Chapter Text
Verdant hues of sun-speckled green surround Jimin as he hums to himself, tending to the plants that fill the little garden attached to his cabin. Summer is almost here, and as such his berries and herbs had come into season; he'd be spending a good part of the next few days checking and re-checking to see if they were ready to be harvested. Each plant grows at its own pace, his mother liked to say; no sense in rushing and ruining what you could have had if you'd simply waited.
From where he stands he can see his neighbor's home--Seokjin and Taehyung are squabbling in the front yard while their friend, Namjoon, stares down disappointedly at the long stretch of neglected, ruined crops. The brothers had gone out on a week-long hunt with a neighboring pack and were late in requesting that someone take care of their garden. From the sounds of things, it had been Taehyung's duty, but Seokjin failed to remind him.
"Quit staring at those knotheads." Jimin squeaks in surprise when his hair is ruffled, the palm light but its motions excessive. Pine and lavender--Yoongi.
"I should've helped. I had time to at least check in." Jimin murmurs guiltily as he plucks a few sprigs of mint.
"And risk punishment for trespassing? Those idiots did it to themselves." Yoongi kneels down to stare at a row of strawberries, inspecting the larger fruit pensively. He worries his bottom lip between his teeth and Jimin sighs, setting his basket down.
"You have something to tell me."
"Well, kind of." Yoongi kneels down and tucks his chin to his chest, prodding at a pile of dirt. "About your assigned alpha for this fall."
"I don't need one." It was a stupid law, forcing packmates to pair off for winter. Normally Yoongi was the one to accompany him, but he'd mated earlier in the spring to a pretty young girl from a distant pack. Jimin had been hoping Yoongi would pick him, but the fact that he didn't makes sense. Male omegas can't bear pups.
"They picked someone good for you Jimin." Even Yoongi doesn't sound convinced as he says it, the words dry and practiced; as beloved as Jimin may have been, there were no delusions about his status. No alpha or beta would waste their time in a fruitless relationship.
"They'll give me the one no one else wants."
"I thought Seokjin and Taehyung stay together?" The older man chuckles as he dips his head to dodge a smack, hiding a gummy smile behind his hand.
"They're nice. Just a bit...clumsy." Clumsy may have been an understatement; the sad state of their garden, their property in general hinted at incapability. Alphas were the worst at maintaining their homes.
"Wish their mom was still around. She made the best food in the pack." Yoongi mutters fondly, standing to stretch. Mrs. Kim had been one of the most popular omegas around thanks to her cooking; if there was ever a special feast or grand occasion, the head alpha would be sure to have her in charge of the kitchens.
"Who is it?"
"I'm sorry?"
"The alpha."
Jimin picks a few more herbs, planning on drying them out while the weather was still nice. Even though his hunting skills weren't the best he could fish and season his food well enough. Fishing wouldn't get him through the winter, but he could easily start preserving his portions of meat from the daily hunt.
"One of the refugees from that pack killed off by the fire. Jungkook, I think his name was?" Yoongi tilts his head as the shouting from across the way escalates, Seokjin using some particularly colorful language to describe his younger brother's intelligence.
"The one with the newborn pup?"
"Jimin, you know no one else is experienced enough-"
"What am I supposed to do with it?" Jimin doesn't raise his voice, but there's likely enough hostility in his posture that Yoongi can register his disappointment. "What am I supposed to do with him?"
Jeon Jungkook was mated, badly burned when he ran through flames to save his pup--Jimin would be playing nurse to two strangers he wasn't equipped to help all winter.
"He'll be better by then. And the pup can drink from one of the expecting mothers until he's old enough for meat." Yoongi pleads like there's actually a choice in all of this and Jimin needs to be convinced; the sad reality is that it's already set in stone. Short of someone specifically requesting him, Jungkook would end up in Jimin's cabin come fall. "Just give him a chance."
"Nothing is going to happen between us." This is likely karmic retribution. Jimin wasted so much of Yoongi's time, held him up for years and now the universe is reminding him of just how useless he is, how alone he'll be from now on. Jungkook is just the first of many rejections to come.
"The mating bond is nullified. He could-"
"Yoongi! Could you help with the afternoon hunt?" One of the alphas Jimin never cared to grow close with calls from a few feet away, hair mussed like he'd just woken up. When he notices Jimin's stare he sends him a greasy wink, making the omega cringe in disgust.
Yoongi's temper doesn't flare like it usually would; instead he huffs and dusts off his trousers, completely ignoring the disrespect to his friend. "Yeah, of course. Gimme a sec."
It made perfect sense. Yoongi was mated now, and his attachment to Jimin as a potential mate was gone; he only cared about his wife, about taking care of his new family and his new friends now that he wasn't weighed down. Jimin's honestly surprised he stopped by at all.
"Chim, I gotta go. Think it over, yeah?"
"Yeah. See you around."
*******
The first time they meet Jimin is walking back from the river. He's got a basket full of fish to give to the kitchens, pike strapped against his back and clothes damp when the alpha bumps into him, the impact nearly costing him his catch.
"Sorry. I just-"
"It's fine."
"You're, You're Jimin, aren't you?"
Jimin doesn't recognize the face or the voice which is strange because he knows everyone; as a contender for next in line to be pack healer he has to be aware of every little nuance, any possible issue with his packmates' health. That leaves a very small list of people, which narrows even further when a thick yarrow musk coats his palate. Jimin dares to raise his eyes from the ground, quickly averting them again when he sees how heavily bandaged the man standing in his path is.
"Yes."
A beat of silence passes and the alpha shifts, saturating the air with the scent of healing herbs and sickness.
"I'm Jungkook."
Jimin keeps his gaze focused on the dirt, shifting the weight on his shoulders awkwardly.
"It's nice to meet you alpha." A familiar fear pricks underneath his skin, an urge to flee at the first sign of danger. Jungkook smells of death. "I've got to get this to the kitchens."
"Could I ask a favor?"
"Will it take long?"
"No." Something akin to disappointment colors the alpha's voice before he coughs, the noise thick and grating. "Could we move in with you now?"
Jimin doesn't even have to say the no on the tip of his tongue; Jungkook clears his throat, aware of his impending rejection.
"My cabin isn't ready. I normally take a month or so to set up for," Yoongi. "Company."
"I used to be a builder, in my old pack. I could easily help you-"
"You should rest." Jimin bows his head again, not once making eye contact; they part without further incident, and Jimin makes a point not to bump into Jungkook again.
He considers asking Seokjin or Taehyung if they'd spend the winter with him. They've both been his neighbors forever, and neither lacks hunting skills. The only issue is the implication behind the request; it'd be rude to ask something like that when he has no intention to mate. Granted, his last romantic interest left him in the dust, so maybe a loveless relationship wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
The days continue to grow hotter but Jimin only feels cold; his gardens are cleared, new seeds freshly planted to be harvested at the peak of the season. There are healing herbs mixed in, things good for pups and alphas as he's quietly resigned himself to his fate. Despite all of the plots he has to escape his assignment Jimin isn't so deluded as to think an omega would be able to overturn the pack alpha's decision.
His cabin already has space cleared for a second bed and a crib; there wasn't much in it to begin with thankfully, just stations to prepare food and herbs. Jimin was never into the handcrafts that many omegas practiced in their free time, preferring to stay minimalistic with his worldly possessions. His home was artistically barren, save for a pelt his mother had given him when he first moved in and a quilt the pack healer not so subtly gifted him to garner his interest in the position.
Jimin is busy with storing the last of his dried herbs and fruit from spring when the door to his home bursts open, Yoongi barely managing to fill the space with his slight frame. They were close enough for this to be common, once; now Jimin has to press a hand to his chest to ease his racing heart.
"What's all this gossip about you abandoning Jungkook?" The alpha looks flustered, cheeks ruddy as though he'd been drinking. The lavender undertone to his scent is stronger than usual.
"Good to see you too."
"The whole pack is talking about how you've been avoiding him." Yoongi clambers through the cabin and the lavender is overpowering; he must've just been with his mate. Jimin suddenly feels sick.
"He asked to move in early. I just wasn't ready."
"He'll be great once he heals Chim. He's getting stronger every day." The alpha invades his space and where he once found comfort Jimin can only feel betrayal and disgust; he shies away, finding something to do on the other side of the room.
"That's great."
"Please don't do this."
Jimin spares a glance over his shoulder, feigning ignorance. "Do what?"
"Shut him out."
"I'm not."
"Jimin, you're one of the nicest omegas in the pack. Last year you'd be the kid's best friend by now."
"Last year I didn't have to be assigned an alpha." Jimin snaps before he can stop himself, cursing his own stupidity the moment the words sink in. Of course he would mess up like this, of course.
"That's what this is about? Me mating Hani?"
"No." It's a pathetic lie.
"Jimin-"
"I'd like for you to leave."
********
A week after his fight with Yoongi and Jimin wakes to another unexpected guest. He's just prepared chamomile tea, is mere seconds away from sitting down to sift through his thoughts when three rapid knocks have him padding over to the front door, mug in hand. Sojung is standing there with a hopeful smile and a baby in her arms.
"Could you watch him for the day?"
"I," Jimin stares at the pup, dumbfounded. "I don't know how."
"Oh, he's easy. We've been mixing his milk with some herbs to help keep him healthy--here." Jimin gawks as the baby is handed over to him, nearly dropping his cup as the other omega rapid-fires instructions while digging through her satchel. "Just feed him once at noon, and again before sunset. He's already eaten this morning--oh, and he gets cold easily, so keep him near a heat source. Don't wander into the woods either-"
It goes on for what feels like hours before Sojung leaves with the same gusto that brought her in, a bag of pup essentials set haphazardly against Jimin's door. He doesn't even know who's child he's holding, but this isn't the first time Sojung has dropped something unexpected and ran for the hills. With a resigned sigh he carries the pup over to his bed and gets him settled in.
By the time he's put everything away his tea is cold and the sun is high enough for him to go back out into his garden. Jimin weighs the pros and cons of making another drink but before he can even ponder what tea was best a high-pitched squeal breaks his focus, chest fluttering as his wolf paces and whines at the noise. The baby he’d thought was sound asleep is crying noisily in his makeshift crib, thrashing and writhing with more vigor than any pup he’s seen before.
Rather than allow panic to set in Jimin returns to his charge quickly, searching for any signs of pain or illness as he lifts the pup up; he’s only a little startled when it immediately quiets down, mouthing against his chest.
“Hungry? That was a bit dramatic.” the omega sighs as he holds the pup close, ignoring the strange sensation as he digs through his bag for the prepared milk. He also tries to ignore how displeased his wolf becomes when he eventually switches to bottle-feeding, but he's never been good about suppressing his instincts and the act leaves him in a sour mood. The pup is returned to his nest, and Jimin decides to sort through his herbs in the kitchen so that he can stay nearby.
The day moves on without incident, aside from a few more crying fits and one or two forgotten cups of tea; Jimin ends up doing most of his work with the pup tucked against his neck, purring softly whenever it gets a little fussy or starts to wake. When Sojung comes back at sunset he's almost reluctant to return his charge.
"You did excellent, as expected."
"I just gave him some food and stayed inside," Jimin argues softly as he hands the pup over, frowning when it cries. "Why did you leave him with me? I've got to handle the harvest for our healing herbs."
"Normally his dad has him, but today he was cleared for light work." Sojung coos as she bounces the pup in her arms, trying to calm him. "We didn't expect it and I knew someone wouldn't be at the infirmary today."
"I'm not built to care for pups. You should've found someone else."
"You'll be watching him in the fall anyways. No harm in an early introduction." The information makes Jimin's heart drop, his fingers twitching slightly at his sides. He'd been watching Jungkook’s pup all this time, without even realizing it. Jungkook, the alpha that no one wants. Jungkook, the alpha who was assigned to Jimin. "How did you calm him? He's always so fussy with us."
"Dumb luck, I guess."
"Don't belittle yourself Jimin. You're an omega, and that makes you automatically good with pups."
Jimin wants to say pups he can never bear, but that would ruin the compliment; instead he smiles and shrugs, reaching out to pet the pup's head. "Automatically is a bit of a stretch. Remember when Mina fed little Taewoo those juniper berries and he cried whenever he saw her afterwards?"
Sojung laughs fondly at the memory. "Well, she convinced him to eat them in the first place, didn't she?"
"I suppose that's one way of looking at it." Jimin drawls, leaning against his doorframe. It occurs to him that he doesn't even know who he was watching today, other than the fact that it's Jungkook’s son. "What's the pup's name?"
"Junghwan. He’s got quite the appetite for such a small pup--i'm betting he'll present as an alpha like his father."
"One more knothead to add to the flock." Jimin sighs dramatically, but his words hold no bite. Even though he was a bit fussy and clingy, Junghwan had lost his mother before he could even get to know her. The poor pup must be distraught and confused by how many omegas are handling him, instinctively searching for a guardian. "You can keep bringing him here if you like. I'll ask Taehyung to get me a nest for him from the nursery."
"Really?" Sojung's expression brightens impossibly, and it almost makes Jimin feel bad for being so resistant in the first place.
"If he's happier here, of course. He can't stay overnight until my heat passes but we can settle him in for the season then."
"Ah, that's right. Yoongi is home for the next few-" Sojung pauses mid-sentence when she realizes what she's saying, ears tinting pink. Jimin gives her a good natured shrug, but the smile accompanying it is bitter. His cycle was synced up with Yoongi's because normally Yoongi was here to take care of him, but he couldn't exactly do that now that he was mated to someone else.
"Just bring him around in the morning, okay?"
"R-right. Thanks, Jimin."
"No need to thank me, I'm just doing as I'm told."
*******
The sun feels hotter than usual, layering heat against Jimin's back as he tends to his garden. He was too exhausted to take Junghwan today, the beginnings of his cycle making him antsy--having a pup around would've simply agitated his wolf and created a messy situation. So Jimin just buries himself in work instead, confined to his home so that the scent doesn't disrupt the rest of the camp. Seokjin and Taehyung have been friendlier than usual this week, helping him move things and retrieving supplies for him, but neither has outright offered to help with his heat.
He finds out why just before lunch, when the supplies he expects Taehyung to be bringing show up with Jungkook instead. The alpha still smells strongly of yarrow so Jimin doesn't even have to look up to know it's him; he simply sighs and pauses his work, brushing his hands off on his trousers. "You can leave those on the steps, alpha."
"I brought something for you," the alpha blurts out nervously, loudly enough that Jimin actually turns to face him; in one hand there's a basket with the usual rations of meat and vegetables, but Jungkook has a bouquet of flowers clenched in his left hand, tight against his chest; Jimin raises an eyebrow at the pup-like courting gesture, standing up. "These, um, they grow next to the river-"
"They're chrysanthemums. Perfect, I was just running low." Jimin hums in approval as he takes the flowers, giving a gentle sniff before taking twine from his gardening pouch and hanging them upside down to dry out with the other herbs. When he spares a glance over his shoulder at Jungkook he barely holds back a laugh, the alpha looking comically perplexed as he stares between his empty hand and the now-repurposed bouquet. He's probably never had his advances rejected so bluntly--even with all the bandages covering his arms and chest, it's obvious Jungkook was handsome young alpha. "Tell Sojung I said thank you. She was supposed to get me some days ago."
"She didn't-" Jungkook pauses, brow furrowed, and Jimin tries not to crack up as he fixes the alpha with a curious stare of his own. "I got those for you."
"Well, of course. We normally don't send omegas out to the river to collect them," Jimin continues to play dumb, crossing his arms over his chest. "I suppose I should thank you as well. Thank you, alpha."
"No one asked me to get those. They're a gift, to thank you for looking after Junghwan." Jungkook puffs his chest out a little, scrambling for some sliver of confidence in the face of an omega who clearly knew how to play this game better than him; Jimin just hums and nods, indifferent to the new information.
"Okay."
"Ok-...okay?"
"Okay. I accept your gift, alpha." Jimin holds out his hand in the direction of the basket. "Now can I have those as well? I need to finish up work before sunset."
"Don't you--wouldn't you like someone to help you with your heat?" Jungkook asks at last, barely able to keep the conversation alive; Jimin gives him a shameless once-over, pausing where bandages disappear beneath the waistband of his pants.
"I'm not exactly interested in a roasted knot, no," Jimin drawls slowly, enjoying the way his comment brings a flush to Jungkook’s cheeks. Was he always this easy to tease? "And most of the alphas from my pack would probably do a better job of giving birth than caring for an omega in heat. So no, I don't want someone to help me."
"I meant--I didn't mean it like that, I meant with food, and blankets, a-and maybe a bath!" Jungkook shouts but for some reason it isn't the least bit intimidating, his natural scent fighting through the thick musk of yarrow and healing herbs--Jimin's nose twitches curiously, trying to pinpoint what it was. Sandalwood? Vanilla, maybe? "Why won't you just accept my help?"
"Because you're an alpha, and no alpha I've ever met has been helpful. Not for free, at least." Jimin mutters the last part, eyes narrowing in disgust. "Just hand me my things and leave."
"N-no."
"N-no?" Jimin repeats in a mocking tone, surprised he's managed to milk so many stutters out of an alpha of all things. Perhaps his attitude was a tad stronger than he thought.
"No," Jungkook says it more firmly this time, clearing his throat and straightening his posture. It takes every ounce of self control Jimin has to fight back an eye roll. "I'm going to help you. You haven't been spending your heats alone, so you'll need it."
"I can take care of myself." Jimin asserts, crossing his arms over his chest because it's becoming increasingly apparent he won't be getting his supplies. He's a little startled when Jungkook steps into his space, still squared up.
"Yeah, well you also can't stop me. What are you gonna do, crawl out of bed and throw away the food?"
"I might. You can't force me to eat it."
"You'll have to eat eventually."
"I can hold out for a couple of days, I'm not a pup."
"You can't stop me from helping you."
"And you can't make me accept your help, alpha." Jimin huffs and turns on his heel, stomping back into his cabin. It might be childish but his blood is boiling and the heat hormones combined with the presence of an unfamiliar alpha make logic take the backseat in this particular interaction. Jimin doesn't get his rations but he also doesn't need them, not enough to take them from his assigned alpha.
"Help?" He scoffs as he throws himself onto his bed, arms crossed behind his head. "I don't need help with my heat. Especially not from some burnt knothead who can't even care for himself."
Jimin plans to make good on his promise and stay locked up until his heat subsides, but fate has other ideas; as he's brewing tea on the first day to help with his symptoms he catches scent of an alpha approaching his cabin, nose more sensitive than usual because unlike Jimin his wolf is in constant search of a mate. It's not Taehyung or Seokjin so naturally Jimin gets territorial, marching to the front door and swinging it open with a snarl.
"Who-" his fangs are still bared as he looks up at Jungkook, who has that same stupid, bewildered expression he'd worn yesterday when Jimin hung up his bouquet. They're barely a few inches from each other, close enough that Jimin can pick up the hints of sandalwood and vanilla underlying the scent of Jungkook’s healing poultice. He's equally certain that Jungkook can smell his slick.
"I," Jungkook clears his throat and straightens up the same way he had yesterday, pretending to be unaffected. His eyes betray his interest, glowing a pretty shade of crimson--most alphas didn't have red eyes. Jimin really was throwing away a catch. "I came to feed you and help you wash up."
"As you can see, I'm quite conscious and capable." Jimin gestures broadly to himself, heart skipping a beat when he realizes he's only in his sleep shorts; there's not much point in wearing anything else when he starts leaking non-stop. He should be wary of an alpha seeing him like this but he feels playful instead, interested in just how far Jungkook will go with his chivalry. "And I'm just about to have some tea. I don't need anything from you."
"You should eat. Heats are tiring." Jungkook steps into his space, and Jimin allows a brief, albeit heated stare down before he raises his hands in surrender and steps out of the way. Jungkook huffs proudly like he's accomplished something and Jimin rolls his eyes. "I brought fish and rabbit."
"That doesn't sound very filling." Jimin immediately counters, hovering at the edge of the kitchen while the alpha sorts his ingredients. "There wasn't any real meat?"
"The hunting party hasn't come back, so I went and caught it myself."
Jimin isn't prepared for such an honest answer, certainly not when he's being so rude, and while the petty side of him wants to pick at Jungkook for offering such a small catch he knows how hard it must've been for such a severely wounded alpha to bring back even this much. Jungkook’s sense of smell can't be at it's best if he's able to be in the same room as an omega in heat. Instead of going for an easy albeit dishonorable win Jimin takes up a spot next to the alpha, watching as he cooks.
"I've never seen an alpha cook before." He adds as small talk, reaching for his cup of tea.
"I was a builder in my old pack. We're lower ranking alphas so we learn household chores--normally we're mated off to important omegas." Jungkook speaks about his past easily, cooking in the midst of it. "I used to cook every day."
"Why were you a builder? You-" Jimin catches himself, removing the interest from his tone before he gives his suitor any kind of hope. "You look like a soldier. A hunter, at least."
"I was a soldier, I guess." Jungkook sighs, tilting his head back, and Jimin tries not to think about how handsome he looks from this angle. "Got hit in the head pretty hard during a fight once. My nose has never been right since."
"And you went into building? I'm sure there were other options. None of the alphas I know are homebodies."
"Maybe I'm not like any of the alphas you know," Jungkook teases easily, pushing meat around the pan. "Roasted knots aren't easy to come by, you know."
"That's someone else's roasted knot, alpha. I'd rather not be haunted for talking about it." Jimin finds himself surprisingly intrigued with the conversation, with Jungkook more specifically, and he takes a few steps closer to the alpha. "Did it hurt? When the bond broke."
Jungkook gives a startlingly indifferent shrug, not even slightly upset as he continues to cook. "There was a little sting, I guess. The burns--the burning was the worst part. I can't tell how much of my pain was the bond breaking, and how much was, well, good old pain."
"But after, you had to miss her, right? Didn't it ache, or-"
"Do you just believe everything you heard as a pup?" The alpha sounds amused, maybe a little defensive, and when he turns to look at Jimin his eyes are deep brown again, infuriatingly playful. "We weren't in love when we mated. I was useless other than my knot, and she wanted a pup and an easy relationship. It was done out of convenience."
"Out of...convenience?" Jimin repeats, the words leaving a bad taste in his mouth. Is that how he was destined to end up as well? Mated to some alpha who couldn't sire pups because he was just as unwanted?
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure Junghwan was the only one getting love in that relationship--we both doted over him so much." Jungkook sighs fondly, moving food over to a plate. "If I ever miss her, it's for him. Junghwan didn't deserve to lose his mother like that."
"Then you're here with me out of convenience as well." Jimin concludes, automatically closing himself off; he pads over to his dresser to put on a shirt, suddenly feeling drained.
"Being with you is hardly convenient," Jungkook counters as he sets the table, moving aside the herbs Jimin had been sorting. "You're one of the most difficult omegas I've ever met, actually."
"I'm sure if you had another option you'd run to them." Jimin drawls cynically, his wolf bristling at the thought. Whatever Jungkook prepared smells wonderful but part of Jimin doesn't even want to look at it, fueled by spite.
"I do have other options, actually. Once I healed up a bit others started taking notice. Some even remembered me from old pack gatherings."
"Good for you, then." Jimin tells himself it isn't disappointment he feels at the new information, that his hormones are just making him think stupid thoughts and he'll get over all of this within the next few days when his heat breaks. The facts that Jungkook’s cooking tastes amazing, or that he smells good and actually puts up with Jimin are irrelevant because Jungkook isn't here to stay. Just like Yoongi.
"Is it alright if I rest in your bed?" Jungkook asks suddenly, making Jimin pause mid-bite to shoot him a withering look. "The scent of an alpha should speed things along, right?"
"You smell more like an infirmary than an alpha. Just leave, I'm sure you're busy with other things."
"Taking care of you is more important. Even if your heats are relatively...mild." Jungkook eyes the omega curiously, making him feel self-conscious. "Is this as bad as it gets? Because this is incredibly convenient."
"No. I'll probably be delirious sometime tomorrow, if you're looking to knot someone." Jimin speaks casually, holding back a laugh when the alpha chokes on his own breath in shock. "That's why you're really here, isn't it? It's been awhile, you're lonely, your hormones are going crazy."
"No, I have nothing but honorable intentions with you." Jungkook asserts immediately, gaze turning stern. Was he always this serious at the drop of a pin? Cute. "I just wanted to know when you'd need the most help--I can help you wash up, and feed you, but I'm sure you have...things you use to replace a knot."
"Things?" Jimin presses, licking his lips clean; Jungkook's gaze follows the action and his eyes flash red before he practically explodes, hiding his face in behind his hands.
"Your fingers or something, I don't know--why are you always trying to mess with me?"
"Because you're easy to mess with." Jimin hums happily around his next bite of food, resisting the urge to wiggle in his seat. His wolf might have taken interest in Jungkook, but Jimin was the brains of their little operation and he wasn't about to act cute to catch some strange alpha's attention.
"Well, do you need me to wash your back? Are your muscles sore?" The alpha persists, and to his credit Jimin does feel a little bad brushing him off because he is in fact sore and in need of a bath, but he doesn't want to feel indebted.
"The meal was enough. Just drop my heat rations off by the end of the day and find some other omega to hassle."
"Jimin, I just want to help."
"You've helped more than enough." Jimin sighs, deciding to cut the alpha a break. "We've had a grand total of three conversations, and two of them were in the past day. I don't know you."
"You haven't really given me a chance."
"Yeah, because the last alpha I gave a chance to is currently shacked up with some girl he met last winter. Forgive my hesitancy."
"You're forgiven, for now. I guess we can get to know each other better tomorrow."
"Yes, we can--wait, what?" Jimin pauses mid-bite, a chunk of meat falling back onto his plate. Jungkook is just standing there, staring at him, and it doesn't make any sense; didn't Jimin make it clear that he wasn't interested? Did the alpha lose more than his sense of smell when he hit his head?
"I'll speak to you soon, I suppose. We'll need to clean this place up before I can move in."
"Who said you're moving in?"
"Your pack leader if I recall correctly. But you've already got a crib set up, so I'm guessing you want us to share a bed?"
Jimin throws a jar of herbs but Jungkook is faster, grinning wolfishly as he exits; he's more annoying and alpha-like than Jimin thought. It's always the cocky knotheads like him causing trouble at gatherings, heckling omegas and floundering around like overgrown pups. He's just being nice because he wants something, and once he gets what he wants he'll show his true colors. Jimin is sure of it.
When his heat hits full swing and he's writhing in bed he fully expects Jungkook to show up, sate his heat with a knot, and disappear. Jungkook does show up briefly to drop off some food but when he approaches Jimin's nest he's fully clothed, bowl of water and cloth in hand so that he can wipe him down. His ears are bright red and his eyes are practically bouncing around the room, looking anywhere but Jimin.
"Look at this mess." The alpha sighs and kneels next to the bed, holding his wrist near Jimin's nose; the omega gives it a few tentative sniffs, toes curling when Jungkook’s real scent comes through. "Lay on your back for me, please."
Jimin doesn't really cooperate but Jungkook works around him, wiping him down and putting up with his aggressive scenting and marking as he changes the sheets so that Jimin doesn't have to sleep in his own slick. By the time the alpha leaves, part of Jimin is sad he didn't knot him, but he buries that feeling deep and focuses on the robust fog of sandalwood and vanilla filling his cabin.
If his heat breaks a little faster than usual it definitely isn't because of Jungkook.