Chapter Text
"Seokjin-hyung! Seokjin-hyung!"
The loud voices calling his name startle Seokjin, making him lose his balance and topple over onto the soft grass with a heavy oof! The pups around him whine in disappointment and turn as one with pouts on their tiny faces to face the trio of approaching wolves.
"You interrupted Seokjin-hyung!" squeaks little Chiwon.
"Yeah! Hyung was about to beat his handstand record!" adds Yoosuk, pointing an accusing finger at the older pups.
"Sorry, hyung," apologizes Minjun, trying and failing to hide his giggles at the sight of the human sprawled out on the ground with his clothes askew.
"Yeah, didn't know we were getting in the way of important business," adds Kanghoon, looking similarly amused.
Seokjin sits up, picking grass out of his hair. "It's alright, I'm sure I'll have plenty more opportunities this season. Now, what's so important they've got you three on messenger duty?"
"The hunters are due back today!" Seunghan explains.
Seokjin smiles. "Ah, I see. Let me guess: that means we're due for a feast tonight?"
The older pups nod, causing the younger ones to squeal.
"A feast?" Chiwon yips. "With everybody?"
"And with lots of meat?" asks Joonki, already drooling.
"That's right," Seokjin agrees, before turning back to the older trio. "And in that case, you youngsters better get going and let the rest of the pack know, right?"
"Right! Let's go!"
"See you tonight, Seokjin-hyung!"
As they sprint away from the creche, Seokjin turns back to the young pups in his care. "A pack feast, how fun! And this will be the first one for most of you, am I right?"
They nod and hop with exhilaration, a few even shifting unintentionally from the excitement. Seokjin chuckles, pulling the little wolves into his lap as the others gather around him.
"What's it like, Seokjin-hyung?"
"Is there lots of food?"
"Will all the hunting alphas be there?"
"Will we get to see Alpha Jungkook?"
Seokjin hums. "There is, and you will. Everyone will come to the gathering grounds to see Head Alpha and Head Omega welcome back the hunters and their offerings for the pack, and then we'll all feast together."
The pups all chitter and chatter amongst themselves, eyes aglow.
"Will you sit with me, hyung?" asks one.
"No, hyung is going to sit with my family!" argues another, shoving his friend. A third yells over them both.
"Nuh-uh, he'll be with me!"
"Hey, hey-" Seokjin interrupts before the pups start properly scuffling. "No fighting. You'll all be with your own families, and I'll be with mine."
The pups whine at that, their little faces crumpling into disappointed pouts. Seokjin holds up a finger.
"But...maybe if you behave, your dams will let you come over to my fire and say hello to me and Alpha Jungkook."
The resounding cheer is loud enough to shake the trees.
The gathering grounds are already packed by the time Seokjin arrives that night. He'd been occupied with putting the proper garnishes on the food, and by the time he'd finished the sun had already begun to set and he'd had to sprint across the ridge. He hopes that the others were able to secure a good spot in his absence.
All around him wolves are preparing for the feast- arranging firewood, setting out ingredients, and laying out furs and blankets. As he weaves his way through they call out to him in greeting from all sides, bringing him over to their own fires to say hello, chat, and give him some of their own food. It seems like he's spoken with half the pack by the time he finally spots Yoongi, Hoseok, and Taehyung waving at him from a firespot right in the center of the clearing. He makes his way over to where they're sitting with some difficulty, barely able to carry the weight of all the gifts he's been given.
"I think Kookie is in serious risk of losing his status as the most popular pack member," Hoseok comments teasingly as the human sets down the piles of food with a grunt.
Seokjin waves a dismissive hand as he tries to corral all the fruit into one basket. "Oh please, don't be silly."
"He's got a point, hyung," adds Taehyung, looking over the array of offerings with impressed eyes. "You've got enough here to last the whole winter. Everyone's crazy about you."
"I'm sure most of them are just thanking me for taking care of their pups, that's all," the human argues, feeling his ears starting to go pink.
"Mhm. And the reason we were able to get such a prime fire spot tonight definitely wasn't because everyone saved this spot specifically for you," says Yoongi.
"What? No they didn't- you're joking, right?" Seokjin looks between the wolves with wide eyes. When none of them speak, he feels the heat spread from his ears to his whole face.
"Hyung, you're so cute when you blush," Hoseok chortles.
Seokjin is thankfully saved from any more embarrassment by the sound of a familiar voice calling his name. He turns in time to see Jimin heading toward them, the omega practically waddling from the added weight of his rounded belly. Seokjin leaps up to meet him halfway, putting his arm around Jimin's shoulder and helping him sit down with the rest of them.
"Hey! No running around when you're about to pop, Head Omega."
"I've got plenty of time, these little ones aren't going anywhere soon," Jimin replies, cradling his bump affectionately. "You can all stop coddling me."
"We will when you stop overworking yourself," chides Yoongi. "You're supposed to be taking it easy as per my orders as your healer."
"I am, I promise. Tonight is nothing hard anyway, I just need to look regal and imposing and accept the offerings with grace." He schools his face into an expression of solemnity, lowering his voice. "Alphas, we thank you for your dedication to the wellbeing of our pack. May the Moon bless you."
"Very dignified," grins Hoseok.
"Anyways, what are you going to make this time, Seokjin-hyung?" Jimin asks eagerly. "More skewers?"
"Actually, this year I decided to marinate and slow roast a nice choice cut and then finish it with some last minute searing to seal in the flavor."
When none of the others respond he looks up only to see the four of them practically with their tongues out, eyes almost feral with hunger.
"I'm going to guess that means you're excited to try it."
Jimin leans in close, fluttering his eyelashes. "You know as Head Omega, I think I should get an extra share- don't you think so?"
"You're pupped, you shouldn't be eating so much," argues Hoseok. "So I'll eat your portion instead."
"Actually, I saw in a vision last night that I was meant to get an extra portion," asserts Yoongi.
"I'm the alpha here, I need more meat than the rest of you," whines Taehyung.
"What are you all bickering about now?" comes Namjoon's voice, interrupting them.
Seokjin faces him with a mock expression of fear. "Head Alpha, save me! I'm a poor, defenseless human, and these scary wolves are going to tear me apart for my meat!"
Namjoon nods in understanding. "Hmm...sounds serious. You'd better give it to me for safekeeping."
"Traitor!" yells Hoseok.
"Betrayed by the sire of my pups," Jimin wails dramatically.
Taehyung shakes his head. "I think this is an abuse of power. We should revoke his leadership."
"Well before you do that, at least let me finish tonight's ceremony," chuckles the Head Alpha, before looking at his mate. "It's almost time to start, love. Will you be alright?"
"Of course I will!" Jimin grumbles, getting slowly to his feet. "And if you keep treating me like I'm some frail little thing I'm never letting you pup me again."
"Now that's a serious threat," Yoongi snickers. "Better listen to him, Joon."
"Don't start eating without us!" Jimin calls back to them as he and Namjoon move to their spot to await the hunters. "Or I'll sic my alpha on you!"
By the time Seokjin and the others have built up their fire and gotten everything else ready, the sun has set below the horizon and the thundering sound of approaching wolves can be heard in the distance. Seokjin straightens up from tending the fire in time to see the hunting party making their way through the gathering grounds, jaws leaden with prey.
He spots Jungkook at the head of the pack, his massive form and pitch black fur easily recognizable. His kill is almost as big as he is- an enormous bear that dwarfs in size even some of the other wolves of the hunting party. Seokjin can see the pride glimmering in his mate's eyes as Jungkook drops his offering in front of Namjoon and Jimin and the surrounding wolves howl in appreciation. When he steps back to allow the others to present their own kills the wolf locks eyes with Seokjin, who smiles and blows him a kiss.
"Our hunters have returned safely, and we thank the moon above for their success," proclaims Namjoon once all have come forward. "Let the feast begin!"
Seokjin barely registers Jungkook bounding toward him before he's all at once engulfed in fur, the wolf bowling him over and covering him with his huge body. Seconds later it's replaced by the alpha's human form as he shifts, thankfully preventing Seokjin from suffocating but now presenting him with the new problem of being squeezed to death as Jungkook embraces him tightly.
"H-hi there.”
"Missed you," his mate murmurs, burying his face in Seokjin's neck and scenting him aggressively.
"I missed you too," Seokjin says, closing his eyes and reveling in Jungkook's warmth.
"This is all very touching," comes Yoongi's sardonic voice from somewhere behind them, "but why don't you at least put some furs on before you hug Seokjin to death?"
Jungkook reluctantly complies, but not before giving his mate a deep kiss first. Slightly dazed, Seokjin wobbles over to the fire and starts to take the meat off. He's barely gotten the first cut onto a plate before Jungkook's arms are back around him, the alpha's chin resting on his shoulder.
"Smells sooo good, hyung," he rumbles. "And so do you."
"Buttering me up won't help you get extra portions," Seokjin replies, laughing when he hears Jungkook whine.
"How can you be so cruel when we've been separated for so long?"
"It wasn't even a fortnight, you overdramatic alpha. Now be patient, we have to wait for Joon and Jimin before we start."
Jungkook whines again, but then contents himself with scenting every part of Seokjin he can reach while the human adds the final touches to the food. It's not long before Jimin and Namjoon rejoin them, and after everyone welcomes Jungkook back they settle in to enjoy their meal.
For a few moments the only sounds are the clinking of utensils and the scraping of bowls. Sitting on Jungkook's lap (at the alpha's insistence, of course) Seokjin takes a bite of the meat and nods approvingly to himself, proud that the marinade he'd whipped together had turned out so well. It's only when he looks up and sees the rest of them all staring at him that he pauses, food halfway to his mouth.
"Um...is there something on my face?"
"I still can't believe that Jungkook gets to eat this kind of stuff every single day," Hoseok says, sounding somewhere between amazed and annoyed.
"It's wasted on someone like him," sniffs Jimin, snatching an extra morsel off of Namjoon's plate.
"What's that supposed to mean?" growls Jungkook, glaring at his brother.
"It means that you don't have the palate sophisticated enough to appreciate the subtleties of hyung's cooking."
"As if you do? Well, I guess anything would shock your taste buds after what your own cooking subjects them to-"
"You take that back you little brat-"
"It really is delicious, Seokjin-hyung," Taehyung tells the human over the sibling squabbling. "Thank you for making it."
The others all chime in, adding their thanks as well, and Seokjin glows from the praise.
"You're welcome," Seokjin tells them, "I'm just happy to be able to share with you all."
"Seokjin-hyung!"
The wolves turn together to see the source of the noise. It's some of Seokjin's creche pups, the little wolves all holding hands as they scurry up to the human.
"Well look who it is," Seokjin smiles warmly. "Come to say hello?"
"Dam said we could!" squeaks Chiwon.
"Who's this?" asks Jungkook, poking his head around Seokjin's shoulder to get a better look at the newcomers.
The pups' eyes go so wide at the sight of him that Seokjin is worried they'll pop out of their heads entirely.
"Koo, meet Chiwon, Yoosuk, and Joonki. Pups, this is Alpha Jungkook."
"Alpha Jungkook," Yoosuk whispers like a prayer. Beside him, Joonki looks close to fainting.
"H-h-h-h-hello," the tiny pup manages to say, barely able to look the alpha in the eye.
"Hello," Jungkook replies fondly. "It's nice to meet you. I've heard lots of stories about you pups from Seokjin-hyung."
"Y-y-you h-have?" Joonki gasps, turning to the other two who look equally amazed. "Alpha Jungkook knows about us!"
The pups all squeal, huddling together in delight. Around them, the older wolves and Seokjin all watch the adorable sight with amusement.
"Alpha Jungkook, you looked so cool tonight!" Chiwon exclaims.
Joonki jumps up and down. "Yeah, we want to be hunters too when we present!"
"I'm glad to hear it," Jungkook says seriously. "We'll need strong wolves like you three to keep the pack fed."
The little trio looks positively over the moon at getting praise from their hero.
"Seokjin-hyung is helping us train to be just like you!" Yoosuk tells him.
"He is, huh?" Jungkook chuckles, wrapping his arms around Seokjin. "Well isn't that nice of him."
The pups all nod eagerly.
"Seokjin-hyung is the best!"
"Yeah, he brings us the yummiest snacks and shows us how to skip stones and stand on our heads!"
"And he tells the funniest stories at naptime!"
"Sounds like you pups really look up to him," says Jungkook as Seokjin flushes from the praise.
"Yeah! Seokjin-hyung is our favorite!"
"Mm," Jungkook hums, pressing a kiss to Seokjin's cheek as the human beams. "He's my favorite too."