Chapter Text
“How about Kaji?” Jimin glances at his mate hopefully, a smile splaying across his lips.
“Eh, that one’s OK. How about Sun-Woo? Kim Sun Woo. It rolls right off the tongue.” Jimin turns to his mate then and snickers, shaking his head as Taehyung’s boxy grin beams right back at him.
“Interesting of you to automatically assume we’re going to have a boy, Taehyung,” Jimin jokingly sighs, turning the page of the baby name book to continue exploring. Taehyung tightens his arms around his waist as Jimin shifts closer into his Alpha’s embrace, kissing his temple and lightly rubbing his arms to keep them warm. Taehyung has always been overly touchy, not that Jimin minds.
Jimin and Taehyung are coming up on the 2nd anniversary of their mating and have settled into blissful domesticity. The Alpha first broached the subject of pups months ago, and Jimin anxiously changed the topic every time until he just couldn’t anymore.
He’d told Taehyung from the beginning he wanted pups, and it was the god’s honest truth. But he hadn’t considered the idea actually coming to fruition while in that honeymoon phase so long ago. To think that time was approaching freaked him out slightly. There was still so much he wanted to do first.
He was elated in the beginning that Taehyung had even taken interest in him at all, let alone wanted to date. He was fiercely attracted to him from the moment he first stepped into Jimin’s Art History class - Taehyung’s deep, earthy pine scent enveloping his senses immediately.
It didn’t take long for Jimin to cautiously shift seats to be closer to Taehyung in class, much to the chagrin of Jin and Hoseok who shuffled their own seats around to accommodate Jimin’s pleading. He was already on thin ice considering he’d convinced the Omegas, who were upperclassmen, to take that class in the first place so they could be together. But Jimin saw right through their complaints. It was no secret they thought his little crush was too cute, and as a result, he was teased constantly.
The trio were friends since high school, and Jin and Hoseok were lovingly, but firmly pushing Jimin to find a partner the minute he got to university because they were practically (and now actually) mated to their Alphas, Namjoon and Yoongi at that point.
Jimin was fiercely independent despite his friends’ concern about him being a third wheel and hating it, but he was endeared that they cared nonetheless. Even so, he shamelessly changed his thinking the moment he got a good look and an even better whiff of Kim Taehyung.
It started with Jimin pretending he didn’t know certain answers to questions just so he could ask Taehyung for help (which was always met with cringey looks of disbelief from Hoseok and Jin). Soon after, he was inviting the Alpha to lunch with them regularly where they quickly became a pretty close-knit group of friends.
Finally, gloriously, Taehyung asked Jimin out for coffee alone.
Now, 6 years later, they’re in bed diving down the endless rabbit hole of baby names and toying with the prospect of starting a family in the near future.
Gone are the days of drunkenly flitting through the streets of Seoul from one bar to the next, grabbing late night take out and stumbling back to Taehyung’s tiny apartment he managed to afford on his own.
Nine times out of ten, the takeout would lay forgotten on the kitchen counter.
The sex was always priority.
Jimin always slicked up without preamble the minute he walked through his boyfriend’s door, even after only a short time dating. Taehyung was a freak back in those days.
He’d given his boyfriend his virginity. And it only took that first time to render Jimin completely insatiable, for Taehyung spent countless hours worshiping his body, making him come so hard.
Jimin was obsessed with his Alpha’s long fingers, shouting at the top of his lungs and pissing off Taehyung’s neighbors every time they crept between his legs. And if that wasn’t enough, he was well endowed with a deliciously impressive cock that kept Jimin wanting and soaked until sunrise.
But even better than the sex was the overwhelming connection they shared, a special bond Jimin didn’t think was possible to actually have with another person. They talked about everything and nothing, shared their deepest secrets and relied wholly on each other for comfort. They prided themselves on their communication, always finding ways to resolve little arguments by meeting each other in the middle. Life was seamless with Taehyung, and Jimin was his biggest fan.
They fell in love quickly and six years passed in a blur…
…But time changes things.
As expected, life continued, they graduated, got careers, and couldn’t quite hold their alcohol like they used to. Going out happened less and less, pregaming with friends turned into dinner dates with no afterparty, and the endless sex became not-so-endless.
Jimin expected it, knew it was the trajectory. He embraces it and knows it’s part of growing up, but he misses the excitement of times past. Taehyung is his mate and the love of his life, and though nothing has changed that, Jimin sometimes simply feels old.
“Ok, I think that’s enough pup talk for one night,” he says, closing the baby name book and setting it back on the bedside table before turning his body fully towards Taehyung.
“But we haven’t even made it to girls names Jiminie,” Taehyung says, still caressing Jimin’s arm, mouth upturned in a fake pout. He loves this – talking about family and the future.
“Plenty of time for that later, hm? I’ll even give you first pick of the name the minute you knock me up.”
Taehyung laughs, his deep voice like music to Jimin’s ears, eye turning downwards. “God, the thought of seeing you swollen with my pups…” he murmurs, fingers lifting Jimin’s shirt slightly to probe at his stomach. “It’ll drive me fucking crazy.”
He starts to harden as the Alpha slowly circles his fingers around his soft tummy. If he knew the pregnancy talk would get him laid, he’d engage his mate about it every night.
Work’s been busy for them both, but especially more-so for Taehyung, and Jimin doesn’t even want to think about the fact that they haven’t had sex for almost a month. It’s the longest stretch they’ve ever remotely gone without sex.
“Sounds like you need to work on pupping me up fast, Alpha.” Jimin turns away from Taehyung to lay on his stomach, knowing his shirt will ride up just enough to expose his ass.
And his Alpha loves his ass.
He’s wearing silky black panties and one of Taehyung’s large work-out shirts which falls conveniently low on his shoulder. He knows he looks sexy. Work be damned, six years later and he’s still insatiable as ever. This long without sex is wretched.
“Heh, babe,” Taehyung groans, tilting his head towards the sky like it’s painful to say.
Like what you see?” Jimin smirks, running his tongue over his plump bottom lip before biting down on it. Tease.
“You know I do, but I’ve got to be up at 4:00. My flight leaves at 6, remember? And I know my baby won’t indulge me in just a quickie.” He reaches over to tap Jimin’s ass, squeezing the flesh between his fingers and jiggling it back and forth.
Jimin deflates slightly, but he’s determined. And horny.
He reaches over to palm at Taehyung’s bulge through his briefs, lifting onto his knees to come forward towards him for a kiss as he squeezes and kneads at it. He moves to straddle his lap, making sure to position himself right over his mate’s cock. He lifts his hands to either side of Taehyung's face, cupping his cheeks. He grinds his hips back and forth and reaches around to suck gently along his neck, nipping at his throat playfully. He feels him harden, hot breath ghosting over Jimin’s ear as he rides him through their clothes.
“You like that, baby?” he asks gently.
He sucks a light bruise right over Taehyung’s mate mark before kissing up his neck, aiming again for his lips when the Alpha suddenly grabs his hips to still him.
“Jimin.”
Jimin pauses, breaking the kiss before he leans back to stare at him, the sting of rejection darkening his features immediately. Taehyung lifts a thumb and rubs it along his cheek, looking hesitant and regretful.
“Gotta get some sleep, babe. When I get back, yeah? The partners will have my ass if I fuck up this presentation tomorrow and it’s already late.”
Jimin shifts back, releasing a heavy breath before running a hand through his freshly dyed blond hair.
He’s silently fuming at the fact Taehyung would have stayed awake to sift through the fucking baby name book but can’t be bothered for some much-needed intimacy.
“Yeah. Sure.”
He lies down and lifts the sheets up over his lower body before grabbing his phone off the nightstand, turning on his side away from his mate.
Taehyung is a young lawyer relatively fresh out of law school. His knack for contracts and acquisitions along with an established family history of high-profile lawyers earned him the title of junior partner at a prestigious firm right away. Because of him, they have a beautiful apartment in Seoul, one that Jimin could have only ever dreamed of growing up.
With his support, they’re able to live comfortably on his salary alone, but Jimin refuses to be a house husband. He’s working at his Jin hyung’s newly opened bakery with a distant dream of opening a bookstore someday.
Taehyung called him his rock through law school. Jimin stayed up with him night after night to help him study, writing flashcards and looking over his papers for typos. For the time being, Jimin knows he needs to continue supporting Taehyung and his blossoming career despite the ever-increasing loneliness that it comes with. His firm is well known and highly established, and as a result Taehyung has had to travel almost every other week since he started the job a few months ago.
It’s a new way of life, and though Jimin is so proud of his mate, he misses him.
His mood is sour, and he wishes it wasn’t. He’s terrible about hiding his scent and Taehyung senses his frustration immediately. He crawls up behind him, rubbing his back softly before dropping a lingering kiss on his shoulder.
“Baby, come on.”
“It’s fine, Tae. I understand. Really.”
“No, it’s not fine. I know it’s been a little while and that’s on me. So c’mere you,” Taehyung says, running a finger along the string of his panties, tugging slightly for him to roll over.
Jimin sighs.
While the sentiment is nice, the thought of obligatory sex dries him right up.
“It’s OK, I’m tired too, “ Jimin whispers before turning to his Alpha and offerering a small smile. He’s annoyed, but he knows Taehyung is trying. He really is. He works so hard and makes Jimin want for nothing. The last thing he wants to be is selfish.
So he wills his sour scent to return to that of fresh, blooming rosebuds.
“You sure?”
“Mhm. Let’s go to bed. Hold me.”
Taehyung reaches over him to turn off the bedside lamp and comes back to wrap his arms around Jimin, leaning down to petal sweet kisses along his neck. And Jimin’s Omega preens.
Despite everything, he always wants to be held by his Alpha.
“You know everything I do is for you, right? I work as hard as I can for you. I want us to have a great life, Jimin,” Taehyung whispers softly from behind him.
“I know. But you know I just want you, right? I don’t need all the fancy shit, Tae. We’re going to be fine. I just want you.”
Taehyung sighs. He leans over Jimin, peppering sweet kisses on his lips in response, and no more words are spoken.
As Jimin drifts off to sleep, he thinks of tomorrow. He’ll miss his mate, he always does. But he’d be lying to himself if he didn’t admit to craving the alone time all the same these days.
Because if his Alpha won’t fuck him, he’s thankful for his trusty vibrator that never says no.
-----
Jimin’s still sleeping deeply when Taehyung gently shakes him awake to wish him goodbye. He runs soft fingers through the Omega’s hair, tucking it behind his ear, careful not to snag it on the earring he forgot to remove last night. He puts his wrist to Jimin’s mate mark then, rubbing it in deep before leaning down to kiss over it, thoroughly scenting him.
Jimin hums, his senses buzzing at the possessiveness.
Jimin doesn’t like staying in the apartment alone. It’s too big and he feels too small, but he’s slowly getting used to it with the number of overnight trips his mate has had to take recently. He has work today which will keep his mind occupied, thankfully.
A few hours later following a bit more sleep, a hot shower and a glorious masturbation session, Jimin arrives at work looking and feeling refreshed. Unsure where the motivation came from this morning, he took some time to dabble a little concealer and some blush on his face, followed by a thin tint of eyeshadow and some liner to finish it up. Though he usually couldn’t care less, he sometimes does like to be pretty for no reason.
But despite the shower, he’s still drowning in his mate’s scent, apparently.
“You stink,” Jin greets him upon entry.
“Tae left for Tokyo this morning and practically ate me first,” Jimin says, throwing his bag in the break room and putting his apron on before preparing the espresso machine for its daily use.
“No shit. Go put some blockers on – I’ve got some in the bathroom. I need this place smelling like delicious cream buns and not overly sensitive Alphas.”
Jimin barks out a laugh and heads to the bathroom. He typically puts his blockers on before work but forgot in his rush to get ready. He reenters the front of the store and the Omegas chat for a while as they set everything up to open for the day, following the routine like clockwork. Jimin shares his attempt at sex the previous night with Jin, and they commiserate as Jin laments on Namjoon’s busy schedule and subsequent lack of libido as well.
“I honestly don’t get it. How can I literally walk right in front of my mate, naked as the day I was born and he can’t even be bothered to look up from his stupid computer?” Jin huffs, setting out fresh jars of flowers on the tables.
“I practically hopped on Taehyung’s dick yesterday and he still rejected me. So solidarity, my friend” he says as he finishes organizing the pastries in the display case.
Jin nods in agreement. “Alright, I’m going to work on the wedding order for the Kim’s in the back. You going to be OK taking care of things up here? Remember, you’ve got a delivery for that charity event at noon,” Jin says dismissively as he grabs a few notes out of the register.
Jimin groans. He most certainly forgot about that today.
“Shit. Yeah, not going to lie. I completely forgot, hyung.”
“Good thing you have me as your human fucking day planner then, huh?”
“Indeed,” Jimin says, smiling. “It’s no problem. I just need to drop off right? Can I wear this?”
“They want you to set up too. I told them we’d provide some dishes so you can make a display. You don’t have to stick around, though. I told them we’d come pick them up at some point tomorrow. I’ll text you the assistant’s number I’ve been working with. Nice lady.”
Jimin shrugs. “OK. What’s the event for anyway?”
“Not sure. Some medical thing, but it’s in a huge building in Gangnam so that means you better make that display extra sexy so we can get that rich clientele back through the door, Omega-mine.”
Jimin grunts and pours himself a cup of coffee, dousing it in sugar much to Jin’s disgust.
“Sounds like nothing short of a dick-measuring contest featuring pretentious Alphas in suits.”
“Probably. I’m sure it’s to keep up appearances. Fuckers have more money than God and want us to think they’re philanthropic while laying in bed with the mob on the weekends. So who knows. They paid for a huge order though so please ensure you’re on your best behavior,” Jin says, smiling. He comes over and wraps Jimin up in a hug which he returns fondly.
“Thanks for all of your help with the bakery, Jimin. I know how much you want to get your own stuff off the ground, and you should be focusing on that.”
Jimin shrugs. “It’s fine, hyung. Everything will fall into place when it should. I’ll focus on it more when Tae is better settled into his job and everything.”
“True.”
“Plus, I never intend to actually pay you for anything I eat in here even after I move along so I better get my work’s worth in now,” he says with a cocky grin.
Jin swats him on the head.
“Brat. Get to work then. I’ll help you load up the van before you go.”
-----
The morning passes by in a blur with some of the usual regulars coming in for their morning coffees, red bean buns and cream puffs.
Though the Jeon order was finished early that morning, Jimin decided to make a couple dozen of his own special cupcakes to add to the mix since the breakfast rush passed and boredom quickly took over. He likes to experiment every now and again and Jin is always happy to oblige him and offer his critiques.
“That’s fucking delicious,” Jin says, finishing up the hummingbird spice cake in three quick bites.
“You think they’ll like them? I got the recipe offline but added a few little tweaks.”
“I don’t see how they wouldn’t. Good job, babe,” Jin says, licking his fingers and grabbing a cup of coffee to drown out the lingering sweetness.
Jimin beams at the praise.
He’s always been a sucker for it, especially knowing Jin isn’t the type to bullshit on whether food is good or not. If he didn’t like them, he wouldn’t let Jimin take them to the event, and he’d have no qualms telling him why not.
As 11:30 rolls around, the two Omegas finish loading the last of the boxes and platters carefully in the bakery’s quaint little mini van. After checking to ensure the full order is packed, Jimin puts the address of Jeon Financial Corp. into his GPS and sets off. His early morning cupcake-making adventure was messier than expected, so he changed into some skinny jeans, a long sleeve store-logo shirt and some Chelsea boots he’d stored in the breakroom before leaving. He wrapped a scarf around his neck to combat the chill and threw some subtle hoops in his ears to finish out the look.
He doesn’t care about looking fancy. More like cute. And even so, he’s hopeful to get the display up quickly and dip out without having to talk to much of anybody.
It only takes about 15 minutes to reach the large, towering business in the heart of Gangnam. He rolls his eyes as he looks up at it, knowing automatically that he’ll have to put on a professional face the minute he enters to hide his disdain. It’s odd considering his mate is now entrenched the corporate world, but Jimin doesn’t know if he’ll ever get used to schmoozing rich people.
He kills the engine and steps out of the van just as a pretty Beta woman arrives with a cart to help haul the boxes up.
“You must be Jimin? Hi, I’m Yoona,” she says, holding out her hand for him to shake. “I’m the one that coordinated the order with Mr. Kim.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” He shakes her hand and offers her a polite bow. “I shouldn’t be too long. If you show me the table where you want everything, I shouldn’t be more than 20 minutes or so setting it up,” he says as they begin to stack the boxes on the cart together.
“Take as much time as you need. The event technically starts in 30, but people will likely trickle in prior to that.”
“Not a problem. I’ll work quickly.”
They make small talk as Yoona leads Jimin to the elevator where they ascend several floors up out to a large terrace settled off the side of the building about midway up. Yoona is sweet and seems easy to talk to, telling Jimin that she’s worked for Jeon Financial Corp for several years and likes her job.
They step out onto the terrace and Jimin ogles at the view, unsure how to take it all in. The place is rich.
Rich rich.
Lush greenery encompasses much of the space with blooms of flowers making it look almost magical. There’re round tables set up along the perimeter with cream-colored umbrellas fanned above them, and several sofas in the corners with luxurious outdoor pillows. A fountain adorns the middle of the space.
Jimin looks around in awe, sprinkles of what look like both employees and guests already milling about with drinks in hand. He looks towards the couches situated among the lovely bushes and he can’t help but think how much he wants to curl up right there under a blanket with his favorite book sans the people.
“It’s pretty, isn’t it?” Yoona says softly beside him. “I like to spend my lunch breaks up here sometimes when it’s warm. It’s a nice little getaway.”
“Yeah, it’s really beautiful. I never would have guessed this to be what’s in the middle of this huge business building,” he says, laughing under his breath. She chuckles, nodding in agreement.
Jimin continues looking around and doesn’t realize how lost in thought he is until his nose is abruptly filled with sandalwood, the unexpected earthy scent hitting him rather strongly.
Suddenly, a deep voice startles him back to the present.
“And who might you be?”
Jimin turns and comes face to face with a very handsome businessman, no doubt an Alpha judging by that thick scent. He stands about a foot taller than Jimin, and his slick, black hair is tied back into a short ponytail. His facial features are piercing, and the hard lines of his jaw look like they’re able to slice right through something. His eyes are large, pupils dark and almost intimidating.
His appearance screams wealth as Jimin takes in the lush, all black suit and freshly shined shoes. He sees two discreet diamond studs in both ears and what looks like a Rolex on his wrist.
He exudes an immediate air of authority as he raises his eyebrow, waiting for Jimin to respond. And though he’s not outwardly smiling, Jimin can sense a unique cockiness about him that makes him blush unwillingly.
Because he is absolutely, painstakingly gorgeous.
And Jimin quickly realizes he’s staring super awkwardly.
“U-um, hi. I’m from Moon Bakery? I’m here to set up your dessert display,” he says, inwardly cringing at how terribly he stutters through the statement like he’s never come face to face with another human being before.
The man looks quizzically at Yoona, and Jimin almost forgot that she’s standing right there. Her soft voice helps remove the trance so he can think clearly again.
“Your father requested them, Mr. Jeon. He thought it might be a good idea to have a selection of desserts for the guests.”
“I see,” he says, staring back at Jimin with that penetrating gaze. He doesn’t even blink.
“Very well then. Yoona, is everything here?” he says, staring at the cart which is filled to the brim with boxes and dishes.
“No, Mr. Jeon. We were going to go back down –“
“Get Yeonjun to help you,” he says, interrupting her quite rudely but still staring dead on at Jimin.
Jimin looks between them, not wanting in any way for the assistant to deal with the boxes still to unload from the van without his help.
“Oh no, it’s fine. I’ll just unload this stuff and go get everything else. It should only take one more trip and there’s not much more.”
Mr. Jeon doesn’t acknowledge a word he says. Instead, he turns back to Yoona.
“You can unload them on that table over there, then take Yeonjun with you to go down and fetch the rest.”
Jimin’s eyes narrow, annoyed at the way Mr. Jeon is talking to Yoona and his unwillingness to just let him do his job.
“Really, it’s fine. Please, allow me,” he says, moving to push the cart over towards the table himself.
But the stubborn Alpha puts a hand on the other side to stop him, gazing at him silently before nodding to Yoona who comes to gently nudge Jimin over so she can take it. She gives him a small, yet sweet smile and quietly tells him that it’s OK as she starts walking towards the table.
Jimin blinks, a little stunned at the Alpha’s disrespect, but he decides to let it go in the interest of getting the job done so he can get back to work.
“You do know unloading and set up is in the contract for your order, right?” Jimin says, turning back to Mr. Jeon and trying but failing to conceal the edge of irritation in his voice. He knew he’d probably have to interact with one unpleasant person amongst the sea of elite employees and patrons, but this guy seems like a class-A prick.
He thinks of the bakery though, and he needs to maintain appearances for the sake of getting more business in the future. He knows this order was very expensive and Jin would kill to have Jeon Financial Corp as a repeat customer.
So he’ll be nice for Jin hyung’s sake. But that’s all.
“What’s your name?”
Jimin looks up from nervously picking at his nailbeds as the Alpha addresses him.
“Jimin. Park Jimin. It’s, uh, it’s nice to meet you, Mr. Jeon. This is beautiful,” he says, glancing around at the classic décor of the terrace. “I apologize, I guess I didn’t put two and two together with your last name and all.”
“No worries. This is my father’s company. I guess he’ll give it to me someday. Pays the bills.”
Jimin can’t relate. He chuckles because he’s a little ball of nervous energy again.
“And no need for the formalities. My father is Mr. Jeon. How old are you?”
“Twenty-six. You?”
“Twenty-four. So just Jungkook is fine,” he says with a slight grin.
“OK Mr. Je-uh, Jungkook.”
Jimin knows Jungkook realizes how nervous he is. He seems to enjoy it judging by the smirk on his face. He takes a step closer to Jimin then, catching him even further off guard as the Omega instinctually backs up.
He nods over to a space near the fountain where Yoona has just finished clearing off the cart. “The table is over there. Feel free to set it up with whatever creative vision you see fit.”
“OK, great. It won’t take me long. I’ll get out of here whenever I’m all finished and come back for the dishes tomorrow. I think Yoona arranged everything with my boss, so I’ll be in touch with her if that’s OK.” He nods awkwardly before adding, “she’s really nice and helpful by the way.”
He figures he’d put in a good word for Yoona considering the way Jungkook obviously commands her around like a lowly servant.
Jungkook licks his lips, his eyes boldly roaming down to Jimin’s feet and back up.
And Jimin feels the telltale sign of some fresh, unwanted goosebumps spring up on his arms.
“Will you join me for a glass of champagne when you’re finished, Jimin-ssi? You can meet some of my partners and you’re welcome to promote your business. We host functions often. Keeps up a good image,” he says, winking at him.
Jimin doesn’t know what that means, but he has a sneaking suspicion that this amount of money doesn’t always come in completely ethically or even legally, so he decides not to ask. He also doesn’t think he should do anything here except his job, including having drinks and making small talk with the CEO’s son.
So he smiles before gently shaking his head.
“I appreciate the offer, Jungkook. I need to head back to the bakery after I finish setting up though.” He starts his way over to the table, making it about 3 feet before Jungkook stops him.
“Why? Is there nobody else working at your bakery while you’re here?”
Jimin pauses for a moment, definitely not expecting to be met with a question rather than a simple OK.
“Um, no. Well, I mean, my boss is there. He’s my hyung, but I don’t want to leave him alone for too long. It can get pretty busy.” He starts walking, and again stops when Jungkook steps right in front of him this time.
“Can he not handle things by himself for a while?”
Jimin pauses and gazes at Jungkook, totally taken aback by the line of questioning now. But it’s hard to focus when Jungkook is staring down at him so intently.
“Of course he can, but I told him –“
“So he’ll be just fine for a little while longer. One glass, Jimin. I insist.”
Jimin swallows the tiny lump in this throat. He doesn’t want to refuse the Alpha, not only because of his patronage of Jin’s shop and the opportunity for future business, but more so because of that stare.
He looks almost...predatory.
There’s a curious darkness there that Jimin can’t quite gauge. He instinctively bites down on his bottom lip – a habit he’s had for as long as he can remember. They’re so plump that it’s easy to grasp on to the flesh, and he sometimes does so until it’s raw and swollen when he’s really anxious.
He has no idea why Jungkook is so insistent on him staying for some champagne, but he’s clearly refusing to take an outright no for an answer. Stubborn and spoilt, Jimin thinks to himself. He’d be willing to bet that Jungkook hasn’t often been told “no” in his lifetime.
While he doesn’t want to acquiesce, his mind is spinning at how gorgeous Jungkook is, and it makes him unsettled. And quite frankly, he hates that a small part of him loves the attention.
Jimin’s not stupid. It obvious he’s piqued Jungkook’s interest.
But he’s mated.
He loves his mate, and though it’s natural to be attracted to others, there’s something about Jungkook that’s different.
And because of that reason exactly, Jimin knows he should respectfully decline and walk away, but he’s not sure how long he’s willing to go back and forth with the stubborn Alpha either. He’s always been a bit of people pleaser. It’s a blessing and a curse. He loves his Jin hyung and wants his bakery to be wildly successful, and this could be his ticket to really get his business the promotion it needs to be the bakery. The one that’s on call for all the elite functions.
He willfully tells himself he’s doing it for the business by accepting Jungkook’s offer to stay for a drink. With the amount of people already coming in, he’s sure the Alpha will probably get distracted, at which point he can slip out of the function sight unseen.
Jimin smiles at him, bottom lip heading straight for his teeth once again.
“One glass.”
---
After promising he’d stay for a drink, Jungkook finally releases Jimin to complete the job at hand.
Though not completely confident in his ability to bake, Jimin’s creativity allows him to set everything up beautifully. There are rows of bungeoppang and hotteok, sweet rice cakes, honey pastries and mini bundt cakes upon a tower of stackable platters, and he organizes the cupcakes he baked earlier (along with some others Jin prepared) on 2 tall, white cake stands. He finishes the display by sprinkling morsels of strawberry mochi around the table.
In all, it takes him about 20 minutes. He looks around and notices a lot more people have entered the terrace at this point, some stopping to regard the beautiful array of desserts. As he stands back to admire his work and reorganize a few items he hears Yoona come up behind him.
“Just in time. It’s beautiful Jimin-ssi. I want one of everything,” she says, kindly accepting a few pieces Jimin places on a napkin for her to try.
They converse for a bit about the food and Jin’s bakery in general as patrons start entering the terrace in droves. Yoona glances at her watch and dismisses herself to check on the other caterer and Jimin looks around for Jungkook, thinking that if he got wrapped up in conversation, he’d go ahead and just slip out. He doesn’t exactly plan on seeing Jungkook again considering he’ll arrange to pick everything up with Yoona, so he doesn’t feel bad about going back on his word for partaking in the champagne.
Plus, he feels way too fucking nervous around that Alpha for no good reason whatsoever, and he doesn’t like losing his wits about him in front of others.
He stacks the empty boxes up under the table so they’re covered by the table cloth and he grabs his bag to make his way towards the elevator, taking one more look around to ensure both the coast is clear and his setup looks perfect despite people already taking items from the table.
He grabs his phone out of his pocket to text Jin that he’s on the way back when Jungkook steps in front of him holding two champagne flutes. Jimin looks up, quickly stopping himself so he doesn’t run headfirst into Jungkook’s chest.
“If memory serves me right, Jimin-ssi, I believe you promised me a glass of champagne,” he says, holding the flute out to Jimin who tries not to look too embarrassed that he was caught clearly fixing to leave without so much as a goodbye.
He feigns innocence, shrugging his shoulders. “I swear I looked around and didn’t see you anywhere. Figured you got busy with all these important looking people,” he replies, mouth forming into a smile as he takes a sip of the champagne. It’s delicious and smooth.
“Not at all. I personally hate these events. Good for the cause, I suppose. My father insists we hold them bi-annually though.”
“I see. Being wined and dined and smoking cigars with your business partners seems like such an awful day,” Jimin says, taking another sip of champagne. He comes off playfully, but Jungkook easily senses the sarcasm. He smirks, bringing his own glass up to drink, not looking away from Jimin for even a second.
“It actually is rather awful, you know. None of my business partners are pretty. I like looking at pretty things.”
“Ah, hence the reason you host these on this lovely terrace, I see.”
“Hence the reason I asked you to stay.”
Jimin stumbles, caught off guard by Jungkook’s flirting. They gaze at each other for a moment before Jimin looks away with a shy smile, taking another big gulp of his champagne. His dear, sweet champagne. He knows he shouldn’t drink so fast, not to mention he hasn’t eaten a bite of food yet today save for tasting his cupcake batter and icing. It hardly qualifies as enough.
“Thank you,” he whispers.
Jungkook leads them over to a small table towards the railing overlooking the view, introducing Jimin to a couple of people along the way. He’s quick to tell them he works for the bakery, pointing to the display and inviting them to indulge.
They sit and talk for a while, Jimin loosening up enough to actually enjoy the casual conversation. He finds it pretty easy to talk to Jungkook. The Alpha tells him about the business and how he’s fared being at the top of the corporate world so young, acknowledging that being the son of the CEO is why he’s there in the first place. Jimin tells him of his previous studies in university, his love for reading above all else and the desire to open his bookstore, how working at the bakery is just buying him time until he can secure a loan on a store front. He talks about his love for both contemporary and classic fiction. He refuses to divulge how he sometimes delves into the world of Erotica. He finds himself reading those kinds of books more and more while Taehyung is away on business.
“I actually have quite a collection of classics myself.” Jungkook says. “I’ve gotten my hands on a few first editions I purchased at auctions with my father when I was younger, though they’re in English. Hemingway’s In Our Time, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Great Gatsby,” he continues, before Jimin’s shocked gasps interrupts him.
“You’re kidding,” Jimin says, wide eyed. You have The Great Gatsby? Like, a first edition of The Great Gatsby?”
Jungkook smiles and nods at him, bringing his thumb and forefinger to his lip as he sits back cross legged.
“I do. I know a guy who knows a guy. That one didn’t come from an auction. Believe it or not it’s in a case down in my office if you’d like to go see it?”
Jimin looks at him stunned, unsure of what to say. The Great Gatsby is easily one of his favorite classics, and he is completely floored the Alpha apparently owns a first edition. He would have never thought in a million years Jungkook would be the type of Alpha to like reading, period. He just doesn’t seem like the type.
He looks down at his hands, Jungkook sipping his champagne and patiently waiting for an answer. He sure as hell wants to go see the book, but he knows he’s way past due to get back to the bakery.
He also doesn’t think going down to Jungkook’s office alone is the best idea.
“Wow uh, wow. Thank you Jungkook,” he says, finishing his last sip of champagne too. “That’s incredible you have it. I do need to go though, I’m afraid. Maybe some other time?” He scrambles up to stand, rubbing his hands down the thighs of jeans, trying to shake off both the buzz he has from drinking the alcohol too quickly and the buzz of lust he feels for how fucking sexy Jungkook is for having that book.
Jungkook stands up with him, grabbing Jimin’s glass from the table.
“I know you want to see that book, Jimin. Let me get you another glass and I’ll go down to show it to you, hm?”
Jimin rolls his eyes, giving him a look. He at least finds the champagne makes him a little less nervous to be direct with this pushy Alpha.
“I gave you your one glass, sir. I fulfilled my end of the bargain. I believe you now have some other people that require your attention,” he says, nodding to the group of suits that keep looking over in their general direction.
Jungkook stares at him intensely, and Jimin notices his scent spiking just a little. He’s not sure what it’s in response to.
“But I told you already. They’re not pretty enough for me.”
“Oh my gosh, stop it,” Jimin says, trying to hide the blush creeping up his neck by turning his head.
“I’ll stop it when you say yes to another drink with me.”
Jimin hears his phone chime and removes it from his pocket, opening a text from Jin asking where he is and if everything arrived OK. He looks at the time, realizing he’s been gone for well over an hour at this point. He dangles his phone up in front of Jungkook. “See? Boss is texting and wondering what’s going on. Are you trying to get me fired?”
“Maybe. Then I could hire you to be my pretty little personal baker right here at the company and you can give me dessert whenever I want.” He grins madly while throwing back the last sip of his drink as well.
Jimin outright laughs at that. The flattery is a bit much, but endearing nonetheless. Jimin forgot how fun it was to flirt. “You are terrible,” he says, playfully shoving Jungkook’s shoulder as he moves to walk past him in search of the exit.
Jungkook turns around and quickly but gently grabs his wrist. Jimin faces him, looking down and then up at Jungkook who hardly has any amusement left on his face.
“I want you to have one more glass of champagne with me before you go. I’ll take you to my office to see that book and we can share one of your desserts while we’re there.”
Jimin sighs. If this were any other Alpha, he’d tell him to fuck right off without hesitation. He doesn’t like to think of himself as a doormat, but he hasn’t had to deal with an Alpha so insistent for a while. Taehyung is assertive, but Jungkook is outright dominant.
It would help if he wasn’t also stupidly attractive.
“You’re pretty terrible about taking no for an answer, you know,” Jimin says. He knows he shouldn’t indulge Jungkook; he’s making his intentions completely evident without just saying it, and a niggling little voice in the back of Jimin’s head reminds him that though this is fun, and it's exciting - he’s playing with fire.
But Jimin is such a sucker for the attention.
He knows he needs to mention that he’s mated before Jungkook tries to take this any further, though. He should have mentioned it the minute they sat down together at that table. The flirting is fun, but it’s not like he can do anything about it even if the attraction is mutual.
Jungkook shrugs innocently. “I just know what I want, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get it.”
Jimin swallows. He looks back down to where Jungkook is still holding his wrist firmly before gazing again at the exit, contemplating his next move. Jungkook tightens his grip slightly, net yet letting go. He doesn’t know why he’s allowing the Alpha to get so handsy with him, but the dominance is making him dizzy.
He likes it.
He turns to face the Alpha, smacking his hand so he’ll release his wrist. “One more fucking glass, Jungkook. And I have one condition,” he says, thumping his chest with his finger. Jungkook’s eyebrows flicker up, amused.
“You have to hire Jin hyung’s bakery to cater another function if I do this.”
Jungkook smirks in victory. “Consider it done.”
“A fancy one. It has to be a large order. An expensive one. And you have to tip extra.”
The Alpha licks his lips, eyes drifting down and up Jimin’s body shamelessly. “Whatever you want, sweetheart.”
Jimin sucks in a sharp breath, doing his best to hide how it affects him. He loves pet names. Baby. Sweetheart. Honey. He melts at them. Melts into a big puddle of sticky fucking goo.
Not good.
“Fine then,” he says, “but I get to pick the dessert.”
---
Jimin selects two of his own cupcakes he made as Jungkook goes to refill their champagne flutes. He’s feeling a little clammy. The whole situation is exciting, but equally uncomfortable. Jimin is thankful for the champagne and its ability to calm his nerves, but he still feels bad for how he’s acting with Jungkook. It’s completely inappropriate.
He’s just so hot.
He knows without a doubt that if his mate were acting this way with another Omega, he’d completely lose his shit. He vows to keep it innocent though. If no physical boundaries are crossed, then he’ll be just fine.
Jimin’s just unsure if the initial boundary was agreeing to that glass of champagne in the first place.
“Ready?” he hears Jungkook say, coming up behind him. He immediately notices that the small champagne flutes have magically turned into large wine glasses which are filled about three fourths of the way up with the sparkling gold liquid.
“Jungkook,” Jimin deadpans, staring at the glasses and then back up at him.
“Jimin-ssi,” he says right back, feigning innocence.
“What happened to the actual champagne flutes?”
“We ran out.”
“Why didn’t you just use the ones we already drank out of?”
“Because I’m not giving you a dirty glass. Pretty boys get pretty glasses.”
“You’re insufferable,” Jimin says, turning away. Jungkook laughs, nudging him gently in the shoulder for him to turn back around.
“It’s fine. We have food. A little extra booze never hurt anybody.”
“It’s actually hurt quite a few people as a matter of fact,” he says. “But I’m serious Jungkook, I really need to go after this, OK? I didn’t expect to go back to work tipsy and THAT,” he says, pointing to the glass, “is going to put me over the edge.”
The Alpha smiles at him. “Last one, I promise.”
Jungkook hands him his glass, takes the plate of cupcakes and leads him out of the terrace and over to the elevator, avoiding his business partners who seem to be waiting on him to come join their conversations. Once inside, he uses a key card which grants them permission to the 28th floor.
“Can anyone just come up here?” Jimin asks as they ride up.
“Nope. Most of the floor is strictly for my office. There’s a smaller assistance’s office, a few conference rooms and some storage, but I get the assistants to schedule most meetings elsewhere.”
“So you get a whole floor to yourself?” Jimin asks incredulously. Jungkook simply looks at him and grins.
They step into a small hallway which leads to a pair of large, ornate double doors. Jungkook unlocks the doors and Jimin steps into what must be the biggest “office” he’s ever seen.
Walking straight in, he’s faced with floor to ceiling windows with dark curtains ordaining each end. There’s a sheer covering in the middle to allow natural light. To the left, Jungkook’s massive, dark mahogany desks sits in front of a wall which is essentially 3 gigantic bookcases, all filled to the brim with books and trinkets, as well as some plants. To the right sits 2 plush chairs on either end of a large couch. A large abstract painting sits on the wall above it. There are several paintings on each of the other walls too.
The office absolutely screams luxury as Jimin gazes around, but his attention quickly goes to the bookcases.
Jungkook sets his glass down and removes his coat as Jimin walks behind his desk in awe, setting his glass on the desk and straining up on his tip toes to see the titles of the books near the top. Sure enough, he sees a glass case with a very old copy of The Great Gatsby sitting atop a stand inside of it. He squeals, hands covering his mouth as he looks at it in awe.
He feels Jungkook come up behind him, his chest grazing his back as he moves around him to reach up for the case, gently bringing it down and laying it on his desk to remove the book inside. He holds it out to Jimin, who suddenly seems hesitant to take it.
“This is incredible. I feel like I need gloves or something though, I don’t want to ruin it!”
Jungkook chuckles at his cute enthusiasm. “It’s OK, I promise. I know you’ll be gentle with it,” he practically whispers, making Jimin’s skin prickle. He takes the delicate book and Jungkook leads him over to the sitting area, asking whether Jimin would like to sit on one of the individual chairs or the couch.
The Omega cannot deny how comfortable everything looks but decides on the couch. He sits down, only looking up when he sees Jungkook holding out his champagne glass to him. He looks back down at the book, gently turning it over. He knows there’s a very specific way to tell that a copy of The Great Gatsby is a first edition, and sure enough, he sees the little typo on the back of the dust jacket that has a lowercase “j” in “jay Gatsby.” He squeals yet again, smiling up at the Alpha who remains looming over him. He opens the first page, drowning out the world as he stares in wonder at the first edition before Jungkook speaks again.
“You’re welcome to look through that and what not. I have a few emails I need to answer.” Jimin nods without looking up, too engrossed by the book. He takes a swig of this champagne and begins sifting through the pages.
He doesn’t know how much time has gone by until he notices his glass is almost empty. He goes to take a sip, realizing there’s not that much left and looks up to see Jungkook slouched in his chair, staring at him.
“Having fun?”
“Too much,” Jimin says, hiccupping. He set his glass on the coffee table and closes the book, getting up and gently setting it back on Jungkook’s desk next to the case. He feels almost drunk at this point and doesn’t trust himself not to be clumsy and damage it.
“Agh, ‘m feeling a little drunk. I knew you were going to do this to me, mister,” Jimin says, moving towards the edge of the desk where Jungkook set down the plate of cupcakes.
Jungkook replaces the book back in the case, setting it back on the shelf. “Yeah? You mad at me?” he says as he turns and walks around the desk towards him slowly.
“Livid. Now gimme’ that cupcake,” Jimin says playfully. “You eat yours too and tell me what you think.”
“These are delicious,” Jungkook says after a bite, licking his lips clean of the icing smeared over them. Jimin tries not to stare.
“I made them myself!”
“Did you, now?”
“Yep. I had some time before I came here after the breakfast rush, so I made them. I like to experiment here and there and I can count on Jin hyung to let me know if my creations suck or not.”
“They’re very good, Jimin-ssi.” Jungkook stares at Jimin as he finishes his final bite, and the Omega tries so hard not to blush. He desperately needs a napkin, knowing there’s icing in the corner of his mouth.
He turns to find something to wipe his mouth when he feels the Alpha’s hand on his waist, stopping him and pulling him towards his body. Jimin looks up in surprise, not sure of what’s happening when Jungkook brings his index finger to the corner of the Omega’s lip, wiping the icing off himself.
Jimin sucks in a breath at the intimacy of the touch. He looks at the Alpha, hypnotized as he pushes his finger into Jimin’s mouth. And without a second thought to stop him, Jimin instinctively closes his lips around that finger and begins to suck.
“That’s better,” Jungkook whispers, pupils dilated as Jimin stares right up into his eyes, sucking the icing off his finger.
After a moment, Jimin shudders and releases it, looking away and feeling flushed, embarrassed, and very, very warm.
“Your lips are so gorgeous,” Jungkook says, lifting his hand up to run a thumb alongside Jimin’s cheek. He looks like he’s going to kiss him, and Jimin comes to his senses enough to panic slightly.
Alcohol or not, he has to draw the line. The boundary was crossed and practically set on fire the minute Jungkook put his finger in his fucking mouth. He knows he should have never let it get that far.
“Jungkook,” Jimin says warily, stepping back and holding his hands up. He hesitates before removing his scarf and turning his neck slowly so Jungkook can see his mating bite.
The air changes, and Jungkook’s scent slowly but surely becomes pungent and burnt. It’s subtle, but it’s there.
Jimin remains facing forward, unsure if he wants to see the look on Jungkook's face at the revelation.
“Damn, not even going to hit me with a boyfriend or girlfriend, huh? Straight up mated?”
Jimin turns back, holding his smile a bit and trying to keep the air as light as possible. “I’m afraid so.”
Jungkook licks his lips, staring at Jimin for a moment before going to sit down on the couch. Jimin stays in place, unsure of what to do as he tries to gauge how awkward the situation has become.
“You can sit down Jimin. I’m not going to bite.”
Jimin releases a breath and goes to sit on the other end of the couch as far away from Jungkook as possible. He crosses his legs and folds his hands in his lap, looking down at them. “I apologize, Jungkook. I should have told you while out on the terrace,” he says, looking at Jungkook, afraid of his reaction. The Alpha’s features don’t give away much. He doesn’t look angry per se, just…contemplative.
“How long have you been mated?”
“Two years. We’ve been together for six though. Got together in University actually.”
“Hm. Guy? Girl? Alpha?”
“He’s an Alpha,” Jimin says, glancing back down at his hands.
“What does he do for a living?”
“He’s a lawyer. Just made partner not that long ago actually.”
“Partner, huh? Impressive,” Jungkook says nonchalantly, almost bored before taking a rather large swig of champagne. Jimin can’t tell whether that comment is passive aggressive.
“So you live the domestic life then, yeah? Is it fun? White picket fence and everything?”
Jimin chuckles. He’s surprised at Jungkook's curiosity about his mated life at all at this point, figuring he’d dismiss Jimin the second he found out he was off the market.
“For the most part, I suppose – minus the picket fence. It’s definitely different than when we were just dating.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I do miss the dating phase, having separate places, going to parties…all that. You wouldn’t think those things would change that much when you mate, but life does tend to slow down.”
Jungkook looks at him and raises a brow in question. “You’re still young, Jimin. Does mating automatically exclude you from being able to party or something?”
“No no, we still go out. Just not as much obviously, especially with work and everything. He also uh...” Jimin stumbles, not sure how to phrase it. “He’s been talking about starting a family soon. He really wants pups.”
Jungkook pauses for a moment, and Jimin bites his lip.
“Is that what you want?”
“Eventually. I’m not sure I’m quite ready right now though. He’d try to get me pregnant in two seconds if I’d let him,” Jimin huffs, taking another swig and wishing he had more champagne. He’s also inwardly cursing himself for divulging the TMI, but he can’t seem to stop. The alcohol snatched his filter right up and he babbles on without a second thought.
“I ‘spose I should just tell him it’s time though, so he’d fuck me again already.”
The air is still for a moment before Jimin realizes what he said. He gasps at himself, looking over at Jungkook horrified for speaking his thoughts out loud. Jungkook stares back him, slightly wide eyed with a look of surprise on his face.
“Uh, please erase that from your memory. I’m so sorry. I’ll go die now, thank you.” The Omega shifts his body 90 degrees the opposite way, knowing his whole face and neck must be flushed completely red. Jungkook’s voice remains calm.
“Hm, it’s OK. I’m sorry to hear that. I’m surprised though if I’m being honest. I figured your mate would take you every single night, Jimin.” He brings the glass back to his lips, eyes on Jimin, who turns back to him slowly.
The Omega shudders at the bold statement, taking a moment before responding.
“He, uh, yeah. It used to be a lot better. He’s just busy with work and his firm travels all the time, so he’s just not home as much, you know? I’m alone a lot.”
He fidgets, wanting to end the discussion before it gets anymore weird, still humiliated about how they got here in the first place. “I’m sorry – I should so not be bothering you with all of this,” he says awkwardly.
Jungkook scoots closer. “You can talk to me about it. I don’t mind.”
“I know, but I’m being terribly inappropriate.” He takes the final sip of champagne and sits the glass on the coffee table in front of him. He wishes it would magically fill itself back up.
Jungkook ignores the apology, and they’re both quiet before he speaks again. “When’s the last time he fucked you, Jimin?”
Jimin bites down on his lip, visibly shuddering and closing his eyes, heaving in a breath which Jungkook notices clear as day.
“U-um, probably 3 weeks ago I suppose,” he says, whisper quiet. He decides to omit the part where he tried and was rejected the night previously.
“That’s a shame.” Jungkook rises and walks to the Omega’s side of the couch to stand in front of him. Jimin stares up at him, eyes glassy. Jungkook moves to cup his chin gently with his thumb and index finger, and Jimin emits a low whimper at the unexpected touch.
“I’d do things a little differently with you, you know.”
“Hm?” Jimin says, eyes wide and lips pouty.
“If you were mine, Jimin, I’d fuck you without question every night before bed.” He grazes his thumb along Jimin’s trembling lower lip. “And every morning when you wake up. You wouldn’t walk out of the house without having to scrub your body head to toe, or else they'd smell the sex on you for miles.” He bends down so they’re face to face, lips only centimeters apart. “And you'd never, ever go to sleep empty - because I wouldn't let you close your eyes without my knot up inside you first.”
Jimin moans, closing his eyes briefly and trying to reign in the overwhelming emotion. He’s certainly leaking now, and he knows he’ll stink up the room if he’s not careful. He needs to get out of here. Fast. If the boundary was already on fire, he’s simply walking in the ashes now.
He blinks his eyes open and glances up nervously at Jungkook, trembling all over. “R-really?”
“Mhm.”
Their eyes lock, and Jimin feels trapped in Jungook's gaze – enchanted by it.
“I, uh…um,” he tries, heart beating out of his chest. “I should…I should get going, Jungkook,” he says, looking up at him in a silent plea - an unspoken request to let him go easily without any more coercion.
Jungkook hesitates, looking down on him a moment longer. “I suppose it’s that time, isn’t it?”
He holds his hand out for Jimin to stand, and the Omega wills his fingers to stop shaking as he pulls him up. The spell is finally broken when he looks away.
“Can I offer you a ride home? Or if you’re still going back to work I’d be happy to drop you off.”
“No no, that’s alright. I think I’ll grab a cab. You also have an event downstairs you may have forgotten about” Jimin says cutely, walking in haste towards the door after gathering his things. “Mind if I leave the delivery van for tonight? I’ll pick it up tomorrow along with all of the dishes and everything.”
“Of course. You sure you’ll be OK? I don’t know how I feel about you getting in a random cab half drunk, Jimin.” Jungkook walks up to him and crosses his arms over his chest.
“Yeah, this is your fault you know,” he says smiling. Might as well leave on a happy note knowing he will never set eyes on the Alpha again if he can help it.
Because holy shit.
“Guilty,” he says, holding up his hands.
“I’ll see you around, Ok? Thanks for the champagne and everything, and for showing me that book,” Jimin says, looking back before stepping in the hall and giving the Alpha a small wave.
“I’m sure you will. The pleasure was all mine, Jimin.”