Chapter Text
People would think Jimin and Jeongguk were high school sweethearts who had been in a long-term relationship, so in love with one another that they chose to mate.
Jimin wished that that was the case, really, but it was far from that. They must've pretended really well for people to think that. Or, at least, Jeongguk did. Jimin never did anything out of pretence. He had always loved Jeongguk.
But Jeongguk didn't.
The alpha never looked twice at him because he was in love with Seokjin, and had always been, foolishly so. But one careless night, where they let go of themselves, and got carried away to let their wolves take over, they had accidentally mated, and now Jeongguk was trapped with Jimin. It was clear that Jeongguk didn't stay because he loved him, it was simply because he felt an obligation towards Jimin, because without him, his mate, Jimin could die.
Jimin tried to not let this fact hurt him too much, but sometimes it was all he could think of, and it stung when he loved Jeongguk as much as he did.
He was used to it though.
—
Jimin wondered for a long time what it was that Seokjin had that he didn't, and by now he knew the list by heart.
Seokjin was pretty, and alluring, like an omega would stereotypically be, but even then he wasn't a typical omega. Seokjin was outspoken, blunt, and never afraid to say anything that was on his mind. Sometimes, he came across as rude for his blunt personality, but despite his often mistaken cold exterior, he was kind, and cared for the people around him in his own way. Seokjin dyes his hair often even though omegas were deemed more attractive with their natural color. Seokjin wore clothes that were deemed "too provocative" for an omega. He was never afraid of breaking the norms, never afraid to defy what the society expected omegas to be. Seokjin was smart, he was someone everyone would want to talk to for a long time because of his extensive knowledge on basically everything under the sun, not to mention he was funny. He also knew how to cook, and he did it really well, a cherished skill in omegas. In short, Seokjin was good at everything he did, he was very nearly perfect.
Jimin thought that maybe Jeongguk didn't like him because he was quiet and smiled a little too softly. Seokjin was loud and outspoken.
Maybe Jeongguk didn't like him because he was too much of an omega. It had been clear from the start why he wasn't the alpha's type.
Over the years, he subconsciously tried to imitate Seokjin. First, he dyed his natural black hair to blonde because Seokjin dyed his hair a lot, and it looked really cool on him, made him glow even more than he usually did, complementing his unblemished fair skin. Jimin liked how his new blonde hair turned out, it boosted his barely there confidence. Along with dyeing his hair, he tried to change the way he dressed up. He usually wore boring, repetitive fluffy sweaters that were a few inches longer than his hands, some plain jeans, and to add some flair, he'd sometimes go with ripped ones. He changed them with loose tops that showed some skin, made his collar bones poke out, with tight fitted jeans that accentuated his thick thighs, thinking that maybe that would make him more attractive. He tried to be more confident with himself but he fell short, always drowning in self-doubt.
Jimin tried everything to make Jeongguk look at him, but he never saw him. Not more than as a friend, at least. He thought, maybe it was because he never told him about his feelings but he was too scared of rejection to confess so he quietly sat on his feelings, until they consumed him. However, he was never good at hiding how he felt so he was almost certain that Jeongguk knew about the feelings he harbored for him. Even their friends knew, if the pitiful looks he sent his way were anything to go by. Lucky enough, Jeongguk never said anything which Jimin was grateful for because he knew he didn't stand a chance.
Jimin knew from the very start, even before he realized his own feelings for Jeongguk, that the alpha was deeply in love with Seokjin. He watched as Jeongguk followed Seokjin around like a puppy wanting to be held and coddled, watched Jeongguk cling to Seokjin, practically begging for his affection, which Seokjin willingly gave, petting Jeongguk’s head, cooing at him. Jimin watched as Jeongguk looked at Seokjin with love-sick eyes, wide with awe and adoration every time Seokjin did as much as open his mouth. Jimin watched as the apples of Jeongguk's cheeks reddened whenever Seokjin complimented him, touched him, smiled at him—anything. Jeongguk wasn't an openly affectionate person, he was a little shy and showed his love for his friends subtly, which, in a way, made his feelings for Seokjin that much more obvious so that anyone with eyes could see he was in love with him. His public displays of affection towards Seokjin were anything but subtle to anyone else than to only the two involved.
Regardless, Seokjin had never said anything despite Jeongguk's transparent feelings for him. Perhaps Seokjin was oblivious enough to not to notice, or he was purposefully ignoring the clear signs, no one could tell. He was good at keeping things to himself when he wanted to.
Everything he ever wanted was right in front of Seokjin, and yet he didn't seem to appreciate it. He was taking for granted everything that Jimin wanted, but Jimin didn't blame him. Not really.
He couldn't force Seokjin to love Jeongguk just like Jimin couldn't force Jeongguk to love him.
—
Jimin and Jeongguk were good friends. They had met when Jimin was 17, and Jeongguk was 15, and had been introduced by their mutual friends. Jimin would even boldly dare declare that he was the closest with Jeongguk in their group now.
At first, Jimin was a little intimidated by Jeongguk. Jeongguk seemed a little standoffish, and it didn’t help that he was a huge alpha with a piercing gaze that made Jimin squirm, it didn't matter how pretty and round his eyes were. Jimin had always been a little too shy and easily intimidated for his own good—not to mention too anxious when he was meeting new people. Jeongguk didn't make it easy. The alpha refused to look at him, and sat as far as he could from Jimin like he couldn't stomach having anything to do with him, so Jimin avoided him during their group hangouts as subtly as he could, thinking that he was doing the both of them a favor. Still, it didn't go unnoticed by their friends.
"I know Jeongguk looks like he's an asshole, or he may sometimes even act like he is one, but believe me when I say he's not. He's a giant fluffball." Seokjin whispered to him, a smile lifting up the corners of his mouth.
"I—" The words were caught in Jimin's throat, his eyes widened, and he knew his face had turned red, the topic having caught him off guard.
Seokjin laughed at his dumbfounded reaction. "He's just a little weary around new people, not the best at socializing as well. When we first met he wasn't as big and as 'intimidating' as he is right now. He was just a kid with big eyes. Anyway, it took him a while to warm up to me too. You won't believe it but he's just...shy. Yeah, shy. Give him some time." Seokjin gave him a pat on the head, like the doting friend that he was before leaving him to get himself some water.
Jimin himself had a hard time adjusting to new people so he understood Jeongguk, and being the older one of the two he tried his best to get close to him. He was tired of his friends having to adjust for them just because they couldn't stop walking around eggshells with each other.
They were having their usual hangouts with their friends in Taehyung and Yoongi's shared apartment and everyone had dozed off after watching the movie Jimin couldn't even remember because he had been too busy trying not to fall asleep. Once the movie ended, Jeongguk went to Taehyung's room and left the door open. Jimin fiddled with his hands, contemplating for a few minutes before deciding to just fuck it. Just today, Namjoon had to give up his seat for Jeongguk and stay on the floor because the only available seat had been beside Jimin and Jeongguk didn't feel comfortable sitting beside him, or maybe he just didn't want to.
Jimin got up from his seat and followed Jeongguk into the room.
Jeongguk didn't notice him enter, too engrossed in his game and Jimin had half a mind to turn back and forgot his stupid failed attempt but before he could, he realized Jeongguk had noticed his presence in the room and was now looking at him with confusion, his eyebrows scrunched up, sandalwood scent spiked up and not in a good way. He seemed annoyed.
Well, you interrupted his peaceful game.
"Can I...uh, play with you?" Jimin stuttered out, cheeks heating up with embarrassment.
A deafening silence echoed throughout the room, Jimin winced internally. This was a bad idea.
"Oh," Jeongguk breathed, blinking up at him before scooting sideways to give Jimin space to sit beside him. "Okay."
Jeongguk handed him one of the controllers once he was seated. Jimin just stared at it, trying to figure out what to do with it. He had seen them, of course, but he had never played simply because it wasn't his cup of tea, and right now he regretted that.
"What?" Jeongguk asked when he noticed that he wasn't moving or doing anything at all.
Jimin peered up at him, and quietly said, "I don't know how to play." Jimin expected Jeongguk to scoff at him, mock him for not knowing something so simple, and maybe even kick him out of the room. What he didn't expect was for Jeongguk to laugh, the kind of laugh that only their friends managed to get out of Jeongguk. The alpha seemed amused, his front teeth poked out his mouth, resting quite adorably on his plush lower lip, his nose scrunched up. Jimin forgot how to breathe. Jeongguk looked way younger when he smiled like that.
"Well, I'm really good at video games so no worries. I can teach you." He proudly said, and before Jimin had the time to process, Jeongguk was leaning in and reaching out for his hands and the controller, their fingers brushing, making Jimin's heartbeat pick up which he concluded was not good for his health.
Jimin spent the whole time in which Jeongguk had been explaining to him how to play the game and use the controller trying not to get caught staring and pretending to understand.
From then on, things between them got better and in a short span of time, they got closer than they ever imagined themselves to be. So close that now they even had their monthly routine of going to the movies to watch whichever movie piqued their attention, and would stay up all night debating whether it had been worth watching or not. They would sit on Jimin’s bed, eagerly waiting as their favorite band dropped a new album, and then they would discuss which songs were their favorite. Jimin wasn't the best at showing affection but little by little, he was learning how to. Sometimes, when he was feeling extra brave, he would place his hand on Jeongguk’s waist and scratch his scalp while they lay in his bed just because Jeongguk loved being pampered, no matter how tough he liked to act.
As they got closer, Jimin realized that Jeongguk was exactly everything their friends had told him about in the beginning. He was shy but overly confident at the same time. He had this natural cuteness in him—a charm that made everyone want to take care of him. He was a nice guy, thoughtful and caring even though he often hid that side of him, afraid of being vulnerable and people seeing him as too immature, which was an insecurity he had told Jimin several times about. He was the youngest among them, and he was really cute, hence why he was always doted on, and no matter how much the youngest pretended to hate it, they all knew he loved it. Jimin thought that what he felt for Jeongguk was a case of simple adoration, the way you feel genuine fondness for a friend or a younger sibling, but he started to unpack his feelings, and realized it wasn't the case when his chest always felt a little tighter whenever Jeongguk would get too close to Seokjin.
He convinced himself that it would go away. He didn't want to have feelings for someone who was already in love with someone else, he couldn't torture himself like that. He had often told himself it was just infatuation, but it had been years, and every passing day his feelings for Jeongguk grew stronger as the hole in his chest grew bigger.
Throughout the years, Jimin had learned how to set his feelings aside. He had learned how to look away quickly whenever Jeongguk would reach out and hold Seokjin's hands, and played softly with them. He had learned how to blink fast enough to stop the tears from falling whenever Seokjin reciprocated Jeongguk's touches. It didn't hurt any less though.
Their friends were so sure that Seokjin felt the same for Jeongguk, even though he never voiced it openly. They thought his actions were enough evidence of his feelings for Jeongguk.
But Jeongguk showed up at his front door one day, face wet with tears, eyes swollen, and he was...a crying mess. It turned out that Seokjin was dating Namjoon, and when Jeongguk confronted him, Seokjin said he only saw Jeongguk like a younger brother, and that maybe Jeongguk had read their affection mistakenly for something that was purely platonic from Seokjin’s end.
Jimin dragged Jeongguk inside his apartment, and let him cry his heart out. Jeongguk cried and cried, rambling about how Seokjin could've been honest, that he shouldn't have led him on if he didn't want him. He told Jimin how much it hurt, and how he felt like he was never going to recover from it. Jimin patted his head, rubbed his back in soothing patterns, and whispered reassurances against his ears. He did all that while trying not to crumble because his heart was breaking too.
It then became a habit. Jeongguk went to him whenever he was sad or upset about Namjoon and Seokjin's relationship. He came to him, and bawled his eyes out when he saw them holding hands or being overly sweet like the couple that they were whenever their group went out to eat because yes, they still hung out together and Jeongguk refused not to be there. He said that he didn’t want to show Seokjin that he was affected. That was when Jeongguk needed him the most so Jimin let him take comfort in him, because that's what friends do, be there for each other, and he was there to be Jeongguk's friend, even if that meant breaking his own heart every step of the way.
—
One day, while Jeongguk was in the midst of his many breakdowns, he suddenly stopped and looked up at Jimin, eyes glistening with tears. He stared at him, then his gaze dropped to his lips. Jimin should've stopped him when he leaned forward, leaving enough space for Jimin to back out if he didn't want it, giving him control on the situation.
But that was the problem, he wanted it.
Jimin felt his stomach twist into knots when their lips connected. Jeongguk's lips were a bit chapped, but soft nonetheless. It was an innocent kiss at first, close-mouthed, and just barely a peck, but then Jeongguk cradled his face, angled his head and deepened the kiss, sliding his lips against Jimin's. Jimin moaned when Jeongguk slipped his tongue in, and licked into his mouth. Jeongguk's hand slipped under his shirt, feeling up the smoothness of his skin, his grip on the hem of Jeongguk's shirt tightening. It was all he had ever wanted, but at the same time it wasn't. He couldn't get himself to stop though.
They didn't speak for a week after that. There was complete silence from Jeongguk's side, and it broke Jimin's heart more than he’d like to admit. Jeongguk regretted kissing him, Jimin knew that. He would probably never talk to him again.
The next day, however, Jeongguk showed up at his door again, and if he loved Jeongguk a little less and had a bit of self-respect, it would've been so easy to slam the door in his face, but he opened the door, and let Jeongguk in, and before he knew it, Jimin was being pressed against the door and kissed stupid. He hated himself for melting into Jeongguk's touches once again, his omega preening because it recognized Jeongguk as their alpha. He knew Jeongguk was just using him because he was hurting, needed some comfort, and he hated himself for letting it happen again.
It started off as a soft and an innocent kiss, and it slowly turned into touches that burned his skin, made him lightheaded, to him then moaning underneath Jeongguk as the alpha rammed into him, his sandalwood scent taking over his senses. Jimin arching his back, and moaning shamelessly, and loudly.
It happened once, twice, thrice. Jeongguk never asked why Jimin agreed to continue this, and Jimin was grateful. Perhaps, Jeongguk knew just how much Jimin loved him, that he was willing to let himself be used if it meant Jeongguk felt a little better.
Jeongguk wasn't exactly an asshole though, he didn't just fuck Jimin, and then left. He stayed with Jimin, cleaned the mess both of them made, and cuddled with him because he knew Jimin especially craved affection after sex and maybe it was the post-sex haziness that made him braver. But that was it, and oh how Jimin wanted for all of it to be more.
Jimin kept waiting for it to end, for Jeongguk to stop, and tell him he regretted it and decided it was time to stop, but Jeongguk kept coming back, almost every day.
Sometimes, when Jimin was writhing underneath him or was rocking his hips on top of him with Jeongguk's cock buried to the hilt inside him, Jeongguk would tell him he looked beautiful, that he was perfect, and a part of Jimin couldn't help but think that maybe Jeongguk wanted him too, but he knew better than to believe that.
When Jeongguk started crying about Seokjin after they had sex, it was enough to knock him back to the reality that Jeongguk didn’t love Jimin.
Some people might think he was crazy, and they might not understand why he couldn't just tell Jeongguk to stop, and end this when he could. Yeah, he definitely could stop this, but things were always easier said than done. It was pathetic, and so stupid of him to hold onto this when he knew nothing good would come out of it because, again, Jeongguk was only using him to momentarily dull the pain, letting out his frustrations by fucking Jimin, and maybe he even saw Seokjin whenever he called him beautiful, he wasn't sure, but Jimin could bear the pain if it meant he'd have Jeongguk for a while, in anyway he could.
—
Jeongguk hadn't shown up for a couple of months. No texts from him or anything, as if he had fallen from the face of the earth. He didn't see him either because whenever their friends went out, he wasn't there. It was okay, Jimin understood. Jeongguk was busy with his graduation coming up really soon. He told himself it was okay even though it would only take less than a minute for Jeongguk to send Jimin a text.
Jeongguk just didn't want to . He wants nothing to do with you. How can you not see that?
Jeongguk's graduation day came, and as usual they celebrated it with their group. It was the first time he was seeing Jeongguk after two months and frankly, he was nervous.
Their friends arrived at the restaurant in time, all of them bringing graduation gifts for the youngest to which Jeongguk whined about because you didn't have to give me anything! but accepted the gifts with a barely contained grin.
Jeongguk peeked into the bags of gifts he got while everyone was busy getting to their seats, trying to be discreet about it but Jimin still noticed, he always did. Jimin bit his lip nervously when he saw that the alpha was peeking into the gift he gave him, and saw Jeongguk's eyes widened almost comically. Jimin got Jeongguk gaming headphones and a wireless mouse. He remembered Jeongguk whining about wanting to buy it but it was pricey, and he didn't know if it was worth buying, so Jimin got it for him for his graduation. Jeongguk looked into the bag again and then to Jimin, back to the bag and Jimin again, his eyes wide with joy.
"Jimin," Jeongguk said, blinking at him. "I—thank you." The alpha broke into a wide smile, his front teeth cushioned on his bottom lip, and his cheeks looked red. Jimin wanted to say something but Jeongguk was so pretty he suddenly forgot how to use his voice. He just smiled and nodded.
They gave the server their orders, and while waiting for their food, fell into the familiar banter. They congratulated Jeongguk about finally graduating from college, asked him what his plans were, and how he felt about starting his adulting journey . Jimin joined them, it was always lovely to see Jeongguk blush with embarrassment, so cute to see him whining whenever they teased him. Jeongguk told them that he applied for an internship program in the States, everyone gasped and congratulated him non-stop, proud of him for doing so well.
Jimin belatedly noticed that Namjoon wasn't around, and it didn't seem like he was coming any time soon and he grew quiet when he saw that Jeongguk's hand was on top of Seokjin's on the table, his heart sinking to his stomach.
Jimin had noticed that Seokjin and Jeongguk grew close again after they’d drifted apart when the initial news about Seokjin's relationship with Namjoon came out. If he didn't know any better, he'd have said that Jeongguk had moved on but the alpha looked at Seokjin with the same glimmer in his eyes. None of them knew what really happened to the couple since then. Or, at least, Jimin didn't, but it seemed like things weren't going smoothly.
He wanted to stop staring but he couldn't. It physically hurt him, seeing Jeongguk brush his thumb against Seokjin's knuckles. They fit perfectly together. Jimin averted his gaze when he felt tears start to burn his eyes, trying his best to focus on the background noise instead of their voices. Their friends didn't even bat an eyelash, so used to them being like this. Jimin hoped he could be indifferent to it too.
Jeongguk wasn't too busy. He was avoiding him because he probably regretted whatever happened, and now that Seokjin and he were okay he didn't really need Jimin. Now that he thought about it, he didn't think Jeongguk even spared him a glance after handing him his gift. He swallowed the lump that was crowding his throat and got up from his chair, interrupting the conversation at the table.
Now all eyes were on him, and it made him anxious. "I...uh...I'm going to the restroom," he said timidly, grateful that his voice did not break. They nodded, Taehyung asking him to not take too long because their food was coming soon.
With shaky feet, he dragged himself to the restroom, locked himself inside a cubicle, and sat on a closed toilet, his head in his head while he tried not to cry. No matter what he did, Jeongguk would never see him. Jeongguk would probably see anyone but him, and that realization hit him hard. He ignored the wetness on his cheeks and tried not to choke on his tears.
After what felt like hours, Jimin finally composed himself. He got out of the cubicle, washed his face to rid of any evidence of him crying, and went back to their table.
"You're back! What took you so long?" Jeongguk asked, finally paying him attention. Jimin didn't answer, just smiled and sat on his chair.
"Let's dig in!"
They ate and talked some more, but Jimin kept quiet, and remained to himself. He felt eyes burning the side of his face but he ignored it. Taehyung nudged his feet below the table, Jimin looked up. Taehyung had the are you okay? look in his eyes. Jimin nodded, and went back to eating.
They finished their food, and after an hour or so they decided to all go home so Jeongguk could rest.
Jimin headed out first, relieved that he didn't have to be there anymore. He could walk home alone, feel the chilly breeze caress his face and maybe cry some more as he walked.
—
A few weeks later, while he was busy drowning in self-pity, tears streaming down his face, he heard loud and hurried knocks on his door. He wiped the tears off his face, stood on his wobbly feet, effect of downing a couple bottles of soju and walked to the door to open it only to reveal Jeongguk.
Jeongguk looked like a mess. His hair was unkempt, sticking out all over the place, his face was wet, and he was sniffling. He was crying, again, at Jimin's door. He knew exactly what it meant.
And like some sort of déjà vu, he let Jeongguk in.
He let Jeongguk pin him to the door, press him to the door and grind their hips together, moaning at the delicious friction. Jeongguk tasted like alcohol but Jimin didn't care. A part of him wanted to push Jeongguk away, and scream at him to never fucking come back but all of him wanted to just stay there under Jeongguk's mercy as he did everything that made him scream his name.
Jeongguk kissed him, hard and deep until the two of them were panting. Jimin had no idea when they took their clothes off but now they were naked in Jimin's bed. Jimin moaned, high-pitched and shaky, when Jeongguk pulled his cock out slowly only to slam back into him. Jimin wrapped his hands around Jeongguk's neck, he needed leverage because he felt like every part of him was coming apart with how hard Jeongguk fucked him, the alpha's grip on his waist bruising. Jimin was so close.
Jeongguk nuzzled his neck, a first, and Jimin's breath stuttered. Maybe Jimin should've stopped Jeongguk when he started licking at his neck but it felt too good, and he was so in lost into it, too intoxicated not only by the alcohol but also their mingling scents hat it was too late to stop him when he felt Jeongguk's teeth sink into his neck, a shot of pain mixed with pleasure coursed through his body as Jeongguk's teeth sank deeper, breaking skin and drawing blood. Jimin screamed in pain, and only then was he broken out of his stupor. He pushed Jeongguk, whose teeth were still in Jimin's neck, as carefully as he could. Jeongguk immediately pulled out and away when he felt Jimin resisting, which Jimin was grateful for because he didn't think he had any more strength in him.
Jimin sat on the bed, hands shaking but his body was numb. There was blood dripping from his neck where Jeongguk bit him. Jeongguk bit him. Jeongguk mated him. But Jeongguk didn't even look like he knew what he had done. He was still staring bleary-eyed at Jimin, confusion written all over his face.
"J-Jeongguk," Jimin choked out a sob. Jeongguk bit him. Jeongguk mated him. He was too drunk, and the need to breed and mate during sex was strong, and Jeongguk couldn't control his wolf. Jimin was sober, he should've known the moment the alpha started getting too close to his neck. He should've stopped it but he failed at that too.
Jeongguk opened his mouth to say something but the world turned black before he could hear it.
—
Jimin woke up to a cold and empty bed, alone, with Jeongguk gone.
Jeongguk's scent was still there but it was obvious he was gone. Jimin whimpered, tears falling quickly from his eyes and wetting his face. He put his hand on the mating mark—could he even call it that?—and realized it was...bandaged. Jimin opened his bedside drawer and looked for the mirror and saw in it that the wound had been patched up. Jimin was also in his pajamas, one he didn't remember wearing, and he didn't feel as sticky as he should. The sheets were clean too even though Jimin remembered droplets of his blood falling on himself. Jeongguk had cleaned him up, and changed the sheets. He also saw the mating mark, cleaned and patched it up to avoid infections.
Jeongguk saw the mating mark and ran off.
It was probably revolting to find out that he had mated the person he didn't even like romantically. Jimin expected as much, he didn't expect Jeongguk to stay with him just because he mated him—accidentally. Still, it hurt.
He let go of the mirror, pulled his legs to his chest, hid his face between his knees, and cried like the pathetic and stupid omega that he was.
In the midst of it, he didn't hear the door to his bedroom open, didn't feel the dip in his bed and his nose was so clogged from all the crying he had done that he couldn't smell him. But Jimin felt him from the bond, however weak, he felt Jeongguk through their bond. So he wasn’t too surprised when he looked up, and saw Jeongguk was beside him.
"Hi," Jeongguk stuttered, looking sheepish, concern quickly overtaking his features when he saw the state Jimin was in.
Jimin tried to give him a reassuring smile but his lips wobbled, and more tears slipped down his eyes. He felt relieved from knowing that his alpha— not his alpha—didn't leave him but he knew it wouldn't last.
"H-hey."
"I...I got you some food. I'm sorry I left without letting you know but it was too early for deliveries, and you have no food in your fridge so I went out to grab some. I know you like Chinese fried rice with dumplings." Jeongguk said, filled with nerves, it didn't help that Jimin was crying in front of him. He unwrapped the food instead to distract himself for a while. "I'm sure you're hungry. Eat this, please?"
Jeongguk looked at him with his big pleading eyes, and Jimin nodded. He reached out to get the food from him but the alpha insisted that he help him because the omega's hands were shaking. Jeongguk practically fed Jimin, and although he was embarrassed, he took it. Je was starving. Jimin finished everything, and Jeongguk handed him a glass of water, looking relieved. He also cleaned up after Jimin ate and threw away the food containers. After that, when Jeongguk came back, they were left with the silence of the room. They both became very much aware of how they were alone, together, in the room.
"Jimin, I'm so sorry," Jeongguk said, and Jimin's heart clenched in his chest. "I was drunk and I couldn't control myself—I didn't know I—I'm sorry I mated you." Jeongguk gnawed on his lips while he waited for an answer, looking so guilty like he could cry any moment.
To be honest, Jimin didn't know what to say to the person you were in love with, apologizing because he mated you. He didn't know if he could say anything at all but he tried for the sake of Jeongguk.
"I-It's okay. It was my fault, I should've—"
"No. You shouldn't blame yourself for my actions. I bit you. I mated you. I did this. It's not your fault. I should be held accountable for it."
"But—"
"Stop. It's my fault. Don't blame yourself, please." Jeongguk exasperated, running a hand through his face and that was when Jimin noticed. The dark bags under his eyes, like he hadn't slept at all, the redness and puffiness of his eyes like he cried all night.
Jimin nodded but he still felt like he was the one at fault.
"What do you want to do now?" Jeongguk asked after a few minutes of silence.
"We don't have to do anything. I'm not your responsibility. It's not like you mated me because you wanted to. It's okay." No matter how many times Jimin told himself that, it wasn't okay. Jimin expected Jeongguk to agree, to be relieved, and leave him.
"What are you saying? You're my mate now, of course you're my responsibility." Jeongguk said, frustrated, then continued a bit timidly, unsure. "All of this is so sudden. I hadn't planned to mate so young—I don't know what to do right now, to be honest. Can you give me time to think about everything?" The alpha's eyes were big and shiny, almost pleading.
Jimin couldn't help but feel disappointed hearing that, but he had expected it. He knew Jeongguk wouldn't want to stay with him. He supposed Jeongguk asking for some time was just him being considerate, and giving Jimin the time he needed to accept when the day came when Jeongguk tells him he didn't want any of this.
"Okay." Jimin simply said, avoiding Jeongguk's eyes as he fiddled on the loose threads of his covers.