Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Two weeks before winter break, Jimin began having unexplained migraines, chills, and mood swings. He had initially attributed them to stress, the pressure of upcoming graduation getting to him. Then he woke up on Christmas Eve, sweat and slick soaking his sheets and his entire world turned upside down.

“Are you sure? Maybe you just have the flu or something.”

“Yeah, Hoseok, remind me what kind of flu makes you go into heat again?” Jimin chuckles, but he honestly feels like crying. He has been doing a lot of that lately. 

“Okay, yeah. Was just hoping it wasn’t true,” Hoseok sighs on the other end of the phone line.

After five days of excruciating pain and embarrassing arousal, Jimin finally felt well enough to return the numerous missed calls from his best friend. 

Hoseok is a beta, which is what Jimin thought he was too just a few days ago. Being the only two non-alphas in their grade, they bonded as they watched their classmates grow taller and broader, feeling left behind. 

While subgender discrimination has become less of an issue in the overall society, the boys at Jimin’s school seem to be stuck in the olden days of alpha male supremacy. 

Freshman year wasn’t too bad; there was still hope for the few who hadn’t presented yet. However, as they transitioned into sophomore year, the guys who had presented would openly jeer at those who hadn’t because, according to their outdated views, non-alpha men are not men at all.

Not all of Jimin’s schoolmates are mean and judgmental, of course, but the ones who are commit to it with avidity. And the worst ones are Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook, the respective captain and vice-captain of the baseball team. They are good-looking, athletic, popular and have half of the school wrapped around their fingers. 

Taehyung is the leader, both on and off the field. He had transferred to their school in ninth grade but had no trouble settling in. He quickly attracted the attention of the rest of the boys, supposedly having had a wide array of experience with all things girls and sex. And, out of all boys sucking up to him, Taehyung picked Jungkook to be his second-in-command, his right hand. 

Last time they saw each other, Taehyung got mad at Jimin for bumping into him and had Jungkook lock him in the janitor’s closet, where he’d stayed for over twenty minutes until Hoseok found and freed him. 

“So, what are you gonna do now?” Hoseok’s voice brings him out of the painful memory. 

Jimin knows exactly what his friend means without needing to clarify. 

If he’s treated like crap for being a beta, he can only imagine what it will be like now. After all, there is a reason why male omegas rarely continue in public schools, all-boys ones at that. 

But they only have a few months left until graduation, and Jimin doesn’t want to let some dumb jocks bully him into dropping out.

“There is something I can try.”

*

“Wow… No fucking way!”

“Pick up your jaw off the floor, dude.” Jimin taps Hoseok on the chin.

His friend looks like a fish out of water. The hallway is packed with teenage alpha boys, but not one seems to care that there is an omega in their midsts. 

While Hoseok gawks in disbelief, Jimin puts away the textbooks he won’t be needing during the next few classes inside his locker.

“How do they not notice?!” Hoseok asks, his voice too loud for the topic at hand. 

Jimin fixes him with a glare. “Suppressants, dude,” he whispers. 

Hoseok eyes him with concern. 

“My doc okayed it,” Jimin adds. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing illegal.”

He leaves out the fact he may have over-exaggerated a symptom or two in order to get a prescription, but Hoseok doesn’t need to know that. He is too much of a goody two shoes sometimes. 

When Jimin is done, they make their way to the next class.

“That stuff works this good?”

“I guess,” Jimin says, shrugging. He sounds more relaxed now, but he was dreadfully anxious in the morning. He even tested the scent-blocking effect of the medication on his omega mother. She assured him she couldn’t smell the scent she’d previously described as peach and jasmine; a scent she remembers from childhood. 

“Surely you’re not embarrassed of my beloved grandma’s scent,” she grumbled.

“It’s not that, mom,” Jimin argued. “You know Dr. Song told me to take these. I was just curious about the side effects, ‘s all.”

Jimin couldn’t tell her the truth because he had never told her about the bullying in the first place and he wasn’t exactly in the mood to unpack all that over cereal.

Regardless, her response gave him the much needed boost of confidence to go to school and now, as he walks down the hallway, none of the other students pay him any mind.

Jimin feels a sense of relief. Maybe his plan might work after all. Maybe he will be able to graduate without any issues—

“Hey, betas, missed us?”

Fuck.

“Piss off, Kim.” Jimin flips Taehyung off. He walks past him and Jungkook, both of whom look even taller and bigger in their baseball jackets than what he remembers. (Or did he shrink in the past three weeks?)

“Ooh, feistier than ever, Park. I like it.” Taehyung growls with a condescending smirk. 

Jimin’s feet stop in their tracks. The growl sends an unpleasant shiver down his spine, and he has to put in a conscious effort not to show it. His own reaction irritates him more than whatever Taehyung is saying. 

“Ignore him, ” Hoseok mumbles, pulling on Jimin’s sleeve. 

They learned the hard way that it’s best to ignore Taehyung, nothing good has ever come out of provoking him, especially with Jungkook around. 

But Jimin has always been much more stubborn than Hoseok. He is not afraid to stand up for himself, even if it might earn him some shoves and solitary time in the janitor’s closet.

“Taehyung, why do you spend so much time worrying about us lowly betas?” Jimin taunts. He takes a few steps toward Taehyung, until there is just a couple of feet of space between them. At this distance, he can make out Taehyung’s scent for the first time. It’s earthy and warm, and makes him fear that Taehyung might be able to smell his wolf scent too. But, as usual, his mouth works faster than his brain. “Does being a dick make you feel like a man, huh? Are you compensating for something?” 

He can hear Hoseok calling out to him with a shaky voice. He can also hear a snort and glances at its source. Jungkook is not looking at them, still busy with his locker, but he is definitely listening. Jimin catches a faint scent of sea breeze and fresh linen underneath Taehyung’s scent. Jimin doubts his nose. That can't be right. It’s too… nice for someone like Jungkook.

“Geez, is it that time of the month for you, little beta?” Taehyung retorts, smiling still but there is an irrefutable note of annoyance in his tone. 

Jimin knows he’s gotten under Taehyung’s skin, not that it has ever been much of a challenge. 

“Min, please. Let’s go, it’s not worth it,” Hoseok says. 

Jimin understands there is more at stake now but he can’t back off from this verbal fight now. It wouldn’t just mean giving in to Taehyung. He, an omega , would be giving in to an alpha . He might as well submit then and there. “Wouldn’t you like to know what’s going on between my legs?” he asks, lips pursed in a mocking pout. 

If it wasn’t for the whispers and the snickering around them growing louder, Jimin would’ve completely forgotten they were still in the middle of the hallway, surrounded by other students.

They quickly quiet down, however, when a low, drawn-out growl is heard coming from somewhere deep within Taehyung’s chest. It is clearly more threatening this time, but that only spurs Jimin to take another step closer, desperate to prove that the alpha has no power over him, even when the skin of his arms rises in goosebumps. 

Taehyung steps closer too and towers over Jimin. As he does, his expression changes from a tough intimidating stare to one of confusion. Jimin doesn’t understand why, until he hears Taehyung draw in a deep breath. “Wait a damn minute,” he says.

Jimin swears his heart jumps into his throat. He tries to move away, sliding backwards with one foot. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get too far because Taehyung's hand wraps around his wrist and pulls him back in. Taehyung eyes him curiously and leans in to take a few more sniffs right next to his ear. 

Jimin distantly hears Hoseok’s voice; he's calling his name, saying they need to go now . He wishes he could—wishes that the ground would open up and swallow him whole.

“What the fuck? You smell different, or am I tripping?” Taehyung laughs, squeezing Jimin’s wrist harder. 

Jimin winces. “Let me go, asshole!” 

The alpha ignores his demand and turns his head to look at Jungkook instead. “ Check this out, doesn’t he smell weird? Are we sure he’s a beta?”

“Let him go, or I’ll get someone here right now,” Hoseok threatens.

This causes more movement around them, as people try to get away from the scene, not wanting to get caught in the fire. Some stay, probably too invested in where this is all going.

“I said let me go, are you fuckin’ deaf?!” Jimin tries and tries to free himself. He gets to hit Taehyung in the chest once before the other gets a hold of his other arm as well. 

Jimin pulls back with all his strength and, at the same time, Taehyung lets go of both of his wrists. This makes Jimin fall backwards, but instead of the floor, his back ends up coming in contact with something a little softer and warmer.

Jungkook holds him in place with hands on both sides of his arms. Before Jimin can even process what’s happening, Jungkook’s nose hovers right above his scent gland and he inhales deeply. A sense of despair descends upon Jimin.

Why did he let this happen? Why wasn’t he more careful? He should’ve known to stay away from the two! They have only ever brought him trouble. 

And now they will ridicule him even more than they already do. Call him names that make male omegas drop out of public schools; bully him until he also drops out to be home-schooled, leaving poor Hoseok all by himself.

Along with being terrified of what is to come, Jimin also experiences something new and perhaps worse. His mind suddenly conjures up images of ocean waves swallowing him whole, as his senses are filled with Jungkook’s scent.

Jimin doesn’t know much about scenting, but he knows this is not it. Jungkook is not making direct contact with the skin over his scent gland. Yet, the scent is everywhere . It’s so dizzying that Jimin’s knees buckle. If it wasn’t for the hands keeping him upright, he would’ve likely lost balance.

“No, bro, you are tripping," Jungkook says. "Smells like a beta to me, nothing special.” He moves away just as abruptly as he appeared, and Jimin feels like he’s been broken free from a spell. The scent is still there, but not nearly as intense. 

With his senses coming back to normal, Jimin’s mind catches up with Jungkook’s words. Either the guy has been hit in the nose with a baseball too many times or Jimin’s suppressants are a godsend . 

Taehyung looks him up and down. “Hmm, if you say so. Must’ve imagined it.” He shrugs.

Idiots! It takes Jimin a lot of self-control not to say it out loud; he has to feign ignorance. “What the hell are you two on about? Leave me alone, you creeps! I can’t wait to never see your stupid, arrogant face-“

“For god’s sake, let’s go!” Hoseok grabs his hand, and they make a run for it.

Taehyung laughs and shouts some more demeaning words but thankfully doesn’t follow them.

Needless to say, Jimin can’t focus on any of the classes for the remainder of the day. There are too many things on his mind, and worrying about how he can pull off hiding his new status for nearly five more months is at the forefront.

*

“You need to stop being so reckless, Min. Couldn’t even go a day without almost being exposed because you always have to fight back!” 

“I know," Jimin says pointedly. "Didn’t I already say it won’t happen again?” 

He has lost count of Hoseok’s lectures since their morning run-in with Taehyung and Jungkook.

They put a lot of effort into avoiding them for the remainder of the day. Now, they finally get to walk home in peace after briefly stopping by an internet cafe. Shooting pixelated soldiers is a great de-stressor. 

“Can we talk about literally anything else please? Something that doesn’t have to do with my life falling apart,” Jimin groans.

After a couple more complaints, Hoseok finally changes the subject. He mentions a new show he’s been obsessed with lately, and they chat and laugh until they reach Hoseok’s place. They wave each other goodbye, knowing they will probably text soon anyway.

Jimin has a little more to go until he reaches his house. He walks extra carefully on the icy parts of the sidewalk now that he doesn't have Hoseok to grab onto. He can’t wait to get home, eat dinner and curl up in bed with a cup of hot tea. 

It’s been a long day. 

*

Jimin’s eyes are cast downwards to where he just took off his shoes when his nose picks up a familiar, refreshing scent. He realizes it comes from the puffer coat hanging by the front door that doesn’t belong to either himself or his mother.

“Well, look who finally decided to show up! Where were you? How could you make your friend wait so long?!” his mother scolds. She is standing in the open dining area with one hand on her hip and another pointing a spatula at him. 

Shifting his gaze to the table beside her reveals Jungkook, who is sitting on one of the chairs with a bowl of what looks to be seaweed soup front of him. Is that supposed to be his ‘friend’?

“It’s okay, Mrs. Park,” Jungkook pipes up, giving Jimin’s mother a slightly abashed smile. “I should’ve reminded Jimin when I saw him earlier.”

Jimin feels like his feet have been glued to the floor. He can’t move or speak or wrap his head around why Jeon Jungkook is at his house .

“You are too sweet, darling. But he should’ve remembered you were stopping by,” his mother speaks to Jungkook with softness. When she looks at Jimin, her demeanor hardens immediately. “Are you going to stand there all night? Jesus, Mimi, you can be so rude sometimes.”

Jimin catches Jungkook stifle a chuckle. 

“Well then? Go get the textbook.” Jimin’s mother grumbles. “He’s been waiting long enough.” 

“Textbook?” Jimin asks, stuttering.

What is she talking about?! 

“I’ll help you look for it, Min,” Jungkook says, standing up and putting his hands in his pockets.

Something about seeing him like this is surreal, and not only because the entire situation confuses Jimin greatly. He just stands out too much in the humble decor of the Parks’ home. 

Jungkook is about two heads taller than Jimin’s mother. His wavy hair shines nicely under the warm ceiling light. He has an uncharacteristically friendly smile on his face with mouth corner dimples on display. He doesn’t even look like himself. He looks polite and non-threatening. He looks nice.

But Jimin knows Jungkook is putting up an act for his mother, for whatever reason. They have known each other since fifth grade, and Jungkook had never referred to him as “Min” until now. No one but Hoseok, his only real friend, ever calls him that. No wonder his mother is buying it. 

Jimin doesn’t know what Jungkook wants, but it can’t be anything good.“What the fuck are you doing here, Jeon?” he asks, his tone way too harsh.

“Jimin!” his mother shouts before Jungkook can react. “Jungkookie was kind enough to lend you his textbook, why are you acting like this?”

Kind? What a joke ! Jimin thinks, more frustrated than anything at this point, but he doesn’t want to explain to his mother exactly why. So, he decides to play along for now.

“I- I’ll be back with your book ,” Jimin says through gritted teeth. When his mother narrows her eyes in a silent threat, he forces a fake smile. “Jungkookie.” 

When he is inside his room, Jimin stops in the middle of it and scans the surroundings for Jungkook’s textbook.

But what textbook?! Jimin knows he doesn’t have it. Did Jungkook get him confused with someone else? But why would he even think it reasonable that Jimin would borrow something from him? 

Does he want to copy his homework? No, there are so many better people to go to for that. Jimin’s grades are acceptable at best. Jungkook himself is a better student, from what Jimin heard. 

Is he there to steal something? That’s also unlikely. Jungkook’s family is richer than Jimin’s. He is reminded of the fact every time Jungkook wears a new pair of expensive sneakers or diamond stud earrings.

There is absolutely nothing he has that Jungkook doesn’t. There is nothing Jimin can give or do for him.

“Wow, it’s even better here.”Jungkook says, interrupting Jimin’s internal turmoil. 

Jimin turns around, startled, to see the reason for his perplexity standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. 

He notices that the air feels more fresh and clean—too clean for the state of Jimin’s room. He is embarrassed by the mess at first but discards those thoughts immediately. Jungkook shouldn’t even be in his room.

“Oh my god, what the hell do you want?” Jimin snaps. 

All he wanted was to get home and have some fucking tea, chamomile probably because he needs something to help him relax. But now one of his least favorite people in the entire world, one of his bullies, is in his bedroom. Can he not have a single safe space anymore?

“I don’t remember borrowing anything from you. I would never even consider-“

“I want you to scent me,” Jungkook interrupts him.

Chapter Text

Jungkook's expression and tone are calm and serious. But he can’t be serious. Jimin must have heard wrong. 

“W- what?”

“I. Want. You. To scent me,” Jungkook repeats, slowly and emphasizing each word. 

It doesn’t help, because Jimin still struggles to make sense of what is being asked of him. It must be showing on his face as, after a few seconds of nothing but absentminded blinking on Jimin’s part, Jungkook lets out a heavy sigh. 

“Listen.” He walks into Jimin’s room and closes the door behind himself. “I gotta get home soon. My dad’s been texting me non-stop, we were supposed to watch the game together.” Jungkook makes it sound as if Jimin is supposed to know what ‘game’ he is talking about. He is not a ‘sports’ kind of guy!

Jungkook walks around Jimin as he talks, reminding him of a shark circling its prey. The aquatic notes filling the air only add more substance to that comparison. 

Jimin’s room is really just a square with a twin bed, a bedside table, a dresser on one side and a computer desk and chair on the other. It only takes Jungkook a few steps to plop down on his bed.

“Can we skip the whole ‘oh my god, how did you know’ bit and just get it over with?” He pats the space next to him with a cocked brow. 

Oh.

Jimin was so infuriated with the way Jungkook walked around his room like he owned the place, he momentarily forgot about what all of this means. 

Jungkook knows he is an omega. 

Jeon Jungkook knows Jimin is an omega. His life is over!

But when? Where? In the hallway earlier? It had to be, but Jungkook also told Taehyung that Jimin didn’t have a special scent. Was it a lie? Jimin needs answers.

“How did you know?” he asks, despite Jungkook’s request. 

“Goddamit, Park," Jungkook groans in frustration. "You just can’t not make things difficult, can you?” When Jimin doesn’t speak—or breathe for that matter—Jungkook sighs again. “Fine… Um, you’re on scent blockers, right?” 

How does he— Oh well, Jimin supposes there is no point in lying at this point. He responds with a hesitant nod. Maybe the suppressants didn’t work as good as he’d thought.

“Well, sucks for you,” Jungkook continues, “but I was born with a really good sense of smell when it comes to pheromones and shit. Better than most people. Your scent-blockers are awesome, by the way. Very strong. Just not strong enough for my nose.” He sniffs the air with a cocky smirk for emphasis.

Jimin lets out a deflated chuckle. “Taehyung could smell too?”

“Only because you were getting so worked up. Scents tend to spike when you’re really upset, but he must have only gotten a whiff of it. Even I had my doubts until I got closer.”

Jimin’s mouth forms an ‘o’ as he takes in Jungkook's words. The scene from earlier, with Jungkook’s face mere inches from his scent gland, replays in his mind. The room feels warmer suddenly. 

“Since you could tell, why- why didn’t you tell him?” 

Jungkook shrugs. “I don’t know. I liked your smell—or rather my alpha did. So I guess it wanted to protect you? It’s all just alpha-omega, instinct crap. It doesn’t mean anyway," he waves dismissively. "Anyway, can we just get to it please? Your mom will think we’re up to no good, and I don’t want to get my ass beat with a spatula.” He pats the space next to him again, looking up at Jimin expectantly. 

But Jimin doesn’t move an inch from his spot, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions running through his mind and body.

Jungkook wanted to ’protect’ him? He had never, ever helped him before! If he wanted to protect Jimin so much, why is there a nasty bruise around his wrist, courtesy of Jungkook’s dear best friend?!

Jimin reminds himself that he doesn’t have to do anything for Jungkook. He already knows Jimin’s secret and will most definitely expose him just to make the last few months of his high school experience completely unbearable, because that’s what bullies like Taehyung and Jungkook do. 

“What makes you think I’d ever agree to do that with you?” He sneers at Jungkook, crossing his arms. “This is actually really fuckin’ creepy, you know. Coming to my house uninvited because, what, you liked my ‘sweet omega scent’ so much? Besides, don’t you have a girlfriend? You’re terrible. This is practically cheating.”

Platonic scenting is a thing, but it usually happens between family and maybe really good friends. Even then, the thought of doing that with his mother or Hoseok, if he wasn’t a beta, makes Jimin cringe to no end. Two young men who are not in a relationship or even friends scenting each other? That’s just absurd. 

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ,” Jungkook drawls, rolling his eyes, “this is exactly why Tae picks on you.” 

Jimin wants to argue that Jungkook is victim-blaming and that he may not be as bad as Taehyung but is certainly no saint. Jungkook keeps talking though, not giving Jimin a chance to interrupt. “And I’m not dating anyone. If you’re referring to Mi-na, I only talk to her because Tae’s been trying to get with her friend. They always do these 'double dates' for some reason,” Jungkook grimaces. 

Jimin only knows about the girl because it’s impossible to avoid hearing about Taehyung and Jungkook’s dating adventures, whether you care or not. Last he heard Jungkook was seeing some cute omega from the school down the street, and that’s why he brought it up. 

“And even if I did have a girlfriend, why would it matter?" Jungkook adds. “I’m not asking you to suck my dick. I would never do anything like that with you, even if you’re an omega. As I said, it’s what my alpha wants, not me.” 

Jimin has to suppress the voice in his head telling him he should feel offended. He doesn’t care what Jungkook thinks of or wants from him. In fact, he has no idea why he is still there. He needs to leave Jimin’s house and never come back.

“Get out.” 

“Don’t be so dramatic, I’ll be out of here as soon as we’re done,” Jungkook protests, but Jimin is already opening the door and gesturing for him to leave. 

“Get out, I’m not playing.”

Jungkook scoffs and gets up begrudgingly. “Well then, guess I’m wasting my time here.” He walks over but takes his time, as if he still has a tinge of hope that Jimin will change his mind. Jimin just waits by the door; one hand holding it open and the other on his hip. 

He thinks Jungkook is about to leave at long last but, instead, he stops right in front of him and turns his head to look down at Jimin. The latter clears his throat pointedly, but Jungkook doesn’t budge. He just keeps staring him down. The frown on Jimin’s face deepens more and he squares his shoulders. He hopes he looks at least a little intimidating, but it’s hard to imagine that with Jungkook towering over him, with his naturally sturdy body filling his clothes in a way that Jimin would have to spend long hours in the gym for.

What Jimin lacks in physical strength, however, he makes up for in stubbornness. 

He doesn’t understand what Jungkook is trying to accomplish by initiating a staring contest, but Jimin holds his gaze, alternating between the boy’s eyes. They are big and round and impossibly dark, like black holes with a gravitational pull too strong for any light to escape. Jimin remembers middle school Jungkook having the same eyes. He used to think they looked like those of a cartoon baby deer, with little sparkles of light in the irises. 

They weren’t on bad terms back then, but they were never really friends—working on a group project or two was the extent of their familiarity. Jimin had his circle of friends, while Jungkook generally kept to himself. He was known for being a sports prodigy, participating in all types of different championships, from wrestling to gymnastics, all year long. He always seemed like one of those kids who would go on to compete in the Olympics any day now and only attended classes as a formality. Even if Jimin had tried to befriend him, Jungkook probably wouldn’t have had much time or care to hang out. 

Jungkook never ended up going to the Olympics, but he picked up a baseball bat in ninth grade and helped the school enter and win their first tournament and all the ones after that. He also has a ton of friends now—if engaging in constant and maybe even literal dick-measuring contents can be considered friendship. On the other hand, Jimin has one friend left because the rest of them are too embarrassed to associate with betas. What a difference can a few years and subgender discrimination make! 

He doesn’t know how long they stare at each other, but it’s Jungkook who breaks eye contact first. “Don’t rely on me next time,” he spits with an icy tone, before exiting the room.

Jimin would take it as a victory, if not for the grim meaning behind Jungkook’s words. 

Fuck.

Jimin starts chewing on his bottom lip, his grip on the door handle tightening and mind racing. Jungkook learned the truth and didn’t expose him, but what happens next time? If what Jungkook said is true, even suppressants can’t hide Jimin’s scent when it spikes from strong emotions. He can make as many promises to Hoseok as he wants, but they both know Taehyung is bound to get on his nerves and Jimin is bound to get angry. If they end up in the same situation as before, Jungkook will not lie for him again. He will have no reason to.

Downstairs, Jimin’s mother asks Jungkook about the textbook to which he replies that they couldn’t find it. “You really can’t stay for dinner? It’s almost ready,” she adds.

“Thank you, Mrs. Park, but maybe next time. If Jimin invites me,” Jungkook replies. 

Ugh, as if!

“I’m sure he will. I’m just so glad Mimi has another friend. Don’t get me wrong, I love Hoseok like my own, but it’s always just the two of them. I was starting to think maybe other boys were giving him a hard time.”

Jimin groans. Can she just let him leave?! At the same time, he is curious if Jungkook feels even a tad bit guilty in front of his oblivious mother. Boys at school do give Jimin a hard time. She is talking to one of them right now!

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Park. No one will mess with Jimin. Not on my watch at least.”

Jimin feels a rush of blood to his face. Jungkook must know he is eavesdropping. Is he saying what Jimin thinks he is saying?

Scenting Jungkook doesn’t sound so terrible, especially in comparison to the entire school knowing his secret. He could do it in exchange for Jungkook’s silence, maybe even have him somehow get Taehyung off his back. It all depends on how badly Jungkook’s alpha really wants it.

He realizes he doesn’t have the luxury of pondering more, when Jungkook and his mother exchange goodbyes. Then the front door is opened, and Jimin is forced to grab the first book he sees, before running out of his room and down the stairs. 

“Sweetie, where are you going?” his mother asks, while Jimin throws on his coat and slips into a pair of boots, not bothering to zip them. 

“Found it!” he shows her the book and swings the door open. “Jeon, wait!” he shouts, which makes Jungkook stop right before the gate door and turn around. 

It has already gotten darker and colder since Jimin came home, typical for the winter months. He carefully makes his way down the porch steps. Jungkook waits for him in silence, silhouette illuminated by the moonlight and orange hues from the lamppost over his head.

“I’ll do it,” Jimin says, with puffs of white smoke coming out with each breath. Even under the dim light, he can see Jungkook’s features flash with surprise. Jimin carries on before he gets his hopes up. “But not tonight. Tomorrow, meet me in the old gymnasium after classes, but only under one condition.” 

Jungkook raises an eyebrow curiously. 

“Don’t let Taehyung or your pack of minions pick on me and Hoseok anymore. And you can’t t- tell anyone that I’m an omega either, of course.”

Jungkook hums, seemingly thinking it over. “First of all, that’s two conditions. And secondly, why do you think I can control who people pick on or don’t?”

“Aren’t you and Taehyung best friends? And the rest of those guys worship the ground you walk on. You can figure something out.” 

Jungkook snorts at first, but seeing that Jimin is serious, he straightens his face. “So, if no one messes with you and your buddy at school tomorrow, you’ll scent me?” he asks. 

Jimin nods, drawing his bottom lip between his teeth. “Yeah, something like that.” 

Jungkook’s mouth curves into a smile that he quickly replaces with a smirk, but Jimin manages to catch the sliver of genuine contentment in it. “You know, if you hadn’t thrown your little temper tantrum, we could’ve come to this agreement right away,” Jungkook teases, more playful than hostile, but Jimin just wants the conversation to be over.

A gust of wind blows through the street and sends a wave of goosebumps over his body. He uses his free hand to hold the front of his jacket closed.

“Well, it’s fucking freezing, so if we’re good, I’m going back in.” Jimin waves Jungkook goodbye with the book still in his hand and heads back towards the house. He catches a ‘bye’ before the gate door creaks.

Once inside, Jimin does not get to appreciate the wonders of indoor heating because a pair of curious eyes stares at him with almost palpable intensity. 

“What?” 

“Must’ve been the wrong one, huh?” his mother asks, as she puts down two plates of food on the table. 

Jimin doesn’t understand what she is referring to until he follows her gaze to the book in his hand.

You’re an Omega, Now What? (A Boy’s Guide to Hormones, Heats, and Everything In Between), the cover reads. 

“Oh.” His cold cheeks quickly warm up and he hides the book behind his back. “Uh, y-yeah, it- it looked like our Physics textbook, so…” He gulps and curses himself internally, belatedly realizing how stupid it sounds that a physics book would have a cartoon werewolf on its cover.

Jimin’s mother purses her lips with suspicion but doesn’t press on. “Come on, let’s eat.” She sits down at the table. 

“Mom,” Jimin calls out, as he takes off his coat and proceeds to hang it back on the rack. “Do I, uh, smell nice?” There is a slight unsure tremble to his voice. When he turns to look, he sees a warm smile bloom on her face.

“Of course you do! You know how I feel about your scent.” 

“Yes, but,” Jimin drawls. He knows how much she adores the scent he inherited, but is that what he is really asking? Jimin is not sure. “I mean, you’re only saying that because you’re my mom. But, let’s say, uh-”

“Mimi, are you wondering if I think alphas would like your scent?” She cuts him off, and Jimin’s mouth is left agape. Is that what he is asking? But why? He shouldn’t even care. “Why don’t you ask Jungkook when you’re done with your meds? But don’t even think about closing the door next time. I almost went up there to make sure you two weren’t doing anything unholy.”

“Oh my god, Mom!” Jimin nearly chokes. If his face felt warm before, it’s positively hot now. 

“What?! You present and all of a sudden an alpha boy shows up at our house. What would you expect me to think? That he is here for a ‘Physics’ book?” Jimin’s mother laughs. “That’s funny considering Jungkook said he had lent you his History textbook.”

Duh. Jimin should have guessed Jungkook would say that considering it is the only class other than P.E. that they have together this semester. When will Jimin learn to think before opening his mouth?!

“Well,” he starts, pondering what lie he should come up with next. 

“It’s fine, Jimin. I was your age before, and god knows I snuck your father inside my parents’ house more times than I would like to admit.” His mother laughs airily at the memory, but her smile faints with her next words. “Just, please be careful with those alpha boys. They know how to charm, but they also know how to break hearts.” She picks up her utensils with a sigh and tells Jimin to sit down and eat already, to which he replies that he will just put the book back first. 

When he goes to his room, Jimin notices how the air has retained some of Jungkook’s scent. It’s not much but it’s there, and he catches himself wishing his room would smell like that always. It doesn’t have anything to do with Jungkook though, he just has a nice refreshing scent!

Thankfully, his mother doesn’t bring up their unexpected guest for the remainder of the evening. 

As Jimin tries and fails to fall asleep that night, his mind conjures up scenario after scenario of what might possibly happen from here on out. He contemplates not going to school altogether, maybe telling his mother he is not feeling well. After all, what is another lie at this point. In the end, however, Jimin decides he wants to see if Jungkook will hold up his end of the bargain. 

The more his sleep-deprived brain thinks about it, the more the idea of having Jungkook protect him—while all he has to do in return is scent him—begins to sound like perhaps the best idea Jimin has ever had. 

Chapter Text

“You look awful, dude.”

“Yeah, you don’t say.”

Jimin doesn’t need Hoseok to remind him of his less than ideal appearance. He had seen the zombie staring back at him in the mirror, with its dark undereye circles and dull skin. It didn’t startle him though. He knew he wouldn’t be looking as fresh as a daisy after all of the events of the previous day and a sleepless night. 

“Are you sick?” Hoseok asks, still chewing. 

Jimin shrugs, poking his own cutlet unenthusiastically. “No, just couldn’t sleep. It’s probably the meds. They have a bunch of side effects, I read.” 

He hasn’t told Hoseok about Jungkook’s visit yet. Jimin knows he shouldn’t but he can’t help feeling anxious that Hoseok will judge him for agreeing to scent their second least favorite person. Besides, it is not even guaranteed to happen. 

It hasn’t passed him by that not a single person has picked on them today, but there are still half the lunch break and four more periods left—plenty of time to get harassed by Jungkook’s friends. 

He takes a look around the cafeteria. It is as loud and busy as ever. There is food flying and boys cackling and play-wrestling. In the midst of it all, Jimin’s eyes fall on Jungkook and not for the first time that day, but it’s not like Jimin consciously seeks him out or anything of the sort! 

Jungkook is with his teammates at their usual table in the middle of the cafeteria, far away from the isolated corner Jimin and Hoseok usually occupy. Jungkook is laughing at what Jimin can only assume to be some dumb, crude joke made by Taehyung. He has a pretty deep dimple on his left cheek, Jimin’s brain supplies, and his teeth are nice too—so nice that he fixates on them long enough for Jungkook to feel him staring. When their eyes meet, Jimin turns away so fast his neck audibly cracks.

“Ah, that hurts!” he winces. When Hoseok makes a disgruntled sound, Jimin raises an eyebrow. “What?”

“Were you even listening? I was saying, if the suppressants cause so many side effects, maybe it’s not a good idea to take them without an actual medical need,” Hoseok says.

Jimin chuckles. “Well, I will drop out before I walk in here smelling all sweet and submissive, so there is no other option. Plus, the worst thing that could happen is the meds affecting your heat cycle, but male omegas don’t have heats that often anyway. And it’s not like we can give birth, so it really doesn’t matter.” He finally takes a bite of his food and grimaces as it has already gone cold and soggy.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Hoseok says. “So have you noticed any other changes? Aren’t you supposed to have this ‘omega self’ now?” he adds as he reaches for a piece of Jimin’s pork, which he gives up easily.

Jimin hums. “I honestly haven’t noticed much of a difference. But it’s not supposed to just happen overnight, you know? I won’t develop a whole separate personality all of a sudden. I’m still me, maybe just more connected to our ‘ancestral werewolf ways’ now. Supposedly.”

“Dude, that’s actually pretty dope.” Hoseok sighs, slumping in his chair. “It’s boring being a beta, you can’t sense or smell anything. And—” he seems to want to complain more but stops when his eyes lock onto something over Jimin’s shoulder. “Crap. Im Jaebum is coming this way.” Hoseok diverts his gaze down to his tray, panic washing over his face, and gestures for Jimin to do the same. “Don’t look, Min.” 

Unluckily for them, Jimin doesn’t just resemble the undead, he feels like one too, which is why his brain doesn’t register Hoseok’s advice. He turns to glance and catches Jaebum’s eye immediately. So much for having one day of peace!  

“Well, well, well,” Jaebum drawls, now walking straight towards them. 

Jimin hears Hoseok cuss him out under his breath for bringing attention to them. Fair enough.  

Jaebum drags a chair from another table, flips it and straddles it to join them. “If it isn’t my favorite betas!” He slaps a hand down on Hoseok’s shoulder and gives it a tight squeeze, coaxing a whimper out of him. 

If Jungkook and Taehyung are annoying, testosterone-fueled wannabe ‘bad boys’, Jaebum is what one would call a delinquent; the real deal. When he actually bothers to show up to school, Jaebum never passes up an opportunity to bully someone into handing him their wallets. He doesn’t care about following any of the rules—doesn’t wear the uniform, substituting it for jeans and a black leather jacket most of the time, and smells so much like cigarettes that Jimin can’t even tell his natural alpha scent. (Alright, maybe Jungkook is their third least favorite guy.)

“We don’t have any money on us right now,” Jimin deadpans, throwing him a side glare.  

“Why do you assume I want your money?” Jaebum asks with feigned offense. “Maybe I just want to eat lunch with my classmates, ever thought about that— Oh, would you look at that …” His gaze falls on a small unopened box of chocolate milk on Jimin’s tray. 

Jaebum laughs as he grabs it, easily beating Jimin’s sluggish reflexes. He unwraps the plastic straw glued to the box, and Jimin follows the movement with a scowling stare. He should have known that soon enough he would run out of luck soon. He had actually managed to secure the last chocolate milk before the lunch lady announced that they ran out; everyone else after him, including Hoseok, had to pick between soy and plain.

“Hey, that’s Jimin’s! Give it back,” Hoseok demands. He looks surprised by his own stern tone, and so does Jimin. Hoseok rarely talks back to bullies, thinking they are not worth it. Yet, he is telling Jaebum off, because he knows exactly how much Jimin was looking forward to his chocolate milk!

Jimin wants to coo at his friend’s show of care, but Jaebum doesn’t seem as impressed. He looks Hoseok dead in the eye as he stabs the straw inside the milk carton. The action effectively dissipates whatever courage Hoseok had mustered up; his pupils shake and his shoulders shrink again. Jimin still appreciates him for trying. 

“Didn’t think so.” Jaebum scoffs and brings the milk closer to his mouth, but before he can wrap his lips around the straw, a hand appears from behind them and swiftly snatches the carton out of his grip. 

Jimin’s nose recognizes the culprit’s scent before he even sees him. 

“Chocolate! My favorite!” Jungkook exclaims. 

“What the fuck, Jeon?” Jaebum quickly rises to his feet and gets into Jungkook’s space, letting out a loud, deep growl. An audible gasp befalls the cafeteria. 

Jungkook is a tad bit taller, but Jaebum is slightly broader and certainly more intimidating. Jungkook doesn’t seem threatened, however, and meets Jaebum’s furious gaze with a smirk. He takes one big sip until the box creases in on itself, empty of all content. When he is done, he releases the straw with a pleased 'ahh'. 

Jimin should be sad that his drink is gone just like that, but the fact that Jaebum didn’t get any either is strangely satisfying.  

“And here I was thinking there was no more. Thanks, man!” Jungkook smacks the side of Jaebum’s upper arm with a toothy grin. One would think they were buddies, if not for the way Jaebum’s jaw clenches. 

He glances down at the spot where Jungkook’s hand made contact with his jacket and exhales sharply in disbelief. “What’s your problem, big guy? Thirsty from sucking Kim off under the bleachers?” Jaebum’s taunting prompts a ripple of laughter. 

Jungkook keeps up the fake smile, but Jimin can sense how his scent sours. There is a small voice in his head suggesting he tries to mediate the situation before it gets worse, but Jimin deems it completely irrational and forces it to disappear. He has no desire or reason to step in.

“Be a good pup and throw this away for me,” Jungkook says in return, pressing the empty carton onto Jaebum’s chest. 

The tension escalates instantaneously, as Jaebum swats Jungkook’s hand hard enough for the carton to fly and land somewhere on the floor. They move forward until they are pushing at each other with their foreheads. Taehyung’s growl at Jimin from the other day does not compare to the vicious snarls coming from the two alphas. The crowd gets louder too; it is mostly people murmuring, but some youngsters a couple tables over whistle and chant ‘fight! fight! fight!’. 

The voice in Jimin’s head is back, telling Jimin to get up and break up the fight, but once again he wills it to go away. He shouldn’t— doesn’t care if Jungkook and Jaebum beat each other up. In fact, Jimin wouldn’t mind watching it unfold with a bag of popcorn in hand.

“Hey, Im!” Taehyung’s voice comes from beside Jungkook. “I really wouldn’t if I were you.”

Jimin was so engrossed in convincing himself not to act on his stupid thoughts, he didn’t notice when Taehyung and some other jocks had made their way there. 

Jaebum fixes each guy with a dirty look. It is six versus one now, and he understandably backs away. “Not worth my fuckin’ time.” He growls once more before turning around and walking away. He doesn’t forget to give the forgotten box of milk an angry kick, sending it even farther across the floor.  

When Jaebum walks out of the room, double doors swinging shut behind him, Taehyung gives Jungkook’s shoulder a light shove and chides him for picking a fight with a ‘thug’. Jungkook laughs and lets himself be dragged back to his seat, arguing that he ‘would have totally won’. Jimin doesn’t hear the rest of the conversation in the bustle of the cafeteria. 

He supposes Jungkook’s words have some merit, considering his wrestling background and overall athleticism, but would he really get into a fight over milk? Maybe he is not as smart as Jimin has heard, unless there is another reason why he came all the way to their little corner. Could it have had something to do with—

“Earth to Min? Hellooo?” Hoseok snaps his fingers, which, in turn, brings Jimin out of his musings. “You are so distracted today, are you sure everything is okay?”

“No, I- I’m fine,” Jimin offers an apologetic smile. “Sorry, what were you saying?” 

Hoseok rolls his eyes but still goes on to tell Jimin all about Jaebum’s rumored criminal activities. Most of it sounds either dramaticized or downright made-up— Jaebum did not stab someone in the eye with a fork for saying he should wear the uniform. Regardless of how outrageous, Jimin listens to his best friend’s every word with laser focus for the rest of the break. 

*

The old gymnasium is a dusty, forgotten space nobody ever visits, and that is exactly why it is the perfect meeting spot for them. 

Jungkook has kept his promise. 

Jimin only got called a ‘beta loser’ once after lunch, and that came from a theater kid. To say it hurt his pride is an understatement, but the agreement didn’t account for anyone but Jungkook’s group, none of whom bothered Jimin or Hoseok all day. Whatever Jungkook did worked, and now Jimin has to keep his word too. 

He told Hoseok they couldn’t walk home together because his mother was picking him up to see a doctor, as Jimin hadn’t been feeling well after all. And he told his mother that he would be going to Hoseok’s house to study. Now Jimin wonders if all the lying was worth it, when it has been over fifteen minutes since the last period ended and Jungkook is still a no-show.

Jimin paces by a tall pile of old mats, chewing on the inside of his cheek. If Jungkook is still down, it will be Jimin’s first time scenting someone, and he finds himself a lot more nervous than he expected. 

He reminds himself that there is not much to know about scenting in terms of technique. It is something that every alpha or omega supposedly knows how to do instinctually. His omega will guide him. He will do just fine, and if he doesn’t, it shouldn’t matter too much because he is not doing it with the love of his life or his future mate. He is doing it with Jeon Jungkook, and their agreement didn’t exactly specify how good Jimin would have to be at it. 

After twenty minutes, he is convinced that Jungkook is not coming. When he moves to leave, pondering what Jungkook’s change of mind could mean for him and his secret going forward, the door opens. 

Jungkook is obviously trying to be very careful not to be seen as he comes in, looking outside in both directions before closing the door. He has changed into his baseball uniform, colored in the school’s signature grey and light blue. The team doesn’t play during winter, but they stay in shape by practicing indoors. Jimin knows that much, but he wasn’t aware of their schedule when he suggested meeting up. 

“Hey. I have maybe five minutes before Coach starts looking for me, so let’s just get to it, okay?” Jungkook is already undoing the buttons of his jersey as he strides towards Jimin with hurried steps. 

“Hey…” Jimin gulps. His anxiety is getting worse now that Jungkook is there, filling the air around them and Jimin’s lungs with his scent. 

His jaw and neck feel tense as he watches Jungkook stop about two feet away and yank his half-unbuttoned jersey over his head, leaving himself in a black tank. He folds it and places it on the floor. 

“You good?” Jungkook asks. 

Jimin doesn't realize he’s been fidgeting with the hem of his shirt until he catches Jungkook’s stare on his hands. Jimin crosses them over his chest instead. “Oh, yeah. No, I- I’m cool. Yeah, let’s do it.”

He takes a hesitant step forward, when Jungkook chuckles. 

“You’re redder than a tomato.” 

“Oh.” 

Jimin didn’t notice that either. He tries to calm himself by taking a deep breath, but it comes out so shaky there is no way to deny his nerves now. “Well, I- uh, I’ve never done this before. So…” He trails off.

“Huh, no shit,” Jungkook says. 

Jimin automatically glowers at him. “What is that supposed to mean?” 

“I mean, didn’t you just present recently? I don’t see you hanging out with a lot of people, so I assumed you wouldn’t be the type to do this often,” Jungkook explains hurriedly. He sounds like he is worried that Jimin will get annoyed and leave. And maybe he should be. 

A part of Jimin is becoming more and more convinced this might be a mistake after all. Scenting for the first time is often perceived as a special moment, and most people do it with someone important to them. Maybe he shouldn’t be doing it with Jungkook, next to a bunch of discarded school gym equipment. 

The pragmatist in Jimin, however, reasons he should just suck it up. He has never been much of a romantic anyway, and it is certainly not as big of a deal as Jungkook revealing his secret would be. Plus, Jungkook has kept his end of the deal, and Jimin should be a man and do the same.

Without another word, Jimin takes two more steps forward, closing the remaining distance until Jungkook’s breath fans his bangs. His eyes roam the expanse of the broad shoulders in front of him, until they land on the base of Jungkook’s neck, where his scent gland should be. The strong alpha scent emanating from it is heady and sends Jimin into a full-body shudder. 

“Geez, relax,” Jungkook sneers. “It’s not gonna work well if you’re so antsy. You don’t want me thinking you’ve got a crush on me or something, right?” 

Jimin looks up at him with narrowed eyes. “You fucking wish, Jeon.” 

“Well, then there is nothing to be nervous about.” 

He wants to retort, but he also understands that Jungkook is right. He is not doing this because he wants to—neither of them is. It doesn’t mean anything beyond Jungkook’s alpha liking his scent for some primal, instinctive reason he has no control over.

Jimin nods. “Yeah, I know.”

“Good, good.“

Jimin decides it is time he goes for it. 

He leans in, having to tippy-toe a tiny bit to reach Jungkook’s scent gland and trying not to breathe. He is not sure what to do with his hands, so he just keeps them by his sides, balled into fists. 

The tip of his nose barely touches Jungkook’s skin, when he feels two hands on his lower back. The touch sends a jolt of electricity up his spine and a rush of blood to his face. Jimin pulls away instantly, bringing his own hands between their bodies. “W-what are you—” 

Jungkook lets go just as quickly and raises his arms in the air. “Sorry. I thought it would make it less awkward.” He puts his hands down and behind his back, smiling apologetically. “No touching, got it.”

“Yes, thanks.” Jimin clears his throat and lowers his arms as well. He wills his heart to slow down and his cheeks to stop burning before moving closer again.

Jungkook smiles and turns his head to the side, closing his eyes. 

Jimin’s knees feel weak when he forgets to hold his breath and the notes of linen and sea breeze invade his lungs.

He is doing it. He is scenting someone for the first time, and it is not just anyone. It’s the Jeon Jungkook. He will leave the old gymnasium smelling like Jimin's peaches and jasmine, and he will still smell like Jimin when he goes back to practice—

“Won’t the others know that I scented you?” Jimin asks, backing away as the realization hits him. 

Jungkook lets out a frustrated groan. “I don’t know. Should be fine?” When Jimin arches an eyebrow—because that did not sound convincing at all—Jungkook sighs deeply, looking just about done with him. “Even if it is noticeable, which I doubt, Coach is a beta and no one else knows your scent, and they sure as hell are not telling on me.”

“Taehyung knows,” Jimin argues.

“Please. He couldn’t remember what the girl he spent two ruts in a row with smelled like. Two. In a row. He is not gonna remember some faint scent he caught a whiff of for half a second.”

“Wow, never thought I could dislike him more.”

“Her scent just wasn’t all that memorable,” Jungkook says in his friend’s defence. 

Jimin concludes that they both suck, but at least Jungkook’s earlier logic made some sense. He leans in once more. He notices that Jungkook’s scent has turned softer; his nose must be getting used to it. 

For a moment he wonders what it would feel like if Jungkook scents him back. He quickly deems the thought useless because they never discussed that and Jungkook would definitely not want Jimin to smell like him strongly enough for everyone to know. And Jimin wouldn't want to anyway. He is just curious, but he will wait until he meets someone he likes—or doesn’t detest at the very least. Right now, he needs to get this done and over with—

“Have you even made out with someone before?” Jungkook asks, throwing him off again.

Jimin pulls back and gawks at him, unsure of how to respond. He has kissed before—or exchanged a few pecks in middle school to be precise—but he doubts telling Jungkook about that would be very smart. He is privy to one too many things already. 

“Y-yeah, no, yeah. Of course I have!” Jimin scoffs, as if Jungkook had just asked the most obvious thing. “Have you?” He asks and cringes right away, because how stupid of a question is that! Every soul at their school already knows the answer.

Naturally, Jungkook hums in affirmation with a not-buying-it look in his eyes. “That’s good,” he says. “I mean, compared to that, this should be a piece of cake, right? Unless you do actually like me. And, honestly, who can blame you? I am a catch, and you are an omega—”

“Please shut up before I change my mind.” Jimin snaps, effectively silencing Jungkook. His arrogance and Jimin’s strong desire for this to just be over already do wonders for his anxiety.

Jimin doesn’t think much before closing the gap again. He puts one hand on Jungkook’s shoulder and another around the back of his neck. He uses that to lift himself and lean forward. 

“Woah, careful,” Jungkook breathes out, as he stumbles back, seemingly not expecting Jimin’s boldness. 

For a split second, Jimin fears they will lose their footing, but Jungkook wraps an arm around his waist and steadies them before that can happen. He lowers his face into Jungkook’s neck and feels him stiffen. Jimin lets his eyelids fall shut and inhales a lungful of Jungkook’s scent. 

He doesn’t fully understand how, but he allows his omega to take over from there. It makes him rub a couple of gentle circles with his nose, followed by a few brushings of his cheek. Jungkook’s muscles relax under his fingers with each touch, and Jimin hears him release a shuddering breath when his lips accidentally graze the spot. A knot forms in the pit of Jimin’s stomach, and his own breathing picks up. His thoughts stray into a dangerous and highly unwelcome territory because damn, that was hot.

And Jimin takes that as his cue to stop. His face burns more fiery than the sun when he slowly peels himself away from Jungkook and peeks up at him. Jungkook looks almost blissed-out, with his eyes closed, cheeks dusted pink, and lips ajar, with the corners raised into a pleased smile. Jimin dares a glance down, just to make sure…

“I wasn’t getting off, if that’s what you’re wondering.” Jungkook’s hoarse voice startles him, forcing Jimin to take a few steps back until there is an acceptable amount of distance between them. He is wearing a cheeky smirk now, but his face is still flushed. “That did help with finally shutting up my alpha though, so thank you.” Jungkook chuckles. His tone is softer than what Jimin is used to. It’s nice. 

“Sure. You’re welcome.” 

As an awkward silence settles between them, Jimin lets out an empty laugh. “You seemed to really enjoy it. Now I’m a little curious to try for myself.”

“Oh. I- I can’t, sorry,” Jungkook says with an apologetic frown. 

Jimin is quick to shake his head and wave him off. “Gosh, no no no! No, I- I didn’t mean, like, with you. Maybe, you know, when I go out with someone next time.” Considering how nonexistent Jimin’s love life is, saying ‘if’ would definitely be more accurate. 

“Oh yeah yeah, no, totally.” Jungkook nods a little too fiercely before bending down to pick up his jersey. “Well, I’m definitely gonna get my ass handed to me by Coach, so I should go.” He pulls the shirt over his head.

Being reminded of Jungkook going back to practice makes Jimin realize something. “I can’t smell my omega on you.” 

Jimin gives the air a couple more sniffs to make certain. Sure enough, it is filled solely with Jungkook’s scent. 

“See? Told you it would be fine. My alpha can sense it just fine, so that’s all that matters.” Jungkook smiles as he finishes buttoning his shirt back up and tucks it into his pants, which hug his thighs in a very captivating way. “Oh! Almost forgot,” Jungkook says, as he reaches into his back pocket for something. Jimin is too busy cursing his own mind for making stupid, unnecessary observations to recognize the item right away. 

“Here. Sorry I took yours earlier.” 

He finally snaps out of it when Jungkook offers him a small carton of milk. Jimin hesitantly takes and examines it. Chocolate. A warm feeling sprouts somewhere in his chest, but he doesn’t dare acknowledge it. 

Still, it is a pretty sweet gesture. 

“Um, thanks!” Jimin smiles. “So you did get one?”

“No, but I beat up a freshman for it,” Jungkook deadpans, and Jimin’s stomach and face fall. After a few seconds, Jungkook breaks into a grin. “I’m kidding! Mrs. Lee gave me like three of those.” 

Jimin sighs in relief before fully taking in the words. Three?! No wonder they ran out so fast! 

“What can I say? Lunch ladies love me.” Jungkook gives an arrogant shrug and starts walking backwards to the exit. “Okay, really gotta go now, but can we do it again tomorrow? Same place and time?”

“Oh, uh…” Jimin gapes, taken aback. He hasn’t even considered what might happen to their agreement after the scenting. But Jungkook is in a hurry, and Jimin doesn’t immediately see why not—although there are tons of reasons he just can’t think of in that moment. “Sure. That works,” he responds. 

Chapter Text

It is equally disturbing and impressive how much influence Taehyung and his clique have on the rest of the school. With the jocks pretty much leaving Jimin and Hoseok alone for close to four weeks now, everyone else has slowly but surely followed suit. It isn’t as though they are suddenly popular or anything close to it—more so invisible, and Jimin couldn’t have asked for a better outcome from his deal with Jungkook. 

That is why, when Jungkook asks to be scented not only after but also before, between, and even during classes, Jimin doesn’t immediately say no. 

Big mistake. 

What started out as a biweekly, after-school ordeal has morphed into Jimin being ambushed whenever Jungkook needs ‘help’ with calming down his alpha, which, as he quickly learns, is nothing short of insatiable. 

The meeting place is also no longer limited to the old gymnasium. He’s scented Jungkook in the handicap restroom, under the emergency staircase, in the utility closet—any and all tucked-away corner of the school that is nearby and available at that moment. Sneaking around this way could even be exciting, if Jimin didn’t get flashbacks to Jungkook locking him inside those same places every time.

“You are actually, seriously insane, Min.” Hoseok laughs dryly. 

They were talking about Jimin trying out the chicken and rice diet Hoseok’s dog is on for its sensitive stomach, when Jimin decided to come clean about his arrangement with Jungkook. Hoseok would have gotten suspicious soon enough; one can only lie about having explosive diarrhea to explain away his sudden disappearances so many days in a row…

“Jeon fucking Jungkook? Really?”

Hoseok’s tone is laced with disbelief and disappointment. This is exactly why Jimin didn’t want to tell him at first. 

He gives a hesitant nod. “I know it’s messed up, but I didn’t have much of a choice. He came to my house , Hobi. And he would’ve told everyone about my status. And look”—Jimin gestures at the semi-packed hallway—“have you not noticed? People barely bother us now. I don’t know how, but Jungkook kept his promise. All I have to do in return is scent him. If anything, I am using him, not the other way around.”

“No one should be using anyone,” Hoseok scorns and slams the door of his locker shut. His shoulders are raised with tension when he walks away, Jimin following right after. “I- I don’t know. I’m sure you understand why I can’t just be cool with it.”

“No, I get it. I wanted to have nothing to do with him myself—” Jimin goes silent as his phone dings in his back pocket. He fishes it out and reads the notification on the screen.

Jeon Jungkook [12:08]: 

old gym in 5? 

Speak of the devil. 

Jimin sighs and lifts his gaze, coming face to face with Hoseok’s unamused expression. “Um, I gotta go. Think you can get me a taro bun before they run out?”

“What?! No way they’re gonna give me an extra one— Min, wait!”

Jimin pretends not to hear Hoseok calling out for him, while he rounds the corner with a spring in his step that he also chooses to ignore. 

“It’s gonna take five minutes,” Jungkook pleads. “I’ll be in and out before you know it.”

He wants to visit Jimin over the weekend, too impatient to wait until seeing each other again at school. That’s too bad though, because weekends are now the only scenting-free days Jimin gets. He already said no, and he is sticking to that. It’s about time Jungkook takes no for an answer. 

“It’s not like you’ve got much else to do,” Jungkook adds. 

“Excuse me?” Jimin stops mid-turn and stares at him with a deep frown. He had just finished scenting Jungkook and was on his way out, but who will he be if he doesn’t defend his honor? (Even if Jungkook is annoyingly right.) “What part of ‘no’ do you not understand, Jeon? Maybe I’m sick of seeing your mug all the time? Ever thought about that?”

“Oh please, who could ever get tired of looking at this.” Jungkook accentuates the last word with a horizontal L hand gesture under the chin and a wink. Jimin rolls his eyes dramatically. “Besides, your mom loves me! She will be elated if I stop by again. Or- or how about I pick you up and we go for a drive? I can borrow my dad’s sports car. I bet you’ve never been in one, let alone with a handsome alpha like—”

“The answer is no. I’ll see you around.” Jimin walks away, choosing to ignore the rest of the terrible plea. 

His weekends are reserved for pretending to work on college applications while playing video games and sending Hoseok anime memes he doesn’t understand—and no sports cars or ‘handsome alphas’ will change that.

*

Jimin has to admit, the car is nice. It’s a black, two-door Porsche that most definitely cost more than everything he has ever owned in his life. 

“So, what do you think?” Jungkook smiles, making his way around the front bumper towards the house gate. 

Whether it’s the expensive car or the casual but chic ensemble of a white parka and blue jeans, Jungkook looks straight out of some fall-winter men’s fashion catalog. Meanwhile, Jimin hasn’t changed out of his pajamas or even combed his hair yet, despite it being well past two in the afternoon. To his defense, he wasn’t exactly planning on Jungkook coming by on a Saturday, unannounced, again.

He thanks the universe that his mother is out running errands, as she would have undoubtedly invited Jungkook inside right away. Jimin is not doing that. Instead, he stands in the doorway, torso wrapped in a blanket and feet in warm, fuzzy socks, while Jungkook opens the unlocked gate.  

“Can I drive it?” Jimin asks, watching Jungkook jog the rest of the way to the porch.

“Absolutely not.”

“Have a good rest of your day then.”

“Fine, fine!” Jungkook exclaims, using one hand to stop Jimin from closing the door. The corners of Jimin’s lips rise in a satisfied grin. Jungkook sighs. “Just be careful, okay?”

“Yeah, whatever.” 

Jimin swaps the blanket for an actual puffer jacket and squeezes his feet into a pair of boots. He doesn’t forget to grab his driver’s license, phone, and house keys. 

“Knew you wouldn’t be able to resist,” Jungkook quips after Jimin locks the door. 

“Keep talking and I’m calling the police and filing a restraining order,” Jimin grumbles. 

He makes his way out of the gate and to the driver’s side of the vehicle. Jungkook follows, coming to a stop by the passenger’s door. 

“We’ll see about that. Something tells me you will be begging me to come over every weekend after this.”

Jimin grimaces. Getting to drive a Porsche better be worth not having slammed the door in Jungkook’s face when he had the chance.

Jimin makes a few circles around the neighborhood, but the pavement is too icy to pick up any real speed. He wouldn’t try anyway, too careful to risk causing any damage, despite threatening Jungkook with crashing and destroying his parents’ car multiple times. 

Jungkook had been right about him having never been inside a sports car before, let alone driving one. The junky, old Beetle Jimin’s mother sometimes lets him borrow doesn’t even begin to compare. 

“I can’t believe your parents let you take it,” Jimin says, looking at Jungkook curiously. He has stopped a couple of blocks away from his house, in case his nosy mother comes back. 

Once he turns off the ignition, the air inside the small car quickly begins to fill with Jungkook’s scent without the assistance of the air conditioner. Thankfully, Jimin doesn’t find it dizzying anymore—hasn’t in a while. In fact, he even finds himself seeking it out when his other schoolmates’ scents become too overwhelming, especially in busy hallways or P.E. There are times when he thinks about it even when he is not at school. Jimin doesn’t like to dwell on those instances, explaining it away simply as Jungkook’s being the one alpha scent his omega has grown most used to.

“I have my ways.” Jungkook shrugs. “Spoiler alert: they all involve me bringing home medals and trophies in one way or another,” he continues with a hollow laugh, eyes cast down to the glove compartment.

Judging by the jokes and comments of similar nature Jungkook has made over the past weeks, Jimin has deduced that his parents have some sort of an obsession with him participating—and, most importantly, succeeding—in sports. 

It is on these rare occasions that Jimin actually prefers Jungkook’s stupid, condescending, even flirtatious remarks instead. He just never knows how to react to these bits of ‘real’ information he learns when they engage in small talk. 

A part of him tells him to ask if Jungkook wants to talk about it and lend a sympathetic ear. The rest of him, however, is strongly against setting any sort of precedent that he cares about Jungkook’s problems. They don’t do this because they are lovers or at least friends—they are neither. They do this because Jimin is starting to get used to not being bullied every hour of the school day.

“Well, thanks for the test drive, but you were wrong,” Jimin says, and Jungkook looks up at him with a raised eyebrow. “I’m definitely not begging for it every weekend,” Jimin elaborates, attempting to steer the conversation back to someplace more familiar—arguing.

Jungkook blinks in confusion. “Oh, I… wasn’t talking about the car.”

Jimin laughs, shaking his head. “Trust me, nothing in this world would make me want to see you more than I already do at school.”

“But that’s the thing, we are not at school,” Jungkook trails off, bottom lip caught between his teeth. 

Jimin’s expression morphs into a mix of confusion and skepticism. Whatever Jungkook has in mind can’t be good.

“I can scent you, if you want.”

“Oh,” is all Jimin can say, while his brain lags like a decades-old Internet Explorer with fifteen tabs open.

“You always give me this half-judgmental, half-curious look when we’re done. It’s annoying, you know. So I thought I’d satiate your curiosity. Unless, uh-” Jungkook rubs the back of his neck as he speaks, “it- it’s already been…”

Jimin wishes. It’s true: he is terribly curious. Jimin has scented Jungkook more times than he can count on both hands but is yet to experience it himself. 

“No, I- I haven’t-” He gulps, averting his gaze down to the control panel, then the gear stick—anywhere but Jungkook. “But, uh, you- you wouldn’t mind?”

He assumed Jungkook didn’t want to scent him because they are, well, them and not simply because they were at school. 

“It’s whatever really. Only thing I’m worried about is getting you in trouble with your mom. Do you think she’d be mad?” Jungkook asks. 

Jimin looks up again. He is surprised by the sincerity in Jungkook’s expression. Jungkook worrying about him getting scolded was not on his bingo card for the day, but so wasn’t Jungkook proposing to scent him or visiting altogether. Jimin should expect the unexpected with Jungkook by now.

“Uh, I’m not sure. She did tell me to be careful around alphas like you, but other than that—”

“Alphas like me?” Jungkook interrupts, tilting his head. “I thought your mom liked me.”

“She does, unfortunately. I guess she is just protective of me since it’s only us two.” Jimin eyes Jungkook with suspicion, noticing the way his shoulders relax. “Why do you care anyway?”

Jungkook scoffs before slumping in the seat more and turning his head to look out of the front windshield. “I don’t,” he grumbles.

“Right.”

Jimin clicks his tongue and scans the interior of the car, from the ceiling to the steering wheel. They sit in silence for a few very uncomfortable seconds. Jungkook is the first to break it, prompting their gazes to meet again.  

“So? Do you want me to do it or not?”

“Uh- um- okay. Yeah.” Jimin nods with a very audible gulp, which brings a flood of warmth to his otherwise cold face. 

Why does he always act like such a virgin loser in front of Jungkook? Sure, he may be one, but he doesn’t need to make it so painstakingly obvious. 

Per usual, Jimin’s nervousness seems to amuse Jungkook, as his lips stretch into a teasing smile. If it wasn’t prompted by his discomfort, Jimin would admit that the way Jungkook’s nose scrunches up is pretty cute. Alas, he knows he is not being laughed with but laughed at. 

“Actually, maybe I should listen to my mom, and stay away from alphas like you, Jeon,” Jimin says and receives a snortle in response.

“Your mom doesn’t know me at all,” Jungkook argues, and now it’s Jimin’s turn to let out an unamused chuckle. If only she knew.

“Are you saying she is wro—” the question gets stuck in his throat when Jungkook shifts in the seat, unzipping and shrugging off his parka. It is left bunched up between his back and the seat, revealing a loose, white V-neck t-shirt underneath. They’ve done this so many times, but something about being outside of school makes Jimin swallow another lump. 

“So no then?” Jungkook speaks, bringing Jimin’s eyes back up from where they were apparently fixed on his biceps. 

“Huh? Oh-” Jimin looks away, face aflame once again. 

He knows Jungkook is offering to scent him to get him to meet on weekends. Unfortunately for him, it still wouldn’t guarantee Jimin’s compliance, because how good can scenting feel anyway? Jungkook obviously has some issues, maybe stemming from his abnormal scent detection skills, but Jimin doesn’t. He will be fine after one try… right?

“Fine. Let’s get this shit off my bucket list, I guess,” Jimin continues, feigning nonchalance, and proceeds to take off his jacket as well. When he is done, he looks back up to see Jungkook sporting that signature cocky smirk again. “What?”

“No, nothing,” Jungkook brings a hand up to rub the back of his neck with a titter. “It’s just, who would’ve thought I’d be the first person to scent Park Jimin? I feel weirdly honored, even when there seems to be no competition.”

Nope. Not happening.

“Nevermind, I’ll find someone else,” Jimin says, moving to put his coat back on. As he struggles with it due to the limited space, Jungkook sits up and leans in closer with an elbow on the armrest between them. 

“Wait, are you serious? I was joking! Stop,” Jungkook tugs on the sleeve Jimin has managed to slip halfway into, successfully halting his movements. “Really, I- uh, I do want to-” Jungkook stammers, gaze staying put on his fist around Jimin’s jacket. 

It is very quiet for a moment. Jimin swears he can hear his own heartbeat, which brings him to the realization that neither of them is even breathing. No longer wrapped in the warmth of his coat, he should be cold but feels increasingly hotter by the millisecond instead. 

Jungkook withdraws his hand slowly, when he meets Jimin’s eyes and speaks again. “I want to be the first one.”

Jimin’s traitorous heart threatens to jump out of his chest—not only from the unexpected confession but the pretty blush that creeps across Jungkook’s face and ears. 

He tries really hard not to take it the wrong way. Is it an alpha thing? It must be. All alphas must want to scent an omega for their first time. He is probably not even blushing. Could it actually be hot inside a turned off car in the middle of winter? Yeah, why not-

“Please don’t think it’s some weird- uh, alpha thing,” Jungkook blurts out. He doesn’t just have a magical sense of smell but can read minds too! “I just- I thought your omega must be used to my scent by now, and, um, it’s always better to do it with someone your omega is familiar with. It’s- I don’t know, more comfortable, I think.”

Oh. That’s… nice. 

Jimin is reminded of the time Jungkook held and smelled him on the first day back from winter break. The way his scent enveloped and deluged Jimin was unexpected and intense—definitely too much for a freshly presented omega. He still gets shivers remembering the feeling. 

“I see. Thanks.”

“Let’s get to it then,” Jungkook says with utmost enthusiasm. He shifts to rest his left leg up on the seat  and turns his torso to fully face the driver’s side. 

Jimin gulps for what has to be the fiftieth time before mirroring Jungkook’s pose. He unhooks his arm from the jacket in the process and presses the puffy material down to compress it and give himself more room. 

Once he is comfortable, he comes face-to-face with Jungkook’s expectant smile, only the width of the storage compartment between the seats separating them. “So… ready?” he asks. 

Jungkook snorts, nose scrunching up again. Cute! “Are you ready?” 

Jimin wordlessly nods with a lopsided smile. His palms feel clammy, and he rubs them over his thighs. He hasn’t been this nervous since the first time they met inside the old gymnasium. 

It’s whatever, as Jungkook said—it should be. 

Jimin wishes he could be as unaffected. He is so clearly inexperienced, it is actually embarrassing. 

“Your-” Jungkook points at Jimin’s neck. “Can you-”

“Oh. Yes,” Jimin says and moves to undo the first three buttons of his pajamas with shaky fingers. He pulls the collar down and to the side, hoping to expose enough skin without taking the top off, not wearing anything underneath. “Is- is this okay?”

“Uh-huh.”

Usually Jungkook would have his face turned away and eyes closed while Jimin moves closer, but it’s different this time. Jungkook is not turning away. Instead, he lowers his head and leans down, and Jimin doesn’t know what to do with himself. He thinks of facing away, but he needs to scent Jungkook too, so he keeps his head straight and starts lowering it as well. That, however, results in their faces being very very close, and Jimin’s brain goes into overdrive.

“Oh, um. Do-do we do it at the same time or…?” he ends up asking in a strained voice, pulling back. 

Jimin hears Jungkook chuckle. “We are not doing this again,” 

He only manages to let out a quiet squeal before his nape is enveloped by a warm hand, holding his head in place. Jimin’s own hands fly up to Jungkook’s chest, but he doesn’t push him away. He doesn’t know what he is doing; everything is happening too fast. He has forgotten about needing to pull his pajama top down, but Jungkook’s free hand promptly takes over the task, before he closes the remaining gap. Jimin’s face is millimeters away from Jungkook’s scent gland, and warm breath tickles him in the exact same spot.  

“Relax,” Jungkook whispers. 

Next thing Jimin knows, there are a couple of careful nudges pressed into his neck with the tip of Jungkook’s nose. 

He’s been breathing air saturated with Jungkook’s scent this whole time, but it still doesn’t prepare him for what a few feather-light strokes of Jungkook’s nose do to him. 

It doesn’t feel like being submerged or drowning. There is no great shudder or a flurry of goosebumps that coarse through him. All he feels is his body and mind slowly relaxing. The sea breeze and fresh linen are refreshing and calming, like taking an afternoon nap in a hammock on a beach. 

Jungkook starts to press a bit harder at some point, drawing circles with his cheekbones. Every new movement rids Jimin of more anxiety, makes his shoulders droop and his breathing even out. In his daze, he has forgotten all about returning the favor. He lowers his forehead onto Jungkook’s shoulder without much thought. His eyes are closed, lips parted. He vaguely registers the sound of a soft moan filling up the silence. 

Before Jimin even recognizes himself to be the source, something shifts. 

It happens so suddenly, he is thrown out of the hammock fantasy straight into open water, swallowed whole once again. Jimin’s eyes snap open, and all he sees are Jungkook’s skin and his own fists clenching around the fabric of a white t-shirt. Jungkook has stopped scenting him, body rigid, and Jimin has half a mind to hold himself back from whining for more—really, he’s made enough involuntary noises already.

Jimin has sensed others’ emotions through their scents before—mainly anger, because he has a knack for getting under people’s skin, with or without meaning to. This, however, is a first, yet Jimin recognizes what the change in Jungkook’s pheromones means as clear as day, and his own belly clenches in response. 

Gone is the wonderful, relaxed feeling. 

Every muscle in Jimin’s body grows tense. The rush of blood to his face makes his vision go almost entirely black for a moment. He jumps to create some distance between them, even when that voice in his head wants to stay as close to the alpha as possible and drown in his warmth.

“S-sorry,” Jungkook mumbles. When he moves again, it’s frantic. Jungkook seems embarrassed, sitting up straight and looking everywhere but in Jimin’s direction. His legs shake, and hands are clasped together awkwardly in his lap. His reaction translates into his scent, making it weaker, as though Jungkook wants to hide. Jimin has never seen him so flustered. 

“No, it- it’s okay. I- I should go.” Jimin is already putting his coat back on when it dawns on him that, in his dreamy haze, he completely forgot to return the favor. “Oh, did you want me to—”

“No-no, it’s fine. I gotta, uh, go meet someone. Like, now. It totally escaped me.” Jungkook chuckles, his cheeks, ears, and neck all painted red. 

It’s fair to say that common sense has nearly all but left Jimin, because it takes entirely too much conscious effort not to ask who Jungkook is planning to see and why. 

“Okay. Have… fun,” Jimin mutters. 

“Yeah, you too,” Jungkook replies curtly, forcing a smile but still not meeting his eyes. 

The atmosphere is so uncomfortable, it almost physically pains Jimin, but he doesn’t flee right away. Shame creeps up on him over the fucking moan he let out earlier, like some touch-starved teenager—which he most definitely is not. Still, Jimin doesn’t wish to leave things on such an awkward note, so he buries the shame for the time being and laughs, causing Jungkook to finally look at him. 

“You know me, gonna spend the rest of the day rotting away in my PJs like the lonely loser you say I am,” Jimin says with a laugh that comes out dryer than intended, fingers intertwined in the hem of said pajamas. 

Jungkook’s face actually falls. 

Crap. That is the opposite of what he was trying to do.  

Jimin adds: “Uh, I really don’t mind sce- scenting you. Since you came all this way—”

“No,” Jungkook cuts him off. “My date is waiting; I feel terrible for forgetting.”

A date. Well, of course. 

“Okay.” With a small nod, Jimin opens the door and exits. He expects Jungkook to come out too to go to the driver’s side, but the latter just moves spots inside the car. Jimin holds the door open, watching him struggle to throw his long legs across the middle console. Once Jungkook plops into the driver’s seat with a huff, Jimin can’t help the giggle that escapes him. He is fixed with a grumpy frown. 

“S-see ya Monday, Park,” Jungkook says, slightly out-of-breath and red as a tomato. 

“See you, Jungkook.” Jimin clears his throat before pushing the edge of the door and letting it slam shut. 

As he walks back to his house, Jimin wraps the jacket tighter around his frame—more so for comfort than anything, because his body still feels like it’s on fire. He can smell Jungkook all around him, which reminds him that he'll have some explaining to do to his mother. Thankfully, their driveway is still empty, when Jimin makes it past the front gate and up the porch stairs. 

It is when he unlocks the door that he hears the sound of an engine rev up and turns to see the back of a familiar black Porsche disappearing around the block he had parked it on. Jimin doesn’t fight the smile that blooms on his face at the thought of Jungkook waiting for him to get back safely. 

He also doesn’t bother making up any excuses when his mother gets home half an hour later and questions the way he smells. He admits that Jungkook indeed came by and scented him—it’s not the whole truth, but at least it’s not another lie. 

She scolds him for sneaking around while she was gone but mainly just teases him for ‘being all grown up’ and ‘finally falling in love’. For the first time in a long time, Jimin doesn’t find it in him to argue with her.

Chapter Text

A lot has changed since the senior year rolled around. The pressure to get into a good university and set oneself on the right track is at an all-time high, not to mention the personal changes that teenagers growing and developing into young adults go through. 

Luckily, some things remain the same, and Jungkook’s best friend, Taehyung, and their classmate, Park Jimin, being at each others’ throats any chance they get is one of them.

It has become a rare form of stability in Jungkook’s life—while he can not be sure if his delayed efforts to study hard will yield good results at the upcoming midterm exams, he can always count on Taehyung and Jimin to entertain him with their mutual distaste for one another. 

He can’t remember exactly how it all started, but he is quite certain Taehyung was the first one to find an issue with Park. He always had something to say about male betas, and Jungkook never cared enough to correct him. Taehyung’s insults are not directed at him. Besides, he is not always wrong. 

“Don’t listen to him, Kook. He is a beta, he will always be insecure and take it out on you,” Taehyung says, as they round the corner of the school hallway on the way back from lunch. “What can you expect from a man who can’t even pop a knot— Well, speaking of which…” Taehyung pauses, and Jungkook follows his gaze to Jimin and Hoseok walking toward them. He is not a lip reader, but he can tell when Hoseok grits  ‘ignore him’ to Jimin without needing to hear it. That’s too bad, because Jimin never ignores Taehyung. 

Soon, their paths cross and all four come to a stop. 

“How funny. We were just talking about knotting and how bet—”

“Oh yes, of course!” Jimin interrupts Taehyung with a patronizing look. Normally, he would scowl and tell Taehyung to fuck off. Something is off, Jungkook thinks. “Was it your turn to take it this time, Kim? You look awfully happy. I’m rooting for you two, really.”

Jungkook can smell Taehyung losing his cool before Jimin even finishes talking, his friend’s earthy scent spiking with bitterness. 

“Damn, Park. Getting brave lately?” Taehyung’s jaw is tense as he steps forward and into Jimin’s personal space. 

While he may be taller and an alpha, Jimin doesn’t back down easily, raising his chin and curling his hands into fists at his sides. They stare daggers at each other with palpable animosity. 

“Min, let’s just go. It’s not worth it,” Hoseok pleads but is completely ignored. 

Jungkook would snicker if he himself wasn’t growing concerned about the rapidly escalating tension. Before he realizes, there is a circle of their schoolmates watching them with bated breaths, most likely anticipating a fight to break out.

“And what if I am, huh? What are you gonna do?” Jimin continues, folding his arms over his chest. He doesn’t seem to possess an ounce of patience for Taehyung’s crap today. “Gonna make me submit? Go ahead, try. Your ‘alpha’ shit doesn’t work on me, genius.”

Taehyung huffs out a laugh, but Jungkook knows both him and his alpha are affected. Jimin knows exactly which buttons to push to rile Taehyung up—must be the fruit of all the years of being picked on and having to defend himself. Sometimes Jungkook feels bad because Jimin doesn’t really deserve the shit Taehyung puts his through, but it’s too fun watching a tiny beta like him stand up to an alpha like Taehyung. Jungkook doesn’t let things get too out of hand anyway. 

“Trust me, beta, you don’t want me to—”

“Actually, I do, really. Come on, show me what you’ve got,” Jimin keeps taunting, not an ounce of fear showing in his expression or voice. 

Sometimes Jungkook thinks it wouldn’t be too surprising if Jimin turned out to be an extremely late bloomer and presented as alpha one day. While his physique may be petite even for a beta, he is certainly ballsier than a lot of alphas at their school who practically kiss the ground Taehyung walks on.

“Jimin, can we go?” Hoseok attempts again, eyes alternating nervously between the two.

“Stay out of it, Jung.” Taehyung snaps in response. 

As Hoseok’s eyebrows fly up, Jimin’s expression twists with anger and he shoves Taehyung in the chest, warning him to ‘never speak to Hoseok that way’. Taehyung doesn’t budge much, but his loud, threatening growl echoes and silences everyone around them, including Jimin.

Now that is Jungkook’s cue to step in. 

He moves fast—too fast for Jimin to avoid getting scooped off the floor with an arm around the back of his knees. “Hey! What are you— yah!” he yelps when Jungkook easily throws his light body over his shoulder. 

Hoseok pleads with Jungkook to let his friend go, while Taehyung bursts into a loud cackle, adding on to the snickering of the onlookers. 

“Why don’t we take a little break,” Jungkook says as he sets down the hallway. 

“Fuck off, Jeon. Put me down, now.” 

Jimin struggles, but it’s completely futile. He may be gutsy and stubborn in theory, but his physical strength is still no match to an alpha’s. Jungkook only needs to jerk his shoulder a couple of times, bouncing Jimin up and down, to make him give up his efforts. The only thing he can do is groan in frustration and try to talk his way out. 

“I’m serious. I’m counting to three, and you better put me down.” Jimin’s voice drops an octave in a clear attempt to sound more intimidating, but it only makes Jungkook chuckle. “One— ah!” Jungkook lowers Jimin to the ground once they reach the room at the end of the hallway. The pissed-off look on Jimin’s face is priceless once he takes in his surroundings. He knows this place all too well by now. “Don’t you dare—” 

The rest of the threat gets muffled by the door that Jungkook swings shut, trapping Jimin inside the janitor’s closet. It has a broken lock that always locks automatically and can only be undone from the outside. Jimin should know that already, but he still proceeds to rattle the handle while slamming the other side of the door. As he spits out something about Jungkook being an asshole and a bully, the bell rings.

“Oh well, gotta go. Don’t worry, I’m sure your buddy will—” Jungkook turns to see Taehyung throw an arm around Hoseok and guide him toward one of the classrooms with a wicked smile. “— someone will let you out.” 

He fixes his backpack and goes to his next class, the insults and banging sounding farther and farther away with each step. It may not seem like that now, but Jimin is really ought to thank him someday. 

*

Jungkook’s alpha is not happy. 

The school building is physically not big enough to effectively avoid Jimin, regardless of how hard he tries. Bits of peach and jasmine always linger in the air, so close yet so far, and it drives his alpha nuts . And yet, despite having a hard time concentrating on his studies and practice, Jungkook can’t bear to face Jimin again. 

He is still not sure how things ended up the way they did. 

One moment he was executing his grand plan to get Jimin to extend their agreement to weekends, and the next Jimin was making these pleased little sounds that had Jungkook’s mind and body run into an error message. It is not easy to pick out one’s own scent, but he could tell he was stinking up the entire car with alpha pheromones. 

However embarrassing, his alpha’s response can always be blamed on instincts, hormones, and whatnot. The bigger problem is Jungkook liked what he heard just as much, and that is what concerns him greatly. 

Sure, Jimin is an omega now and he’s always had a cute face and pretty figure even some girls would envy, but he is still the same mouthy and grumpy boy whose addicting scent and stubborn attitude have made life so difficult for poor Jungkook. 

In fact, this whole arrangement was meant to help him satisfy his alpha and clear his head, and yet, he is now more confused than ever. Just what the—

“—fuck?!” 

Jungkook blinks in confusion when his train of thought is interrupted by Taehyung plopping down next to him and practically slamming his lunch tray down. He has a look on his face that makes Jungkook feel as though he has wronged him in some way, only he doesn’t know how yet. 

After a long moment of puzzled staring on Jungkook’s part, Taehyung spares one pointed glance at the guys sitting opposite them, prompting them to scramble to find a different table without a single protest. When they are the only ones left at their usual table in the middle of the cafeteria, Taehyung lifts his phone in front of Jungkook. The screen is way too close and dark to make out anything, and Jungkook swats Taehyung’s hand away from his face with an annoyed look.

“What are you on about?” he asks, dropping the utensils he was holding onto the tray in front of him. 

“Why were you weird with Mi-na on Saturday? Ayeong said that if you break her heart, I can say bye-bye to our spring break plans,” Taehyung explains, features contorted in frustration. “Come on, man. You know I am this close to tapping that ass. You can’t do this to me!”

Jungkook can only snort, wishing he had Taehyung’s girl problems. As it stands, even Jungkook’s problems with girls are related to Jimin. 

He met up with Mi-na right after the car incident and wasn’t exactly feeling like forcing a conversation for Taehyung’s dick’s sake. His mind was too preoccupied with Jimin’s fucking moan to fake an interest in the petty drama happening at the girls’ school. 

“And? ‘S not my fault you can’t hit after, what, four months?” he leers. When Taehyung opens his mouth to protest, Jungkook interferes. “I don’t like her, and I don’t think she really likes me either,” he adds, though he knows the second part of that could not be farther from the truth. 

Mi-na has been smitten with Jungkook ever since they met through Taehyung and Ayeong for the first time, and she makes it quite obvious by turning into a blushing, stuttering mess whenever they are together.

He just doesn’t feel the same way. 

Jungkook’s competitiveness goes beyond sports; if Taehyung wasn’t in the picture, Jungkook would’ve much rather preferred a girl like Ayeong—someone who can offer him a chase, a challenge. He even likes the way she pretends to be annoyed with Taehyung sometimes, though the sweetness in her scent always betrays her. Taehyung overthinks it, gets hung up on every little insult she throws his way, but Jungkook thinks it’s more fun that way. 

It’d be nice to find an omega like that for himself someday.

“We both know that’s bullshit. If you told that girl to jump off a cliff, she would ask which one,” Taehyung scoffs, remaining understandably skeptical. Soon, a mischievous glint appears in his eyes, and he leans closer. “No, I think something else is going on. You’re seeing someone, aren’t you?” 

Jungkook can’t help the laugh that escapes him. No, he is definitely not dating anyone—not between how swamped he’s been with school and the whole scenting deal with Jimin. 

When Taehyung’s ‘gotcha’ expression doesn’t change, Jungkook waves him off dismissively. “Don’t be ridiculous. When would I have time for that? If I’m not in this hell-hole, I’m studying at home or hanging out with your clingy ass.”

Taehyung hums with a nod.“I guess that’s true… Maybe I’m suspicious of everyone after Hanbin got himself a boyfriend and didn’t tell us !” he half-shouts the last few words, making sure Hanbin, who relocated to a neighboring table with the others earlier, can hear him. He does and proceeds to animatedly whistle while looking away, making Taehyung snort. “That fucker.”

Jungkook doesn’t laugh. All he does is stare between the two dumbfoundedly. “Wha— He got a— what?” 

“Oh, he’s been fucking some omega for weeks now, apparently. Didn’t even think of sharing the good news with his captain until last night, can you believe it?” Taehyung clicks his tongue, picking up his utensils. 

Jungkook isn’t sure if he is more surprised by the revelation or the way the words leave Taehyung’s mouth so nonchalantly. 

“So, boyfriend as in…” 

“A boy, yes, but he’s an omega . A hole is a hole,” Taehyung shrugs with a chuckle. “I’m just glad that loser is getting some.”

Oh well, Jungkook supposes his best friend hasn’t been kidnapped by aliens and replaced with a weirdly more tolerant clone after all. 

Taehyung stuffs his face before he keeps talking around a mouthful of fried rice: “Now he can finally get off my dick about hooking him up with someone. I’ve got my own shit to deal with. Ayeong is driving me nuts with her excuses, and now the whole Mi-na thing? I should’ve never introduced you—” Taehyung stops his rant unexpectedly, looking over Jungkook’s shoulder with a frown. “What’s his problem?” 

When Jungkook turns to take a look, his gaze immediately lands on Jimin in the far corner of the cafeteria, slouched and poking at his food without much enthusiasm. He is not even looking at them but at Hoseok sitting next to him. 

“I swear Park was just staring daggers at your back,” Taehyung says. “Maybe he is missing his favorite spot in the janitor’s closet. You should take him back for old time’s sake.” 

“Let him be,” Jungkook says as he turns his attention back to the unfinished meal in front of him, trying his best to ignore the way his stomach clenches at the mere sight of Jimin. Surely, that’s just his alpha being difficult again. Must resist. “Don’t you remember what we talked about?” 

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “Yeah yeah. We don’t wanna get in trouble right before graduation,” he grumbles.

Jungkook nods and uses the opportunity to steer the conversation to their plans for the graduation season. Even though it is still months away, Taehyung has been planning numerous activities to conclude their high school experience ‘with a bang’. 

Jungkook doesn’t care much about that, he is just happy to divert Taehyung’s attention. He doesn’t have time to worry about Mi-na or hindering Taehyung’s chances with Ayeong—not when his head is filled with thoughts of peaches, jasmine, and soft moans sending electrifying shivers down his spine. 

*

By the time Friday comes around, Jungkook’s alpha is all but fuming. It messes with his focus, like an itch under his skin that he can’t scratch. Still, he doesn’t reach out to Jimin, even when the latter makes a couple of attempts to approach him at school, only to get discouraged whenever he notices Taehyung or other guys from the baseball team around. 

Jungkook is not sure how much longer he can resist. No scent has ever affected him this way. 

As soon as he smelled it on Jimin that first day back after the winter break, his alpha craved it over and over, and he didn’t think much of it. It’s a really nice scent, any alpha would agree! And if having Jimin scent him was all it took to quiet his alpha down, he didn’t see why not, especially when he could hold the whole omega thing over him. 

Now, as Jungkook sits on his bed with his back against the wall, re-reading the same paragraph about the properties of organic compounds for the nth time and still not getting any of it, he wishes he never gave in to his alpha in the first place. 

Knock, knock.

Jungkook lifts his head to see his father in the doorway, one hand on the wooden frame and his reading glasses hanging low on the bridge of his nose. 

“It doesn’t come easy, does it?” his father asks with a humorous tone. When Jungkook frowns, confused, his father nods towards the book in his lap. “What subject?”

“Uh, chemistry,” he replies, voice coming out small now that the meaning behind his father’s words sinks in. He must have looked as puzzled as he felt while studying.  

“Oh yeah, you always had a hard time with that.”

“I never got anything below a B—”

“Listen, Coach called,” his father cuts in, and Jungkook promptly shuts his mouth. “Says you’ve been distracted during practice, not giving it your all. Is something the matter?”

Jungkook swallows the growing lump in his throat and shrugs. “N- not really. I’m just focusing on my studies right now. Final exams are coming up, and I want to ace them. Plus, it’s off-season, so I’m not really thinking about—”

“Final exams, huh?” His father pushes off the door frame and comes closer, stopping a foot shy from the bed and Jungkook’s dangling feet, hands in the pockets of his pants. “Son, we’ve been over this. You can only do so well on these exams, but your exceptional athleticism is what can really help you get places. Don’t you get it? There is a reason why your mother and I had you do all these sports. You are not the brightest crayon—”

“But my grades—” Jungkook attempts to defend himself but his father’s stern gaze puts a premature end to it. 

“You can go far in this sport if you put your mind to it.  I wholeheartedly believe that. Any university will be happy to have you with your track record, so don’t even worry about these stupid exams, okay? Leave the studying to us betas.” There is a playful smirk on his father’s face, but Jungkook cannot reciprocate it. 

Instead, he returns his eyes to the textbook, as his throat feels tighter and tighter. 

He’s been studying so hard, and it actually shows in his recent grades. He gets praised by his teachers and other relatives all the time, so then why can’t his father see anything beyond his achievements in sports? Why can’t he see anything beyond the dumb alpha jock he makes Jungkook out to be? 

Maybe Taehyung is right when he says that Jungkook’s old man is nothing more than a miserable, insecure beta who wants to live out his alpha fantasies vicariously through his son. 

Well, fuck that!

With his alpha on edge all week, Jungkook is not in the mood to sit through another minute of this. He is not letting a beta man belittle him, not today!

“Yeah, dad. You’re right. What the hell was I thinking?” He puts on a smile, but his words are soaked with sarcasm. Jungkook slams the book closed and flings it to the side, provoking a startled flinch out of his father, before scooting towards the edge of the bed and standing up. “I’m going out, will be back late.”

The truth is Jungkook hasn’t made any plans, but it doesn’t matter. He just needs to get out of this house. 

“I wanted to ask you to come watch the game with me, but I suppose a young alpha would rather be out and about.” His father attempts to pat him on the shoulder, but Jungkook steps to the side, effectively dodging him and facing away. “Don’t party too hard and don’t bring anyone home,” he adds as he walks towards the door before stopping short of the threshold to glance back at Jungkook. “I will check in with Coach Choi next week. I hope to hear some good things.” 

His father disappears into the hallway before Jungkook can respond, so he settles for cursing under his breath instead. 

He has to prove his old man wrong, but first, Jungkook needs to get his alpha under control and it just so happens there is only one way he knows how. 

*

Tap.

Jimin first hears it when there is a break between the lo-fi tracks playing in his earphones. He takes out one of the buds and looks around his bedroom but can’t pinpoint where the sound came from. When he doesn’t hear it again, he decides to brush it off as random noise and places the bud back in his ear. 

Tap.

He hears it again, even with the music playing. The sound is louder and sharper, and Jimin realizes it's coming from his window. As he pulls off the earphones and turns in his desk chair to face the window, it’s there again— tap —but, this time, he manages to witness a small rock hitting the glass. 

“What the…” Jimin mutters and rises to his feet to investigate. 

Who on Earth is throwing pebbles at his window at nearly ten in the evening?!

When he gets closer and looks past his own reflection, he is greeted with an image of a dark silhouette contrasting against the bright snow beneath it. Even in the darkness of his backyard, Jimin easily recognizes the tall, well-built figure of the boy he hasn’t been able to get out of his mind all week. 

“What—” He hurries to undo the latch on the bottom sash and pushes it up. His torso is immediately blasted by the cold winter air, but he is too baffled to care. He bends down to stick his head out, holding onto the windowsill for support. “Jeon, wha- what the hell are you doing?” 

“Come out,” Jungkook beckons with a head tilt. 

“I- What- No!” Jimin’s eyebrows shoot up from the sheer audacity . Jungkook must have come to get scented, only he’s been avoiding Jimin like the plague all week. He doesn’t get to demand anything now. “Why the hell are you throwing rocks at my window? What happened to ringing the doorbell like a normal person?”

“It’s late. I didn’t want to disturb your mom.” Jungkook shrugs, before wrapping his arms around himself, seemingly shivering from head to toe. “Come on, either come out or let me in. It’s freezing.”

Jimin’s mouth is agape as he attempts to wrap his mind around what to do. The most logical thing would be to tell Jungkook to fuck all the way off and stop showing up unannounced, but Jimin also wants to know if their deal still stands—more importantly, if Jungkook intends on keeping his secret a secret. 

A cold gust of wind sends goosebumps all over Jimin’s body, which in turn forces him to make a quick decision without much deliberation. 

“Okay, uh, can you climb up? I can’t leave the house.” When Jungkook grimaces in confusion, Jimin rolls his eyes. He hates having to explain that he is basically grounded like a middle schooler. “My grades are shit, so my mom is forcing me to study. I can't leave the house all weekend. Now get your ass up here before I change my mind.” 

He gets back inside and waits for Jungkook to somehow climb up to the second level. As expected, it doesn’t take long for the fit alpha to find his way into Jimin’s room. He almost trips when his foot gets caught in the windowsill, but other than that, he looks as composed as ever as he slides the window shut behind himself.

Once the bottom of the sash meets the windowsill, Jimin catches a whiff of the clean, refreshing aroma his omega missed more than he is willing to admit. Despite the freezing cold air that made it inside, his face feels hotter as the memories of past Saturday invade his thoughts for the millionth time since—being scented for the first time, how it felt so good that he ended up moaning , Jungkook’s scent spiking with undeniable arousal. That is all Jimin can think about lately. 

And now Jungkook is standing in his bedroom, again, dressed head to toe in black, having paired a puffy bomber jacket with jeans and military-style boots. His bangs frame the face neatly, not as wavy as they normally are. He must be either coming back from an outing or going somewhere. There is just no way Jungkook got all spruced up to see him. 

“Wow, you were actually studying,” Jungkook notes, looking down at the numerous textbooks scattered across Jimin’s desk. “Maybe I can tutor you. I’m doing pretty well these days.”

”That’s okay. Hoseok helps me out,” Jimin says, more brusquely than intended but he just wants to get to the point. He steps closer, fingers nervously picking on the hem of his t-shirt as Jungkook’s eyes find him again. “Are we— Is our agreement still good? You haven’t told anyone, right?”

Jungkook simply shakes his head.

Jimin lets out a sigh of relief. “Okay, good.” Jimin takes another step forward, shortening the space between them close to a foot. The sooner he scents Jungkook, the sooner he can get back to studying. He’s been having a terrible time concentrating. “Well, let’s just get this over with, so you can leave my damn house before my mom finds out I have an alpha in my bedroom and disowns me completely,” he chuckles.

Jungkook’s expression turns puzzled. “That’s not why I’m here,” he says, and it’s Jimin’s turn to look at him funny. “Okay, that's not the only reason I’m here. I want you to come with me to this party my friend invited me to. It’s his birthday, and they are celebrating at his frat house.” Before Jimin can remind him that he is indeed grounded, Jungkook adds: “I’ll help sneak you out and get you back inside through the window. Your mother won’t even notice you’re gone. What do you say?”

“Oh. Um…” 

Jimin takes a moment to think. Sneaking out of his house to go partying with Jungkook? Just not long ago, the mere idea would have sounded completely absurd. What’s even more surprising is that he doesn’t hate it. A frat party sounds like fun—at least a whole lot more fun than being grounded at eighteen. Still, he is cautious. Being around Jeon Jungkook has been an unpredictable rollercoaster so far. 

“Is anyone from school going?” 

Jungkook hums. “I doubt it. This friend is someone I met a long time ago at a wrestling competition. He is two years older and went to a different school. He is a junior in college now. I don’t think anyone from our school knows him.”

Jimin eyes him with suspicion. 

Why is Jungkook inviting him and not his friends? Not even Taehyung? He could just get his scenting fill here and now and be on his merry way. Why does he want Jimin to come to this party? 

What’s the catch—

“Geez, stop overthinking it, Park,” Jungkook titters, having apparently taken notice of Jimin’s internal debate. He leans closer, and Jimin is too distracted to realize it until there is a warm breath tickling the shell of his ear. “Let me show you how the cool guys have fun.”