Chapter Text
Taehyung was nervous, to put it mildly. It’d been nonchalant, the way Yoongi had asked him out, just a small pulling him aside after a movie with the rest of their friends, a shy smile on his face, and a murmured question of if he’d want to get coffee with him on Saturday, ‘hyung’s treat of course’.
But it wasn’t just coffee, Taehyung knew. Because it was on the first of September, the first day of the first month of the courting phase. And, now that Taehyung was finally of age, he could be officially courted.
He was a bit overwhelmed, to be honest, fidgeting with the tan beanie he’d meticulously chosen as he walked down the street, leaves crunching under his feet as he fought with his heart, futilely, to keep it calm.
He’d hoped, he’d fantasized, dreamed certainly, for years of Yoongi asking him out, of one day mating with the man who’d talked to Taehyung his first day of high school and invited him to eat lunch with him, like it was no big deal. Like Taehyung wasn’t a mess of awkward, gangly limbs and boxy smiles and a too loud laugh. Like Yoongi wasn’t the coolest guy in the school with his leather jackets, mint hair and disinterested gaze. Even for a beta, Yoongi had been the most intimidating person there.
The night Yoongi had asked him out had had Taehyung screaming into his pillow, too excited to sleep as he dreamed of how the season would go. Dates, lots of dates for sure. And hand holding. He’d always had a thing for Yoongi’s hands. When his hyung had first introduced the concept of holding hands during disagreements, Taehyung was embarrassed to admit that he’d sometimes start petty arguments just to feel the other man’s warm, surprisingly large hands in his own. From the smirk Yoongi sometimes met him with, he had a feeling he’d caught on once or twice.
It was surreal, how he was feeling. He’d hoped, but he’d never expected. He was attractive, he’d been told that enough over the years once he’d passed puberty, but he hadn’t quite outgrown his awkwardness. He knew he had a too loud laugh and felt things a bit too intensely, but Yoongi had never judged him. None of his friends had. But what had really made him nervous were the comments that followed him as he grew. He was ‘too tall’ for an omega. ‘Too broad shouldered’. Not ‘submissive enough’. He wasn’t incapable of submission; he’d just never met anyone worth trusting enough to submit too. He trusted Yoongi enough, he thought.
But the comments had gotten to him over the years. Many nights he stayed awake wondering, anxiously asking Jimin in their shared apartment, popcorn perched precariously between them as some pointless rom-com played in the background, if anyone would want to court him in the upcoming season.
Jimin had laughed, shaking his head in disbelief as he pinched Taehyung’s cheeks, saying ‘of course’ someone would court him. But Taehyung didn’t want someone to court him. He wanted Yoongi to. But he’d also hoped there would be others interested, in the likely event Yoongi wasn’t.
Taehyung envied his best friend. He wasn’t ashamed to admit it. Alphas had made their intentions of mating with him clear the older they got. Jimin didn’t have his eye on anyone in particular, but there was no question, he could have his pick of any alpha in Seoul if he wanted. He didn’t have to stay up late worrying his lip, biting his nails as he wondered if the person he liked would see him as interesting enough to invest in. If the person he wanted wouldn’t mind going against social norms and courting an omega as a beta. But Taehyung knew Yoongi didn’t let social norms define him. He was a beta but carried himself like an alpha. And even though betas traditionally only courted betas, he’d still asked Taehyung out. That thought alone was enough to send his heart fluttering and stomach clenching in excitement.
He stopped as he finally came to stand in front of the coffeeshop, checking himself briefly in the window. He’d agonized over what to wear. It wasn’t as though he’d never gotten coffee with Yoongi alone before, but this was different. So, after three hours standing in front of his closet, waving off a confused Jimin who he hadn’t looped in on his impending courtship yet, too nervous to quite believe it was real, he’d decided on a pair of slim jeans, and an oversized white sweater.
Yoongi spotted him immediately, grinning and standing up as he waved Taehyung over, immediately enveloping him in a warm hug.
Taehyung closed his eyes, holding on for a lingering moment as he took in Yoongi’s calming scent of citrus and sandalwood.
“Thanks for coming,” Yoongi said, offering a nervous smile that immediately endeared Taehyung.
He sat down, grinning at the mug being pushed towards him.
“I ordered already; I hope that’s alright. Did you want food?”
Taehyung’s heart filled to near bursting as he cupped his hands around the hot chocolate Yoongi had gotten him, piled high with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles, just how he liked it.
“I’m not hungry,” Taehyung waved away, certain the butterflies in his stomach wouldn’t take well to food joining the party.
“Okay,” Yoongi said, huffing out a laugh, “I guess I’m nervous just because this is so new to me.”
Taehyung’s lips twitched; happy he wasn’t the only one.
“Ah,” he continued, clearly embarrassed, “I’ve never done this, obviously, you’d know if I had. Which is why I need your help.”
Yoongi looked so cute when he was nervous. He wore his usual leather jacket and jeans, silver earrings dangling and general demeanor the same, but in the lighting, he looked so soft, and Taehyung wanted to reach over and run his fingers through his hair.
“So . . .” Yoongi said, taking a sip of his own drink to help him gather his thoughts. “You know its courting month.”
Taehyung laughed, and nodded, of course he knew.
“Of course you know,” Yoongi said, biting his lip as he shook his head in disbelief. “And you know I’m a beta, so, I know it’s probably weird to think of me courting an omega.”
“I don’t think it’s weird at all,” Taehyung rushed to say, reaching out a hand on instinct to help calm the older man down, nose twitching slightly as Yoongi’s scent briefly spiked with anxiety.
Yoongi smiled down at their entwined fingers before taking a deep breath, “Good, good. I’m hoping Jimin won’t mind either.”
Taehyung blinked, cocking his head in confusion but answered honestly, “No, Jimin wouldn’t mind.”
Yoongi nodded, “Good, right. I mean, you’re his best friend, so you’d know. Which is why I asked you here.”
Taehyung’s brows scrunched in confusion as he tried to follow Yoongi’s train of thought. Jimin wouldn’t care who he mated with, as long as he was happy. His smile fell easily back in place, it was sweet Yoongi cared enough to be concerned with his best friend’s opinion of him and their courtship.
“I’m going to have competition.” Yoongi sighed, leaning back in his seat but not letting go of Taehyung’s hand, idly playing with his fingers.
That startled a genuine laugh out of Taehyung, he couldn’t picture anyone else vying for him, “I really don’t think you will, hyung, but even if you did, you’d win.”
Yoongi smiled wryly, but squeezed Taehyung’s hand in appreciation, “Thanks Tae, but, I definitely will. Hoseok already told me he plans to court him, and he’s an alpha, and Jungkook hasn’t said anything yet but I know he’s been eyeing him for a while?”
Taehyung wasn’t following, “Eyeing who?”
Yoongi blinked, “Jimin.”
Taehyung blinked back, genuinely confused, “Why does it matter that Hobi and Kookie want to court Jimin. I think its sweet.”
Yoongi frowned, seemingly put off.
“It’s sweet, sure,” Yoongi said, shifting uncomfortably and finally dropping Taehyung’s hand, drumming his fingers on the table, “but not good for me.”
He wanted to sigh in frustration, upset more with himself than Yoongi that he wasn’t following. He felt like he was missing something. “Why is that not good for you?”
Yoongi looked at him hard for a second, as if he was trying to figure out whether Taehyung was intentionally being difficult. But his look ultimately softened, looking more tired than anything else. “Because I want to court Jimin, and my chances are only harder if I’m competing with two alphas, both in our friend circle.”
Taehyung’s eyes widened, “You want to court Jimin?”
“Wha- Of course I want to . . . What?”
Taehyung’s stomach had started doing a strange little swooping thing and his voice shook as he spoke next, “Hyung, please, be clear, I don’t understand.”
Yoongi looked mildly concerned but spoke slowly, trying to gauge where they were miscommunicating. “I would like to court Jimin, to be my mate, but I’m a beta, which, you’re right I don’t think Jimin would mind, but Hoseok and Jungkook also want to court him, and are alphas, which, regardless of how I view it, they’ll still probably have a leg up.”
Taehyung put his hands in his lap to hide their trembling, clasping them together tightly before slowly releasing them, looking up at Yoongi with hurt and confusion. “Then why am I here?”
There was a pause, as Yoongi took in the obvious distress in Taehyung’s eyes, and Taehyung concentrated hard on keeping it together. He was confused, and hurt, but even more confused that Yoongi genuinely seemed not to know why.
Yoongi licked his lips, suddenly dry as he tried to figure out what was upsetting his dongaengang so much.
“Well,” he started, clearing his throat, “I invited you here both for your opinion or, I guess blessing sort of to court Jimin, and then advice on the best way to do so, since you’re his best friend.”
“Oh,” Taehyung said smally, biting his lip hard as he attempted to reign in his emotions. He closed his eyes tight for a long second before looking up sharply, suddenly angry, “It’s the first of September, hyung.”
Yoongi’s eyebrows rose at the curt tone, “I know.”
Taehyung’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, “The beginning of courting season.”
Yoongi nodded, attention rapt as he tried to follow.
Taehyung laughed in disbelief, feeling a little hysterical at this point. “And you asked me out, bought me coffee, on the first of September, the beginning of courting season, alone.”
There was silence, that stretched on for an uncomfortable moment as Yoongi thought about his words, the quiet almost too much to bear. It was evident when Yoongi finally understood, his eyes widening and head snapping up as he looked at Taehyung, stunned.
Taehyung looked away, unable to meet his eyes as he felt the extent of his humiliation settle around him.
“You thought-” Yoongi began, taking a deep breath, “You thought I was trying to court you.”
A curt nod.
“And you still came?”
Taehyung glared at him, “Of course I came.”
Yoongi blinked, feeling out of his depth, “You want to be my mate?”
Taehyung laughed, the sound hollow and a bit unhinged, quickly choked off, “Everyone knows that hyung. You knew that.”
Yoongi chewed on his bottom lip, thinking hard. He’d known when they were younger that Taehyung had had a crush on him, but he thought it was a childhood infatuation, appreciation more than romantic interest directed at his hyung. Seokjin had often made jokes about Yoongi being Taehyung’s favorite hyung, bad puns and innuendos about the two of them flowing freely from him when he was drunk, but Yoongi hadn’t considered them anything serious. He’d also noticed, occasionally, how Taehyung’s infatuation and admiration had never quite gone away. Yet, he’d never arranged all of those facts into a picture that spelled out that Taehyung wanted to be his mate. Well, not until now.
He took a deep breath, “Tae – I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking, I didn’t realize-”
“It’s okay hyung,” Taehyung interrupted, holding up a hand. “I know you didn’t mean to lead me on, it was a misunderstanding, it’s okay.” And it was. Okay. It sucked, and it hurt, but Taehyung couldn’t really blame Yoongi. Perhaps he should have been more aware, but it hadn’t been malicious, so Taehyung couldn’t direct his anger at anyone but himself for getting his hopes so unrealistically high up.
“I’m still so sorry Taehyung, I didn’t mean to hurt you. Hyung’s an idiot.” Taehyung wanted to disagree with the sentiment but couldn’t quite bring himself to do so. Yoongi cleared his throat. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable with my plans to . . .”
Taehyung sighed, of course Yoongi still wanted to court Jimin. And he deserved to, too. Yoongi was amazing. Jimin was amazing. He loved them both dearly, why wouldn’t he want the two people he loved to be happy. If they could be happy together then . . . then he would feel like shit. And he felt like shit for the two people he loved making each other happy making him feel like shit.
“You’re amazing hyung,” Taehyung said honestly, “Jimin definitely deserves someone as amazing as you because he’s amazing. You shouldn’t feel bad or deterred just because I misunderstood.”
Yoongi moved to speak, but promptly snapped his mouth shut as he realized he didn’t quite know what to say.
Taehyung cleared his throat, licking his lips as he forced the words out, tacking on a smile he knew wasn’t entirely convincing, but knew made Yoongi feel just a bit better. “I honestly don’t know what I can tell you to help you win Jimin. He loves chocolate, so maybe send him some. He also really likes ice skating, so maybe as the season goes on you could take him. And, um, he likes confidence, which is something I don’t think you lack. He, um, he acts like he wants to be in control, and he’s definitely outspoken and will put you in your place if you step out of line, but he really just wants someone to take care of him. Other than that, I don’t really know what to say.”
Yoongi listened closely, gaze fixed and eyes intense as he tried to carefully commit everything Taehyung said to memory. Taehyung laughed, a little nervously, a little desperately, “he loves expensive gifts. I don’t know what your budget is, but Jimin really does have expensive tastes. Not in clothes, but in other things, so, I don’t know, maybe go shopping. I can give you ideas later, if you need them, but right now I can’t really think of anything.”
“Thank you, Taehyung,” Yoongi said sincerely, reaching out to touch Taehyung but thinking better of it, hand falling to lie listlessly on the table between them. Taehyung reached out to take it in his own, squeezing tightly, attempting to reassure the man that he wasn’t angry. Just disappointed.
“No problem,” he said, meeting Yoongi’s eyes with his own. “I mean it, hyung. I really do want to see the two of you happy, so, if I can help, I will. I just need to go home now, but we can talk more about it later. Okay?”
“Yeah, yeah sure,” Yoongi said, standing as Taehyung did.
Taehyung offered him a small smile, a little shaky but he ducked his head to hide it, bringing Yoongi in for a quick hug that the man tightly returned before Tae was stepping back, scratching his neck awkwardly as he ignored his instinct to run away.
“Um, I hope it goes well hyung, I’ll root for you. I’ll see you at dinner at Jin and Joon hyungs’ place this Sunday.”
Yoongi nodded quickly, “Yep, I’ll see you.”
Taehyung grinned, nodding once before saying, “See you,” moving past Yoongi, hearing the other bid him goodbye before he was halfway across the café, walking out with a forced ease, gasping once he was outside and around the corner out of sight, desperately taking in lungfulls of the crisp autumnal air.
He bit his lip hard, walking briskly back to his and Jimin’s shared apartment, intent to not let the tears fall until he was back home.
-x-x-x-
“Taehyungie,” Jin sighed, voice soothing as he looked at Taehyung’s slumped form over his kitchen table. Namjoon looked slightly constipated, sitting across from him at their kitchen table, face contorted in a mix of concern and anxiety over not knowing how to soothe his friend, as well as discomfort from the potent smell of despair and stress undulating off of Taehyung in waves.
Jin set his spatula aside, moving the pan off the stove as he turned to give Taehyung his full attention, walking over to the younger omega, completely unphased by his scent.
“What Yoongi did was stupid,” Jin said, sitting down beside Taehyung and pulling him into his chest, unconcerned by the tears that now clung to his neck. “And I’m so, so sorry he hurt you.”
Taehyung let out a hiccup in response, body exhausted from the force of his crying. It was Sunday, and the others would be crowding into Seokjin and Namjoon’s apartment for their monthly dinner prepared by Jin in a little under three hours, but Taehyung had gotten there earlier, unable to keep what had happened to himself any longer. He was avoiding Jimin, unable to bring himself to tell him what happened for fear of straining their relationship. Besides, if Jimin and Yoongi did end up mating, knowing that his best friend had a crush on his mate would make things more than awkward, even if Jimin had maintained a suspicion over the years that Taehyung still possessed lingering feelings for the beta.
So, naturally, he turned to Jin for comfort since going to Jimin was not an option, the older omega knowing how to comfort him just as well.
“I don’t know what to do hyung, I like him so much,” Taehyung sniffled, sitting up and blowing his nose with the tissue Namjoon had sympathetically offered him.
“And he likes you too Tae,” Namjoon said, flinching at the withering glare Jin sent him seconds before Taehyung burst into another round of tears.
“But not in the way I want!” He wailed, the humiliation of the previous day hitting him once again. “Out of all the people, why does he have to want Jimin, I don’t know how I’ll take seeing them together.”
Namjoon frowned, forging on ahead in an attempt to comfort Taehyung, despite the wide-eyed look of caution his mate was sending him. He wasn’t entirely inept.
“Jimin’s never mentioned liking hyung before though.”
Taehyung scoffed, blowing his nose once more. “That’s the whole point of courting hyung. They like each other as friends, courting is so you can show the person you’re worth liking romantically too, you don’t have to start out that way.”
“Then why don’t you just court hyung?” Namjoon asked as if it were that simple.
Taehyung’s glare said it was anything but.
“I can’t just court him,” he sighed, sitting back in defeat.
He looked to Jin for backup, but the older man seemed to be deep in thought.
“Well,” he eventually ventured, looking to Namjoon in surprise as if he were finally on to something, before trailing his eyes back to Taehyung, “why not?”
Taehyung’s brow furrowed, wasn’t it obvious. “Because he doesn’t like me like that, and, even if I could convince him, I’m an omega, we don’t exactly court. I don’t think he’d be open to it.”
“Like you said, courting is to open the other person up to the idea of liking you. And Yoongi hyung doesn’t exactly follow societal norms. He’s a beta preparing to go up against two alphas to court an omega, he can’t exactly pass judgement. In fact, he’d probably respect it.”
Taehyung shifted uncomfortably, “But, he likes Jimin, I can’t compete with that.”
Jin gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, “Taehyungie, you’re just as wonderful as Jimin. I love you both, and you both would make great mates to whoever’s lucky enough to snag you. Hyung would be damn lucky to have you.”
Namjoon nodded vigorously, happy that his idea seemed to be taking root, “Don’t think of it as a competition Tae, think of it as you pursuing what you want. If it’s meant to be it’ll happen. Courting season is never predictable. If you like hyung, it’s worth tossing your hat in the ring.”
Taehyung let out a huff, “I don’t even know how to court someone,” he said, knowing his argument was weak but it was the last vestige of resistance he could find to cling on to.
Jin’s answering smile was so wide it made his eyes crinkle at the corners. “Good thing you’ve got two great hyungs to help you, huh?”
-x-x-x-
Taehyung shifted uncomfortably, Jin had sent him home to shower and change into something ‘suitable to drop the man of his dreams to his knees’ and Taehyung was starting to worry it was a bit much. He wore pants, too tight to be comfortable but just tight enough to turn heads. Jin had been kind enough to reassure Taehyung, multiple times, that they weren’t too tight to be Sunday dinner appropriate. At least not in his house. He also wore a deep purple sweater that was a size too big but hung off his shoulder just enough to show his collar bones. Jin insisted that the beta wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to notice a ‘honey kissed neck perfect enough to bite a claim mark into’.
So now Taehyung sat at the dinner table, fiddling with the dangly sapphire earring Jin had bought him two birthdays ago that he hadn’t found a sufficiently fancy enough occasion to wear, trying avidly not to bite his lips into oblivion from anxiety.
The doorbell rang and Taehyung nearly jumped a foot in the air, taking a deep breath at Jin’s small, endeared smile. This was normal. Yoongi was always the first to arrive, Jin making him promise to come a half hour earlier than the others given his tendency to sleep in and miss most of the dinner in the early days when they had first started this tradition.
Taehyung intentionally slowed his heart, afraid it would pound through his chest as he frantically pushed away the fear that the light eye shadow Jin had talked him into wearing was too much.
And, when Yoongi promptly stopped in the entryway, pausing mid-conversation with Namjoon at the sight of him, Taehyung worried his fears were warranted.
It was the first time they had seen each other since the coffee shop incident, and Taehyung had expected awkward avoidance of eye contact and murmured greetings, but for a few lingering seconds it was hard for Yoongi to take his eyes off the man, only turning when Jin clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder and lead him over to the table, forcing him to sit. Right next to Taehyung.
“Joonie,” Jin called sweetly, “help me in the kitchen for a second?”
Namjoon’s eyes widened. Jin had a rule that Namjoon wasn’t allowed to step foot in the kitchen when he was cooking, and Namjoon actually preferred it that way, but the meaningful look Jin shot the younger man allowed for no argument.
Yoongi was silent, merely cocking an eyebrow in surprise but choosing to remain quiet throughout the strange exchange. Taehyung and Yoongi silently watched Namjoon stand awkwardly before hesitantly shuffling over to his boyfriend, the two disappearing into the kitchen.
“Taehyungie,” Yoongi said after a moment of charged silence between the two, turning to face him fully.
Taehyung tried to embody the confidence Jin had told him to, but he couldn’t help chewing his lip nervously as he turned to meet Yoongi’s soft gaze.
Yoongi tsked, reaching a hand out to gently brush his thumb against Taehyung’s bottom lip, prompting him to release it. It was something the older man did often, constantly telling Taehyung his mouth was too pretty to bite so much, but given the recent events surrounding the two, the action suddenly seemed so much more meaningful, both of their eyes widening at the act. Yoongi cleared his throat, quickly bringing his hand up to run through his hair, eyeing Taehyung’s blush and avidly trying to will away the flush in his own cheeks.
“Taehyungie,” Yoongi tried again, and Taehyung forced himself to avoid bringing his hands up to touch his lips that still tingled from Yoongi’s fingers, ignoring the stuttering in his heart at the nickname. “I just wanted to apologize again, for the other day. And to make sure there’s no awkwardness between us. I’m sorry I hurt you, and you mean a lot to me, I don’t want to lose you.”
Taehyung softened immediately, while people thought they were probably the least similar pair within their group, Yoongi and Taehyung had been close from the moment they met. Meeting earlier than even Yoongi and Namjoon. To say they had a strong bond was putting it lightly.
“You’d never lose me hyung,” Taehyung said quietly, offering a small smile.
The beta’s answering smile was just as sincere, hoping to convey all the messy feelings inside of him that he didn’t quite know what to do with.
Yoongi opened his arms wide, and Taehyung only had a moment’s hesitance before he accepted the hug. Yoongi’s chest was warm, his heartbeat strong beneath Taehyung’s ear, instantly soothing the anxiety of his inner wolf. He bit his lip where Yoongi couldn’t see, feeling just a bit bold as he brought his face up to nuzzle his cheek directly into Yoongi’s scent gland. The older man tensed for a second before relaxing. It wasn’t the first time they’d scented one another, and Yoongi would be lying if he said the omega’s familiar scent didn’t warm him to his core. He dipped his head down, nosing at Taehyung’s scent gland in return and Taehyung knew that if he were a cat he’d be purring right about now.
A polite cough broke the two apart and it was with reluctance they separated. Taehyung’s grin was boxy and proud at scenting his hyung, and Yoongi avoided looking at Namjoon’s knowing gaze. For as close as Yoongi was with the others, he’d only ever let Taehyung, and Hoseok on one extremely rare and sentimentally drunken occasion, scent him. It wasn’t as though he’d intended to keep his occasional scenting with Taehyung a secret, he was just private, and having his hyung and best friend walk in on them in such an intimate act was enough embarrassment to have him springing to his feet and rushing out, murmuring something about needing the bathroom.
As soon as Yoongi was down the hall and safely out of earshot Jin was cooing, rushing over to Taehyung to pinch his warm cheeks.
“Staking your claim already?” Taehyung flushed, swatting Jin’s hands away as he buried his face in his sweater’s collar, the smell of Yoongi making his heart flutter.
The doorbell rang, spurring Jin into action as the great host he was. Yoongi chose that moment to reenter the dining room, meeting Taehyung’s eyes briefly before accepting the beer Namjoon handed him, knowing he’d need it.
Jimin and Hoseok were as loud as ever as they piled in, Jungkook walking in at a much more subdued pace behind the two.
“Welcome to the Kim household!” Jin said, hugging each of them as though he hadn’t seen them in months, instead of just days ago.
Jimin rolled his eyes, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a few bottles of beer and soju for the table, coming back with full arms. “You say that as though we don’t practically live here already.”
Jin ignored the comment, bustling about setting dishes on the table as Jungkook began opening and passing around bottles. Tae made to decline like he typically did, but then thought better of it, knowing a little liquid courage might help for the night. Namjoon had wondered aloud if Hoseok intended to announce his intention to court Jimin at dinner, and Taehyung could only pray that Yoongi wouldn’t follow suit.
Yoongi raised an eyebrow from beside Tae at the long sip of Soju he took, no one else seeming to notice. Taehyung’s response was a small smile and a shrug, not sure how to explain his sudden bout of nerves as he filled his plate, then reached for Yoongi’s the do the same. He made sure to put extra of all of Yoongi’s favorites, having memorized them ages ago, doubling up on the lamb skewers Jin had kindly prepared before Jungkook could notice and claim them all.
“Here you go hyung,” Taehyung said, putting the plate in front of him with a shy smile. It wasn’t entirely unusual for Taehyung to give his friends food, but preparing a higher ranked status a plate was traditionally a show of submissiveness, and Taehyung was determined to prove that he could be a good omega to his hyung.
Yoongi was a tad taken aback but tried not to show it, thanking Taehyung by placing a warm hand on the back of his neck and gently stroking his hair for a brief moment in a way that Taehyung loved. The back of the neck was a particularly sensitive spot for omegas, touched by those they trusted in a show of comfort or by aggressors in an attempt to show dominance. Taehyung was hard pressed not to melt into a puddle of goo at the touch, choosing instead to take another, this time smaller, sip of his drink.
“This is great babe,” Namjoon said around a mouthful of food, Jin preening at the praise despite hearing it on a daily basis.
The others voiced their compliments for the food as well, the pile in front of Jungkook massive, as Jin nodded in thanks, pretending to be humble but beaming at the flattery all the same. His cooking was delicious, and he was well aware of it. The group of friends were each other’s self-chosen pack, and as unofficial Pack Omega he was happy he could provide for them well.
Taehyung was feeling good, his previous nerves forgotten with his body heated from the soju and sated from all the good food.
He hadn’t even noticed his head had tipped onto Yoongi’s shoulder in his stupor until Jin gave him a subtle yet excited thumbs up. Taehyung blinked, eyebrows furrowing until he felt the body beneath him shift, looking up only to be met with Yoongi’s amused face, smile soft and fond as he looked at him.
“Okay there Taehyungie?” He asked quietly, and Taehyung could only nod, sure his words would betray him as he sat up, reaching over the table to pour himself a glass of water in an attempt to ward off his cheeks overheating. Two bottles of soju appeared to be his limit for the night.
It wasn’t, apparently, for Jungkook, who was now on his fourth bottle and had a deep flush to his cheeks and a determined look in his eyes.
“I have an announcement to make,” he said, standing and waiting for the rest of the table to quiet, six sets of curious eyes on him.
He swayed for a second, before putting his hands on the table, taking a deep breath to gather himself before continuing.
“As you all know, its officially courting season. And as an alpha I’m now of age. And several omegas are of age as well.”
Hoseok sat back, arms crossed and Yoongi stiffened beside Taehyung.
“And, as an of-age alpha, it is my intention to court someone.” He cleared his throat, taking another deep breath before looking up, gaze steady, “And that someone is Jimin.”
Jimin paused, soju bottle halfway to his lips as he took in the words, blinking and flushing under the collective gazes of his friends.
“Me?” he asked, setting his drink down and looking at Jungkook in surprise.
Jungkook nodded, a small, but proud smile in place. “Yeah, I plan to court you Jimminie. If that’s alright with you?”
Jimin looked flustered, and Taehyung couldn’t blame him, unsure how he’d react if one of his best friends had announced at Sunday dinner an intention to court him.
“I mean yeah,” Jimin said, trying to collect himself, “of course you can Kook.”
Jungkook’s smile widened, he opened his mouth to speak before the clearing of a throat interrupted him.
“Well,” said Hoseok as he moved to stand, “since we’re all here and this seems like the time, I’d also like to state my intention to court you Jimin.”
Jungkook’s expression soured, and Jimin’s jaw dropped once again as he blinked up at Hoseok. “You want to court me too?”
Hoseok nodded solemnly, before his face broke out into its usual sunny smile, “Yeah, I do. I have for a while now.”
The rosy tint to Jimin’s face was endearing as he nodded, “Of course you can court me hyung.”
Hoseok looked positively delighted, ignoring Jungkook’s incredulous gaze to stare down dreamily at Jimin.
“Wow, okay,” Yoongi said, standing and reddening as all eyes trained on him. “Since this seems like a thing we’re doing now of all times, I’d also like to announce that I’d like to court you Jimin.” He cleared his throat, trying not to shrink back from the surprised faces. “I know I’m a beta, and it’s not really traditional to court outside our class but, I’d really like to court you with the hope of you picking me to be your mate, if you’ll have me.”
Stunned silence filled the room and Jimin’s jaw looked like it may as well have been dislocated with how low it hung. Hoseok and Jungkook also looked shocked at the declaration, exchanging wide eyed glances between the two of them.
Taehyung sagged in his seat; eyes steadily trained on the table as he willed himself to relax. There was no reason to assume that Yoongi had changed his mind of his intention to court Jimin. Yet, still, he had hoped.
After another beat of silence that was just on the verge of turning awkward, Jimin spoke. “Of course you can court me Yoongi-hyung. Being a beta doesn’t matter in the slightest, I’d be honored.”
A relieved, gummy smile took over Yoongi’s face and Taehyung, having chanced a glance up during the charged silence had to bite his lip for fear of letting out a pitiful noise. It was unreasonable, beyond unreasonable to feel dejected but his wolf was taking Yoongi’s announcement as a personal rejection.
Jin met his gaze, raising an eyebrow and nodding his head, and Taehyung knew immediately what he meant. Since everyone was announcing, it would be an opportune time for Taehyung to declare his intention. He’d do no such thing.
Taehyung subtly shook his head. His dad had courted him mom without ever announcing it. He’d grown up with his mom telling him stories of how no other alpha had ever been able to compete. His dad had been there for her, subtly and wordlessly taking care of her with his gentle kindness until by the end of the courting season, it was Taehyung’s mom that had asked him if he wanted to mate. It wasn’t traditional, but Taehyung also wasn’t brave enough to announce his plan to court Yoongi in front of everyone either.
Yoongi loved his friends fiercely, not with grandiose acts or loud statements but with quiet shows of affection and attentive, but silent care. Taehyung just hoped that he could do the same for his hyung, and, with any luck, Yoongi would choose him by the end of the season.
“Well,” Hoseok said, breaking the quiet as he raised his bottle to the room, “let the courting games begin.”
-x-x-x-
Taehyung was freezing, his bright pink beanie pulled low over his ears and his mittened hands cupping two hot cups, steam rising from the top and swirling through the chilly autumn air as he walked. It wasn’t even winter yet, but Taehyung wished he’d worn a warmer pair of socks and a thicker coat as he maneuvered as quickly as possible across the quiet campus.
It was barely 7am, and while Taehyung considered himself to be a morning person, the sun was still struggling to rise and if it had been any other day he’d have preferred to stay wrapped up in bed for a few more hours. But it wasn’t any other day, and Taehyung was on a mission to start his courtship, and right now that looked like bringing Yoongi an Americano from his favorite coffee shop knowing he’d be waking up on his studio couch just about now.
It was tricky, getting Yoongi to take a break from work, but he’d heard from Namjoon that Yoongi had gone to the studio after Sunday dinner, and it was now Tuesday and he hadn’t been home. Usually it was up to Namjoon or Seokjin to get him out of his lair, but Taehyung had thought it’d be nice for him to take on the challenge. He just hadn’t counted on it being so cold, and him being so tired.
He shouldered the building door open, winding his way through the hallways until he reached Yoongi’s studio, pausing in front of the familiar door. He took a second to collect himself, consciously releasing his bottom lip from between his teeth and taking a steadying breath. He could do this. It was just Yoongi. Just the man he’s known since his first year of high school. Just the man he’s been in love with for nearly a decade. Just the man he wanted to convince to spend the rest of his life with him. No big deal.
He shook his head, trying to remember the advice to ‘be confident and just be yourself’ Jin had, rather unhelpfully in his opinion, given him. Himself was who he’d always been, and as of now Yoongi still hadn’t fallen for him.
But there was something to be said for confidence so, with one last deep breath, he kicked the door as gently as possible, unable to knock with his hands full.
He waited a moment, wondering whether he should kick again when he heard a stirring on the other side, a string of muffled curses coming from behind the door before it was being cracked open.
“I told you both I don’t need to be dragged home, I’m a grown- oh, hey Taehyung.”
Taehyung grinned sheepishly as Yoongi opened the door fully. He’d expected Namjoon or Seokjin to come knocking at the ungodly early hour, the couple usually trading off responsibility between them both. His brain had to work a little harder that morning to realize that it was Taehyung in front of him, and not one of the members of their friend circle’s ‘power couple’ as Hoseok had named them.
“Hey hyung, I brought coffee.”
Yoongi blinked slowly at the cup being thrust into his line of vision, before gratefully taking the hot drink, immediately recognizing the logo on the front.
The place wasn’t cheap, but it made the best coffee that side of Seoul so he made sure to indulge himself once a week. But Taehyung made significantly less than him at his job at the children’s recreation center, and the coffee shop was a fifteen-minute bus ride from his shared apartment with Jimin. He’d had to go out of his way and into his wallet before the sun had even risen. He wasn’t sure what he had done to warrant such spoiling so early.
“What’s this for?” Yoongi asked, taking a sip of the drink, his eyes closing for a second in bliss.
Taehyung shrugged, smile brightening at the content look that smoothed over Yoongi’s face at the first sip.
“I know you’ve been working hard hyung, and probably haven’t gone home to eat or get some proper rest. So, I’m here to get you on your way, I just thought coffee might help.
“Coffee definitely helps,” Yoongi agreed, smiling despite his tiredness. He knew he should probably get home. Get more than a few hours of rest on his studio’s couch and actually shower. He needed to focus if he wanted to court Jimin properly.
He knew he had work to do, but the declarations made at Sunday dinner had sent him into a fit of anxiety, retreating into his studio for the calming familiarity of work in an attempt to gather himself. Competition usually spurred him on, he lived for defeating his rivals in rap battles or in class competitions. But this was far more personal, and against some of his closest friends. Not to mention the stakes were so much higher.
“Do you want to get breakfast hyung?” Taehyung asked, biting his lip nervously as he glanced behind Yoongi into the studio, noticing the protein bar wrappers littered by the trashcan from near-misses, the beta too focused on work to pick them up. “You look like you need a proper meal.”
“That bad, huh?” Yoongi joked, bringing his hand up to touch his hair. It wasn’t greasy, but it could definitely use a wash. He could actually feel the bags under his eyes, he could only guess how bad they looked.
“You always look beautiful hyung,” Taehyung said honestly, and Yoongi grinned in spite of himself. Taehyung’s ability to un-self-consciously say what was on his mind was one of the first things that had drawn Yoongi to the younger man. “But you also look like you could eat before you go home and get a few more hours of sleep. The studio will be here when you wake up.”
“I suppose breakfast couldn’t hurt,” Yoongi said, giving in easily. Now that he was starting to wake up a bit more, he realized just how little he’d eaten in the last twenty-four hours. “But its hyung’s treat, you’ve already done too much by buying me coffee.”
Taehyung grinned, excited that Yoongi had agreed so quickly. He’d been prepared to argue. “You take care of us all so much, you deserve to be looked after too.”
Bashful, and caught off guard so early, he chose not to comment, turning instead to quickly grab his things and turn off the lights before he locked up the studio.
“What’d you get to drink?” Yoongi asked, brain waking up more fully as soon as the cold morning air hit him.
Taehyung’s cheeks reddened, whether from the wind or embarrassment Yoongi couldn’t tell. “A pumpkin spice latte. I know its basic but Hoseok-hyung swears by them so I thought I’d try it.”
Yoongi chuckled, “So how is?”
“It’s really good! You should give it a chance hyung!”
Yoongi moved to decline but Taehyung was already pressing the cup to his lips so, with a put-upon sigh, he took a tentative sip, struggling not to have Taehyung spill it on him as they were still walking.
“Well?” Taehyung asked expectantly, watching as Yoongi licked his lips on reflex.
He pulled a face, taking a long sip of his Americano to appease his revolted palette. “It tastes like cinnamon took a shit in warm milk.”
That startled a laugh out of Taehyung, shaking his head at Yoongi as they continued down the paved streets of Seoul, walking on auto-pilot to the diner near campus they frequented.
Yoongi held the door open for him, following in after as they claimed the booth in the back they liked to privately think of as their own. The truth was, during finals week the seven friends liked to come here often, frequently claiming the booth well into the night, fueled solely by French fries and bottomless coffee refills.
“So, how have you been?” Yoongi asked after they’d put in their orders, sitting back and looking at Taehyung with tired eyes that held genuine interest. “I feel like we haven’t spent time together with just the two of us in a while?”
Both elected to ignore that they had spent time just the two of them less than a week ago, it had just ended in Taehyung walking home humiliated and Yoongi feeling like the worst hyung in existence.
“I’m good,” Taehyung said, leaning forward and putting his chin in his hand, “I’ve actually been working on a lot of portraits lately, but with yellow backgrounds! Jungkook said they look like the sun threw up, but I’m more just going for contrast.”
Yoongi snorted, “Jungkook wouldn’t know fine art if it hit him in the face, I’m sure they’re great Tae, the concept’s just a bit highbrow for us lowly plebeians.”
Taehyung laughed, “You’re not lowly hyung, you have great taste, I always really value your opinion.”
“Yah,” Yoongi chastises, hiding his face behind his cup under the pretense of taking another sip. He’d finished off the drink hallway through their walk. “Why are you being so cheesy?”
Taehyung’s grin was effortless as he cocked his head to the side, “It’s not cheesy if its true hyung.”
Yoongi mumbled something under his breath that Taehyung couldn’t quite catch but his embarrassment was clear and endearing.
“Actually, there’s this art exhibit I want to check out next weekend. It’s a modern take on classical pieces, and there’s all kinds of music playing in the background as part of the showcase. I think you’d like it. Would you go with me?”
“Sounds interesting,” Yoongi said, and it did. He was pretty sure he’d seen a flyer for it somewhere, and he could definitely see the appeal. “I’ll go as long as I’m not expected to wear a suit or anything.”
Taehyung beamed, delighted, “Really? I’m so excited! And you don’t have to wear anything fancy hyung, just come how you want. As long as you wear shoes and a shirt I’m sure you won’t be kicked out.”
“So, pants are optional then?” Yoongi asked, smirking at how instantly flustered Taehyung had become. The younger man had been throwing him for loops all morning, he was glad to have his rightful place of holding the upper hand restored.
Maybe after the show, Taehyung wanted to say, but bit his tongue, thankful for the distraction of their food coming.
They were silent as their plates were placed in front of them, thanking the waitress as she left.
“That actually reminds me,” Yoongi said around a mouthful of pancake, “I was meaning to ask if you had any suggestions for something I can invite Jimin too?”
Taehyung paused, fork halfway to his mouth before reminding himself he had agreed to help Yoongi, and it was only natural that Yoongi would ask. He chewed slowly, forcing his face to remain impartial despite feeling his heart drop and good mood sour slightly.
When there was nothing solid left chew and he couldn’t drag the moment out any longer without it being awkward, he swallowed, clearing his throat.
“Well,” he began, drawing out the word. He hadn’t actually given it much thought, actually having spent most of his time actively avoiding thinking about the subject. “He’s really in to, like, Instagram lately? Like I know it seems really weird, but if you took him to a lot of scenic places or did like coupley, Instagram-able things together he’d really like it.”
Yoongi pulled a face, and Taehyung offered a sympathetic smile. Social media wasn’t something Yoongi was entirely invested in. He liked photos, but he’d gone on a number of rants about how everyone only posted for the purposes of being liked, not to share art or experiences anymore. Taehyung had thought he’d had a point, not particularly interested in social media himself, but his eyes had glazed over just a bit as soon as Yoongi began ranting about capitalism and corporate consumption, thankful when Jin had interrupted with food. Taehyung idly thought about how they wouldn’t have that problem together. He would have loved to take couples’ selcas with Yoongi, but he didn’t feel the need to publicly document his life like Jimin and Jungkook were doing recently. He liked to live in the moment.
“Instagram worthy places,” Yoongi said over a bite of eggs, “okay, I think I can do that. Thanks again Taehyungie.”
“Anytime hyung,” he said, trying not to let the hollowness threatening to creep in overwhelm him, taking a deep breath to ground himself as he fought to regain his good mood, knowing he had no plans of giving up, “anytime.”