Chapter Text
There’s something buzzing underneath his skin. Something wanting racing through his veins. Something needing pulsing inside his head. Something whispering—
“Little love.”
Taehyung looks in the mirror to see Jungkook come up behind him. His big, black eyes look even bigger and blacker in the soft spring moonlight. His pouty pink lips look even poutier and pinker from having kissed him just a few minutes ago. His soft, sweet smile looks even softer and sweeter because he knows it’s just for him. But no one should look that comfortable wearing all this —what did Namjoon call it? —oh, that’s right —regalia.
“It’s decidedly unfair,” Taehyung whines to himself, but he hears Jungkook chuckle.
“If you’re talking about how I have to sit next to you when you look like that, then yes, it is decidedly unfair.”
Jungkook smoothes out the royal robes hanging on his shoulders. The black velvet was already heavy before they started adding all the pins and pendants and brooches.
“How am I supposed to walk with all this —stuff?” he asks as he pulls at the chains around his neck.
“If I’m remembering correctly, the answer is very, very slow,” Jungkook laughs as he turns him around. “You know, if it was just you and me, we’d go howl at the moon all night.”
“I know,” he smiles because he does. “But it’s important to them.”
Their hyungs had been planning their coronation since they returned from the north four months ago —though according to Jungkook, they had been secretly planning for it his entire life. They have been waiting for the chance to tell the world that their prince was now their king.
“And,” the alpha whispers. “I heard that there’s a secret surprise for me tonight.”
Taehyung feels his eyes go wide as his hands wrap around the alpha’s arms and pull him close.
“Who told you?” he growls in the alpha’s face.
“Who do you think?” Jungkook asks.
“Mimi,” he growls louder.
“Not so fun having a big-mouthed first friend best friend now, is it?” the alpha laughs as the lilies bloom around their room.
“Jungkookie,” he whines. “I’ve been planning this for months and months and months.”
“Only months and months and months?” Jungkook asks. “It took me months and months and months and months to plan your nesting room.”
The alpha’s lilies are soft and sweet with just a hint of spice as he rubs their noses together.
“Don’t worry, little love,” Jungkook says. “He didn’t tell me what it is, just that I would, and I quote, fucking love it.”
And Jimin told him the same thing. All of their hyungs have told him that for months and months and months.
“But what if you don’t?” Taehyung whines.
“Then I’ll do what you always do,” the alpha shrugs.
“And what’s that?” he asks.
“I’ll lie,” the alpha laughs, and gods, he can practically hear his puppy wagging his tail.
“I have never lied about liking something you gave me,” he huffs, and his wolf huffs with him. “I’ve loved every single thing.”
“And what makes you think it’s not the same for me?” Jungkook smiles. “I’ll love it because it’s from you —no —wait —I’ll fucking love it.”
“Jungkookie—”
“It’s true, pup,” the alpha says as he presses a kiss to his lips.
A kiss that doesn’t last nearly long enough before there’s a knock at their door.
“We should have locked it,” Taehyung whines as Jungkook laughs.
“You know they both have keys.”
There’s another knock on the door before it starts to open, and Hyungsik calls out into the room.
“Your Royal Highnesses?” the alpha calls out. “They’re ready for you.”
“What do you say, little love?” Jungkook asks as he offers him his hand. “Are you ready to be my little king?”
Taehyung’s eyes fall down to the alpha’s neck and the red scars there that mirror his own. And he knows what his answer is. He’s known it for a while.
― 𖥧.𖤣.𖥧.𖤣.𖥧 ―
“I’m ready to be your everything,” Taehyung tells him as he puts his hand in his.
His little wolf’s words make the puppy in his chest start to purr, and he’s still purring when they make their way down the hall. The last rays of daylight follow them down the spiral stairs and into the great hall. And in a few moments, when the sun sets, their lives as Their Royal Highnesses set with it, and by the time the moon rises, their lives as Their Royal Majesties begin. Tonight, the reception room will officially become their throne room. Their den, their royal chambers. Their packlands, their kingdom.
“There are so many wolves,” Taehyung whispers to himself, but it echoes in the silent hall.
The wolves around them start to smile, and it makes him smile to see the way they all love his little wolf.
“The hyungs invited the entire kingdom,” Jungkook says as they walk down the aisle.
The bows around them bow their heads and bend their knees as they walk past.
“We have a kingdom,” his little wolf whispers.
“We do,” he smiles.
Many of their friends from the north followed them back home. They settled close to the river and started to build their first town. And in the four months since they’ve returned, more wolves have come and made the black forest their home.
“Jinnifer is going to lose his fucking mind when he sees the two of you in your little robes,” Jimin squeals as they get to the throne room doors.
“Guardsman Park,” Hobi hisses. “You can’t cuss at a coronation.”
“Fine,” Jimin huffs. “But he is.”
“He totally is,” Hobi agrees. “He’s going to make them sit for a portrait.”
Jungkook’s left hand finds his umma’s locket that’s hanging around his neck, and he thinks that’s not a bad idea. He would love to see them in their robes and their crowns. And maybe —someday— there could also be a baby pup sitting on his little wolf’s lap.
The first notes of the royal march knock at the doors before them, and he hears Jimin whisper, “General Jung, that’s our cue.”
The doors swing open to reveal their new throne room that their hyungs have draped in black. Black flags hang from the ceiling. Black banners hang down the walls. And black carpet leads to a black dais.
With two golden thrones.
The wolves in the room bow their heads as they walk by them very, very slow. Jungkook recognizes some familiar faces in the crowd. Hyungsik and Wooshik. Seojoon and Sunghwan. But he’s surprised when he sees their first two friends from the north.
“Mingyu’s abeoji was crying,” Taehyung whispers after they pass by the father and son.
“I think Mingyu was crying, too,” he chuckles.
Jungkook feels his little wolf’s hand hold him tighter as the music slowly starts to fade. And when Namjoon takes his place at the front of the dais, Jungkook holds his hand a little tighter, too.
“We come together under the light of the full moon to seek the blessings of our goddess for our kingdom,” the alpha says. “And to crown Prince Jeon Jungkook of the Black Forest, Great Guardian of the Goddess, Dark Moon Pack Alpha, and Prince Kim Taehyung of the Black Forest, Protector of the Crown, Dark Moon Pack Luna as our rightful kings.”
The throne room rings with howls and growls, but it’s the silent twist inside his chest that speaks the loudest. And he answers his little love’s call with a gentle tug. Namjoon calls their hyungs forward to present the rest of their regalia. Jimin brings their scepters. Hobi brings their swords. Jin and Yoongi bring their crowns.
“You’re going to have to kneel for this part, pups,” Namjoon tells them. “It’s the last time you ever will.”
And even though Jungkook knows it’s not tradition, he keeps hold of Taehyung’s hand as they bend the knee together.
“Guardsman Kim,” Namjoon gestures to Jin. “You have the honor of crowning our first king.”
Jungkook feels his wolf softly nudge against his ribs as he watches their eldest hyung pick up his crown. The golden crown with black onyx stones that perfectly matches the black onyx crown with gold filigree sitting right beside it.
“My pup,” Jin whispers as he places the crown on his head. “I’m so proud of the wolf you’ve become.”
“It’s because you raised me well, hyung.”
The weight doesn’t feel as heavy as Jungkook thought it would, and he knows it’s because he doesn’t have to bear it all alone. That he has his hyungs and his little wolf.
“Advisor Min, you have the honor of crowning our other first king,” Namjoon says with a wink.
“That’s right,” Yoongi huffs. “My Goldie isn’t second in anything.”
Jungkook watches Taehyung bite down on his lip to hold in a laugh, and he’s grateful —so fucking grateful— that his hyungs always know how to make his little wolf smile.
“Perfect,” Yoongi growls as he sets the black crown on those golden curls. “Like it was always meant to be there.”
And Jungkook smiles as he says, “That’s because it was.”
He helps a blushing Taehyung get back up on his feet. Together, they step up on the dais —and accept their place as kings.
“It’s my honor to present to you Their Royal Majesties, King Jeon Jungkook and King Kim Taehyung,” Namjoon says as they turn to face their kingdom. “May the goddess bless our kings.”
“May the goddess bless our kings,” the wolves in the castle growl as they bow their heads.
And when their hyungs look back up, Jungkook watches the worry that’s lived just under their skin melt away. And none of them pretends not to notice the joy that takes its place.
“So King Kookie, what’s going to be your first royal decree?” Jimin asks.
“For my first royal decree,” Jungkook announces. “I would like King Taehyung to tell me the secret he’s been keeping from me.”
His eyes slide over just in time to see Taehyung’s eyes go wide for a second time tonight.
“I can’t tell you,” his little king says as a blush covers his cheeks. “But I can show you.”
“So, show me, pup,” he smiles.
Taehyung nods his head before he gestures at their hyungs. The older wolves help the castle staff to move things around, and the throne room slowly turns into a ballroom. Complete with a dance floor and a band. Jungkook watches as his little love walks over and sits down next to his twin star, and then he watches as their hyungs bring out—
“A harp,” Jungkook inhales.
He knew Yoongi had one in his music room, but he also knew his hyung never played it. And as far as Jungkook knew, no one else knew how. But then Taehyung lifts his hands and plucks the notes and plays his umma’s song.
The one she used to play while his eomeoni played the flute.
Yoongi’s softer notes start to float into the room as tears roll down his cheeks. And Jungkook can feel his hyungs’ eyes on him, but he doesn’t take his own eyes off his little king.
He can’t.
He can’t take his eyes off the golden boy who came to him unexpectedly and changed his life completely. Who turned his should-have life into a will-be life. Who
managed to fill his room and his lungs and the gaping hole in his chest with
layer after layer of his deliciously dark scent.
The moment his little wolf plucks the final note, Jimin leans over and whispers in his ear, “Told you, you were going to fucking love it.”
The entire room fills with cheers and claps and howls as Jungkook rushes toward his little wolf, picks him up, and swings him around.
“Did you like it?” Taehyung laughs as he twirls him around.
“Like it?” he huffs. “I fucking loved it, pup.”
“Really?” his little wolf preens.
“Really,” he says as he sets him down.
“And you’re not lying, are you?” Taehyung asks.
“No,” he growls. “It was absolutely perfect, little one. The second-best gift I’ve ever received.”
“The second best,” Taehyung whines as his shoulders drop. “What was the best?”
“You,” he smiles as he presses their lips together.
The entire room fills with more cheers and claps and howls, and he opens his eyes to see the blush on his little king’s cheeks. Yoongi, of course, comes to his twin star’s rescue and begins to play again. Their hyungs take it as their cue and join them on the dance floor.
“Will you dance with me, my king?” Jungkook asks as he makes a formal bow.
“Jungkookie,” he laughs. “You’re not supposed to bow.”
“I’ll always bow to you, little one,” he tells him.
Jungkook holds Taehyung's hand and waist as they spin around the room, and they make it through the first song before their hyungs start to cut in. First Jimin and then Jin and then Namjoon and then Hobi. And just when he thinks he’ll get his little love back, Hyungsik and Wooshik push to the front of the line.
“It must be exhausting to be so loved,” Namjoon laughs as they watch Taehyung twirl away.
“I don’t think our Taehyungie can be loved enough,” Jin smiles.
“But fuck, if we aren’t going to try,” Hobi says as he sends him a wink.
“It’s a shame his abeoji couldn’t be here to see this,” Jimin pretends to pout. “Or enjoy that title of his.”
“You mean now that it’s not worthless?” Jungkook huffs. “Yeah, a real fucking shame.”
“You have anything you want to say about that, Jinnifer?” Jimin asks.
The old alpha had apparently come for a visit the moment he heard the good news. His oldest hyung met him at the border, and according to the omega, he thought he was a rogue —and he dealt with him accordingly.
“In the words of my favorite pup,” Jin says. “Sorry not sorry.”
And no one is and no one was. When he told Taehyung about the —accident —the little wolf looked relieved.
“To be fair, Jinnie has never been good at patience,” Namjoon laughs.
“Or with anyone fucking with his pups,” Hobi whispers loud enough for everyone to hear it.
And when the song finally ends and a new song starts to play, Jungkook can’t even be upset that Yoongi has given up his seat with the band to dance with his twin. Their laughter fills the room as they take turns picking each other up and spinning the other around.
“I thought Yoongi hated this dance,” Namjoon frowns.
“He does,” Jimin laughs. “And that’s exactly why Taetae asked his Gigi to do it.”
“Should I save him?” Jungkook asks.
“You should,” Jimin agrees. “But after Taetae’s next turn.”
They watch Taehyung pick the alpha up and spin him around and around and around, and just when it looks like Yoongi is actually going to cry, Jungkook walks over and asks, “Mind if I cut in?”
And Yoongi growls, “Fuck no.”
Jungkook hates to see the sad look on Taehyung’s face when he puts the alpha down, but he knows exactly what to say to make him smile again.
“You want to sneak out of here?” he whispers. “Maybe go for a run together?”
― 𖥧.𖤣.𖥧.𖤣.𖥧 ―
And gods, the answer to that is “yes, hard yes, the most yes yes to ever yes.”
Jungkook’s eyes flash silver as his flash gold, and Taehyung can hear both their wolves start to growl.
“But what about the hyungs?” he asks as he looks over the alpha’s shoulder.
“They’re drunk,” Yoongi says. “Min’s the only one that can hold his liquor, and he’s been stumbling for the last two songs. I’ll be picking them all off the floor in an hour.”
“Then maybe we should stay?” he asks as he looks at his twin star.
“You gave them their night, pups,” Yoongi says. “You two go enjoy yours.”
And they don’t have to be told twice.
They don’t so much sneak out of the throne room —it’s more like —they run. Jungkook pulls him into the cloak room and strips off their regalia. The chains and the robes and swords and the crowns. Everything gets left behind. They run out to the courtyard and through the castle gates and see the moon’s still high overhead.
“I’ll give you a head start,” Jungkook growls as he presses a quick kiss to his lips. “I suggest you make good use of it.”
The buzzing under his skin comes rushing back. The want and the need quickly follow. His wolf tears through his skin, and they hear something whispering run.
They run toward the south and then cut to the east, following the first path they ever ran through these woods. Back when they had never seen a forest like this one before. Back when these trails were new. But these woods are their woods now.
And they know where to go.
They run through the trees that look like they hold the heavens up above them. They run over the roots that seem to reach the infernal realms below them. They run between rocks that feel like they anchor the entire world around them.
And by the time they hear their alpha’s howl, they’re deep inside the forest they now call their home.
They race down a narrow path and then another and then another as they wind their way through the darkest part of the woods. The part where there’s nothing but shadows. Where they can’t see the stars or the moon. Where the only light comes from the white fur of the alpha cutting through the trees.
And just like that, the chase is on.
They watch as their alpha starts to close the distance between them. Tries to cut them off before the split in the path. But they are smart and they are fast and they can do this. Not because they have to, but because they want to.
Because this time, they get to choose.
Their paws touch the ground just long enough for them to leave it, and they make it to the split. The path on the left will take them back to the castle. Back to their home and their nest and their den. The path on the right will take them to a fallen tree.
And the chance to start again.
They feel a gentle tug inside their chest as they run headlong into the night. Into their future. Into their new beginning.
And onto the path on the right.
They splash through a small creek and run through the new spring moss. They whip their tail between the trees and in the gentle breeze. And when they see the fallen tree ahead, they leap up to the very top. They shift back on their hind legs, throw their weight —and jump off.
They hang there in the night sky.
And somewhere between floating and falling and flying, they realize that their fear of heights was really the fear of not being caught. But as their alpha wraps himself around them, they know they don’t have to be afraid anymore.
Caught you, their alpha growls as they land on the mossy ground.
Taehyung’s wolf softly slips away as Jungkook begins to scent him. The clearing fills with the smell of lilies as the alpha noses at his neck. And when Jungkook presses against his scent gland, he knows what he wants.
Bite me, he says as he bares his throat. Claim me. Make me yours.
Jungkook’s fangs are sharp as they cut his skin, but his bite is soft. The venom that fills his veins doesn’t hurt, and it doesn’t burn. It’s warm. So warm.
How does it feel, pup? Jungkook asks as he licks his neck.
― 𖥧.𖤣.𖥧.𖤣.𖥧 ―
Like you, Taehyung sighs. It feels like you.
His little wolf makes him chase him all the way back home. They run up the spiral stairs, down the hall, and to their den. They jump from the floor and shift as they land on the bed.
“Beautiful,” Jungkook breathes as he sees Taehyung laid out bare beneath him with his bite on his neck.
He growls something possessive and possessed as he leans down and licks the mark he made on his little mate. He licks then kisses then bites then sucks as the smell of slick fills the air.
“Jungkookie,” Taehyung whines as his back arches off the bed. “Need —you —too —”
His little love whines when he wets his fingers and moans when he pushes them in. He whimpers as he opens him up and cries when he finally fills him up. Jungkook fucks into him slowly, letting the heat between them build, and just when his little wolf looks like he’s close, he bares his neck and asks him for his bite.
“Claim me, little love,” he growls. “Make alpha yours.”
Taehyung’s eyes glitter with gold right before he sinks his fangs into his skin. And the little wolf’s venom is just as soft and just as sweet as him. He feels Taehyung’s body pull tight, and he knows he’s about to cum, so he pushes his knot inside of him, and the two of them cum together.
“How does it feel?” Taehyung asks as he kisses the mark he made.
“It feels like you,” he smiles as he rolls them over.
Taehyung sits on his lap, and Jungkook feels him start to trace he scars on his skin. The dark red ones from true love’s kiss. The new pink one from him. Jungkook’s fingers trace the same lines across Taehyung’s golden skin.
And when he touches the mark he left, he smiles and says, “I’m glad we match again.”
The sound of Taehyung’s laughter fills the air, and the smell of crossroads dirt fills the room. There are layers of love and loss, happiness and sadness, hope and despair. And as the morning rises on their first day of their new lives, they breathe all of them in. They fill their lungs up with dirt.
― 𖥧.𖤣.𖥧.𖤣.𖥧 ―
And they let it bury them.
― 𖥧.𖤣.𖥧.𖤣.𖥧 ―