “Drink this.”“Oh, thank you, but I can’t—““It’s soda.”“Right. That’s… That’s nice. Thank you.” Jimin’s heart skips a beat when he reaches out to take the glass, too weak to ignore the way warmth washes over him at the simple consideration.“You’re welcome.”Each time after that when a family member or friend ends their brief congratulatory speech with calls for a toast, Jimin raises his glass of soda and joins in on the fun. No one would notice his lack of participation either way, but it makes his insides tingle with warmth at being included in such a joyous part of the reception.He makes eye contact with Jungkook more than once, sharing a secret between the two of them that no one else knows, evoking a thrill in his veins whenever they gaze into each other’s eyes with that knowing stare.Consideration makes him truly and utterly weak.Eventually, following the obscene amount of alcohol, delicious foods, and sappy well wishes, the crowd disperses to happily dance along to the music blaring from the DJ booth. A carefree, light hearted time to move their bodies without thinking of anything else. Some people leave to walk on the beach or return to their rooms, but Jimin and his friends dance their hearts out. Whether upbeat and rhythmic or slow and melodic, they tangle together to seize the chance to celebrate life.Towards the end of the night, as tendrils of exhaustion slither around the folds of his brain, Jimin finds himself left with only Jungkook at the table while the rest of his friends continue their choreographed fun.Only the two of them.“May I have this dance?” Jungkook asks with a rich, deep voice and a sparkle in his dark eyes, extending his hand towards Jimin from where he stands beside his chair. “It’s only fair for you to let me have my turn since you’ve already danced with everyone else.”“I’m afraid I don’t have much left in me.”“That’s okay. It’s a slow song anyway. You don’t have to do much except sway to the music.”“Sure.”Jimin’s heart hammers as he rises from the table to obediently follow Jungkook through the dwindling crowd of guests on the dance floor, a million thoughts flickering through his mind while he expends all his remaining energy to put one foot in front of the other to reach the empty spot the alpha claims for them. His palms sweat, his breathing shudders, and his veins burn with anticipation.Effortlessly, naturally, easily, Jungkook wraps his hands around Jimin’s waist to pull him in closer, so confident in his movements that it leaves the omega too stunned to complete the position for several, lengthy seconds.Oh, how his touch burns through Jimin’s skin like the heat of a thousand suns.Raising his hands to loop them behind Jungkook’s neck, drawing them the tiniest bit closer with only inches between them, their position reminiscent of teenagers dancing together for the first time at a high school prom, Jimin holds his breath and sways in time with the music while pretending every cell in his body doesn’t threaten to explode at any second.Different.Unlike all the other dances he shared tonight, none of them compare to this one.He realizes that perhaps he enacted a grave mistake in requesting that Jungkook personally spend his heat with him to conceive their pup. As he musters the courage to peer up into those captivating eyes, forcibly sucking down a lungful of musky, spicy cotton, he feels something flourishing in the depths of his being. An encompassing, unavoidable, consuming feeling that preens in the alpha’s presence, tingling with delight from just a single touch to his skin. Jimin fails to understand the emotions rising inside of him while he bathes in Jungkook’s undivided attention.A little more than two weeks ago, none of this ever occurred when spending time with his boss.Terrifying.“How do you feel?” Jungkook asks, an intensity behind each word, the true meaning of his inquiry not lost on Jimin.“Tired.”“Yeah?”“I can’t shake it. I’m exhausted by the end of the day. I’ve even started taking naps in the afternoon.” Jimin answers honestly, too nervous to voice this truth aloud to anyone else.“Whoa. You never take naps.”“I know, right?”“Do you feel normal besides that?” Jungkook questions in a gentle, raspy tone.“Pretty much.”“You haven’t been sick?”“No.” Jimin shakes his head before pausing to pull his lips into a beaky pout, painfully reminded of the occurrence from the previous day. “Well… I got really sick on the boat ride here, but I don’t know if that counts.”“I don’t know either.”“It’s early.”“It is.”“Too early to know anything for sure.” Jimin states blankly, his heart pounding, struggling to breathe normally with their bodies so close.“I’m confident in what the answer will be.”“I hope you’re right.”“Me too.” Jungkook offers him a charming, handsome smile when he relinquishes his hold to allow the omega to drop his hands from his shoulders since the slow music transitions into something upbeat again.“See you Monday, Secretary Park.”“Good night, Attorney Jeon.”An all out catastrophe nearly occurs the next day when Jimin, Hoseok, and Taehyung wake to prepare for the journey home, only to find Seokjin’s room in the suite empty without any sign of the beta anywhere. They call his phone dozens of times, search the amenities of the hotel, walk along the beach, and even ask the front desk staff if they noticed him. All of their search efforts turn up empty handed.Of course, in typical Seokjin fashion, he appears minutes before they need to leave to ride back to the dock where their boat awaits them.“Where the hell have you been?”“Have you lost your fucking mind? What have you been doing all this time?”“We texted and called and looked everywhere for you!” Jimin adds in a worried comment of his own, breathing a sigh of relief now that he sees his friend face to face again.“I was busy.”“Busy?”“Doing what, exactly?”“I met a lovely omega last night, so I was busy showing him a good time while I had the chance. Can you blame me?” Seokjin says, annoyingly nonchalant and carefree, shrugging his shoulders.“You were blowing his back out all morning? It was that serious? You couldn’t even answer the phone?”“You know I never stop after just one round.”Staying up late after the wedding proves to work in Jimin’s favor this time around, so overwhelmed with the need to sleep that he promptly knocks out on Taehyung’s shoulder the second they climb onto the boat. He manages to sleep through the entirety of the excursion back to the mainland, seasickness unable to clutch him in its grasp since he remains unconscious. The return home flows much more smoothly than their arrival, Jimin making it home in the evening to rest for a few short hours before bedtime.Jimin loves his job.He downright adores it.The idea of working as secretary for an attorney never even crossed his mind when he graduated with an administrative degree, but the job opening in the forum sounded simple enough for him to handle.Jungkook and Jimin started this journey together all those years ago.With no experience under their belts nor extensive knowledge about how to handle the system, they learned together how to navigate the world of justice. Jungkook slowly built his reputation after graduating at a fairly young age, assisting Jimin in his secretarial duties while they discovered the ins and outs of working side by side. They took off running and never looked back.Sitting at his desk with stacks of files to parse through, his wrists aching from the excessive typing required with each case, he enjoys himself more than he ever thought possible when he started this career path six years ago.It offers him freedom.More precisely, Jungkook offers him freedom.No one micro manages him to ensure he remains on task, never looming over his shoulder or counting the minutes of his productivity. He works on assignments at his own leisure, tucked away in a private office without anyone bothering him. From the decorations in his space to his attire to the specific hours he works, this job provides unlimited leeway.Not to mention the fact that Jungkook pays him a handsome amount, enough to live comfortably and also pay for his parents back home.He loves his job.“I was thinking about making a trip to the cafe downstairs for some pastries. Do you want anything? I have a copy of their menu on my desk if you need to know what they have.” Seo-ah peeks her head in through the crack in Jimin’s open door after she politely knocks to alert him of her presence.“Absolutely. It’s like you read my mind. I was just thinking about how I could use a carb-loaded treat to get me through the day.”“We’re always on the same wavelength!”“Can you get me one of those twisted donuts? The kind with sugar and cinnamon on the outside? I would also love a piece of salt bread, cheese if they have it or plain is fine too.” Jimin answers after a few seconds of deliberation, stomach already growling at the mental images in his head.“Salty and sweet, the best combination.”“Exactly.”“I’ll be back ASAP!”Seo-ah swiftly delivers a paper bag full of goodies before she slips away again to attend to her duties at the front desk, going as far as sneaking in a custard donut since she knows how much Jimin favors them, providing him the perfect little snack to ride him over until the company lunch in a few hours.He finds new energy to pour himself into his work with his belly full of delicious bread, smiling to himself while he finishes the most pertinent documents of the day.Conversely enough, Jimin also hates his job sometimes.The aura in the atmosphere shifts the second he steps into the meeting room with Jungkook and the woman from the Lim case, not a smile anywhere as he plops down across from them with his laptop in tow. They greet him with empty words, not at all enthusiastic in their tones, something heavy and uncomfortable lingering in the air while they wait for him to prepare for the meeting.Staring at the young woman’s fallen expression while he pulls up the necessary programs, Jimin knows bad news awaits him.“Ms. Lim would like to file a motion to dismiss the charges brought against the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, as she is no longer interested in pursuing a case against him.” Jungkook states plainly, opening the meeting by laying all the information on the table. “She would like this done as quickly as possible.”“Didn’t we just file the charges three weeks ago? There hasn’t even been a court appearance yet, right?” Jimin questions with confusion, hands frozen on his lap while he processes the request.“That is correct, Secretary Park. The charges were just filed, but she wishes to dismiss them before it proceeds any further.”“Was the accused served their papers?”“Yes.”“Okay.” Jimin’s heart shatters into a million pieces when he shares a prolonged bout of eye contact with Jungkook, glaringly aware of the situation without ever hearing the details aloud. He sucks in a deep breath, swallows the lump in his throat, and fights his emotions to not make this about him. “I’ll start the process of dismissing the case.”“It… It’ll be over after that, won’t it? Will this all be gone once it’s dismissed?”“Your criminal charges against the accused will be dismissed, effectively canceled, but there’s no guarantee that a higher court won’t pick up the case and reintroduce the charges without you.”“W-Without me? They can do that? Even if I don’t want to charge him?” Ms. Lim questions in a distraught voice, eyes wide and shifty.“I’m afraid so.”“You’ll need to sign this to confirm that you want the charges dropped.” Jimin states as he slides the form across the table.“I would like to reiterate that I can only protect you from what I’m knowledgeable about. If there’s been any contact from the accused or if they’ve made any threats towards you, I can only help you if you tell me. Intimidation, bribery, and threats are illegal.” Jungkook explains professionally, yet kindly as he holds his hand over the paper to block her from signing it.“N-No, no, nothing like that. Nothing happened. Not at all. I just… I changed my mind. I want this all to go away. Now.”“Thank you.” Jimin chokes out, taking back the signed document, brimming with anger at the reality of this woman’s circumstances. This happens far too often, but it never hurts any less to know that these poor victims suffer so much at the hands of their abusers. “I’ll file it right now.”“Thank you, Secretary Park.”“Of course.”Only on rare occasion does everyone in Jungkook’s firm come together to meet at one time, the various members of staff usually too occupied by their work to commit to a specific time and date for socialization, the company now expanding to include several other lawyers and their assisting employees.The firm, simply named Jeon Law Offices, boasts a roster of attorneys who possess the same mission as Jungkook—bringing due process to the victims among them who experience horrific, cruel, despicable crimes.Above all else, more than monetary gain or notoriety, they care about justice.Gathering everyone into a single restaurant always puts a smile on Jimin’s face, still in disbelief when he receives direct reminders of how far Jungkook’s success grows with such a short amount of time. They opt for a barbecue place since everyone likes meat, all piling into a lengthy booth that spans along the wall, the omega finding himself at the end next to the window with both Jungkook and Seo-ah beside him.Grilled meat sounds like an absolute dream.“What requests do you have for the meat?” Jungkook asks as he gazes at the secretary, standing behind her with an empty tray and tongs. “Any preferences? Dietary restrictions?”“Get beef.”“Okay, what kind?”“Any.”“Alright, be right back.”“Wait! You’re not even going to ask me what I want?” Jimin questions with a dropped jaw and eyebrows raised up his forehead.“With all due respect, I already know what you want.”“Nuh-uh!”“Marinated.” Jungkook deadpans.“Well… T-That’s… Yeah, but what kind of marinade? Hmm? There are two, spicy and—““Both.”“You’re right.” Jimin offers him a slow nod, defeated since Jungkook truly knows his ideal order for a place like this.“I’m wounded that you underestimate me so often.”As the self-proclaimed grill master of their table, Jungkook focuses his attention on flipping the meat at the opportune time to ensure nothing burns whatsoever, Seo-ah manning the scissors to chop up everything into manageable pieces for consumption. Jimin feels bad about merely sitting back while they handle everything, but he certainly never complains about the situation.The other employees of the firm great enjoy themselves while they discuss things other than the many court cases weighing on their shoulders, everyone speaking freely from table to table without office walls dividing them.“Give me your secret.”“Huh?” Jimin nearly spits out his food, taken by surprise when an attorney from the nearest table leans close to him in the booth. “What do you mean?”“Tell me how you keep your clothes so crisp and neat all the time. There’s never as much as a wrinkle anywhere on you, yet you’re wearing things like suits that notoriously crinkle at the tiniest movement. Spill the beans, please.”“Sunshine.”“I’m going to need more details.” Areum, an omega who smells like white wine, says with an expectant look on her face.“I hang them outside to dry in the sunlight and wind, so maybe that keeps them in this condition. I honestly don’t do much other than that.”“You don’t steam them? Or iron them?”“Never.”“Ugh, it’s unfair that you look good so effortlessly. I’m jealous.”“Thank you.” Jimin giggles to himself, always taking pride in his appearance and looks, highly valuing that aspect of his reputation as well.All too quickly, the responsibilities of reality creep up behind them to remind them of their many duties waiting back in the office. They fellowship for only an hour before finishing their food and heading out together to walk back to their home in the sky, everyone lighter and brighter after stuffing their bellies with delicious, expensive meats at Jungkook’s expense.If Jimin sleeps off his food coma by locking his office door and curling up for a nap on a mat behind his desk, that remains his business and his alone.The tiredness never spares him these days.He finishes his tasks just as 5 o’clock rolls around, overjoyed to log out of all his programs and shut down his computer until he arrives again in the morning. Nothing to worry about anymore except taking the subway home without the gigantic crowd of people smushing him to death.On his way out, when he looks across the hall to find Jungkook’s office light still on, he falters for a second, requiring only a few moments of contemplation before he makes a decision.“If you’re going to work all night, at least take a little break.”“Where’s the fun in that?”“I’d argue it’s very fun not croaking over and dying in your 30s from working too hard. Taking a break will do you good. Trust me.” Jimin says decisively, clearing off a spot on the messy desk before he hoists up a delivery bag full of steaming hot food.“What’s that?”“Dinner.” Jimin pulls open the bag to reveal an array of side dishes and a heaping serving of spicy stew, spreading it in front of the alpha before opening his chopsticks. “Eat up.”“That’s really thoughtful of you. Thank you so much. You didn’t have to do that.”“Just don’t work yourself too hard, okay?”“I can’t make any promises.”“See you tomorrow! Enjoy the food!” Jimin announces as he turns to pad towards the door, more pleased with himself than he cares to admit.“Wait! You’re not going to join me?”“I’ll eat at home.”“Oh, okay.” Jungkook’s voice contains the slightest hint of disappointment that Jimin convinces himself he imagines to avoid ruminating on the concept later, his fresh laundry scent far too soothing to resist inhaling another lungful on his way out. “Get home safely, please. I’ll see you in the morning, Secretary Park.”“Have a nice night, Attorney Jeon.”Jimin leaves the office with an extra pep in his step and a smile tugging on his cheeks, instincts puffing with satisfaction for the remainder of the evening.An entire month.31 days, specifically.The month of June transpires in the blink of an eye, passing without warning before Jimin even finds the opportunity to blink, staring at the calendar with a dumbfounded expression when he realizes how much time passed since the fateful heat he shared with Jungkook.He wants to know.Though it evokes terror in the depths of his heart and makes his stomach twist with nervous anticipation, he longs to learn the truth of his condition.Does a precious pup live inside of him?A constant onslaught of thoughts swirl through his mind for the entire day as he enjoys his weekend at home, attempting to push aside the intensity in which he yearns to discover the status of his hopeful pregnancy. He distracts himself by cleaning his apartment from top to bottom, washing a load of laundry, calling his parents, cooking side dishes for the week, and grocery shopping, but it fails to push the nagging idea from the back of his mind.Technically, at a month following intercourse, he could find out if the conception proves successful.Maybe.Early, yet possible.His feet involuntarily halt in place on his way home from grabbing groceries at the market down the street, a pharmacy along the way practically growing arms to snatch him up and pull him inside where he knows pregnancy tests reside on the shelves.It takes several minutes of contemplation, mentally battling with himself to decide whether he truly wishes to purchase the tests out in the open for everyone to see or if he should wait a little longer, before he ultimately decides to grab a handful of them to nervously place on the counter for purchase, shifty eyes gazing around to ensure no one sees him buying an unnecessary amount of pregnancy tests.Jimin places them on his kitchen counter.They taunt him.With bright pink packaging and boxes that take up far too much space, the pregnancy tests catch his attention every time he turns his head.Beckoning.His eyes naturally draw to the tests while he checks his email on his laptop, shaking his head before returning to typing a response to someone. The boxes sit in the way when he heats up a satisfying meal for dinner, touching them to push them further back against the wall. As he lies in bed to watch a drama until he falls asleep, the light above the stove shines on them like a spotlight, the pregnancy tests all but calling his name.It feels foolish.He knows nothing about the specific timeframe of when a test might show proper results, but it seems too early.His impatience threatens to devour him alive if he puts off the inevitable any longer, chomping at the bit to discover whether his and Jungkook’s instincts accept the level of compatibility between them to allow a pup to form.Obscenely early on Sunday morning, when he first opens his eyes, he sees them again.Now.“Secretary Park?”“Hello.”“Uh… Hi?” Jungkook’s voice sounds muffled over the phone, deeper and raspier than normal, his gruff cadence sending Jimin’s already racing heart into overdrive.“Do… D-Do you want to come over?”“Sorry, what?”“Do you want to come to my apartment? A-Are you busy?” Jimin asks as he chews on the inside of his cheek.“It’s 6:21 in the morning on a Sunday. No, of course I’m not busy. I wasn’t even awake until I got your call. I’m not convinced that this isn’t some kind of dream because—““Ah, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I… I wasn’t thinking about how early it is and… a-and I just—““Can you tell me what’s going on? Is something wrong? Are you okay?” Jungkook questions in such a gentle, soothing voice that it makes Jimin want to burst into tears for some reason, staring up at his roof while he still lies in bed.“I think I’m going to take my f-first test.”“Test?”“P-Pregnancy test.”“Oh.” Jungkook rasps in response, falling completely and utterly silent for an entire lifetime, Jimin’s heartbeat pounding in his ears while he waits with bated breath. “You want me to be there for it?”“I… I mean… I thought you should be here to find out the result, right?”“I’ll admit that I wasn’t expecting this, but—““You don’t have to. N-Not… Not at all. I just thought… I don’t know. It made sense in my mind, but I understand if you would rather me just text you the result. It’s a f-far drive for you and it’s your day off and—““I want to be there when you take the test.”“You do?” Jimin chokes on his own breath, sitting straight up in his bed while he clutches his comforter to his chest with his free hand.“Of course. It’s my pup too, isn’t it? I would love to share that experience with you.”“Y-Yeah, yeah, okay.” Jimin pulls the phone away from his ear to muffle the sound of his shaky breathing and sniffles while he wipes away the pathetic tears gathering in the corners of his eyes, so touched by the reassurance in Jungkook’s words.“Does it have to be right now?”“Technically it doesn’t h-have to, but I was told that taking a test first thing in the morning is the most accurate result.”“Then I’ll get dressed and head straight to you.“I can come to your apartment if—““That’s unnecessary. It’s much easier for me to drive to your place than it is for you to take multiple subways over here. Plus, I honestly don’t mind it. It’s not trouble at all, I promise.” Jungkook states firmly, rustling in the background of the speaker as he presumably climbs out of bed.“O-Okay, thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you sooner.”“Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you in a bit, yeah?”“Yeah.”Jimin paces back and forth in his tiny apartment until he worries he might wear a path into the old wood that lines his floor, ridiculously anxious considering none of this comes as a surprise. All these days to mentally prepare himself, a literal month in the making, yet he thinks his head might explode after his stomach falls out of his ass. He fidgets with the hem of his long sleep shirt and tries—fails—to convince himself that a negative result won’t destroy him.He answers the door in his ratty shirt and baggy shorts, not even bothering to brush his messy hair, only putting in the effort to brush his teeth to avoid disgusting the alpha too much.A wave of floral tinged cotton barrels into him like a tsunami when he welcomes Jungkook into his apartment, knees dangerously close to giving out while everything inside of him so ambers to the ground beneath such intense comfort. He breathes a sigh of relief, however small and temporary, to see his face and know he receives support during this nerve wracking time.They stand together in the kitchen as the gravity of the occurrence settles over them.“Is that it?”“Huh?” Jimin breathes out a puff of air, turning his head to follow Jungkook’s eyes to the counter beside them. “Oh. Yeah, that’s the test.”“You bought a lot of them.”“Just in case.”“You’re nothing if not prepared. That’s something I know for certain. You’re always one step ahead.” Jungkook says softly, lips pulling into the most handsome smile while he releases a little chuckle.“I… I don’t feel very prepared right now.”“Was a month not long enough for you?”“No.”“It did go by fairly quickly, I’ll give you that. We’ve been so busy that it doesn’t feel like that much time has passed. I guess that’s life, hm?”“I’m… I’m n-nervous.”“Me too.” Jungkook’s voice drops lower to match Jimin’s timid whisper, the darkness of his eyes sparkling with gentleness. “But that’s okay. It’s normal to be nervous for something so important.”“Let’s read the instructions together and then you can wait in the bedroom while I… You know…”“Sure.”In a rather predictable turn of events, Jimin falls bladder shy the moment he steps into the bathroom and closes the door behind him, frozen in front of the toilet for so long that he decides to pull down his pants and sit on the seat instead.He closes his eyes, sucks in several deep breaths, offers himself a pep talk, and wills his hands to stop shaking long enough for him to pee in the cup.It finally happens after a lifetime of waiting.Closely following the instructions that he all but memorizes by this point, reading them once again for good measure, he places the stick into the cup for about 15 seconds to allow it to work its magic before he snaps the cap back on the end and rests it face down on the sink.Minutes to go.“What if it’s negative?” Jimin asks with panic lacing his voice, sitting on the edge of the bed beside Jungkook while they wait. “W-What… What if it didn’t work on the first try?”“Then we’ll try again.”“How many times? At what point do we just accept that it’s not working? When do we stop trying and give up?”“There are other options for us to make this happen if we truly can’t do it naturally. Money isn’t an issue, so we have all kinds of things to take advantage of before we reach the point of giving up.” Jungkook states plainly, outwardly calm even as his scent possesses hints of nervousness.“I don’t want to try other options. I want it to happen on its own.”“We don’t even know the result yet. Let’s not worry over things that we have no control over. Not yet, anyway. I’m confident in my instincts and trust that I was right about this a month ago.”“I just… I want a pup.” Jimin whispers, breathy and vulnerable, trembling with anticipation.“I do, too.”Unlike every other part of this process, from contemplating the proposition to conceiving during a shared heat and rut to peeing in a cup, the 5 minute wait to check the result of the first pregnancy test flies by so quickly that Jimin finds himself unprepared to learn his fate.He stalls for a few seconds, chest rapidly rising and falling while he mentally steels himself for both possible outcomes.All that work leads up to a single moment.Jungkook’s presence helps to soothe him the tiniest bit as he rises to his feet to walk into the bathroom and grab the stick that holds the power to change their lives forever. Fresh laundry clouds his senses, the formidable figure on the bed helps him feel less alone, and his omega appreciates the support during something so monumental.“You look at it f-first and tell me.”“Are you sure?”“Yeah.”Every thought in existence flashes through Jimin’s mind in a single instant, living and dying a thousand deaths while he holds his breath, stares at Jungkook’s blank face, and anticipates what announcement might tear past the alpha’s lips. All of his being halts in place as he waits to hear the greatest or worst news of his entire life.“Positive.” Jungkook declares with his raspy, gravelly voice, eyes stuck on the stick in his hand for an eternity before he stares up at Jimin with an entire galaxy in his warm eyes. “You’re pregnant.”“Are you serious? Is it really positive? Really?”“I’m 100 percent serious. Check it for yourself. You’re definitely pregnant.”“O-Oh my god! It’s… It's positive! The test is positive! There’s really a pup inside of me right now! Oh my god!” Jimin exclaims with incomparable delight, cheeks aching from the gigantic smile on his face, sharing a poignant moment of eye contact with Jungkook before the alpha engulfs him in a joyous hug.“We’re having a pup together, Secretary Park. We’re going to be parents.”“We’re having a pup!”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Jimin jolts out of a dead sleep the first time he experiences morning sickness.No warning, nothing hinting that it looms on the horizon, not an ounce of preamble. He literally flies from his comfortable spot on his back into a sitting position with record speed, nearly snapping his neck from the intensity of his movement.Saliva pools in his mouth.Gripping pain shoots through his stomach.Heat fizzles at the back of his throat.With only seconds to spare before he spews out the mouth like a geyser, the omega instinctively knows what hits him.He carelessly tosses back the covers, rushes out of bed, hurries into the bathroom, and collapses on his knees in front of the toilet with half a second to regain his bearings, gripping the porcelain for dear life while a bitter mixture of stomach acid and his middle-of-the-night glass of water regurgitate from his mouth without tact or decorum.Tears stream down his face by the time he finishes, choking on his gasping breaths while his heart thuds painfully hard in his chest.Disgusting.Absolutely dreadful.He remains on his knees on the floor in a pathetic lump of flesh for far too long, only standing to strip off his clothes and jump into the steaming shower to wash away his filth. Uncaring of the work obligations steadily approaching regardless of his current condition, Jimin stands beneath the scalding stream of water for nearly half an hour while he recovers from the horrific bout of nausea still flowing inside of him.Dressing in such a lousy state of being requires ungodly amounts of effort, barely possessing the motivation to brush his teeth and comb back his hair, settling on a boring dress shirt and black slacks instead of his usually colorful, unique attire.Unfortunately for him, riding the subway as a pregnant person means nothing except suffering.Three.Three more bouts of sickness.None of them happen on the actual subways themselves, something that makes him cry tears of relief knowing he saves himself the detrimental humiliation of everyone watching him puke his guts out at the most crowded time of day, but he still vomits in the bathroom trash can, on the sidewalk, and in a plastic bag he carries with him for emergencies.Opting to walk an extra 20 minutes feels like a better choice than risking the full subway ride to the station beside the office, letting the warm breeze flow through his hair while he clutches his stomach on the way to work.By the time he makes it to his desk, he looks worse for wear.Sweat drips down his forehead, his hair clings to his temples, the front of his shirt untucks from his slacks, red paints his puffy cheeks, and saliva crusts along the corners of his mouth.Regret.The not-so-glamorous part of pregnancy.He manages to collapse into his desk chair and catch his breath beneath the freezing air conditioning blasting over him, not a single part of him caring about the fact that he arrives to work an hour later than usual. The tortuous nausea holding him in its clutches never stops, not even after everything in his stomach empties throughout the course of the morning, sitting at his desk just begging for enough relief to accomplish his most important tasks of the day.“I know you said you’re not drinking coffee anymore, but how about something else? I can get you water or juice or tea. We have plenty of those Vitamin C drinks that you love so much. Are you sure there isn’t anything I can bring you?”“Water.”“I can do that! Definitely! Anything else?” Seo-ah asks as he gazes at Jimin with concern.“Do… Do you have ginger ale?”“Hmm, I’m not sure. Let me go check when I grab you some water.”It takes several minutes for their receptionist to return to Jimin’s office, the omega laying his head on his desk to stop the room from spinning. He notices several bottles in Seo-ah’s hands, plus a pack of saltine crackers, far too polite to mention that her mustard scent makes him want to puke for the fifth time in a number of hours.“I went to the convenience store downstairs and got you regular ginger ale, ginger ale zero, and a bottle of water. We have some of those digestive drinks in the fridge as well.”“You’re an angel.” Jimin says softly, slowly rising up to take the drinks from her. “Thank you so much.”“I’m just doing my job.”“I’ll suggest you get a raise for all your hard work.”“I hope the drinks help. Stomach bugs are always the worst. I’m sure Mr. Jeon won’t mind you going to the doctor if you’re really that sick.” Seo-ah worries her bottom lip between her teeth, hesitant to leave her spot in his doorway.“I don’t think that’s necessary, but thanks.”Jimin powers through a few sips of his ginger ale in hopes that it helps soothe his nausea before turning his attention to his computer, unfortunately not possessing the luxury of time since he needs to attend an external interview and court proceeding with Jungkook in the afternoon.With only a few hours to finish the day’s most crucial paperwork and nowhere near enough mental fortitude to ignore his sickness, the struggle never ends.Dehydration sucks in its own right, so he forces himself to swallow down half a bottle of water mixed with a packet of electrolytes alongside the ginger ale he steadily sips. After hours pass and he keeps everything down, he risks it all by eating a couple of the crackers since he grows hungrier by the minute. Skipping lunch feels like a logical decision in light of his current predicament.He completes his document submissions in the nick of time, typing so quickly that his wrists ache whenever he stops for more than a minute.The idea of climbing into a car really freaks him out, but life continues despite his sickness.A puff of air past his lips.Eyes closed.His head resting against the headrest.Hands folded in his lap.“Are you good?” Jungkook questions after he climbs into the driver’s seat of the car, a quiet stillness lingering as he delays starting the engine or buckling his seatbelt, focusing his energy on the omega beside him. “Everything okay?”“No.”“Tired?”“I don’t feel very well.” Jimin whispers with complete honesty.“In what way? What’s bothering you?”“Morning sickness.”“Ah, I see. The symptoms have officially started, hm? Is today the first time you’ve experienced it?”“Yes.” Jimin nods his head at a snail’s pace, rubbing his stomach to soothe himself, the refreshing scent of laundry washing over him. “I threw up four times this morning.”“Damn.”“It wasn’t fun, but at least I didn’t puke on the actual subway.”“I didn’t even think about how you ride the subway every morning. Do all the scents and movements make it worse?” Jungkook asks softly, promptly buckling his seatbelt and starting the car.“So, so bad. I nearly got sick on the spot when I smelled someone’s egg scent.”“Being in such a crowded, unventilated area sounds like a nightmare when you’re sick like that. Have you considered taking a taxi to work? Or maybe getting a car of your own?”“No.”“Why not?”“That would cost a small fortune.” Jimin says simply, straight to the point.“Would it really be that bad?”“Yeah. I don’t think it would be worth it, especially since morning sickness can be so sporadic. Who’s to say this will happen every day? It might only happen a couple times a week for a month or two. I can tough it out.”“Whenever you’re feeling sick like this, just give me a call and I’ll come pick you up for work.”“Huh?” Jimin blanches.“Surely riding with me isn’t so bad.”“I… I could never ask you to do that. It’s so out of the way and—““You’re not asking.” Jungkook states firmly, dark eyes boring into Jimin’s soul when he chances a glance over at the alpha for the first time all afternoon. “I’m offering.”“Oh, r-right.”“If you have to suffer so much like this, it’s only fair that I wake up a little earlier to make it better however I can. It’s the least I can do, honestly. All you have to do is give me a call or shoot me a text and I’ll be there.”“Thank you very much for the offer.”Certain occasions in court provide a wealth of entertainment despite how boring the concept initially sounds. Jimin receives the opportunity to watch Jungkook in his element while he fights for justice in the most infuriating of cases. All kinds of shocking bits of information and dramatic proclamations occur throughout these proceedings, everyone watching on in disbelief. Not to mention how he experiences endless pride each time he stands in support of his boss when he brings yet another person to victory.Other times, like when his stomach only just settles after hours of torturing him with nausea and he only consumes saltine crackers with ginger ale in lieu of proper meals, he finds himself staring at the clock while he waits for the meeting to end.“Oh, fuck.” Jungkook curses under his breath, leaning close to Jimin so no one else hears him.“What? What is it? What happened?”“Look who just walked in. I heard the prosecution picked up a new lawyer yesterday, but I didn’t know it was going to be her. Slimey little fuckers.”“Of course.” Jimin rolls his eyes, straightening his posture and fixing his hair.Of all the fellow alpha attorneys in the sphere that Jungkook tolerates with a polite facade, none of them get under his skin quite like Shin Bora. She represents everything he despises about the system, somehow always on the wrong side of justice in these criminal cases involving the most heinous acts against humanity. While she never wins over him, she clearly loves to challenge his skills and make him work hard for his success.“Mr. Jeon. I wish I could say it’s a pleasure to see you again, but we’d both know it’s a lie.” Bora states with a haughty upturn of her head and a scowl on her thin lips.“Trust me, the sentiment is shared.”“This has been a shitshow up until this point, so I hope you know I’m going to turn this case upside down now that I’m in charge. I’m not going to make this easy for you.”“Bring it on, Ms. Shin. It’ll make beating your ass even better.” Jungkook shrugs, appropriately confident, glaring at her like scum under his shoe.“Jimin.”“Bora.”“I have to admit that I’m disappointed that you look so plain today. I miss your ridiculously inappropriate outfits and colorful suits. I hope you haven’t matured past your childish taste that amuses me so.”“If I had known I was going to see you, I would’ve dressed to impress.” Jimin mutters sarcastically, holding back a gag at her alpha, olive scent.“Do better next time.”The details of Jungkook’s case surmount into something much more interesting with his self-proclaimed rival joining the prosecution, the alpha putting on his best game face and adopting a ruthless attitude while he navigates their brief time in court for the day.As much as Jimin hates to admit it, he enjoys the competition they find in Bora.Winning by a landslide without any effort feels nice since the whole purpose of their work serves to bring victims their justice, but it grows into an uncontrollable beast of pride when she tries to make their lives hell throughout the whole journey. Jimin likes seeing Jungkook devote himself to winning against all odds.Returning home evokes such a comfort in the omega’s chest that he nearly bursts into tears when he steps past his front door.He hopes and prays and hopes some more that the sickness offers him a break tomorrow.Jimin schedules his first official doctor's appointment for the middle of July.He knows nothing about the timeline of issues like carrying a pup inside of his belly, but he assumes visiting early in the process never hurts, eager to learn about the health of himself and the life he now unconditionally devotes himself to.3:30 in the afternoon.The most esteemed obstetrician in all of Seoul hardly ever offers openings for new patients, so Jimin practically jumps for joy when he manages to secure a spot after days of calling for an appointment.It might cut into his work day, but he refuses to care about that in the face of something so important.Asking Jungkook whether he wishes to attend the event feels like a silly question, yet he receives a swift confirmation and agreement before he even finishes his sentence. The alpha wants to involve himself in every aspect of this process, including supporting Jimin however he needs. Even as a grown, independent adult, he appreciates the company throughout such a nerve wracking occasion.“Can you put the address in the GPS, please?” Jungkook asks as he holds open Jimin’s door, waiting for him to fully sit in the seat before he closes it.“Sure.” Jimin nods, battling to ignore the way these little details catch his attention more and more.Nothing changes, yet everything changes simultaneously. Each act of kindness and compassion sticks out in Jimin’s mind, acutely aware of every little thing Jungkook does to make his life easier. Holding the door for him, carrying his bags, paying for their meals, ordering him a taxi, driving him around—these things are nothing new. For some reason, after all that occurred between them, Jimin views them in a different light, stamping down the feelings that want to brew to life each time.“I don’t like doctors.”“Trust me, I know. I remember how you were so sick you couldn’t even keep your eyes open, but you kept refusing to visit the clinic. I had to drag you there myself.”“It’s all so serious and scary. I hate the atmosphere inside the little examination rooms.” Jimin shudders at the thought.“You’re going to be well accustomed to the concept by the end of this.”“Don’t remind me.”“I’ll do my best to come to every appointment so you don’t have to do any of it alone. I’m not sure if that makes it better or worse, but the offer is on the table. I can keep you company while the evil doctors prod at you.” Jungkook says in jest, playfully winking at Jimin when he stops at a red light.“It does, honestly. It helps a lot. I’m glad that you want to go with me.”“Good.”“It’s on the ninth floor, so you can just park in the basement. We’ll have to take the elevator up.”“We’re lucky that the building is pretty close to us.”Bubbling nerves rise in the back of Jimin’s throat when he steps out of the car and into the elevator, everything much more real now that he stands in the actual hospital building. His palms start sweating, his heart kicks up speed, and his stomach fizzles with energy. The scent of fresh laundry helps to calm the storm buzzing on the surface, but his thoughts continue running rampant.Overall, the waiting room looks exactly like he thought it would when he pictured the place in his mind’s eye.White and gray.Bleak.A sterile smell.He fidgets with his fingers while he checks in at the front desk, offers them his insurance card, and takes the clipboard of paperwork back to his seat beside Jungkook.Neither of them say much while they wait for a nurse to call them back, Jungkook’s eyes scanning over the new intake documents while Jimin fills them out. Occasionally, the omega asks a question regarding Jungkook’s family’s health and his own medical history, both of them learning new things about these incredibly intimate details in the process.“Park Jimin.”“Oh, that’s me!” Jimin exclaims as he jumps to his feet, padding toward the door.“Good afternoon. Go ahead and follow me. I’ll get you started here.”“Okay.”Jungkook stands by while the preliminary health check commences, the nurse prompting Jimin to take off his shoes and heaviest belongings before stepping on the scale to measure his weight. After that, he moves over to the wall where she takes his height, scribbling both of them onto the chart in her hand.The entire thing moves quickly.They hardly offer the omega time to breathe before they’re moving to the next area, handing him a cup and motioning to the bathroom, obviously expecting him to supply them with a urine sample.No problems so far.Easy enough.Sitting on the examination table always makes Jimin’s skin crawl, so he avoids even glancing at it while he lounges in the chair beside the nurse who takes his blood pressure and oxygen level. She types away on her laptop after each thing she does, not conjuring much in the way of conversation besides explaining what she intends to happen next.They sit in comfortable silence in the bleak confines on the room from all of Jimin’s worst nightmares, his hands shoved under his thighs while he kicks his feet back and forth.“Do you have any questions or concerns that you want to address with the doctor?” The nurse asks, fingers still on her keyboard while she waits for an answer. “Is there anything else you need to discuss besides the pregnancy?”“No, not that I can think of. Will I be able to see my information from today? The blood pressure and stuff?”“Yes. You’ll receive a print out at the end of your appointment.”“Great.”“Go ahead and change into this gown with nothing underneath. You can wait for the doctor on the exam table. He’ll be with you shortly.”“T-Thank you.” Jimin whispers, terrified as he grips the gown in his fingers.Waiting for the doctor to arrive feels like pulling teeth, his lungs steadily rising and falling while he glances around the room, his eyes shifting to Jungkook every once in a while as he anticipates the incoming knock on the door.Awkwardness hangs over their heads considering the intimacy of such a moment, but refuses to let it intimidate him even further.The doctor, an older man with ‘Choi’ inscribed on his white coat, possesses a gentle demeanor when he enters into the room, pleasantly smiling and engaging with both of them while he prepares them for the process ahead. He asks a brief set of questions, uses his gloved hands to palpitate Jimin’s body, and checks simple things like his vision, ears, and nose. It moves fairly quickly since the omega resides in good health, nothing out of the ordinary.“Your urine sample came back as positive for pregnancy, as you expected. How accurate are the dates of conception that you gave us?”“100%.”“There’s no possibility it could be on other days?”“No.” Jimin shakes his head, feels Jungkook’s eyes staring a hole in his face, nerves fluttering inside of him. “Those are the only possible days.”“Perfect. It’s fairly early on in your pregnancy, so we’ll only do an internal ultrasound to make sure everything is as it should be. Besides that, and a brief blood panel, you should be good to schedule your next appointment for 4-6 weeks from now.”“I-Internal ultrasound?”“It’s the most accurate and reliable way to check the fetus at this stage in pregnancy.”“T-That… That’s so b-big. I… I have to—““It looks intimidating, but I promise it’ll be fine. There might be slight discomfort and a bit of coldness. You can insert the rod yourself if that would help ease your uncertainty.” Doctor Choi says with nothing except professionalism, holding up an obscenely big wand in his hand that they apparently use for internal ultrasounds.“O-Okay.”Jungkook initially looks away to offer Jimin privacy as he inserts the rod inside of himself, the sterile environment making it difficult to feel anything other than awkwardness at such an intimate procedure, only returning his gaze in the omega’s general direction once the screen reveals the forming shape of their pup inside of Jimin’s womb.The early gestational age offers little information about the growing life they care for so much already, but it shows no problems and assuages any initial worries they might harbor at this point in the pregnancy.“You’ll be able to see a lot more at your next appointment since you’re only at about six weeks right now.”“Everything looks fine so far, right?”“Right.”“T-That’s good.”“I’m going to write you a prescription for prenatal vitamins since they’re extremely important. You don’t have to take this specific brand, but I highly recommend them for a first time parent.” The doctor says with a smile, finishing the ultrasound and turning the light on again.“Thank you very much.”“If you don’t have any other questions or concerns, I’ll see you in a month or so.”“See you then.”Truthfully, a million and one things swirl in the recesses of Jimin’s scrambled mind, but he finds himself unable to voice them aloud with so much happening at once. He feels a bit gross from the lube still wet at his rim, the paper thin gown irritating against his skin. Nothing about the environment seems conducive for genuine conversation, so he holds back his thoughts for another time.Climbing down from the examination table to redress himself comes as a tremendous relief, thankful that Jungkook looks away without ever needing a verbal command to fall from Jimin’s lips.They walk together from the ninth floor to the sixth floor for a quick round of blood work.“Oh no.”“What?” Jungkook asks with a swift puff of air, head snapping toward Jimin so quickly that his scent rushes over the omega like a gentle breeze.“I’m not good at this part either.”“Are you bad with needles?”“Is anyone good with needles?” Jimin questions, brows furrowed.“Fair point.”“It’s the blood that gets me. There’s something terrifying about seeing it outside of my own body. I actually fainted one time when I got cut and saw it dripping everywhere.” Jimin gulps nervously, goosebumps decorating his skin.“I understand what you mean. It’s unfortunate that you’re going to be dealing with this much more frequently now.”“It’ll all be worth it in the end.” Jimin cracks a smile, warmth rushing through his veins, resisting the urge to cradle his nonexistent bump. “Right?”“Of course.”Jimin pointedly stares away from his outstretched arm and the medical specialist that works to draw his blood. He focuses his attention to a specific point across the room that allows him to avoid seeing the horrors unfolding next to him. The man swabs his arm with an alcohol pad, ties the tourniquet around his bicep, and taps his fingers over the bend of his elbow to ready the veins for the needle.The sting of the metal slicing through his skin never hurts any less, but he takes it in stride as he steadies his breathing to avoid any embarrassing mishaps this time around.A mere blimp in time.He sits still as a statue for only a minute or two before the specialist asks him to press the gauze against his arm, turning in Jungkook’s direction to find the alpha watching him with concern, something inside of him somersaulting in delight at the clear display of worry written in his body language.Successfully completing the doctor’s appointment and finishing his blood work without any major issues leaves him feeling highly proud.Victory rings in the air as they exit the hospital.“Finally done.”“You were very brave and strong today, Secretary Park. I’m proud of you for facing your fears. I think this calls for a celebration dinner, don’t you?”“Jjajangmyeon?” Jimin gasps, eyes wide and sparkling, mouth dropped open in anticipation.“Jjajangmyeon.” Jungkook nods, smiling.Rather than searching up a fancy, expensive place around them for their meal of celebration, Jungkook understands Jimin on a fundamental level that allows him the insight to know precisely what he craves, driving an ungodly length across Seoul to reach the best, hole in the wall, cheap jjajangmyeon restaurant that the omega loves the most.They order a couple’s menu that offers an order of sweet and spicy pork to share with two full bowls of black bean noodles.Jimin bounces with excitement the entire time he waits for their food to arrive at the table, unable to wipe the smile off his face while they sit across from each other in old, creaky chairs without any shoes on their feet to protect the wooden floors.A dream come true.“So… What do you think?”“What do I think about what?” Jungkook seeks further clarification.“About… About this. About everything. About what’s happened up until now.” Jimin answers blankly, slurping up a huge mouthful of his noodles while he stares at the alpha across from him. “What do you think about all of it?”“I think that things are going even better than I thought they would.”“Really?”“Mhm. I know it’s awful early in the grand scheme of this journey, but you’ve far surpassed all of my expectations. You continue to surprise me with your resilience and positive attitude. I couldn’t have picked a better father for my pup if I tried.”“Oh.”“Too much?”“Y-You… You can’t just say that while I’m e-eating. I’m going to c-choke or… or something.” Jimin huffs with feigned annoyance to hide the way he nearly cries at such kind words out of nowhere.“I’m only being honest.”“T-Thank you.”“You’re welcome.” Jungkook shoots him a handsome, disarming smile.“I feel the same about you. I was really nervous going into this, but you’ve made me feel safe and comfortable every step of the way. I’m grateful that you’re so involved and active in each part of the experience.”“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”“These six weeks feel like an eternity and the blink of an eye at the same time.” Jimin states as he picks up a piece of fried, crunchy pork and dips it in the tangy sauce on the side of the plate.“I have to agree. It kind of feels like we’re at a standstill since it’s so early. I bet it’ll really kick into motion within the next month or two.”“I think so, too.”“Let’s enjoy every bit of it while we can, yeah?” Jungkook’s cotton and floral scent wraps around the omega like a hug, swirling in the air while his dark eyes bleed with utter satisfaction.“Y-Yeah.” Jimin nods, the oxygen stolen from his lungs when his heart skips a beat.Rather than returning to the office to make up for the hours missed from his doctor’s appointment, Jimin graciously accepts Jungkook’s idea to head home and start fresh tomorrow morning. He knows that stacks of documents wait on his desk for his attention, yet the skill of learning to let go for his own benefit gradually makes its importance in his life. As the days pass and he misses work for his own sake, he needs to accept it with peace instead of worry.The alpha stops by a pharmacy after they leave the restaurant, going as far as entering into the shop with him and paying for the prescription directly, both of them wandering through the aisles to kill time while the workers prepare his vitamins.Horse pills.Nearly as fat and long as Jimin's pinky finger.He blanches in shock when he pops open the bottle after returning to the passenger seat of Jungkook’s luxury sports car, spilling a few of the pills into his lap to fully analyze them.“Maybe taking those at night will be the best option.”“Why?”“If you already have morning sickness, I don’t think you’re going to have an easy time swallowing those huge fucking bullets.” Jungkook retorts with a chuckle, shaking his head.“God, I didn’t even think of that.” Jimin groans.“It probably hurts going down, but imagine it coming back out just the same.”“Are you trying to torture me?”“Never.”“I guess I’ll find out how bad they are in the morning if I’m not already puking my guts out from morning sickness. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.” Jimin grins mischeviously, too pleased with himself.“I would expect nothing less.”No matter how much Jimin asserts his willingness to ride the subway home instead of forcing Jungkook to drive to the other side of the city, the alpha adamantly refutes the notion in favor of doing the honor himself. He turns on some gentle music, lowers the temperature of the air conditioning, and smoothly navigates through the city at rush hour.Tiredness itches at the outskirts of Jimin’s mind while he rests his head against the window, fighting with everything inside of him to stay awake for the remainder of the ride to his apartment.With a full belly—in more ways than one—he struggles his hardest to resist the urge to rest in Jungkook’s soothing, secure presence.“You know, it’s not going to be too long before we’re living in the same place, so we won’t even have to worry about these commutes back and forth. We’ll always start and end at the same location.” Jungkook declares without warning, the simple proclamation affecting Jimin more than he expects.“Our lives are going to be tangled together in basically every way possible.”“I didn’t think about it that way.”“I’ll see you in the morning, Attorney Jeon. Thank you for coming with me to check on our pup and everything else.”“See you bright and early, Secretary Park. Sleep well tonight.”Spending his Saturday evening with his head in Taehyung’s lap and his feet propped up on Hoseok’s thighs sounds like a perfect combination of events to Jimin, not a single complaint falling from his lips as he indulges in the company of his closest friends.A glorious mixture of lavender, maple syrup, and root beer float through the air to delight his senses in sheer comfort.Nothing better than some good, old fashioned time with his besties.“I’m already searching for the best newborn photographers in the country. I’m not even limiting it to Seoul anymore. Every last photographer in this place is getting scrutinized so I can find the perfect one for next year.” Seokjin declares decisively, turning around his phone to show the list of his favorite options thus far.“Isn’t it a little early for that? You have like… 7 months to go.”“It’s never too early to book a service. If I do it right, I can butter them up enough to make sure they rush over as soon as the pup is born.”“You’re trying to keep a photographer on retainer?” Hoseok rolls his eyes and scoffs.“This pup is going to be treated like the royalty it is. I’ve got all kinds of money just waiting to be spent. No one is going to love this pup like it’s Uncle Seokjin. I’ll spend every last dime, pull out all the stops, and give them the world on a golden platter.”“How much have you been drinking tonight?” Jimin asks, eyebrows furrowed.“Nowhere near enough.”“I want to know what it’s going to look like. Both of its parents are super hot, so that either means it’ll be the prettiest thing in the world or an absolute troglodyte of a creature. No in between.” Hoseok muses while he gently massages Jimin’s feet.“What the hell is wrong with you?”“What? Did you really just say that? I can hear you, you know!” Jimin screeches in disbelief, swiftly raising his head to glare at the beta at the end of the couch.“You can’t say that about a pup!”“Don’t pretend like it’s not true! Sometimes the hottest people make the ugliest pups! Blame the science, not me.”“It’s going to be the cutest little pup in the whole world.” Jimin says with a defensive pout, nuzzling his head into Taehyung’s thigh for reassurance, acting horribly offended for extra sympathy. “I can’t believe you would ever doubt that.”“Of course, it is.”“It’ll be perfect.”“T-There’s nothing to feel yet. It’s like the… the size of r-raspberry. That’s just my regular stomach.” Jimin rushes out in a breathy voice, taken aback by the sudden hand cupping his lower belly where his pup currently resides.“It’s still in there, though. A whole, living being. It’s actually inside of you right now.”“I don’t know if I would call it whole, but yeah.” Seokjin chides from his side chair. “I don’t even know if I would say it’s living yet. Oh well, semantics be damned.”“A pup.”The crew reluctantly peels themselves off the comfortable couch, slips on their shoes, and heads out on an expedition to eat some delicious fried chicken at Jimin’s request. Instead of lazing around all night while staring at their phones, they decide to seize the moment and take advantage of the plethora of options at their fingertips.Seoul offers anything they could ever want, plus a ton of things they couldn’t care less about.It provides almost too many options.They pass by no less than 10 convenience stores, 6 cafes, and 2 bakeries on their short stroll down the street to find the closest restaurant that suits everyone’s tastes. Luckily for them, Seokjin never struggles with indecision and chorales them into the first fried chicken place they find.“Yangnyeom.”“Yeah, we know.”“As if you would ever order anything else.” Hoseok says with a shake of his head, smiling fondly at the pregnant omega.“Hey! Sometimes I order soy garlic or… or a spicier flavor!”“You did that literally once.”“And let’s not forget that you were so unsatisfied with it that you went back up to the counter to order yangnyeom after you ate like three bites.” Seokjin not so sweetly reminds him.“Well… I… It’s…”“Nothing to say now, huh?”“It’s unfair to bully a pregnant person!”“Oh, brother. Seriously? That’s what you’re going with?” Taehyung asks before he bursts into laughter, apologetically reaching over to pat Jimin’s head when he pouts.The others spend a few minutes flipping through the menu while they coordinate their orders to receive a maximum variety of flavors, tacking on a few sides that all of them can enjoy together. Taehyung rings the bell to call over the waitress and prompts Hoseok to list off their many choices for the meal. At the very last second, Jimin asks for some soda since he wants to spice up his life a little bit.It feels incredible to sit in the air conditioning and avoid the scorching heat that comes towards the end of July, not a worry in the world while they sip on their ice cold drinks and hang out.“I have a show coming up in a few weeks if you guys want to come. It just got confirmed a couple of days ago.”“Oh, that’s so exciting!” Jimin exclaims happily.“We’ll definitely be there. Just give us the time and the place.”“Is it the choreography you’ve been working on for a while now?” Seokjin asks thoughtfully, chewing on a piece of ice while he waits for Hoseok to answer him.“Yeah, it’s my whole company, so every class will have a dance to showcase. It’s a whole ordeal. Pretty much the same as last year if you remember that, just bigger since more students have joined since then.” Hoseok explains succinctly, pride dripping from his pores while he details the situation.“Count on us to be there!”Jimin and his friends talk about everything under the sun while they scarf down their delicious varieties of fried chicken, cheese balls, french fries, and spicy rice cakes.Effortless.With years of friendship under their belts and far too many experiences bringing them together, they fellowship so naturally that it feels like they met a lifetime ago. They might tease each other and joke around, but the care beneath everything speaks volumes. In their lowest of moments, when they soar through the sky, and everything in between, they display endless devotion to one another.“Do you guys want to come with me when I buy a new car? I’m thinking I’ll go next week or some shit.” Seokjin sends out the invitation while scooping up a handful of fries.“A new car? Why? What’s wrong with your current one?”“Didn’t you just get that one like a year ago?”“I keep having problems with it and I don’t have time to take it to the mechanic so often. As much as I hate giving up my little sports car, I think it’ll be better to have something bigger. I need a more practical car.”“Practical how?” Jimin asks, curious.“It needs to fit more people and stuff inside of it, for one.”“Who the hell are you hauling around? Does anyone even ride in the car besides you? Keep your little toy if you like it so much.” Hoseok questions with a nonchalant wave of his hand, giggling to himself.“I might not need it now, but I want to be prepared for the future.” Seokjin pointedly stares at Jimin, boring directly into his eyes, the sincerity in his declaration making the omega’s heart swell to double its normal size. “You never know when you guys might need me to take you somewhere or help you with something.”“You’re being oddly serious right now.”“I don’t like it.”“Quick! Change the subject!” Hoseok shouts with a dramatic amount of fake panic.“Don’t worry. We’ll come with you to get a new car. Of course, we will.” Jimin says gently, smiling at his oldest friend across the table.“I started practicing the violin again.”“Oh.”“Yeah.”“I thought you said you were giving it up forever and never touching it again?”“I changed my mind.” Taehyung replies, shrugging his shoulders, chewing on a piece of chicken with a calculated amount of carelessness. “I might be a jazz musician, but that doesn’t mean I can’t play other types of music too.”“That’s exactly right.”“You don’t have to limit yourself to just one genre or instrument or whatever.” Hoseok nods his head in agreement.“I’m glad you’re enjoying the violin again.” Jimin smiles at his best friend with nothing but fondness.“I’m going to come over every night and play for the pup. They say classical music is good for mental development, you know? I’ll get my practice in while their brain folds so many times that their head expands to contain such a huge organ.”“No. Just no. To all of it.” Seokjin groans loudly.In predictable Jimin fashion, always hankering for a sweet treat after he finishes a savory meal, he begs to stop by the ice cream shop they pass on their way back to Seokjin’s apartment. He pulls out all the stops, jutting out his bottom lip, whimpering like a puppy, folding his hands beneath his chin, and opening his eyes as wide as humanly possible. He leaves them with no choice but to accept his wishes and grab the frozen dessert.He opts for the most chocolatey option on the menu, a single scoop of triple chocolate fudge mousse.In a cone, of course.They spend an abhorrent amount of time inside the ice cream shop while they decide on their choice of poison, Jimin fully finishing his dessert by the time all of them receive their orders.Taehyung buys an entire bucket full of 11 different scoops.In the end, they return to the comfortable confines of Seokjin’s luxury apartment, crowding around in the living room while they soak up the remaining hours of their wonderful Saturday night.“Will you guys still hang out with me when I have a pup?” Jimin asks into the silence, his whole body wrapped around Seokjin while he buries his face in his neck to breathe in lavender, all three of their heads snapping up at the same time.“What the hell kind of question is that?”“Why wouldn’t we?”“I saw online that it can be common for new parents to lose their bond with their old friends, especially when the others don’t have pups of their own. It can be a burden to deal with taking a whiny, needy pup everywhere you go, so some people stop getting invited to things.” Jimin answers with his lips pulled in a nervous beak.“I’m sorry to say this, but you’re never getting rid of us. Ever. You could birth a literal demon that tries to murder us and we’d still be your friends.”“You and that pup are coming to absolutely everything we do.”“Really? You mean it? Are you sure you don’t mind?”“We have a whole group chat.” Taehyung says blankly, blinking at Jimin while he speaks.“What?”“Taehyung! What the fuck? That’s a secret!”“We’re already in there planning your pup shower, what we’re going to buy both of you, birthday party ideas, places we can go together, and all that shit. We’re just as locked in as you are. You making your dream come true by having a family won’t change anything.”“O-Oh my god.” Jimin chokes out, low and breathy, tears welling up in his eyes. “That’s… That’s so s-sweet.”“You’re stuck with us forever.”“Thank you guys so much. I love you more than you could ever know. I’m so glad to have you with me through all of this.”“Seokjin’s even researching the best waterproof camera to record a birth.”“Absolutely not!”Naming it morning sickness truly misleads people considering the gut wrenching need to profusely vomit happens at any time of the day.In fact, it usually chooses the worst moments possible.Jimin wants to cry.Again.He feels like the ugliest specimen on the face of the planet. His cheeks look puffy, his eyes strain red, his hair refuses to cooperate, and his outfit lies weird on his body. After spending several hours dealing with the worst bout of morning sickness of his pregnancy thus far, he might as well give up on looking presentable.A gasp tears from his lips when a steady knock raps against his front door.“Oh, wow.”“H-Hi.”“You… Fuck… You look incredible.” Jungkook declares with wide, sparkling eyes and a spike in his cottony scent. He shamelessly scans up and down Jimin’s fancifully dressed body, not hiding it whatsoever.“It’s okay. You don’t have to say that. I know that I look gross because I’ve been sick all day and—““I mean it.”“Huh?”“You look absolutely beautiful, Secretary Park. I’m convinced you might be an angel or… or a fairy, maybe. You’re stunning.”“T-Thank you.” Jimin whispers, rendered speechless, breath stuck in his lungs.“You’re welcome.”“Y-You look very handsome yourself, Attorney Jeon.”“Now you’re the one who’s just saying it.” Jungkook chuckles under his breath, something nervously boyish in his demeanor.“I’m not.” Jimin shakes his head, frozen in his kitchen while he relishes the sight of such an attractive alpha looking at him like he hung the stars in the sky, every part of him oozing charm and power in his designer tuxedo. “You look like a model. You’re… You’re too gorgeous to have plain, old me by your side tonight.”“You’ve never been plain in your entire life.”“I mean… Compared to you…”“If you look like an angel from the heavens and I look like a model, I’d say we’re perfectly matched.” Jungkook shoots him a breathtaking smile, the caliber of his attentive stare sending a shiver down the omega’s spine.“I could only hope that’s true.”“It certainly is.”Jungkook almost always brings Jimin to the events he attends to further his career, from court proceedings to press conferences to interviews for magazines, but something about this time feels noticeably different from the rest. Day by day, minute by minute, with each passing second, the warmth sparking in the depths of Jimin’s being threatens to grow into a roaring fire. He wonders if he sits alone in this consuming experience.Maybe, just maybe, Jungkook feels it too.The alpha tackles the stairs first, eyes constantly flitting back to Jimin to ensure he makes it without any accidents. He holds open the car door, helps Jimin inside, and shuts it for him before rounding to his own seat. Jungkook waits for him to buckle his seatbelt and get comfortable for the ride across the city.Jimin finds it impossible to stamp down the butterflies swarming in his tummy.“Forgive me for a lack of tact, but you smell… different today.” Jungkook says into the quiet engulfing the car, sneaking a glance over at Jimin while he drives down the busy highway.“Different how?”“There’s a hint of something sweeter, perhaps creamier, mixed with your usual scent.”“Is… Is that bad?” Jimin asks, worried.“Not at all.”“I’m not wearing any perfume. I haven’t used a new body wash or shampoo. I don’t think I’ve changed anything in my—““No, no, it’s nothing like that. It’s your actual smell. I’m sure of it.”“Hmm…”“Pup?” Jungkook asks softly, his own scent growing sweeter in response, his gaze drifting to the non-existent bump on Jimin’s lower belly.“Pup.” Jimin nods, convinced.Managing to endure the car ride from his apartment to the luxury hotel for the charity ball proves a massive success in Jimin’s eyes, overly proud of himself for keeping down his measly ginger tea and a few bites of bread, determined to finish the day without succumbing to his sickness any more.A neatly dressed valet takes the keys to the car when Jungkook and Jimin arrive at the entrance of the hotel, showcasing the opulence of the occasion.With Jimin’s hand looped in the crook of Jungkook’s arm, they stroll into the ballroom.The sheer amount of stimuli unfolding simultaneously overwhelms Jimin’s brain, but he focuses on steady breathing and allowing the alpha to guide him wherever he needs to go. Blinding flashes from cameras, shouts for them to pose certain ways, an amalgamation of strong scents, all kinds of people in a single space. Crisp, soothing laundry fills Jimin’s lungs and calms his racing heart throughout the whole beginning process of the ball.“It’s lovely to see you again, Jimin. I was hoping I would run into you tonight.” A voice announces from behind him, catching his attention at the sign-in table.“Oh! Hyunwoo!”“How are you these days? You look absolutely darling in your flowy little number.”“I’m doing alright, I suppose. I’m happy to see you! I didn’t know you would be here.” Jimin gushes happily, a smile stretching on his puffy cheeks, not resisting the urge to outstretch his arms for a hug. “You look stunning as well.”“Thank you so much. I’m glad that you’re doing well. How long has it been since we’ve seen each together?”“Too long!”“I agree. It’s a shame we’ve been so busy with work. Let’s get together soon and catch up.” Hyunwoo, a previous attorney from Jungkook’s firm that recently left for a different type of law, states with a smile.“Yes, definitely! I’ll text you this week.”“Good evening, Hyunwoo.”“Jungkook.”“I hope you’re doing well. How’s property law treating you?” Jungkook asks in a low, raspy tone, sneaking his arm across Jimin’s lower back to send flames down his sensitive flesh.“I’m really enjoying it, honestly. It’s not as fulfilling as criminal law, but it’s so much better for my health.”“That’s great to hear.”“I’ll see you guys around, yeah? Don’t be strangers.” Hyunwoo says when his date approaches from the sidelines, her gown so glamorous that it steals the words from Jimin’s lips.“See you soon.”After strolling through the grand decorations stringing along every possible surface, crystalline chandeliers and flower arrangements and ice sculptures abundant, Jungkook and Jimin survey the auction table to find something suitable to use as a way to donate money, scanning over the multitude of sign-up sheets and items up for grabs.Jungkook chooses several causes to support, most of them merely a way to offer money to organizations and needs that touch his heart.With so many options and causes vying for financial help, Jimin struggles to pick which one he favors the most. It takes an embarrassingly long time for him to settle on the domestic violence shelter that houses omegas and their pups after escaping from horrifying situations.“Good evening, sir. I was wondering if you’d be interested in signing up for the dance auction we hold after dinner.”“Dance auction?”“There are always many lovely omegas in attendance, so we use the auction as a fun way to raise money while providing alphas and betas with the chance to snag a dance later in the night.” The polite woman explains, her eyes crinkling in the corners and her hair gray.“Oh, no. No, thank you.” Jimin bows in apology, swiftly turning to find Jungkook standing behind him.“Ready to find our seats?”“Yes, please.”The auction process itself passes fairly smoothly. A straightforward, simple event where presenters come on stage to explain the item, package, or experience up for purchase, along with the cause behind it. Once the presentation finishes, an auctioneer calls out numbers for the prices and people raise their hands to place an agreement for that amount of money. It continues until the highest bidder wins the prize.Jimin purposely avoids engaging in the chaotic system himself, yet he enjoys watching the fun at hand when several people drive the price up by battling for something.It comes as no surprise that Jungkook loves fighting to win and outbid everyone else.“Are you pleased with yourself, you menace? You’ve won more bids than practically anyone else here. I’m worried how we’re going to afford our… our petal with how deep your pockets seem to go.” Jimin chooses his words carefully, shaking his head in disbelief at the array of prize cards splayed on the table in front of Jungkook.“Petal?”“Yes, I just made it up, but it’s kind of cute. Right?”“It is.” Jungkook slowly nods his head. “This is pocket change for me, Secretary Park. Neither you nor our petal need to worry. I’m just having some fun.”“Alright, if you say so.”“What’s a few million won for charity?”“You’re too much.”After the auction fully runs its course and all the winners redeem their money for their selected prizes, they receive another few minutes to socialize before the formal dinner officially commences.A live orchestra plays music on the stage.Waiters pass out drinks on trays.People move from table to table to mingle.Jimin prefers the security of Jungkook’s presence at his side, slightly embarrassed by the way he follows the alpha everywhere like a lost puppy.Everyone in attendance wants to hold a discussion with such a renowned attorney for one reason or another, most of them wanting to stay in his good graces and avoid any hostility for prosperity’s sake. They bow, smile, and kiss his feet to show their dedication to remaining on his good side.Jimin, admittedly, finds the whole thing entertaining, though certain actions from omegas make him narrow his eyes in suspicion.“I need a drink.”“Why?”“Don’t you think it might look weird if I’m the only one here not drinking something? I at least need to have one in my hand to pretend like I’m drinking it.” Jimin whispers under his breath, drowsy from the strength of Jungkook’s scent so close.“Here.” Jungkook grabs a glass of white wine from the waiter next to them. “Take this.”“Thanks.”“I’m not drinking much myself. I’m sure no one will notice.”It takes only a handful of minutes for them to run into the devil incarnate, Jungkook’s worst enemy, Shin Bora herself. She strides up to them like she owns the place, head held high and nose upturned at their existence. With an undeniable stench of alcohol on her breath, Jimin worries what she might say this time around.“Not feeling the drinks tonight, Jimin?”“W-What? I… I have one in my hand right now.” Jimin stutters out, holding up his full glass of wine.“You haven’t taken a single sip from that wine. It’s about to overflow. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be boring and sober, you know?”“Says you.”“Jeon Jungkook, never a pleasure to see you.” Bora declares with a sinister smile.“Likewise.”“I’m only here to express my disappointment in the fact that Jimin didn’t sign up for the dance auction. I scrolled through the list specifically to find him and bet a pretty penny, but he wasn’t there. What a shame. Those poor orphans would’ve loved the money.”“There are plenty of other omegas you can dance with. I’m sure you can find a nice replacement. Don’t let my lack of participation deter you.” Jimin says, dumbfounded, his stomach twisting.“Yes, but none of them would torture Jungkook quite the same.”“Well—““Anyway, that’s all I have to say. See you two around. Have a nice night, or don’t. I don’t care.”The food tastes alright considering Jimin’s less expensive preferences and tendencies to enjoy basic meals. He orders the steak, potatoes, and asparagus since the thought of eating finish makes him want to regurgitate the last bits of stomach acid inside of him. Jungkook chooses the same dishes, something Jimin appreciates more than he can say.As if on divine timing, the dance auction ends precisely the moment Jimin returns to the table from the bathroom, relieved that the last of the events of the night steadily come to an end.“Would you do me the honors of dancing with me, Secretary Park?” Jungkook asks in a gravelly rasp, eyes dark as the night sky when he expectantly stares at the omega beside him. “I think it would finish up the night perfectly.”“O-Okay.” Jimin nods, holding his breath, heart pounding hard enough to puncture on his ribs.Together.Just the two of them.They walk hand in hand onto the dance floor.Soft, melodic music plays while people sway to and fro, too many pairs tangled up together without a care in the world, life suspended in time while the lights dim and the uncertainty of the world fades away for the briefest of moments.Jimin worries he might collapse onto the floor at Jungkook’s feet from the musky richness of his scent at the close proximity.The alpha holds him impossibly close.Here, now, staring into each other’s eyes like no one else in the world exists except for them, Jimin and Jungkook convey a million thoughts without uttering a single word. Their close bodies speak a thousand sentiments while their instincts all but rage like a storm in the air around them. No matter how much the omega attempts to deny the feelings that grow stronger each day, they burn like wildfire inside of him as Jungkook holds him like a precious, delicate flower.“Can I ask why you didn’t want to be involved in the dance auction? You usually don’t turn down the opportunity to raise such easy money.”“I—““Not that I’m judging, of course. I’m merely curious why you didn’t join.”“I c-couldn’t.” Jimin says breathily, his voice wispy in the air.“No?”“No.”“Why is that?”“The thought of having another alpha so close to me, of having another scent on my skin besides yours… It m-makes me sick.” Jimin admits honestly, bleeding vulnerability from his pores, trembling with the effort of his courage.“Fuck.” Jungkook growls from the depths of his chest, halting in place with his grip tight around Jimin’s weak body.“I couldn’t do it.”“Is it selfish for me to admit that it makes me happy that no one else can have you except for me?” Jungkook asks without any hesitance in his grumbling voice, his scent spiking with so many spicy undertones that it sends Jimin reeling.“M-Maybe, but… but I feel the same way.”“I’m afraid I’m not good at sharing, omega, especially not now that we’ve got a petal in the picture.”“So, don’t.”“Believe me, I’m not planning on it.Jimin finds it impossible to deny how everything between them changes into something wholly different, shifting ever so slowly until they naturally recognize the newness of their situation. Their movements feel purposeful, their words calculculative, and their behavior no longer representative of a mere contractual agreement.He drowns in the depths of Jungkook’s attention, relishes in the feeling of receiving such undying devotion, selfishly soaking it all up to feed the tameless beast in his soul.They might not verbalize it, but the omega knows that it burns both their hearts the same.“I know this is horrible timing, but my feet hurt so bad that I don’t think I can walk anymore.” Jimin whines meekly, sitting at the table at the end of the night with an entrenching sting shooting through his flesh. “They might be bleeding.”“What do you mean might?”“I’m too scared to look at them and check.”“Damn.” Jungkook sucks in a harsh breath, on his knees next to Jimin’s chair while he examines his mangled feet. “You really did a number on these bad boys.”“Please, never call them that again.”“Do you want me to fix them up now or wait until you get home?”“Home.” Jimin answers decisively, wincing when he slips his feet back into the tortuous contraptions he paid an arm and a leg for.“Come here, then.”“W-What?”“I’m going to carry you to the car. You better hurry up and climb off that chair before everyone sees us walking out of this place bridal style. Get in my arms.” Jungkook commands, arms open wide to welcome him in, Jimin hesitating for only a few seconds before he slides into the alpha’s embrace.The ridiculousness of the situation pales in comparison to the contentment rushing through Jimin’s body as he rests in the alpha’s arms. He feels weightless, light as a feather, floating on a cloud in the sky.How he manages to pass out on the ride home, he may never know.“We’re here.”“Mmm…” Jimin groans, refusing to open his eyes as relaxation swallows him whole.“I don’t think sleeping in a car all night is going to be a pleasant experience, not even one as expensive as this. Your tiny bed is much better.”“M’sleeping.”“I know you are. That’s the problem. You need to wake up so I can carry you to your apartment. There are a few flights of stairs to get up, remember?” Jungkook chuckles something soft and fond, cotton overpowering at this point.“W-Wait, alpha.”“I’ve been waiting. This is the third time I’ve woken you up.”“Five more minutes.”“As much as I enjoy staring at your pretty face while you sleep, it’s time to get you upstairs in a real bed before you get a cramp in your neck.” Jungkook’s thumb swipes delicately against his cheek, touch infuriatingly fleeting before he tucks Jimin’s blonde hair behind his ear. “It’s damn near midnight already.”“O-Okay.” Jimin nods, suddenly all too aware of the pounding of his heart and the rush in his ears.Sure to his word, Jungkook carries the omega all the way up the stairs to his apartment, setting Jimin on the ground inside his entryway before he deems his job done. He lingers, only for a second, unspoken words dying on the tip of his tongue. Jimin wants to reach out and do things that he would never speak aloud, no matter how badly he aches for it.“Good night, Secretary Park.”“Good night, Attorney Jeon.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Noticeable changes occur after ringing in the second month of pregnancy.Jimin convinces himself that he imagines it, some weird version of the placebo effect, creating things he wishes to see with the sheer power of the human mind.His morning sickness increases in frequency until it happens almost every day, offering no chance to break from the horrific nausea that grips his stomach. He vomits less, but feels sick more. The flat patch of flesh between his hips puffs out the slightest bit, almost like bloating from a huge meal, protruding in a way that only he would see. Clothing, mostly bottoms like pants, start to fit weird around his waist, uncomfortably tight when he clasps the button closed.At only nine weeks?Impossible.No one shows this early, especially not first time parents.Still, Jimin harbors the knowledge of these changes close to his heart, too afraid to voice them aloud with the worry that no one will believe him.Perhaps the most interesting development arises in the immediate aftermath of the charity hall he attends with Jungkook, finding the alpha’s tuxedo jacket slung around his arms when he wakes the next morning. He opens his eyes to see nothing except black, initially taken aback until he releases he currently buries his face in the collar of the jacket Jungkook put over him to keep him warm. That morning, after breathing in lungful after lungful of fresh laundry all night long, Jimin experiences minimal morning sickness.Though he refuses to admit it or acknowledge the meaning behind his actions, Jimin continues to press his nose to the scent-drenched fabric of Jungkook’s borrowed jacket every night after that.Every morning for the next week, his sickness hardly bothers him at all, occasionally flaring up in the afternoons, if at all.That leads him to now.A little more than a week later, all hints of floral laced cotton fade from the jacket.Scentless.Jimin tears open his eyes at 5:08 on the dot, flings into a sitting position, rushes to cover his mouth with his hand, and urgently stumbles to the bathroom to empty the contents of his stomach for the first time in over a week.It burns like the deepest pits of hell.Pure torture.He attempts to ready himself for work like usual, but struggles immensely with how strongly his symptoms flare up again. It only frustrates him further when the band of his slacks digs into his waist even after he holds his breath to clasp them, sitting on the edge of his bed with teary eyes and a defeated disposition.The clock ticks away while he contemplates calling out of work or arriving late.These constant ups and downs leave him feeling whiplashed, never certain what one day will hold, unable to mentally prepare himself when uncertainty looms on the horizon.Belatedly, he remembers Jungkook’s offer from the last time he severely suffered with morning sickness.A light in the darkness.“Hello?”“Hi.”“I’m sick.” Jimin mutters pitifully, pouting dramatically even though Jungkook can’t see him.“Is our dearest Petal causing you trouble again, Secretary Park?” Jungkook asks with his deep, strong voice, a familiar clicking sound in the background before he hears an engine roar to life.“Yes.”“Would it surprise you if I said that I’m already on my way to your apartment at this very moment?”“Wait… Really? You are?”“I don’t know how, but I had a gut feeling that you might be calling me this morning. I just knew when I woke up that you weren’t feeling well. I might have some kind of parental intuition now.” Jungkook sounds like he speaks through a smile, something about the imagery making Jimin tingle with warmth inside.“I’m honestly relieved to hear that, Attorney Jeon. More than you know.”“Rest until I get there, okay?”“Okay.”Embarrassingly enough, as he prepares his belongings for the work day and packs his tote bag to bring with him, Jimin stuffs the loaned tuxedo jacket inside after only a few seconds of deliberation. He shamefully grows slightly attached to the comfort it brings him after sleeping with for a week straight, hoping that it might continue to fight off his sickness if he tries hard enough.Contrary to Jimin’s initial expectations, Jungkook never calls when he arrives at the old apartment building where the omega resides.Instead, he climbs up the stairs and knocks on the door.“You didn’t need to come all the way up here.” Jimin gawks in surprise, hurrying out the door to hide the messy state of his room after dealing with his morning sickness the past few hours. “Why didn’t you just text or call me?”“I wanted to come help you.” Jungkook says succinctly, taking the bags from Jimin’s hands.“It’s unnecessary, but… but thank you.”“You’re welcome.”“Let’s go before we’re late and my boss docks my pay. I’ve got too many things to buy to deal with a smaller paycheck.”“I don’t know if you’ve forgotten, but I’m your boss.” Jungkook declares confidently, exuding power from his every word, his shoulders and chest puffed out to make Jimin weak in the knees. “Hell would freeze over before I would dock your pay, especially for something that’s Petal’s fault.”“I’m only joking. I know you wouldn’t. I’ve been sleeping on the floor behind my desk every afternoon and you haven’t said a word.”“Okay, I didn’t know about that.”“Oop! Anyway, let’s get going! We’ve got a long day ahead of us.” Jimin moves as quickly as his sickly body will allow him while he heads to the car.Closing his eyes, resting his head on the headrest, sucking in deep breaths of freshly laundered clothing, Jimin wills away his sickness while he ignores the unbuttoned clasp of his favorite work pants. He fades away from the woes of the world while the quiet hum of the car plays like background music in his tired ears. The ride passes smoothly, like always, with Jungkook effortlessly navigating them through the busy city.“Don’t work too hard today, Secretary Park.”“Believe me, I won’t.” Jimin grins mischeviously, giggling at the exaggerated disbelief on Jungkook’s face, parting ways at the omega’s office door just up the hall. “I’ll see you later.”“I hope you feel better soon.”Since the actual vomiting ceases after his rude awakening first thing in the morning, Jimin pours all of his energy into focusing on the wealth of tasks waiting on his desk.The more clients Jungkook takes on, the more documents, proposals, and motions Jimin needs to fill out. Even on their slowest times where they deal with fewer cases—an increasingly rare occurrence at this stage in their careers—the omega still finds a gigantic pile of documents on his desk that waits for his attention.Not that he complains about the workload, of course.Jimin loves keeping busy, time flying by at unprecedented speeds when he thrusts himself into properly ensuring each victim receives the information they need to bring their cases to victory.He types away like nothing else in the world matters. The summer sunshine glares through the window to drench his office in scorching warmth, illuminating the space with such a golden glow that he needs no overhead lights. Like a cat soaking up the sunlight from where it lies on the floor, Jimin basks in the delight of abundant life while he fills out one document after another.“Can I ask you a question, Jimin?” Seo-ah asks from where she peeks her head past his door, something timid in her shifty gaze.“Sure.”“I… I truly mean no offense, so I’m sorry if I overstep or make you uncomfortable. I just… Well…” The receptionist looks around, opens the door to enter fully inside the office, and stares at the ground for a few seconds before returning her attention to Jimin. “Are you pregnant?”“W-What makes you ask?” Jimin questions, stomach dropping at the speed of light, breathless.“I can smell it.”“Huh?”“You smell kind of, like, milky? It’s hard to describe. Your scent is a bit sweeter and creamier, I guess. That’s typical with pregnancy, which I’m kind of familiar with these days since my sister is about to have her first pup. I recognize it.”“I am, yes.” Jimin nods, remembering how Jungkook made the same observation.“Oh! Wow! That’s… That’s so exciting! I didn’t even realize you were in a relationship with anyone!”“I’m not.”“Uh, right. Yeah. I suppose you don’t have to be in a relationship to get pregnant. I’m so happy for you, Jimin! I didn’t see this coming, but you’ll be such a great parent.”“Thank you so much!”“The constant sickness, no longer drinking caffeine, wanting ginger ale, it all makes sense now.” Seo-ah smiles at him with sparkles in her eyes, turning to walk back towards the door.“I’m not exactly sharing this information publicly, so I hope you understand.”“I won’t tell a soul! My lips are sealed! Eek! This is so fun! I'm going to start creating a registry for you as soon as I get to my desk.”Even if they never discuss the topic or offer verbal confirmation of their plans, Jimin and Jungkook end up eating lunch together nearly every day of their lives. It happens naturally, a part of their days that they never overthink, merely ordering enough for both of them while they munch away in one of their offices.Jimin decides to take the initiative since he feels a bit homesick these days, wanting some authentic, home style cooking like his mothers would make for him as a child.He scrolls through the options for something that fits his taste, picking a restaurant quite far away, not even asking Jungkook which dishes he prefers because he already knows exactly what the alpha would want. Regardless of who orders the food, both of them always purchase an obscene amount of varieties and options to ensure they want for nothing by the time lunch hour ends.When he receives the notification that the food arrives, he hurries to the front entrance of the offices.“Jungkook.”“Uh, hey.” Jungkook says in a low rasp, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck while he glances at the older alpha across from them.“How are you these days? You look good.”“I’m doing pretty well.”“Yeah?”“Mhm.”“I’m glad to hear that. I think this is my first time seeing this building from inside. It’s really nice.” The older, gray haired alpha says with a charming smile, his honeysuckle scent thick in the air as he looks around.“It is.”“Are you the one who ordered the food?”“Yes.” Jungkook answers before Jimin can respond to the question addressed towards him. “This is my secretary, Park Jimin.”“It’s nice to meet you, Jimin.”“Y-Yeah, you too.” Jimin offers a slight bow, way too confused to understand the situation.“I got a feeling the food was going to you even if your name wasn’t on the order, so I made sure to load up the jjigae with extra meat. I also added a few more sides and some fried shrimp. I know you stopped drinking dark colas, so there’s a bit of cider in there too.”“Thanks.”“Thank you very much.” Jimin offers the man a kind smile as Jungkook scoops the bags into his arms to carry them through the office.“It’s my pleasure. I hope you enjoy the meal. Have a good day.”“You too.” Jungkook grunts before he fully leaves.While a cloud of confusion definitely hangs over Jimin’s head, something thick and consuming needling its way into his soft heart, he waits before bringing up the topic and asking any questions.Even more than he sees the discomfort in Jungkook’s body language, he feels it like he experiences it himself.Jungkook spreads the various dishes across Jimin’s desk without uttering a word, neatly arranging everything as if they sit at a buffet. He opens their chopsticks, unfolds the napkins, pours them drinks, and uncovers everything to let it cook off. His jaw might clench and his eyes contain an additional layer of darkness, but he never makes Jimin nervous or worried.“Who was that man?” Jimin asks as gently as he can, staring down at the plate in front of him that Jungkook piles with an ungodly amount of food.“My dad.”“Ah.”“Yeah.“I see.” Jimin says, voice barely above a whisper, essentially a lie since he knows hardly anything about the situation between Jungkook and his family. “You don’t look like him.”“I’ve always been told that I look like my mom.”“Me too.”“You only have moms.” Jungkook deadpans, so taken aback by the joke that he loses his serious demeanor and cracks an amused smile.“Exactly.”“I’m not sure how much I’ve told you over the years, but I’m not close with them. We’re mostly civilized when we talk, though. It’s not some hugely dramatic thing where we want to claw out each other’s throats.”“I don’t think you’ve said much about it at all.”“They don’t want me to be a lawyer.” Jungkook states blankly, as if answering the question he knows lingers on the tip of Jimin’s tongue.“Why not?”“It’s their dream for me to take over the family restaurant. They wanted me to get a degree in business and handle everything for them. It’s been their wish since I was a pup.”“It was their dream, but not yours?”“Basically, yes.”“I understand. I know why they would want you to continue the restaurant since it’s a family affair, but following your own dream for your life is more important. It sounds like a tough thing to work through.” Jimin offers his own brand of reassurance without pushing the topic too much.“It’s just for the best that we don’t see each other much. I can’t tolerate them constantly downplaying my own goals and trying to convince me to leave my career for theirs.”“I… Uh, I didn’t know.”“Hmm?”“I didn’t know it was your parents’ restaurant or else I wouldn’t have—““I know you didn’t.” Jungkook replies in a soft, gentle voice that settles in Jimin’s chest like a warm delight. “Even if you did, I wouldn’t be angry.”“I was craving some homemade food and it seemed like a good option.”“Well, considering they probably gave us double what you ordered, plus a whole bunch of extra stuff that we didn’t ask for, I’d say you got your money’s worth.” Jungkook shrugs, reaching across the desk to tap Jimin’s chopsticks with his spoon to remind him to feed himself.“I agree. I’ll definitely have enough to take home as leftovers.” Jimin smiles happily.Naturally, of course, after such a hearty meal that fills his stomach until it doubles in size, the omega finds himself battling against the urge to sleep the second Jungkook leaves his office. His eyelids constantly try to close, he keeps nodding off, and his body surges with so much comfort that he wants to melt into a puddle on the ground.He fights against the biological process until he no longer maintains the resolve to resist, unable to even type because he falls asleep and presses random letters.Crawling onto the floor behind his desk, hidden away from the world, he curls up into a ball.Jimin thanks his lucky stars that his boss cares for him so much that he would probably let him build a bed in his office and sleep all day if he wanted, not at all afraid of consequences for neglecting his work to sleep away an hour or two of his day. He takes advantage of his career perks and the leniency Jungkook readily offers at every turn.Sleep sounds perfect.“I was wondering why you were ignoring my emails.” Jungkook’s voice rasps into the solitude engulfing Jimin, cutting through his peaceful sleep to force his brain to catapult to consciousness.“M’tired.”“I can see that.”Jimin pries open his eyes the tiniest sliver, catching the precise moment that Jungkook glances down at the bit of his lower belly that resides out in the open. His breath stalls in his lungs, unable to move an inch, unable to muster the motivation to cover himself in front of the alpha who knows every part of his body. He merely watches as Jungkook’s vision flits from his face to his belly then back to his face.“You’re just letting it all loose in here, yeah?” Jungkook asks with fondness dripping from his mouth like honey, his fresh laundry scent spiking to unprecedented heights from where he crouches beside the omega.“My… M-My pants are too tight.”“Already?”“Yes, it doesn’t make sense.”“It’s early, but—“ Jungkook halts dead in his tracks, furrowing his eyebrows. “Is that my jacket?”“I… It’s… The… Y-Yes.” Jimin admits with heated cheeks, mortified.“Wow.”“It… It helps.”“What does?” Jungkook questions, low and slow.“Your scent. I-It makes me feel better. Less… Less sick.”“Fuck.” Jungkook growls from the depths of his chest, something primal and rich, the look in his eyes sending a shiver down Jimin’s spine. It feels like he might just pounce on him at any second. Jimin thinks that should scare him, yet he craves it so badly. “Why didn’t you tell me that sooner, omega? That probably doesn’t even smell like me anymore.”“It doesn’t.” Jimin whines pitifully, pouting as he allows Jungkook to pull the black jacket out from under his head.“I’ll scent it for you.”“You… You will? You don’t mind?”“Why the hell would I mind? I’ll go switch it for a more comfortable material since I have one in my office. I’m glad that I can help in some way.”“T-Thank you, alpha.” Jimin whispers bashfully, far too eager to accept the new piece of clothing that Jungkook brings into his office, the omega now sitting at his desk again. “This is perfect.”“Anything you need or want, just say the word and I’ll make it happen. Anything.”The resounding knock booming against Jimin’s door comes as no surprise, already mentally prepared for the occasion after receiving a warning via text approximately 28 hours ago, his heart jumping into action in his chest while he rushes to welcome his friends inside his humble abode.Bags.He notices them before their smiling, bright faces.Each of them holds at least one bag, an obnoxious amount of things filling their arms as they make their way past the door.They make themselves right at home.“Happy Friday night, my beloved! It’s finally here! I’m so happy to see you again!” Taehyung gushes before he ropes Jimin into a crushing, engulfing hug that rinses the exhaustion from his bones.“I’m happy to see you too!”“I’ve been thinking about you and your precious pup all week! A week is way too long to go without seeing each other!” Hoseok adds, pushing Taehyung away to hug Jimin himself.“I agree!”“Me too!”“Let me have my turn.” Seokjin all but commands, swooping in to wrap his arms around Jimin and hold him tight, the comforting touch always soothing to Jimin’s weary soul. “I know you’ve been having a tough time lately, so just let us handle everything for tonight, okay?”“Okay.”“We’re going to take great care of you and help you relax!”“You don’t need to worry about a damn thing. Forget all about your morning sickness and tiredness and changing body. We’re here to take away all your stress.”“What are you going to do?” Jimin asks, nervously bouncing from foot to foot.“Everything.”“E-Everything?”“Anything and everything we could think of to pamper you, we’re doing it.” Taehyung answers plainly, reaching down to grab the bag on the ground next to his feet.“You’re going to come out of this a new omega!”“A-Alright, I guess.”Rather than immediately jumping into the clearly planned events for the evening—Seokjin literally possessing a schedule on his phone that outlines what they want to do to Jimin, when they should do it, how long each section takes, and the best techniques to enact for ultimate relaxation—the four of them crowd around his tiny apartment while merely talking about their weeks.They always find something to share after any length of time apart, their lives just bursting at the seams with interesting details to share.It feels nostalgic.Many years ago, they used to squeeze into a dorm room or on-campus apartment while they discussed everything under the sun, shoveling greasy foods into their mouths while sharing in the worries that arise in university.Some things never truly change, just evolve into a new form that suits the situation better.“C’mon.”“I’m a little weird about my body.” Jimin says apprehensively, fingers gripping the hem at the bottom of his shirt.“Yes, we’re well aware.”“You’re a prude.”“I’m just sensitive to touch.” Jimin pouts while he tiptoes closer to the couch, uncertain about the sensory overload now that the moment arrives. “It sometimes gets too much.”“Don’t worry, Jimin.”“We’ll stop the second that you’re uncomfortable. All you have to do is say the word.”“I think a massage will do you some good. I’m sure you’re super tense and stiff, so you’ll feel much better after we work those knots out of your muscles. All you have to do is lay down, close your eyes, and let the world drift away.” Seokjin explains in his reassuring manner, his lavender scent immensely soothing.“Okay, I trust you.”Revealing himself only makes him slightly anxious, Jimin stripping down to his skimpy sleep shorts to provide his friends ample flesh to work with. They appear oddly serious, a professional air about them while they prepare the supplies for a full body massage. His first actual experience with this happens in his own bedroom instead of a spa, the concept utterly hilarious if he contemplates it long enough.“You’ve never been one for roughhousing or play fighting or any of that shit. You always hated it when dude bros would come up to punch you in the arm. You’re just a delicate soul.” Hoseok muses as he starts with Jimin’s lower back.“I don’t like it when people make me feel like my body isn’t my own.”“Wow.”“That’s oddly poetic.”“No offense, but how did you make it through an entire heat and rut cycle without going crazy? I’m sure that’s an aggressive ordeal, especially with an alpha like Jungkook. He seems very in control and commanding.” Taehyung asks, rubbing lotion on the soles of Jimin’s feet.“I-It… Well… It wasn’t like that.”“No?”“Not at all.” Jimin keeps his eyes closed and his face smushed against the cushion, ignoring the way heat flickers in his gut at the memories of that fateful time. He burns. “He was g-gentle.”“Oh, that’s good, right? Is that what you wanted to happen?”“Yes. It was perfect.”“Alright, enough of that. This is supposed to be about resting, not thinking about taking a knot every hour for three days straight. We’re way too close to risk a slick mishap right now.” Seokjin declares firmly, arranging their plethora of supplies on the coffee table.“O-Oh my god! Why would you say that?”“He’s got a point.”“Imagine how awkward that would be for you. Hoseok mistakes it for massage oil and starts rubbing your own slick into your skin like—““Enough!”Admittedly, despite his own pretenses about allowing his friends to touch nearly every inch of his body, Jimin sinks into a restful headspace once they stop speaking nonsense. He floats away to lounge on a cloud, wispy and light as a feather.They work out all the kinks in his body, moisturize his skin, and release any tension he unknowingly harbors in his muscles.It serves as a wonderful experience.“Do you want to put the oil on your belly yourself?” Hoseok asks in a gentle, soft voice.“Yes, please.”“Here you go. I’ll put a little in your hand.”“It looks bigger than last time, right? I’m not imagining this, am I? I know you had your shirt on and we didn’t see it bare like this, but your belly already seems like it’s getting rounder.” Taehyung remarks with surprise in his tone.“I think you’re right.”“It looks bigger to me, too.”“My pants don’t fit anymore. I can’t even button them. I kept telling myself that it was just bloating or something, but Jungkook gave me money to buy new clothes.”“How far along are you now?”“Um… 10 weeks, I think.” Jimin answers after thinking it over for a second.“You’re naturally pretty thin, so maybe that’s why you’re showing already. Do you think it could be that, Mr. Doctor?” Hoseok asks Seokjin who sits at the head of the couch applying a mask to Jimin’s hair.“Yeah, probably.”“You’re as cute as a button already! I can’t wait to see your pregnant belly get even bigger!”The combination of such familiar scents surrounding him like a fog while gentle hands massage every part of his body leaves Jimin unable to stay awake, drifting off to sleep while utter relaxation grips him in its clutches. He lies on his back on the couch while they put lotion on his hands and feet, massage his scalp with a conditioning mask, and apply hydrating moisturizer to his face in circular motions. No one blames him for enjoying the experience to the fullest.As much as he wants to shy away in embarrassment when it comes time to wash all of the oils and masks from his body, he accepts Seokjin’s offer to personally do it all for him.Just the two of them, naked in the shower, nothing inappropriate about it.Sincerity bleeds through every movement of the beta’s hands, his expression unendingly kind each time Jimin opens his eyes. He washes away all of the products with a ginger touch, never once making Jimin uncomfortable or lingering in a way that might bring pause to the situation.“Thank you.” Jimin whispers sweetly, gratitude dripping from his eyes when he stares at his friend who helps him dry himself off. “You didn’t have to do all of this, so thank you.”“This is what friends are for, right?”“I would like to think so. It’s just… It’s a lot. I feel bad that you guys have to do so much for me. I’m fine, you know? I promise. You don’t need to worry.”“We don’t have to do anything. We want to take care of you, Jimin.”“Yeah, I know.” Jimin corrects himself, fighting to hold back his pesky tears. “Just… Just thank you. I love you.”“I love you, too.”Once Jimin slips into his favorite pajamas, his hair still slightly damp and his skin softer than a pup’s bottom, they eat dinner together around the tiny table that separates Jimin’s designated living room area from the space for his bedroom.Taehyung offered to cook up a satisfying, homemade meal for all of them to enjoy, volunteering to cook anything in the world that Jimin desires. He made soup, side dishes, fresh kimchi, different types of meat, and even dessert. It probably took hours to grocery shop, cook, and package everything to bring to Jimin’s apartment, yet he never complained even a single time.It embarrasses Jimin to let them fuss over him like this, going as far as feeding him instead of letting him do it with own, perfectly functioning, set of hands.Love.They truly love him.Their affection shines through to a part of their souls that they never voice aloud. It exists without words or explanations. In moments of weakness, where one of them requires a little extra attention to make it through to the next day, they band together to carry each other on their backs until they can walk on their own again.He needs to stop overthinking before he bawls his eyes out at the dining table.“Can we go on another trip before Summer officially ends? The colder weather will be here before we know it. Let’s enjoy the last of the warmth while we still can.” Jimin asks as they clean up their dishes and pack up their belongings.“Where do you want to go?”“Literally anywhere.”“Well, you know I’m always down for a weekend getaway. Someone pick the place and I’ll get us there. I’ve been wanting to travel again too.” Seokjin says with a nod of his head.“Yay!”“There are so many things we can do! I’ll search up some stuff tomorrow and let you know what I find!” Taehyung exclaims, beaming.“Yeah, same here. I’ll look for something tomorrow.”“We need to get out and explore some more before we have a pup in our midst. I have a feeling that Jimin’s already small adventurous spirit will completely die out when he has a pup to consider.”“Honestly… I think you’re right.” Jimin shrugs, not even arguing with the notion.Saying goodbye to his friends hurts a lot less than he expects, overflowing with so much love that he thinks he could die happily in this moment. They hug way more than necessary, linger in the kitchen instead of actually leaving, and make promises to hang out again soon. Taehyung stocks Jimin’s fridge full of delicious food while Hoseok finishes up tidying the apartment.All in all, Jimin’s happiness consumes him.“Good night, sweetie. Rest tomorrow since you don’t have work. Sleep as much as you want.”“I will.”“If you keep throwing up and start feeling dehydrated again, just come into my clinic so I can get you an IV. I don’t mind prescribing you some anti-nausea medication until your next appointment with your doctor. You just let me know, okay?”“Okay, thank you.”The second that they leave through the door, Jimin crawls into his bed to bury his face in Jungkook’s jacket, drowning in fresh laundry as he knocks out into a deep, fitful sleep.Most days, work provides Jimin a perfect escape from life.He steps into his office, forgets everything plaguing his mind, and pours himself into working hard to satisfy his overarching goal of helping those in need.Even the time before his lovely pup, the omega greatly appreciated the opportunity to fully thrust himself into his job instead of endless contemplating his existence. Now—with the future looming in the distance and constantly devouring his every thought—Jimin welcomes the hours of the day that he focuses on something other than worrying.The challenging cases never end.Successfully finishing a case and bringing a victim justice only ushers in a blink of relief before the reality of the next one settles in.A cruel truth of the world resides in the knowledge that depraved, sinister individuals lurk around every corner, waiting to pounce on their next victim without ever feeling an ounce of remorse for the pain they deliver on others. Jungkook, Jimin, their teams, the justice system—they only arrive after the horrific acts occur. As much as Jimin cherishes the help he provides, the list of victims in need will never end, merely growing longer every second.“Jimin.” Areum, another lawyer in Jungkook’s firm, calls his name after politely knocking on his door, sticking her head inside to greet him. “Can you help me file a motion for one of my cases? I hate to ask, but my court meeting is in 30 minutes and all of our other secretaries are out today.”“Sure. Do you have the information all ready for me to fill out?”“I brought it with me just in case.”“I’ll start it right now and have it finished with the next 15 minutes or so. Hopefully it’s officially documented in the system before your time in court.” Jimin replies after scanning over the file of papers in front of him.“Thank you so much! You’re the best!”“I’m happy to help.”Distractions inevitably pop up throughout the day, a facet of life that Jimin accepts with open arms, thankful for the little details that he never expects when he wakes in the morning.From taking a break to run to the nearest cafe with Seo-ah to a phone call from his parents to accepting extra tasks from another lawyer, the omega finds that the smallest, unanticipated aspects of human existence help to break from the monotony of completing the same duties all day long.Jimin works with a smile on his face and a warmth bubbling in his belly knowing that everything slowly falls into place.Things will change again before he knows it.“Hey! Are you busy?”“I mean… Kind of. I’m always busy, but I don’t have anything particularly urgent to do right now if that’s what you’re asking.” Jimin states with a raised eyebrow, already knowing what the look on Jungkook’s face means.“Yeah, that’s basically what I’m asking.”“What do you need?”“It’s a bit of an unusual request, but someone asked for both of us to be present during their meeting. They want the whole team in attendance, for whatever reason. I don’t know.” Jungkook shakes his head, rolls his eyes, and appears apologetic for even asking.“Let me grab my laptop and I’ll be there.”“Thank you.”Jimin feels as if the oxygen forcefully expels from his lungs the moment he steps past the door of the meeting room, choking on a cough while he attempts to regain air into his body to breathe properly. All of his hair stands on end, goosebumps rush across his skin, an encompassing sense of dread sits heavy in his stomach, and his instincts rise to the surface of his consciousness.Without ever hearing a word from the gasoline scented alpha sitting down the table from him, an unsettling, debilitating, terrifying bout of emotions race through his veins to leave him reeling in his own premonitions.Everything inside of him urges him to retreat, wishing to leave this room and never return.“What is it that you want to discuss, Mr. Moon? If I recall correctly, we’ve previously met to analyze your situation and there was nothing I could do for you. Have things since changed?” Jungkook conducts himself with a serious demeanor, nothing but stern and professional.“I think you should give my case another look. I don’t know why you’re so afraid of representing me, but I’m willing to give you another chance.”“As I told you last time, and the time before that, I am unable to provide you legal counsel.”“Bullshit.”“Excuse me?”“That’s bullshit and you know it. You constantly preach about human rights and helping people and justice, yet you don’t give a fuck about important causes like mine.” The alpha, apparently possessing the last name Moon, speaks with harshness in his words and daggers in his eyes that make Jimin’s skin crawl.“What is the cause you speak of? Please, enlighten me.”“There’s an epidemic of omegas slutting themselves out like whores to everyone they lay eyes on, then crying rape when they regret their decisions. Me, and alphas like me, deserve equal representation in this society.”“My answer has not changed, nor will it in the future.” Jungkook states firmly, arms crossed over his chest that he puffs out in a defensive posture.“Worthless whores shouldn’t be able to lie like this and ruin people’s reputations!”“I’m sorry that you feel like you’ve been falsely accused of raping an omega, but that has absolutely nothing to do with me. I’m unable to represent your case or provide you counsel, Mr. Moon. I hope you can understand.”“Oh, I understand alright. I understand that you’re a goddamn coward who betrays his own kind because you’re too much of a pussy to go against the system!” Ths alpha abruptly rises to his feet, offering no warning at all before he goes ballistic, the blood in Jimin’s veins running cold as he process the tragedy that unfolds before him.“Go!” Jungkook growls, eyes boring into Jimin’s face with terror, reaching so deep inside of himself that he verbalizes an alpha command.Unfortunately, it comes too late.Before Jimin can even attempt to put one foot in front of the other and bolt out of the room to save his own life, the deranged alpha lunges across the table with a knife in his hand.He aims straight for Jimin, almost knocking him to the ground with the power in his movements.“Is this why you’re so fucking weak? Did this bitch taint your mind with his omega rights bullshit? Are you so desperate for some ass that you’ll let your own kind suffer?” The alpha holds his knife towards Jimin, only a tiny chair separating them.“Get the fuck away from him! I swear that you’ll wish you were in a hole in the goddamn ground if you don’t back up right now!”“Yeah? What are you going to do, Mr. Jeon? You can’t stop me from gutting him like a fish.”Everything happens in such a blur that Jimin’s eyes fail to keep up, his entire being so frozen with shock that he remains mindless in the face of such a dangerous situation, his omega flinging to the forefront of his mind to control his actions without a conscious thought ever fizzling into fruition. He moves on autopilot, numb, rendered useless.Jungkook jumps across the table so swiftly that the murderous alpha receives no time to defend against it, promptly tumbling to the floor with the strength behind Jungkook’s guttural rage.They collapse into a tangled pile of bodies, the knife dropping on the ground near Jimin’s feet.Due to Jungkook’s smart thinking and fast reflexes, a crowd of security guards rush into the room before Jimin even finds time to kick the knife out of the way. They grab him by the shoulders and tug him into the hallway to separate him from the chaos happening just on the other side of the door.Moon screams until he faints from a lack of oxygen flowing through his veins.“Look at me, omega. Please, just look at me. I know you can hear me.” Jungkook pleads in a pitiful, deep rumble that makes Jimin’s heart ache something fierce. His warm hand caresses the omega’s cheek so gently that it forces him to come back to himself. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Is everything alright?”Jimin, shaking with shock, simply nods.“Are you positive? How’s our Petal doing right now? Did both of you make it out okay?”“A-Alpha.” Jimin whines, heart pounding so violently that he verges on fainting, an unimaginable amount of fear spiking inside of him.“What? What is it?”“S-Scared.”“I know, I know. I’m so fucking sorry. It’s all my fault. I should’ve… I should’ve known. I never should’ve brought you in there. I’m such an idiot. I almost let some psychopath murder my family.”“N-Not… Not your fault.”“Can I look at you? I know the paramedics already did that, but I can please make sure for myself?”“Mhm.”Jimin trembles like an earthquake in his own office while Jungkook carefully touches every part of him in search of a devastating injury. He treats him like a precious jewel, gentle as a feather with the way he moves the omega’s body and clothing around to check for something they previously missed.“H-Hold me.” Jimin whispers, soft and desperate, aching for comfort after such a traumatic experience. “Please.”“Of course, omega. Of course. Come here. I’ve got you, I promise. You’re okay.”With his face buried in the crook of the alpha’s neck to breathe nothing except the scent of heavenly floral and cotton, Jimin sobs his heart out as Jungkook holds him impossibly close. He clings to him like a lifeline, clutching his own belly while he allows the terror to devour him. They share in this poignant moment for a lifetime, bodies melting into one with their hearts beating in a matching rhythm.Police enter into the room an irritating amount of times, wishing to interview them about the situation until their brains melt, writing everything down for their official incident report.They mostly talk around Jimin like he sits in the room as a ghost instead of an actualized person.Jungkook’s protectiveness never fades even long after the threat resolves, standing like a guard dog beside Jimin for hours, unable to will himself away or let the omega out of his sight. He even follows Jimin to the bathroom, instincts so on edge that he growls at Seo-ah for coming too close to them in the hallway.It makes Jimin feel safe, secure, protected.“I just want to sleep.”“That’s perfectly fine. You can sleep all you want now that you’re home. Does Seokjin know the code to your door?”“Yes.”“Good.” Jungkook carries Jimin to his bed after helping him remove his shoes, gingerly placing him on the edge to pull back the blankets, promptly scooping him up to lay his head on the pillows. “Get some rest and don’t worry about anything else, okay? Today was a rough one. I’m so sorry.”“S’okay. Alpha kept us safe. Nothing happened.”“I would never let anything happen to you.”“So brave.” Jimin whispers with reverence dripping from his lips, reaching out to cup Jungkook’s jaw in his little hand. “Thank you.”“I’ll stay here until Seokjin comes to keep you company.”“Promise?”“Promise. I’ll sit right here on the floor until I see him. You can sleep, omega. You’re safe and sound now. Don’t worry.”It takes a couple of days for the initial fear to dissipate enough for Jimin to sleep alone at night. His friends take turns staying over at his place, their presences the only thing making it possible for him to rest at all. Jungkook’s worry remains clear in how he constantly hovers at work, but Jimin likes the attention, both him and their Petal safe as can be.Jimin thinks it should scare him.An undeniable shift in the undertone of his relationship with Jungkook—his friend, the alpha father of his pup, his boss—steadily grows more obvious each day.He thinks he knows when it all started, how to trace the change in tides to the precise moment everything transitioned into more. They may never discuss the concept aloud, but surely they both notice how these little things add up to create a whole new dynamic between them.Fear evades him.Of all the feelings and emotions perpetually running rampant in the fleshy fabric of the omega’s body, he finds himself entirely devoid of fear, not an ounce of his mental energy spent on being afraid of their changing arrangement.Truthfully, deep, deep down in the most earnest parts of his soul, where he plants his hopes like seeds in the walls of his heart, Jimin cherishes the sincerity of the surmounting relationship between them, unable to ruminate the wealth of possibilities on the horizon or worry over the many feasible negative outcomes of such a shift, too busy relishing the delight of Jungkook’s abundant consideration, unending gentleness, and tender care.He simply lets things happen without contemplating what they mean.“Do you feel better these days?” Jungkook asks as they walk into the elevator to head to the parking garage. “Are you sleeping well?”“Yeah, I’m fine.”“Really?”“I’m doing alright, I promise. It’s been over a week since everything happened. The first few days were rough, but I’m handling it well now. You don’t need to worry about me.” Jimin says with as much conviction as he can muster, confidence heavy in his words.“I would be a fool to not worry at least a little bit, Secretary Park.”“A little bit is acceptable.” Jimin smiles to himself, gentle and sweet, warmth flickering inside his chest at Jungkook’s words.“Thank you.”“It sounds crazy to say this out loud, but I think I’m getting better at dealing with these types of ordeals. I mean… This is the third time something like this has happened. It’s obviously terrifying, yet I’m almost used to it, in a way.”“That’s horrible.” Jungkook stares at him with darkness in his eyes, holding open the car door.“Maybe so.”“I understand them to some degree. Tensions are high, their lives are flipping upside down, and everything feels like a nightmare. They want to escape from their personal hell, but don’t know how. It makes sense how they end up losing it.”“I can’t imagine how they feel inside to want to lash out in such an extreme way.”“Hopefully we have another couple of years before we have to deal with anything like that again. We’ll plan better, take more precautions, try to prevent it from happening at all.”“We can only hope so.”Their car ride takes a minor hitch when a bout of sickness barrels into Jimin out of nowhere, forcing Jungkook to pull over and let him dry heave on the side of the highway while hundreds of cars pass them by. It embarrasses him, of course, but he manages to keep it together without actually vomiting up his lunch in front of the whole city.Stopping to quell his nausea only adds about 10 minutes to their commute to the hospital for their next appointment to check on the pup, still slating them to arrival several minutes early.Nervousness sears beneath the surface of Jimin’s skin while they sit in the waiting room.All kinds of other people crowding around in the uncomfortable chairs while waiting for their names to ring in the air. He stares down at his lap in hopes that no one recognizes him, thankful for Jungkook’s presence at his side to provide comfort through such nerve wracking times. The alpha also keeps his head low, just in case.“I’m, uh… I’m definitely showing now.” Jimin whispers as he fidgets with the fabric of his baggy, flowy shirt that hides his bump.“Okay.”“I just thought that you should know before you see it in there. I’m assuming we’ll do another ultrasound and my belly will be out in the open. I’m trying to hide it for now, but it’s growing so fast.”“That’s… That’s good, right? That’s a good thing that you’re growing so much?”“I don’t know, probably.”“You know that I don’t have to be here if it makes you uncomfortable, don’t you? If you don’t want me to look or you’d rather see the doctor alone, I’d understand. I’m just here to support you.” Jungkook states softly, deep and rocky, his scent spiking a little.“I want you to be there for everything. I… I don’t mind if you l-look. I’m not embarrassed for you to see your own Petal.”Their extensive time in the waiting room puts them nearly half an hour past the appointment time when the nurse steps out to call them back, the occurrence unsurprising considering the popularity and reputation of the doctor. While reviews of the obstetrician skew almost entirely positive, the only frequent complaint spoke of this specific situation, noting that delays and rescheduled appointments might occur.Jimin obediently follows the nurse to the same stations in the center of the office that he used before, recognizing the scale he needs to step on in order to measure his weight.The nurse, a man with bright pink hair, remains mostly silent unless barking out a command.Jungkook sits beside him while the nurse commences the basic part of the exam, like taking his vitals and measuring the circumference of his belly, everything professional in a stale way without an ounce of personal interaction throughout the process. The alpha attempts to look away and distract himself with the posters on the wall, but Jimin notices how his attention returns for a few seconds each time the nurse touches him again.The cuff for taking his blood pressure tightens around his bicep, always providing a momentary sliver of panic when he feels his heartbeat pounding in his arm to make him acutely aware of his own biological existence.After taking note of his weight, stomach size, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and any additional concerns, the nurse leaves them alone in the examination room.“What is that?”“Hell if I know. I’m just here. I don’t know what any of this is.” Jungkook answers blankly, the blunt honesty amusing Jimin so much that he breaks into an airy giggle.“Neither do I.”“Everything looks intimidating in this kind of environment, so I totally understand why you don’t like coming to the doctor. The tools and devices look like they’re for medieval torture.”“It’s nice that I get to keep my clothes on this time.” Jimin shudders, quickly changing the topic to preserve his sanity.“Does that mean you don’t have an ultrasound this time?”“No, I think they let you leave your clothes on when they do the external ultrasounds. I’ll just have to pull up my shirt so they can reach my belly more easily. I’ve only done a little research, though. I could be wrong.” Jimin shrugs, scanning around the room to busy his mind while he waits, legs bouncing in anticipation.“I’m fairly certain that you’re never wrong, Secretary Park.”“I’m glad that you acknowledge it.”Jimin seizes the opportunity to scroll on his phone while they patiently wait for the doctor to see them, replying to his friends’ texts asking about how the appointment transpires. He checks his social media accounts, sifts through the various headlines in the news, and even watches a few short videos, still no sign of the doctor in their room.He wants to jump out of his skin when he hears the man’s voice in the room next door, heart rate increasing and stomach somersaulting while he attempts to steady his breathing. Minutes feel like an eternity when he knows what heads his way.“Good afternoon, Mr. Park.” Doctor Choi says as he enters the room. “I apologize for the lengthy wait.”“It’s okay.”“I had an emergency surgery to deliver quadruplets this morning and I’ve been trying to get on track ever since.”“Whoa, that’s a lot of pups.”“How are you feeling these days? Your chart says you’ve only had the initial appointment which was about 6 weeks ago. Your gestational age has essentially doubled since then. Are you experiencing a lot of changes now?” Doctor Choi asks in his kind and polite demeanor that soothes the worry needling in Jimin’s soul.“Well… Yes. I don’t know if I would call it a lot, but there are definitely changes happening.”“Can you tell me some of them?”“I have morning sickness quite often, but it’s not even just in the morning. Sometimes, I’ll be fine all day, and then randomly throw up out of nowhere. I feel fine afterwards, too.” Jimin explains in a slow response, kicking his feet where they dangle from the examination bed.“I see.”“I’m getting more sensitive to scents, as well. Whenever I ride the subway and people are really close to me, it bothers me a lot.”“Does it make you uncomfortable emotionally or physically?”“Both.”“Thank you for clarifying.” The doctor replies as he smiles, presumably typing Jimin’s answers into the computer before he returns to gaze at him once more. “Please, continue.”“I’m still pretty tired all of the time, so that isn’t really a change. I think… Hmm… The only other difference I’ve noticed is how fast my belly is growing. I don’t know why, but I wasn’t expecting it. It literally gets bigger every day.”“I want to reassure you that everything you’re experiencing is perfectly normal during pregnancy. These are all typical and healthy, especially at this stage.”“Oh, really?”“Yes, absolutely. Your sensitivity towards scents will only increase and you might develop something called ‘scent rejection dysphoria’ later on. It’s also common for those with these symptoms to need close connection with the other parent of the pup since it’s a sign of stronger instincts. Typically these things start to increase after the first trimester.” Doctor Choi helpfully explains, overloading Jimin’s brain with information.“O-Okay.”“Now, I will be candid and say that you’re growing fairly quickly, especially for a first time pregnancy. It’s not worrisome, but certainly uncommon.”“Is that a bad thing?”“No, not necessarily. I’m going to perform an ultrasound and ensure everything still looks healthy. Do you mind if I feel your belly first?”“No, go ahead.” Jimin answers softly, lying back after lifting his shirt.Jimin wants to stare at the ceiling while pretending the cold touch on the most precious part of his body brings him no unease, but he finds himself unable to tear his eyes away from Jungkook who sits stiff in the corner while he watches the interaction like a hawk. He looks fierce, serious, almost predatory with the dark intensity bleeding from his gaze. The focus in his stare and the swell of his defensive posture pleases Jimin in a way he never knew possible.The examination ends nearly as quickly as it begins, a few simple touches to his belly to feel for any abnormalities before he deems it satisfactory.Quick and easy.The medical equipment standing beside the bed scares him a little, but the doctor promises that the process causes no pain. He spends several minutes explaining the function of the machine and how it works, politely preparing Jimin with a verbal warning before he ever even touches him with it. Unlike the internal ultrasound from last time, he only needs to add the gel and then rub the handheld piece over the flesh of his belly to see inside.A visible bump spans between the bones of Jimin’s hips, protruding enough to notice when he lies flat on his back like this. The swell captivates his attention more each day. He can feel it, cradle it, love it.It blows his mind to see tangible evidence of his precious pup.“I’m going to massage this over your belly and look at the images on the screen, okay?”“Okay.”Jimin remains still to not disrupt the process, hardly moving an inch in fear of causing issues, even curtailing his breathing to ensure everything runs smoothly. It takes a second for the gel to warm up beneath the repeated back and forth motions of the doctor’s hand. No one says a word, merely waiting for something to happen.“Hmm...”“W-What?” Jimin chokes out, head flinging to the side of the bed where the Doctor Choi stands.“That’s… Hmm…”“What is it?”“Oh.” The doctor releases a puff of air from his lips, eyebrows scrunched while he gazes at the images drawn from the screen. “Wow.”“What… What do you see?”When Jimin turns to Jungkook with a look of pure terror written across his face, it takes all of two seconds for the alpha to rush to his feet and stand at Jimin’s side. He grips Jungkook’s hand like a lifeline, both of their scents undoubtedly spiking bitter with fear at the uncertainty. They stare into each other’s eyes, saying everything without muttering a word.Either a minute or an hour passes, it makes no difference while trapped in a horrifying limbo not knowing the status of the beloved life that resides in Jimin’s belly.“I’m not able to glance at your chart right now. Did you conceive naturally?”“Yes.”“Was it during a shared heat and rut cycle?”“Yeah, why?” Jungkook asks this time, so restless that he might claw out of his own skin if an explanation takes any longer.“Do you know how rare it is to have twins? Are you at all knowledgeable about the statistics or studies done on multiple pup pregnancies?” Doctor Choi asks in a low, soft tone.“N-No.”“Twins are such a rarity that we hardly have any information on the actual numbers. All we know is that it’s impossible to have them via in-vitro fertilization. It’s hypothesized that they’re only conceived between two people whose wolves are so innately compatible that the sperm and eggs thrive enough to successfully grow two fetuses.”“Uh… Okay?”“Why are you telling us this?”“Look.” Doctor Choi turns the screen towards Jungkook and Jimin, both of them waiting with bated breath while they attempt to decipher the images. “This is fetus 1.”“Wait… 1? What do you mean 1? Is there—““This is fetus 2.”“Huh?” Jungkook gawks, rapidly blinking, leaning closer to the screen.“T-There… There are two?”“Yes.”“Are you sure? Is there any way you could be mistaken? How certain are you that there are two pups in there?” Jimin asks with utter disbelief lacing his every word, heart frozen in his chest while he stares at the two bean shapes on the screen.“I’m positive. There’s no doubt about it. I clearly see both fetuses and their heartbeats. They’re both in there.”“Holy shit.”“To make it doubly interesting, both twins have their own placentas and amniotic sacs. This is statistically the safest form of twins because they have their own systems in place. These types of twin pregnancies usually stay in the womb the longest and have the least amount of complications.” The doctor explains with a smile on his face, printing off several copies of various images, apparently happy with the revelation.“I feel like I’m dreaming right now. Can you pinch me?” Jimin whispers as he stares up at Jungkook.“Yeah, if you pinch me back.”“This is why you’re showing so obviously already. It’s common for twin pregnancies to grow about 6-8 weeks ahead of a single pregnancy. You look like you’re about 18 weeks instead of 12.”“That… Woah… That actually makes a lot of sense. I didn’t think of that.”Several more minutes pass while the doctor finishes up the ultrasound, offers them more details about the pregnancy, and reassures them that two pups live inside of Jimin right now. He never rushes them or acts condescending towards their disbelief, kind and polite throughout the rest of the appointment.Jimin gapes at the array of pictures in his hands that clearly outline separate pups, aptly labeling them fetus 1 and fetus 2.“We’ll need to schedule more frequent appointments since twin pregnancy are considered high risk by nature. You shouldn’t be worried or concerned, but these precautions are necessary. I’m also going to go ahead and prescribe you additional iron and folic acid pills because those deficiencies are common with twins.”“I’m sorry.” Jimin mutters with wide eyes and an open mouth, shaking his head while his stomach feels like it might drop out of his ass. “I’m still in shock. I… I don’t know what to say.”“Perfectly understandable, Mr. Park. Have a nice rest of your day. I’ll see you again soon.”“B-Bye.”Jimin and Jungkook make no effort to move from their spots at the examination table, the silence around them almost suffocating while they process the bombshell that detonated on their heads only minutes prior. It makes logical sense to the omega’s brain, he understands what it means, but he struggles to accept such a lofty concept. Not just one pup, two. Two pups will come out of him. They will raise two separate pups after a single birth.“We’re having pups, alpha.” Jimin chokes out with tears stinging at the backs of his eyes, his hand cupping the little swell of his belly. “N-Not… Not just one, but two.”“We’re really having two pups, aren’t we? We’re having twins, omega.”

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When the first trimester meets its swift end, flying by with a cruel speed that refuses to allow him to process his situation before it transitions into something new, Jimin finds himself facing something that he struggles to conceptualize.Deep in the genetic makeup of his being, he craves Jungkook’s presence in a way he fails to understand.It surpasses a mere longing for closeness.The intensity of his need threatens to devour him whole.Like a switch flipping overnight, he wakes with a guttural, primal, instinctual desire for Jungkook in some manner, so desperate for him that it aches in the pit of his soul.He initially buries it down in hopes of allowing it to pass without causing any issues. Instead of addressing it or attempting to explain his feelings, he pretends like he doesn’t slowly die inside every second that he spends without Jungkook’s assistance. His omega begs and pleads and cries out for the alpha of his pups, yearning so intensely that it terrifies him.Unfortunately, ignoring the problem only lets it surmount into something uncontrollable, worsening with each interaction he shares with Jungkook.His omega needs it like he needs oxygen to breathe.The specific details of it brings confusion and chaos to his mind because days of suffering transpire before he even puts a name to the sensation that wants to tear him apart from the inside out.Jungkook’s scent.A primal claim to him and his pups.Undeniable bonding that fuses their beings together.Sleeping with a jacket marked by the alpha no longer satisfies the insistence of his innermost self, perpetually torturing himself each day that he attempts to preserve himself from possible humiliation. Regardless of how often or strongly Jungkook drenches the fabric in his fresh laundry scent, it fails to quell the begging of his soul. Both him and his pups need the scent like their lives depend on it.Just as the doctor explained, a measly amount of information about twin pregnancies exists due to the lack of cases to study.He searches far and wide for anyone who possibly understands his predicament, hoping to gain more information about why he feels this way, aiming to soothe the part of him that cringes at even asking for something so intimate from Jungkook.The answer resides in the fact that he carries this alpha’s pups in his womb.As simple as that.Whether or not they bear mating bites on their necks or officially join together in the modern union of marriage, their wolves innately recognize one another as an extension of themselves. Not only that, Jimin carrying Jungkook’s pups makes him desperate for his scent to connect their primal selves so that the bond strengthens and their connection reaches peak fortification by the time their offspring arrive.He needs Jungkook’s scent, his affection, the claim over him and their two pups.No questioning it.Once he accepts his fate after nearly a week of torturing himself with his deep-seated need, his resolve weakens to the point that he all but throws himself on his knees at Jungkook’s feet to beg for his scent on his skin.“Secretary Park?”“H-Hi.”“Is something wrong?” Jungkook asks with a gravelly rasp, Jimin picturing the furrow of eyebrows even if he can’t see it over the phone. “Not that I’m implying that you should only call me if something’s wrong. You just usually don’t reach out this late in the day.”“Are you busy?”“Right now?”“Mhm.”“No. I’m sitting in my car. I left the office like three minutes ago.”“I’m sorry to ask, but… but will you come here?” Jimin questions in a weak, timid tone that adds to his disappointment in himself.“Of course, I will.”“Oh.” Jimin sucks in a harsh breath, the unease in his chest too painful to bear. “Aren’t you t-tired?”“No more than usual.”“Okay.”“Even if I was completely exhausted, I would still come to you if you asked me. Will you tell me what’s wrong? Is it an emergency?”“No, not an emergency.”“That’s good to know.” Jungkook hums under his breath, the sound of his engine in the background.“I just… I need you, alpha.”“Fuck.” Jungkook’s voice sounds so guttural and deep that it mimics a growl more than anything else, animalistic in a way that makes Jimin’s omega yearn for his presence even harder, heat coursing through his gut without warning. “I’ll be there soon.”Jungkook knocks on the door a couple of times before he ultimately lets himself in, remembering the passcode to the door after helping Jimin into his apartment more than once in the recent past.Everything inside of Jimin bursts when he looks up to find the alpha standing at the end of his bed.Finally.It feels utterly pathetic and ridiculous to let tears fall from his eyes from something so minuscule, but he needs this more than anything in the world. His omega surges inside of him, pulling him up onto his knees at the head of his bed. He struggles to formulate the right words to explain to Jungkook what he desperately needs.“Scent me.” Jimin requests, soft and sweet, staring up at Jungkook like he holds the key to the universe. “Please.”“Why are you crying?”“It hurts.”“What does? What’s hurting you? Is it your belly? Do we need to go to—““M-My heart, my chest. I don’t know. It just… It hurts.” Jimin answers truthfully, unable to describe the place inside of him that aches for Jungkook’s claim.“Okay, that’s okay. I’ll scent you, omega. Anything you want.”“We need it.”“Our Petals need my scent?”“Yes, and… and me too.”“I understand.” Jungkook creeps closer, tentative and careful, approaching the bed but not yet touching it. “I’ve been feeling this awful need to… Well, to mark you as mine. It feels so wrong that you’re walking around without my scent, without everyone knowing those pups are mine. It’s haunting me.”“Please, alpha—““Here? In your bed? Like this?”“Y-Yes.”Jungkook always conducts himself with a controlled disposition when it comes to Jimin, treating the omega like a fragile, skittish thing that might scatter at the first sign of a harsh movement. He never allows himself to lose the grip over his instincts, taming himself in favor of preserving the gentleness of the scene, denying his alpha so that his logical brain remains at the forefront of his reasoning capacity.This time, however, with Jimin teary eyed and on his knees begging for his scent, Jungkook’s resolve slips the slightest bit.He strides forward without another word or explanation to plant himself on the bed beside Jimin.Silence.All the air zaps out of the room in an instant when they sit so close to one another, Jimin forfeiting the ability to breathe while he waits for something, anything, to happen.They stare into each other’s eyes in the way that happens so often, gazing through the windows to their souls while they allow their bodies to drift closer and closer. Jimin feels everything that buzzes between them, endlessly tormented by the suffocatingly strong scent of floral-drenched cotton.“C’mere.” Jungkook grunts, something impossibly dark in his eyes, only inches away from Jimin. “Let me give you what you want.”“M’here.”“Closer, omega. All the way. C’mere.”“Need it, y-your scent, please—“ Jimin’s whine fizzles out on his tongue when he works up the bravery to crawl closer until he practically sits in Jungkook’s lap.“Hold still for me.”Jungkook dives forward without warning, gripping the back of Jimin’s head as he maneuvers himself into the crook of his neck, releasing a guttural growl when the omega elongates his neck to freely expose his scent gland to him. He verges on losing it completely, rougher and harsher with his movements while he keeps Jimin in place with the grip on the back of his head.Bursts of light explode in Jimin’s vision when Jungkook’s nose meets the sensitive patch of skin along the column of his neck, insistently rubbing against it to drown the omega in the richness of his scent.He thinks he might pass out, unable to breathe, every cell in his body swelling with satisfaction until they rupture. Delight courses through his veins like a raging river, rapid and uncontrollable. Pathetic whimpers and whines rip from his throat while he basks in the glory of an instinctual claim from the alpha who fathered the lips that live in his belly. Jimin’s heart aches with feelings of acceptance, recognition, belonging, and possession, his innermost omega connected to Jungkook as the bond between them flourishes.The insistence of Jungkook’s movements never relents. Even after he successfully marks Jimin in the claim of his scent, he continues to cover him more and more.Jimin melts into a puddle.Finally.Peace.By the time that Jungkook wills himself to stop, Jimin lies back against the pillow with the alpha hovering over him, his neck rubbing raw and red from the repeated motions against the sensitive skin. They both pant like wild animals, a scorching heat thriving in the close proximity of their bodies.“Is that better?”“Mhm.” Jimin hums, feeling like a pile of human jelly, melting into the mattress with his eyes closed without his permission. “P-Perfect.”“You must’ve really needed that if you were willing to call me so late in the evening. Poor thing. It’s not right for you to cry like that. I’m sorry you have to suffer so much to carry our Petals.”“No, s’okay. Don’t… Don’t be sorry.”“How could I not?”“I love them so much already.” Jimin whispers breathily, soft and wispy.“I know you do. I do too.”Jungkook lingers for only a few minutes before he tucks Jimin into bed, turns off the lights, and makes his leave out the front door. His soothing scent drenches every inch of the omega’s body to the point that cotton drips from his pores. Jimin sleeps perfectly for the first time in a week, not even needing the jacket anymore.Although they never speak a word of the situation again, they naturally develop a routine to regularly scent Jimin throughout the day.Risky.It almost feels scandalous to engage in something so intimate at their place of work, scenting itself gradually becoming more taboo in modern times. Once a day, typically in the early morning, Jimin will slip into Jungkook’s office with an expectant look on his face. He locks the door, makes sure the blinds cover the windows, then primly sits on the couch along the wall. Jungkook moves to his side in a flash.Jimin finds it difficult to work when his brain feels fuzzy from the satisfaction of such a thorough scenting, but he tries his hardest to maintain his focus once the high starts wearing off.Their system works perfectly.“What do we do on the weekends?” Jimin asks nervously, hands folded in his lap as he allows his spirit to settle after a fresh scenting. “That’s a long time. Too long, I think.”“I’m fine with whatever you want, Secretary Park. You know that.”“I can come to your apartment. It’s not fair for you to always have to be the one coming to me. I don’t mind making the trip a couple times a week.”“It’s no trouble at all, I promise. I don’t mind driving.” Jungkook says with a hum.“I want to come to your place. I’ll text or call you before I head over just to make sure you’re home. I’m not sure how well I’ll handle the subway, but we’ll figure something else out if it bothers me too much. It’ll be good for me to get out and do something instead of staying home.”“Alright, whatever you want.”“Thank you.”Pregnancy leaves Jimin with a host of new vulnerabilities he never expected, but he tries to handle them with grace. He reminds himself to treat himself with kindness, even when he wonders if he deserves it. Carrying not just one, but two pups proves a difficult job, but he adores the opportunity.When Jimin treks down the hallway to Jungkook’s office—a stack of files in his arms, a pep in his step, and a pleased smile on his face—it surprises him to hear a chorus of deep voices leaking from inside the room, pausing at the door with furrowed eyebrows as he attempts to decipher the situation.He only waits for a minute or two before he decides to knock, the weight in his arms too much to bear any longer.“Oh, hello.”“Hello, Jimin.”“It’s nice to see you again.”“Y-Yeah, you too.” Jimin replies in greeting to the couple standing in front of Jungkook’s desk, recognizing them from the wedding Seokjin brought him to. “I just, uh… I need to drop off some stuff.”“Of course.”“Don’t let us stop you.”He grows glaringly aware of the breeze against his lower belly, hurrying to offhand the files onto Jungkook’s desk so he can fix his shirt. His bump gets bigger and bigger each day, most of his clothes no longer fitting regardless of how hard he tries to make them work.Jimin jerks down the fabric of his shirt to cover his rounded belly, but not before he notices every eye in the room staring at his bare skin.“I was just about to come ask if you wanted to join us for lunch. Yoongi and Namjoon were in the area, so they decided to stop by. They want to have some grilled meat, if that’s okay with you.” Jungkook states softly, a seriousness in his eyes that only shows when he addresses the omega.“Yeah, sure. That sounds nice. When were you planning to go?”“Maybe… Hmm… 10 minutes?” Namjoon answers for him.“Alright, that works for me. I’ll just finish up what I was working on.”“Meet us in the lobby, yeah?”“Okay.”Not receiving any prior warning of the occasion makes Jimin slightly nervous, but he knows Jungkook’s friends would never treat him badly or cause him to feel uncomfortable. He appreciates the chance to get to know them better and spend time with some of the only other people close to the alpha. They probably harbor certain ideas about him since he arrived unannounced to their destination wedding, so he wants to fix his reputation.Of course, a bit of an awkward moment arises before they even exit the parking garage, all three of them standing beside Jungkook’s car as they stare at each other for an extended moment of silence.“Did you want me to—““Get in the damn car, you jackass. We’re sitting in the back.” Yoongi growls under his breath, pushing Namjoon’s shoulder to urge him to climb inside the tiny sports car.“But my legs are so long!”“Have you lost your mind? You can’t make a pregnant person sit in the back!”“Oh, fuck. I forgot—““I don’t mind sitting in the back. It’s totally fine. I know I’m a lot smaller than you.” Jimin says with a polite smile, swallowing the lump in his throat as he adjusts his clothes and prepares for the movement.“Absolutely not. Namjoon’s just a little slow. He wants to sit in the back. Right?”“Uh, yeah. Right. I… I definitely want to sit in the back.”“If you’re sure.”“Positive!” Yoongi exclaims, cursing under his breath as he forces his husband inside.The car ride flows like always except for the obvious presence of two guests in the back seat, Jimin sitting with his hands in his lap while he stares out the window. They swiftly arrive at the restaurant near their office building, a slight bit of nausea still lingering in the omega’s system, everyone piling out of the car to enter into the expensive barbecue place at one of the busiest times of the day.“Can I ask what you two do? What are your jobs?” Jimin asks while Jungkook and Yoongi share in the duty of grilling the meat, their added scents of whiskey and fig wafting into his nose.“I guess we don’t know each other well, do we?”“No.”“We’re both lawyers like Jungkook. I’m wounded that he hasn’t mentioned it before. I thought we were his best friends.” Namjoon says with a dramatic sigh, shaking his head.“You are.” Jungkook rolls his eyes.“I’m an immigration lawyer and Namjoon works in environmental law.”“Oh, wow. Is that how you guys met? Did you somehow work together or…?” Jimin questions thoughtfully, noticing the way that Jungkook piles his plate full of cooked meat instead of offering any to the others around the table.“Law school, actually.”“He was the cocky, impressively young motherfucker who everyone knew about. His reputation certainly preceded him, even back then.”“I can picture that.”“We were in a class together and I got paired to work with him on a group assignment. Yoongi met him through me because he was so curious that he decided to tag along.” Namjoon hums, smiling to himself, finally receiving some food from Yoongi.“Basically, we haven’t been able to get rid of him since that day.”“Don’t act like you’re not overjoyed at being my best friends. You guys wouldn’t let me escape from you if I wanted to. In fact, you bust down my door if I don’t reply to texts within a few days.” Jungkook shoots them a confident, shit-eating grin.“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”“You’re a spoiled, little brat.”“I still can’t believe you’re having a pup of your own. The youngest of us alphas and you’re the first to jump into fatherhood. It’s hard to fathom.” Yoongi sighs, putting down his tongs to focus on feeding himself.“Pups.” Jimin corrects, his cheeks red as tomatoes, embarrassed at the alpha’s statement for some reason. “There are two.”“What the fuck?”“Are you serious? You’re having twins?”“Oh, right. I forgot to tell you guys that. We found out a couple of weeks ago. There are two of them in there.” Jungkook beams, chest puffing in pride.“You’re lucky we’re rich and good with pups because that’s a lot to handle on your own.”“I’m sure Seokjin is over the fucking moon.”“He is.”All of them eat together in a comfortable rotation of grilling the meat, distributing it among them, and eating it before starting on another round of food. They talk about anything that comes to mind, the conversation light hearted without any real direction or end goal. Jungkook pointedly tries to feed Jimin the most out of everywhere, but no one complains.Jimin understands why Seokjin gets along with the married alphas so well, their demeanor and dynamic perfectly conducive to the beta’s own personality. The way they treat Jungkook reminds him of how his oldest friend treats him.“I know that Jungkook’s family doesn’t know anything yet since they’re not close, but how does your family feel about it?”“Are they excited for grandchildren?”“They don’t know anything either.” Jungkook says succinctly.“Ah, I see.”“We’re actually going to visit them next weekend to break the news. They’re quite old, so I’m not sure how they’re going to react. They’ll be happy, of course, but it might make them a bit sad since they live so far away.” Jimin explains the situation without divulging too many details, contemplative about the circumstances of their families and the lack of involvement in their pups’ lives.“I hope it goes well for you.”“Thanks.”“Just remember that we’re here to support you and your pups, no matter what.”“We might not be that close with you yet, but Jungkook is practically our pup himself. We’ve raised him off our backs since he was a youngling at law school and too big for his britches.” Yoongi declares with something fond and proud in his voice.“That means a lot to me. Thank you so much. I think we’ll have a great support system even without much family involvement.”“Damn right, you will.”The time to return back to work steadily creeps up, but no one makes any rush to leave the restaurant. Jungkook continues ordering—and grilling—various types of meat, all three of the alphas consuming their money’s worth. He makes a point to order Jimin’s favorite style each round, supplying him with an obscene amount of marinated pork until the omega whines for him to stop.It feels nice to sit back, relax, fill his belly, and watch how Jungkook interacts with his closest friends, never truly observing him in such an environment until now.Unsurprisingly, the need for something sweet arises the second they pay for the bill.“I could really go for a brownie.”“Those are hard to find around here.” Namjoon states blankly, pursing his lips in thought. “Do you know if there are any bakeries or shops that have them?”“No, they don’t exist.”“He’s already called and asked every place in a 5 mile radius, but no one makes them. I tried to bake some myself and royally fucked it up.”“That’s crazy. We’re in Seoul. They should have literally everything.”“I know, right?” Jimin pouts, his pillowy lips puffing into a beaky pout.“How about a chocolate muffin? Or… Or chocolate cake? Will that be good enough? One of our friends owns a bakery just down down the block.”“Sure, I’m okay with whatever. Don’t worry about me.”“Great.”They make a pit stop at a fancy bakery to grab some sweets before they return to the office. Namjoon and Yoongi need to leave for some kind of meeting, so they bid them goodbye. Jimin reluctantly accepts their hugs, worried that their scents might bother him, but everything works out okay in the end.Work commences as normal after the brief chance to get to know Jungkook’s friends while eating a delicious meal.The alpha himself leaves for court an hour later.With his nose to the grindstone, a million and a half things to complete before the end of the day, Jimin finds himself startled when a loud knock echoes off the walls of his office. He swings around to find Seo-ah poking her head through the crack in the door, her glimmering eyes instantly soothing his racing heart.“Special delivery for Mr. Park Jimin.” She says happily, pushing open the door to reveal a package in her hands. “This was just delivered.”“Huh?”“Yeah, says your name right here.”“I’m not expecting anything.” Jimin says plainly, stumped, staring at the box with confusion.“Maybe it’s a surprise from someone! Could it be from your alpha?”“I don’t have an alpha.”“Well… This is for you, either way. Can I watch you open it? I really want to see what’s inside!” Seo-ah asks with childish excitement thick in her cheery voice, smiling big and bright when she brings the package to his desk.“Uh, yeah. Sure. I don’t see why not.”While he initially fears some kind of homicial maniac intends to kill him in cold blood by sending him a bomb disguised as a gift, his worries immediately fly away when he pulls open the box to find an unusual set of contents inside.“Brownies.” Jimin chokes out, in utter disbelief, a heartwarming bout of emotions rising in the pit of his chest.“Oh… Brownies?”“Oh my god, there are so many flavors and toppings, too!”“It seems like you like it then, yeah? That’s good. They clearly knew you wanted this.”“Whoa…”It takes several minutes of staring at the delicious sweets before he even remembers to check who sends it to him, preoccupied by the variations with peanut butter, nutella, oreos, and strawberries. He wants to take a bite out of all of them at once.The letter at the bottom of the box reads:
To: Jimin

We hope this is what you were looking for. This place is pretty far from your office, but they were willing to deliver for an additional fee. Enjoy these brownies with your pups and Jungkook (but only if he deserves it). We’re looking forward to getting to know you better.

From, Namjoon and Yoongi
Needless to say he cries his eyes out before stuffing his face full of brownies.Staring down at the outlined bump peeking through the fabric of his dress shirt, Jimin fails to resist the urge to cup his belly in his hands, smiling at the proof of life that swells beneath his touch.He grows less and less hesitant to outwardly embrace the existence of his pregnancy with each day that passes.It requires a certain amount of strength and vulnerability to publicly acknowledge that he carries two pups inside of him, Jungkook’s pups specifically, but he loves his precious Petals so much that his need to embrace them overrides the majority of his anxiety about other people’s reactions.“I hate to be the one to say it, but I think you might need to buy some maternity clothes soon. You’ve got about a week until that’s a crop top.”“Ugh, don’t remind me.”“You close the clasp on your pants with a rubber band since they won’t button anymore.”“It’s just… Hmph… Maternity clothes are boring and ugly. I tried to search for some online, but I hated all of the options. Why can’t I just buy my normal clothes in a different size?” Jimin huffs with irritation, pouting when he looks up at Jungkook from his spot on the examination bed.“You already tried that and it didn’t work out too well.”“I know…”“I’ll ask my personal stylist for some recommendations and see what she comes up with. We can go shopping together when we come back from visiting your parents.” Jungkook suggests with a disarmingly handsome smile.“Okay, that sounds nice.”While Jimin still loathes the concept of sitting in a hospital surrounded by various medical equipment and the smell of alcohol, he puts on a brave face for the sake of his pups. He understands that his situation needs extra attention due to the possible complications, so visiting more frequently becomes inevitable. Plus, he likes the doctor and that helps it feel less scary.The nurse who called to schedule the appointment said that they need to perform a few extra tests and another ultrasound to ensure everything appears normal this far in the pregnancy. She never explained past that, but it turns out fairly simple overall.Doctor Choi always treats him with such gentleness and kindness that his worrisome exterior fades away at the start of the visit.Non-invasive.He orders a few more blood tests, measures the size of his belly, performs a general checkup on Jimin’s body, and asks him all kinds of questions, ending with another ultrasound that conducts exactly the same way as the previous one. Jungkook stands beside him from the beginning instead of waiting for a sign of distress from the omega, a steady presence beside the bed while they wait for any word about the status of the fetuses.“How does it look?” Jimin asks softly, holding his breath while he waits for an answer, the motion of the doctor’s hand continuously moving against his flesh. “Is everything alright? Are they still healthy? Do you notice anything worrisome?”“Everything looks perfect, Mr. Park. I still see two fetuses, two amniotic sacs, two placentas, and two heart beats.”“Have they gotten bigger?”“Much, much bigger. I think that’s evident with the growing size of your stomach. They’re growing like weeds at this stage.” The doctor smiles while he stares at the screen, clicking on the machine to grab still images and print pictures.“Good.”“It’s a great sign.”“I’m assuming that twins end up smaller at birth since they have to share the space of one womb, right? Is that something we need to worry about?” Jungkook asks with a stern expression.“I wouldn’t say that you should worry about it, but it’s certainly true. Pregnancies with multiples, including twins, usually display lower birth weights and earlier deliveries. Given how small Mr. Park is, it’s something to be expected. As long as you take your vitamins and eat well, everything should be fine.”“I’m trying my best. It would be nice if pregnancy cravings were healthy and not something like brownies.” Jimin shakes his head, glaring at his pups through his belly.“You’re doing great. Don’t worry.”“Thank you.”“Would you like to know the sex of the fetuses? I was able to see clear enough images to tell, but the blood test will confirm it. It’s completely up to you.”“Hmm…” Jimin hums under his breath, taken aback by the question.“What do you think?” Jungkook asks, sharing a lengthy bout of eye contact where they communicate without muttering a word. “I think it would be nice to know, but I’m okay with whatever you want.”“Yes.”“Yeah?”“I want to know.” Jimin declares to Jungkook before he turns to nod at the doctor.“Let me pull up some images for you.”Jimin feels every pounding beat of his heart inside the cage of his chest, his breathing quickening while he gazes at the screen with anticipation. His thoughts never venture to that aspect of their pups, so this takes him by total surprise. Something like their sexes or designations means nothing at the end of the day, it changes no part of the love he holds for them, certain that Jungkook mimics that sentiment.“What is that arrow pointing to? Is that what we’re supposed to be looking at?” Jimin asks with furrowed brows, impatient.“If you look right there, you’ll see that there’s an obvious lack of any appendages. If the fetus was a boy, there would be something where the arrow is. That means it’s a girl.”“A… A girl?”“Both of them, actually. You’re having two girls, Mr. Park. Congratulations!”Happiness radiates from every pore of Jimin’s body, experiencing an incomparable sense of jubilation with this new revelation that only serves to bring him closer to his pups. His heart swells with the weight of his love until it threatens to explode into a million pieces of adoration-drenched flesh. Two wonderful, lovely, perfect girls will soon grace the Earth with their presence.Jimin never stops smiling after the news, basking in the glory of connecting with their pups even further, his chubby fingers perpetually drawn to the swell of his belly long after they leave the hospital.“Can we go shopping?” Jimin’s cheeks ache from smiling so brightly.“Right now?”“Yes! I want to buy our first items for our Petals!” Jimin’s tummy races with butterflies when he notices the fondness bleeding from Jungkook’s dark eyes, the satisfaction in his cotton scent so strong that it sends a shiver down the omega’s back. “Please and thank you!”“Of course, Secretary Park. I would like nothing more than to shop for our girls with you.”Jungkook—in typical Jungkook fashion—chooses the most expensive mall in all of Seoul, shamelessly arriving at the building full of luxury brands to visit an expensive store that solely revolves around pups. He opens Jimin’s door, guides him into the elevator, and navigates through the crowded space to lead him into their first ever pup purchase.It contains anything and everything a person could need for a pup.More than that, it offers obscenely expensive versions of a host of items from strollers to onesies to pacifiers to cribs. The majority of the pieces display a neutral aligned palette, sporting beiges and grays and whites, soft pastels serving as the only true colors available.Overwhelming.Jimin struggles with where to look, what to think about, and which things to purchase as the first pieces in their pups’ collection.The two of them stroll up and down the rows of goodies with no real goal in mind, merely observing the multitude of frivolous things they might want in the future. It marks their first time engaging in any sort of parental act together, providing Jimin with an abundance of contentment, scratching an itch inside his soul that he didn’t know existed until now.“What do you think about these? We could buy one for each of them. It’s not too big of a commitment, but it’s something sweet.”“Stuffed animals.”“Bunnies.”“I think that’s a great idea. Their first stuffed animals will be from us. Two little bunnies.” Jungkook nods in agreement, reaching out to the display to pick up the white bunny closest to him.“Should we get the same ones? Matching? Completely different?”“Hmm… How about we get the pink and white ones? They’re the same colors, but the pattern on the belly is a little bit different. They won’t be able to fight over them this way.”“Good idea.”The next day, bright and early on Saturday morning, Jimin makes his way to Jungkook’s apartment for a thorough scenting, his stomach unbelievably queasy to the point that he apologetically rushes to the bathroom to vomit the second that the alpha opens the door. Something about the jerking motions of the subway rides bother him more and more each time he takes them.He gradually grows used to the opulence of the penthouse suite that Jungkook calls home, everything glass and marble and sleek. It overlooks the city, offers total privacy, and far surpasses his own place of living.Jimin’s stomach sinks less when he thinks of making this his home.“Will you show me the… the room for the nursery?” Jimin questions breathily, head stuck in a daze from the strength of the fresh laundry scent clinging to his skin and drowning his senses.“Yeah, sure. It’s down the hall.”“Thanks.”Jungkook walks at a snail’s pace on his way across the apartment, patiently waiting for Jimin to follow behind him. They take their time to reach the room that he intends to use for their pups, the empty space sparkling clean without any furniture to clutter it. It easily doubles the size of the omega’s entire apartment just with this one room.“I think we should split the room in half. Not like… Not literally. I just mean that we should give them their own space since they’re sharing a room. A crib on this side, a crib on that side. That kind of thing.”“I’m glad we’re on the same page. There’s no need to crowd them together with all this space to have for themselves.”“Can we decorate it ourselves?” Jimin asks, tracing his finger along the wall.“What do you mean?”“Well, like… You probably have an interior decorator, right? I know that you like hiring experts and stuff, but it would be fun to do it ourselves. Or… Or on my own if you’re not into that.”“You don’t need to ask my permission to design the nursery, omega.” Jungkook rasps in a low, firm tone that rattles in Jimin’s ribs.“Y-Yeah, okay.”“I’ll help you however I can.”“Pink. Purple. Yellow. Green. Blue.” Jimin calls out his vision as it flits into his mind, turning around the room to gaze at every inch of the space while he imagines it full for their pups. “Bright and airy with tons of natural lighting. I think pastel colors will be the best.”“I can see that. What kind of furniture do you want? And what color?”“White wood. Nothing too big or obnoxious. I think simple furniture is ideal because they’re just pups. They don’t need anything ornate yet.”“That sounds perfect to me.” Jungkook nods.“I can already picture it now. I’m definitely getting a little glider to put in the corner for when I’m feeding them or putting them to sleep. I’ll search for fun decorative pieces and light fixtures and stuff. It’s going to be the cutest little nursery ever.”The drive from Seoul to Yeosu takes approximately four hours by car.Of course, factoring in heavy traffic on Friday evenings and multiple bathroom breaks at rest areas adds to the total estimation, bringing it closer to four and a half hours before they plan to reach Jimin’s parents’ home.An amalgamation of nerves simmer in his belly while he watches the cityscape pass in the distance, hardly ever visiting the small, seaside town from which he originated. He thinks of what his parents might say, their reaction to officially meeting Jungkook, how they could handle the big news, and whether they believe the version of truth that Jimin tells them. All kinds of things weigh on his mind while he sits back and attempts to relax for the journey.“I left my wallet in the car.” Jimin states with a meek smile, his fingertips tingling where they rest on Jungkook’s forearm to grab his attention.“What?”“I just, uh… I want a fishcake skewer, please. I saw them when I was walking back from the bathroom and they look so—““Take me to the stall.”“Do you want one too? They’re only 500 won each. You might as well get two for 1,000 instead of carrying around a coin in your pocket.” Jimin suggests with a shrug, leading the way to the street food portion of the rest stop, his stomach rumbling with hunger.“Yeah, I’ll take one. I don’t see why not.”“Two fish cake skewers, please.”“Are you sure you don’t want anything else?” Jungkook asks after eyeing the other stalls and restaurants around them. Everything smells heavenly. “I might get some tteokbokki from next door.”“Hotteok?”“I should’ve known. You and your sweet tooth.”Jimin manages to knock out for a couple of hours after filling his belly with a tremendous amount of food. He rests his head against his travel pillow, buries his hands inside his oversized hoodie, and lets the woes of the world drift away for the time being. The roar of the engine and the smooth drag of the road beneath their tires helps to lull him into a peaceful slumber.Since they took the initiative to leave work a couple of hours early, they reach the southernmost part of the country around dinner time, dealing with a bit of traffic to enter into the area of their final destination.“I’m not telling my moms more than I think they need to know.”“What is it that they need to know?”“They need to know the most basic information and nothing more. I’m telling them that I’m pregnant, obviously, how far along I am, what we’re having, that kind of thing. I’ll tell them that they’re your pups and stuff, too.”“Okay, all of that’s true. You’re making sense so far. What are you not telling them?” Jungkook questions, eyebrows knitted together.“I’m not telling them about the contract.”“Oh, right, the contract.”“It’s not… I… They don’t need to know about the technicalities of our circumstances.” Jimin states blankly, nervously fidgeting with his hair, something uncomfortable coursing through his veins at the mention of their arrangement. “They’re just going to think that we’re together.”“Like… Together together?”“Yes.”“What I’m gathering is that we’re going to have to act like we’re together this whole weekend, correct? We have to play the part, right?” Jungkook asks for clarification.“Mhm, pretty much. Nothing too crazy or over the top. Let’s just not be weird about it.”“Of course.”Driving through the streets of his hometown evokes an odd reaction in the depths of Jimin’s being. It flings him back to a time when he knew nothing except for the quiet stillness of the seaside city. He viscerally remembers the smell, the sounds, the people, and the feelings of his adolescence. Something uncomfortable bubbles in his throat when he thinks back to the person that arose from here, the person that no longer exists in the same capacity.“Go ahead, I’ll get our bags. You can say hi to your parents.”“Thank you.”Jimin clumsily puts one foot in front of the other as he steps down the pathway to the entrance of his tiny childhood home, focusing all of his energy on remaining upright despite the trembling of his muscles. Greeting his moms again after such a long time apart feels like meeting them for the first time.He nearly bursts into tears when they open the door and pull him in for a hug, harboring a monumental secret in the swell of his belly that he tries not to press against them just yet.They scan him up and down, pat his chubby cheeks, and gush words of praise like always.“T-This, um… This is J-Jungkook. He’s the one who I told you I was bringing with me. The attorney that I work for? It’s him.” Jimin stammers out his words with as much confidence as he can, eternally grateful for the power and strength that Jungkook exudes no matter the situation.“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard lots of great things about you.” Jungkook offers them a full, 90 degree bow.“Nice to meet you, too.”“I’m Hayoon, his alpha mom, and this is his omega mom—Dasom.” Jimin’s mom explains swiftly, her eyes narrowed in a mix of confusion and suspicion. Their scents swell so strongly that the sea invades the confines of their home.“I’m Jungkook.”“Come in and make yourselves at home. I’m sure you’re awfully tired after that long journey from the city. Rest your bones.” Jimin’s omega mom says with a wave of her hand.“Thank you so much.”“I want to stand for a few minutes. My butt is numb from sitting for so long.” Jimin whines, crossing his arms over his chest.“Why don’t you take Jungkook on a walk down the road and back? Show him the corner store and the dock. Dinner will be finished shortly. We’re just going to be cooking in here anyway.”“Okay.”Stretching after such a lengthy ride from one end of the country to the other provides Jimin with incomparable amounts of relief, happily strolling down the street with Jungkook at his side to keep him company. The only form of speech between them results from the omega pointing out a building or memorable spot along the way.A breeze whips through the air this close to the shore, Jimin more than thankful for his hoodie that keeps him warm in the early autumn winds.They return to the house just in time for the food to hit the table, Jimin’s belly more than ready to hold another round of delicious dishes, especially since he knows the caliber of his moms’ home style cooking. He pulls out the cushion beside him to motion for Jungkook to join him on the same side of the table that resides on the floor of the living room space.“I guess you’re a hotshot, fancy pants, huh? You’ve got a suit on and everything. How much did that shiny sports car out there cost? It looks real expensive.” Hayoon asks with almost no tact or manners, her gray hair falling into her eyes.“He didn’t have time to change after work like I did.” Jimin says defensively.“It wasn’t too bad, honestly. I believe it cost me about 200 million won. It’s the first expensive car I ever bought myself.”“Wow.”“Sheesh. What do you mean not ‘too bad?’ That’s more than what this house is worth.”“It’s a small house, mom.”“By the sea.” Dasom adds, always in support of her alpha, her wrinkles more obvious when she smiles with all of her teeth.“All I care about is that you pay my boy well. You’re not a stingy alpha, which is something I like about you. He’s always had enough to take care of himself and us too. That’s important.”“He’s worth his weight in gold.” Jungkook declares confidently, turning to smile at Jimin.“I’m glad you agree.”“Did you guys turn on the news earlier like I told you to? There was a big meeting at the courthouse for one of his high profile cases. You would’ve been able to see his interview with reporters afterwards.” Jimin asks with bountiful excitement, stuffing his face full of rice until his cheeks look like those of a chipmunk.“We sure did.”“We were a bit late, so we only caught the tail end of it. He was good at answering the questions. Some of them were ridiculous.”“Everyone’s always trying to get a crazy headline.” Jungkook rolls his eyes and shakes his head.“Pure vultures.”Nausea grips Jimin by the balls when it comes time to break the news, waiting until after they finish eating and settle onto the couch for a little while before bed. He knows what he wants to say and how he plans to say it, but his heart pounds so aggressively that he might faint before the words ever leave his lips.Jungkook watches him with attentive concentration, his floral and cotton scent soothing to the storm in his soul, both of them on edge as the tension comes to a point.Now or never.“There’s something I want to tell you. It might be a little shocking, but I didn’t just come here to visit you. I have something important to discuss.” Jimin sucks in slow breaths, rises to his feet, and looks his moms dead in the eyes. His hands shake like leaves when he pulls off his hoodie to reveal his tight tank top underneath. “I’m pregnant.”“Oh, dear. I don’t know what I was expecting. It certainly wasn’t that.”“There’s no way to mistake it when you dress like that. Geez, Louise. How far along are you now?” His alpha mom asks with eyes as wide as saucers.“16 weeks.”“Wow. That’s… That’s about halfway.”“Twins.” Jimin chokes out. “I’m having twins.”“Twins? Are you serious? You’re having two pups? Are you yanking our chains right now?”“Of course not. I’m serious. I brought pictures of my most recent ultrasound to show you. There are two girls, both with their own amniotic sacs and placentas. That’s why I’m this big already.”“Look at these little beans.”“I don’t know how they can tell anything from these weird looking blobs.”“Who’s the alpha?” Dasom asks, looking up from the pictures in her hands to make direct eye contact with Jimin, not even the slightest bit of judgment in her dark eyes.“Ah, w-well… Jungkook.”“This Jungkook?”“That alpha right there at the end of our couch?”“Yes.” Jungkook nods in confirmation, gaze flitting between the omega and his parents.“Well, that’s a surprise!”“We didn’t even know you two were in a relationship, much less such a serious one! It makes sense, though. You always talk about him like he’s the best alpha in the world. We always knew you were smitten on him. That’s so sweet.”“Mom…” Jimin groans, hiding his blushing cheeks in his shoulder.“Congratulations, sweet pea. We’re happy for you. Having not one, but two pups is a big deal. I’m sure you’re happy as can be.”“T-Thank you.”“You too, Jungkook. Congratulations. You better take good care of our boy and those pups.”“You have my word.”A few tears manage to escape from Jimin’s eyes when his moms both engulf him in a warm hug, their sea salt and seaweed scents so familiar that it comforts him deep to his bones. Ripping off the bandaid helps to ease his anxiety, but he knows that more conversation will follow when the initial shock wears off.Hayoon and Dasom also give Jungkook a hug, the interaction only slightly awkward.With the heaviest weight off of his shoulders and relief coursing through his veins, Jimin wants to crawl into bed and relax for a bit before he ultimately passes out into a fitful sleep.Luckily, Jimin’s parents’ old age means they agree.Opening the door to his childhood bedroom to find it precisely the way he left it, a wave of nostalgia rushes over Jimin without warning, every part of him struck by the copious memories of his life from the beginning to now. He stamps down his feelings to bury them in the far reaches of his chest, allowing Jungkook to follow him inside and closing the door behind him to lock them into the tiny room.“I’m sorry it’s not much. The room is too small for a bed and… Yeah.” Jimin awkwardly cradles his belly with both hands as he gazes around the crowded, tight space.“It’s okay. We’re just going to sleep in here, yeah? This is perfectly fine.”“Yeah, I guess so.”“Are you sure you’re okay to sleep on the floor? Is it going to be too uncomfortable for you? I have an extra camping mat in the back of my car if you need it.”“No, no, I’ll be alright. Thank you, though.”“I’ll fix up our pile of blankets so we have something soft to lay on.” Jungkook states without hesitation, bending down on his knees in his crisp suit while he spreads out several layers of blankets to pad their sleep. “I think we only have space for one blanket mattress.”“That’s alright. I don’t mind as long as you don’t. We’ve… We've shared before, haven’t we?”“We have.”The long day of nonstop commotion leaves Jimin overwhelmed with exhaustion, barely able to hold his eyes open until Jungkook returns from the bathroom. He possesses no room for overthinking or panicking about the closeness of their bodies, promptly passing out the second his head hits the pillow. They both sleep peacefully through the night without even uttering as much as a goodnight.Morning arrives bright and early without blinds covering the window to block the blindingly golden rays of sunshine filtering into the cramped space.Jimin’s heart jumps into his throat when he slowly blinks open his eyes.Laundry.He releases a puff of air from his pillowy lips, face so close to Jungkook’s neck that he almost kisses the skin, too frozen with shock to move a single muscle while he processes the situation.Somehow, some way, they drew together in the night.“Do you want me to scent you before we get up for the day?” Jungkook’s raspy, gruff morning voice tumbles like boulders from his mouth.“Y-Yes.”“I thought you might say that.”Jimin truly fears his heart might jump from his chest and splatter onto the blankets covering his lap when he sits as still as a statue in the middle of their makeshift mattress and elongates his neck to allow Jungkook to douse his skin in the scent of fresh laundry. He holds his breath, grips the quilt in his fingers, and basks in the addicting sensation of receiving a claim from the alpha of his pups. It never ceases to please him from head to toe no matter how many times it happens.“Good morning, doll baby. How did you sleep last night?”“Good morning. I slept alright. My back kind of hurts, but nothing too bad. How about you?” Jimin asks as he slides into his spot around the table.“I slept like a newborn pup.”“Is that good or bad?”“Morning, my beautiful son. I missed seeing your chubby face every morning. I hope you’re hungry because I made porridge for us all.” Jimin’s alpha mom says as she steps into the living room from the kitchen.“I’m kind of always hungry these days, especially as my morning sickness calms down.”All four of them enjoy a quiet meal together around the table on the floor in the living room. Jimin and Jungkook sit beside one another with the omega’s parents across from them. It serves as a tranquil moment to wake up and linger in peace before starting the day.Rather than planning any exciting excursions that will blow their socks off, Jimin’s moms suggest they travel down to the beach to walk along the shore and sit in the sun for a couple of hours, a simple and peaceful affair.Jungkook readily agrees to the idea, popping back into the bedroom to dress for the outing.“You let us know if there’s anything you need from us, okay? I know we don’t have lots of money and we can’t do much, but we’ll use all of our resources for you and those pups.”“Yes, mom. Of course. Thank you so much.”“If he doesn’t treat you right, you kick him to the curb. We like him and he seems good to you, but money isn’t everything. Don’t be afraid of doing what’s best for you if it comes down to it.” Hayoon proclaims in her stern manner, looking directly into Jimin’s eyes to make sure he hears every word.“He takes good care of me, I promise. He’s kind and supportive and always there when I need him. He never makes me do anything alone.” Jimin replies, a lump forming in his throat.“That’s good, angel. You deserve that. We’re happy for you.”The sea never stops amazing Jimin regardless of how many times he lays eyes on it. Even after growing up in a home so close to the water that he could see it out the back windows, it still zaps the oxygen from his lungs when he receives the privilege of gazing out into the endless abyss.Waves toss against the shore, sunshine glimmers off the surface of the water, sand crumbles along the edge of the beach, and salty air whips in the breeze.Jimin stands in the middle of his moms, arms tangling together for additional closeness, not a care in the world while they walk barefoot up and down the shore. Water licks at their feet when the waves creep onto the sand. They huddle nearer with each step, laughing and talking and joking. It feels as if the moment could last forever, just their little family suspended in time as their love immortalizes them.Grabbing lunch at the seafood restaurant just off the beach sounds like a delightful idea, so they stumble their way into the place after washing off a bit.The smell of oysters makes Jimin sick, twice, so they move from inside to a picnic table on the deck.Jungkook pays.He gazes at Jimin with such fondness that it makes the omega nervous, always looking up after saying something to his parents to find Jungkook merely watching him with stars in his dark eyes. They try to include him every chance they get, but he seems content with merely existing around them as they conduct themselves like normal.Life here moves at a gradual pace.Slow.No urgency or rush, never a need to hurry along, nothing pressing to attend to.This weekend away in the small, seaside town provides Jimin and Jungkook the perfect opportunity to rest their weary bones, break away from the chaos of city life, and breathe without worrying about their next move.Nothing ever lasts long enough.“The bridge lights up at night, so I think it’ll be pretty to see. We don’t even have to get out of the car. Jungkook will just drive there to look at it, maybe pass over it a time or two, then we can come back home.” Jimin explains with hopefulness buzzing in his chest, desperate to show it to the alpha.“You know we don’t like car rides much, but we’ll do it if that’s what you want.”“I would like it very much.”“Then let’s go.” Hayoon says with a firm nod.“You don’t mind driving, right? I probably should’ve asked you first, but I just assumed that you would be okay with it. Sorry. I just really want to show you.”“I don’t mind one bit, omega. Don’t be sorry. I think it’s sweet.” Jungkook rasps lowly, his handsome smile leaving Jimin breathless.“Hopefully I don’t fall asleep after that big dinner your mom made.”“I’ll keep you awake, honey. Trust me.”The bridge stands as a tourist destination more than an actual source of pride for the inhabitants of the town, but Jimin wants to show Jungkook the giant structure anyway. It glows a beautiful range of colors, almost neon in the darkness of night, so oddly out of place when thinking of the rest of the city. They all gasp and murmur at the sight, commenting on it while Jungkook drives them around to view it from different angles.By the time they return home, Jimin himself battles to keep his eyes open.Something like sadness settles in his belly when he thinks of how soon the trip will meet its end, only just arriving and already planning to drive back to Seoul in the morning.He wishes time would treat them nicer.The older his parents grow, the more he becomes aware of the reality of their remaining time together on this earth.Instead of sleeping as soon as they return to the house, Jimin changes into his pajamas and crawls in between his moms in their bed, barely holding back tears as they brush their fingers through his hair, kiss his forehead, and caress the growing roundness of his belly. They shower him in the love he craves, never complaining about his presence even as they start to fall asleep.“Are you okay?” Jungkook whispers into the silence, eyes staring across the sliver of space between them where they both face one another.“Y-Yes.” Jimin nods, voice broken and breathy.“I’ll drive you back down here any time you want. Just say the word and you’ll be here again in a few hours time.”“Thank you, alpha.”They linger in the morning—just slightly—instead of leaving as soon as the sun rises, a full day ahead of them to make the journey back to Seoul. Jimin’s parents fix them a full meal for breakfast, packing up an obscene amount of homemade side dishes and meals for the omega to bring home with him, everything light hearted and easy.Jimin makes promises to come visit them again before the pups arrive, trying once more to convince them to purchase smartphones so that they can communicate in much greater ways.Leaving never gets easier.“We’re sorry that we’re too old and stuck in our ways to be there for you like we should, but we love you more than anything in the world. We’re proud of the person you’ve become. Raising you is the greatest achievement of our boring lives.” Hayoon says in earnest, gripping Jimin in a huge that seeps warmth into his soul.“You don’t need to be sorry, mom. I love you both so much. I wish we could be closer.” Jimin whispers breathily, struggling to maintain his composure in the face of such an emotional goodbye.“It doesn’t matter that we’ve never left this city in all of our lives. We’ll hike right up there and handle you ourselves if you don’t take care of our boy.”“That won’t be necessary, I promise.” Jungkook smiles, endeared.“It’s a shame we can’t be there to help with the hardships of raising pups, but I hope you know that we’re sending you all of the support and love that we can. We’re happy that Jimin found such a handsome, strong, capable alpha. May you have many, many wonderful years together.”Jungkook gently guided Jimin to the car with a hand on his lower back, already loading the bags into the trunk without even requiring a command from the omega, silently helping him into his seat before he closes the door to walk to the driver’s side.Watching his moms, his childhood home, and the shore disappear in the background hurts like a knife to the heart, but Jungkook reaching over to squeeze his hand eases some of the pain.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Swiftly barreling through the second trimester means that Jimin’s body changes at the speed of light.Each day he grows heavier, rounder, softer. His belly protrudes from between his hips, two precious pups nestled inside of the secure space created solely for them. Beyond that, his chest steadily fattens as his nipples darken, preparing to feed his offspring. From his feet to his ankles to his fingers to his cheeks, everything transforms.All of these adjustments to his figure force him to bite the bullet and purchase maternity clothes.Dreadful.Transitioning into clothes tailored specifically to pregnant people leaves a funny taste in the omega’s mouth. It means acknowledging his pregnancy to the entire world. With his bump accentuated, glaringly obvious to anyone who looks his way, plausible deniability no longer exists.Everyone will know the secret he harbors close to his heart.The boring styles and simple silhouettes only serve as cherries on top of the sundae of anxiety that bubbles up inside of him. Embracing his bump and bravely exposing it to the world terrifies him more than he initially anticipated, but the luxury of hiding beneath baggy clothes steadily drifts away. He needs comfortable, fitting attire that portrays his confidence in himself regardless of how he truly feels inside.Jungkook, of course, supports him through it.Together.Always.No matter what.They handle things together, whether monumental or minuscule, never tackling anything on their own now that their lives reside so intrinsically connected.Saturday afternoon provides the perfect time for them to climb into the car, drive to the nearest luxury mall in the heart of Gangnam, and shop at the few maternity stores available. It feels natural and simple to stand side by side as they stroll through the floors of the building, carrying out effortless conversation while they look for stores that cater to Jimin’s needs. Jungkook remains steadfast and assured in every aspect of his life, helping dress the omega not an exception.It takes time.More than either of them imagined.Jimin hates to cause trouble, never one to speak up if it means becoming a burden to someone else, but the clothing at the luxury maternity stores fail to satisfy his wishes.Gaudy, flamboyant, tacky, revealing. He wonders who wants to wear such ridiculous clothing because it leaves his jaw dropping to the ground. Each piece accentuates the belly in the worst way possible. They contain cut outs, chains, sheer panels, lace, rhinestones, and leather on the midsection. None of it feels like him, nor does it exist as something appropriate for work.As much as it pains him to complain, he eventually voices his concerns aloud to Jungkook, breathing a sigh of relief when the alpha immediately agrees with the sentiment.After a couple of hours of searching at distasteful stores, they travel to a stand-alone maternity shop across the city.“Oh my god. This is so much better.” Jimin releases a deep breath when he steps inside the massive store to find basic pieces, colorful fabrics, and a plethora of styles and options to choose from. “I can definitely work with this.”“This is much more you.” Jungkook smiles as he nods.“Let’s shop ‘til we drop!”Jimin rarely jumps at the chance to spend ridiculous amounts of money at one time, reasonably frugal since he financially supports himself and his parents, yet he understands the importance of wearing clothing that actually fits him comfortably. He allows himself to indulge instead of suffering for no reason, seizing the chance to buy everything at once while Jungkook stands beside him to assist him with everything. Buying all he needs for the rest of his pregnancy sounds great.They gradually make their way up and down the aisles of the store, pointing out the pieces that catch their eyes and adding them to the cart. The omega mostly grabs things on his own, but occasionally Jungkook finds something that he wants to suggest.“What do you think about this? Is it totally ridiculous? Be honest.”“Why would it be ridiculous?”“It’s practically screaming for everyone to look at my belly. The scrunches on the side will make my bump seem even rounder than it already is. I’m worried it might be too much.”“I think that pregnancy is special and beautiful, so why not show it off while you can.” Jungkook shrugs, finding his eyes.“Hmm… Well… Maybe you’re right.”“The way the strings at the side can be adjusted means that you can tighten or loosen it depending on what size you are. It’s pretty soft and stretchy, as well. I like how you can tie the sides into bows. Cute.”“Okay, okay. You’ve convinced me. The colors are perfect for me, too.” Jimin smiles as he shoves a few of the tops into the cart.“They have a long sleeve version over there.”“Oh! Bell sleeves!”Up and down they go, stopping at basically every rack of clothing, examining the various displays for possible outfit ideas, not holding back whatsoever, stocking Jimin’s closet with more clothing he knows how to handle.Certain pieces, specifically basics—plain t-shirts, pajamas, athletic pants, cardigans, socks, and underwear—need no further testing to know that he wants to buy them. Other items, like dress shirts and slacks for work, require additional judgment after trying them on in the fitting room.An attendant helpfully stops by every few minutes to take items from the cart that Jimin wants to actually try on when he finishes looking.Anything that Jungkook shows an interest in, Jimin picks up.He feels warm and fuzzy inside when he thinks about wearing something that he knows the alpha likes, imagining the pride he might display when he sees how prettily Jimin carries his pups. The omega discovers that he desperately wants Jungkook to think of him this way, unable to find shame in the concept of preening for his attention.“Are you sure you want to see everything? It’s kind of boring, isn’t it? You’ve already spent almost half a day helping me shop. I won’t blame you if you want to go take a break.”“This is the most fun part, Secretary Park. Of course, I want to see you try everything on.”“Oh.”“Let me sit back and watch my own personal fashion show.” Jungkook grunts in a low timbre, his scent rich and deep from the other side of the curtain in the massive fitting room reserved only for them.“D-Don’t make me nervous.”Contrary to his inquiry, Jimin spares Jungkook the trouble of literally watching him everything on. The boring, simple pieces that receive a swift verdict from the omega’s own mind stay in the curtained section of the fitting room without meeting Jungkook’s gaze. He makes two piles, those that he plans to buy and those that fail to meet his needs, moving through them as quickly as his body allows.His heart rate quickens each time he pulls back the curtain to step outside and show Jungkook a new article of clothing, bashfully presenting himself like a treat on a silver platter.Jungkook drinks him in, swallows him up, savors the taste of his body on dissolution only for him.“What do you think of this one? I like that the pants don’t have the band that comes all the way over the belly, but are they too much to wear at work? They’re kind of… You know…”“Tight.”“Yes.” Jimin cheeks start to melt off his face from the intensity of his blush.“They’re looser towards the bottom at your calves, but the ass and thighs…” Jungkook trails off with his intent gaze burning a hole in the lower half of Jimin’s body, the stretchy material showing every curve of his growing figure. “Buy them.”“R-Really? Should I get them?”“Hell yeah.”“But… But can I actually wear them to work?”“You can wear whatever the fuck you want to work. It’s my law firm. I’m the boss and I approve of it, so no one else’s opinions matter. Buy them.”“Okay. I just… I won’t wear them to court, probably.” Jimin hums under his breath.He waddles to the partitioned section of the fitting room to try on another piece, choosing a top extremely similar to those he regularly wears to work. A flowy, semi-sheer, white blouse with long sleeves. It resembles a classic button up that goes with a suit, only much less stiff and form fitting.The way his belly looks in these clothes evokes something foreign inside of the omega, adoring his own body when he looks in the mirror to see the swell of his bump accentuated.“Definitely.”“You think so?”“This is quintessential Park Jimin. You wear this style like it was designed with you in mind. It’s perfect to have a maternity version as well.” Jungkook declares without hesitation.“I agree. It’s comfortable, looks nice, and matches any kind of bottoms I want to wear. I might get a couple of them in case of stains or something.”“Always a sharp thinker.”Jimin tries on jumpsuits, dress slacks, coats, jeans, casual tops, dress shirts, and so much more. He continues slipping in and out of different pieces of clothing until he grows too tired to lift his arms over his head, the pile of items to purchase so tall that he needs to ask the store clerk to remove them. Settling on a final top to show off, saving the best for last, he musters up the energy to step out of the room once more.“Damn.”“W-What do you think? Is it as good as you thought it would be?” Jimin asks as he twirls in front of the mirror, shocked by the way the shirt highlights both his bump and his chest.“That’s the one I told you to pick up, right? The one with scrunches and bows on the sides?”“Mhm.”“You look incredible. It’s… Wow. It’s even better than I pictured in my head. You’re carrying my pups, no doubt about it.” Jungkook stands to his feet, drawn closer like a moth to a flame, his eyes never drifting from the omega’s torso.“I… I look p-pregnant in this.”“You do.”“It’s obnoxiously cute.”“Good.”Jimin’s heart aches with how hard it hammers against the walls of his chest, feeling vulnerable yet worshiped as Jungkook circles around him to view every angle of the top on his body. His scent turns so musky that it contains a hint of warmth, almost verging on vanilla or amber, the right clench of his jaw sending tingles down Jimin’s spine. He pauses in front of him with his hands outstretched, hovering.“Can I touch your belly, omega?”“Yes, of course.”His soul departs from his body when the alpha of his pups cradles the swell of his bump in his hands, sparks of delight shooting through him like lightning strikes. He tingles, struggling to breathe, utterly captivated by the presence of Jungkook standing so close. The hands spread to cover more surface area, sending his omega on a jubilant race through the fields of his soul.“Unreal.”“T-Those are our Petals, alpha. They’re… They’re right there. The pups we made ourselves.”“Holy fuck.” Jungkook growls from deep in his chest, so guttural and primal that it sends Jimin’s instincts into overdrive.Inches apart, hands on his belly, heat flickering in their guts, closer and closer and closer. They share a pointed moment of eye contact, staring deep in the truest part of themselves to bare all they hold dear. As their faces move, leaning inward, Jimin thinks for the first time in his entire life that he wants this alpha to kiss him.“Do you have any more clothing that you want me to take to—“They scramble apart, practically panting while they break out of the suffocating moment engulfing them whole.“U-Uh, I… Y-Yes. Please, um… Take these, too.”Jimin returns home that evening with so many bags of clothing that they take up his entire apartment floor. The memory of Jungkook’s hot breath in his mouth burns into the recesses of his mind, unable to forget the feeling of coming that close to kissing someone for the first time. Reality no longer evades him.He wants Jungkook.Jimin endlessly appreciates the fact that working with Jungkook remains natural and effortless regardless of what brews between them, their professional relationship never affected by what happens in their personal time.They both understand the moral implications of it all.While they possess a unique set of conditions that effectively put them on an even playing field, Jungkook still holds a position of power over him at the end of the day. Most people would frown upon a boss and an employee engaging in personal relationships, much less conceiving and raising pups together. From the outside looking in, they break all kinds of professional standards of the modern world.Only Jimin knows how hard the alpha works to ensure they exist as equally as possible.They continue to discuss delicate matters for cases, venture to court meetings, eat lunch in their offices, and attend corporate gatherings, while also planning the nursery, visiting the doctor, and preparing for the arrival of their pups.Balance.“Good morning, Jimin!”“Good morning, Seo-ah. How is life treating you today?”“I’m doing alright. I wasn’t able to sleep all that well last night, so I’m kind of tired. Nothing a little coffee can’t fix!” Seo-ah says peppily, bouncing her head back and forth while she looks at Jimin. “How about you? Are you holding up alright?”“Actually, I didn’t sleep well either. Maybe there’s something in the air.”“And you can’t even have caffeine! Oh no!”“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me. Hopefully a nap will do me good later.” Jimin flashes her a playful grin, sorting through the files on his desk.“Silly me, I almost forgot what I came here for! Mr. Jeon told me to inform you that he already went down to his car because he needs to make a phone call. He asked for you to meet him in the parking garage.”“That makes sense. Thank you for relaying the message. I’ll head down in a minute.”“See you later!”“Bye!”Jimin’s mind floats away to his own world when he tidies up his desk, turns off his computer, and gathers his belongings to take with him to the courthouse. He thinks of nothing and everything simultaneously. The reality of life drifts away while his body runs on autopilot, putting one foot in front of the other to trek down the long hallway to formally exit the office. An absentminded, simple affair, a trip he makes several times per day at a minimum.He steps onto the elevator, momentarily distracted by the tote bag hanging from his shoulder, searching for his phone for several seconds before he finally finds it.A hand shoots through the gap to force open the doors right as they almost close.“I thought you were in your car?” Jimin questions in confusion, taken aback by Jungkook slipping into the elevator to stand beside him. “That’s what Seo-ah just told me like five minutes ago.”“I was in my car before I realized I forgot a document on my desk. I had to run back up and get it.”“Well, you made it just in time!”“Indeed, I did.”Spending hours upon hours together nearly every day of their lives for the past six years means that silence happens frequently. Neither want to speak each second of the time they reside together. They exist in the quiet without awkwardness or tension, more than familiar with how the flow of things works.The elevator steadily whirrs, descending down the massive building, just fast enough that they feel it in their bellies as they decline.A sudden lurching forces the breath from Jimin’s lungs.Without warning, the elevator screeches and grinds and comes to a halt, happening so abruptly that both of them fling into the air. The lights flicker, a deafening thud rings through the confined space, and it slams down so violently that a panel above their heads bursts open to leave wires dangling. Everything happens in a matter of seconds, sending them both into a momentary fog of disorientation.Jimin barely sneaks his hand around the rail along the wall to stop himself from hurtling to the ground.“Oh my god.” Jimin chokes out, wind knocked from his chest, panic settling in immediately. “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god—““Are you okay? Holy fuck! What the hell just happened? Did you get hurt? Are you alright, omega?”“The… T-The elevator broke! It’s broken! We’re going to d-die! The whole thing is going to crash to the ground and we’re going to turn into minced meat! Oh my god!”“I can’t breathe through all this fucking dust!” Jungkook growls, the flickering lights illuminating the dark space like a horror movie. The smell of fresh laundry mixed with dust and stale air makes Jimin’s stomach turn, his breathing turning more and more rapid by the minute. “Look at me. Shit, what’s with all these wires? I can barely find you. Are you okay?”“Ah, it’s so loud!”The shrill alarm rings in the air like a delayed warning of what already unfolded, inducing more panic inside of Jimin until he feels like fainting.Jungkook tries to press the emergency call button dozens of times, but nothing happens.“Look at me, omega! I’m right here! Look at me! Are you alright? Is anything hurting? How are the girls?” Jungkook asks in a deep, frantic voice that adds to the fear devouring Jimin from inside out.“M’okay.”“Are you sure you didn’t slam into the wall or hit your belly or anything?”“I… I don’t think I d-did.” Jimin whispers brokenly, unbelievably soothed when Jungkook reaches out to feel his bump like he could somehow detect an injury that way.“I need to let go to call emergency services.”“S-Sorry.”“Come here. In this corner. Get away from those damn wires and all that shit. Come here with me.” Jungkook all but commands, pulling Jimin back into the corner with him so that they both press together in the tiny space.It terrifies him to the depths of his core to hear Jungkook’s guttural panic as he practically shouts into the phone, repeatedly telling them to hurry up and come save them from this hell. The dispatchers continually promise that everything will be fine, that they should remain calm, that help is on the way. Their empty words mean nothing when the world feels like it could crash down at any moment.Jimin shivers, trembles, shakes, and whimpers, wildly reaching out to latch onto Jungkook to ground himself, unable to settle after experiencing such a traumatic event.After an eternity of growing more and more panicked until he verges on passing out from a lack of adequate oxygen to his lungs, Jungkook wraps one hand around the back of his head to force his face into the column of the alpha’s neck over his scent gland. It prevents him from breathing in anything except fresh laundry, slightly bitter from fear, but familiar laundry nonetheless.They stay like that, Jungkook’s other arm looped behind Jimin’s back to keep them pressed together, the alpha sacrificing his own safety by standing with his back to the exposed wires.“I… I don’t want to die i-in here.” Jimin sobs, tears pouring from his eyes where he buries his face in the soft skin of Jungkook’s neck.“You’re not going to.”“Y-You don’t k-know that.”“Nobody’s fucking dying in here today. Do you understand me? I’m not letting that happen, so don’t even think about it.” Jungkook growls aggressively, his skin so hot that it almost turns feverish.“A-Alpha will keep us safe?”“Of course. Always.”The minimal remaining rational thinking capacity in Jimin’s brain knows that Jungkook experiences an equal amount of fear as him, evident in the suffocating amount of bitterness in his scent, yet he puts up a confident exterior to reassure the omega.It works.Jimin claws at him, grips his body in his fingers, uncontrollably whines, cries without cease, but Jungkook just holds him close without complaint.Eventually, after what must constitute an eternity, their bodies grow too tired to remain standing any longer. Jungkook carefully lowers Jimin to the ground before maneuvering himself in front of him, putting forth his best efforts to shield the omega from the horrific conditions around them. The nonstop alarm continues blaring, Jungkook cupping Jimin’s ears to block out the tortuous sound.“A-Are you okay?” Jimin questions worryingly, regaining his bearings enough to scrutinize the condition of the alpha in front of him. “Your… Your head—““I’m fine, I promise.”“Don’t l-lie to me. I see the b-blood.”“It’s just a scratch. I, uh… I hit my head on the wall when the elevator jumped. I can’t even feel it, though. It’s not a big deal.”“I’m sorry.” Jimin whispers, hiccuping.“Why on earth would you be sorry? None of this is your fault.”“I f-feel guilty b-because… because—““Because of what?”“I’m h-happy that I’m not here a-alone. I’m glad that… that you’re here. It’s s-selfish and unfair, but I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Jimin admits candidly, too overwhelmed with emotions to calm himself down again.“I would choose to be here with you every single time, omega. Even if I could reverse the clock, I would be right here by your side through it all.”“I… I don’t feel so good, alpha.”“Oh, fuck. Do you mean—““I’m going to p-puke.” Jimin declares with the minimal amount of shame his body can muster, scrambling to climb into his knees and move somewhere else. “Oh my god, oh my god.”Jungkook pulls him to his feet and helps him reach the opposite corner of the elevator just in time, both of them struggling to see around and properly maneuver through the dangerous contraptions hanging from the roof, nothing more embarrassing than vomiting while the alpha of his dreams rubs his back in soothing motions.All in all, by the time the rescuers arrive to pry open the doors and retrieve them, almost two agonizing hours pass by.Apparently a malfunction in the elevator shaft disables the mechanism and leaves a gigantic gap for them to traverse before actually making it back onto safe ground, Jungkook nearly suffering through an aneurysm when the alpha firefighters need to touch so much of Jimin’s body to help him to safety.They spend the afternoon in the hospital for surveillance and health checks, the alpha’s visible injury distressing enough.Jungkook scents Jimin’s belly for the first time that day.“There are no signs of a concussion despite your contusion and light bleeding, so we’re comfortable letting you go. Just give the nurses a little while to process your discharge.” The emergency room doctor states with dark circles under her eyes and a drag to her voice.“Are we both free to go?”“Yes. All of our tests for Mr. Park came back clear as well. Neither him nor the fetuses show any signs of distress, but we recommend following up with your normal practitioner in the next week or so.”“The pups are okay?” Jimin asks with eyes full of worry, hands wrapped around his bump.“They’re as healthy as can be.”“Thank you for everything. You said I should keep my head bandaged for the next day or two, right? I honestly was struggling to listen.” Jungkook says apologetically.“It’s alright, Mr. Jeon. I understand that your priorities were in the other room. Another day or so should be plenty.”Jungkook’s alpha seems to struggle with this traumatic occurrence more than the last one, reluctant to let Jimin leave his side after they depart from the hospital. Since their ambulance ride brought them there, both of them need to find their own ways home. Yoongi instantly agrees to drop both of them off, much to Jungkook’s delight, providing a few more minutes of time together before they head their separate ways.“Just facetime me if you’re worried later and I’ll show you that I’m fine. You don’t need to be concerned, I promise. Me and our Petals are alive and well thanks to you.”They make it through the night with only two facetime calls of reassurance.October creeps upon Jimin without any warning, time swiftly passing by when he spends every day focusing on work, Jungkook, and their Petals.A slew of wonderful things come with the change of seasons. The weather grows infinitely more tolerable, even transitioning to cool at nights. Nature develops into a masterpiece with reds, yellows, and oranges abundant. Sunshine becomes softer, milder, not as intense from where it beams down onto the Earth. Something in the air feels joyous as the end of the year steadily approaches.Of course, all of that fails in comparison to Halloween.Considering the holiday mostly exists as a Western way to celebrate, the city of Seoul holds a considerable amount of excitement for the occasion. Stores sell cheap costumes, bars hold massive gatherings, and everyone goes out to party with their friends.Even Jimin.It comes as no surprise when Seokjin announces the party he wants to hold at his expensive, luxury apartment that he paid for in cash, hosting this small get together with drinks and food and friends.Picking out a costume takes all of two seconds with such limited options for the pregnant omega.He and Taehyung arrive at the front door together, dressed in their ridiculous outfits to fit the event, thrill buzzing inside of them while they wait to see what the night holds for them. Seokjin opens the door to welcome them in with a rush of his lavender scent and gripping hugs. Music already blares from the loud speakers with no guests even in attendance yet.“Go on, then. Explain them to me. What the hell are you guys wearing?” Seokjin asks, a cocktail sloshing in his hand while he sways back and forth.“I’m a pumpkin.” Jimin smiles sweetly, cradling his orange clad belly, a jack-o-lantern pattern on his shirt.“I can see that, angel. You’re adorable.”“I’m a foot!”“You’re a what?”“Can’t you tell? Look at me a little closer! The long, skinny parts near my head are the toes. I’m a foot! There’s even a dark spot on my shoulder where a callous would be!” Taehyung exclaims happily, shooting them his signature boxy grin.“You’re a fucking foot.” Seokjin deadpans.“Yes!”“Okay, the absolute absurdity of your brain aside, check mine out! Let me give you a little spin so you can see the full picture. Isn’t it just genius? It fits me so well.”“Wait… What’s the costume?” Jimin asks with a furrowed brow.“You’re just wearing normal clothes.”“Pfft, no way! It’s so obvious! You’re not looking hard enough. I’ve got these sunglasses, too. If that helps you.”“It doesn’t.” Taehyung states blankly.“Not one bit.”“I’m Brad Pitt, duh! You guys are so uncultured. Everyone will know who I am the second they see me. You just don’t watch enough movies.” Seokjin groans in disappointment, throwing back the rest of his drink.Since they know Seokjin’s apartment by heart after visiting more times than they can count, Taehyung and Jimin refrain from exploring anything. They notice the few decorations stringing from the ceiling and hanging on the walls, a tasteful amount of pumpkins, bats, and various pumpkins spread throughout, the atmosphere relaxed as always.Hoseok shows up next in his The Wiggles attire, specifically choosing Jeff because of sheer laziness to buy a real costume.Yoongi, Namjoon, and Jungkook all show up at the same time, the tables flipping this time since the married alphas never mentioned their intent to bring him along with them. It takes Jimin by surprise, eyes wide and heart racing when he looks at the door to find the alpha of his pups standing there.His presence changes everything.In a good way.“Describe yourself to us.” Hoseok commands, holding his drink out as he speaks to the newcomers. “All of us had to explain our costumes, so now it’s your turn. Go ahead.”“I’m a zombie.”“That’s it? You’re just a zombie?”“Yeah. I’m a zombie. That’s why my hair is messy and I’ve got weird, green makeup on my skin.” Yoongi nods, shrugging apathetically.“You’re not even a specific zombie? Like from The Walking Dead or something?”“Nope.”“I’m the beanstalk from Jack and the Beanstalk.” Namjoon says with utmost sincerity.“Are you fucking kidding me?” Seokjin groans.“I’m green, tall, and lanky. I’m literally the beanstalk. It took a long time to get these leaves to stay in place in my hair. I’m a great representation of what the world could be if we cared for the environment like we should.”“You’re just hoping that Yoongi climbs you like a beanstalk at the end of the night.”“I’m Brad Pitt.”“No, you’re fucking not!” Seokjin screeches angrily, rushing over to Jungkook to scan him up and down with harsh scrutiny. “You don’t look anything like him! You don’t even have sunglasses!”“Yeah, but I’m wearing a leather jacket.” Jungkook replies, expression stone cold.“That’s true.”“He is wearing a leather jacket.”“That doesn’t make you Brad Pitt! You’re not… You didn’t even try!”“I think it’s pretty rude for you to attack a guest like that just because his costume is really accurate. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to wear a realistic costume for Halloween. Let him live.” Yoongi says with a feigned attitude, all of them barely holding back a laugh when Seokjin almost loses his mind.“What even are you? Is that supposed to be Tom Cruise from Mission Impossible?”“I’m Brad Pitt!”“Huh? Really? Is this your own interpretation as opposed to Jungkook’s historical accuracy? It’s cute that you tried.” Namjoon speaks with such condescension that it makes Jimin shudder.“Historical accuracy? Are you serious? What the fuck are you saying?”“I’m hungry.” Jimin says with a pout, enjoying the prank on Seokjin but unable to ignore the rumbling of his stomach, hands cradling his belly. “Can we eat soon?”“Sit down and I’ll feed you right now.”All of them crowd around the massive dining table as Seokjin says, talking amongst themselves while they wait for the food to arrive, the catering service already preparing the dishes in the second kitchen before anyone showed up to the apartment. It smells divine according to Jimin’s pregnancy nose, salivating at the idea of devouring the expensive meal.Jungkook sits across from him, eyes intently watching his every move without shame.If the others notice, they never mention a word about it. Jimin, of course, finds it impossible to focus on anything else. A deep part of him preens under the attention from the alpha, feeling seen and cared for in an instinctual way.“Not for you! Get your grubby paws off of the plate.” Seokjin scolds Taehyung, swatting away his hand as he carries a plate directly to Jimin and no one else.“Thank you.” Jimin smiles, staring down at the plate piled full of delicious foods.“You let me know if you want more.”“Why does he get his plate first? I’m hungry, too! If anything, I’m hungrier than him!”“He’s pregnant!”Jimin wants to shy away from all the eyes on him, staring down the table to observe the food that no one else possesses, but his pups want to eat so badly that all sense of self preservation leaves his body. He picks up his chopsticks and dives in, unashamed of eating before everyone else. The smooth, buttery richness of the slice of steak makes the attention more than worth it.Eventually, once the catering team finishes all of the plates and prepares all of the dishes, they carry the rest out to provide the guests with their food. Taehyung chomps at the bit with the ungodly amount of hunger apparently gripping his stomach.“Do you want more, my precious?” Seokjin asks when he looks up to find Jimin’s plate empty.“Yes, please.”“Coming right up!”“Why does he get head pats and cute pet names but I don’t?” Hoseok wonders in dramatic jealousy, always ready to tease their oldest friend.“You don’t say please and thank you like he does.”“Okay, that’s fair.”“I’m already having them pack up the leftovers for you to take home with you. I paid a pretty penny for this meal, so I might as well put it to good use. Those pups need to get familiar with the taste of luxury dining because I’m feeding them caviar immediately.” Seokjin declares confidently, still holding a glass of alcohol in his hand.“That’s a no from me.” Jimin giggles airily, smiling up at Seokjin, so grateful for his silly, loving friend.“Me too.” Jungkook nods in agreement.The meal flows without any problems. Everyone highly enjoys the food, scarfing down everything while praising the taste of each dish. They sip on their various cocktails, conversate about whatever topics spring to their minds, and show no hurry to get the dinner over with. It feels nice to sit in the company of such a nice group of people, coming together to celebrate a light hearted holiday.Slowly but surely, the evening transitions to night, everything devolving into utter chaos.Everyone except for Jimin—and Jungkook, apparently—becomes a drunken clown that exists for the sole purpose of making others laugh their asses of.From jumping off the back of the couch to standing on the coffee table to running laps around the living room, all of them try their hardest to pull laughter out of every living body in the room. They tell jokes, make ridiculous movements with their bodies, scream out of nowhere, and act like utter fools. Nothing makes sense, has no need to, even the sober among them finding it hilariously entertaining.“You don’t want to go up and sing with them?” Jungkook questions with a deep rasp, scooting closer on the couch until they sit side by side with their shoulders brushing.“I’m not a big fan of this kind of karaoke.”“By this kind, you mean what?”“Belligerent belting of random notes, slurring the lyrics until they’re incomprehensible, that sort of thing. It’s too much commotion for me, especially now.” Jimin answers honestly, happy to just watch his friends enjoy themselves.“I suppose you’re right. Seokjin can barely keep himself standing at this point.”“I don’t want to be in the crowd when they tumble over like bowling pins.”“Don’t worry, Secretary Park. I would catch you. My fast reflexes would save you.” Jungkook states proudly, his scent rich with a hint of spice that sends satisfaction through the omega’s veins.“I know you would, Attorney Jeon.”“Good.”“Can I ask you something?”“I’m not sure if there’s anything in the world that you couldn’t ask me at this point. There’s nothing off limits for you.” Jungkook’s words drip from his lips with a slowness, sticky sweet like honey. “Go ahead. Lay it on me.”“Why… Why don’t you drink? I mean… I know you do, sometimes, but not around me. Why is that?”“Ah, that… It’s going to sound like a bunch of stupid alpha bullshit, but I feel like I should be present around you. I should always be in my right mind, just in case. If everyone’s drunk except for you, who’s going to help you if you need it? I want to be able to take care of you if something happens.”“T-That’s… That’s not stupid. That’s not stupid at all. It’s really sweet, actually. Thank you for thinking of me like that.” Jimin beams, stars twinkling in his skin, overtaken with warmth at the confession.“I’m glad that you think so.”Without any further warning, not even allowing himself to ponder the idea after it pops into his mind, Jimin stands to his feet as quickly as his body manages. He turns around expectantly, eyes falling to the alpha behind him to urge him up as well. Jungkook obediently follows him across the room.“Jinnie.”“Yes, my sweet love?” Seokjin replies, reaching out to cup Jimin’s chubby cheeks in his hands while he attempts to focus on his words. “Do you need something? Everything alright?”“Can I borrow some clothes? I want to go swimming in the pool.”“Of course, you can. Believe it or not, I had a feeling you might want to do that at some point. I have some maternity swimming shorts in my closet.”“You’re the best.” Jimin says, fully meaning it.“Just don’t go in the hot tub, okay? You don’t want to boil those precious pups.”“Okay.”Realistically, Jimin knows that Jungkook already saw every part of his body all those months ago when they conceived their pups. The logical part of his brain capacity understands that. His nerves, however, spike to unprecedented levels when he steps out of the bedroom onto the dimly lit balcony, nothing covering his upper body except the darkness of night.The omega’s skin tingles, his breath hitches, and his thoughts towards Jungkook run rampant without any signs of slowing down.“Are you sure you don’t want to swim with me?”“I’ll just watch.”“Suit yourself. I remember how you used to be a lifeguard, you know? I’m expecting top notch skills if I start drowning.” Jimin announces in jest, rambling to distract himself from the goosebumps erupting under Jungkook’s intense stare.“It would never get that far, trust me.”An involuntary sigh tears from Jimin’s throat when he wades into the warm water of the heated pool, seeping into his bones to provide sheer comfort and relaxation. He continues to inch forward until the water reaches his shoulders, content to remain in the depths that hide away his most vulnerable parts. Jungkook follows him, a sort of guard dog, eventually sitting on the ledge to bring him closer.They refrain from speaking for no particular reason. With the late hours creeping near and the commotion of the day looming over their heads, words find no space in the tired edges of their consciousness.Jimin closes his eyes, lets the water soothe his soul, and soaks up the glory of the weightless of his belly.Inevitably, after half an hour, maybe double that, the weariness of his body collides with the delight engulfing him from head to toe. The omega feels himself drifting dangerously close to sleep, his neck jerking a few times to keep him upright. Warm water around him and fresh laundry in his nose makes for an intoxicating combination.“Omega.” Jungkook announces into the silence, deep and commanding, instantly drawing his utmost attention. “I think you should get out now.”“W-Why?”“You’re falling asleep.”“M’tired, alpha.” Jimin whines, too comfortable to move a muscle.“I know you are. That’s why you need to get out. It’s dangerous to sleep in a pool.”“S’warm, though. O-Outside’s cold.”“I’ll wrap you in a towel as soon as you get out. You just come up the first step and I’ll be waiting for you. Don’t even think about being cold.” Jungkook states before he stands, the movement forcing open Jimin’s eyes to watch him round to the pool’s entrance.Sure to his word, Jungkook waits for Jimin with a towel, urging him forward onto the steps to grip him in a warm embrace.A shiver rushes down his spine, though not from the cold air. When he notices the way the alpha stares at his nakedness, gazing at his bare torso like a present delivered from the heavens, Jimin wants to expose himself more and hide away at the same time. Jungkook’s scent spikes with spice and warmth, less fresh to make way for the depths of his interest.Arousal.He finds Jimin attractive, even swollen with his pups.For the second time in a number of weeks, they stare into each other’s eyes with a look that conveys a million feelings at once, bodies close enough that Jimin’s belly brushes Jungkook’s abs.Want.Desire.Need.Jimin feels it deep in the depths of his being, certain that Jungkook experiences the burning too.They drift closer and closer, so near that only a couple of inches exist between them. They lean in, excruciatingly slow with their movements, entranced in the bubble surrounding them. Nothing in the world matters except for them. Jimin wants to kiss Jungkook so badly that he chars to ash beneath the heat of his desperation. Time ceases to tick onward, forever frozen in the moment that both of them yearn for like their lives behind on it.Spice drips onto Jimin’s tongue when he parts his luscious lips.He thinks Jungkook might taste the nauseating sweetness of his marshmallow scent that radiates from him in tidal waves.Close, close, closer.“Get your ass back in here, you drunken maniac! You’re not swimming with Jimin in this state! You might accidentally drown him or kick his belly or—“Jimin and Jungkook pull away with such quickness that the omega nearly loses his footing, remaining upright only due to the steel grip of Jungkook’s hands on the towel wrapped around him. They swiftly pretend like nothing out of the ordinary occurs, like their lips don’t want to press together so badly that it aches in their souls.The alcohol clouds everyone’s brains to the point that they fail to notice anything. Seokjin and Namjoon fight on the balcony, the rest of their friends following suit to watch the commotion unfold. It provides the perfect chance for them to ignore their insatiable draw to one another.“I’m going to take Jimin home.” Jungkook announces, staring at the group of drunkards at the sliding door. “He’s ready for bed.”“Oh.”“How late is it?”“Goodnight and thanks for the invite.” Jungkook says before he guides Jimin along to the bedroom door.“G-Goodnight, everyone!”After experiencing the wonders of a pamper day where he receives the opportunity to indulge nearly every crack and crevice of his body, Jimin gladly accepts the invitation to join Seokjin, Hoseok, and Taehyung at a luxury spa in the heart of Seoul, arriving at the opulent building with bubbles of excitement in his chest and old slippers on his feet.He knows next to nothing about these places or what they entail, but he imagines they can help alleviate the aches and pains so prevalent in his body now that his pregnancy progresses past the halfway point.Seokjin handles the booking—of course—before they follow an attendant into the back.Rich.Ornate.Expensive.With dark marble constituting every surface in sight, glittering chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, absurdly abstract art pieces strung on the walls, and things like waterfalls and statues around each corner, Jimin feels out of place with his cheap lounge clothes and old slippers from college. Soft, classical music filters into the air via speakers built into the walls, the lighting dim to capture the ambience of relaxation. Everything appears serene, welcoming, and luxurious.“Wait, so we have to take everything off and put on this robe? Everything? We’re completely naked under there?” Jimin asks with wide eyes and an air of scandal.“Yes.”“It’s a nice robe, so it won’t be scratchy on your skin or anything.” Taehyung adds, smiling.“That’s… That’s not the problem!”“We’re going to get massages later, remember? It’s easier to just be naked already. Plus, there’s nothing more relaxing than letting it all loose every once in a while. Let your shit free.” Seokjin hums under his breath as he folds his clothes and puts them on the shelf, bare from head to toe without a care in the world.“Do I have to take off the robe for the massage? Like… Like are they going to see me naked the whole time? Are they going to cover me at all?”“You don’t have to do anything. If you want your ass covered, they’ll cover it.”“Today is about releasing stress and relaxing. Stop worrying so much. The worst thing you can do is overthink everything.” Hoseok says gently, the scents of lavender, root beer, and maple syrup strong in the air, this reminder reassurance enough for Jimin.“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I won’t ruin your experience with all my questions.”“You could never ruin anything, my precious.”“We want you to have a good time.”They spend hours and hours receiving undoubtedly expensive treatments for essentially every part of their bodies. Nothing stands off limits or too comprehensive, Seokjin dragging them along to anything his heart desires. The oldest beta knows everything about this spa, the best treatments they offer, how to get from one section to another, the order to receive each experience, and most of the employees working the stations.Jimin holds his tongue instead of voicing each tiny concern or question that pops into his mind, clearing his head to allow utter serenity to engulf him in this wonderful place made for relaxation.Manicures.Pedicures.Facials.Hair treatments.Steam baths.Experiencing everything for the first time leaves Jimin with a sense of wonder and thrill, overjoyed at spending this time with his friends while they allow their bodies to receive attention to the highest degree.The spa staff keeps them supplied with refreshing, chilly drinks, non-alcoholic for the entire group since they want to stay present in the moment with Jimin. Everyone treats them with kindness, touches them softly and professionally, and never makes them feel uncomfortable in the slightest.Seokjin separates from the group for a few minutes for an asshole tanning session that no one understands.A wonderful day.“They’re splitting us into rooms of two for the full body massages, so I’ll take Jimin with me. You two will be in the other room beside ours. We’re scheduled for an hour-long session, which should be plenty.” Seokjin announces into the empty waiting area.“Sounds good to me!”“I’m probably going to pass the fuck out the whole time anyway.”“How does it work for me?” Jimin asks meekly, bouncing his leg up and down from his chair along the wall.“What do you mean?”“My… My belly. I can’t lay on my stomach anymore. I’m also not sure how comfortable it’ll be to stay on my back for that long.”“I told them ahead of time that you’re pregnant. Apparently they have a special bed with a hole in the middle for you to lay on your stomach without discomfort. They also have a trained specialist who’s a professional with pregnant bodies. You’ll be well taken care of.” Seokjin states with a comforting smile.“Oh, that’s a relief. Thank you so much. You really think of everything.”Embarrassingly enough, after a couple of days of rough sleep where he tosses and turns all night long, Jimin ends up knocking out the second the massage therapist digs into his tense muscles.He attempts to stay awake, but to no avail. The magic, nimble fingers of the specialist works wonders in all the right places. Jimin only drags back to consciousness when they ask him to move into a new position or work out a particularly sore part of his body, applying a handsome amount of oil to keep his skin malleable throughout the process.His first, official massage.By the end of their scheduled day of luxury relaxation, all of them feel gross from the amount of products coating their bodies. They hop into the showers to wash away the oils, conditioners, moisturizers, and lotions clinging to their skin. It feels unbelievably nice to scrub clean after everything.They emerge from their treatments feeling like entirely new people.“Will you send me the bill? I need to know how much to transfer to your account.” Taehyung asks across the dinner table, staring down at his phone after placing their order for food.“Sending it to both of you right now.”“Oh, got it. Thanks!”“What about me?” Jimin questions with a furrowed brow while waiting for the text to arrive.“This is your late birthday present from me. Don’t worry about it. I know you said you didn’t want anything, which is why I’m giving you this anyway.”“Thank you. That’s very sweet of you. You’re the best in the whole world.”“I know.”Something about spending the day at the spa makes them ravenous for food, ordering and devouring an obscene amount of dishes without a care in the world. They feel lighter, looser, happier. Dinner never tastes better than when sharing it with those they cherish the most. Everyone plans to sleep like a pup after such a satisfying day.The jam-packed schedule at the spa left no time for frivolous matters such as checking their phones, scrolling on social media or texting romantic interests not even a blimp in their minds while they pampered themselves.Jimin’s stomach drops out of his ass when he pulls his phone out of his bag to find several missed messages from Jungkook.Weird.They start normal enough, Jungkook telling him to enjoy his time at the spa after he left his apartment for his daily scenting. It continues in the same way, him sending a random couple of texts about the topic they discussed that morning. Things gradually turn weirder when the messages pile up even as Jimin never responds, the alpha talking about his own day, going out drinking with his friends, and even their pups, seemingly all over the place.Drunk, he realizes.Jungkook keeps sending him drunk texts.Instead of immediately replying or ignoring the messages all together, Jimin enjoys the remainder of his time with his friends before he hops on the subway to return home, the absurdity of such a situation lingering in his mind the whole time.He waits until he reaches his apartment, changes into comfortable sleep clothes, and climbs into his bed to pick up his phone again.Nerves consume him.The omega’s skin tingles and his veins rush with anticipation, wondering what he should say or how to reply to the last message of “I miss you.” A smile stays on his cheeks until it aches to maintain, his heart pounding and his stomach somersaulting. He knows he shouldn’t take any of it seriously since Jungkook speaks with a drunken mind, but this pleases him to the absolute core of his being.He types up a curt, straightforward reply then tosses his phone across the bed, kicking his feet and squealing like a young teenager again.Oh.Oh, god.His phone starts ringing.“H-Hello?” Jimin voices into the receiver, chewing on the inside of his cheek while he waits with bated breath for any kind of an answer.“Secretary Park, I’m wounded that you would say such a thing to me.”“What?”“How dare you accuse me of not meaning what I said? I would never say it if I didn’t mean it. Those words were straight from the heart.“You’re drunk.”“I’m slightly intoxicated, but that doesn’t detract from the sentiment. Haven’t you ever heard the saying that a drunken mind speaks sober thoughts?” Jungkook quickly comes to his own defense to refute Jimin’s denial of his feelings.“You’re only saying it because you have no filter and the alcohol is clouding your judgment.”“Bullshit.”“Exactly how much did you drink?” Jimin’s smile might cause irreparable damage to the muscles of his cheeks. “I’ve never known you to act so brazenly like this.”“Exactly my point.”“What point are you referring to, Attorney Jeon?”“I am not ridiculously drunk off my ass to the point that I don’t know what I’m saying. I meant every word. The alcohol only makes it easier for me to say what I feel without worrying about the consequences.”“I don’t know…”“Do you want to know what I’ve been thinking about for the past 3 hours straight? No, not even. I’ve been thinking about it every damn day for the past couple of weeks.” Jungkook rasps, low and rich, his voice scratching along the bottom of the ocean.“W-What?” Jimin asks, holding his breath.“I want to kiss you so fucking bad that it hurts.”“Oh.”“Every single time that I’m brave enough to try, something comes up and ruins it. It’s all I think about anymore. The idea of your lips on mine is ruining my life, Secretary Park.”“D-Don’t… Don’t call me that, not when you’re talking about how much you want to kiss me.” Jimin whines, high pitched and breathy.“What do you want me to call you instead? Hm?”“Anything else.”“Do you want me to call you omega? Would you prefer sweetheart? Or baby?” Jungkook growls out his words, tortuously teasing with his tone and intent. Everything inside of Jimin burns. “I remember how much you loved sweet little names when I was fucking you—““Huh? What are you saying? You’re way too drunk right now.”“I’m almost sober.”“Do it.” Jimin commands with all the bravery contained inside his body, one match strike away from bursting into flames.“Pardon?”“If… If you want to k-kiss me so badly, then do it. Prove it. Empty words are just that. Show me that you mean it.”“Ah, have you forgotten what happens when I’m challenged?”“No.” Jimin’s hair stands on end, goosebumps flush across his skin, a shiver runs down his spine, and the thudding of his heart makes him feel breathless.“I’ll be there in about 46 minutes, so be ready for me, baby.”Jimin, of course, spends the next 46 minutes on the verge of a heart attack, alternating between screaming into his pillow and pacing across his apartment, unable to will away the racing of his wild heart. He tries not to think about it, but immediately fails. Daydreaming about something and said something actually happening exist as two completely separate concepts.The possible level of Jungkook’s drunkenness makes things both better and worse, worried that this might muddy the waters even more if he happens to regret it once he sobers up. It also gives Jimin courage he would lack otherwise.His first kiss, his first knot, his first everything, all to the same alpha.Jimin rinses his mouth with mouthwash for good measure, already brushing his teeth once he arrived home from the spa. He puts on a thin layer of lip balm and sniffs his pajamas to ensure he smells okay, nervously caressing his belly while attempting to calm his uncontrollable instincts.Nothing feels real anymore.A steady knock echoes in the tiny space of his apartment, ringing like cathedral bells in his ears, suspended in time while he tiptoes to the front door where Jungkook awaits him.Handsome.The scent of spicy, musky laundry.Dark eyes boring into his soul without shame.“You’re so pretty.” Jungkook rasps before Jimin even opens his mouth, warmth pooling in his irises while he stares down at the omega.“I’m wearing pajamas.”“That changes absolutely nothing.”“What on earth did you drink that’s making you act like this?” Jimin wonders aloud, exasperated by the lack of a filter from Jungkook’s brain to his mouth.“I only had a few drinks. Whiskey. You can call Yoongi and ask him if you don’t believe me.”“Are you going to come in?”“No.” Jungkook shakes his head.“W-Why?”“I want to go on the roof. Put on a jacket or something since it’s a bit chilly tonight.”“Okay.”Jimin wastes no time in finding a suitable cardigan to throw over his pajama shirt, choosing something baggy and thick. His nerves leave him clammy and sweaty, so he might not even need it, part of him happy to obey a considerate command from the alpha of his precious pups. It feels good to let him take care of him.They climb the stairs together to get to the rooftop of Jimin’s apartment building, words seldom between them as the reality of the circumstances begins to settle over their heads.“Whoa, it’s so beautiful.”“Isn’t it? The stars are brighter than normal for some reason. I swear I saw a shooting star on the way here.” Jungkook remarks with wonder.“You’re so—““I’m not that drunk.”“I was going to say you’re so romantic.” Jimin counters, huffing, turning to glare at Jungkook.“No, you fucking weren’t.”“Yeah, I’m lying.”“Let’s sit.”Jungkook takes Jimin’s hand, interlacing their fingers and everything, before he guides them to the rickety wooden bench in the middle of the empty rooftop. Pure darkness covers everything around them, only the light of the full moon illuminating their movements. The cool breeze cuts through the air to emphasize the strength of their sickeningly sweet scents combining.They sit side by side, close enough for their thighs to brush together, neither of them uttering a word for an agonizing amount of time.Against his better judgment, Jimin decides he wants to live in the moment instead of delving into the painstaking details of everything. He knows not what this means, how things might change between them, or whether it will fade away to nothing come tomorrow morning, but he chooses not to care. Here, now, with this amazing alpha at his beck and call, nothing else matters.“Why didn’t you let me kiss you during your heat?” Jungkook asks, more curious than anything.“Did you want to?““Of course, I wanted to. I almost did it so many times, but I was strong enough to hold back my alpha. I had my cock and knot inside of you, yet kissing was where you drew the line?”“I wanted it to be special.” Jimin says succinctly. “My… My first kiss.”“I was worried you were grossed out by me or some shit.”“Not at all.”“I suppose doing everything at once might be overwhelming. If we somehow had a falling out or you regretted fucking me, at least you could have your first kiss not be tainted.”“Yes, that’s right.” Jimin nods in agreement, precisely his line of thinking.“How about now?”“Hmm?”“Have you changed your mind about it? Are you still against me kissing you?” Jungkook asks with hopefulness on his tongue, Jimin tasting it in his own mouth when he sucks in a harsh breath.“I want you to kiss me so badly, alpha.”Jungkook—whether driven by his own desires, the heat of the moment, or how alcohol lingers in his veins—decides to take action after a couple of hours of back and forth regarding this pressing topic, sneaking one hand around Jimin’s waist to rest on his lower back while the other cups the back of his head to pull him closer by force.The stars twinkle solely for them in that moment, their own purpose fulfilled as they hang over the heads of two people so intrinsically connected that they could never untangle no matter how hard they tried.Beneath the gorgeous glow of the moon on a chilly night in late October, Jungkook steals Jimin’s first kiss.Their lips press together in a simple act of affection, nothing more and nothing less, all of the energy inside their bodies threatening to burst from their pores when they relent to the indulgences of their souls. A soft, gentle kiss, barely more than a peck. They melt into the delight of finally allowing themselves to share in this display of connection after weeks and weeks of missed opportunities.“It’s even better than I thought it would be.” Jungkook whispers in a low grumble, holding Jimin close to lightly kiss his lips several times in succession.“Me too.” Jimin flourishes beneath the touch of the only alpha to ever have him in any way at all.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Awkward.For the first time since Jimin can remember, things feel awkward between him and Jungkook.A slight change, a drift in the wind, a barely noticeable shift, but something that he honed in on after spending so much time with the alpha over the past several years.Whether due to their starry, rooftop rendezvous or something else entirely—regret, a change of heart, guilt, shame, sober realizations—things take a turn after they share their first kiss. Jimin went to sleep giddy, over the moon, beside himself with happiness, but he never expected much. Waking up the next morning to radio silence only solidified his belief surrounding Jungkook’s intoxication level.They still talk.Just not about the elephant in the room.It takes a few days for Jimin to reconcile himself with the fact that maybe the alpha actually feels differently towards him, leaving him alone in his yearning and desire for more with Jungkook.A few days pass.They still arrive at work, they still discuss cases, they still eat lunch together, they still attend court, they still act civil towards one another.Jimin finds no room to complain, even if his heart aches from the rejection.Morning sickness bothers him much less frequently as his pregnancy progresses, offering him peace most days instead of the unrelenting need to expel the contents of his guts, but he finds any excuse to catch a ride with Jungkook instead of taking the subway. It embarrasses him to admit the increasing disdain that arises inside of him when in close proximity to strangers’ scents, sometimes even acquaintances or coworkers. Somehow, some way, it always leads back to Jungkook.“I’m sorry.”“What’s there to be sorry for, Secretary Park? You offer up apologies way too easily.” Jungkook says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.“I hate being a burden.”“Luckily for you, you’ve never been a burden to me—or anyone else, actually—in your entire life. It’s okay to ask for help and allow people to support you, you know? You’re not only a human, but a pregnant one at that.”“Yeah, okay.” Jimin nods, sinking into his seat while he watches the road outstretched in front of them. “I guess you’re right.”“We’ll be riding together to work everyday once you move in with me.”“Mhm.”“Let’s enjoy this commute across the city while we still can.” Jungkook releases a noncommittal hum before he reaches forward to turn the knob for the car’s heating system.The reality of certain aspects of the future still terrifies Jimin, so he refrains from thinking about it as much as he can. Moving in with Jungkook feels like such a monumental occasion in life, one that sends a shock wave of dread down his spine. He warms up to the idea as time passes, yet something about it still brings him pause. It almost feels like giving up a part of his independence, relying so much on Jungkook, his ability to provide for them, taking up the alpha’s space. Hopefully it becomes easier to stomach.Jimin enters the office for only a couple of hours before other obligations arise, typing away on his computer to speedily finish important documents needed for that very day. He attempts to hurry through everything on his checklist for the morning, barely stopping to breathe before moving onto the next task.It truly and utterly sucks to visit the doctor without Jungkook by his side, but the brief appointment only lasts several minutes in total.Rather than receiving an ultrasound and all the usual procedures to check on the pups, they focus more on Jimin’s health to ensure everything appears fine in the weeks after the elevator event. His worryingly high heart rate and blood pressure raised some alarm bells, his panic level elevated enough to cause harm to both him and his pups. In the end, they deem him in perfect shape and send him off with confidence.For no reason other than sheer love for his best, most supportive friend, Jimin makes a pit stop at a local flower shop to order a bouquet to Seokjin’s practice.A token of gratitude for the beta.“It makes me uncomfortable when you stare at me like that.” Jimin states with conviction, heart beating faster when he turns to the alpha sitting across the break room.“What?”“You heard me. It makes me uncomfortable when you stare at me like that. Why does the concept of manners go out the window because I'm pregnant?”“I’m not staring, I’m just—““You're staring and you know it. The least you can do is admit to it.” Jimin huffs in irritation, unsure why he chooses this moment to speak his true feelings, bottling it up for months until his lid finally blows. “You’re being rude to me in my own workplace.”“I’m sorry.”“Are you, though?”“It’s just… I’ve never seen a pregnant omega before. My family is all alphas and betas. Something about it is so appealing to me.” The younger lawyer admits sheepishly, the spike in his rubbery scent making Jimin want to puke.“I’m fairly certain this counts as workplace harassment. Stop staring at me before I file a report against you.”Jimin storms out of the break room after grabbing his freshly brewed cup of tea, ignoring the way Jungkook lingers in the doorway silently watching his every movement. He finds himself unable to hold back his emotions sometimes, speaking truths that he would normally conceal to maintain peace with others.Returning to his work offers his mind a bit of peace amongst the chaos, happy to lose himself to helping people find justice instead of the woes of reality.He receives several text messages, voice memos, and pictures from Seokjin before the beta ultimately calls him, absolutely gushing over the arrangement of flowers sitting on his office desk. The blindingly bright smile on his face provides Jimin with secondhand satisfaction, the effort more than worth it.“Do you want to go out for lunch?”“Now?” Jungkook asks, staring up from his desk to look Jimin directly in the eyes.“Yeah. Seo-ah wants to have lunch at the fresh noodle place down the street. She invited me, so I’m inviting you.” Jimin says from his place in the doorway, so hungry he could eat a horse at this point.“Give me five minutes.”They walk together to the restaurant, Jimin and Seo-ah side by side with Jungkook behind them, the scent of mustard off-putting enough that the pregnant omega holds his breath and breathes through his mouth to avoid a full blown reaction from his inner instincts. Cars honk obnoxiously loud on the street, foot traffic at an all time high considering the time of day. The swing of life continues its steady motion.“How do you feel about going to court today? I heard Ms. Shin really celebrated her last victory that got the hearings delayed for a couple of months. She wants to show you who’s boss.”“What? Where is this information coming from? Who told you that?” Jungkook asks with a frantic tone to his voice.“I, uh… I went on a date with someone from her firm a few days ago.”“Wait, so she celebrated delaying the case?”“She sure did.” Seo-ah nods vigorously, pausing her speech to suck up a giant portion of noodles into her mouth. “It was this huge ordeal with a party type thing. Apparently they all went home early that day.”“What the fuck?”“That sounds exactly like something she would do.” Jimin can’t help the smile that cracks his cheeks.“It’s bullshit because she doesn’t even care about the case at all. She doesn’t necessarily want to bring her client to justice or avenge some wrongdoing. She just wants to beat me, whatever that means in her deranged mind.” Jungkook scoffs, shaking his head, scooping up one of the dumpling from his bowl to silently place it in Jimins.“It’s unfortunate that the judge can’t do anything about that.”“Whatever. It doesn’t matter because I’m going to win in the end anyway. She can do what she wants, play childish and immature, while I easily beat her regardless.”“You always do.” Jimin states confidently, belly sizzling from the confidence radiating from the alpha.“I do.”“Maybe this is a good time to mention that she’s also trying to poach some of the attorneys at our firm. I heard from my date that she’s been approaching them with the intent to test their loyalty and feel for their possible interest in switching to her team.” Seo-ah almost buzzes with thrill, clearly excited to share this juicy gossip with her boss.“Now that’s the Shin Bora we know.” Jimin grins, just as happy as their receptionist.“It’s honestly ridiculous how often she tries this. Her tactics truly never change. I can’t wait to destroy her in a couple of hours and knock her back down a peg. It’s always more fun this way.”Jimin and Jungkook speak very little on their way to the courthouse that afternoon, undoubtedly a million thoughts rushing through the alpha’s mind to occupy his mental capacity. He awaits the chance to show the opposition his dedication and fervor when it comes to winning at all costs.Nothing excites Jimin more than watching Jungkook in his element, nerves of anticipation bubbling up inside of him when the moment to appear in court finally approaches. This marks the first time he shows up visibly pregnant to court.Regardless of the slightly awkward air between them, they stand as a united front before the world.“Jeon Jungkook.”“Shin Bora.”“I know you’re immensely inspired by everything I do, but maybe don’t copy my outfits. You just look like a cheap knockoff of me when you wear purple.” Bora’s haughty tone conveys perfectly when she upturns her nose and stares at him with disdain.“I’m not taking fashion advice from a fucking walking grape.”“Oh, Jimin. I almost forgot you were there.” Bora says with an obscenely exaggerated smile on her lips, making a point to stare him up and down. “I must admit that you look nicer than usual. I’m no better than these caveman alphas when it comes to a rounded belly. It suits you.”“Thank you.”“I’ll try not to deliver too many low blows, only for the pup’s sake.” Bora winks at him before she strides off to her side of the courthouse.Jungkook all but seethes with rage.To literally no one’s surprise, chaos erupts when the two of them attempt to proceed with the ordained court case, vehemently arguing against everything the other tries to enact.They shout, refute the statements made, question the judge’s decisions, and nearly fist fight at one point.It ends with Jungkook successfully filing the junction he prepared for the past couple of weeks, carefully researching and choosing his words long before this appearance before the judge. He glows in the aftermath of trekking past the doors to emerge victorious for this round, dismantling a key part of Bora’s witness evidence to steal a huge part of her defense.The battle to win the case only continues, an indubitably long road ahead of them.“As your boss, I feel like I’m obligated to address the incident I witnessed in the break room today. I haven’t said anything to him because I’m going to consult with HR first, but I’m sorry you've been uncomfortable at work. It’s obviously unacceptable and not tolerated behavior.” Jungkook declares firmly, sincerity in his dark eyes when he turns to Jimin where they sit parked outside the omega’s apartment.“I know. It’s… It’s not your fault. I should’ve said something before, but I hate causing trouble.”“It’s not trouble, Secretary Park.”“Says you.” Jimin pouts dramatically, reaching for the door handle to let himself out.“As your boss, I’m trying to remain professional, but as the alpha of the pups in your belly that he seems so interested in, I’m struggling to not teach him a fucking lesson.” Jungkook growls threateningly, cotton scent uncharacteristically potent with smokiness.“D-Don’t get yourself in trouble over someone so unimportant.”Somewhere along the way, scenting transitions into something more.More intense, more personal, more instinct driven.Though the caliber of change between them feels inevitable in hindsight, Jimin finds himself struggling to maintain his composure when he drowns in the treacherous depths of floral-tinged fresh laundry with addicting richness and spice lingering around the edges. The waves pull him under until he no longer sees the surface, engulfed by Jungkook and Jungkook alone.Wildfire swims like lava in his veins, burning and burning and burning without cease.Here, with the alpha of the pups nestled safely in his belly repeatedly brushing his lips against the sensitive column of his neck, bodies clinging together with utter desperation as they indulge in such a traditional expression of connection, both of them rendered breathless while they touch so intimately, Jimin belatedly notices the beginnings of slick forming between his cheeks.He gasps, shudders, and blushes even harder.Uncontrollable.“Y-Your lips are so… so s-soft.” Jimin whispers in a pleasure induced daze, chubby fingers tangled in the fabric at Jungkook’s chest while he lies back against the couch with his eyes closed.“Yeah?”“Y-Yeah.”“Does it feel good? Hm? Do you like it when I touch you like this, omega?” Jungkook rasps out his words with a guttural growl tracing every syllable.“S’good. T-Too good. So… So h-hot.”“Cute.”Jimin wants nothing more than to remain like this for the rest of eternity—body so entwined with Jungkook that they form a singular mass of human flesh with no discernible point where one ends and the other begins—but when the alpha presses open mouthed kisses to his scent gland, hot saliva scalding every place his lips touch, he jolts with the realization that his throbbing, aching cock might betray him if it continues any further.He flings his eyes open at the speed of light, reeling in the disappointment of his own actions when he pulls his neck away enough to thwart Jungkook’s motions against his rubbed-raw skin. Fresh cotton overtakes his marshmallow scent to the point that it threatens to permanently alter the genetic makeup of his biological composition, forever marked by the alpha that pupped him.“I… I want… L-Let’s go to the nursery.” Jimin stumbles over his words, tongue and teeth not cooperating in his stupor, every cell in his body revolting in protest over the sudden lack of contact. “I want to s-see what Taehyung d-did.”“Okay.”“Okay.”“Let’s go, then.”“Yeah.”“Are you coming or not?” Jungkook asks with a knowing look painting his face, eyebrows raised and eyes repeatedly flickering to Jimin’s waist.“I’m c-coming.”Ignoring the ache of his cock, the uncomfortable wetness staining the back of his underwear, and the sickly sweet scent in the air requires an ungodly amount of energy, but he tries his hardest to push away his current physical predicament in order to waddle to the nursery from behind Jungkook.The sight of the masterpiece on the walls steals his breath away, far surpassing any of the expectations set when he commissioned Taehyung to paint a custom design for their pups’ room.Swirls of every color under the rainbow sit along the walls to create a colorful landscape.Whimsical flowers of all shapes and sizes sprout from the blades of grass along the baseboard, making way for sprawling hills and lush fields, several trees growing out of the ground as the piece continues. Blue skies and fluffy clouds and pink hearts. From the golden sun on one side to a sparkling creek tying the walls together, he loves every bit of the art. It perfectly incorporates realism with fun, taking creative liberty to entrench the room with magical delight. The pastel colors all blend together in the ideal mixture of childlike wonder.Beyond the stunning work from Taehyung’s ultra talented hands, the rest of the nursery comes together now that the furniture and decorations wait in the middle of the room for placement.Reality comes crashing down around the omega in an instant.“It won’t be long until they’re here.” Jimin whispers breathily, absentmindedly caressing his rounded belly while he takes in the heartwarming scenery that surrounds him from all sides. “We’re more than halfway to meeting them.”“They’ll be in our arms before you know it. Time has passed by so fucking quickly. It feels like just yesterday we were discussing even doing this and now we’re already here.”“It feels like we’re so prepared and not at all in the same breath.”“I’m not sure you can even truly feel prepared to bring another living being into the world, much less two of them. We’re ready on the surface, but actually thinking about the pressure of being responsible for the well-being of little humans is daunting.” Jungkook speaks from the heart, candid in a way they only experience on the rare occasions they bear their vulnerabilities without concern.“We’re reading parenting books and listening to podcasts and researching the best methods of raising pups.”“Yet, it doesn’t feel like enough, does it?”“Not at all.” Jimin shakes his head, honest in his admission of inadequacy.“I agree.”“Can we set everything up now? The furniture is already built, but we need to arrange it in the right location. I also would like to get some of the decorative pieces up. The sooner we finish this part, the sooner I can start really shopping for all the little things we’re going to need.”“Sure. You tell me where you want everything and I’ll move it. Your wish is my command.”“That’s what I like to hear.”Rather than jumping into action to put everything where he imagines it should go, Jimin fetches his phone from his pocket to show Jungkook a plethora of images he saved online as inspiration. He wants to discuss it together and agree upon the layout that makes the most sense for them. It adds an additional layer of thought and takes a few minutes of time, but something about joint decision making pleases him to his soul.They spend the better part of the afternoon working together to conjure up the nursery of Jimin’s wildest dreams, not only moving the furniture along the walls to create two separate areas to allow their Petals personal space, but also adding the accent pieces Jimin found online.Jungkook hammers nails into the wall to hang pictures and decorative shelves.Jimin comes behind him to organize the adorably colorful trinkets and custom decorations that add a personal touch to the already incredible room.Two cloud chandeliers.String lights along the top of the walls.A lavender swirl rug.Pink polka dot curtains over the windows.Fun knobs on the dresser drawers.The nursery looks better than anything Jimin finds on recommended websites for interior design, immensely proud of himself and his closest support system for managing to coordinate such a uniquely special room to house their precious pups in the future.A space in the corner for him to nurse really ties everything together, a nice gliding chair, lamp, and a side table providing him a place to rest as he feeds the girls.Absolute perfection.“Can you hold it up a little bit higher?”“H-Higher?”“Yeah. I need it raised like an inch or two more so it hangs in the right place.” Jungkook answers from behind the omega, his hot breaths fanning over Jimin’s neck and making it hard to focus. “We’re nearly there.”“Better?”“Not quite.”“Now?” Jimin chokes out, fully on his tippy toes, while he stares ahead at the wall in front of him.“That’s it. Hold it right there. Don’t move a single muscle while I screw the corners in. It’s really important for you not to move, okay?”“O-Okay.”The muscular, expansive plane of Jungkook’s broad chest presses to Jimin’s back while he leans over him to screw the frame to the wall, scorching hot where he dwarfs the omega in his embrace.It grows harder and harder to remain still when he feels every inch of Jungkook’s body behind him.Head to toe.Knowing that Jungkook’s cock brushes against his ass makes this an impossible task, unable to think about anything except the sheer want consuming his insides, goosebumps littering across his skin while the alpha blows hot breaths into his ear.The sticky sweetness of his slick still lingers on his flesh after the previous incident.He might combust this time for real.Something shifts in the air after that, the task swiftly meeting its end, but Jungkook never steps back to separate them. He remains a steady presence behind Jimin’s back, keeping him in place. His heart pounds violently, rattling against his ribcage, breathing growing more cumbersome with each passing second. When Jungkook’s cotton scent floods with rich, spicy arousal, Jimin seizes a burst of courage to turn around and face him head on.“Do you regret it?”“What?”“Is that… Is that why you pretend like it never happened?”“What do you mean?”“I think it’s unfair for you to act on your impulses without consideration for my feelings.” Jimin declares in a moment of bravery, staring directly into Jungkook’s eyes while he speaks to the dismay gnawing away at him. “You shouldn’t only think of yourself when it’s something obviously important to me.”“Tell me what you’re talking about. I don’t understand. I try my hardest to never—““The… The kiss.”“Ahh.”“It feels like you’re playing with my feelings. How can you act so brave and confident one day, telling me over and over again that you actually mean it, then just pretend it never happened as soon as you get what you want?” Jimin asks with a lump in his throat, confusion clouding his thoughts from all the mixed signals he receives on a daily basis.“I don’t regret it, to answer your first question. Of course not. I don’t regret it at all, omega. I hate that you even consider that a possibility.”“Then… Why?”“I was so fucking scared that I ruined everything. I woke up the next day and thought that I pressured you into it, that you would end up regretting it.” Jungkook explains in a frantic, insistent tone that tugs at Jimin’s heartstrings.“I was the one who dared you to come kiss me in the first place!”“Only after I kept texting and calling and bombarding you with messages about my feelings. I was worried that I took advantage of you or something. It’s not that I wanted to pretend it never happened.”“You’re ridiculous.”“What was I supposed to think? Should I have just assumed that you liked the way I was acting like some sleazy dirtbag when I was drunk? I was embarrassed that I behaved like that around someone I care so much about.” Jungkook answers with exasperation, his chest rapidly rising and falling.“Why are you being so hard on yourself? Absolutely none of what you just said is even remotely true. I didn’t think you were acting inappropriately at all.”“You didn’t?”“No!”“I’m so fucking sorry.”“Why didn’t you just say something? Anything? You could’ve just sent me a text and asked how I was feeling? What did you think I was going to do even if I was uncomfortable with it?” Jimin asks in a rushed manner, sighing as he shakes his head in disbelief, slightly happy to hear that Jungkook feels no regret about kissing him.“I’m your boss. We signed a contract. I thought that acknowledging it would make it all worse if you actually regretted it. If you don't share my feelings, if you don’t want me in the same way that I want you, everything is ruined.”“B-But… But I do.”For the first time in several minutes, Jungkook falls silent.He appears taken aback, jaw clenched tight enough to snap, his eyes staring so deeply into Jimin’s soul that it makes him nervous with anticipation.The alpha’s scent swells with intensity in a split second, growing larger than life to barrage Jimin’s sense with the musky richness of undeniable satisfaction. Jungkook reaches out in what seems like an instinctual reaction to bring them closer, wrapping his hand around Jimin’s lower back.“I don’t want us to just be colleagues. I don’t want you to think of me as your boss. I don’t want to merely raise pups with you as platonic coparents.” Jungkook states with conviction and finality.“I don’t want that either.”“I want you to be mine. I have for a very long time now. I don’t know exactly when things changed, but after we spent our heat and rut together, I just… It’s all I can think about. I’ve always admired you and deeply cared for you, yet it’s different now. I’ve never wanted anything more than how much I want you to be my omega.”“You’re a fool for thinking I don’t want the same thing. I’ve spent the last five, almost six, months wondering if I was crazy or imagining things or alone in my feelings for you.” Jimin huffs, endeared and irritated simultaneously.“You’re not, I promise.”“Tell me how you want me.” Jimin requests in earnest, desperate for solid confirmation. “Explain what it means for me to be your omega.”“I want you, all of you, at every possible moment of time. I want some things to stay just like they are. I want to scent you and let everyone know who you belong to. I want to drive you to work, feed you lunch, and show you what I’m capable of in court. I also want some things to change. I want to kiss you whenever I want. I want to hug you, cuddle with you, take you on dates, buy you gifts, and make you the happiest omega in the world. I want anything and everything has to do with you, baby.”“Y-Yes. Me too. I want that. I want all of that with you. I’ve never wanted anything more.”“Outside of the fact that we have pups, I want us to be together because we care about each other, not because we feel like we have to since we’re parenting and living together.” Jungkook adds for good measure, clarifying even more, his other hand reaching up to cup Jimin’s jaw.“And the contract?”“Fuck the contract. It’s there for us if we need it, but it’s not a law we have to follow. We have set rules and standards for the future should anything happen between us. The rest is irrelevant.”“Be my alpha.” Jimin pleads, breathless and desperate, faint from the rush of adrenaline racing through his veins.“Hell, yeah.”Jungkook knocks the breath from Jimin’s lungs when he dives in for a kiss, much more enthusiastic and desperate the second time around. He kisses him like he means it, like he waited everyday for a year to press their lips together in this way, pouring an overwhelming amount of passion into the grip he holds on the omega’s body. Instead of a mere peck or press of mouths, the alpha moves their lips together in an open mouthed kiss.“One more thing.” Jungkook growls into Jimin’s ear, placing a hot, wet kiss on his neck.“W-What?”“I want to fuck you. I want to take you apart piece by piece and show you how good I can make you feel. I want to knot you, fill you with my cum, and see your pretty face when your little cock can’t handle it anymore.”“Oh my god.”“When I say I want everything, I mean it. I’ll wait for you like a good, patient alpha.”“I don’t think you’ll have to wait long.” Jimin replies bravely, shivering when he sees the hint of depravity in Jungkook’s eyes. “My… My body wants things. I can’t help it. I’m so—““Needy.”“Yes.”“I know, omega. I can smell it. You’re going to drive me fucking crazy if I have to keep smelling how wet you get just from a little touch.”Despite their rather salacious talk towards the end of the important conversation regarding their relationship together, Jungkook and Jimin possess a disgusting amount of sweetness towards each other. The alpha acts like Jimin personally hangs the stars in the sky every single night, a work of wonder that exists unparalleled by any other being in the universe. Jimin finds himself unable to wipe the smile off his face when he thinks of how well this leap of faith turned out for him.“Come with me to my parents’ house tomorrow.” Jungkook requests in a soft, low voice.“Okay.”“We’re going to have dinner. I’m assuming we’ll talk about some things, probably argue. It might not be pretty.”“I understand.”“Regardless of whether we can reconcile our differences enough to let them in our pups’ lives, I still want them to know about everything. I’m going to give them one last chance.”“I’m proud of you.” Jimin reaches over to take Jungkook’s hand from across the car’s console, bringing his knuckles up for a gentle kiss. “Whatever happens, however it turns out, I’m on your side, alpha. You’re not alone in this.”“Fuck, give me another kiss.”Jimin giggles until he loses the ability to breathe, squealing like a lovesick fool while he playfully attempts to stop Jungkook’s kiss attack to his face. He feels fit to burst with all the delight swelling inside of him. This incredible, handsome, strong, intelligent, capable alpha actually wants him. It feels like a dream come true.Stepping out of the car to return to his apartment alone sucks like pulling teeth, but the promise of tomorrow motivates him to push forward for now.The hallway of Jungkook’s parents’ apartment building starkly contrasts the one that houses their son, the space fairly dark and dingy with a staleness to the air from the lack of ventilation.An older building, for certain.Rows and rows of front doors line the walls in a never ending maze of apartments.Jimin clings to Jungkook’s side like a lifeline as they stand in front of the one numbered ‘1804,’ neither of them in any hurry to ring the doorbell and alert the inhabitants of their presence. Nervousness stains Jungkook’s skin, sticking to him in a way that gives the omega second hand anxiety. He reaches down to apprehend the hand that fell from his waist, squeezing it in reassurance, hopeful that his support makes things easier today.It still sucks from the breath from his lungs when Jungkook presses their lips together in a sweet kiss, offering him his last one for the time being.Family.Jungkook’s parents wear matching looks of surprise, eyes widening and mouths parting as they notice Jimin beside their alpha son, when they push open the door to grant them entrance, but they never falter in their efforts to welcome the two inside their humble abode.“Hello! It’s so good to see you again!” Jungkook’s mom says with a smile.“Hi, mom.”“How are you? It’s not too cold out there, is it? Your cheeks are a little pink.”“It’s fine.”Jungkook turns to help Jimin out of his coat, carefully pulling it down by the shoulders and slipping his arms out of the sleeves, his hands brushing over his belly for a split second before he hangs it on the rack along the wall.“Good to see you, son.” Jungkook’s dad states when he returns to the entryway, demeanor soft like last time Jimin saw him.“Yeah, you too.”“Is this the worker I met when I delivered an order to your firm?”“Yes. This is my legal secretary, Park Jimin. He’s the one who placed the order.” Jungkook announces as he steps to the side and holds out an arm to introduce the omega.“Hello.” Jimin offers them a slight bow, smiling politely, hands clinging to his rounded belly for comfort. “It’s nice to officially meet you.”“It’s lovely to meet you, too.”“You can call me Yerin. My mate’s name is Sungmin.” Jungkook’s mom says softly.“Thank you.”“Well, come on in and sit down at the table. The food will be ready in a few minutes. Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll make some tea for anyone who wants a hot drink with their meal.” Jungkook’s dad, Sungmin, announces as he pads a few feet over to the kitchen.“We’re okay.”An actual dining table with chairs means that Jimin gets to sit comfortably instead of on the floor, abundantly grateful for the support on his lower back as opposed to the difficulty of maneuvering in and out of the space on the ground. He scoots as close to Jungkook as possible, belly nestled up against the wood where he patiently waits for their food to arrive, stomach grumbling just from the delicious smells.Honeysuckle and cream grow stronger in the air the longer they remain inside the apartment, the scents of Jungkook’s parents surprisingly similar in wispy softness to the alpha’s own fresh laundry essence.The food looks absolutely incredible.Sungmin proudly delivers steaming dishes to the table, one after the other, spreading them across the surface of the furniture until every inch of space holds some sort of food. From steaming stoneware pots to chilled side dishes to bowls of plain rice, everything appears fresh, colorful, and homemade. Jimin’s mouth water just staring down at the various dishes prepared for this oddly conflicting occasion.“How long have you two worked together?” Yerin asks after an extended bout of silence.“Since the start.”“About, uh… Around six years now. Getting closer to seven.” Jimin clarifies.“That’s lovely. I’m sure it’s nice to have someone that you know you can rely on. Six years is a long time to stay at the same company.”“It went by quickly.”“Have you tried the marinated crab? It’s one of Jungkook’s favorite dishes. I’m not sure how you do with spice, but you might like it.” Sungmin suggests with a point of his chopsticks, motioning towards the dish in question.“Ah, that’s okay. Thank you, though. I’m sure it’s great.” Jimin smiles politely.“He can’t eat raw seafood right now.”“I guess that just means more for you.” Sungmin shrugs.Idle conversation might feel boring and uncomfortable at times, but Jimin prefers it over shouting matches and disagreements that send the body into a state of panic. As a bystander of this whole ordeal, he appreciates the calmness of the situation while it lasts, hopeful that the night will continue smoothly. He merely stuffs his face and speaks when spoken to.Occasionally glancing up from his plate to gaze at Jungkook’s parents across the table, he notices that their alpha son possesses features from both of them. Rather than coming out as a carbon copy of his mom or dad, he looks like a perfect mixture of them.“Do you like working for my son? Is it a good job? I don’t know much about law and all that, but it seems like a field that will always have job security. I’m sure he pays you well and all that.”“Of course. I like it a lot. I wouldn’t have stayed for this long otherwise.” Jimin answers with a pleasant smile.“Hopefully he doesn’t boss you around too much.”“It isn’t like that.” Jungkook retorts, something almost defensive in his tone, his hand lingering on his cup while he stares at his dad. “I sign the paychecks, but I’m not above him. He works as my equal at the company. We handle the cases together.”“Oh, okay.”“That’s nice, I assume.”“It is.” Jimin nods.Jungkook grows antsier as the minutes tick by, the table falling awkwardly silent until one of his parents chooses to bring up another topic, nothing of substance uttering from anyone’s mouths. He fidgets with his chopsticks, pushes the food around on his plate, and picks at his napkin.Anticipation.Both of them know why they attend this dinner and the knowledge of the conversation to come brings immense anxiety.“I know you said you don’t want to hear anything about the restaurant again, but we have the latest finance reports if you just want to look over them and see how well everything is doing. If you come on board and take it over, we’ll be—““No.” Jungkook growls before Sungmin finishes.“You could still work part time as a lawyer and get to do both. You don’t have to give up your dream to make ours possible.”“Don’t.”“Please, son, just think about it.”“I’m not taking over your fucking restaurant. That’s not why I’m here. There’s something I want to tell you. I don’t know why, but I feel like you should know.” Jungkook declares in a gruff, deep voice, his scent spiking with bitter nervousness.“What is it?”“Is it something good or bad?”“Jimin isn’t just my legal secretary.” Jungkook announces without any further padding, choosing not to beat around the bush and delve straight into the point of this visit. “He’s my omega.”“Do you mean that you’re together? He’s your omega in that way?”“Yeah.”“Oh. That’s… That’s sweet.” Yerin shoots Jimin a kind smile, her eyes flitting back and forth from Jungkook to Jimin.“I know you’re not blind, so you saw that he’s pregnant. The pups are mine, obviously. So… I mean… That technically makes you the pups’ grandparents.” Jungkook states blankly, reaching beneath the table to rest his hand on Jimin’s thigh.“Wait… We’re going to be grandparents?”“Our son is starting his own family? Seriously? This isn’t some kind of joke?”“You can see the proof for yourself.” Jungkook motions to Jimin beside him, reaching over to pat the top of his swollen belly for good measure, the touch soothing to the anxiety brewing in the omega’s chest. “There are two girls in there.”“T-Two?”“Twins?”“Oh my goodness! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you two! This is the best news I’ve heard all year!” Yerin exclaims with shock, jumping to her feet to rush around the table and hug both of them.“I can hardly believe you’re that old already.” Sungmin sighs in disbelief.“I wanted you to hear it from me first. Who knows when the media might pick up on it and choose to announce it to the world. It’s best if I tell you myself instead of letting you find out that way.”“We’re going to be grandparents!”Jungkook lets them adjust to the massive bomb of information before he adds anything else, allowing them to ask a few questions and remark about their joy before he effectively crushes their hopes and dreams. Even if Jimin supports him all the way, knowing precisely what the alpha intends to say, it still makes his heart ache.“This doesn’t change anything.”“What do you mean?” Yerin asks, eyebrows furrowing as her smile drops off her face.“I still feel the same way about having you in my life. Pups or not. As long as you continue to disrespect me and refuse to treat me like my own person, I’m not interested in being around you. You’re not going to treat my girls the same way you treat me. If you can support me as a person, you’re not going to be in my life.”“Jungkook!”“What are you even saying?”“How can you come here and give us such amazing news just to rip out of our hands like that?” Sungmin growls angrily, hitting his fist on the table in front of him.“Would you rather not know at all?”“Of course not!”“How can you support this kind of behavior? Pups need family and support and people who care for them. They need their grandparents in their lives to help raise them into good people.” Sungmin continues to spew his anger, this time glaring at Jimin.“You’re right, they do.”“Exactly, so talk some sense into—““Which is why you need to get your act together and stop degrading your own son’s life path because you want him to do something different. Insulting him and his accomplishments is only driving you further apart. If you keep valuing your restaurant more than your own son, you’ll lose him and his pups.” Jimin says calmly, soft and gentle, attempting to reach the compassion that hopefully still lives inside of them.“Outrageous!”“Is it so criminal for us to want you to carry on the family business? Are you really going to use your own pups as leverage against us?” Yerin asks with exasperation, eyes shiny with unshed tears.“I’m doing no such thing.”“Like hell you aren’t!”“I’m not asking or demanding anything of you. Never once have I tried to bargain anything with my pups on the other end. You’re not in my life, so you’re not in theirs. End of story. I won’t let them feel how you try to make me feel.” Jungkook asserts confidently, standing from his chair before he urges Jimin to rise as well, helping him with a gentle hand to his waist.“Please, Jungkook! Don’t do this to us! We’re your parents! We love you so much!” Yerin cries out across the apartment, desperation in her voice.“You did this to yourself.”“When will these even be born? How far along are you? Are you going to let us know if they’re healthy and… and send pictures to us? Can we really never see them?” Sungmin asks in a hurry before Jungkook and Jimin can hurry out the door.“I’m almost six months pregnant.”“I don’t know about pictures, dad. We’ll see what happens.”They ride in silence on the way home, Jimin unsure what to say or how to comfort Jungkook after such a painful situation. His own challenges with his moms pale in comparison to the struggles that the alpha faces. The lack of familial support for their pups is unfortunate and heartbreaking, but they’ll do everything in their power to ensure they never experience a lack of love in their lives.Adoration.The warmth of abundant consideration for his well-being sizzles every fiber of Jimin’s body until he falls to ash beneath the flames of devotion.Never in a million years did the omega imagine he would end up here—adorning his most elegant clothing, six months pregnant with twin girls in his belly, and standing at the entrance of one of the most expensive restaurants in all of Seoul while he clings to the arm of the most wonderful alpha in the world—but he gladly seizes the opportunity to cherish his blessings to the fullest.“Reservation for Jeon Jungkook.”“Yes, sir.” The attendant declares with a nod, scrolling on the screen at her station before she grabs a couple of menus, stepping out from behind her podium to motion along the pathway. “Follow me, please.”“Thank you very much.”“You’re most welcome. Let us know if you need anything else. Your server will be here momentarily.” The attendant vows on her way out.Awestruck fails to cover the feelings swirling inside of Jimin when he observes the fancy room around them. A private section in the corner of this highly coveted restaurant that boasts windows on both sides that offer an unfettered view of the cityscape sprawling as far as the eye can see. The neon lights sparkle, the full moon glows, and the chandelier glimmers like a diamond, the world bathed in illumination from every angle.“You booked us a private room?” Jimin gawks in pleasant surprise.“Of course.”“I should’ve known you were going to go all out for our first official date.”“I’m not sure why you would expect anything else from me. I’ll accept nothing but the best for my omega, no expense or trouble too much. We only get one of these, you know?” Jungkook remarks in a rich, smooth voice that makes Jimin’s gut tingle with delight.“That’s true.” Jimin hums, unable to stop staring at Jungkook’s handsome face, shamefully neglecting the gorgeous view in the distance. “I’ll let you go wild tonight, but that’s it.”“What about after this?”“Only on special occasions.”“I understand. You’ve always been a fan of the simple life. We’ll go on picnics and visit flower gardens and cook together at home. Don’t you worry, baby.” Jungkook shoots him a smile so attractive and disarming that it sends his heart into a racing fit.“I would like that a lot, alpha.” Jimin replies sweetly, batting his lashes and pulling his glossy lips into a smile.Everything with Jungkook feels effortless.This instance marks their first official date on record, but nothing about it represents the usual first dates that harbor a tinge of awkwardness beneath every layer of thrilling anticipation.Being together in this way happens so naturally that Jimin forgets about the newness of their budding relationship, comfortable enough to bear every part of his soul without fear of rejection. They know each other, respect each other, and appreciate each other to the highest possible degree.Sitting together in a luxurious restaurant eating fancy food brings no pressure to perform, only infatuation for the beauty between them.“Can I try yours?”“Hell yeah. Do you want a little bit of everything? I bet the steak is catching your eye, isn’t it?” Jungkook questions with a knowing glimmer in his dark eyes.“How’d you know?”“I’m proud to say that I know you well, sweetheart.”“I want everything.” Jimin answers decisively, struck with wonder when Jungkook scoots back his chair to round the table and personally feed the omega from his own fork, the gentle grip of his fingers beneath Jimin’s jaw enough to shoot tingles down his spine. “T-Thank you.”“How is it?”“Cooked to perfection.”“Let me grab you a bite of the mashed potatoes now. The garlic flavor is incredible.” Jungkook asserts before he returns to his plate for more food to share.“Oh my god.”“Right?”“Do you want to try mine? I know pasta isn’t as exciting as steak, but it has truffles in it.”“I would love to try yours.” Jungkook smiles.Instead of letting Jimin put forth the effort of maneuvering himself out of his chair to carry a fork full of food across the table to feed the alpha, Jungkook stands steadily beside Jimin while he waits for him to get the food ready. He leans down, opens his mouth, and gladly accepts the pasta from Jimin’s hand.The omega valiantly attempts to ignore the way warmth flickers in his belly at the mere sight of Jungkook’s wet mouth, refusing to allow his hormones to betray him at such a crucial moment.“Good?”“Delicious.”“I need to learn how to cook dimensional dishes like this. Everything I make is so basic. I want to feed my family well.” Jimin says confidently, instincts swelling with pride when Jungkook’s cotton scent spikes with spice at the statement.“We can learn together.”“That would be so much fun! Let’s do it!”“Have another bite.” Jungkook requests gently, leaning over the table to offer Jimin another slice of his perfectly rare steak, practically oozing with flavor and juice. “I love seeing you eat so well.”“Our Petals enjoy it too.” Jimin declares with a dazzling smile, rubbing his belly.“How do you know?”“I can just tell. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s kind of… It’s like I can feel them.”“Wow.”“It’s not scientific. I don’t think so, anyway. I’m sure telepathy isn’t actually real. But… But I feel like I can sense them sometimes. I know it probably sounds crazy and—““It doesn’t sound crazy at all, baby. I believe you. They’re living inside of you, after all.” Jungkook reassures him like always.“That means a lot to me. Thank you, alpha.”As it so commonly happens with Jimin and Jungkook, they feel like the only two people in the world while on their fancy date. They focus only on themselves, indulgent to the highest degree, stuck in a bubble that never seems to dissipate no matter how long the dinner continues.They feed each other more than they feed themselves, overjoyed to share their plates of food to experience all the tastes this restaurant offers.Jimin shoots stars from his eyes while he watches Jungkook simply exist across from him. He revels in the satisfaction of knowing this alpha cares for him, chooses him, fathers the pups in his rounded belly. It feels like he floats on a cloud all evening, his head propped up by a hand under his chin as he savors in the glory of fresh cotton and floral gracing his senses.The loveliest date of all time.“How do you feel about pickles?”“Pickles?”“Mhm.”“Uh… I don’t know. They’re okay.” Jimin answers after a pause to think about the random question. “Why do you ask?”“It’s apparently a classic pregnancy craving.”“Oh, right!”“I haven’t heard anything about them yet, so I’m assuming that’s not a craving for you. You’ve been more into the sugary sweets.” Jungkook answers succinctly, sipping from his glass of sparkling water as he eyes Jimin across the table.“All I want is sugar these days.”“True.”“We just ate an entire meal and I could chomp down a whole chocolate cake if I had one in front of me. I don’t know what it is.” Jimin sighs and shakes his head, both amused and disgusted.“Luckily for you, I already researched the area and found a dessert cafe just down the block.”“Really?” Jimin gasps, eyes wide, mouth dropping open.“Of course.”“You’re truly the best.”“Thank you, baby. You’re too sweet. I hope you’re having a nice time with me tonight.” Jungkook says from his spot beside Jimin’s chair, pulling him into his arms for a warm embrace once he makes it to his swollen feet.“It’s the greatest night ever.” Jimin exclaims as he pulls back to press their lips together.“This is why I paid a pretty penny for us to have a private room for ourselves. I can kiss you as much as I want and no one even knows. You’re all mine in here, omega.”“I’m all yours everywhere.”They stroll through the restaurant with their hands tangled together, leisurely making their way into the elevator to reach the ground floor. Instead of hurrying to the car to leave, they take their precious time exploring the lobby area of the skyscraper building. It hosts an indoor garden and a sprawling fountain that both capture their attention for a good several minutes. Fingers interlacing, bellies full, and hearts thumping, they highly enjoy their time together.“Do you think it’s gross to share spoons like this?” Jimin asks as he licks the ice cream off his utensil, savoring every last drop of vanilla richness that hits his tongue.“Not one bit.”“Yeah, but we’re getting our spit all over it before we shove it into each other’s mouths. I think some people find it nasty.”“Baby, I mean this in the most factual way possible. I’ve had all kinds of your bodily fluids in my mouth and saliva is the least nasty one. I’m not even phased by sharing spit with you. In fact, I’m quite pleased with the idea of doing exactly that.” Jungkook states without a moment of hesitation, so raw and blunt that it brings a burning blush to the omega’s chubby cheeks.“D-Don’t do this to me right now.”“What?”“Let me eat this hot fudge cake in peace.” Jimin all but pleads, feeling melty and gooey himself. “I would very much like to walk out of this place dry and only sticky from the sugar I’ve eaten.”“My apologies.”“Sure.”“I forgot how easily you’re affected these days. I should at least wait until we get back to the car.” Jungkook smirks a devilish grin, pleased with himself when Jimin rolls his eyes and scoffs.They continue their previously established habit of feeding one another for no good reason whatsoever, sitting side by side at a table along the wall of the cafe while they stare into each other’s souls, far too obsessed for it to exist as anything other than nauseatingly disgusting. Jungkook steals a kiss when Jimin smears whipped cream across his lips and again when he feeds him a cherry from his own mouth.Maybe they should tone it down instead of making everyone in their general vicinity sick with their overly affectionate ways, but neither of them care enough to change. Waiting months and months for this only makes them more desperate for togetherness.Jungkook’s chivalrous behavior never wanes, still holding open the car door and helping Jimin into his seat before he settles himself on the driver’s side.“Oh!”“What? What is it? What’s wrong?” Jungkook asks in a panicked voice, glancing over instead of focusing on the road.“I… I felt something.”“Something?”“I’m not sure, but maybe…” Jimin trails off as he stares down at his rounded belly, attempting to focus on the sensation in hopes of experiencing it again. He caresses the underside near his seatbelt where the feeling occurred.“We’re almost at your apartment building.”“A kick! I think it was a kick! It was something like, for sure. I’m feeling it again right now!”“Holy shit. Is this the first time the pups have kicked?”“Yes!” Jimin practically shouts with jubilation, nearly moved to tears with excitement at this special moment, fascinated by the little bubbly feeling bouncing against his swollen stomach. “That has to be it! They’re kicking so much!”The omega remains transfixed on his belly as if he could visualize the kicking from the outside, uncaring of the darkness of night and layers of clothing covering his flesh. His smile beams like a beacon while he encouragingly coaxes them into continuing their bubbly bouncing. After months and months of carrying these Petals inside of him, it feels surreal to finally experience this part of pregnancy that allows him to bond with his pups in a new way.“Maybe you can feel it better without my shirt in the way like this.”“It’s so light and gentle. They’re just barely tapping against your belly. I wonder if it’s only one of them doing all the movements.” Jungkook says in his raspy voice, hands splayed against the bare flesh since Jimin raised his shirt.“I think it’s only one.”“Really? Why? Is it another telepathy moment?”“Yes.” Jimin nods, giggling.“Kick me some more, Petal. Let me feel your strength. Show me what you’re made of. Keep doing whatever it is that you’re doing. Punching, poking, kicking, slapping. I want everything that you’ve got right now.” Jungkook slides back the console to lean in closer to Jimin’s exposed flesh, speaking directly to the pups in his belly.“O-Oh! Wow!”“Thank you, precious angel.”“I think they like it when you’re close and talking to them like this.” Jimin replies with breathless wonder.“Just don’t kick your daddy too hard because you don’t want to hurt him, right? It might be really uncomfortable if you knock his ribs or something. For now, you can go full strength, but you’ll have to hold back later.”“That’s a good point. Listen to him, please.”With their bodies already touching in this intimate way, pressing together so closely in the tight proximity of Jungkook’s expensive sports car, drawing towards one another feels like an inevitable fact of life for them. Neither of them hardly offer the notion any thought before they find their mouths ready to connect once more.Unlike all the other times they shared simple, basic kisses mostly laden with innocence, Jungkook guides them into something deeper from the start.He gently dips his tongue past the junction of their lips.Jimin easily grants him entrance, more than delighted to explore this new avenue of closeness. He sighs into it, relaxes back against his seat, and follows the lead the alpha sets for them. Scorching hot wetness overtakes his senses when he opens up for Jungkook, already panting when he licks into his mouth and directs their motions into a coordinated rhythm.He tastes deliciously sweet on Jimin’s tongue.“I want you closer.”“There’s… There’s n-nowhere for me to go.” Jimin whispers breathily, hands lazily resting on top of Jungkook’s broad shoulders for purchase. “Belly’s in the way.”“If I was less of a gentleman, I’d pick you up and haul your ass right into my lap.”“M-Maybe not on a first date.”“I think we’re already doing everything out of order, baby. This date is more of a formality than anything. I knotted you and put my pups in your belly, after all.” Jungkook croons in a low, cocky voice that sends a flutter through the omega’s overheated gut.“Kiss me more, alpha.”“Fuck.”Jungkook happily obliges to Jimin’s pleading, leaning so far over the console that he practically lays on top of him in the passenger seat, hands roaming wherever he pleases as he passionately kisses the omega like he wants. He cups his chubby cheek, sucks his tongue into his mouth, swallows down the sickeningly sweet saliva dripping from his lips, and hungrily takes everything Jimin has to offer. It continues for a lifetime, yet nowhere near long enough.“As much as I would love to sit here all night and kiss you until my lips bruise, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. This can’t be good for your back. Plus, it’s past your bedtime.”“My back does hurt.”“I’m sorry.”“It kind of always hurts, though. I wish we could be a little more spontaneous and wild, but I’m not exactly made for that right now. Sorry.” Jimin says apologetically, wishing he could do anything and everything without hesitation.“Stop apologizing for things that aren’t even a problem in the first place.”“I can’t help it.”“You’re perfect, baby. I love being with you any way that I can. It doesn’t bother me at all that we have certain limitations due to our Petals. Having you at all is fucking amazing.” Jungkook declares before he pulls Jimin in for one last, consuming kiss.“T-Thank you, alpha. You’re too good to me. I don’t know how you’re real.”“It’s what you deserve.”“Will you carry me?” Jimin musters the bravery to ask for such a ridiculous thing, the idea lingering in his mind for a while now, too tempting to resist his inner omega’s desires. “It’s okay if it’s too much, I just… It won’t be long before I’m too big and you won’t be able to carry me anymore. I really want to see what it’s like.”“Is that a challenge, omega? You best believe I’m going to carry you until the very end, no matter how big you get.”“You can try.”Jungkook effortlessly swoops Jimin off his feet once he steps out of the car, hoisting him into a bridal carry before he kicks the door closed and heads into the apartment building.Holding back his giggles proves difficult, but Jimin buries his face in Jungkook’s neck for good measure.The alpha never even breaks a sweat, his breathing remains collected, the grip of his hands stays in place, and he steadily climbs up the stairs until he reaches the top floor. His scent spikes with contentment when Jimin places a gentle kiss to his scent gland, something so comforting about letting Jungkook take care of him like this.“Goodnight, Secretary Park. Thank you for the most wonderful first date in history. I hope you sleep well tonight.” Jungkook says before he leans forward to peck him on the forehead.“Goodnight, Attorney Jeon. Thank you for making my night so special. It was such a lovely date.”“I’ll see you soon, my babies.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“When I said I wanted a big, juicy burger, this is exactly what I meant!” Jimin exclaims excitedly, buzzing with so much happiness that he might burst out of his skin at any moment. Saliva pools in his mouth as he prepares his food for eating, arranging everything for optimal devouring. “Thank you so much for letting me pick the meal! You guys are the best!”“Okay, fine. I take it back, alright? Does that make you happy? I take back what I said!” Taehyung states dramatically.“That’s exactly what I thought you’d say.”“I’m not responsible for what comes out of my mouth when I’m hungry. Yes, I originally wanted pizza and I was angry about it. Obviously now I'm glad we let him choose.”“Seeing that smile is better than eating pizza.” Hoseok declares as he stares at Jimin’s glowing, cheek-splitting smile.“Oh my god! It’s so much better than it looks! This is the best burger I’ve ever had!”“Eat to your heart’s content, sweetness.”“The fries too! What’s better than crinkle fries and a burger? I’ve never wanted a meal as bad as this one! Mmm, so good!” Jimin gushes endlessly, shoving bite after bite into his mouth without a care in the world.“I feel full just watching him.”“Don’t worry, Taehyung. I’ll be hungry again in a few hours. We can order late night pizza and eat it next to the Christmas tree.”“Leave Jungkook’s ass and be with me. I’m in love with you.” Taehyung declares with a hand to his heart.“Sorry, but no.”The craziest part of all is the fact that Jimin sincerely means every word he says. Each bite of his food sends a tidal wave of satisfaction through his veins, experiencing such monumental contentment that he could die in this moment with a smile on his face. Fulfilling a craving while pregnant remains an unparalleled source of happiness that he never knew until now.When his arms grow tired of holding his burger up to his mouth, Seokjin and Hoseok feed him fries dipped in cheese sauce without him even asking.The peanut butter milkshake to drink truly ties it all together.“I’m glad you’re enjoying your meal, but why does it sound like you’re about to come all over yourself every time you take a bite?” Hoseok asks with a grin, staring at Jimin beside him.“I literally am.”“Huh?”“What the hell are you saying?”“I’m just joking! Well… Kind of.” Jimin confesses sheepishly, cheeks heating without his permission, his eyes darting away to the table. “I told you guys that it happens so easily these days. I… I can’t help it! Don’t judge me!”“I didn’t know it was that easily.”“Maybe you should stop being a prude and ask Jungkook to fuck you. You’re depriving yourself and this is what happens.” Taehyung states with a shake of his head.“At least get yourself off, darling. It’s probably worse if you don’t.”“Trust me, it happens no matter what I do. I almost fell and busted my head on the sink a few days ago. The second I stepped under the shower head, I just… You know… I-It was intense enough to almost black out.”“Holy fuck.”“That’s it. I’m getting pregnant!”After finishing up their meals, Jimin eating a second burger that Seokjin ordered in case the omega ended up wanting more, they transition into decoration mode. They mean business. None of them play about holiday preparations, putting on a Christmas playlist while they bust open the storage boxes of seasonal goodies that Seokjin keeps for this occasion.With gaudy sweaters on their bodies and steaming mugs of hot chocolate on the counter, they get to work.The only thing more fun than decorating for Christmas is decorating for Christmas with their closest friends that make everything a joyous experience. Flouncing around the apartment as they string up lights, hang garlands, add fake snow to everything, and deck the place out in decor feels like heaven on Earth.“Can you hold the bottom still while I put the star on top? I’m afraid the whole thing is going to tip over.” Seokjin asks, standing on his tippy toes trying to reach the apex of the tree.“Of course.”“It looks gorgeous!”“I love all the new ornaments you added this year. The retro theme is so colorful.” Hoseok bounces around excitedly.“Which ornament is your favorite? Everyone has to pick one! Mine is the ultra realistic piece of kimchi that sparkles.” Seokjin asserts without even taking time to think it over.“I like the giant snowflakes!”“Hmm… The little Santa Claus in front of his house in the North Pole, I think.”“Mine is the little twin deers.” Jimin says with a soft smile, reaching out to brush his finger over the adorable ornament with two doe with bows in hair as they cuddle together in the snow. “It’s the sweetest thing.”“They made me think of your pups, so I had to get it.”“It’s perfect.”“Next year we can add ornaments made specifically for them. I always see those D.I.Y ones where you use clay to preserve the pups’ footprints. Or you can do it with paint. Handprints, too. The world is our oyster.” Taehyung comments off-handedly.“I’m adding the idea to my list as we speak.” Seokjin says, literally typing on his phone.“Everyone crowd together in front of the tree! I’m going to put the camera on a timer, so we have to be quick. Jimin should stand in the front.”“Oh! We should put on our antlers for the picture!”“Good idea!”They take an obscene amount of photos to memorialize the moment in time, laughing until they cry with all the silly faces and poses they attempt. Decorating for the holidays like this has become a sort of tradition since they moved into their own spaces. Since Seokjin resides in the biggest, most spacious apartment, it only makes sense to deck the place out to the highest possible caliber. Jimin thinks he’ll remember these days for the rest of his life.“I need to sleep on the outside because I’ll have to get up and pee a million times throughout the night.”“Fair point.”“And I already know I’m going to get hungry and grab a slice of pizza from the fridge for a little snack. I need to be able to get in and out of bed easily.” Jimin explains as he digs through his overnight bag for his toothbrush and toiletries.“That means our arrangement is decided. I’m on one side and Jimin’s on the other.”“Why do you get the other side?”“It’s my damn bed!”“So me and Taehyung are in the middle? Wow… Pregnancy privilege is no joke.” Hoseok groans, flopping onto his back in the middle of the gigantic mattress.“Shotgun sleeping next to Jimin!”“What? No way! That’s not fair! I wasn’t ready!”“That’s the point.” Taehyung laughs like a villain from an animated fairytale movie. “I get to cuddle with his belly and you get to sleep with Seokjin.”“I take offense to whatever you’re insinuating, brat!”Rarely do they actually plan full sleepovers like this, especially now as they grow older with their own spaces. The opportunity to cuddle up together in one bed evokes a sense of nostalgia to their college days when they practically spent every moment together, sleeping and awake.Something about innate belonging fills Jimin’s soul with delight. Acceptance of the rawest form never fails to light a spark in his heart.Family.Everyone changes into their matching, silky pajamas, brushes their teeth, washes their face, plugs their phone into the charger, and climbs into bed to relax until they inevitably fall asleep for the night. The air smells of maple syrup and lavender and root beer and marshmallow. A soft glow illuminates from the living room where all the Christmas decorations twinkle.It feels like home.“I’m just not sure that I actually want to be in a relationship. Fucking around is fun and all, but I hate feeling tied down. I don’t want to be bound to anyone except myself. The loss of freedom is too much for me.” Seokjin says candidly, all of them staring off into the darkness while they bare their souls.“Who’s to say you have to be bound to just one person? There are all kinds of relationship dynamics out there.”“You can be in a relationship and still have freedom, if that’s what you want.”“I mean, sure. I don’t need the relationship part, though. I’m fine with just having casual sex whenever I want and doing my own thing otherwise.” Seokjin clarifies further.“Do you ever worry you’ll end up lonely that way? I do.” Taehyung whispers softly.“Not really.”“I do, too.” Hoseok adds.“I have so many people in my life that I love more than anything. I don’t feel like I’m lacking or missing out. I give all of myself to my work and those I care about. It’s more than enough to keep me fulfilled.”“What if everyone leaves you behind?”“What do you mean?”“Like… Like Jimin. What if everyone gets married and has pups and moves away for their family? Aren’t you worried that things won’t stay like this forever?” Hoseok asks with a concerned edge to his voice.“No.”“Really?”“Jimin’s already having pups and with their father. Yoongi and Namjoon are married. Half of those things you listed are already true. Even if things change, you’ll still be in my life. We’ll adapt and make the most of what we have.” Seokjin says succinctly, his outlook on the world refreshing.“I’m not going anywhere.” Jimin declares for the first time in a while.“Me either.”“I’m not either.”“See? We don’t have to fear the future. I believe it’ll all work out like it should.”“I don’t even know if I’ll end up in a relationship. I might be here with you for the rest of my life. I guess things aren’t as cut and dry as they used to be.” Taehyung states with a hum, tracing his finger up and down Jimin’s arm while they cuddle.“I think platonic love is no less important than romantic love.”“That’s true.”“We’re a family. An unconventional one, certainly, but we’re a family of our own making at the end of the day. We’ll always have each other.” Seokjin provides another nugget of wisdom that sends a visceral reaction through Jimin’s body.“Soon enough, it’ll get even bigger with the addition of our two newest members.”“I can’t wait.” Jimin whispers, a knot in his throat.“It’s going to be so much fun.”Jimin remains true to his word, getting out of bed several times throughout the duration of the night. He heads to the bathroom to relieve his bladder, grabs a slice of sweet potato pizza from the fridge, and walks around the twinkling living room to release the soreness from his body.He appreciates the chance to exist in the calmness of night with the security of his friends right next to him, watching them sleep peacefully like a little creep.Taehyung always returns to his cuddling position when Jimin enters beneath the blankets again. His hands naturally rest around the swollen bump protruding from his hips, occasionally caressing it in a soothing manner even while he sleeps. The warmth of his body brings Jimin immense comfort, so safe and loved even in this time of constant change.The sun rises again in the blink of an eye.Another day.“Can we go get brunch before you take me home? I’m craving eggs and bacon and pancakes and hash browns and—““Yes.” Seokjin replies almost instantly. “Hell yes.”“Yay! Thank you! I love you so much!” Jimin squeals happily as he engulfs Seokjin in a squeezing hug. “You’re the best!”“I love you, too.”Since Jimin no longer needs an excuse to ride to work with Jungkook—not that he ever truly needed one in the first place—he accepts the generous offer with open arms, overjoyed to spend additional time together with his alpha before they officially begin their days at work in the office.It comes just in time since his rejection of unfamiliar scents surmounts into something unbearable, doing almost anything in a crowded public place feeling like torture to the omega.“This is unnecessary.”“There’s nothing wrong with me wanting to walk you to the car.”“I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it. I said it’s unnecessary, because it is. You’re coming all the way up here just to escort me to the car.” Jimin repeats with fondness and amusement thick in his words.“Let me do what I want.” Jungkook huffs childishly, earning an airy giggle in response.“You’re just trying to steal some kisses.”“I don’t need to walk up to your apartment to get kisses from you, baby. I can have them anytime I want. It’s just a perk.”Regardless of his refusal of the notion, he certainly acts like a starved man when he extends his arms to welcome Jimin into his embrace, fresh laundry undeniably thick as he pulls the pregnant omega into him for a good morning kiss.He only lingers for a minute or two, delivering several, soft kisses to Jimin’s lips before he ends the endeavor with an open-mouthed peck that sends Jimin’s senses reeling with pleasure.Too much, yet never enough.With a steady hand around the curve of his waist and a watchful eye observing every move that Jimin makes, Jungkook guides them out of the tiny apartment to lead
them to the car parked on the sidewalk just in front of the building. He ducks Jimin’s head with a hand atop his hair, assists him in buckling his seatbelt, then closes the passenger door. The alpha clearly enjoys helping him with absolutely everything.If he possessed less infatuation and adoration for Jungkook, maybe the amount of attention would bother him.“You make my life so much more fun, baby. I hope you know that. Having you here makes everything better.” Jungkook rasps sweetly, his words smooth like butter, leaning over at the red light to peck Jimin’s lips.“Really? You mean that?”“I would never lie to you.” Jungkook declares adamantly.“Thank you for saying such sweet things, alpha.”“I’m such a boring stick in the mud when I’m on my own. I never realized how serious and focused I am when I’m alone.” Jungkook says as he motions towards the paper bag on the console. “I would never stop to grab breakfast or take the longer route to drive over the drive if you weren’t here with me. It’s honestly great.”“It’s nice to enjoy the simple things while we have the chance. Every day is just the same, monotonous routine otherwise.”“You’re going to be the best dad in the whole world, omega.”“Stop before you make me cry.”They exit the car, step onto the elevator, and pass through security before they make their way to the office upstairs. Existing as a team, an attorney and a legal secretary dedicated to the same cases, proves a dream come true instead of a burden or concern in their lives. Beyond their ability to work together well, it provides them with ample time by each other’s sides at all times of the day.Knowing that Jungkook sits in an office just down the hallway quells any worries the omega might experience throughout the day.Comfort, safety, consideration.Jimin meticulously pours his heart into every case that reaches his desk, devoutly intent on bringing justice to the cruel ways of the world. He makes it his life mission to complete tasks in a timely manner, create no mistakes that could harm his goal, and assist Jungkook in every way possible to ensure that these victims receive their dues. No matter the case or the level of notoriety of the individuals involved, he works tirelessly for them.Sometimes, though, the details of the harrowing cases touch his heart more than others.“Isn’t he just the cutest thing?” Seo-ah asks as she takes pictures of Jimin and her nephew with her phone. “I didn’t know it was possible to love someone else’s pup as much as this.”“He’s part of your family.”“I know, but it’s different. I would jump in front of a train for him. I guess I just didn’t expect to feel so strongly.”“Hello, sweet boy. What are you staring at? Hmm? Why do you keep looking back at me like that? I see you smiling. Yes, I do. Are you wondering who I am and what you’re doing here?” Jimin questions in a soothing coo, smiling down at the pup in his lap.“I think he must find your scent soothing or something. Maybe he feels that parental instinct with you.”“You think so?”“He’s not usually that calm and happy with me.” Seo-ah replies with a breathy sigh.“I think it just takes time. Don’t take it personally. The more you’re around him and letting him get familiar with you, the easier it’ll be. I’m sure you’re great with him.”“Hopefully he thinks so too.”After a brief pit stop to rest his eyes following a couple of hours of staring at his computer screen, gladly seizing the opportunity to play with Seo-ah’s nephew who visits the office while his mom attends an appointment, Jimin returns to the responsibilities at hand to complete the most important ones before his lunch break.He finds it difficult not to think about the horrifying details of a murder case involving a pregnant omega and his unborn child, gut-wrenching pain shooting through his heart each time he stares at the case file sitting on the edge of his desk.He selfishly wishes he could escape this facet of reality since it hits so close to home.Luckily for Jimin, his strongest sense of comfort resides only a short walk away from his office, readily available with ample amounts of affection to offer once lunchtime rolls around.“Hi, alpha!”“Hey!”“It’s finally time to eat again!”“I think you need a new coat, baby. The one you have doesn’t even cover your full belly anymore. Your most important part is the only one not protected from the cold in that thing.” Jungkook declares out of nowhere, already arranging their food across his desk when Jimin enters his office.“That’s… That’s really random.”“I’ve been thinking about it since this morning because it bothered me so much. Will you search for a new one today? I’m ready to order it right this second.”“Yeah, okay. I’ll do it after lunch.” Jimin nods, finding no reason to deny the request.“Thank you.”They sit across from each other at Jungkook’s massive desk while they devour the delicious food the alpha ordered. This aspect of their daily routine receives no changes since the development in their relationship, most of their lives already centered around spending as much time together as possible. Sometimes, it hardly feels like anything changed at all.An insatiable hunger ravages Jimin these days, never satisfied no matter how much food he consumes, the pups in his belly absorbing everything before he receives the chance. He eats and eats and eats, shameless about the need to fill his stomach all hours of the day. The omega feels like a bottomless pit for food that only grows deeper and wider with each passing day. It scares him to think about the next couple months still left of pregnancy, unsure how he’ll tolerate it that long.Gratitude washes over him when he glances up from his bowl of soup to lay eyes on the handsome alpha sitting across from him, dressed impeccably well in his navy suit with his hair combed back into a neat curve, the pinnacle of charm and attractiveness.“Yoongi’s asking me if you still like brownies. He wants to know if you’ve moved on to another food, or if you’re still into them.”“I like pretty much all foods right now.”“Yeah, but are you crazy about brownies?” Jungkook asks with a knowing look in his eyes.“Hmm… Not crazy about them. No.”“What do you like the most?”“It changes like every other day at this point. I wouldn’t be opposed to brownies, just to be clear. I’m happy with any sweets I can shove into my mouth.” Jimin answers honestly, possessing any inkling towards why the alpha asks Jungkook this question. “My top favorites right now are cinnamon rolls and white chocolate chip cookies.”“I’ll let him know.”Rather than returning to his office once he finishes eating, Jimin silently waddles across the room to make himself comfortable on the couch. He plops right down like he owns the thing, undoubtedly tired enough to knock out into a nap if he lets himself. The mat in his own office becomes nearly impossible to use comfortably since his belly makes it difficult to get into the floor and back up again without help.“How do you look so good every day? You’re basically a model without even trying.”“I think my well-tailored clothes do most of the heavy lifting. I don’t even do anything except get dressed and style my hair. I only look put together because I’m wearing a suit worth five million won.”“You don’t give yourself enough credit.” Jimin swiftly refutes the notion with a shake of his head.“You’re sweet, baby.”“Kiss?”Jimin asks and Jungkook relents regardless of the fact that both of them know better. Once they start kissing, they never want to stop. Stepping over that line at work never leads to anything good, especially considering the omega’s hormones reach unprecedented levels as his pregnancy progresses. Still, neither of them muster the willpower to ignore their desire for affection, relenting to the instincts inside of them.They mostly behave themselves this time around, largely due to the plethora of client meetings and court appearances scheduled for the second half of the day.Knowing this marks the end of the time together gives them motivation to indulge a little, but nothing more.“Are you sure you don’t want to come to court with me? You almost punched an alpha in the face because his scent bothered you in the convenience store yesterday. Riding the subway right now probably isn’t the best idea. I can take you home as soon as I’m done with my appointments.” Jungkook questions with concern in his voice, dousing Jimin in his scent by rubbing his face over the omega’s scent gland.“Don’t worry about it, alpha. I’ll be okay. Seokjin’s going to pick me up today so we can go shopping.”“That’s good.” Jungkook states with a hum. “I’ll miss you, sweetheart.”“I’ll miss you more!”“Not a fucking chance!”The uncontainable joy in the air provides a perfect atmosphere for working, Jimin curling up in his desk chair with a fuzzy blanket wrapped around his shoulders, steaming drinks readily available to warm his insides too, his surroundings nothing but cozy while he slaves away on the documents needed for early the next morning.All kinds of exciting things await on the horizon. It will forever shock him how quickly life flies by, especially as an adult with obligations that eat away at his days.His pups will arrive in a couple short months.The stress of the end of year rush weighs heavily on Jungkook’s shoulders, so Jimin decides to purchase a relaxation package for the alpha for the upcoming weekend. He buys him a day pass at an expensive indoor golf course on the outskirts of Seoul, complete with two meals, a full body massage, and a caddy to drive him around the property. It doesn’t seem like much, but he hopes it momentarily relieves some of the pressure of life.Jungkook deserves to pour into himself as well, not just endlessly devoting himself to others.His omega will make that happen.As much as Jimin wants to protest the idea of his friends throwing a pup shower for him, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of energy and effort that goes into planning such an ordeal, he understands that this might serve as his only pregnancy for the entirety of his life.He knows he should experience all the ups and downs of having pups, including the opportunity to gather together and allow those in his life to celebrate the joyous occasion.Seokjin, Taehyung, and Hoseok coordinate the whole thing.The only thing on Jimin’s list, a literal physical list typed by Seokjin, is to wear something cute for pictures and arrive on time at the venue. Nothing more, nothing less. He knows nothing about the theme or the cost or the guests in attendance, merely focusing on getting himself to the pup shower in a presentable and timely manner.Jungkook assists him with his measly duties since the alpha rarely leaves his side anyway.“As much as I appreciate the offer, I would like to shower alone today. It’s for the best that you’re not traumatized before we even arrive at this party.” Jimin says in jest, though truth lingers in his words.“Why the hell would I be traumatized? I’ve seen you naked before, omega.”“That might as well not even count. I don’t look anything like that anymore. My body is completely different, and not in a good way.”“Baby—““Let me hurry up and wash my hair. Be right back!”Thankfully, their previous conversation fades from their memory, both of them focusing on getting ready for the event instead of discussing something so heavy. Jimin blow dries his hair, styles it, and applies a thin layer of makeup to his face since he just knows a professional photographer will snap photos of him all day. He waits until the last possible minute to dress in real clothes since he finds them horrifically uncomfortable now.“I wanted to wear an ugly Christmas sweater that makes my belly look like a giant ornament, but I’m afraid Seokjin would rip it right off of me. He specifically told me to look cute today.”“Good thing you look cute everyday. That’s an easy request for you.”“Do you think this looks okay?”“It’s perfect.” Jungkook declares with a nod, eyes scanning up and down Jimin’s outfit. “The white top with pink pants is a classic Jimin outfit. Plus, it probably matches the theme since we’re having girls. You look beautiful.”“Thank you, alpha. You’re the sweetest. I’m glad you still think I look nice.”“Of course, I do.”“We’re kind of matching, too. The shade of pink is the same on my pants and your tie. Pink, gray, and white. My belly is definitely the main attraction, though. It’s already huge.” Jimin remarks as he stares at himself and Jungkook in the mirror, almost ready to depart.“That’s how it should be.”Nerves ignite in Jimin’s veins as he enters through the grand doors of the event hall Seokjin reserved for the pup shower, unsure what to expect or what might await him on the other side. He clutches his rounded belly for comfort, Jungkook guiding him alone with a protective hand wrapped around his lower back. The anticipation builds and builds until he finally steps out of the entryway.Gorgeous.Absolutely stunning.The sight before him immediately steals the breath from his lungs, rendering him speechless the moment the intricacies of the decorations come into sight.In a much smaller, more intimate space than Jimin imagined, an array of stunning flower arrangements fill the room. They hang from arches along the walls, sit in the center of the tables as bouquets, and stand tall like statues near every display for the event. Various shades of pink and white, from roses to carnations to baby’s breath. Some of them contain strings of lights woven within them, others placed in vases with beads around the base.It far surpasses any expectations that Jimin initially harbored when he learned of this pup shower.Silky, pale pink ribbons hang in bows from the back of the dining chairs around the tables. Lacey, white tablecloths line the flat surfaces. Strings of pearls serve as garland to accentuate plain sections.Perfect.“T-This is so beautiful!” Jimin exclaims through his sniffles, failing at holding back his tears when his friends walk up to greet him. “Thank you so, so, so much!”“Do you like it? Is it everything you dreamed of for a pup shower?”“Better!”“I’m so glad that you like it, sweetie. We wanted to go all out for your first, and maybe only, pup shower. Nothing too big or extravagant, but just right for you.” Seokjin says sweetly, pulling Jimin in for a hug.“You’re the b-best friends I could ever have! This is too much!”“It’s never enough.” Taehyung replies as he grins.“I love you!”“We love you, too!” Hoseok declares when he takes his turn to hug the pregnant omega. “You know we love celebrating and having fun. This is the perfect excuse for all of us.”Once Jimin recovers from his emotional fit enough to stop the tears from dripping down his chubby cheeks, he strolls from table to table to address everyone in attendance. His friends invited a reasonable amount of people, less than 20 in total. Yoongi and Namjoon, Seo-ah, a couple of their other friends from college, and colleagues that he connected with over the years. A lovely, personal affair without too much attention.His focus naturally drifts to the tables along the wall that hold a plethora of different foods, most of them finger foods that they can easily eat without making too much of a mess. From charcuterie boards to fried chicken, his mouth waters just staring at them from a distance.“We’re going to eat first, so everyone grab your plates and head to the buffet. We’ll let the guest of honor fill his plate first, of course.” Hoseok announces to the crowd of people sitting at their tables.“I’m so glad you didn’t have a formal, fancy meal catered. No offense. This is so much better.”“Seokjin wanted to, but we knew you’d prefer this.” Taehyung comments.“You know me so well.”Jimin overloads his plate so much that Jungkook runs off to grab him a second one to fill to his heart’s content. He wants to try every single option available. Fruits and vegetables, sandwiches, pasta, meatballs, rolls, kimbap, fried chicken. The omega literally gets at least a bite of everything on the buffet lines.A cup of strawberry punch feels like the perfect drink to pair with his meal, so he gets that along with water.He decides to save dessert for later.“I see now what Jungkook meant when he said you didn’t have a specific craving. You like everything, don’t you? Fucking hell.” Yoongi states in amusement as Jimin sits in the chair beside him with his overflowing plates.“Yes.”“Isn’t it rude to comment on a pregnant person’s eating habits?” Namjoon questions.“It’s rude to comment on anyone’s eating habits, but I think we get a pass this time since it’s relevant. Jimin knows we don’t mean anything negative by it.”“I don’t mind.” Jimin agrees, smiling. “I’m happy that I’m able to eat so much.”“The doctor said that it’s good that he has such a strong appetite and likes a variety of foods. He’s already naturally small, so he needs to keep gaining weight to make sure we have chubby little pups. Hopefully his eating habits mean they’ll come out liking everything too.” Jungkook explains proudly, reaching over to pat Jimin’s belly.“Does it work like that?”“Can they even tell the difference in what he’s eating?”“Of course not.” Seokjin answers.He sits at a table with all of their closest friends while he stuffs his face with delicious foods, taking a break to breathe because his fervor leaves him winded. It feels nice to enjoy everyone’s company like this, not a care in the world besides celebrating him and his pups. Jungkook offers him unrelenting care at every turn to ensure he never experiences discomfort or pain.“I, for one, am not shocked in the slightest. This was a long time coming. Jimin isn’t the type to just fuck without catching feelings. He was a goner from the beginning.” Taehyung declares without any consideration for his crude words.“Taehyung!”“Well, he’s got a point.”“Funnily enough, Jungkook isn’t either. He’s way too soft to not fall in love after pupping someone. It seems like they’re a match made in heaven.” Namjoon hums while he nods.“It worked out pretty well at the end of the day. I’m not mad about it.”“Me either, baby.”“Okay! Enough of that!” Yoongi chokes out when Jimin and Jungkook share a few innocent kisses.“Time for games!”Considering Jimin can count on one finger the amount of pup showers he attended in his life, so young that he remembers nothing about it, he finds himself both puzzled and deeply entertained by the concept of the games they planned for this event. They all revolve around pregnancy or pups in some ways, almost everything dramatic and over the top in the best way possible.He honestly loves it, especially since they require minimal involvement from him. Watching everyone act ridiculous and have fun fills him with unimaginable joy.They start off simple with little ice cubes in paper cups. The ice cubes contain a tiny, plastic pup that they need to rush to break free. In a race against time, the first person to melt the ice away and rescue their pup earns the winner title. No one can physical break it on purpose, tossing it to the ground to shatter it against the rules. Melting only.To everyone’s immense surprise, Namjoon actually wins that game with his chronically feverish body temperature.Easy.The second game revolves more about Jimin directly, everyone competing to guesstimate the circumference of his pregnant belly. With a piece of string and a mental measuring tape, the person who guesses closest to the size of his stomach wins.“Are you sure you’re not going to be offended if our guesses are way off?” Seo-ah asks as she circles Jimin with scrutiny.“Why would I be upset about that? I know I’m already huge. No offense taken.”“Okay, but sometimes pregnancy hormones get the best of you. My sister literally burst into tears and cursed me out because I said her hair was dark brown. According to her, it’s medium brown. I don’t want to take any chances!”“I guess that’s a good point. I haven’t really reached my breaking point yet, though I’m sure it’ll happen at least once.” Jimin hums as he nods in agreement.“I’ve made my final guess!”“Good luck!”Jungkook wins because he uses his arms to gauge the roundness of Jimin’s belly, more than familiar with wrapping his arms around the omega’s stomach on a daily basis. Everyone cries cheater, mainly Taehyung, but they let him keep the title in the end.They also play some kind of mummy game where they race to wrap a volunteer from head to toe with a roll of toilet paper. The first person to successfully mummify their participant wins.These sorts of shenanigans continue for at least an hour.Jimin laughs his head off.By the time they finish their several rounds of fun activities, he works up enough of an appetite to share his pup shower cake with everyone. Regardless of it not being anyone’s birthday, they still make Jimin blow out candles as a celebratory act. The photographer constantly snaps photos of every little moment that happens, not missing anything.After the pit stop to enjoy cake and indulge in their sweet tooths, the time comes to open presents.“I had several people ask me what to get you, so I told them to get something fun. You and the pups will have all the basic necessities already, which means we can gift you a bunch of cool things instead. I just wanted to preface that before you started opening stuff and didn’t find any diapers and shit.” Seokjin explains as he stands near the area designated for opening gifts, Jimin surrounded by a display table with presents, a trellis of flowers, and his own comfortable chair to sit in while opening everything.Any remaining nerves about the sheer amount of attention on him flair up when every eye in the room focuses solely on him as he opens the gifts they personally picked out for his pups.They all watch his reaction, waiting for him to see their chosen presents.“Taehyung! I told you not to get us anything! The painting in the nursery was more than enough.” Jimin sighs, eyes wide when he starts to open the two boxes from the fellow omega.“You paid me for that! It doesn’t count.”“Instruments?”“Saxophones!” Taehyung shouts happily, beaming with an excited smile and sparkling eyes, the gift not exactly shocking. “I wanted to get them their first instruments! They can learn to play fresh out of the womb.”“Thank you!”Moving swiftly along, Jimin attempts to offer each gift the attention it deserves without spending too much time to the point that he bores everyone. His coworkers get him an all-expenses paid trip to the spa for a postpartum pamper session, something he appreciates immensely considering most items center around the pups.Their old friends from college supply him with the most adorable pup shoes, all kinds of hair bows, and a couple of toys for when they grow a bit older. The sweet cards attached to the gift bags make him want to shed a tear.“I might not know you two all that well yet, but I feel like this is a classic Yoongi and Namjoon gift.”“It absolutely is.” Jungkook confirms from where he stands beside Jimin’s chair, retrieving gifts from the table so that the omega never needs to stand. “I would’ve never expected anything else from them. A fucking classic.”“Books.”“It’s never too early to start learning theory.” Yoongi states blankly.“There are so many important topics to teach the youth, so these books will help with that. We’re partial to the ones about caring for the environment and human rights, but they’re all good.”“Thank you for your gift!”Seo-ah inches closer when Jimin opens her gift, waiting with bated breath to gauge his reaction. Never once does she mention the obvious romantic connection flourishing between her boss and another member of the office, probably already suspicious of them before arriving at this pup shower. She provides Jimin with a beautiful, spacious diaper bag that even comes with a mat for changing the pups. He loves it.With the incredible support system surrounding Jimin and Jungkook, not to mention their own financial stability that allows them to provide for themselves without issue, they have a fully prepared nursery with clothing, diapers, wipes, blankets, bibs, pacifiers, bottles, medications, and anything else they could ever need.Blessed fails to encompass how Jimin feels opening these presents from those he cherishes most, endlessly grateful for their consideration.“Whoa! This is actually so sweet!”“What do you mean actually? What the hell were you expecting from me? I take offense to that, you know.” Seokjin says playfully, standing just off to the side while Jimin opens his last presents.“I never even thought about buying these kinds of things. You really think of everything, don’t you?”“Memories last a lifetime.”The various boxes from Jimin’s oldest friend contain a plethora of goods to use for remembering these special moments. Seokjin bought him a scrapbook made for the pups’ childhood, blankets and decals for taking pictures of their development each month, a journal to detail the important memories throughout the years, and a printer to directly print photos from his phone.Hoseok apologizes for coming empty handed, but apparently his gifts will arrive directly at Jungkook’s doorstep.Needless to say that Jimin adores all the thoughtful gifts he receives, whisking away to the bathroom to wash his face free of the tears that sneak out at the end.Everyone slowly trickles out of the event space one by one after that, the pup shower officially over. Some linger to socialize or munch on more food or take pictures with Jimin. It wraps up as a lighthearted, wonderful affair that leaves the pregnant omega bursting with all the love present in his life.“I can’t wait for them to be here.” Jimin says softly, looping his hands around Jungkook’s shoulders and pulling them closer together. “Life is going to be so much fun.”“It’s crazy to think how fast everything has flown by.”“We should soak up every second because I heard that they’re going to grow up in the blink of an eye. They won’t be our tiny little pups for long.”“I disagree.”“Hmm?”“I think they’ll be our tiny, little pups even when they’ve grown up and don’t need us anymore.” Jungkook answers thoughtfully, leaning forward to press a kiss to Jimin’s lips.“You’re right.”Namjoon and Hoseok help load everything into the back of Jungkook’s car, nowhere near enough room considering the minimal amount of space available. They keep putting off buying a new vehicle that fits everyone, but time steadily runs out. With the trunk, the back seats, and Jimin’s lap full, they manage to cram the gifts in enough to make it home with them all.That night, after he changes into comfortable pajamas and washes up, climbing into his warm and cozy bed with the floor heater on high, Jimin struggles to fall asleep because he can’t wipe the cheesy smile off of his face.“I’m not an expert in cooking or anything. I just prefer homemade food instead of eating takeout every night. The stuff I make is really basic.” Jimin explains from his position in front of the stove.“Maybe we should take some cooking classes together and learn proper techniques.”“Oh, that might be fun!”“I’m not a professional chef either. I usually prepare a lot of side dishes ahead of time so I don’t have to worry about much when I come home. Sometimes I only have the energy to whip up my specialty ramen before I go to bed.” Jungkook states the counter behind Jimin where he chops up vegetables.“As long as we know how to follow recipes, we should be fine.”“This is a simple meal, anyway.”Something needy bubbles beneath the surface as Jimin stares blankly into the pot of boiling water on the stove. After months of his desperation surmounting until it grows into a beast too tameless to ignore, he thinks he might explode into a thousand pieces if he holds back any longer. Even while cooking, smelling Jungkook’s rich scent leaves him hungry, declaring this night—their first sleepover—will be the night they finally do more.“I’ve removed the veins and shit from the shrimp, plus rinsed them off. Do you want to fry them or should I do it?““I’ll do it.” Jimin answers decisively.“Let me make the sauce first, if you don’t mind. I want it to be done around the same time as the pasta, that way he can just toss the shrimp on after we sear them.”“Sure.”“You’re just the sweetest little thing, aren’t you, baby?” Jungkook remarks before pecking his lips.“I try my best.”“Well, you definitely succeed.”Jimin attempts to distract himself by focusing on the task at hand, pushing away the salacious thoughts that run rampant in his mind. He chooses a couple of bowls from the multitude of options in the cabinets, finds suitable cutlery to match, and clears off the dining table for them to eat comfortably.As the pasta finishes boiling and they prepare to mix everything together, Jimin slices their loaf of bread and pops it into the oven with a handsome amount of garlic butter on top.The slice of decadent chocolate cake in the fridge tempts him beyond belief.“How do you know when shrimp are done? This is probably good, right? I don’t want to overcook them because they’ll get tough.” Jimin asks across the kitchen, turning back to gaze at Jungkook and receive his answer.“I’ll come look at it. Hold on. I’m just getting our drinks ready at the table.”“Okay.”“They look perfect to me. All you need to do is put them into our bowls. I already have the sauce mixed with the pasta in separate portions. The bread is on the table.” Jungkook retorts before he hurries off again, this time adjusting the lights and putting napkins on the table to finish everything off.While Jimin frequently sees Jungkook at his best, possessing the privilege to watch him thrive in his element at work, it delights something inside of him to watch his alpha perform such capability when it comes to domestic matters like this.His omega sings with utmost joy, proud that Jungkook will father the pups in his belly and serve as a strong parent alongside him.It embarrasses him how greatly it turns him on.Rather sitting across from one another at the table like usual, Jimin and Jungkook sit side by side with no room between them. Jimin scoots closer and closer and closer until they practically sit in each other’s laps. Perhaps actually planted himself on Jungkook’s thighs would satisfy him more, but he decides to hold back the slightest bit for now.“What do you think, baby? Is it to your liking?” Jungkook asks after they try the dishes, both digging into their heaping bowls of shrimp pasta and garlic bread.“It’s so good.”“Yeah?”“Oh my god, yes! It’s exactly what I was craving! I love how you didn’t make the sauce too oily or spicy, yet it’s just enough to have flavor. I don’t know how you made that without a recipe.” Jimin remarks with awe, turning to Jungkook with wide eyes after stuffing another helping of pasta in to his mouth, truly amazed.“I kind of did follow a recipe, I just changed it to better suit our tastes. I’m glad that you like it, though. Eat as much as you want.”“Trust me, I will.”“Good.”“If there are any leftovers, they’ll definitely be gone by the morning. I love my late night snacks these days.” Jimin grins into his bowl.“I can’t wait to see it firsthand.”“Isn’t it kind of wild that this is our first official sleepover? I love doing these simple things with you, alpha. It’s so fun to cook and eat and sleep in the same bed.”“You’re right. It’s truly the small things that make life worth it. These moments with you are my favorite.” Jungkook rasps in his low, gruff voice, scent spiking with sweetness when he turns to Jimin with wonder in his eyes. “I can’t wait to do everything with you from here on out. Just you and me and our pups against the world.”Jimin devours his bowl of pasta, eating so much that his stomach aches due to how it constricts against the pups taking space inside of him.Of course, he always saves room for dessert, splitting a gooey slice of chocolate cake from one of his favorite bakeries in the area, the two of them taking turns feed each other from their own forks.Clean up hardly requires any effort since Jungkook owns a dishwasher.The omega wants nothing more than to change into his comfortable, silky pajamas, flop onto the couch to cuddle up to Jungkook, and soak up the relaxation of no obligations for the rest of the evening. This glorious Saturday night leaves him with ample time to merely enjoy himself without worrying about the duties of work weighing on his shoulders.“I know that I’m beating the brunt of the stress of bringing our pups into this world, but I still feel bad sometimes.”“What do you mean?” Jungkook asks, brushing his fingers through Jimin’s blonde hair.“You do so much for me.”“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? You take care of the pups inside of you and I take care of you. We both play our parts. There’s nothing for you to feel bad about.”“It doesn’t feel equal.” Jimin whines, soft and breathy. He stretches his legs that rest in Jungkook’s lap, releasing a pleased sigh when the alpha massages his aching feet. “You’re always doing everything for me, but I do nothing for you. I feel like you’re being neglected.”“Baby, are you serious?”“Yes.”“You’re ridiculous.” Jungkook chuckles under his breath, shaking his head.“I don’t feel neglected, so you don’t need to worry about that. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my entire life. I love taking care of you and knowing that our Petals are as safe as can be.”“Should I start opening your car door instead?” Jimin questions as he mulls it over.“I would be offended if you did.”“Well…”“You seriously do more than enough for me. You force me to take care of myself, which is honestly great. Whether it’s making me take a lunch break or helping me get some exercise by walking down the block for dessert. You also spoil me with gifts. Today, I literally wore a new tie that you bought me. Everything from your sweet kisses to your shoulder massages when I’m stressed. You take care of me, too. I promise.”“Thank you for saying that.” Jimin whispers with a beaky pout still on his lips.“I’ll remind you how great you are every time you forget You do the same thing for me. We’re a team, remember? Not everything will always be an even balance.”“If you ever need or want anything from me, just ask.”“I will.” Jungkook nods in agreement, a cheeky smile splitting on his lips within a few seconds, something mischevious in his dark eyes. “Now, come here and give me a big, sloppy kiss.”Jimin happily obeys the request without any qualms. He scoots closer to plant himself in Jungkook’s lap like he dreamed of all evening, cheeks fire engine red and his skin overheated from head to toe, more intoxicated by the touch of the alpha’s lips against his sensitive neck than anything else. Hands grip his waist and thigh, fresh floral and cotton staining his skin in the most perfect way.As much as he revels in simply spending time with Jungkook, he yearns for affection to the depths of his being. He needs his alpha to touch him, care for him, help him feel good. Any of his self consciousness and anxiety melts away beneath the flames of his desire.Their first real kiss of the night sends sparks of bliss tingling down the omega’s spine.He basks in the glory of closeness with the person who put pups in his belly. His body recognizes their innate connection, thriving as they engage in physical intimacy that fulfills their ever growing desires. Jungkook possesses no problems with indulging his omega in everything his heart aches for.Soft, yet insistent.Abundant with fervor while still purposeful.Erupting with need like a volcano, the pressure too immense to handle, and also disgustingly sweet.They find a balance of the best of both worlds, working their mouths together in a perfect tango while they relent to the calls of their inner wolves. Jungkook guides them through their movements, hands steady on Jimin’s constantly changing figure while the omega melts into his touch. Sticky, wet noises ring in the air around them while their tongues explore the tempting caverns of their hot mouths.“Fuck, baby.” Jungkook groans from the deepest part of his chest, scent laced with such spicy arousal that it makes Jimin’s head spin, his passion evident in his tightening grip on the omega’s body. “You smell so damn sweet. I’m going to pop a knot just from kissing you.”“I… I’m glad I’m n-not the only one.” Jimin says through a breathy whimper, as soft as a rose petal in full bloom.“I bet you taste even better than you smell, don’t you? So fucking wet that you’re about to drip through your pants into my lap. I don’t even need to look to know. It’s that strong.”“Alpha—““Will you let me touch you? Hm? Can I make you feel good again, omega? It’s been so long.” Jungkook asks with a gruff rumble to his desperation.“Yes, yes, please.”“I need you so badly that you’re haunting my dreams. My alpha wants to give you what you want. I know how desperate and needy you are. Let me take care of you, sweetheart.”“I want you so badly. I’m starting to go crazy. T-Touching myself is never enough anymore.” Jimin gasps out through stuttering breaths, burning alive.“You just need your alpha, don’t you?”“P-Please—““Is it okay if I get rid of these clothes, baby? Will you let alpha see your beautiful body? Can I see how pretty you are with my pups in your big belly?” Jungkook questions with such interest and desire that it makes it hard for Jimin to say no, his dark eyes bleeding with hunger.“Okay.” Jimin nods, suffocating beneath Jungkook’s addicting touch, unable to think clearly with so many sensations overwhelming him. “It’s… It’s different, now.”“I know it is. There’s nothing wrong with that. You’re just as gorgeous as ever, I promise you that.”The dim lighting in the expansive living room of Jungkook’s penthouse apartment provides just enough illumination for the alpha to gaze upon Jimin’s body without the harsh scrutiny of unforgiving brightness. A crackling fire in the fireplace drenches everything in a warm glow, only adding to the molten lava coursing through Jimin’s veins as he allows Jungkook free rein over his body.One by one, little by little, taking his precious time, Jungkook removes Jimin’s pajamas to leave him bare from head to toe, already lacking any undergarments for the sake of comfort.Reverence.It drips from Jungkook’s pores, richness and sweetness abundant as it wafts from his every cell, nothing but pleasant in his reaction to Jimin’s body.Gentle hands trace the shape of their adoration on the planes of his flesh.“Every single part of you is like something out of a fucking dream. Do you know that, baby? I don’t think you do, but that’s okay. I’ll remind you so much that you’ll never think otherwise.” Jungkook croons in his addictingly raspy voice, sinking to his knees on the floor while he holds the omega’s calves. “You’re strong and soft and powerful.”“Y-You think so?”“I know so.”“I, ah… M’sensitive, alpha. I… I might…” Jimin attempts to gather his thoughts enough to warn Jungkook about the tightening coil already winding in his gut, gut words fail him.“Just let go, sweetheart. All that matters is that you feel good. Your pretty cock can come as much as it needs, okay?”“O-Okay.”Embarrassingly enough, Jimin forces Jungkook to prove he means it, the bliss of sweltering, wet lips trailing up his tender flesh too much to deny. The alpha moves from the inside of his ankles to his knees to his thighs, stopping to suck delicious marks so close to Jimin’s gushing hole that he finds himself unable to stave his release off any longer.With Jungkook’s scorching mouth near his twitching cock and his harsh grip spreading his thighs for a closer approach, Jimin’s first release of the night washes over him like a tidal wave.He pants and whimpers and squeezes his eyes tight, head tossed back in utter euphoria.“I want to see how many you can give me. Precious, needy thing. You look so pretty when you make a mess of yourself like this.”“A-Alpha, please—““It feels good, doesn’t it?”“So, so, s-so good. Oh my god. It f-feels so good, alpha. Thank you.” Jimin speaks in stunted, short breaths, chest still heaving and skin tingling in the aftermath.“You’re such a sweet omega. The sweetest in the world. You don’t need to thank me, baby.”Jungkook tortures Jimin with indescribable pleasure for what feels like hours. He displays no urgency or hurry in his movements, never growing bored with the attention he offers to the omega’s plump body. With tender words falling from his lips, a delicate insistence in his strong touch, Jungkook kisses every part of Jimin’s achingly desperate flesh and bones.His poor cock spurts ropes and ropes of cum until it no longer contains the ability to produce the viscous fluid, Jimin panting and mewling to the point that he verges on hyperventilating.Even if only for a brief blimp in time, the alpha pours his praises into every inch of Jimin’s body.“I want to give every beautiful part of you the attention it deserves, but I think I’ll have to save that for another day. I’m afraid it might be too much if I kiss your pretty, leaking hole and suck on your swollen chest, yeah?” Jungkook speaks so slowly and gently that it almost sounds condescending, perhaps teasing.“Y-Yeah. Too… Too much. I… I’m so… C-Can’t take any more.”“My needy baby.”“Tired.” Jimin whimpers, eyelids heavy with a spiraling daze, overwhelmed with the delight consuming him whole. “Alpha h-help me?”“Of course.”“Thank you.”“I’ll carry you to the shower and help you clean up, get you back into your pajamas before I tuck you into bed. I’ll take good care of you, I promise. Is it okay with alpha makes himself feel good, too? Hm? You look so pretty all fucked out that I think I could come just seeing you like this.”“Y-Yes, yes, you can. Of course, alpha. Want it. W-Want you to feel good, too. Please.”“Thank you, baby.”Though it requires immense effort on his part, battling the demons forcing his eyelids shut beyond his wishes, Jimin manages to open his eyes just in time to watch Jungkook bring himself to the pinnacle of pleasure using his own fist.Him scooping up Jimin’s milky cum to help the glide of his hand over his cock evokes an ungodly amount of desire inside of the omega.Jungkook’s jaw drops open, he throws his head back, the muscles in his neck constrict, breathy groans rip from his mouth, and his body tenses as he knots his own grip, shooting thick globules of cum all over the underside of Jimin’s belly. He all but collapses forward, pressing them together while he chokes through his pleasure. Jimin thinks he could watch this unfold every single day and never grow tired of it.Gorgeous.“Let’s do it again.”“What?”“T-Tomorrow.” Jimin answers decisively, lazily holding onto Jungkook’s shoulders while the alpha scrubs him clean with a washcloth. “I want to do it again tomorrow, please. It is Christmas, after all. That’s my present.”“You’re a greedy little thing, aren’t you? You can barely hold your eyes open and you’re already thinking about wanting more.”“I waited a long time to have my alpha like this.”“That’s true, baby. You’ve been so good and patient. I’ll give you everything you want and more. I can’t believe I’m the only person to ever get to have you like this.” Jungkook states with awe dripping from his words, diving forward to kiss the pout off of Jimin’s puffy lips.“I’m so happy that you’re my alpha. You’re the best, nicest, strongest, smartest, most handsome alpha in the universe. I know you’re going to be the best daddy, too.”“Thank you, sweetheart. Thank you so fucking much. I’m happy that you’re my omega. All mine.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Typically, ultrasounds taper off toward the end of pregnancy, doctor’s appointments themselves less frequent as the pup’s arrival creeps closer.In Jimin’s case, considering his twin pregnancy and the possibility of complications that require constant monitoring, he still attends visits every few weeks even into the third trimester. While certainly not ideal, he pushes through with love as the motivation to keep him moving forward.His swollen belly puts intense pressure on his hips and back, the ache now a constant in his life no matter what he does.Less than two months to go.Jungkook’s court meeting runs over the scheduled time they originally planned, forcing him to arrive late to the appointment. Instead of sitting in the waiting room with Jimin while they distract themselves from the stale air in the hospital, the alpha rushes over in his car while Jimin waits alone. The lack of his absence makes the omega’s heart hurt, but he holds onto the knowledge that Jungkook will stand by his side any minute now.“What a surprise.”“Oh.”“I wasn’t expecting to see you here today.” Bora says as she plops down on the stiff chair a couple of feet away from Jimin. “I would ask what you’re doing, but it’s obvious.”“I feel like that's just a weird question anyway.”“Maybe so.”“Are you so dedicated to your master plan of beating Jungkook that you’re following me to doctor’s appointments now? Is that the level of unhinged we’ve reached?” Jimin questions in jest, raising his eyebrows as he rubs his belly.“As much as I would love to fuck with him like that, I would never cross such a personal boundary. Some things, though few and far between, are off limits.”“I guess you’re human after all.”“I’ll still admit that it would be a diabolical scheme to use his own offspring as a way to destroy him, but I’m not some movie villain. Taking him down in court isn’t worth ruining his life over. Plus, I have a soft spot for you, for some reason.” Bora states the truth like a common knowledge, sending Jimin’s heart racing and breath frozen in his lungs.“T-Thank you… I think?”“I hope you know that I’m not going to go easy on him just because he’s a dad. I don’t give a fuck about his sleepless nights. He’s the best damn attorney out there and I want to beat him.”“By all means, have at it.” Jimin shrugs, endlessly entertained by their rivalry, proud to hear her admit it outright.“Congratulations, Jimin. I hope your birth and delivery goes smoothly.”“Thank you very much.”It seems like Jungkook just barely misses meeting Bora, striding into the back of the office as Jimin stands on the scale for his official weigh-in. He looks frazzled for once, his hair wildly tousled and his tie clipped out of place. Jimin simply shoots him a dazzling smile and watches with satisfaction as the stress fades from his alpha’s eyes.Neither of them jump for joy at the idea of spending around an hour inside of a hospital, but they highly savor every second that they spend receiving confirmation that their pups reside healthily in Jimin’s rounded stomach.These days, they work to solidify their birth plan and prepare for action, settling on a final agreement and outline with the doctor’s team.“I would recommend attending a lamaze class at least once, if you have the chance. It would be especially helpful for you since you want to deliver naturally. They teach great tips for dealing with the pain and pushing, something that nearly all pregnant individuals can find useful.” The doctor kindly suggests, incredibly casual as he begins the ultrasound on Jimin’s stomach.“Oh, that sounds nice. I always heard about those classes, but wasn’t sure if they’re actually good. Do you have a recommendation for a specific class?” Jimin asks, staring at the screen with rapt attention.“I’ll print out the schedule for the ones they hold here at the hospital.”“Thank you.”“If I remember correctly, they actually might be holding one this evening. It’s usually on Mondays, so that would make sense. I’ll let you know for sure.”No matter the frequency in which they lay eyes upon their Petals, it never fails to amaze Jimin and Jungkook to see them in real time. The little blobs of flesh look more and more like actual, living beings with every scan, their features gradually becoming more defined while they transform into their final selves. While difficult to truly obtain a clear picture of their faces like this, Jungkook repeatedly asserts that they look like Jimin.“A slight weight difference is developing between the two fetuses which is fairly common towards the end of a multiple pregnancy. At this point, it’s not something that we’re worried about. As long as it remains slight and neither of them show signs of harm, we leave it be.”“Are they normal sized? Like… Like are they big enough? Have they grown like they should?” Jungkook asks, stumbling over his words.“Yes, they’re on target for twins.”“Oh, good.”“Do you think I’ll give birth before the 40 week mark?” Jimin formulates the question weighing on his mind these days.“It’s almost a guarantee, Mr. Park.”“I want to carry them as long as possible so they have the best outcome, but I don’t want anything bad to happen in the process. It’ll be terrible if they have to stay in the hospital instead of coming home with us. It kind of sucks.”“Let’s worry about those problems when we get to them, okay? It’s entirely possible that you carry them to 38 weeks and everything happens like you’re hoping.” The doctor says with a smile, gentle and reassuring.“Okay, yeah. I guess I shouldn’t stress over it already.”“It seems like we should start preparing for him to leave work and everything soon.” Jungkook comments while he stares at Jimin’s exposed belly.“Pack a hospital bag while you’re at it.”When the nurse hands them the printed schedule for the lamaze class that teaches techniques for managing childbirth, they learn that one will occur in a less than two hours. It requires no sign-ups, money, or prior knowledge to attend, so they choose to stick around the hospital area instead of heading home. By the time they finish dinner and return to the massive building, the class will soon start.It far surpasses all of Jimin’s expectations when he steps past the doorway into the meeting room, an array of colorful mats spread across the wooden floor with all kinds of ultra-realistic dolls sitting in a tub along the front of the space.His initial fears wash away like sand along the shore when he realizes the nonchalant attitude of the enthusiastic teacher.Seven.A total of seven pregnant people attend the class.Five of them bring some sort of partner or companion to accompany them for the occasion, a wide array of alphas and betas sitting awkwardly beside them while they await instruction.“This is an hour long class where we’ll teach you tips, tricks, and techniques for childbirth. Not only that, we teach you proven methods to reduce pain both during pregnancy and delivery. There’s a video portion, an instructional section, and a fellowship opportunity at the end where anyone can ask questions. Does that sound good to everyone?” Jisoo, their middle aged beta instructor, announces from the front of the room.A chorus of “yes” rings out when the crowd replies, most of them sitting cross legged on the floor while they stare up at those in charge of the class.“You’re lucky because we’ll have a hands-on example for today’s class. I’m only four months along at this point, but I think you’ll be able to see exactly what we mean when we teach you positions and movements. This is my third pup, so feel free to ask any questions you might have about anything pregnancy or delivery related along the way.” Junwoo, the pregnant omega instructor, says with a charming smile.The environment brings Jimin a nice sense of safety and comfort that he greatly appreciates.From the instructors to the other guests in attendance to the content they teach, everything feels welcome and light hearted while still possessing useful knowledge to help them with this tremendous source of stress in their lives.Jungkook reaches over to massage his lower back while they watch the first video, silently considerate without any hesitation.The fun part comes when they arrange into the position guided by the instructors, the pregnant person sitting between the open legs of their partner, everyone laughing and talking amongst themselves while they prepare to practice the exercise seen on the video a few minutes prior.“Isn’t it funny that we were planning on doing all these things without even being together?” Jimin asks as he giggles against Jungkook’s chest.“Hey, some people are doing that right now.”“Yeah, but it would definitely be different for us if we were just a boss and his employee instead of actually being in a relationship. I don’t think that could’ve worked for us without it turning into what it has.”“You’re right, baby. You’re so fucking right. I can’t imagine being this close and touching you like this without wanting to kiss you senseless.”“Behave.”“I’m just saying!” Jungkook exclaims in defense of himself, his scent strong and rich and deep.“You can’t just say things to me, remember?”Although he initially finds the act of pretending to push out a pup horrifically embarrassing, the instructors commanding them to act it out to the best of their ability without restraint, Jimin swiftly adjusts to the sense of humiliation.Everyone around him engages in the same display of nature while preparing for the impending arrival of a new life into the world.He pushes aside all of his qualms, focuses on his own body instead of the others in the room, and embraces Jungkook’s helpful touch while he put himself into the mindset of an omega pushing a pup out of his body. Jimin dutifully follows the instructions and memorizes the positions he mimics for each different purpose, committing them to his mind to ensure he can draw on them when the fated moment arises.By the end of the class, exhaustion tickles at the edges of his mind.Birthing is hard work.“I think it all depends on how you look at it. There are parts of childbirth that are beautiful, but there are also parts that are disgusting. You’re bringing your own pup into the world while gushing enough fluids to fill a bathtub. It sometimes doesn’t feel amazing in the moment. You’re just trying to make it through.”“Is it difficult to breastfeed? I heard that it provides the best outcome for the pup on the long run.” Someone asks from the other side of the room.“Breastfeeding is different for every person.” Jisoo answers blankly. “No one has the exact same experience.”“There is a clear benefit to breastfeeding, whether exclusively or in combination with bottle feeding, but ultimately fed is best. As long as you’re doing what’s right for you and your pup, that’s what matters.”“Did you have an epidural for your previous births?” Another person asks.“I had one without an epidural and one with it.”“What would you recommend? I spoke with my doctor about this, but it seems like there are pros and cons to each options. It’s stressful trying to figure everything out perfectly.”“Oh, that’s a loaded question!” Junwoo exclaims before everyone laughs at his shocked face.Jimin sits by Jungkook’s side and makes notes on his phone of every important piece of advice, diligent with his listening skills to ensure he catches every nugget of gold from these experienced professionals. He loves the chance to learn, thankful that his alpha feels the same way. His confidence in them and their ability to properly care for their pups only skyrockets as he returns home that night.The bittersweet realization that he attends his last Justice Guild event until well after the pups’ entrance into the world evokes an ache in the recesses of Jimin’s tender heart, steadily approaching a massive change in his life that he sometimes still struggles to wrap his mind around.Jungkook spent the first few years of his career creating this guild to provide like-minded legal professionals the opportunity to connect, celebrate, and support justice.A community.While he usually refrains from attending their bi-weekly meetings in favor of focusing on his duties in the office, the omega adores the operative driving force that bands these people together. Spending time with them instills hope in his soul, giving him confidence that the future will harbor much brighter days thanks to their endless compassion for victims. It saddens him to think that he spends his final time with them for the next several months at a minimum.“Jimin!”“Nari!” Jimin screeches when he waddles to his assigned table for the luncheon, eyes as wide as saucers when he sees his old friend. “Oh my god! It’s so good to see you again!”“It’s literally been like… Hmm… Two years? It feels like a lifetime!”“How have you been? I thought you were relocating to Busan to work at a training center? Are you back now?”“Yes and no.” Nari says, still smiling.“Give me the details!”“I’m still working at the training center in Busan, but I’ve started coming back to the firm for like a month at a time to whip the other secretaries into shape. I’m basically just doing both.”“You’ll have to come see me sometime when you’re in the city! Let’s meet up!”“I would love that!” Nari smiles, her soap scent light and refreshing, the fellow omega’s long hair brushing her lower back when she readjusts in her seat. “It looks like you’ll be out of commission soon, right? Congratulations, by the way! I’m so happy for you!”“Thank you so much! I’ve got about 6 weeks left, if I’m lucky. Most likely closer to 4 since I’m having twins.”“We have so much catching up to do!”While Jimin excitedly shares about his life with the legal secretary from another firm, Jungkook socializes with the other attorneys around their table. The entire occasion possesses a light-hearted atmosphere that welcomes this kind of fellowship, conducive to the point of the Justice Guild in the first place. Everyone shares in their struggles and triumphs as waiters deliver drinks and appetizers to their tables.Jungkook and Jimin’s relationship remains an unposted truth for those intelligent enough to read context clues, but they still want to preserve this personal aspect of their lives if possible. It sucks to not touch his alpha every five seconds or kiss him whenever he wants, evidently more spoiled than Jimin realized.“Have you taken on any particularly difficult cases lately? What type of things are you handling these days?”“I’ve been picking up work outside of Seoul on occasion. It’s heartbreaking to see the things that people suffer through in rural areas because they have no one to offer them counsel. The power structure that exists in these places is just horrendous.” Gunhee—an alpha attorney well acquainted with Jungkook—says as he sighs and shakes his head.“I can only imagine. The cases we find here are usually pretty straightforward, but some downright diabolical things happen in small towns where they fly under the radar.”“Not to mention the fact that more vulnerable populations live in the countryside.” Jimin states blankly, thinking of his own parents.“Absolutely.”“It’s a cocktail for disaster.”“How about you, Jeon? I’ve been keeping up with the news and saw that your case against Ms. Shin is slowly wrapping up. How are you feeling about the whole thing?” Mina, a beta lawyer around the table, asks.“It’s been touch and go for a bit, yeah? I heard that she tried to get your evidence and key witness removed.”“She actually succeeded for about two seconds before the judge went back on his decision.” Jungkook declares honestly, staring at his glass of water while he formulates his words in his mind. “It’s definitely been difficult, even before she took over and tried to do everything to destroy me, but I think my case is strong enough to win at the end of it all. The victim will get some sort of justice. I’m confident about that.”“That’s great to hear! I would expect no less from a guy as confident in himself as you.”“You’ve always been able to finesse your way to victory by the end of the trail. I admire your resilience and perseverance because she’s a damn demon, no offense.” Gunhee comments in a low grumble.“I can’t disagree with you there.”Jimin’s stomach practically revolts in protest by the time they deliver the actual meal to their tables, the delicious food not arriving a second too soon for the pregnant omega, his eyes ready to pop out of his head when he stares down at the healing plate on the table in front of him.Most of the others continue to speak amongst themselves while they eat, but Jimin falls utterly silent in favor of stuffing his face full of juicy steak, sweet glazed chicken, vodka sauce pasta, and freshly baked bread. He may or may not enjoy the food more than usual since he played a hand in deciding the menu for the luncheon. Every bite tastes like a slice of heaven in his mouth and he wants to savor each moment of it.He catches Jungkook turning to gaze at him more than once, pretending not to notice in case anyone around them feels feisty enough to call it out.Ridiculous.“I know you must be ready to fall out on the floor and have a heart attack since your most treasured secretary is about to take maternity leave. How are you going to survive without Jimin by your side?” Nari questions with a playful glimmer in her eyes.“To be honest, I might just crash and burn the second he’s gone.”“You’re so dramatic!” Jimin rolls his eyes.“Do you already have another secretary in the firm lined up to take over while he’s gone? I’ve got some connections if you need help finding a replacement.” Gunhee adds with a kindness to his voice, eyebrows raised in question.“I’m picking my own stand-in, actually.”“Whoa.”“Really?”“It seems like the most logical option for us. I could try to find someone myself, but Jimin knows what I like better than anyone. He’s been interviewing prospects and narrowing down the ones he likes best. We’ll probably settle on a temporary secretary by the end of the month.” Jungkook explains with something depressing in his tone that makes Jimin’s heart hurt.“There are all kinds of skilled secretaries out there, even more skilled than me. I know it’s going to be fine. I’ll give them all my best tips and tricks before I go.”“Do you plan on coming back to work?”“Of course.”“Feel free to give me a call if you’re ever in a pinch. I’ve got a registry of some of the best trained legal secretaries in the country. I know because I trained them myself.” Nari declares with utmost confidence, Jimin in awe of her commanding demeanor.“Thank you for the offer. I’ll keep that in mind if I start to fall apart.”Per Jimin’s request, the idea springing into his head the second he scans over the dessert menu for the catering company, they receive another plate full of a variety of desserts instead of needing to choose only one option. A slice of chocolate cake, a strawberry tart, candied grapes, peanut butter fudge, and a puff pastry with cream inside. He, once again, goes silent when presented with food.A brief trip to the bathroom leaves him winded by the time he reaches the toilet, stopping to rest against the counter while he collects himself.Not much longer to go.It embarrasses him to break a sweat when he returns to his seat to finish his food, but no one seems to notice the beads of liquid dripping down his forehead except for Jungkook. They exchange a moment of eye contact, one that Jimin knows like the back of his hand without the alpha ever uttering a word, but he simply shakes his head to wave off the show of concern.“Rather than giving a formal speech that outlines all of our guild’s collective successes over the past few months, I thought it would be interesting to give each table the opportunity to discuss it personally.” Jungkook announces from the front of the room.“Ah, is that what this packet is for?” Someone from across the room calls out, several people bursting into laughter.“Yes, you’re correct. Go ahead and read through it at your own leisure. We’ve accomplished so many things since our last meeting. Everyone should be proud of the strides we’re making towards a better world. Let’s share our stories and learn what we can do to keep this momentum moving forward. Thank you!”A mixture of pregnancy hormones, emotional sensitivity, and lack of sleep all culminate in a terrible set of circumstances that result in Jimin silently weeping as they read over their documents together.It thrills him to no end to learn of the wonderful things their teams successfully accomplished throughout the past few months, yet learning of the unthinkable crimes committed against these victims shatters his heart into a million pieces. He hurts as he listens to their stories, the tragedies enacted against them, and the result of their semblance of justice in this cruel world.Devastating.While most of the examples in the document and from the mouths of the attorneys at the table provide a happy ending, that joy only fits within the punishments deemed acceptable by their judicial system.They celebrate, of course, but with the limitations of their positions in mind.Once they finish rejoicing over the victories for many victims who fought in court to receive justice for the hurt and pain they continue to feel every day of their lives due to traumatic crimes, they discuss the cases that failed to bring the desired result for their clients. They workshop ways to change the laws that work against victims and bring awareness to these causes that slip through the cracks.All in all, it proves a fruitful luncheon where they continue to fight together for a better world.“I’ll come visit you and your pups whenever you give me the call, okay? It doesn’t matter if I’m already in Seoul or not. As soon as you start accepting visitors, put me on the list.” Nari declares firmly, her hand soothingly rubbing Jimin’s shoulder while they congregate at the exit of the restaurant.“I will, I promise. They’re going to be here before you know it. I feel like time is running out.” Jimin says with a sigh.“Keep me updated. I’ll gladly help with anything you need.”“Thank you so much. It was great to see you today. I hope we can work together again some day. That would be a dream come true.”“Never say never.”Jimin and Nari hug before the fellow secretary takes her leave to attend to important business that awaits her, exchanging final promises to see each other again soon. Her presence alone fills Jimin with incomparable excitement, making his entire day to spend time with her without expecting it.The rest of the guests from their table bid Jimin goodbye, offering their well wishes and words of kindness towards the final leg of his pregnancy, everyone incredibly considerate.A sense of gratitude consumes him for the remainder of the day, appreciative that life somehow led him here.When Jimin suggests that they travel out of town for a final getaway before the pups arrive—requesting that all their closest friends join them to add an additional layer of fun to the excursion—Jungkook researches, coordinates, and books their trip whenever 24 hours, not asking for any help besides inquiring about what preferences the omega holds for the occasion.A secluded cabin in the mountains at the end of January, offering a gorgeous view of the snowy peaks that surrounding them on all sides, plus ample space for everyone attending.They head out on Friday after work, choosing to ride together in Jungkook’s new SUV instead of carpooling with the others. Jimin desperately wants to spend as much carefree time with them as possible, but his guilt about needing to stop for the bathroom at least once per hour sways him to remain separate for the duration of the journey, happy to sleep the entire time anyway.“Hello to you and your big belly!” Taehyung exclaims as he pulls open Jimin’s car door in the driveway. “You get bigger every time I see you!”“Wow, thank you so much.” Jimin deadpans, sarcastic yet playful.“Hello, sweetie pie!” Seokjin exclaims in greeting. “I would offer to carry your bags, but I’m sure Jungkook has it covered already. Did you have a nice trip up here?”“The roads are terrible.”“I puked my guts out a few times. I was smart enough to bring vomit bags with me just in case, so it’s fine. I just want to lay down and rest for a few minutes.” Jimin answers breathily, stomach still queasy.“Alright, off you go!” Hoseok declares before he grabs Jimin’s arms to walk him into the cabin.The actual sight of the massive home blows Jimin’s expectations out of the water. He knows Jungkook never holds back when it comes to spending his hard-earned money, but a luxury mansion in the mountains seems excessive. It contains eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a spa, movie theater, game room, two kitchens, and three living rooms, the place so big that it feels like a hotel all on its own.It still possesses the rustic charm of a cabin that Jimin adores, just a more expensive version that favors modernity over a classic style.Warm wood and gigantic glass windows spread across every wall.Fireplaces barely put a dent in the cold, winter air filling the gigantic space since the roof spans higher than any home Jimin personally stepped inside. They crackle and pop to delight his ears with the most peaceful sound of all time.True and utter comfort.“How long do you think it’ll take before Jungkook comes down here looking for you?” Taehyung asks with an amused glimmer in his eyes.“Maybe ten minutes.”“I give it less than that. He’s way too attentive to let you slip away for long.” Seokjin replies as he stares around the basement bedroom, sitting at the foot of the bed next to a pile of folded blankets.Sure enough, Jungkook shows up with a worried look in his eyes a few minutes later, evoking laughter from everyone in the room.Staying in a secluded cabin away from the rest of society means that the majority of the vacation happens in a singular location, everything happening inside the home rather than only using it as a base while they engage in outside activities.This aspect includes meals.Everyone joins together in the expansive kitchen on the main floor to prepare their first dinner of the trip, the sun already disappearing to leave the world cloaked in darkness, a bouquet of scents flourishing in the air as all of their essences blend into a perfect mixture. Namjoon and Yoongi put themselves in charge of the meal without anyone even asking. It takes off a ton of pressure to know they brought enough food for everyone, their friends seemingly coordinating these details without them knowing.“Yoongi’s actually really good at cooking. I’m not even allowed in the kitchen when he’s making food because he says I’ll hurt myself or burn down the apartment.” Namjoon states while he stares fondly at his alpha husband.“Is he wrong?”“Nope.”Hell no.” Yoongi corrects with his vigorous language, shaking his head. “That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”“He’s actually quite domestic, believe it or not. Yoongi loves to cook and keep his place tidy and build shit. Don’t let his serious exterior fool you. He’s a big sweetheart when you get to know him.” Jungkook says as he teasingly sticks out his tongue to taunt his older friend.“That’s true. He is, but I really like that about him. It makes him reliable.”Jimin sits around the fancy dining table with everyone while they chow down on the freshly barbecued meat, taking turns to cook the food on the grill top in front of them to not put the burden on any one person, conversation flowing naturally like always. It strikes him as odd that he lacks much interest in the meal, but tries to push it to the back of his mind for now.“That’s how you know he’s getting closer to giving birth. I don’t think I’ve seen him eat this little since before he was pregnant. Those pups will be here any day now.” Hoseok remarks while eyeing Jimin intently.“It’s hard to have an appetite when you’re as big as house and bone tired.” Jimin states defensively, leaning back in his seat, ready to call it quits.“I guess you did get sick on the way here.”“It’s probably not fun to eat when there’s something humongous pushing on your insides. Everything is rearranged to accommodate the pups. I’ve seen how crazy that shit looks with my own two eyes.” Seokjin comments from experience, his stories from medical school and residency enough to make a grown man cry in horror.“I’m sorry to be a party pooper who goes to bed early, but I promise I’ll be more fun tomorrow!”“This is your trip.”“Sleep all you want.”Despite the abundant number of bedrooms available in the cabin, Jungkook and Jimin sleep in the same bed that night. The omega collapses beneath the covers the second after he finishes brushing his teeth, exhaustion gnawing away at his ability to function, falling asleep a couple of hours before Jungkook makes his way to join him.Waking up early to sit on the enclosed balcony while staring off into the snowy mountains makes Jimin’s day. He wraps a blanket around him, plops down in Jungkook’s lap, and rocks back and forth in their shared wooden rocking chair.A perfect morning.“How long do you think it’ll take for everyone to wake up?” Jimin asks with a wispy hum, curling himself to nuzzle his face in Jungkook’s neck.“It depends on how drunk they got.”“I can’t believe they’re going to miss out on this beautiful view. The sunrise might even be better than the sunset.”“Oh well.”“Their loss.”“It just leaves more alone time for us to enjoy it. There’s no one around to judge me for being disgustingly obsessed with you. I can do whatever the hell I want.” Jungkook rasps in his low, deep morning voice, stealing a kiss when Jimin raises his head to look at him.“Obsessed is a strong wrong.”“Yet, it’s still somehow not strong enough to describe how I feel about you.”Jimin allows him to steal a few more kisses before the angle hurts his neck, butterflies taking flight in his tummy when he thinks about the meaning behind Jungkook’s confession, his own grand declaration dripping from the tip of his tongue these days. He attempts to calm his racing heart and sink into the relaxation that his alpha’s embrace provides.The others miraculously wake up before noon, looking worse for wear with their hair sticking up in every direction and their eyelids too heavy to keep open. None of them voice a single complaint about it. They keep their negativity in their minds to ensure the trip remains in good spirits.“We’re living the life right now.” Seokjin says from his spot on the lounge chair beside Jimin.“Nothing better than this.”“Look at those goofballs out there playing foosball while we’re in a literal spa. Jimin’s in a massage chair, Yoongi’s soaking in the tub, me and you are wearing face masks by a fireplace. This is how kings live.” Hoseok declares before popping another grape into his mouth.“I like how we can watch them without actually being included. We’re just doing our own thing in here, relaxing and enjoying the peace.”“Should we buy a cabin?”“It’s a no from me.” Jimin answers without hesitation, mouth dropped open in disbelief.“Come on! It would be awesome!”“Do you know how stressful it is to own property? We’d have to pay someone to maintain it and deal with taxes and upkeep everything. Why buy one when we can just rent someone else’s whenever we feel like staying there?” Seokjin intelligently explains the details that Jimin also mulls over in his head.“Okay, okay. I guess you’re right. We should at least do these kinds of things more often. There’s no reason not to.”“There’s no way you’re going to want to deal with traveling and staying in new places with two pups. Unless Jungkook wants to keep them on his own for a whole weekend, you’ll have to count me out.”“Fuck that.”“You’re coming with us. We’ll have more than enough hands and eyes to take care of two pups.”“They’re going to be cultured.”Their only full day in the cabin exceeds all of Jimin’s hopes and dreams. No obligations, appointments, or meetings to attend, just him and his closest friends doing absolutely nothing of importance for hours and hours.He curls up next to the fire to nap for an hour after lunch, purely because the option exists.Everyone separates into different rooms to entertain themselves with the various amenities available, only to end up together again because they want to hang out. They create a challenge in the game room to see who can get the highest score on the dance machine. Jimin and Taehyung bake cookies for an afternoon snack. Some of the braver ones among them lose a bet and run out into the snow in their underwear.He wishes every day could be this wonderful.“Of all the board games on that damn shelf, why’d you have to pick Monopoly? It’s the most tedious, long, boring game out there.” Yoongi complains as he shuffles through his fake money.“You love this game and you know it.” Namjoon smiles fondly at his husband’s narrowed eyes.“Stop lying.”“You’re the one lying! You once got so competitive over the game that you flipped the whole board when I bought the last blue property you needed!” Jungkook all but screeches, shaking his head with an incredulous expression on his face.“If anything, that means I hate the game!”“Well, I’m glad to know you don’t care. You can sit back and be bored while we have all the fun. I won’t even tell you when someone lands on your property without you knowing, like Hoseok did just now.” Seokjin states smugly, reveling in the look of betrayal on Yoongi’s face.“What the fuck? No one told me that he was on my property? You’re all my mortal enemies from now on. I’m going to destroy you.”“I’m sure you are, honey.”Dinner turns into another group project where everyone plays their part to ensure the meal reaches its highest potential. Jungkook and Jimin wash, chop, and prepare the ingredients. Yoongi and Seokjin cook the actual meal. Taehyung, Hoseok, and Namjoon set the table with everyone’s preferred drinks and dishware. They all work together in a smooth flow, luckily not running into any mishaps along the way.Jimin mainly munches on a modest portion of food instead of scarfing down an entire plateful, something that no one mentions this time.They talk, laugh, sing, and joke.Not for the first time in his life, the omega thinks of how they feel more like a family than anything else. He watches with fondness in his eyes as they live so happily, endlessly appreciative of the amazing people that surround him. Jungkook must catch him acting sentimental, merely leaning over to kiss him on the head midway through a conversation.“I hope you saved plenty of room for snacks because that’s the best part of watching a movie! They have microwave popcorn and chocolate bars and gummies. Look at all this!”“Oh my god! There’s no way you can eat all that!” Jimin exclaims when he sees Taehyung’s lap full of food.“Watch me!”“I don’t feel like getting up from this recliner, so hopefully Jungkook thinks of me too. If not, I’m not eating anything during this movie.”“Trust me, he is. I saw him.”All of them pile into the movie theater room to watch an action movie that Jungkook and Seokjin want to see, something newly released and only available on a ridiculously expensive streaming site. They make themselves comfortable in the luxurious recliners, chomping on snacks even after just finishing dinner, everyone getting into fights because some people want to talk and others don’t.Jimin fights with all his strength to stay awake, but the movie bores him half to death. He keeps shaking his head and rubbing his eyes, only making it to the halfway point before he submits to his sleepy ways.As long as he enjoys himself, nothing else matters.“You guys should wake up earlier tomorrow. I know it’s the weekend and you want to stay up late like party animals, but it’s so pretty here when the world is still quiet. If you don’t like it, you can go right back to sleep.” Jimin suggests with a hopeful tone to his voice, rubbing his heavy belly while he stands near the stairs to catch them before they leave.“I’ll do it. Only because I love you.” Seokjin states with a quiet reverence.“Me too.”“We’ll try our best to wake up.” Namjoon says as he smiles politely.“Thank you!”True to their words, everyone pulls themselves out of bed bright and early in the morning. Their eyes might remain closed and their bodies yearn for sleep, but they indulge his request to join him on the porch to watch the snow fall.Even without any words, all of them simply rocking as they watch the beauty of nature, he adores the peaceful moment with his favorite people.Since their time to leave the cabin spans later in the day than usual, Jimin decides to prepare a hearty breakfast for everyone. He slips away to fry bacon, scramble eggs, make pancakes, and butter toast. It smells heavenly, the cabin already containing ingredients like maple syrup to tie it all together, most of the food close to done by the time everyone comes inside.“It’s good that we all get along because it would be so awkward to have to secretly fight over the pups.” Hoseok remarks as they gather around the dining table to eat their final meal in the cabin, their getaway quickly meeting its swift end. “That would be hell on earth. Imagine trying to claim taking them for the weekend before someone else.”“Speak for yourself. I don’t like any of you in the slightest.” Seokjin says in jest, shooting daggers through his eyes as he gazes around at everyone.“Even me?”“No, not you, darling. Never you. You’re my shining star in this dark world.”“Should I be worried?” Jungkook asks, eyebrows raised in suspicion, his eyes flitting from Jimin to Seokjin in rapid fashion. “Are you trying to steal my omega from me?”“If that was my goal, I would’ve done it by now.”“Don’t worry, his preference swings the other way.” Namjoon chuckles from his chest.“Really?”“I don’t discriminate. I’m down for everyone. I just like alphas more, I guess. I kind of just mess around with anyone if the opportunity presents itself.”“What he really means is that he loves the power dynamic of fucking the shit out of an alpha, but he’s a whore who will sleep with anyone and everyone. Don’t let him fool you. He’s a harlot who lacks morals.” Taehyung asserts with a feigned, serious tone and an intense stare.“I’ll fight you right here and now.”“I dare you.”It breaks Jimin’s heart to bid goodbye to their home away from home, but he promises himself to return again one day soon. He strolls through the giant cabin one final time before he musters the motivation to make the trip out to the car in the driveway. The gorgeous snow provides a perfect view for his departure, covering the land as far as the eye can see. Maybe the cold possesses some perks after all.“I don’t know how much Jungkook communicates with you about us, but we’re just a text away if you need anything. Don’t hesitate to reach out, no matter what it is.” Yoongi states kindly, his voice low and gentle in Jimin’s ear as they hug goodbye.“Thank you so much. It’s really nice to have you two around. Sometimes I feel like I bother my friends too much, so I’ll have to remember that you guys are now on my roster.”“I’m positive they don’t feel that way, but we’re happy to help with whatever you need.”“What he said.” Namjoon nods in agreement.Jungkook reaches across the console to grip Jimin’s thigh on the ride home, neither of them saying much of anything in favor of soaking up the final moments of utter relaxation before they return to the chaos of the capital city. Jimin’s soul threatens to melt away to nothingness with how much love and appreciation flourishes inside of him.How could anyone deserve such happiness in this cruel world?On a cold, snowy night at the tail-end of January—the wooden walls of his ancient apartment only contributing to the effervescent glow that bounces off the copious amount of candles lining the bedroom to create the perfect, warm atmosphere—Jimin harbors a burning confession close to his heart, finally mustering the bravery to allow the words to drip from his lips.He snuggles beneath the blankets against Jungkook’s side, nearly every part of their bodies touching as they yearn for closeness to the utmost degree.Never enough.While his heart violently pounds in his chest, his lungs struggle to intake enough oxygen, and his mind races with a crippling amount of thoughts, he channels his undying devotion to steady his nerves and find the courage to profess his feelings to his alpha.“There are a lot of things we don’t talk about.” Jimin mutters as he pulls back to stare into Jungkook’s eyes.“What do you mean?”“We kind of just… We fell into this, you know? Instead of explicitly discussing every step along the way, we sort of just became a couple. There were a few conversations about it, but most things happened so naturally that we didn’t need to talk about them.”“Yeah, you’re right. We haven’t outright talked about a lot of the finer details of being together. Does that bother you?” Jungkook asks, his eyebrows furrowed and his gaze intense.“I wouldn’t say it bothers me, really.”“That’s good.”“It kind of feels like we were always like this, in a way. We have a natural connection that easily transitioned into the romantic aspect. I already knew so much about you and you already knew so much about me. There was no awkward period for us to learn how we fit together. We just started here.”“While it’s certainly corny to say out loud, I believe that we’ve always had this strong connection and compatibility between us, but we didn’t realize how deep it went until we spent that heat and rut together.”“I agree.” Jimin nods, fingers lightly tracing shapes on Jungkook’s chest, the scent of fresh laundry endlessly comforting.“I adore you and everything about you. I always have. I always will.”“Thank you, alpha.”“You’re welcome, baby.”“I feel the same way about you. I never connected well with any alphas in my life because I felt like they didn’t see me as a real person. It’s your respect for me that opened my eyes to the fact that you’re such an amazing, sweet, kind, considerate, strong person.” Jimin replies in earnest, his heartbeat ringing in his ears.“It means the world to me that you think that about me. I hope you know that. I’ve cared for anyone the way I care about you.”“M-Me too.”“All I want in this life is to live happily with our little family. I want to wake up to your pretty face in the mornings and curl up in bed with you after we put the pups to sleep. I want us to kiss and laugh and talk and share in the ups and downs of living. I want everything with you.”“Just… Just you and me, handling life together, hopefully mostly happy through it all.” Jimin readily agrees, stricken with emotions, his heart swelling until it tripled in size.“The perfect life.”“I love you, alpha. Thank you for taking such good care of me and making every day so wonderful.”“I love you more, baby. I don’t even know when it started, maybe I’ve always loved you. It’s an honor to be by your side, especially now that you’re carrying my pups in your belly. I love you so much.” Jungkook declares with conviction, cupping Jimin’s chubby cheeks in his hands before pulling him in for a bruising kiss.They continue the discussion a bit further, expanding on their thoughts and feelings that usually remain unspoken.Sometimes, even though they both know the truth of what thrives in the space between their beating hearts, speaking things aloud strengthens the sentiment behind their words and allows their bond to solidify even further.It feels unimaginably good to finally profess his love for the only alpha he wants to spend his life with.Naturally, as they express their love through insistent touches and the exchange of passionate kisses that leave them panting into each other’s mouths, the desire to indulge in more only surmounts until it becomes unavoidable.Arousal consumes them from the inside out.“Wait!” Jimin exclaims when Jungkook attempts to pull away from him, already lamenting the comfort of his alpha’s touch and scent before he even leaves, the fire flickering in his belly putting him a single match strike from erupting into flames. “Where are you going?”“I’m getting another pillow for your back. These two aren’t enough. I’ll be right back, baby.” Jungkook answers swiftly, offering a placating kiss to the omega’s lips in apology.“That took you almost an entire minute.”“Were you seriously counting?”“No.” Jimin shoots him a cheesy smile that sends an ache through his cheek muscles.“Silly omega.”Although he obediently reclines against the headboard while Jungkook dutifully arranges the bedding to support Jimin to the highest degree, Jimin wants to whine in protest at the absurdity of such a lengthy process. The wetness soaking the blanket beneath his ass provides clear proof of his urgent arousal, a hair’s breadth away from begging for attention.Jungkook’s final arrangement makes him feel like a commodity on display, propped up with pillows and surrounded by a bumper of blankets on all sides. The support helps to alleviate the pressure from his heavy belly, yet the position brings an even redder flush to his cheeks.“I feel like a beached whale that washed up on the shore and you’re the human staring at me instead of helping.”“That’s an oddly specific comparison.”“I know.”“I hope no one does to a beached whale what I’m about to do to you.” Jungkook growls, deep and gruff, the darkness in his eyes evoking an ungodly sensation in the depths of Jimin’s guts.“Oh my god!”“Are you comfortable? Is there anything you want me to change? I know it’s unnecessary for me to fuss over you this much, but I don’t know how considerate I’ll be once I’ve buried my face in your pretty hole.”“A-Alpha.” Jimin releases a high pitched whine, his furious blush extending down his chest.“Hm?”“I’m okay.”“Are you sure, omega?”“Yes.” Jimin nods in agreement, his breathing quickening as he lies back like a prey allowing a predator to pounce on him. “I’m… I’m ready. I want you s-so badly. I waited for this all day.”“Fuck, me too.”Jimin tampers down the embarrassment attempting to rise within him, allowing himself to relish the current moment instead of overthinking the things happening between them. After weeks, if not months, of daydreaming about fully submitting himself to his alpha again, he wants to indulge in the glory of such intimate pleasure.His lips ache from how passionately Jungkook kisses him. Their mouths move together in a now practiced rhythm, barely able to breathe with how devoutly they focus on licking each other’s tongues.The swiftness in which Jimin’s cock twitches with the beginnings of an orgasm no longer brings him shame.He preens into the touch of Jungkook’s strong hands on his desperate body, the night barely beginning and his mind already frazzled to a jumbled mess of salacious thoughts. Jimin puts forth no effort to hide from the attention the alpha devotes to his naked, exposed body. Even when he trails down with a suction-cup mouth to sear bruises on the path to his lower half, Jimin only accepts the mindless bliss.“Alpha’s going to make you feel good, baby. So fucking good. All I need you to do is lie back and take it like the precious omega you are, okay? I’ll take good care of you.” Jungkook promises as his words drip from his lips, his insistent grip pushing Jimin’s thighs up to offer his sodden hole in its full glory.“P-Please, alpha. Please. I’ll be good for you. I need it. H-Hurts.” Jimin whines breathily, propped up just enough to see as Jungkook lowers himself between his spread legs.A single lick.Light explodes across Jimin’s eyelids while his release wracks through his body, coming all over the underside of his belly from a single lick.The past month or so taught him exactly what Jimin likes beyond the depravity of his heat, using this information to his advantage when he continues diving in to lap at the omega’s gushing hole like a man starved for years. His scent spikes with richness as he eats Jimin out like his life depends on making him come enough to feed an army with his slick alone.It hurts so good when he ignores the oversensitivity zapping through him, throttling from one peak to another without time to recover.“You taste so much better than I remember.”“D-Don’t… Don’t stop.”“You’re sweeter now that you have my pups in your belly. Did you know that? Not only are you every alpha’s wet dream, but you’re already the perfect daddy, too. I’m the luckiest person in the world.” Jungkook growls confidently, nipping at Jimin’s tight little balls for no good reason.“Alpha, I… I want...” Jimin struggles to form proper sentences, the frayed edges of his mind mostly incoherent. “More.”“You always do, baby.”“I w-want you. Inside. I want to feel you this time, all of you. I want your knot, alpha. Please. Please, give it to me. I don’t want to wait anymore.”“Holy fuck. Are you sure, omega?”“Yes, yes, yes.”The promise of burying his achingly hard cock inside of Jimin’s soaked walls lights a fire under Jungkook’s ass, his movements infinitely more feral as he devours the omega’s hole like never before. He swallows every drop of marshmallow goodness, spreads his cheeks further apart with his rough grip, and fucks into him with the tip of his tongue.By the time Jungkook adds a couple of fingers to stretch him enough to accommodate his massive cock, Jimin loses count of the amount of orgasms overtaking his willing body.“I… I l-love you so much.”“I love you, sweetheart. Tell me if you’re uncomfortable in any way and I’ll stop, okay? It’s been a long time since we’ve done this, so don’t hesitate to let me know how you’re feeling.” Jungkook grunts into his mouth, the taste of Jimin’s marshmallow slick sweet on his own tongue.“Will you go slow?”“Of course, anything you want.”“It’s probably silly, but I’m afraid of h-hurting the pups. I don't want you to be rough, please. I’m sorry if that’s not what you prefer.” Jimin whispers softly, overly aware of how every part of him jiggles with sudden movements, his breasts heavy on his chest.“You’ve always liked it gentle, baby. I remember you being the same even back before you were pregnant. Don’t apologize for that. You’re perfect.”“I… I w-want your knot, alpha. P-Please.”Jimin tosses his head back in a pleasure-blinded gasp as he feels every inch of Jungkook’s enormous cock stretching his walls to their limit, the breath knocked from his lungs while his body molds to the shape of the alpha who utterly worships him. He struggles to function, unable to breathe or think or move a muscle, pliant against his cocoon of pillows while he spreads open for Jungkook’s cock.No amount of foreplay could ever compare to the actual sensation of being stuffed to the hilt, Jimin already so sensitive and strung out that tears gather at the corners of his eyes.He wants to stay like this in perpetuity.“How do you feel, baby? Hm? Is it good? Tell alpha what you’re thinking.” Jungkook requests as he slowly drives his hips in and out of the omega, overwhelmingly deep with every stroke of his cock.“G-Good.”“Yeah? What else?”“Deep.” Jimin chokes out, cradling his belly to ground himself. “So… So deep.”“You look like an angel right now, precious omega. You’re so fucking beautiful. You’re going to be the death of me if you keep looking at me like that.”“I love you.”“I love you so much.”Jungkook takes him apart piece by piece, reaching into the depths of his soul to connect with the fabric of his being, gently pulling at the strings until only a pile of material remains in his place. He makes love to Jimin, every movement of his hips intentionally caressing the neediest parts of the omega. From the way he stares lovingly into Jimin’s eyes to the swell of sweetness in his cotton scent to the words of adoration pouring from his lips, Jungkook offers him the entire world.Everything about finally reconnecting through this show of intimacy surpasses Jimin’s hopes and dreams.He spends an ungodly amount of time each day merely imagining the glory of swallowing Jungkook’s cock inside of him, plagued by the hazy memories of their shared heat and rut cycle all those months ago.This is better.Regardless of his swollen belly that severely limits their range of motion, Jimin savors every second that Jungkook’s cock glides in and out of his gushing hole. He mewls in delight as tears drip from his eyes, pants through each agonizingly delicious stroke, listens to every wet squelch that rings in the air, and begs for kisses each time his alpha pulls away. His own cock no longer maintains the ability to keep up, limp and used and abused.“I know, sweetheart. I know. I’m sorry that I have to stop, but it’s just for a minute. Let me help you move onto your side and I’ll give you what you want. It’s safer this way, I promise.” Jungkook rasps in a soothing grumble, devastatingly soft with his touches.“K-Knot?”“Yeah. I’ll give you my knot. We just have to make sure you’re comfortable first.”“Please, please, please.”“Lift your head, pretty. I’ve got a pillow right here. You don’t want to strain your neck. My knot’s going to last for half an hour, so everything has to be perfect for you.”“You’re t-too nice, alpha. I… I can’t believe it. Why are you s-so sweet?” Jimin sniffles as he settles into position on his side.“I just love you is all.”“Thank you.”The last few thrusts provide Jimin a full vision into what it feels like when a knot forms at the base of his alpha’s cock, every cell in his body crying out with the intrinsic need to take it inside of him. He keens as it nudges against his entrance and catches on the rim, pleasure burning like wildfire in his veins.A leisurely affair.Jungkook refuses to rush, almost cruel with the lack of urgency behind his movements, apparently soaking up every moment of this first, sober coupling in their lives.Again and again he whispers loving proclamations.Lips press to the back of the omega’s neck when the moment finally arrives, his body somehow finding the capacity to experience another peak of bliss in tandem with his own. His dry, twitching cocklet greatly contrasts the massive, spurting cock that fills him with so much cum that it finds nowhere to go. Jungkook grunts and groans into his ear, grinding his knot while he continues to mark his insides with an eternal brand to claim Jimin as his own.“Was it o-okay, alpha? Did it feel good for you, too? How was it?” Jimin asks breathily, blindly fumbling behind him to reach any part of Jungkook’s body that his hands land on.“It was perfect, baby. Better than perfect. There’s nothing better than this in the whole goddamn world.”“G-Good.”“You’re such a good omega, you know that?”“I wish I could see your face. I miss you. It’s not the same like this.” Jimin whines with his honesty, lamenting the lack of eye contact and unfettered kissing that comes from a face to face connection.“I miss your pretty face too. Let’s put you on top next time, yeah?”Rather than drifting off to sleep with their bodies covered in layers of viscous cum and tacky slick, Jimin requests that they shower together in his tiny bathroom. He wants to wash away the sims that stick to their bodies before knocking out into an undoubtedly fruitful night of sleep.It strikes him that the time for him to move from his treasured little home finally approaches, putting it off until the last possible minute.Soon enough, their lives will intertwine in every way.“As much as I’m not a fan of these wet room shower situations, it’s convenient to be able to sit my ass on the toilet seat instead of standing.” Jungkook says with a satisfied hum, happily letting Jimin rinse the suds from his hair.“There are a few perks to this bathroom design. Not many, but a few.”“Do you want to stand while I wash you off? I can still reach your head either way. It’s totally up to you, omega.”“Stand.”“Your wish is my command.”They switch out the dirty, soaked blanket for the last remaining clean one that sits on the floor near the end of the bed, luckily smart enough to avoid getting any of the pillows dirty in their sex-crazed madness. Jimin curls on his side facing Jungkook, neither of them keen to close their eyes after such an emotionally and physically fulfilling night.“I love you, my handsome alpha. I can’t wait to raise our Petals together.” Jimin whispers as his eyelids grow heavy, fit to burst with happiness.“I love you, baby. They’re going to be here before you know it.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Rather than instantly transitioning from working full-time as Jungkook’s legal secretary—filing motions with the court, drawing up contracts for clients, researching applicable laws for cases, and completing documents necessary for the judicial system—Jimin gradually shifts to ensure the change flows smoothly for everyone involved.After placing an ad for his replacement, interviewing a host of potential employees, and officially hiring the most compatible secretary amongst the pool, he works alongside the new hire for the first week.He personally oversees everything.They handle the workload together, intentionally discussing each task on their list of obligations to explicitly convey the expectations on their shoulders, Jimin ultimately reviewing each item before stamping it with his sign of approval. Jimin outlines their duties and responsibilities with utmost sincerity, expressing the seriousness in which they view each case.Hyejin, the new legal secretary, impresses him with her skills, deftly tackling each task without issue.For the second week, he sets her loose.Shadowing.Instead of sharing the work with her the first week and completely starting his maternity leave the second week, Jimin chooses to oversee her ability to handle everything on her own without his help. He comes into the office for at least an hour or two per day, shopping, cleaning, resting, and packing up all of his belongings for the rest of his freetime. It drives a stake through his heart to hand over his office to an effective stranger, but each decision in life comes with sacrifices.“Jimin!” Seo-ah shrieks when he walks into the front office, her eyes lighting up before she springs to her feet to rush around the counter. “I missed you so much! It’s so good to see you again!”“I literally saw you yesterday.” Jimin rolls his eyes, hiding his amusement.“For like two minutes!”“Okay, okay. You’re right. We haven’t seen each that much lately. Do you want to drink some tea together while I’m here?”“Absolutely! Let’s go!”They make their way to the break room to brew hot water for their teas, spending several minutes just catching up on each other’s lives while they wait. Seo-ah shares pictures and stories of her nephew while Jimin complains about the tedious process of moving.Something about hanging out in the office without any pressure hanging above his head actually brings light to Jimin’s soul.“I won’t be coming in much after Friday. It’s already hard enough for me to get around with this huge belly, so I’ll mostly be at home preparing for the pups. I have a million things to get done and no time to do it all.” Jimin sighs, gripping his head in his hands, the urge to flip Jungkook’s apartment upside down far too tempting.“Going through the nesting stage while moving sounds like hell on earth.”“It is.”If Jimin truly levels with himself and contemplates the circumstances of his temporarily occupied position, he picks a perfect replacement to fill in for him. In all truthfulness, Hyejin possesses more experience and knowledge about the field than him. Her slightly older age and years of work in the legal system makes her an asset to the firm in more ways than one.His worries fall to the wayside whenever he steps into her office to check on her work, never once unsatisfied with the way she handles the duties presented to her.It brings him peace.She might never fully fill the gap he leaves behind considering the connection between him and Jungkook greatly impacts their chemistry as a duo on the field, nor does she get along with Seo-ah and the other staff in such a personal way, but none of that matters if she successfully completes her responsibilities to carry the mission of their firm.“I prefer a more hands-off approach when it comes to working on cases, which I expressed to Mr. Jeon when I met with him this morning.”“Hands-off in what way?”“Well, I like to be less involved with the clients and things. I remember how you told me that you usually go to court with him, sit in on meetings, and directly maintain contact with clients in case they need anything. It’s my preference to not do those kinds of things.” Hyejin explains, her yogurt scent weirdly thick in Jimin’s nose.“That’s understandable. I think my position is unique because I combine roles from different jobs in the firm. You were specifically hired to be a legal secretary.”“Exactly.”“How are you finding everything so far? I know it must be annoying to have me watching over your shoulder when you clearly know what you’re doing, but I can’t help but worry.” Jimin asks, transparent in his concerns and fears since the beginning.“I don’t blame you at all, Jimin. I know how much you value your position. It makes sense that you care.”They stay in the office for around an hour while Jimin discusses any important matters that come to mind, sifting through the work she already finished before he arrived. She possesses a motherly demeanor that soothes his concerns whenever he speaks to her, everything he builds up in his mind swiftly fading away at her clear ability to complete the job in a satisfactory way.Lunch time steadily looms on the horizon, Jimin’s appetite constantly spiking and waning from one day to the next, his stomach gurgling with raucous hunger by the time the clock strikes noon.“Would you like to join Attorney Jeon and I for lunch?” Jimin questions as he stands to his feet.“I wouldn’t want to impose.”“You wouldn’t be, trust me. This is probably the last time I’ll be here for the occasion, so I would love the chance to get to know you better. It’s completely up to you, of course. Feel free to enjoy your lunch break however you want.”“I’ll join you.” Hyejin says with a polite smile.Though his physical condition makes for a difficult time when enacting any sort of labor on his body, even struggling to walk down a hallway without growing winded, he puts on a brave face and conjures the strength to trek to a restaurant down the block with Jungkook and Hyejin.“Is there a case that you worked in that stands out to you the most? Did you ever have one that you just couldn’t believe? Was there anything like that?”“All sorts of them.”“Really?”“The most memorable case of my career was almost ten years ago now. I’m not sure if you’re familiar with it, but I worked at a small firm that handled pretty standard clients. It was simple, straightforward, and streamline.” Hyejin explains, her graying hair pulled back to frame her face, the professionalism of her mannerisms still present even outside of the office. “We had a case about a missing family with a father who claimed they had been abducted by the government.”“I vaguely remember hearing about that. I recognize the abduction story. This was in Daegu at the time, correct?” Jungkook adds his input, serious.“Yes, it was.”“What ended up happening with it?”“The state went forward with charging him for family annihilation without any concrete proof. All signs pointed to the father, naturally, but there wasn’t a trail of evidence. It was truly like they just disappeared.”“Oh my god.” Jimin remarks in shock, eyes wide and intrigued.“This was the first case that I worked on that made it to national news, so I was very intimidated. I couldn’t stop thinking about it day and night. There was something about it that just haunted me. It had details that didn’t make sense to me.”“Wow, that’s intense.”“Sounds stressful. I can’t imagine trying to prove someone’s innocence like that.”“I was looking through the case when filling out a motion for court when I noticed a statement that caught my eye. It mentioned something about a cave up a mountain that sounded familiar to me. So, that weekend when I was free, I hiked up the mountain.” Hyejin states in a low, calculated tone that leaves Jimin on the edge of the seat.“Don’t tell me you were the one to find the family? Are you serious? Is that what you’re about to say?” Jimin questions with impatience.“Yes.”“What?”“There’s no way!”“Unfortunately, they were no longer alive. It brought a new dynamic to the case, since they had physical evidence after that, but we never learned what actually happened to them. The father claimed it was the first government even after his prison sentence.” Hyejin finishes her story as the food arrives at their table, perfect timing for their lunch break entertainment.“It’s fascinating to hear your stories and the kind of cases you’ve worked on over the years. I hope your time at my firm is less exciting than that for your sake.” Jungkook declares as he shoots her a polite smile.“I hope so, too. In the end, I’m open to whatever comes our way.”They spend the brief break for lunch together at the restaurant down the block where they share experiences on the job, incredulous cases they worked on, and their favorite parts of joining a career within the legal system. Their perspectives and opinions differ on certain subjects, but that allows for a dynamic point of view when it comes to viewing cases with a diverse range of eyes.Rather than immediately saying goodbye to return to his apartment to finish the last of the packing necessary to move to Jungkook’s home, the omega chooses to stay in his office and keep him company while he deals with less demanding tasks like paperwork.“Of course I miss working with you, but not as much as I thought I would.” Jimin hums thoughtfully, his hands wrapped around Jungkook’s shoulders while he scents him.“What’s that supposed to mean?”“I’m mostly too busy to feel the absence. It’s not like I went from working all day long to sitting on the couch doing nothing. I have a lot of stuff to do for real life and a never ending list of things stressing me out. I don’t know if I’ll ever be truly prepared for our Petals to be here.”“You’re arguably doing more now than you were working here. Getting ready to bring two new lives into the world is extremely tough.” Jungkook rasps into his ear, lips pressing kisses to his sensitive neck.“I’m glad you agree.”“Are you nervous about the birth itself? I feel like you don’t mention it much.”“It might sound crazy—““Never.”“I just… I don’t know why, but I’m not that worried about the delivery. I’m not a fan of pain, no one is. I feel as prepared as I can be after reading tons of books and going to several of the birthing classes. It seems like it’ll be a relief to my body, honestly. Living like this is hard.” Jimin declares with nothing except honesty in his words.“Thank you.” Jungkook sincerely expresses his gratitude, leaning across Jimin’s body to press a kiss to his painfully swollen belly. “Thank you so much, baby.”“You don’t have to—““I know I don’t have to, but I want to. You deserve endless praises for what you’re doing for me.”“For us.”“You’re right. I could never thank you enough for willingly putting your body through such a strenuous process. Nothing will ever come close to the joy that you’re allowing us to experience with this sacrifice. I’m so grateful for you.”“Alpha.” Jimin whines, taken aback by the sudden declaration of appreciation, his heart rate kicking into overdrive.“I love you, sweetheart.”“I love you so much.”“Will you text me every time you miss me so I know you’re thinking of me? It’s hard to go from seeing you whenever I want to being apart for the entire day.” Jimin asks on his way out of the office, finally heading home.“Of course, I will. You’re going to be getting a text every five minutes, I’m afraid.”“Good.”Of all the glorious things happening in Jimin’s life as a result of accepting the offer to carry Jungkook’s offspring, from the fortification of their wonderful relationship to the new support system at his side, leaving behind his precious apartment evokes an undeniable sense of sadness in the depths of his being.The notion of moving in with Jungkook to properly raise their pups together sounds wonderful, the concept perfect on the surface.Yet, he aches as he stares at the tiny, empty space.Whether true or not, it feels like sacrificing a part of his independence. As a teenager from a small, seaside town with no one to support him financially or otherwise, he worked tirelessly to graduate college and move up in the world. This apartment, one that he afforded all on his own, represents a part of his life that he cherishes so much. It served as his safe haven, his personal space, and his new home.Leaving it behind hurts more than anything.He sits on the worn, wooden floor while he allows memories of the past six years to flash through his mind, gripped to the core with emotion as he thinks of all the amazing times he shared with this place.Bittersweet.To welcome in this new chapter of his life, he needs to let go of the old one without hesitation.Jimin feels everything so strongly that he struggles to breathe through the temporary sadness, wallowing in his grief for this blimp of time, understanding the importance of letting his emotions wash through him without denying them.“I mean this in the nicest way possible, but can you get up on your own?” Hoseok asks when he peeps his head through the front door to gaze at Jimin sitting in the middle of his old bedroom space. “We’re fine with you taking as long as you need. I’m not trying to rush you. We just remembered that you might be having trouble getting up or something.”“Actually… I can’t.”“Shit.”“I just realized that my phone is in Seokjin’s car as well.” Jimin admits with a sheepish grin, thankful for the consideration before things become uncomfortable.“Do you want me to come back in a few minutes to get you?”“I’m ready now.”“Are you sure? You can take all the time you need. The movers are already packing your boxes into your new apartment.” Hoseok states kindly, the concept of it being Jimin’s apartment as well as Jungkook’s sending his head spinning.“My butt is completely numb. I think I’m cutting off circulation sitting like this for so long.”“Okay, up it is.”“Thank you.” Jimin whispers while he fights to ignore the lump in his throat, stalling his departure by stretching his legs, the empty apartment gripping him in a chokehold. “Goodbye. It was nice knowing you. Thanks for everything.”The chance to mourn swiftly ends by the time they arrive at Jimin’s penthouse suite atop one of the most expensive buildings in Seoul, disbelief flooding his system when he steps into the elevator to press the button to reach the highest floor. His friends all crowd into the space with boxes in their hands, the combination of their scents comforting throughout this trying occasion.True and utter chaos.Jimin owns a surprisingly menial amount of possessions considering the lack of space at his old place, yet an ungodly stack of boxes pile around the entrance of the apartment.The state of disarray drives his instincts absolutely haywire the moment he steps inside.Seokjin, Hoseok, and Taehyung refuse to allow him to lift anything on his own, forcing him to sit on a dining chair they pull into the entryway while he directs them on where to carry each box. They jump into action immediately, delivering the belongings to the appropriate room without any complaints.Although Jimin tells them several times that they can leave instead of spending their day unpacking his stuff, they adamantly deny the proposal.They want to help.“What clothes do you want hung up? Maternity or normal? Should I just put everything on a hanger for now? You tell me what you want and I’ll do it.” Seokjin questions as he steps out of the massive closet, meeting Jimin’s eyes where the omega sits on the bed.“I won’t be wearing maternity clothes much longer, so maybe just put them in one of my dresser drawers. Hang up my normal clothes.”“Even the fancy maternity stuff?”“I’m not wearing any of that again before I give birth.” Jimin asserts decisively.“How should I handle this box of stuff in the kitchen? Do you want me to make a separate place for your utensils and dishes or should I combine it with where Jungkook has his things?” Hoseok asks from where he stands in the bedroom doorway.“Combine it.”“Perfect, thanks!”“I hate to pile onto the question, but what do you want me to do with your bathroom stuff? Should I put it in the bathroom in here? All of it? Some of it?” Taehyung adds with an apologetic look on his face.“Just shove it in here since that’s the bathroom I’ll use the most.”“Okay!”“If I’m not happy with anything, I’ll change it later once I’ve settled in better.” Jimin replies, surprisingly calm and collected despite the commotion.It takes most of the day, from sunup to sundown, for them to successfully rid the apartment of any boxes, organizing all of Jimin’s possessions where they belong amongst Jungkook’s things. They smash down the cardboard, sweep the entryway, toss any of the trash left behind, and make sure Jimin feels comfortable every step of the way. His entire body grows swollen, indicating the looming threat of birth at any minute.To thank them for their hard work and never ending support, Jimin orders dinner to the apartment to feed everyone before they return to their homes.He spends the next few days focusing on the nursery.His—probably—last appointment at the hospital with the doctor before the pups arrive shows positive signs that indicate a delivery on the horizon, already a couple of centimeters dilated and effaced. Rather than inducing labor or planning a c-section, they decide together that Jimin can carry to full term as long as no complications arise. If all goes well, the pups will naturally come within the next week or two.This knowledge sends him into a spiral.Perfect.Everything needs to be perfect.Bringing two precious pups home to a less than spotless apartment evokes a visceral reaction in the deepest part of his being.Since the nursery exists as a direct representation of the lives inside of him, he chooses to direct his attention to that particular subsection the most. He dusts, sweeps, mops, vacuums, and scrubs everything in sight. It puts immense strain on his body and tires him out within minutes, but he doesn’t care when something so important sits on the line.Luckily, Jungkook understands his struggle, assisting however he can.“Is this something that the doctor recommended? Are their clothes supposed to be washed before they wear them?”“I feel like that’s just common sense.”“Pardon?”“Who in their right mind would put unwashed clothing on a newborn pup? On any pup, for that matter? Their skin is sensitive and vulnerable as it is. You can’t imagine all the possibilities of what could be on those unwashed linens.” Jimin answers passionately, his stomach turning when he pictures rubbing disgusting fabric on his precious Petals.“I guess I never really thought about it. That makes sense, though. New things should always be washed before they’re used.”“You’re lucky that I’m here to worry about this stuff for you.”“I am.” Jungkook smiles.Together, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, they remove the tags from all of the pups’ clothing, toss them in the washer with pup detergent and sanitizer, and put them into the dryer to complete the cycle, spending the time in between on the couch instead of accomplishing much of anything else.After the clothes finish their cleansing and drying, they return to the nursery to put everything on hangers. It turns into a joint effort that flies by this way.“I’m still having an identity crisis about this and the pups aren’t even here yet.”“What do you mean?” Jungkook asks in a low, gentle tone, scratching his fingers up and down Jimin’s back in a soothing motion. “What about it is causing you so much distress?”“I don’t know how we should handle the twins aspect.”“They’re two different people.”“Yes.” Jimin nods in agreement. “They are. Does that mean they shouldn’t match all the time and wear the same clothes every day?”“Kind of?”“I want to be their own people, of course. They’ll have different personalities and passions and dreams. What if they like embracing that aspect of being twins and want to match their outfits for school?”“Then we let them. They can decide for themselves how they want to present to the world.”“Yeah, okay. You’re right.”With the nursery clean enough to perform open heart surgery from inside the cribs, Jimin transitions into a different kind of nesting mode.Actual nesting.The urge strikes him for the first time when he wakes up on Sunday morning, the need to perfectly arrange their bed for maximum safety and comfort gnawing away at his resolve until he feels seconds away from exploding. He needs to fix all of their pillows and blankets before something terrible happens. The world will end otherwise.Jungkook, perpetually a saint in a world of sinners, only offers reassurances to soothe Jimin’s anxiety even after the omega rudely wakes him up as soon as the sun rises in the sky.“Baby, look at me.”“Hmm?”“Look at me, please. I know you’re focused on making your nest, but can you look at me for a second?” Jungkook questions in a gentle, imploring voice.“What is it?”“Will you tell me what kind of clothes you want me to put in the hospital bag? Actually think about it. You need something to wear home after you give birth, plus whatever else you want to take with you.”“Comfy clothes.” Jimin answers succinctly.“Okay, what kind of comfy clothes? Do you want me to bring pajamas? Are sweatpants and a hoodie a better option?”“No.”“No what?”“No to the pajamas since I’ll wear a hospital gown for most of the time. Just… Just bring loose sweatpants, black if possible. I don’t think I need underwear since they give me postpartum diapers, but bring some just in case.” Jimin mulls it over in his head despite the intensity of the instincts consuming him.“A hoodie?”“Something that zips in case I need to feed them.”“Thank you for answering my questions, baby. Let me know if you think of anything else. I’m packing whatever is on the list that you made.”Jimin exerts so much effort in his valiant attempt to construct the perfect nest for him and his family that he collapses with exhaustion at the end of the creative process, curling onto his side in the middle of the fortified structure that protects him on all sides. The rational side of him understands the absurdity of his instincts, yet he relents to them regardless.“Have you thought any more about letting your parents visit the pups once we bring them home?” Jimin asks softly.“I think about it all the time.”“They seem like they’re trying really hard to change and respect your wishes so that they can be in the girls’ lives. I know that you’re struggling with choosing, so I hope you know I’m on your side no matter what.”“I know you are, omega. I’m so grateful that I have you supporting me.” Jungkook places a wet kiss on his plush lips.“We’ll be alright either way, our perfect little family.”Over the course of the past eight months, a plethora of changes occurred to Jimin’s body, nearly every part of him different in some way due to the twin pups nestled inside of his belly.His hands and feet.How fast his hair grows.The thickness of his thighs.While he embraces these things with open arms, noticeably less self conscious about his pregnant body as he accepts the changes as necessary to healthily grow his pups, other aspects still bring him hesitation because of the stark contrast to his previous figure. Intense transformations that happen in the blink of an eye can affect anyone, especially ones as intimately personal as this.Jimin’s steadily growing breasts fatten and plump up until they hang like heavy weights on his chest.Soreness shoots through him.He learns to live with the itchiness of his expanding skin, applying moisturizer to combat the dryness and cracking. The omega accommodates the strain on his back by lifting them with his hands when wandering in their apartment. Staring in the mirror at his darkened nipples and widened areolas no longer scares him.These changes happen for him to feed the pups, so he accepts them despite the absurdity he feels inside.But…Milk throws him for a loop.When the surmounting pressure in his chest culminates to milky droplets leaking from his tawny nipples, his eyes wide as saucers when he looks down to find wet patches staining his pajama shirt, it throttles his mind into a hundred conflicting directions at once.Jimin hurries into the bathroom to plop onto the closed toilet seat, hands trembling at the hem of his shirt that he slowly raises to reveal the culprit of his raging emotions. The sensation throws him for a loop as he watches beads of milk dribble from his own body. They trail down his chest onto his painfully rounded belly, appearing like he swallowed a watermelon whole considering the sheer size and shape of the bump protruding from between his hips.The doctor, the nurses, the professionals at the birthing classes, the online advice articles, the pregnancy books, none of it truly prepared him for this monumental occasion.His milk supply arrives before his pups even possess the ability to drink it.Calm.Nothing to stress about.Rather than succumbing to the urge to thrust into a spiral of panic, Jimin contemplates the privilege of such a bodily function. He thinks of it in a clinical way, remembering why this happens in the first place. Processing his gratitude and appreciate for his body helps him to neutralize the storm of emotions inside of him, some bits of embarrassment still lingering despite everything.He sticks absorbing patches of cloth to his breasts and continues with his day of relaxation, curling into bed for a much needed nap before his alpha returns from work.“Pretty baby.”“Hmm…” Jimin releases a heavy sigh at the sound of Jungkook’s deep, rich voice.“You always look so peaceful when you’re sleeping. I could sit here and watch you for hours. There’s something so captivating about your beautiful face when all the worries slip from your mind.”“D-Dramatic.”“Only for you, sweetheart.”Jungkook makes no effort to coax Jimin out of bed, swiftly slipping away to undress from his fancy suit, step into the shower to wash away the grime from the day, and pull on a pair of comfortable pajamas for the remainder of the night. His refreshing laundry scent permeates the air from the moment he enters into the bedroom, Jimin’s body instantly reactive to his alpha’s essence that lingers around him.The weight and pressure of his massive bump evokes an undeniable amount of pain no matter what position Jimin adopts.He finds it impossible to ignore the ache constantly devouring him.Even without any definitive proof, functioning solely off of the instincts that run rampant inside of him, the omega knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that the pups will emerge into the world within a short number of days. They call out to him, their urgency palpable, ready to delve from their safe haven.“You smell different.”“Not this again.” Jimin groans as he remembers hearing these words in the past. “Stop saying that to me.”“It’s never a bad thing.”“I just think you should keep it to yourself. It stresses me out when you tell me that, makes me feel weird. I don’t want to know if my scent is changing.”“I’m sorry, baby.”“What’s different about it?”“It’s kind of… It seems milkier. Your scent has a creamy edge to it now. I think it’s similar to before, but even stronger.” Jungkook explains as he thoroughly thinks it over, softly carding his fingers through Jimin’s hair.“Oh, that makes sense.”“It does?”“My, um… My milk.” Jimin mutters blankly.“What do you mean? What about your milk? Do you think the scent is stronger because the pups are almost here?”“No.”“I’m not following.”“I have it. I have milk now. My supply came in today. Not a lot, but… Yeah. There’s milk.”Jimin gradually opens his eyes to observe as Jungkook soaks up the information presented to him without any warning, clearly taken aback considering he stares blankly at the omega’s chest with a clenched jaw. They hang in limbo for a couple of minutes, neither of them uttering another word, the reality of the circumstances of this aspect of pregnancy something that they rarely discuss outright.“Does it hurt?” Jungkook eventually questions, eyebrows furrowed.“Yes.”“What does it feel like?”“Pressure. A lot of pressure. It’s kind of heavy, pulling almost. I can feel that it’s built up so much that it’s just leaking out.” Jimin explains to the best of his ability, mind still fuzzy from sleep.“Does the milk itself coming out bring you pain? Is that uncomfortable too?”“Hmm… Not really.”“No?”“No. It’s mainly just… just wet. That part doesn’t hurt, not yet.”“Good.” Jungkook swallows so hard that his Adam's apple bobs, his scent spiking with spicy arousal until it floods the confines of their bedroom, something impossibly dark in his eyes. “That’s… That’s good.”“Yeah.”“Can I see it, baby?”The request steals the breath from Jimin’s lungs. He pauses, surprised for some reason, struggling to process the concept in his hazy brain. His alpha wants to see his leaking breasts.After all this time together and the multitude of experiences they shared, Jimin harbors little reservation when it comes to Jungkook.Still, he considers it, unsure.“Y-Yeah, if you really want to.” Jimin eventually whispers, his cheeks flushing as red as a tomato.“I do.”“Help me, please.”Jungkook’s barely hidden excitement at the prospect of seeing milk drip from Jimin’s nipples fails to influence the gentleness he possesses when he maneuvers the omega onto his back. He still moves carefully, slowly, gingerly. Before he ever attempts to undress Jimin to gaze at his chest, he ensures he rests comfortably in his nest, his back against the headboard and pillows.He helps Jimin out of his baggy shirt, adjusts the blankets behind him once more, then hovers his hand above the patches that cover the omega’s nipples.Jimin offers him a slow nod.The amount of heat coursing through his veins feels wrong in a way, shocked that his alpha could enjoy the idea of his milk so much that it arouses him. He experiences secondhand intrigue knowing that Jungkook enjoys what he sees. Nothing about this exists in an inherently sexual way, yet slick gathers at the back of his underwear regardless.A breathy gasp tumbles from his lips when Jungkook reaches out to feel the milk with his own rough fingers.“It’s not too much.”“Yeah. It… It made my shirt wet earlier, so I put those patches on there.” Jimin describes, filling the silence.“Tell me if it hurts.”“Okay.”“It just drops right out.” Jungkook remarks in wonder as he pinches the tips of Jimin’s nipples to draw milk to the surface, watching with rapt attention as it dribbles down his swollen chest and trails onto his rounded belly. He repeats it again and again, utterly fascinated. His arousal grows into something monstrous. “You look like a wet dream, omega. This is so fucking hot. I hope you know that.”“It’s only m-milk. It’s meant to feed the pups. It’s natural and… and—““Sexy as hell.”“Oh my god, really?” Jimin questions with an embarrassingly interested squeal.“Why would I lie about that?”“I don’t know.”“I’m so goddamn hard just looking at you like this. You smell sweeter than ever. Milk is dripping all over you. My pups are in your belly right now. Your beautiful face is absolutely glowing. It’s doing something wild to my alpha, baby.” Jungkook growls out his words, licking his lips in unadulterated desire.The alpha provides no verbal communication before he dives forward.In a rare moment of unfettered need, seemingly overtaken by the urge to savor the flavor of Jimin’s sweetness for himself, Jungkook sticks out his tongue to catch a droplet of milk.Another.Then another.After several beads of milk fall into his mouth, his eyes flash with something carnal, his teeth catching the taut point of Jimin’s nipple before he wraps his lips around the bud, sucking out the liquid on his own. Jungkook growls in delight, his scent swelling with so much spice that it makes Jimin dizzy. He enjoys himself almost too much, crawling forward to hover over the omega’s body while he drinks from his breast.Jimin battles with the feelings rising inside of him, egged on by the way his alpha desperately suckles from his nipple while his hard cock brushes against his thigh.“Y-You’re so… I don’t… It’s just…” Jimin stumbles over his words, cock twitching in interest, his backside soaked with tacky slick.“Holy shit.”“Why do you l-like it so much?”“How could I not? You’re my omega. Here you are, dripping with sweet milk, laid up like a trophy just for me. I might lose my fucking mind.” Jungkook answers with far less tact and decorum than usual.“Alpha.”“Taste how delicious you are, baby.”Jungkook surges forward to capture Jimin’s lips in a bruising kiss. He refuses to hold back, gripping the omega’s face in his strong hands, forcing his tongue into his mouth to make him acknowledge the flavor of his own making. Jimin struggles to refrain from moaning, both disgusted and aroused simultaneously. His own milk sits on his tongue.“You’re a savage.”“Don’t act like you don’t like it.”“It’s h-hard not to when you’re so… so wild about it. You’re never like this.” Jimin replies with a whine, too overtaken with desire to deny it.“You make me this way, sweetheart. This is how much I love you.”Things quickly devolve into a mess of hands exploring bodies, unafraid to reach out and touch wherever their hearts desire. Jimin employs an active role instead of merely letting Jungkook strike first, blindly fumbling around to grip the alpha’s cock from inside his sleep shorts. He releases a shaky breath when the fat, long, hard cock in his hand throbs without him even doing anything.Working Jungkook to his release requires an obscene amount of effort considering the angle in which they position themselves, but it takes hardly any time at all with the alpha practically beside himself with need.Jungkook, of course, returns the favor.They manage to gather themselves enough to clean up once they finish their debaucherous acts.Stickiness clings to Jimin’s skin from every angle, not even required to voice his complaints because Jungkook already knows, the two of them washing their sins away in the warm stream of the shower before changing into new pajamas.What a strangely pleasant turn of events.Jimin’s water breaks early the next morning.A tortuously heavy bladder forces him from his restless slumber, lazily prying his body out from under the warmth of their blankets to drag his feet to the bathroom.He relieves himself, sitting on the toilet for entirely too long because he wants to fall back asleep instead of walking all the way back to the bed. Sunshine just barely peeks through the bathroom window, everything still drenched in a suitable amount of darkness to pull him back under. It takes several minutes to muster the motivation to leave.One.Two.Three.Three steps total—more of a waddle than anything—before he experiences a wet whoosh in his ears and a splattering of liquid running down his legs to puddle at his feet.Slow blinks, a blank expression, uncomplicated acceptance washing over his mental capabilities.He recognizes the situation in an instant.A sense of calmness hangs over his head despite the obvious panic of the reality of what this occurrence means. His instincts innately understand how to handle the circumstances, collected in the face of the arrival of his pups. Remaining level-headed, his heart rate slightly increasing as he steels his breathing, Jimin stares blankly at the open bathroom door across the room.“Jungkook.”He hears no movement in the bedroom.“Jungkook.” He calls louder this time, putting more emphasis on the name.Still, radio silence plays in the other room, leaving him with no choice than to shout for the alpha who put these pups in his belly in the first place.“Jungkook!”That seems to work, a shuffling sound like blankets shifting echoing in the air, an audible grunt pulling from Jungkook’s lips as he undoubtedly reaches to find the omega. When he comes up empty, Jungkook’s feet pound against the floor as he stumbles his way to the bathroom.Jimin still stands in the puddle of amniotic fluid that trickles down his legs, cradling his achy belly when Jungkook appears in the doorway.“Are you okay?”“Yeah, I think so.” Jimin whispers, blinking at him.“Is that what I think it is? Did your water break? Are you going into labor?” Jungkook questions with a noticeable hint of concern in his deep, gruff voice.“Yes.”A remarkable sense of calm falls over both of them as they attempt to wrap their heads around everything they need to do before they leave for the hospital. Instead of speaking, they act. Jungkook grabs a towel to wipe down Jimin’s lower half, soaking up the liquid from the floor as well, tossing the fabric into the dirty clothes hamper when finished. He helps Jimin out of his pajamas for the second time in a number of hours. Neither of them scream or freak out or panic.The packed hospital bag waiting by the door helps to alleviate concerns about gathering their thing, all the possessions Jimin, Jungkook, or their pups need contained inside the overnight bag.Jimin plops himself on the bed while he allows his body to rest, dutifully texting the news to their closest friends and family.Only once the pain truly kicks in does the sense of urgency arise. Jimin’s entire body tenses when a cramping pain shoots across his belly, forcing his heart rate to skyrocket as every bit of oxygen expels from his lungs. He uses the breathing techniques he learned at the birthing classes to steady his air intake and distract himself from the already intense pain.“D-Did you turn off the l-lights?” Jimin asks from where he doubles over in the entryway.“Yeah.”“Check the b-bags one m-more time. We’ll be… be screwed without our chargers. Are y-you sure their c-coming home outfits are in there? Double check j-just in case.”“Yes, I’m sure. It’s all in there. I’m looking at it right now.” Jungkook declares confidently, crouching at Jimin’s feet.“Wait.”“What is it?”“I want some water first.”“Right now? Really? Can’t you wait until we get to the hospital for that?”“They… They won’t. They d-don’t let you eat or… or drink in l-labor. I’m s-so thirsty, alpha.” Jimin pants out his breaths, recovering from another fierce wave of contractions.“Okay, okay. I’ll get you water, baby. Hold on.”Everyone knows that the frequency of the contractions determines the seriousness associated with the impending arrival of a pup, so they feel comfortable stalling for a little while at this point. The minutes between contractions falls below ten when they officially vacate the apartment and climb onto the elevator to reach the car in the basement.“We’re lucky that we’ve had their car seats in here for a couple of weeks now. I’d have to force Yoongi to come to the hospital and install them for us if I didn’t already do it.”“There will be two pups back there the next time we ride in this car.” Jimin states incredulously.“Can you believe it?”“Not at all.”“How are you feeling? Are your contractions as bad as you thought they would be?” Jungkook asks at a stoplight, leaning over the console to caress Jimin’s belly and stare directly into his tired eyes.“They’re pretty bad, but it’s not like I didn’t know it was coming.”“You let me know if you need anything and I’ll do what I can, okay? We’re almost at the hospital. You’re so strong, omega. I’m amazed by you. I can’t wait to raise our pups with you as their daddy.”“S-Stop before I cry.”They head straight to the maternity ward once they reach the hospital. The clock already strikes 7 o’clock by the time they settle in the waiting room, Jungkook burdened with filling out any necessary paperwork while Jimin suffers through another contraction. Luckily for them, especially Jimin, the nurses take them back into a room after a couple of minutes.Actually sitting on the bed inside of a hospital room makes everything feel infinitely more real and serious than before.Sterile.Filled with machinery.Nurses constantly coming in and out.It initially starts with questions about how he feels, gauging his level of pain, and figuring out what happened to bring him to the hospital. After that, with as much of an explanation of the situation as they can receive, they perform a physical examination to determine his level of dilation and ensure nothing appears amiss with the state of his body.The entire process takes an hour or so, Jungkook silently hovering at his side throughout everything that occurs.8 centimeters dilated.Everything happens so swiftly that Jimin hardly possesses time to develop anxiety, wholly focused on surviving the intense contractions that wrack through his entire body. Sweat pours from his forehead, his mouth feels drier than a desert, every muscle in his body aches, and the pain in his midsection barely relents anymore. The nurses strap him up to all kinds of contraptions, wrapping a fetal heartbeat monitor around his stomach, along with a number of pieces of equipment to his hands and arms.“Does the ice help, baby?” Jungkook questions with a look of concern gripping his features. He sits on the side of the hospital bed with his hands cupping the omega’s face, wiping it clean every couple of minutes. “I would give you water if I could.”“S’okay.”“Open up and I’ll give you another one. You don’t even have to say a word. I’ll know that you want more if you hold your mouth open.”“Mhm.”“Is there anything that you need from me? Can I do anything to help you right now?”“S-Scent.” Jimin chokes out through his dry, scratchy voice that further irritates the lining of his throat. He keeps his eyes clamped shut to relax while the opportunity presents itself, slightly tilting his head to the side to bare his neck to his alpha. “Scent me.”“Of course.”A momentary sense of euphoria washes over Jimin like a tsunami, dragging him under without hesitation, fresh laundry suffocatingly thick and strong where it seeps into his pores.The skin to skin contact soothes the omega’s stormy soul, his inner instincts delighted to feel the representation of their alpha’s love with such intensity. It assists in settling him despite the circumstances surrounding their bout of intimate connection.Jungkook continues nuzzling against his scent gland until the next contraction hits.“Right about now is the time where we ask for the details regarding your plans after you give birth. Do you have a postpartum facility booked? Where do you plan to go after you leave the hospital? Is there any information you need from us?” A kind, young nurse asks when he receives a lull in the contractions.“We’re taking the pups home with us, to our home. He doesn’t want to go to a care facility.” Jungkook answers, allowing Jimin to rest instead.“I see. Have you discussed this decision with your doctor?”“He has.”“Alright, that’s everything I need for right now. Thank you for answering my questions.”Jimin wants to believe that he handles the whole labor process with strength and dignity, only screaming a little bit when the pain becomes almost unbearable. He knows he could easily ask for an epidural to curtail the excruciating pain radiating through every inch of his body, yet a part of him likes the idea of truly feeling everything that childbirth offers.If he only experiences the joys and wonders and struggles of pregnancy this one time, he should live it to the fullest if he physically can.He also wants to be present when the time comes.“How are they treating you? Are they doing a good job? Do you want me to come over there and give them a stern speech about bedside manner? Give me all the details so I can make it better.” Seokjin declares over the loudspeaker on Jungkook’s phone, the alpha holding it near Jimin’s head for him to hear.“N-No, s’okay. Nice. They… They’re nice. Nothing to f-fuss over.” Jimin whispers into the phone, recovering from another wave of contractions, smiling as he hears his best friend’s voice.“Jungkook’s been keeping me updated with all the information you guys learn. I’m glad everyone is doing good so far.”“P-Push soon.”“Yeah, I heard. They’re getting ready to transfer you to a delivery room, right? I don’t think you should worry at all. Your body is handling things like an expert. It’ll probably only take a few pushes before you bring those precious pups into the world.” Seokjin states with confidence that Jimin appreciates.“Hope so.”“Did you know that it started raining? Looks like you’ll be having those pups on a rainy day. I’m sure that means good luck or some shit.”“Rain pups.” Jimin says with a dazed giggle.“Two little rain pups.”Time passes agonizingly slowly, yet the change in his body moves at full speed. He throttles towards the end of this major life event with record quickness, everything transpiring within the several hour window from morning to lunch. Nothing about the process allows him time to contemplate, something that he probably needs considering his propensity to overthink, merely a slave to the musings of his flesh.He ceases to breathe every time they check on the pups to ensure they remain healthy, terrified of receiving a sudden bout of bad news that flips his world upside down.The nurses try to explain important information to him, but it falls on deaf ears.Jungkook handles everything with tact and maturity, displaying those crucial traits that influenced Jimin to carry his pups in the first place. He asks them questions, listens to what they tell him, and stands in for Jimin when he lacks the ability to maintain a mental presence. Never once does he leave or complain or speak in a rude manner.God, Jimin loves him so much that it hurts.“I don’t think you should look.” Jimin says with fear in his eyes, flat on his back while the nurses position his body for pushing out the pups. Only half a centimeter to go before delivery time, maybe less. Any minute now the pups will arrive. “It might be traumatizing and… and scary.”“I honestly wasn’t planning on it unless you asked me to. I can’t be in two places at once.”“Hmm?”“I want to be right here in case you need me. If I’m down there at your feet, I won’t be able to see or hear you as easily. You need me more.” Jungkook explains with a shrug, his smile shooting daggers into Jimin’s already fragile heart.“D-Don’t let them take… take the pups away.”“I know, baby. I remember.”“If they h-have to—““If they have to take them out of the room for an emergency, then I should go with them. Don’t worry. Even though I would rather stay with you, I know what your wishes are. Our Petals won't be without one of us, I promise.” Jungkook asserts firmly, not an ounce of doubt in his strong voice.Jungkook kisses his face every chance he gets, peppering his forehead, cheeks, nose, and lips in an act of sheer adoration, his focus never wavering despite the commotion unfolding around them as the nurses and doctor prepare for the main event.The scent of gentle cotton and sweet floral fills the air, bombarding Jimin’s senses with every shunted breath he sucks in.His contractions grow so intense that he physically feels his insides cramping to expel the pups waiting to emerge into the world. The urge to push arises within him, but he holds off for as long as possible because the doctor left the room to retrieve something. He distantly hears Jungkook’s deep voice in his ears, along with the chaos of the hospital personnel, but he tunes it all out to handle the immense pain.It comforts him to see his doctor’s familiar face at the end of the bed the next time he opens his eyes.“10.”“That’s definitely a 10.”“Are you feeling the urge to push, Mr. Park? Do you have that reflex inside of you that wants to bear down? Is it happening yet?” The doctor asks, kind yet firm as his voice carries through the room.“Y-Yes.” Jimin nods.“The next time you have a contraction, you should embrace that feeling and follow your body’s instincts. Bear down and push in the way that feels natural to you. Don’t think about it or try to outsmart it. Just push. Push until you can’t anymore or your contraction ends.”“Okay.”“We’ll be right here the entire time.”“Y-You’ll… You’ll catch them?” Jimin asks meekly, concerned about the logistics of it.“Absolutely.”“We’ve got a whole team of people right here just waiting to grab them the second their heads pop out. You don’t need to worry about anything except the hard work you’re already doing.”“Good.” Jimin sighs, utterly exhausted.Birthing not just one, but two pups exists as the singular most difficult thing to ever occur in the history of Jimin’s life. At nearly 30 years old, it surmises to say he lives in a sheltered bubble because nothing even comes close to this monumental challenge. It draws every ounce of strength that resides inside of him, pushing him to limits that he never knew existed.With Jungkook offering his hand as a form of support, freely allowing Jimin to crush it as he works hard to deliver their pups, the omega pushes like his life depends on it.His mind disconnects from his physical body.Jimin’s instincts run on autopilot, the primal part of him flinging into the command seat of his body, mindless as he functions on the whims of his omega alone. He thinks of absolutely nothing, sinks into a desolate place in the depths of his being, and hones in on the call of his wolf. The sounds and sensations and scents of his surroundings cease to exist in this relentless headspace.“Push, push, push, push.”“That’s right, Mr. Park. You’ve got this. You’re doing so well. Just breathe.” A voice rings in the air, flying in one ear and out the other.“The head is right there! I know you can feel that! Give us one last good push! Come on!”“Push as hard as you can!”Everything inside of him bursts with an inexplicable sense of devotion the moment a shrill cry resounds off the walls of the hospital room around them. Jimin sobs uncontrollably, shakes like a leaf, struggles to breathe, and possesses a severe lack of strength, yet none of it matters when he hears the physical proof of his precious pup in the world.Even as they work tirelessly to check her health and shoddily wipe her body clean, his sense of relief remains unparalleled to anything he ever experienced.His tears block his vision, but he knows she looks like the most beautiful thing in the universe.Jimin pushes for second round once they put the bare pup on his chest for skin to skin bonding, struggling to focus with his daughter crying so prettily in his ear. He holds her tiny body while he exerts the last bits of energy left inside of him. Jungkook sobs even harder than either of them, breaking unlike the omega ever witnessed over all their years of knowing each other.The commotion unfolding around his lower body fades into meaningless noise once both of his pups cuddle against his bare body where they belong.Truly and utterly perfect.“H-Hello, my beautiful petals.” Jimin whispers reverently, tears pooling under his eyes, straining his neck to gaze down at them. “I’m so happy to finally see you.”“Congratulations.” The doctor says before he bids the new family adieu.“Our sweet, little pups.”“I don’t even know what to say. T-They’re so perfect. I can’t believe we made them. Holy shit.” Jungkook chokes out his heavy words laced with a thicket of emotions.“So… So pretty.”“Are you okay, baby? H-How do you feel? Is the pain unbearable? What… What can I do for you?” Jungkook rapid fire spits out his questions, wiping his tears away before he showers Jimin in gentle affection.“M’okay.”“Do you mean it? You’re not just saying that?”“I feel like I just got run over by a train and… and like I could pass out from exhaustion at any minute now, but it’s fine. As long as our girls are healthy. It’s worth it.” Jimin whispers weakly, smiling at his whining pups.“Thank you so fucking much for giving me this b-beautiful life.”The gruesome aspects of the recovery process fade into the background a while Jimin devotes himself to caring for the pups. He receives a tiny break when one of nurses takes the girls—plus Jungkook—to another room for a more thorough examination, offering time for them to clean him up, fix any physical ailments that happen as a result of pushing pups out of his body, and help him settle into a comfortable position despite his obvious discomfort.He experiences uncontrollable trembling, bone-deep exhaustion, concerning weakness, gripping pain, and a rollercoaster of emotions, but the relief of everything flowing smoothly overpowers any of his other setbacks.Successfully delivering their perfect pups into the world trumps anything even remotely unpleasant.“Everyone agrees that they look like a combination of us. It was hard to get a good picture because they kind of look like blobs right now. I think the point was conveyed regardless.” Jungkook rasps in his low, scratchy voice, his fresh laundry scent pleasing Jimin’s being, the touch of his hand through the omega’s messy hair enough to coax him back to sleep.“They’re… They’re not… Identical.” Jimin struggles to speak after his much-needed rest.“No, they’re not.”“J-Just look like sisters to me.”“Me too.”“Did you tell everyone their names yet?” Jimin wonders aloud, cracking a pitiful smile when he turns to gaze at the pups in their little hospital beds beside him. Jungkook nods in confirmation. “What… What did they s-say?”“Everyone thought they were beautiful names. They’re just unique enough, but nothing too out of the ordinary. We got a ton of compliments about it.”“Jang-mi and Nari.”“Our Petals.”“Is it rare? O-One of each? An alpha and an omega in… in a set of twins? D-Did they say?” Jimin asks as he purses his lips in thought.“I’m not sure.”“We’ll find out soon.”“Did you decide what you want to eat for dinner? I’m having Yoongi and Namjoon drop off whatever it is. I don’t want to leave you or the pups. They can bring anything at all, you just name it.” Jungkook questions with a furrowed brow, leaning closer to press a delicate peck to the omega’s lips.“You know what I want.” Jimin whispers, smiling against Jungkook’s lips, overwhelmed with happiness.“Jjajangmyeon?”“Jjajangmyeon.”“Your wish is my command, Secretary Park.”“Thank you, Attorney Jeon.”Their brief stint of time in the hospital passes unbelievably quickly. Everyone except for Jungkook sleeps the majority of the day, Jimin only waking to feed himself or the pups when necessary, a quiet calmness engulfing their room for the duration of their stay. No issues ever arise, nothing urgent to worry about. Everything flows smoothly for the little family as they adjust to their new additions.Nurses constantly enter into the room to check on Jimin, overseeing his health to ensure he suffers no lasting damage or injuries that require further attention. They change his IV bag, help him to the bathroom, and offer pain medication when needed.A nursing consultant arrives that night to help with breastfeeding and latching.They manage to sleep several hours throughout the night, only waking when the pups cry for a change or another feeding. Jimin finds it difficult to balance handling two pups at once, especially since they seem to operate on the same exact schedule, but Jungkook helps to soothe one while Jimin feeds the other. Together, with coordination and effort, they successfully develop ways to make it work.In total, they stay in the hospital for a little more than 24 hours.A day.It blows Jimin’s mind to wrap his head around the fact that his water broke, he showed up at the hospital, the pups were delivered, and they checked out all within a day’s time.“Oh my god! These are seriously the cutest pictures I’ve ever seen! I’m so glad that I let Seokjin pay for a photographer to come to the hospital because these pictures are amazing!” Jimin gushes as he stares at the sneak peeks of their pups in the most adorable flower outfits of all time.“I sent them to my mom and she said she’s already looking for websites to order prints for the restaurant. They really are stunning photos.”“It’s embarrassing that I have to be wheelchaired out of here.”“I’m going to be right there beside you, baby.”“Are you sure you can carry both of their carriers on your own? It’s not too much? I might be able to keep one in my lap if—““Stop before you wound my pride even more.” Jungkook chokes out dramatically.Sitting in their car in the underground parking garage evokes a consuming reality check for the freshly ordained parents. They stare out the windshield in silence, truly alone with their pups for the first time ever, a world of experiences awaiting them once they drive away from this safe haven.The two, tiny, adorable pups in the backseat implicitly trust them to the highest degree, relying on them to keep them safe and healthy and happy.“Are you ready, sweetheart?” Jungkook questions in such a rich, serious voice that Jimin thinks he falls in love with him all over again. “Are you ready to take our pups home?”“I’m ready, alpha. Let’s go home. Me, You, and our pretty petals.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“I’m sorry to be the one to say it, but the truth needs to come to light. These things are freaky. Something about them makes me feel uneasy.”“The umbilical cord?” Jimin furrows his brow, turning to gaze across the body in confusion.“Yes.”“It’s literally where they were cut from my body.”“I know! You have to admit that it’s kind of gross. It’s dried up, dead flesh on their stomachs that we have to clean until it falls off.” Jungkook grumbles out his words, tactfully putting Jang-mi in a new diaper and onesie after her blow-out bath before the sun even rises.“You just had a dirty diaper explode all over you and what you’re worried about is the umbilical cord? What’s wrong with you?”“That’s a good question.”In the days following the arrival of their pups, time steadily flowing forward like it always does, Jimin and Jungkook develop a routine for their family. They handle nearly everything together, sharing in the duties and responsibilities of caring for everyone. Some things, like changing diapers or giving baths, fall on Jungkook’s shoulders due to the state of Jimin’s sore body, but they both fulfill important roles.It seems as if their Petals secretly scheme to enact a coordinated effort to follow the precise same schedule down to the minute, always waking up, crying, hungry, and dirty at the same time.Busy.They keep Jimin and Jungkook on their toes.While not always peachy—Jimin bursting into tears on a handful of occasions due to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted with a minimal amount of sleep in between disturbances that seem to never end—they settle into parenthood better than either of them could have ever expected.“How are your cases going? Did the whole firm crash and burn while you were gone for a week?” Jimin asks after Jungkook returns to the living room.“Fortunately everything is looking normal.”“What are you going to do today? Do you have court? Are you meeting with clients? Give me all the details before you go. I want to live vicariously through you when you’re gone.”“I don’t want to leave.” Jungkook states blankly, pouting when he plops onto the couch.“So don’t.”“It’s only for half of the day. I can do a lot of paperwork and research and stuff from home, but I need to go in for at least a couple of hours. I’m still trying to figure out how to virtually meet with clients and all that kind of stuff.”“We’ll miss you while you’re away.” Jimin says with a voice as sweet as honey.“I already miss you guys and I haven’t even left yet.”Jungkook delivers a swift kiss to everyone in the family, planting them firmly on the pups’ chubby cheeks before he presses his and Jimin’s mouths together, reluctantly pulling himself away to dress for his few hours back at the office. While they would prefer for everyone to stay together for the rest of the foreseeable future, both of them understand the nature of their other obligations.“Thanks for coming.” Jungkook grunts as he welcomes his parents into the apartment, holding open the door for them to enter before he slides out after them. “I’ll see you guys in a few hours.”“Thank you for asking us to come over. We’re glad to be here.” Yerin says softly, her eyes full of mirth already.“Drive safely.”Their minimal amount of time together thus far brings an awkwardness to the atmosphere as Jimin watches Jungkook’s parents creep into the living room, but he greatly appreciates their willingness to help in their son’s absence. The omega would rather someone remain by his side to assist with the pups just in case, nervous to care for them all on his own in such a weak state of living.No one addresses the bits of tension that still linger between them and Jungkook, pushing their personal issues aside in favor of handling this massive change that turns all of their worlds upside down.“How are you feeling these days, Jimin? Are you doing alright? Is it difficult to recover when you’ve got two pups who constantly need you?”“I’m okay.” Jimin answers honestly.“Just okay?” Sungmin questions with a low grumble, both of the pups asleep in their bassinets.“Yeah.”“That’s completely understandable.”“I’m not sure why, but I expected to feel better by now. I’m somehow still exhausted every minute of the day. I don’t have much of an appetite and I’m a lot weaker than I thought I would be. It’s nothing serious or anything, though. Not too bad.” Jimin speaks in a low tone, his arms wrapped around his midsection while he rests his head against the pillow behind him.“I brought a lot of homemade foods for you to eat while you recover. I already unloaded it into the fridge as well. Hopefully you can start eating more, getting your strength up, and not feeling as tired.” Sungmin states with nothing but kindness.“I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but it gets easier with time. You’re in the hardest part right now.”Jimin allows his eyes to slip closed while Jungkook’s parents tend to the pups, mostly keeping an eye on them and listening for any signs of discontent. They scoop up the girls when they eventually start fussing, swift in hopes of not disturbing the sleeping parent, Jimin vaguely aware of them whispering with audible joy while they gush over their grandchildren.They only wake him when it becomes evident that the pups want to eat, helping him off of the couch to stride to the nursery for personal space while he breastfeeds them one at a time. Jimin gently rocks back and forth, staring down at his precious pups with unfathomable amounts of love, proud to supply them with the nutrients they need.Yerin and Sungmin stay over until dinner, Jungkook bringing home a couple of bags of takeout to show his gratitude for their assistance.They attend a newborn appointment at the doctor at the end of the week.“A two inch difference isn’t so bad.” Jimin states while he stares down at his bare-skinned angel, covering her with a blanket to protect her from the cold in the room. “She might’ve been born the smallest, but she’s growing the most outside the womb.”“She loves to eat, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. They’ll be the same size in no time.” Jungkook replies from the chair in the corner.“It’s okay if they’re not the same size.”“Of course, it is. I didn’t mean it as if they need to be the same size or something.”“I know. I’m reminding myself more than anything. I don’t want to compare them too much and cause problems between them. They might be completely different in every way, which is totally fine.” Jimin declares strongly, truly believing his words.“They’re perfect just the way they are.”It breaks Jimin’s heart into tattered fragments when he stands back while they cry as the doctor examines them. He imagines the cold hands shock them and bring discomfort, the information providing no sense of relief to ease his own pain at their shrill cries.Something inside of him bursts with eternal satisfaction when they cease crying the moment he scoops them into his arms.They find comfort in his embrace.A majority of the appointment passes by the time they finish with their simple measurements—like body weight, head circumference, and height—leaving only the examination from the doctor himself. He checks basic things like their temperature, lungs, heart, and ears, handing them off with a clean bill of health and words of praise for the new parents.As it turns out, birthing two completely different designations in a twin pregnancy is fairly rare, though the statistics themselves offer little concrete evidence about the situation.“They’re pretty much just two siblings born at the same time.”“Yes, precisely.”“Which makes them fraternal twins.” Jimin adds with confusion, his eyebrows furrowed at the doctor’s response.“Correct. They’re technically twins. Since they’re not identical twins who split from the same clump of cells, they’re essentially just two sisters who shared a womb, genetically speaking.”“Okay, got it.”“It’s definitely rare, though?”“I would guess that of all the pups I see, twins account for a tiny percentage of them. Non-identical twins are essentially non-existent from my practice’s point of view.” The doctor says blankly, offering the pups one last smile before he heads for the door.“Well… You’ve got them now.” Jungkook states with something almost proud in his voice.“I suppose you’re right.”While Jimin obviously cherishes every part of the day now that he receives the immense blessing of caring for his precious pups, he savors the brief time that he spends alone with Jungkook at the end of the night. When all of the stresses of the world melt away to nothingness, the scent of fresh cotton draping over him like a warm blanket, he floats on a cloud in the sky with happiness abundant.Slowly but surely, little by little, one moment at a time, he recovers from the horrific circumstances forced upon his body when two pups pushed their way out from inside of him.Time heals a multitude of wounds.“Do you still love me?” Jimin questions softly, flat on his back while Jungkook hovers over him, staring into the depths of each other’s eyes while they engage in much-needed physical contact.“Yes, of course.” Jungkook adamantly asserts without hesitation. “What kind of question is that, baby?”“I’m just making sure!”“Why wouldn’t I love you?”“I don’t know. What if it was your instincts making you think you loved me when you didn’t? I’m sure it’s possible that you could feel a certain way because I was carrying your pups. I wanted to check that nothing had changed, you know?” Jimin pouts in his defense, merely seeking reassurance and nothing more.“I love you more than anything in the whole fucking world. Nothing is different because you’re not carrying my pups anymore. I still love you, omega.”“Thank you.”“Couldn’t that same logic apply to you? You could’ve thought you loved me because of the pups.”“Yeah, definitely.”“Do you still love me?” Jungkook mimics the same inquiry that Jimin posed to him only moments prior, something endearing in the seriousness lingering behind his gruff voice.“I love you so, so, so, so, so much, alpha. I love you more than you love me.”“Okay, now you’re just talking nonsense.”“Hey!”Jimin settles into a fuzzy headspace when Jungkook thoroughly nuzzles into his neck to drown him in his scent, thrusting him directly into a state of unrelenting delight from the simplest of actions. His touch washes over the omega like a healing balm of the most lrimal sense. Nothing ever compares to the peace devouring his soul when he smells of his alpha.They lie in bed in each other’s arms for as long as they can tolerate depriving themselves of sleep, whispering sweet nothings in each other’s ears and sharing ginger kisses full of adoration, everything right with the world again.“Should you get a vasectomy?”“What the hell are you asking me right now? You’re on one tonight!”“No, no. Hear me out. We’re clearly undeniably compatible, so I think we might be able to conceive outside of a heat or rut. Don’t you think that’s too big of a risk to take? Surely you don’t want to wear condoms every time.”“Fuck no, I don’t. That sounds horrible. I’d rather risk it all.” Jungkook groans as he speaks, shaking his head where he lies behind Jimin.“See! It’s not that crazy of a question after all!”“We have way too much time to think about this before a decision needs to be made. Let’s not focus on this right now, please.”“Fine.” Jimin huffs, relenting to the request.“Sweet dreams, baby.”“Goodnight, alpha.”Traveling cross-country with two pups only a month after giving birth sounds like a nightmare, but Jimin desperately wants to return to his hometown to visit his moms before the chaos of life begins again.Jungkook manages to take Friday off of work to offer plenty of time for the road trip down to the other end of the country, the two of them packing up their entire apartment to take with them just in case, worries present when they contemplate staying away from their home for such a lengthy amount of time.Early in the morning as the golden sun rises in the sky, they head out of Seoul.“I’m sorry.” Jimin admits in an apologetic tone, staring down at his lap while he fidgets with his fingers. The low rumble of the tires treading the road fills the car as their pups sleep peacefully in the back seat. “I didn’t mean to raise my voice at you. The pups were crying and my clothes were wet and you asking me questions just made me too overwhelmed. I’m really sorry.”“Thank you for apologizing, baby. I’m sorry, too. I should’ve stopped loading the car to help you, but I was too focused on getting everything to fit in the trunk. I’ll be more aware next time.”“It’s okay, alpha. We both make mistakes sometimes. It happens.”“I love you.”“I love you the most.”“I’m getting tired of you trying to outdo me because it’s simply not possible. I love you so much that it’s impossible for you to love me more than that. It’s time for you to accept it, sweetheart.“ Jungkook rasps while he shakes his head, relaxed where he focuses on driving down the road.“You wish.”They stop at a rest stop about halfway through their journey.Everyone wants a late morning snack after not eating yet, Jimin trekking alone to the bathroom and grabbing some food from the available stalls before returning to the car to switch with Jungkook.He eats while he feeds the pups.Breastfeeding possesses its downfalls and inconveniences, namely the amount of energy it requires from the omega to constantly allow other beings to sustain themselves from his literal body at all hours of the day, but nothing could ever compare to the instinctual bonding that occurs when he holds his precious pups in his arms to watch them suckle from his chest to fill their tiny bellies with milk.After their fairly lengthy pit stop, they head back on the road to complete the remainder of their journey to Jimin’s parents’ home.Everyone sleeps except for Jungkook.“Oh, my sweet boy! It’s so good to see you again! You look as beautiful as ever! Come here and let me hug the socks off of you!” Dasom exclaims with sheer delight, the softness of her seaweed scent soothing the fellow omega inside of Jimin, always comforted by his omega mom’s presence. “I’m so glad that you’re home again!”“I’m happy to see you again, too! It feels like so much has happened since the last time we were together!” Jimin melts in her arms.“It certainly has.”“How are you? Are you feeling better now? Is everything slowly going back to normal?”“I’m doing pretty good. My body is taking a little while to feel like my old self, but I’m getting there. The hormones and emotions of postpartum are what’s causing me the most trouble right now.” Jimin readily admits, bursting with satisfaction when his mom kisses him on top of the head.“You’re doing a great job, sweetie. Just be kind with yourself. I know how tough it is.”Jimin shares hugs and welcome wishes with both of his moms before they shift their attention to Jungkook, supplying him with a similar treatment that includes teasing him about not wearing a suit this time around. Everyone smiles and laughs together, the waves rocking against the shore in the background to provide healing to the omega’s soul.A shrill cry echoes from the back of the car to spur everyone into action, reminding Jimin’s moms of the fact that their grandchildren reside only feet away from them after all this time of anticipating their arrival into their lives.“Oh, what a gorgeous set of pups! They look just like both of you! It’s amazing!” Dasom gushes as she sits on the couch with Jang-Mi in her arms.“It’s almost like you two made them or something.” Hayoon adds, teasing her wife, Nari in her grasp.“Yeah, people keep telling us that. I kind of had this idea in my head that one would look like Jungkook and the other would look like me, but clearly it doesn’t work like that. They’re both mixtures of us in different ways.” Jimin paces around the living room to stretch his legs after sitting for so long.“They don’t even necessarily share the same features. I think Nari has my nose, but Jang-Mi has Jimin’s. It’s fascinating.”“Well, they’re stunning regardless.”“Of course our precious son makes precious pups of his own. We couldn’t expect anything less from you. Our entire lineage is just perfect and gorgeous.” Dasom states proudly, grinning as she traces a finger around the blank expression on the pup’s face.“Was it worth the wait to finally see them? You’ve only heard them crying over the phone. Now they’re here for real.”“It’s even better than we thought it would be.”“Good.”Jimin ventures off into the kitchen with a grumbling stomach that craves nourishment, unashamed for how he scours the cabinets in search of food without even asking his moms, still comfortable enough in his old home to conduct himself as he pleases. It slightly disappoints him to find no home cooked meals waiting for him, but he understands that life sometimes gets in the way of such endeavors.“We ordered some fried chicken and sides from the place down the street. It should be here any minute now.” Hayoon states when she sees Jimin munching on a piece of plain sandwich bread.“Thank god! I’m starving!”“We knew you would be. Is your appetite coming back now? Breastfeeding usually makes you hungry since you’re burning a lot of calories.”“Yes, definitely. I eat a lot now.”“I’m glad to hear that, son. You need to keep yourself fed since you’re not just taking care of you, but your pups too. They take a lot out of you when you’re feeding them from your own body. Literally.” Hayoon tacks on her serious sentiment, looking into Jimin’s eyes to ensure he hears her.“Yes, mom. I know what you mean. I try to eat as much as I can, so don’t worry about me. I’m doing fine.”They spend the afternoon and evening merely relaxing together with no agenda or expectations. All of them go to town on a round of fried chicken, the greasy goodness hitting the spot just right. It tastes even better than usual due to the immense hunger consuming Jimin whole. Jungkook seems to enjoy it just as much, fairly quiet while he observes everyone’s interactions and watches the pups.Jimin’s moms insist that the two of them head into the bedroom for an afternoon nap while they babysit the pups, something that hardly takes any convincing.A nap sounds heavenly.Both of them pass out in a matter of minutes. They cuddle up together on the makeshift mattress of blankets on the floor, impossibly close for comfort and warmth for the entire duration of their nap. Something about the seaside provides a much peaceful, quieter atmosphere even within the confines of their home. It brings tranquility and serenity like no other.Only once the pups cry for food does Jimin pull from his slumber, promising himself to work harder to pump extra milk to avoid situations like this in the future.Hayoon and Dasom cook a wonderful meal for dinner.“Will you make me a recipe book?” Jimin asks with raised eyebrows, staring across the living room table while they all crowd around to eat.“A recipe book?”“What kind of recipes do you want?”“I’m trying to learn how to cook meals like these on my own, but it’s hard to nail the exact flavor that you guys have. I want my food to taste like this too. If you give me your recipes, I’ll be able to recreate it myself.” Jimin explains further.“If we give you all our recipes, you won’t have any reason to come visit us again.”“Mom! Don’t say that! You know that’s not true!”“She’s just teasing you, darling. We know you want to spend time with us. I’ll start working on the recipe book soon and mail it to you when it’s finished. Of course we’ll give you our recipes.” Dasom declares with a smile, pushing another kimchi pancake onto Jimin’s plate.“Thank you!”Time speeds by in typical fashion, especially characteristic of the moments he wishes would last the longest.Seaweed and sea salt flourish in the air in their cozy home, throttling Jimin back to the olden days when nothing else helped him achieve peace except for the scents of his mothers. A sense of nostalgia stains every inch of the home in which the omega grew to the person he indientifies as today.They curl up on the couch, discuss any pressing topics that come to mind, and enjoy the shared company of family.“This is what our lives would be like if we stayed in your apartment instead of mine.” Jungkook chuckles under his breath, fluffing up the pillows at the top of their blanket mattress.“What’s so funny about that?”“Look at you, baby. You can barely move a muscle without knocking into something. We can reach the walls if we stick our arms out.”“It’s quaint.”“It’s tiny is what it is.”“Don’t knock it until you try it. It might be convenient to have the pups in their cradles right next to our heads. We won’t even have to get up to grab them when they start crying in the night.” Jimin asserts as he flops down on his side of the bed, utterly exhausted.“You know what? You’re probably right about that. I didn’t even think about that part of it.”“I can’t hold my eyes open anymore.”“Sleep.”Jimin and Jungkook awaken to pitiful cries twice throughout the night, fumbling in the darkness for the switch of the lamp, their routine slightly off kilter considering their change in locations. The pups both eat their fill and receive a diaper change, swiftly passing out into a fulfilling slumber almost immediately after their parents put them down. Luckily all of them adjust to this sleeping schedule by now.Morning arrives all too quickly.A perk of elderly parents resides in the fact that Jimin’s moms wake before the sun on most days, already out and about to take the pups for a couple of hours while Jimin and Jungkook sleep in.This visit back home feels more like a vacation considering how much his moms do for them.All of the adults crowd around the table together to eat breakfast, the windows chucked open to listen to the sounds of the sea while they stuff their faces with their first meal of the day. Only a psychopath could complain about such a wonderful way to wake up, the breeze of spring swirling around them like a breath of fresh air, stresses melting away amidst the delightful surroundings.“Do you guys have any plans for today?”“Not that I know of.” Jimin shakes his head before turning to gaze at Jungkook. “We’re happy to just relax at home with you two.”“Not as adventurous anymore, huh? Did the pups steal your spontaneous spirit?”“I never had that in the first place.”“You get that from your mother.” Hayoon declares without hesitation, staring at her wife with a smug look on her face. “She never wanted to be wild and crazy either.”“I take that as a compliment.” Dasom smiles proudly at the statement.“Is there anything you guys wanted to do now that we’re here? We don’t mind to drive you out to town or help with anything that you need. It’s not often that we’re here, so you might as well take advantage of it.” Jungkook questions in a low rasp, volunteering before Jimin even receives the chance.“Actually…”“What? What is it?”“We’ve been thinking about getting a phone.”“One of those smart phones that you’re always trying to convince us to use.” Dasom says to further explain the situation. “It’ll be easier to keep in touch with you, right?”“Yes, definitely. We can send pictures and video chat instead of only voice calling.”“Let’s do that, then.”Jimin leaps for joy at the idea of finally connecting with his moms more easily, the two of them barely present in his life anymore due to the distance and obligations keeping them apart. If they delve into the world of technology, even with something as simple as a smartphone, everything will change.As much as he desperately wants to join for the trip to town to visit a cellular store, Nari seems a bit under the weather and fussier than normal.Jungkook voluntarily assists them on his own.It takes a couple of hours from start to finish, his parents mulling over every possible phone option under the sun before they settle on something suitable for their needs, but they eventually purchase a phone, a phone plan, and a few accessories to keep it in good shape in case of any mishaps. They only procure one phone for the both of them to share, of course.Something about helping them set up and learn their new device makes Jimin feel like a pup again, bouncing excitedly while they show it off.“This is how you turn the phone on and off in every sense of the word. Whether you’re shutting the screen off temporarily because you’re not using at the moment or if you’re fully shutting it down for a lengthy period of time. It’s a simple click on the side of the device.” Jungkook’s instructional, professional demeanor evokes embarrassingly pleased emotions in the depths of Jimin’s being.“It sounds simple, but is it really?”“Try it for yourself.”“This thing is so flat. It’s totally different from our flip phone. There’s nothing to open or close.” Hayoon scrunches her face in confusion.“All you have to do is tap the screen to use it. There aren’t any interface buttons.”“Wow.”“You said you wanted to take notes about all the different aspects of the phone, right? Now is the time to grab your pen and notepad because I’ll show you all the important apps you need to know how to use.” Jungkook asserts blankly, holding the phone while they sit on either side of him.“Oh, let me go grab it.”“Her handwriting is much neater than mine.” Dasom says with a smile.With the patience of a saint descended from the heavens above, Jungkook takes a couple of hours out of his day to teach them how to use their new phone.Jimin falls in love with him all over again.Everyone then embarks on a lovely trek down to the shore to gaze at the sea sparkling in the distance. A gentle breeze flows through the air, whipping their hair around while they attempt to snap a group picture. They spend an hour or so merely strolling along the beautiful scenery while they soak up the sunshine. Jang-mi and Nari lie comfortably in their stroller to protect them from the elements.They end the evening with yet another hearty meal crafted by Jimin’s parents own hands, exceptionally delicious as always.It tastes like home.All in all, despite doing next to nothing except lounging in the house while they take care of their pups, Jimin and Jungkook more than enjoy their couple of days in the little seaside spot that the omega previously deemed as his residence.“I’m still not convinced that it isn’t all an act. Does he really treat you like this at home, too? It’s hard to believe that such a kind person exists in this world. You know that you can tell us if he’s secretly a demon from hell, right?” Hayoon whispers in Jimin’s ear as she hugs him goodbye.“This is how he is all the time, mom. I promise. He treats me and the pups like royalty. It’s not just an act.” Jimin giggles at the mere notion of it.“It was really nice of him to help us so much.”“Make sure you tell him how much we appreciate his kindness with getting us a phone. He even paid for it and everything. It’s no wonder you wanted to jump his bones and have his pups.”“Mom!”“My sweet, sweet boy.” Dasom says softly, hugging him tightly. “We miss you more than you could ever know. We’re so proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”“Thank you, mom.”“Keep us up to date with those precious pups, okay? We want regular pictures and videos now that we have the device for it. Let us know when you have time to call, too.”“I will. I can’t wait to talk to you guys more! This is going to be such a big help.” Jimin exclaims excitedly, flashing them all of his teeth in a happy smile.“We love you, son. Never forget that. To the moon and back.”“I love you guys more!”Driving away from the two figures who brought him into this world never grows easier no matter how many times it happens, yet a sense of peace engulfs him as they traverse on the journey home to Seoul, overflowing with delight after spending the weekend filling his soul to the brim with unfettered joy.Hopefully one day, when the years pass and the time comes for their own girls to leave them, they feel the same way that Jimin does towards his own parents.Undeniable, whole-hearted, consuming love.“Nari is still getting over her cold, so she’s kind of whiny right now. The worst of it has passed and her fever is gone, but she’s still not at her best. If she seems unhappy, that’s why.” Jimin explains as he stands at the kitchen counter, pouring his freshly pumped breast milk into freezer packs to preserve them for the future.“Poor thing!”“She’s been sick for almost two weeks now, right? I’m glad she’s finally getting better.” Seokjin says with a thoughtful expression on his face.“Yeah, it’s been a rough time.”“I bet! It seems like they just pass things back and forth to each other, too. Last time it was Jang-Mi who was sick, now it’s Nari. These poor girls are never catching a break.” Hoseok shakes his head, his hands on his hips while he stares out into the living room.“That’s life with two tiny pups, I guess. We’ll just have to get used to it.”“Hopefully warmer weather will help.”Jimin sneaks away into the bedroom to properly dress himself for his first date with Jungkook after the birth of their pups. He spends several minutes staring into the sea of clothes in their massive closet before he settles on something light and pretty, tugging on jeans that perfectly accentuate his behind and a white top with flowy sleeves. Jungkook refuses to divulge the details of their date location, leaving him in the dark for now.After adding a few accessories—like dangly earrings that brush against his shoulders, a layered gold necklace to add a pop of spice to his plain top, and some lip gloss for balance—Jimin grabs his bag to head out for the day.Jungkook meets him in the entryway with a satisfied smile on his face and a surprisingly casual outfit to match the omega.“Call us if you have any problems at all.”“I wrote their typical schedule on the whiteboard on the fridge, so you can use that to guide you on what they usually do at certain times. I don’t expect you to really need it since we’ll only be gone for a couple of hours, but it’s there anyway.” Jimin states as he gazes into the living room at his peacefully sleeping pups.“You two go and have fun! We’ll hold down the fort while you spend some time together.” Taehyung smiles brightly, waving them off.“There are three of us and two of them.”“Don’t worry about anything.”“Bye! Thank you so much for doing this! You’re a bunch of saints for giving up your Saturday for us! I love you!” Jimin shouts on his way out the door, his heart aching as he leaves behind his whole world for the first time ever.The car ride to their actual date location takes much longer than Jimin anticipates when he imagines the occasion in his mind.He sits back to enjoy the peaceful time in silence by Jungkook’s side instead of asking the thousands of questions that sit on the tip of his tongue. It feels nice to lean back, stare out the window, and bathe in the comfort of his alpha’s hand resting on his thigh.Everything feels different and the same simultaneously.Thrill simmers in his veins when they pull into a gigantic, empty parking lot, signs in the area indicating that they arrive at a massive display of flowers at a garden outside the city. No one else seems present, something that puzzles the omega to realize, his thoughts racing a million miles a second. It appears as if this date holds more importance than he initially understood.“Kiss.”“Okay.” Jungkook replies, raspy and deep.“Another.”“Okay.”“More.” Jimin all but begs, pulling his lips into a pout while Jungkook delivers several pecks to his mouth in quick succession. “I want all the kisses.”“You’re needy these days, baby.”“That's all I can have.”“Hmm, is that true? I seem to recall you having a lot more than just a kiss last night. You had my hand wrapped around your cock while—““Don’t!”“My bad.” Jungkook apologizes, though his words possess no sincerity considering his shit-eating grin.“Take me on a date, alpha.”In a completely unexpected turn of events, rather than attending a simple date back in Seoul where they eat at a restaurant before returning home, Jungkook planned an elaborate afternoon for them at a flower garden that he rented for just the two of them.The huge lands possess an unlimited amount of gorgeous flower fields that blow Jimin’s mind, his head spinning when he stares at the map at the entrance of the place. A ton of statues made of different greenery and flowers line their surroundings, already stunning them with the feats of nature before they even gaze at the gorgeous flowers that the space contains.Clouds line the sky to block the sun the perfect amount, a gentle breeze flowing through the air to keep it cool.Absolutely, positively perfect.“You booked this entire place for us? No one else? On a Saturday afternoon in Spring? The busiest time of the year?” Jimin tosses out his questions with incredulity in his voice.“Yes.”“Oh my god! I… I don’t even know what to say!”“You don’t need to say anything, sweetheart. It’s just a little date to celebrate our first time out on our own since our Petals were born.” Jungkook shrugs, painfully nonchalant, as if he didn’t plan the most romantic, ornate date of all time without warning.“Petals… Flowers… It all makes sense now!”“You’re so smart.”They leisurely stroll through the grounds to observe the various fields of flowers without any sense of urgency burning in their veins. Their hands entwine, fingers interlocking for additional closeness, while they take things at their own pace, stopping every minute or two to gaze at the beauty of the nature surrounding them. This garden clearly receives tons of love from the individuals who keep it.A lot of the fields contain a design of some sort that arranges the flowers to create a pattern or picture visible from a distance.Flock of peacocks.Swirls through the night sky.Masterpieces of stripes and dots.From tulips to roses to daisies to sunflowers, the garden possesses all that Jimin can name plus more. The stunning hues of the rainbow steal his breath away each time they move onto a new field, delighted to peer out at the display to discover what new design awaits his eyes. He bounces for joy when they figure out what shape the flowers take, stopping to snap pictures to show to his friends when he returns home. Everything looks undeniably gorgeous.“Let’s take a picture together while we’re here! This is a perfect spot for it!” Jimin suggests when they stop to rest on a wooden bench conveniently in front of a flower arrangement that stands tall in the background. “Selfie style!”“My arms aren’t long enough to capture everything behind us.”“That’s okay!”“Tilt your head a little towards me so we can get the heart in the picture.” Jungkook requests kindly, angling the phone to snap the perfect shot of them.“Cheese!”“What do you think? Is it good enough for you?”“Yeah, but let’s take a couple more! I want to get one of you on the bench by yourself. Maybe you can do the same for me. The lighting is perfect for taking pictures and it’s not often that we do things like this.” Jimin excitedly moves in closer to kiss Jungkook on the cheek, overflowing with happiness as they spend this adoring time together.The two of them continue to stroll through the grounds for another half an hour, merely holding hands while they talk about the silliest things. No worries or concerns weigh on their shoulders, the rest of the world floating away while they escape to this fairytale garden.Jimin fights back the urge to cry out of nowhere, perpetually wondering how he could ever deserve such a sweet life like this.With no one around to judge them or spy on their behavior, they might sneak a couple of kisses—or two, three, four—since they struggle to keep their hands off of each other, feeling exceptionally deprived these days. Jungkook stares at Jimin more than he does the actual flowers, bringing a blush to the omega’s cheeks each time he catches him focusing his attention all on him.The date far surpasses any of their previous ones, not even because of the grandiosity, but due to the sheer amount of love dripping from their pores with every breath they take.If this moment lasted for the rest of eternity, Jimin would happily accept it.“Whoa.”“They really outdid themselves.”“You had them set this up?” Jimin asks in a breathy voice, shock radiating through his body as he stands stockstill to gape at the lavish picnic spread out before him. “You planned a picnic too?”“It was my vision, but they brought it to life.” Jungkook answers as he pulls Jimin’s knuckles up for a kiss.“Oh my god!”“It’s fitting for a flower garden date, don’t you think?”“It couldn’t be more perfect if you tried! This is so amazing! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You’re the best alpha in the whole world. I don’t deserve you.” Jimin gushes with endless appreciation, tears welling up in his eyes, the urge to crush Jungkook in a hug too overwhelming to ignore.“You deserve everything and more, baby. You’re more than welcome.”A delicious array of dishes spread across a checkered blanket on the lush grass in a shaded area near the middle of the grounds, a beautiful arrangement of flowers crowded around the space to create a beautiful scenery while they eat. Complete with cushions to sit on, cutlery, napkins, wet hand wipes, and ice cold drinks, the picnic contains everything they could need to enjoy their meal together.“You’re having way too much fun right now, omega.” Jungkook rasps under his breath, nonetheless opening his mouth for another bite.“Don’t pretend like you don’t love it just as much as I do.”“I don’t feel any particular way about you personally hand feeding me. It’s the fact that you’re sitting in my lap smelling like a perfectly roasted marshmallow that I love. I’m not sure I could ever get tired of having you close like this.”“It’s nice taking care of you, too. You always treat me like the most amazing thing in the universe, so I should try harder.”“You do so much for me, sweetheart. I promise.”“Kiss me.” Jimin requests in a sweet whisper, voice petal soft and gentle. “Please, alpha.”“Anything that you want.”They lazily feed themselves the sandwiches prepared for them, too close to actually provide a comfortable sitting position yet neither of them possess the ability to care. Jungkook kisses Jimin even with a mouth full of food, disgustingly sweet in the omega’s starry eyes.No hurry to finish eating. No rush to move onto the rest of the flower fields on display. No urgency to climb into the car and return home to their pupsJust Jimin and Jungkook savoring every moment of connection and togetherness.They clean up as best as they can considering the lack of tools for the job, neatly putting all of their dishware and utensil in a pile, their leftovers scrapped together in one bowl. A bathroom break feels appropriate after such a heavy meal, so they stop there before they completely resume viewing the rest of the flowers. The perfect weather and temperatures continue even as it grows later in the afternoon.“Oh. What… What’s this?” Jimin asks with a furrowed brow, stumbling upon something in the middle of a greenhouse area.“A butterfly garden.”“No, I know that, but… b-but it looks different. There’s something else. Look at that giant heart made of flowers and all the stuff over—““Sit down with me, baby.”Jimin notices a particularly poignant look in Jungkook’s eyes as he rasps the request aloud, his scent shifting sweeter with slight hints of bitterness swirling within it. His entire demeanor shifts—his shoulders spanning broader, his chest puffed out further, his body language tenser—when he gazes at the omega beside him, leading them to a white bench directly in front of the elaborate flower arrangements.“I love you.”“I love you, too, alpha.”“I love you more than anyone and anything in the world. I think I’ve always loved you, even when I didn’t know it. I love you so much that I can’t imagine spending a single day of my life without you.” Jungkook confesses with unyielding sincerity.“I… I feel the same.”“You shifted my life upside down the moment I met you. You came in, worked your ass off, and showed me what it’s like to be able to rely on another person.”“It was only possible because you trusted me so much.” Jimin adds when Jungkook pauses, struggling to breathe as he listens.“I will forever be grateful that the most perfect omega in the world offered me the greatest blessing possible in life by carrying my pups. You never cease to amaze me no matter what it is, whether working or with family or raising our Petals. I’m awestruck by your incomparable beauty, grace, kindness, and compassion. I love everything about you, baby.”“A-Alpha—““It would be the greatest honor of my existence to spend the rest of my life with you by my side.” Jungkook chokes out with emotions thick in his voice, his hands trembling when he kneels down beside the bench with a ring box in his hands. “Will you marry me, Park Jimin?”“Y-Yes. Yes, of course. Oh my god, yes!” Jimin cries out, tears already dripping down his cheeks, his bottom lip quivering as he comprehends the life-changing question.Jungkook cups Jimin’s cheeks before he pulls him in for a bruising, passionate, enthusiastic kiss that contains every ounce of love that he harbors inside of him. He kisses him like he means it, like he never wants to be without him, like he cherishes him more than anything in the world. The scenery around them fades away as they lose themselves in the taste of their consuming desire to outpour their emotions through touch.“I want it to always be you and me. Us. Our perfect, little family. I don’t want to ever live without you. I love you so much that I don’t know what to do with all of it. You’re the most amazing, strong, intelligent, kind alpha that exists in this world. I’d be honored to have you as my husband.”“Thank you, baby. Thank you so goddamn much.” Jungkook replies, pulling Jimin in for a debilitatingly tight hug.“You bought this gorgeous ring just for me?”“Do you like it? Is it the right cut of diamond? Are you happy with it?” Jungkook asks in rapid fashion, his eyes wide with interest as he impatiently waits for Jimin’s response. “I won’t be offended if you want to switch out for something different, I swear—““I love it! It’s better than anything I could’ve dreamed up! You picked the most beautiful engagement ring I’ve ever seen!”“I asked your friends for help, so they gave me a lot of guidance while I was having it made. I tried to pick something a little unique, but not too outlandish. You’re a special person, which means your ring should be special too.”“I’ll be wearing it every single day of my life! It’s just perfect!” Jimin squeals with delight, staring down at his finger.“I’m glad to hear that, sweetheart.”“Thank you for such a perfect day. You make my life better than my wildest dreams. I love you so much, alpha.”“I love you so, so fucking much.”It turns out that Jungkook truly thought of everything when it comes to his proposal, even asking the owners of the garden to install a camera near the site in the greenhouse to capture the intimate moment without raising suspicions. Not only do they have picture proof of this monumental moment in their lives, they also have crystal clear video of it.They spend an ungodly amount of time sharing sweet nothings and gushing praises for one another until they need to return home, nauseatingly obsessed with kisses and holding hands and touching in any way their bodies will allow.Jungkook, the epitome of an idealistic human in this world, stops on the journey back to Seoul to pick up a chocolate cake he ordered for celebration purposes.God, Jimin thinks he might be dreaming.“A year ago you were single and childless! Now you’re engaged with two pups! How is that even possible? What the hell?” Seokjin cries in outrage as he stares down at Jimin’s engagement ring, dramatically shaking his head in disbelief at the situation.“It sounds crazy even to me!” Jimin responds in kind, unable to wrap his own mind around it.“You’re going to be the first one to get married out of all of us! I can’t believe it! You were always acting like you’d never meet anyone, but look at you now!”“It’s so wild that you’re marrying the first alpha you ever fucked.”“The only one he ever fucked, thank you very much.” Jungkook growls from across the room, changing one of the pups’ diapers while Jimin and his friends freak out about the afternoon.“Yeah, yeah, get over yourself.”“Congratulations, lovely! We’re so happy for you! I hope you know there’s going to be a giant fight over who gets to be your best man at the wedding!”“Oh, don’t start already.”“Let’s eat the cake while we watch the proposal video again!”Consequence of birthing two pups out of his body, dealing with nine months of physical changes, and healing from the damage delivered upon him throughout the duration of the entire experience, Jimin needs roughly three months of postpartum recovery before he feels ready to engage in total intimacy with Jungkook again.Regardless of the flames of desire that flicker in his belly as the months pass, he still finds himself waiting until he truly feels prepared to bare his soul again.Patience.Jungkook—the most wonderfully understanding alpha in the world—never complains once.“Why are you hiding from me, pretty baby? Hm? What are you shy for?” Jungkook rasps in a low rumble, his voice scratching the earth’s core with its deep timbre and intoxicating richness, floral and cotton thick in the air as his scent spikes with spicy need. “I’ve seen every part of you more times than I can count. There’s nothing I haven’t seen before.”“It’s… It’s different now.”“How?”“I just… I don’t look the same. It’s a little n-nerve wracking to show you everything again. I don’t even look in the mirror much anymore. T-Things have changed, alpha.” Jimin admits with a lump in his throat, flat on his back beneath Jungkook’s formidable frame.“You’re still the most beautiful person ever created, sweetheart. I love you, every part of you, no matter what. You should feel nothing except comfortable with me, now and forever.”Little by little, they remove their clothes.Jungkook takes off his shirt first in a show of strength, providing Jimin the courage he needs to follow suit. His eyes harbor nothing but adoration when he gazes down at the full expanse of the omega’s nakedness.The conflicting emotions battling inside of Jimin leave him struggling to make sense of what he feels.“I hope you understand just how feral my brain is when it comes to you. I lose all sense of reality, turning me into a fucking wolf howling at the moon. The fact that this body worked so hard to carry my pups only makes it more beautiful to me than before.” Jungkook declares with conviction, growling out his words as he kisses his way down Jimin’s bare chest and stomach.“R-Really? Do you mean that? You don’t think the stretch marks and loose skin are nasty?” Jimin asks through a shaky breath.“I would never think that in a million years.”“O-Okay.”“You’re absolutely stunning, every single part of you. I could spend days worshiping you and never come close to all that you deserve. This body is perfect, my love. I’ll make sure you believe that, too.”“A-Alpha…” Jimin chokes out, reverent and poignant, his fingers finding their way to Jungkook’s hair. “I love you s-so much that it hurts.”“I love you more.”“Thank you for always being so kind and considerate towards me. You’re… You’re too good to me. I can’t believe that you’re m-mine forever.”“You deserve the world, omega.”Instead of rushing anything and risking causing pain in the process, they take it agonizingly slowly. Jungkook delivers scorching hot, soaking wet kisses to every inch of Jimin’s body, whispering endless praises that bring a permanent blush to the omega’s cheeks. They act as if they possess all the time in the world to savor this act of pure love in its most primal form. Devotion drips from their pores as they allow their bodies to connect after such a lengthy time apart.Shunted breaths pull from Jimin’s lips as he tosses his head back, his fingers tangled in Jungkook’s hair to ground his tameless mind, unable to control his body when Jungkook eventually dips down to the place that sends pleasure tingling down his spine.His poor, little cock twitches from the first touch that Jungkook offers, shamefully ready to reach its peak before anything even happens.Embarrassing.Jungkook uses his mouth to distract from the fact that he intends to stretch Jimin open to receive his massive cock after a few months without any touch there whatsoever. He licks and naps and sucks at his rim for an unimaginable amount of time, only dipping a finger past the tight ring of muscles once he deems Jimin wet enough to enjoy it.Bliss replaces any feelings of worry or fear that previously lingered in the omega’s mind, especially after he reaches the pinnacle of desire several times over.“I’m… I’m sorry if I’m n-not good at this.” Jimin chokes out nervously, delivering kitten licks to the head of Jungkook’s cock while he wraps both of his hands around the rest of it. “Will you tell me what you like? Can you help me if it doesn’t feel good for you?”“Fuck, baby. D-Don’t… Don’t worry about that. It feels good just having your hands on me. You’re doing perfect already.”“I’m a little nervous.”“I promise you that I’m easy to please. Even just looking at your pretty face is enough to make me pop a goddamn knot. You don’t need to do anything that you don’t feel comfortable with.”“Okay.”Jimin seizes the opportunity to explore the wonders of Jungkook’s body without any reservations, fascinated to learn what makes his cock twitch in interest and the precise way he prefers to receive his pleasure. The sensitivity of the omega’s gag reflex and his overwhelming nausea left him hesitant to attempt anything like this during his actual pregnancy.He takes Jungkook in his mouth while he works him with his hands in tandem, saliva dribbling down the alpha’s cock as obscene sucking noises echo in the air, grunts of satisfaction overpowering any sense of shame inside of Jimin.When Jungkook’s behavior grows more erratic and frantic, clearly verging closer to his release, Jimin pulls away to ensure no mishaps occur before the main event.“Promise me.” Jungkook grunts, low and deep, draping his entire body over Jimin’s. “Promise me that you’ll tell me if it’s too much.”“I promise, alpha.”“All I want is for you to feel as good as I do. If it’s uncomfortable or you need to stop or anything at all, please tell me. You know I would never be upset about something like that, right?”“Yes, I know. Of course. I’ll tell you.” Jimin nods his head, his face cupped in the alpha’s hands.“Thank you.”The first thrust of Jungkook’s cock into his soused, gushing hole makes Jimin choke out a strangled mewl that replays in the confines of his empty mind, his entire body tensing as electrifying bliss shoots across every inch of his existence, not an ounce of humiliation present when he shoots ropes of milky cum all over his lower stomach from the just the full sensation stretching him open.Jungkook pauses, an incredulous expression painting his features, before he cracks the most handsome smile Jimin will ever see in his entire life.Slow.Gentle.Adoring.Despite the intensity of their shared desire, palpable in the atmosphere of their bedroom after such a lengthy build up to this moment, they possess nothing except care for one another in the way they express their love. Whispers of devotion, kisses to flushed skin, stares into each other’s starry eyes, ginger brushes of hands to faces.Love flourishes between them, pure and unadulterated in every way.Jungkook pointedly gazes at the bounce of Jimin’s full breasts as he thrusts into him again and again, dripping of hunger that he curtails by sucking the omega’s scent gland into his mouth to leave blooming bruises across his tender flesh. He fucks into him so deep that Jimin struggles to breathe, awakening parts of his that he forgot even existed without the alpha’s presence to remind him. The smack of Jungkook’s hips against Jimin’s fat ass rings in the air like a love song that only the two of them will ever possess the privilege of hearing.All in all, it proves a rather short affair once they truly indulge the whims of their hearts, too worked up to last any significant length of time considering the months of waiting that lead them here.“M-More.”“Fuck—““More, alpha. Please, give me more. Just… Just a little faster, harder. Please.” Jimin whines greedily, already meeting his release more times than he can count on one hand, yet it never feels like enough.“I don’t want to hurt you, baby.”“You won’t. You won’t, I promise. You won’t hurt me, never ever.”“Tell me—““I will.”A bit more fervor seems to spur them both over the edge, providing precisely what they need to finally meet the highest level of euphoria available in this universe.Their lips meet in a nasty, messy, clumsy kiss that involves far more teeth and tongue than usual, mouths clashing together while Jungkook’s cock slams into Jimin with reckless abandon. A chorus of moans and cries resounds off the walls of their bedroom, dangerously loud considering their pups sleep just down the hall.Every cell in Jimin’s body threatens to explode when the beginnings of Jungkook’s knot tugs at his rim as his thrusts grow less coordinated.Finally.Jimin offers no warning before tears begin streaming down his flushed cheeks, the efforts of his love pouring from his eyes as the closeness he desperately craves approaches at full speed. His body sings in delight, satisfied beyond belief, yearning for this semblance of utmost connection for the past three months. No amount of touching or words of assurance will ever hold a candle to the fulfillment that locking together with a knot provides to his aching soul.Admittedly, in spite of all the stretching and preparation enacted in support of this occurrence, it still stings a little when Jungkook successfully shoves his cock and knot past Jimin’s rim to nestle them within his spongy, lush walls.“Is it too much, sweetheart? Are you in pain? Do you need me to do something to help take the pressure off?” Jungkook questions with clear concern, holding himself up by his elbows while he lies on top of the omega.“M’okay.” Jimin answers honestly, the ache not too much to bear.“Are you sure?”“I like it. I like having you inside of me again. It feels… It feels right.”“You’re so fucking good to me, baby. Holy shit. I don’t know how you’re real and not a figment of my imagination. I’m afraid I might be stuck in the world’s cruelest wet dream because there’s no way I actually get to have you like this.” Jungkook chokes out, shaking his head, repeatedly staring down to see how his twitching cock resides inside of the omega.“It’s real, alpha. It’s all real. I’ll pinch you just to prove it.” Jimin giggles when Jungkook yelps at the catch of his skin between his fingers.As much as Jimin would love to bask in the glory of primal connection for the remainder of the night, allowing Jungkook to take him again and again until he loses the ability to walk properly, he understands the necessity of cleaning themselves up and receiving proper sleep since they need to care for their pups in a few short hours.They hop into the shower together, change the sheets for a fresh set, and curl up beneath the blankets with their bodies tangled together from head to toe.Absolute perfection.“I scheduled you a massage tomorrow after work. Don’t forget about that. Go and relax for a couple of hours before you come home. You’ve been working way too hard lately.” Jimin whispers lovingly, placing a kiss to the tip of Jungkook’s nose while he stares into his dark eyes.“I’ll go because you think it’s important, but I hate leaving you alone with our Petals for so long. I want to be here with you.”“I know you do. Your mom will probably come over for a couple of hours, so don’t worry. Okay?”“Okay.” Jungkook nods, yawning.“I love you so, so, so much, alpha. Thank you for everything. I had the most wonderful night with you.” Jimin says with sweetness bleeding from his every word.“I love you, baby. Tonight was fucking perfect. I can’t wait to have this for the rest of my life.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

The contract that Jimin and Jungkook signed at the start of their downfall into this love-ridden state of existence remains effectively null and void considering they find themselves deeply entwined in a relationship that they intend to last forever.Certain aspects of the boundaries they put forth still hold legitimacy regardless of the actual contract itself.Six months.Jimin returns to work only half a year postpartum.The omega himself decides that he wishes to join Jungkook back in the office, missing the sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that the external productivity brings him in life. As much as loves raising their pups with every fiber of his being, he resolutely ascertains the ability to succeed in multiple facets of life.Jungkook, of course, never once complains about Jimin’s choices, encouraging him to do whatever makes him happy.“Have you seen Nari’s bunny? I’ve been looking for it all morning and I haven’t seen it anywhere. She’s been crying for it since last night. Do you know where it is?” Jimin asks as he pops his head into the bathroom where Jungkook fixes his hair.“I have no clue, baby. Sorry. I’ll help you look for it when I’m dressed.”“Alright.”The engaged pair take turns getting themselves ready while they switch who watches the girls, waking up early enough to account for the possibility of mishaps along the way, both of them well-versed in handling the plethora of unexpected problems that come their way each and every day.Jimin pauses to sit in the nursery in his glider to feed the pups before he pulls on his professional attire, learning the hard way how messy things get.It breaks his heart to watch them grow up so swiftly. They transition from one stage of development to another in the blink of an eye, painfully remorseless of the fact that they shatter their parents’ hearts into a million pieces with each milestone they surpass. The tiny, newborn pups of yesterday fade into distant memories with these much taller, more capable ones taking their place as they lie in Jimin’s arms.Unbelievable.“It was in the freezer.”“Huh?” Jimin chokes out with wide eyes full of disbelief. “The freezer?”“I don’t know how the hell it got in there, but it was under a box of ice cream. I just found it. Tragedy averted.”“Wait…”“What?” Jungkook questions, smiling when he gives Nari her bunny.“What were you doing in the freezer?”“I may or may not have been eating an ice cream cone for breakfast. Don’t judge me. The idea has been tempting me since I smelled chocolate on your breath last night, so I gave in.”“Oh my god.”“Go get dressed. I’ve got them. I’ll start loading up the car in like 15 minutes, yeah?”“Yeah, okay.”They ride to work as a family unit, both reminiscent of their pre-pup days and wholly different at the same time. Instead of riding in silence with light music playing in the background, the sound of adorable babbles fill the air while Nari and Jang-mi play in the backseat. Luckily, it still possesses a lovely semblance of peace, just in a new way.“Jimin! Good morning!” Seo-ah calls out when he walks through the office doors, rushing around her reception desk to greet him and the pups. “Hello, pretty girls! Nice to see you so bright and early!”“Thanks for the warm welcome, Seo-ah.”“Yeah, yeah. Good morning to you, too. I see you all the time, so it’s not the same.”“I like your haircut.” Jimin says with a soft smile.“Thank you! My sister recommended I do something a little shorter this time. I feel like it really suits me, especially since it’s so hot outside.”“Will you start a pot of coffee?”“Already done!”In an unconventional turn of events, Jimin proposes that they hire an in-office caretaker to watch the pups while they work, loathing the idea of separating from them for the day without the chance to easily see them whenever he wishes. Jungkook agrees, mostly because he forgoes the ability to tell his omega no. They convert a spare office in a daycare room that resides just down the hall from both parents’ offices.Since Jimin only returns to work part-time, usually coming into the office 3 days a week, they keep Hyejin on staff, but split her tasks between Jungkook’s cases and other attorneys in the firm’s cases.Everything works perfectly.All of their family together under one roof during the work day allows Jungkook to spend time with the pups more than he did previously, while also providing the opportunity for them to spend lunch together and ride home in one car without needing to find separate transportation. They constantly tweak different details to ensure everything flows smoothly without any problems.“Sweetheart, you know I love you more than anything in this godforsaken world, but I’ll cry if you make me eat jajangmyeon one more time.” Jungkook groans, warily eyeing the bag of food sitting on the edge of his desk.“What’s wrong with jajangmyeon?”“You’ve wanted it so many times the past six months that I want to vomit every time I think about eating it.”“Oops.”“Seriously?”“No, I’m only joking.” Jimin giggles, light and airy, gazing at Jungkook’s look of disgusted disbelief before he pulls open the bag to reveal their food. “I ordered pork chops today. They looked so fatty and delicious in the pictures on the app.”“Damn, it smells amazing.”“Hopefully it tastes as good as it looks!”Nari and Jang-mi receive a tiny dose of vegetable side dishes in their highchairs next to the desk, their repertoire of foods solely expanding with each passing week. They adore fresh fruits, both happy to eat anything put on their trays.The day flies by due to the generous amount of breaks Jimin takes to check on their Petals. He finishes all of his duties, cleans up his office, and packs up all of their things just in time for Jungkook to complete his responsibilities as well.“Hi!”“There’s our pretty girls!” Yoongi says with a coo, smiling brightly while he waves at the pups in their carriers. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen you!”“It’s been two weeks.”“So long!” Yoongi repeats, shooting daggers at Jungkook with his eyes.“They’re huge now.”“It seems like they’re growing like weeds these days! They’ll be walking and talking before you know it! Six months have really flown by!” Jimin adds his own statements of disbelief, shaking his head while he retrieves Jang-mi from her seat.“Oh, wait.”“What?”“Didn’t we buy them those outfits?” Namjoon questions when Jimin hands the pup over to Yoongi.“Hmm… You’re right! We did!”“Really? That’s a funny coincidence!” Jungkook smiles, not knowing that Jimin purposely planned it like that on purpose to surprise Namjoon and Yoongi.“They’re just the cutest little outfits!”“They suit them perfectly.”“Take a picture of us four together! I need a new phone background, so this will be a good replacement. Make sure you get their outfits in the shot!” Namjoon requests as Jungkook hands him Nari, smiling enthusiastically as he holds her against his chest.“Kimchi!”Once they finish their impromptu photoshoot, Jungkook using Namjoon’s phone to snap an ungodly amount of pictures from all possible angles to ensure he fulfills the request the first time, they all crowd around the table to enjoy a lovely meal together. The pizza restaurant focuses on wacky topping combinations and fun fusion foods, the atmosphere welcoming for people from all walks of life.Jimin scours the menu to decide what option suits their family best, mostly picking something he and Jungkook like since the pups still don’t eat foods like this yet.Interesting.“It's a confusing dichotomy, for sure. On one hand, the climate activists and general population who care about the environment are my biggest fans who sing my praises like I’m some kind of hero. On the other hand, corporations are doing everything they can to stop me from coming after them next.”“People either love you or hate you, no in between.” Jungkook supplies with an understanding nod.“That’s what happens when you win such a big case.”“Call me naïve if you want, but I didn’t expect to receive death threats from people who worship companies like their lives depend on it. This was my first major case and it kind of shocked me.” Namjoon speaks candidly, fiddling with his straw, bouncing Nari on his thigh.“I think your situation is uniquely different from ours because you deal with something that affects a whole group of people at large.”“A case like yours draws public interest in a way that they feel personally involved.”“Our criminal cases are very individualistic.” Yoongi states in agreement, playing with Jang-mi’s hair before he twists it back into her bow. “You’re outraging a whole sector of society.”“Is it enough to deter you from going forward?”“Hell no!”“Language.” Yoongi growls at his husband.“It’s kind of motivating me more. I know I must be doing something right if they’re all this worked up about it. I’m going to keep at it.”The food arrives just in time for the pups to grow fussy, Nari in particular causing a ruckus to the point that Jimin grabs her from Namjoon’s lap. He attempts to settle her with soothing rocking motions and holding her up to pat her back, but both of them fail.Jimin manages to eat two bites of his slice of pizza before he needs to retreat to the car to feed her.Some days bring a bit more frustration than others, evoking guilt inside of him because he loves his pups more than anything, sitting alone in the car with his dress shirt unbuttoned to let Nari drink her fill. He would much rather feed his growling stomach in the presence of his friends, but duty calls and he always answers. Soon enough, this stage of life will finish, so he should try to enjoy it while it lasts.“Are you good?” Jungkook questions in a low, rough grumble when Jimin returns to the table.“Mhm.”“Are you sure?”“Yeah.” Jimin nods, releasing a heavy breath before he turns to gaze at his other fussy pup in Jungkook’s arms. “Switch me.”“I think she’ll be fine until after we finish our meal. She’s been eating some of the salad.”“I don’t want to annoy everyone around us.”“She’s fine for now, I promise. You eat a little more before you worry about her. It hasn’t even been long since she last ate.” Jungkook suggests kindly, clearly observant and concerned with Jimin’s well-being.“Okay.”Yoongi and Namjoon always introduce such captivating topics when they gather together, their perspectives on life refreshing in Jimin’s eyes. He thoroughly enjoys every discussion they hold, the variety of points they make, and how much passion they harbor for important aspects of bettering society.It brings a smile to his face to know that these people will reside as a support system for his pups, offering them a well-rounded view on life from all different facets of their chosen family.“We’ll come over and watch them soon. You guys need to go out on another date night. Either next weekend or the one after, yeah?” Yoongi suggests without hesitation, bouncing Jang-mi back and forth as he waits with her outside the car.“Yeah, okay.”“That sounds good to me.”“Maybe you can go watch that new movie that’s coming out, the one where the president’s son gets kidnapped.” Namjoon adds.“An action movie? Really?”“It looks good!”“I think Jimin would prefer to do something a little less intense, but I’ll keep that in mind. We typically want to unwind and relax when we have alone time.” Jungkook smiles at Namjoon with something disarmingly handsome and boyish.“Suit yourselves! Do whatever you want!”“Thanks for offering, though. We’ll definitely take you up on it.”“I don’t want to go inside.” Jimin whispers breathily, words slowly dripping from his lips like honey, batting his eyelashes before he leans in for another kiss. “Let’s just stay in the car the whole time.”“Believe me, baby. If this wasn’t an event to celebrate me, we’d go home and enjoy ourselves the right way.”“They might not even notice.”“I hope they would realize that I wasn’t there eventually.” Jungkook chuckles from deep in his chest, trailing down to kiss the omega’s reddened scent gland.“I love you, alpha.”“I love you, too, sweetheart. Let’s get this over with so I can have my true prize sooner.”Pride radiates from every crack and crevice of Jimin’s body as he stands beside the man of the hour to celebrate his most recent victory in court. His unending resilience will never cease to impress the omega, fighting tooth and nail to emerge successful in his case against Shin Bora. After a multitude of disruptions, delays, and challenges, he finally reigns as the winner of the trial, bringing justice to his client once and for all.Everyone greets Jungkook with words of praise, patting him on the shoulder and shaking his hand with nothing but happiness for his hard-fought battle that exists as another wrought in his ladder of wins.Victorious.The palpable energy in the air surrounds the room in excitement.It drips from the ceiling, trickles down the walls, floods the marble floors, and wafts in the atmosphere. Everyone contains an overflow of joy that remains abundant even hours after the official verdict, joining together in this event hall to celebrate the occasion with delicious food and expensive drinks.Jimin practically foams at the mouth merely watching his alpha in his element.Endlessly charming.“Jimin.”“Yijoon.”“I understand now.”“What do you mean?” Jimin questions with furrowed brows and a purse of his lush lips, slightly tipsy from the glass of white wine in his hand.“My approach was way off base. I used to promise that I would give you everything Jeon gave you and more, but I didn’t realize just how much he was offering you. Now I realize that I could never match that.”“You’ve got the wrong idea.”“I think I’ve got the wrong genitalia. I’m afraid I don’t have a knot to keep you happy.”“It wasn’t like that.”“You’re wearing his engagement ring on your finger and you smell of milk from raising his pups.” Yijoon challenges, sipping his glass of whiskey.“Well, yes, but… That wasn’t why I stayed working for him for all those years.”“Sure.”“Stop it!” Jimin giggles at the absurdity of the situation, warmth flushing from his cheeks to his chest, skin tingling when a hand presses to his lower back. “Your implications are untoward.”“Jang Yijoon. It seems we meet again.” Jungkook grunts in a dissatisfied tone.“Jeon Jungkook, always a pleasure.”“Are you here to try to steal my prized secretary from my grasp again? What amazing offer do you have up your sleeve this time? Should I be worried about the lengths you’ll go to for my hardest worker?”“Actually, I was just telling him that I don’t think I have what he needs.” Yijoon turns to Jimin to shoot him a mischevious wink.“You’re ridiculous.”“A win is a win.” Jungkook shrugs, unashamed when he pulls Jimin in to plant a kiss on his temple. “I’m glad you recognize that I’m the only one who can satisfy him.”“Enough!” Jimin screeches, red from head to toe, scrambling to run away from their shenanigans.Most of the night passes in typical fashion with Jimin clinging to Jungkook’s side while he entertains himself by listening to everyone’s pointless conversations and nurses a single glass of wine. Heat flows through his veins, keeping him in a pleasant mood regardless of his lack of interest in these social events. The alpha of the hour finds no lack of ways to keep him on his toes.“I forgot how much fun you are when you get a little buzz in your system.” Jungkook growls out his words, hands rough as they dip down to grab a handful of his plush ass, diving in for a rough kiss since the darkness of night in the alley hides their brazenness. “This is the first time you’ve had alcohol since before you got pregnant.”“Feels good. Floaty. M’as light as a feather.”“You’re so fucking pretty, baby. You smell divine. I’m going crazy having to talk to all these people when I just want to bend you over the table and fuck you senseless.”“D-Don’t tease me with promises you can’t keep.” Jimin huffs breathily, his cock twitching in his dress slacks.“We only have to wait a little longer.”“Too long.”Everyone gradually trickles out as the night grows later, less and less people coming up to congratulate Jungkook on his win. They offer him well wishes and goodbyes, hoping for his continued success in cases in the future. No one really mentions the obvious change in the relationship between him and his trophy secretary.“What the fuck are you doing here?”“Is that any way to greet a colleague? Where are your manners?”“I don’t remember placing your name on the invite list, so my previous question still stands.” Jungkook chokes out with narrowed eyes trained on the woman a few feet away from him. “Shin Bora, what the hell are you doing here?”“I’ll admit that I’ve been asking myself that same question for the past hour.”“And?”“And I think I’ve gone soft, Jeon Jungkook. I’m well aware that I lost the case despite my best efforts, yet here I stand. Is it preposterous that I want to congratulate you for somehow beating all of my attempts to destroy your case?” Bora’s vulnerability shines through, evident with the twitch of her fingers and the apprehensive look painting her features.“Yes, I’d say it is.”“If I have to lose to anyone, I’m proud that it was you.”“You put up a good fight, so don’t kick yourself too much. I’m expecting you to come back even harder and more fucked up next time, yeah? You better not be giving up on beating me.”“Oh, fuck that. I’m going to win one day, Jeon. You’ll see. Count your days.”The desire flowing between Jimin and Jungkook only surmounts into something visceral by the time they climb into the car to head home. Dangerously, recklessly, carelessly, they struggle to tamper down their arousal long enough to wait until they actually step through their front door.Jungkook, a demon in the flesh, reaches across the console to grip Jimin’s upper thigh, purposely slipping his fingers up to trace the shape of the omega’s leaking cock in his pants.With panting breaths, desperate hands, and endless devotion, they stumble upstairs to their home.“Thank you for watching them.” Jungkook chokes out as he confronts his parents in the living room, Jimin slipping away to the bedroom to hide the obvious puddle of slick collecting in his underwear. “Did they have any trouble getting to sleep? How much did they eat?”Need.Wildfire courses through Jimin’s veins until he threatens to disintegrate beneath the heat of the flames.He strips down his barest form without hesitation, haphazardly tossing his clothes to the floor beside the bed, perched atop the blankets like a prize while he waits for his alpha to enter into the room to pounce on him.Needless to say, Jungkook never disappoints when it comes to displaying his unrelenting interest in his omega.“T-This night is supposed to be about y-you.” Jimin whines in a high pitched voice, saliva dripping from his lips as Jungkook continues licking into his mouth like a wild beast. “I’m supposed to… to treat you. You're the winner.”“That’s right, baby. I’m the winner, so I should get to pick my reward. I want you.”“That’s it?”“What the fuck do you mean? That’s the best gift I could ever ask for. There’s nothing wrong with me wanting to bury my face in your asshole and knot you so well that you cry. It’s perfect.” Jungkook rasps as hunger bleeds from his dark irises, meanly thumbing over Jimin’s taut balls instead of touching him where he wants most.“Don’t you want something special? You have me like that all the time.”“It’s still special to me, sweetheart.”“Since it’s your night of celebration, you can have whatever you want. I won’t stop you from enjoying your prize, even if that prize is just me.” Jimin whispers sweetly, sucking on Jungkook’s tongue, already a disgusting mess. “Can I touch you a little, though? I want to play with you, too, alpha.”“I would never say no to that in a million goddamn years.”Debaucherous.If Jimin possessed even a sliver of his normal inhibitions, he might shy away from embracing the downright filthy things that Jungkook wants to do to him.The alpha’s version of a victory prize resides in licking every inch of Jimin’s body until his tongue runs dry. He delivers an obscene amount of bruises to his silky skin, marking his claim on Jimin’s neck, his inner thighs, the swell of his chest, and on his lower belly. Jungkook tortures the omega for what feels like hours, taking his little cock into his scorching mouth, effortlessly bringing him to the verge of release before he halts altogether.Jungkook fucks his fingers into Jimin’s hole while he laps up the slick that drips down his wrist, savoring the tears that stream down Jimin’s cheeks each time he pulls away to deny him his orgasm.He indulges in the act of tearing him down piece by piece.“Do you want a break, pretty thing? Should I lie down and let you have a turn now? Is that okay with you?” Jungkook wonders aloud, reaching out to swipe away Jimin’s tears with his thumb, the switch of softness in his demeanor giving the omega whiplash.“Yes, please.” Jimin nods vigorously, shakily climbing onto all fours to kneel beside Jungkook’s waist. “H-Hurts.”“Are you alright? It’s not too much, is it?”“S’okay.”“You promise?”“Pinky promise.”Containing far less determination inside of him, Jimin harbors no interest in tormenting Jungkook in the same manner, craving a bit of gentler intimacy now that the tables turn.He rests his head on his alpha’s lower stomach, sighing into the comfort of the hands brushing through his hair while he suckles at the head of Jungkook’s cock. Soft, kitten licks lave against the bulbous shape in his mouth, going as far as trailing wet kisses down his shaft while he fondles his balls in his little hands.Jimin’s show of gentleness contrasts the harshness in Jungkook’s deprivation.Eventually, after a lifetime of exploring each other’s bodies in whatever ways they see fit, Jungkook drapes over top of Jimin to fully mount him like a true victor.Raw, primal fucking.Of course, the majority of his rough intentions fade away in the face of the preferences of the mewling omega beneath him, perpetually considerate of how Jimin feels and what he enjoys. He still kisses his neck, whispers sweet words in his ear, and refrains from bringing him any pain with his strokes. Jungkook enjoys his prize to the fullest degree, a sentiment he expresses repeatedly as he shoots a tidal wave of cum into Jimin after stuffing him with his knot.“It’s sad to think of how I used to come home to an empty apartment to crawl straight into bed, even after I won big cases like this.” Jungkook whispers in Jimin’s ear, curled up around him while they try to fall asleep. “Having you here, having a family, having someone to enjoy life with, that’s the greatest gift in the universe.”Instead of planning an elaborate honeymoon that allows them to gallivant around the world for weeks at a time, Jimin and Jungkook opt for something far more modest.They take their family to Busan for a week.Before the wedding.The timing of the girl’s first birthdays, the upcoming wedding, and an itch to travel all perfectly align for this rare occasion. Settling on somewhere domestic and simple seems like the wisest option for their family, so they whisk away to the largest city aside from the capital to enjoy themselves for a week.Jimin laments the warmth of such a beautiful place in summer, but this will still serve them well.“Baby, how the hell is that my fault?”“You were the one who loaded up the car! You literally forgot an entire bag!” Jimin answers in a raised voice, clutching Nari to his hip while he flits around the kitchen in a tizzy to prepare breakfast.“It was a bag that I didn’t know existed. It was inside of the linen closet at the end of the hallway.”“We needed it.”“Yeah, I’m aware of that now. If you had reminded me that it was there or checked for it before we left, we wouldn’t be having this problem.” Jungkook replies in a clam, yet clipped tone.“I told you not to forget it the night before you started loading everything! Don’t try to pin this on me!”“You’re the one blaming me for it!”“It’s your fault! Go and buy some diapers before we run out of the few we have left, please and thank you. They’re hungry and fussy and won’t hardly let me put them down for five seconds.”“Yeah, fine, whatever.”Despite their initial hiccup first thing after they wake up, they manage to recover the trip even as a crucial bag remains at home with absolute necessities inside of it. Jungkook purchases an entire box of diapers with wipes, their Petals enjoy a healthy breakfast of fresh fruits with toast, and Jimin soaks up a few minutes of alone time to gather his bearings.They all crowd around on the couch to watch cartoons until the morning passes enough to actually retreat outside to the beach near their villa. Jang-mi and Nari lounge in their parents’ laps, captivated by the show on the screen.Jimin knows what awaits him the second Jungkook’s hand soothing caresses the nape of his neck.“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Jungkook rasps in the omega’s ear, gravelly and deep, leaning so close that his breath fans over Jimin’s skin. “I shouldn’t have forgotten the bag, especially one that was so important. I sincerely apologize.”“Y-Yeah, okay.”“Can you forgive me for this mistake? I won’t let it happen again, I promise. You’re right to be angry with me.”“I forgive you.” Jimin answers with a pout, nodding.“Thank you, my love.”All of the anger drains from Jimin’s body when Jungkook leans in impossibly closer to place a soft kiss to his neck, the touch disarmingly delightful to such a sensitive spot on the omega’s flesh. Jimin shudders, releasing a harsh breath, his eyes fluttering closed when Jungkook kisses him twice more for good measure. His apologies always win Jimin back far too quickly.“Da-da-da-da-da-da.” Jang-mi babbles from her spot on the shore, mindlessly talking to herself while she attempts to scoop up more sand.“What are you going to build? Hmm? Do you want to make a castle?”“Da-da-da.”“Are you going to create a statue of your daddy? Is that it? That’s a big order to fill, but I believe in you. You can build whatever you set your mind to.” Jimin speaks in a sweet voice, reaching over to pull her hat over her face a bit more to protect her from the sun.“Nari’s going to make her name in the sand. She already started working on it.”“Wow.”“Isn’t it impressive?”“It’s… It’s something, that’s for sure. I think she’s speaking in a language I don’t understand. Remarkable penmanship regardless.”Jungkook and Jimin share in the responsibility of watching their pups while they play in the sand, a necessary amount of clothing covering their tiny bodies to combat the chilly breeze and sunshine. They mostly allow them to engage in whatever form of entertainment they want, whether that means throwing handfuls of sand or scooping it up only to dump it out again.Total relaxation.With essentially no one else on the beach this time of year, especially not in the secluded area of their villa that provides private beach access, they freely lounge around while savoring the freedom of their empty schedule.Their pups clearly appreciate the change of scenery as well, experiencing a sensory awakening with fingers in the clumpy sand.“You guys are going to be so tired when it’s time for your naps. I can already see it in your eyes. That’s going to be one of the best sleeps you’ve ever had in your life, isn’t it, honey?” Jimin asks as he delivers loving kisses to Nari’s chubby cheeks.Nari squeals at the top of her lungs when Jungkook splashes water at her, catching the attention of her sister who mimics the sound in solidarity.“Water.”“This is sea water.”“Can you say that? Can you say water? Water. Water. Repeat after me. Water.” Jimin valiantly attempts to evoke the sounds from their pup’s mouth, but to no avail.“At least they can say da-da now.”“Da-da! Da-da-da-da!” Jang-mi shrieks before bursting into peals of adorable laughter.“We made the cutest pups in the world.” Jungkook declares proudly, smiling until his eyes crinkle at the corners and his nose scrunches. “It’s official.”“We definitely did.”With no agenda to follow, nothing important hanging over their heads, and a lack of obligations to tend to, their little family operates at their own leisure.They laze around doing nothing most of the day, enjoying the company of their own making with nothing to bother them. Whether napping in bed or sitting on the lanai while they listen to the hum of the sea, everything flows smoothly to provide true rest.Simple.Jimin and Jungkook savor their moments of alone time when the pups go down for a nap, crawling into bed for a chance of extra sleep themselves. They tangle together beneath the blankets with bellies full of lunch, sharing adoring kisses until their eyelids grow heavy and their lips remain firmly in place. Such a peaceful time to exist without worry feels like a rare gift from the heavens.“Let me take some pictures of the cakes by themselves before we put them on their trays. They’re so beautiful! Oh my god! They look even better than I thought they would when I ordered them.”“Are they too good to eat?”“Absolutely not.”“What’s the protocol for putting candles on cakes for pups? My immediate instinct is to say no because that sounds like an accident waiting to happen.” Jungkook wonders while he straps the girls into their high chairs.“No flames near our Petals.”“Okay, good.”Not only do they hold a whole photoshoot to capture pictures of everything that happens when they celebrate their pups’ first birthday, they set up both of their phones on tripods to record live video to share the momentous occasion with their closest friends and family.Jang-mi and Nari create an ungodly mess of cake all over themselves and the floor beneath them, wildly grabbing handfuls of the delicious treat before throwing it around haphazardly.Nari buries her face in the icing and cries when she gets it inside her nose.Chaos.The best kind of commotion.As they stick their fingers into their beautifully decorated cakes, all of their friends and family watching from the comfort of their own homes, Jimin and Jungkook lead a chorus of the happy birthday song to seal the deal. They all sing together to create a joyous atmosphere to celebrate the precious pups’ first year on the earth. Unending love and devotion fills the air, palpable to the point that it makes tears sting at the backs of Jimin’s eyes.It feels surreal to already reach this stage in their lives. Everything flies by without consideration of those who wish to stay in that glorious moment forever.“Happy birthday, our beautiful pups. We love you so, so, so much. Even when you’re smashing cake in my hair and making the biggest mess the world has ever seen, you’re still so incredibly loved. I hope your life is only ever filled with happiness.” Jimin sweetly proclaims his love for their girls, kissing both of them on the head while he refrains from crying.“Happy birthday to you both. You make all of our dreams come true without even knowing it. We love you more than you could ever comprehend, but I hope you feel it just as well.” Jungkook states with a smile, eyes sparkling as he looks at their perfect family.Their leisurely days at a luxury villa in Busan fly by so swiftly that they barely possess time to indulge in the moment before it already ends.Cruel.It brings Jimin incomparable satisfaction to live with his family in such a gorgeous atmosphere with no expectations except to enjoy himself. He flourishes in the freedom that fills every day, never happier than when life allows him to revel in the glory of the existence he purposely crafted himself.They watch silly movies, dance before bed, take family baths in the giant tub, play hide and seek, eat as many snacks as they want, and love like nothing else matters.If only life could always taste this sweet.“I want to get one of us.” Jimin declares as his eyes overflow with amazement, pointing to the cartoon sketch of a family on the front of a plain t-shirt. “It’ll be the perfect souvenir for our trip!”“Baby, that’s genuinely the tackiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”“I know! Isn’t it great?”“Sure.”“I’ll get two of them so we can match! I’d get one for the girls, but they’re so particular about fabrics on their sensitive skin. They won’t even know they’re missing out.” Jimin skips ahead while Jungkook pushes the stroller to the vendor stall across the market.Both of them harbor an eye for unique items, as they come to find out.Jungkook himself purchases a god-awful tie with a screen print of their pups’ faces on it, beaming in pride when he holds it up to his neck to imagine wearing it to work.Their pups end up coming back to their temporary home with a whole bag full of goodies for them to enjoy. From stuffed marine animals to colorful hair bows to seashells, they receive their fill of souvenirs just like their parents.When not lounging at the villa, playing in the sand, visiting tourist locations, or shopping, the family eats at famous seafood restaurants to get their fill of fresh fooods.“I didn’t know that you liked oysters.”“That’s because I don’t.” Jimin holds a hand over his mouth as he recovers from the slimey creature slipping down his throat.“Is that the first time that you tried one? Really? You’ve never eaten an oyster until this very moment?”“Yes, but I’m never eating one again.”“More for me.” Jungkook shoots him a shit-eating grin, the curve of his smile stretching from ear to ear, fresh laundry spiking in the air to please Jimin’s senses to no end. “You can have all of the shrimp because I know you like those the most.”“Thank you, alpha.”“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Eat as much as you want. Get your fill.”They share a greasy, salty kiss when Jimin leans across the table to express his gratitude for his alpha’s consideration. Their pups naturally ruin the moment by squealing at their top of their lungs in unison for no reason whatsoever, drawing everyone’s attention to the public display of affection like little demons.Staying at an expensive, opulent villa directly on the beach with private access to the ocean means that they spend the majority of their time appreciating the view in one way or another.Utterly stunning.Jimin snaps so many photos and videos that his phone storage runs out halfway through the trip.In the morning, they sit on the lanai with steaming cups of coffee in their hands. When the afternoon rolls around, after the girls finish their nap, they take them out to play in the sand until they bore of it. After dinner, they walk down further to the pier to receive an unfettered view of the sunset in a comfortable location.The perfect vacation for their little family.“Sometimes I think about it.” Jimin answers truthfully, staring off into the beach in the distance while he tightly grips Nari to his chest. “I wonder what it would be like if we had another pup.”“What do you think about?”“I mostly just wonder what they would look like, what their personality would be, and how they’d fit into the dynamic we already have now. I think about all the love inside of me and how I have so much of myself left to give.”“Wow, that’s beautiful, baby.”“Do you ever think about it, alpha? Is it something that weighs on your mind?”“I sometimes find myself wondering about it.” Jungkook nods his head, halting in place to stare directly into Jimin’s eyes, their feet sinking into the wet sand on the shore. “The idea of our family being incomplete really bothers me.”“Is that something that you feel? Does our family feel incomplete to you?”“No.”“I asked myself that question and came to the same conclusion. I know that we would love any pups that we were blessed to have, but stopping with these two feels perfect.” Jimin answers with vulnerability and sincerity.“I like it with just us four.”“Me too.”“All of us together forever. Me, you, and our Petals. It would be tempting fate to ask for more.”“Let’s not risk it.”They stroll along the sand for a couple of hours on their final day in Busan, something poignant gripping their hearts as they prepare to say goodbye to this slice of heaven. Jang-mi and Nari adore playing in the water regardless of how freezing it feels, screeching with laughter each time their parents dip their fingers into the sea.Jungkook requests that they order delivery for dinner instead of going out to a restaurant, Jimin never one to disagree with the notion of eating in comfort, all four of them sitting together at the dining table while they stuff their faces.After the girls fall asleep for the night, still struggling a bit now that Jimin freshly stopped breastfeeding them, the parents spend time just for themselves.“You know what I miss?” Jungkook asks in such a low, raspy voice that it already hints to the depravity waiting behind his words, his hands tight on the omega’s hips where Jimin plants himself firmly in his lap while they indulge in the heat of the hot tub on the deck outside their room. “I miss it so badly already.”“W-What? What is it?”“I miss when these things were fat and leaking milk all of the time.” Jungkook states before he dips down to place a kiss to Jimin’s bare breast.“They… They’re not f-flat yet.”“Not yet, but they will be damn close to it soon. It was so fun to watch them bounce while you rode my cock. Obviously the sweet milk was just a perk compared to how fucking good they looked.”“D-Don’t!” Jimin cries out when Jungkook leans closer to capture his taut nipple in between his teeth.“I know, omega. I won’t suck no matter how badly I want to. I’m just going to play with them a little, hm? I can do that, can’t I?”“Yeah. You… You can.”Things inevitably heat up between them when the environment lends itself so well to the desires buried deep inside them. Their bare, naked bodies cling together beneath the bubbling water, their mouths naturally seeking one another in the absence of words, hands unable to refrain from gripping the flesh that beckons their souls nearer.Jimin whines like Jungkook touches him for the first time all over again, breathy and high-pitched into the alpha’s panting mouth, melting into the ecstasy of fingers plunging deep into the depths of his giving, feverish walls.“Hold me, alpha. Just… Just hold me. P-Please.” Jimin all but begs, clawing at the alpha’s shoulders.“I am holding you, baby.”“Closer.”“If you get any closer, our bodies are going to melt into one.” Jungkook grunts, barely hiding a chuckle of amusement, nonetheless pulling Jimin’s body flush against him in every inch possible.“Want it.”“Yeah? Do you want us to be attached at the hip? Should we share a single body so that we never have to separate?”“Yes.”“You’d get annoyed with me so fast, sweetheart.”“I’ll miss being together all of the time. Here, with just us and our pups, we never have to be apart unless we want to. My heart hurts when you’re at work and I don’t get to see your handsome face or smell your scent or feel your touch.” Jimin admits without reservation, wearing his heart on his sleeve with the person he trusts most in the world to protect it.“It sucks so fucking bad to leave you, omega. I hope you know that. I miss you all the way in my soul whenever you’re not with me. It hurts me just as much as it hurts you.”“Let’s stay like this forever.” Jimin sucks in a stuttering breath, clenching around the cock buried inside of him.“There’s nothing I want more.”On the two year anniversary of the day they conceived their pups, the moment their lives changed for all of eternity, Jimin and Jungkook officially marry in a quaint ceremony in Yeosu.It resides as a private affair with only Jimin, Jungkook, their girls, Jimin’s moms, and an officiant in attendance.Intimate.They drive down on Friday night after work with their pups in the backseat, far less nervous than either of them expected. The next morning, while Jimin’s parents watch the girls, they stop out to buy some simple flowers to create a bouquet for pictures. Dasom creates a beautiful floral arrangement while the couple dress for the monumental event.Instead of wearing uncomfortably expensive tuxedos with fancy dress shoes, they opt for casual attire that mostly captures the wedding vibe with the abundance of white present from head to toe.Jang-mi and Nari wear fluffy, white dresses to match.“You’re as beautiful as ever.” Hayoon declares with unshed tears in her eyes, her hand firmly on Jimin’s shoulder while they prepare for the brief ceremony. “I don’t believe there’s ever been a more stunning bride than you.”“Not even me? Dasom gasps, scandalized.“I’m afraid not.”“That’s a statement that I can accept since it’s about our boy. He stole all of our beauty and then some considering how pretty he is.”“Thank you so much, mom. Both of you. I’m only pretty because you love me lots and lots.”“Thank you for letting us share this special day with you. We honestly never thought it would happen because you grew up and moved to the other side of the country. Not that we blame you, of course.” Hayoon states plainly, gentle in her words.“It means the world to us that you would let us have this moment with you in our own way since we can’t join your formal wedding.”“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”Jimin and Jungkook exchange basic vows under an archway in a secluded park near the sea, holding each other’s hands while they stare into their glossy eyes and repeat what the officiant tells them to say. They mean every word, regardless of the lack of personal input of sentiments of their own, happy to express their love with these traditional vows for this small ceremony.Being surrounded by peaceful nature, golden sunshine, and their immediate family feels like a dream come true.Nothing better than this.They share a heartfelt kiss that Jimin’s parents capture with an obscene amount of flash photography on their phone, ordering the two of them to remain in place for a couple of minutes to ensure the multitude of pictures come out perfectly.Jang-mi and Nari join them beneath the archway for another round of snapshots.“I can only imagine how terribly your hearts ache without Jimin here in your home where you know he’s safe, but I promise that I’ll protect him with my life. Every bit of love you poured into him throughout the years is obvious because I’ve never met a sweeter, kinder, more selfless person in this world. I’m honored to have the privilege of spending the rest of my life with him and our pups.” Jungkook declares in earnest, fighting back tears while he stares into Jimin’s moms’ eyes.“Thank you for taking care of our boy and treating him like he deserves. We’ve always been terrified of what might happen to him out in the real world, so it brings us a great deal of comfort to know that you’re there to love him even when we’re not.”“We won’t live forever—““Mom! Don’t say that!” Jimin chokes out in shock, adamantly refuting the notion before she even continues her statement.“It’s the truth, sweetness.”“Our time left on this earth is limited, something that we wish we could change with all of our hearts. Knowing that our precious Jimin has someone by his side that clearly loves him helps to ease our worries and fears. Even if we can’t be there for him much longer, you certainly can.” Dasom adds with a heartbreaking truth to her words that shatters Jimin’s world into pieces.“I will, I promise you that. He’ll never be lonely a day in his life as long as I’m here to see to it. There’s nothing I’m more certain about in my life. I’ll always love him like he deserves.” Jungkook says with a charming smile, pulling Jimin in by a hand around his hip.“You too.” Jimin’s watery eyes reflect in the endless pool of darkness in his alpha’s gaze. “Everything. All of it. I’ll be that for you, too.”“I have no doubt about that, baby. I’m sure you will. You already do.”Jimin’s moms hold a celebratory dinner for him at their home after the marriage ceremony officially ends. Both Jimin and Jungkook adorn stunning rings on their fingers to show everyone their permanent relationship status. The girls tear out of their dresses just in time to avoid ruining them with the messy bowls of jajangmyeon and heaps of sweet and sour pork.Everything about their private wedding feels right with Jimin’s soul.In a couple of weeks time, their much more public wedding will take place in a wedding hall in Seoul, the presence of all their friends, extended family, and coworkers expected to push their attendance into the hundreds.The time to throw a lavish ceremony will arrive soon enough.For now, they cherish the personal event that they graciously share with the people who love Jimin the most in the world, laughing until they cry, sharing heartfelt words of sincerity, eating delicious foods, and exchanging all of their hopes and dreams for the future. They enjoy the lack of pressure on their shoulders, no need to put on a grand performance.Jimin, Jungkook, and their pups bask in the presence of Dasom and Hayoon, their tender love strong enough to extend to those who come into their life by extension of their son.The actual wedding—that they spent a year and heaps of money planning—greatly contrasts their precious event.“I’m nervous.”“Don’t be.”“Wow, thank you! That’s such amazing advice! I’m fine now!” Jimin replies with dramatically enthusiastic sarcasm. He huffs out a deep breath before turning to pace back and forth in the small confines of the dressing room. “I want to see my pups.”“They’re with Jungkook’s parents, right? Do you actually want me to go get them?”“Just for a bit.”“Be right back!” Hoseok announces, hurrying out of the room to fulfill Jimin’s request as one of his groomsmen for the wedding.“Dada!”“Dada! Dada!”“Hi, pretty girls! Hello, hello! I’m so happy to see you again!” Jimin releases a sigh of relief, the stormy waves in his soul calming if only for a moment, the sweet, milky scent of his pups like a healing balm to his overwhelming nerves. “My precious pups! I love you so much!”Jimin takes both of his girls into his arms before he plops onto the couch along the wall. He takes turns delivering wet, smacking kisses to their chubby cheeks, savoring the way they squeak in delight at his obnoxiously vigorous affection. Covering them in his scent helps to distract him from the stresses at hand and occupies his brain from what will soon occur.“They smell like Jungkook, too.”“I may or may not have received word that he did the exact same thing as you a few minutes ago.” Hoseok answers with a smile.“Of course, he did.”“30 minutes until go time!” Seokjin exclaims when he pops his head back into the room.“Oh my god!”“You’re about to get married!”The venue itself far surpasses any of the images contained in Jimin’s mind. Even after spending countless hours choosing the decorations and personalizing towards their taste, it looks even better than he anticipated. It appears like something out of a magazine that young pups would fawn over and declare for themselves in the future.Gorgeous.Flowers drape from every surface.Ornate chandeliers glimmer from the ceiling.Hues of light pink and white paint every corner of the hall.From an ice statue to elaborate floral backdrops to flickering candles, the atmosphere of the ceremony stuns the anxiety straight out of Jimin’s body, leaving him taken aback with wonder as he enters into the back room to prepare to walk across the stage.He only sees Jungkook.Putting one foot in front of the other, steeling his breathing, gazing ahead to the end of the runway, Jimin only focuses on his alpha in the sea of people surrounding them.His fingers harshly clutch the bouquet in his hands as he makes his way to his husband, refusing to allow the attention to terrify him more than it already does. Jungkook’s fresh laundry scent washes over him like a blanket of comfort and warmth, wrapping around him as they stand together to present themselves in front of everyone they know.Coworkers.Parents.Lovers.Partners.Jimin and Jungkook share many titles over the years, the list constantly growing and expanding to accommodate their new seasons of life, yet one in particular evokes a wealth of emotion inside of the omega.Husbands.From this moment forward, now and forever, they commit to remain by each other’s sides.Through thick and thin.Despite the suffocating amount of eyes glaring into him from every angle as he shares the stage with Jungkook to complete the marriage ceremony, the event flies by much quicker than he thought possible. With the speeches and music and photos, every seconds passes before he even possesses the wherewithal to contemplate what occurs.Finally married.Public, privately, personally.Jimin insists on delaying photo shoots until after he sneaks away to the reception hall to stuff his face full of food, starving half to death considering his nerves denied him the opportunity to eat anything until this moment.Their wedding exists as a grand affair that he always dreamed of.“Thank you.” Yerin whispers reverently, reaching over to squeeze Jimin’s hand in her bony fingers, water in her eyes when she looks over at her son-in-law. “Thank you so much, Jimin.”“For… For what?”“Thank you for being there for our son when we can’t. Thank you for softening his heart. Thank you for giving him the gift of a family of his own. Thank you for loving him when we fall short.”“Y-You don’t need to thank me for that.” Jimin chokes out his words.“Things are a constant up and down between us, so it’s comforting to know that he has you to care for him. There’s no doubt in my mind that we would’ve never healed our relationship even a little bit if it wasn’t for you and your pups. It really opened our eyes to what we were losing by holding onto our grudges.”“I hope you can one day repair the damage that has been done. Even if you don’t deserve it, Jungkook does.”“You’re right.” Yerin nods, hesitating for a second before she pulls Jimin in for a crushing hug, her cream scent thick and gentle in the omega’s nose. “Welcome to our family. We’re so happy to have you here.”“Thank you so much.”Sitting on the same couch in front of the same backdrop with the same pose for hours leaves Jimin truly and utterly exhausted, his face aching from the amount of photos they take with the guests from the ceremony. Everyone, from acquaintances to family, wants to receive a picture with the newly married couple. Even Shin Bora shows up, her presence shocking to Jungkook and Jungkook only since Jimin sneakily invited her.The media in attendance bombards them with attention even after the wedding officially ends, chasing them out to their car as they leave the building to return to the comfort of their own home following such a taxing day.Peace and quiet.Jimin collapses on the living room floor with his pink and white tuxedo still adorning his body, closing his eyes as he allows Jang-mi and Nari to climb over him like a jungle gym. He sucks in deep breaths, exhales the stress of the day, and repeats until all of his worries dwindle away to nothing. An entire year of effort leads to this singular moment that reaches its swift end.“It’s past their bedtime.” Jungkook hums when he exits from the bedroom in his pajamas, dark hair dripping down his forehead after his nightly shower.“I don’t want to put them to sleep yet.”“Okay.”“Are you going to join us?” Jimin questions quietly, staring down at the adorable pups who cling to his sides while they sit on the couch to watch an animated movie, stricken with all the love he harbors for their girls.“Of course.”“Good.”“Don’t you want to change? It’s got to be uncomfortable wearing that for so long.” Jungkook asks in a soft tone, reaching over to card his fingers through Jimin’s hair and massage the back of his neck until he sighs in satisfaction.“Don’t feel like it.”“Hm, okay. Don’t worry.” Jungkook leans in close until his lips brush against Jimin’s ear. “I’ll help you out of it later.”“Yes, please.”Jimin, Jungkook, and their precious Petals cuddle up together on their massive couch far later than they normally allow. Pitch darkness engulfs the world outside the windows of their luxury apartment, twinkling lights and neon signs shining in the distance. They crowd a tiny space in their massive home, never happier than when all of them spend time together.Pangs of bittersweet emotions shoot through Jimin’s heart as he stares down at Jang-mi and Nari’s sleeping faces, chubby cheeks so adorable that he wants to bite them off their pretty faces.Love.Love, love, love.He contains so much of it inside of him with nowhere for it to go except into his beloved family.They carry the girls to their nursery together, one pup in each set of arms, lowering them into their cribs with calculated movements to avoid accidentally waking them. Jimin lingers as he stares over the wooden rails, then again in the doorway. His intense highs and lows during such a demanding day leaves him weak to his tumultuous emotions.True to his word like always, Jungkook helps Jimin out of his formal clothing once they slip past the door to the master bedroom.He handles him with care and consideration.Gentle.The alpha’s lips trail behind his fingertips, placing heartfelt kisses to the bare skin that he seems to cherish so valiantly. He remains silent save for the pecking sounds that pull from his mouth meeting Jimin’s flesh, offering no sense of urgency as he takes his leisurely time to undress his husband.“Your smell is so comforting to me, alpha. It’s strongest here. I think I might be able to fall asleep just like this.” Jimin remarks from his spot against Jungkook’s bare hip, softly tracing his fingers near the base of his slowly hardening cock.“Thank you, baby. I’m glad that you think so. I seem to recall you doing just that a couple of times when you were pregnant with the girls.”“Back in the old days.”“It wasn’t that long ago, you know?”“It feels like a lifetime ago and yesterday at the same time. I can barely believe that we’re here right now. Things changed so much over the past couple of years.” Jimin crawls his way up Jungkook’s body to bring them face to face, the urge to kiss his husband far too intense to ignore.“Everything just naturally fell into place, don’t you think? It was a pretty smooth transition to get to this point.”“Yes, I agree.”“I struggle to remember what it was like to not have you constantly by my side like this. Even before we were romantically involved, or even signing a contract to raise pups together, we were still always together at work and court and events. You’ve been my rock for so many years now.” Jungkook rasps with pure devotion pouring from his lips.“These have been the best years of my life. I’m so glad that we’ve had each other to rely on for so long now. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”“It’s funny how things have a way of coming together when we least expect it.”They share a kiss wraught with the exponential amount of love flourishing inside of them, bodies pressed as close as humanly possible, neither of them eager to pull away now that they receive unfettered access to the divinity of their joined presence. Not a single worry in the world exists in this moment, defying all odds to offer them a day of absolute perfection.“Let’s buy a house.”“Whoa.”“I want one in the mountains that we can use as a getaway whenever we want. Nothing too big, but with enough space to hold us and our friends whenever want to take a vacation out of the city.”“Okay, baby. Let’s do it. That sounds amazing. Our Petals can have a slice of peace in the mountains.” Jungkook nods his head, pressing another gentle kiss to Jimin’s waiting lips. “Maybe we can get truly daring and buy another place near the beach to get the best of all worlds.”“I like the way that you think.”“I have a brilliant mind.”“There are so many things I want us to do in our lives, so many accomplishments that I hope we achieve. We should travel abroad and expand the firm and help more people and give our girls the world. The list of possibilities is endless.” Jimin grins from ear to ear, simmering with desire and delight, never happier than now.“We’ll do them all, I promise. Everything you want and more is yours for the taking. I love you so fucking much, Secretary Park.”“I love you more, Attorney Jeon.”