Chapter Text
When Taehyung was fifteen his grandmother announced to him his engagement, and life had never been the same.
Taehyung was raised by his grandmother according to old values. He kept his hair long as a symbol of purity, wore Hanboks, and learned the ways to be a perfect house-spouse. The only place he was seen with casual clothes was at school, if a uniform could be considered as such. He lived with the constant presence of a husband he did not know.
“You will marry the Jeon heir,” said his grandmother with a pleased smile. Taehyung blushed keeping his gaze low. His fiancé never came to meet him. Jeon Jungkook was a busy man. He was five years older than Taehyung, and those fleeting years felt like an eon for a young and easily impressed teenage boy.
Taehyung never resented Jungkook for his absence. He learned to accept that Jungkook was a busy man, and busy men did not have much time for themselves. However, Jungkook’s grandfather, Taekyung, visited frequently. With time, Taehyung saw in the old hunched man a grandfather he never had.
As any youngster, Taehyung’s head was filled with a yearn for romance. But, his situation was different. Unlike his comrades, Taehyung already had a fiancé, a futur husband, and no one other than Jeon Jungkook, heir to a fortune and a deeply rooted family. Their name alone was wealth enough. And the thought alone sufficed to make Taehyung blush timidly.
“You will live in a pretty and big house,” Aecha, Taehyung’s mother, would say with a big smile.
“He is a good soul,” Taekyung would say each time he visited. Along the years, Jungkook’s absence weighted more and more on Taehyung’s heart. He became a shadow, always present yet never truly there.
Taehyung, through social media, knew who his husband was. He saw pictures of a tall and handsome alpha. His broad shoulders and chiseled chest spoke of raw strength and vitality. His smile was bright yet carried a hint of innocence in the sparkle of his eyes. He was surrounded by friends. Friends that became familiar faces to Taehyung. At times, in the safety of his room, Taehyung let himself dream of that strong alpha. He imagined his deep voice whispering sweet nothings. He pictured the big hands caressing his skin. He whimpered when imaginary strong arms wrapped around his frame. He guessed Jungkook’s scent to be as strong and potent as his aura. The young man carried himself with an ease and confidence that only men of power had.
Taehyung, at times, left comments under the pictures, the videos. He sent messages but no reply came. It did not matter because Jungkook was a busy man and busy men did not have much free time.
Taekyung told Taehyung endless tales and stories about Jungkook. Taehyung feasted on each and every word. He learned every like and dislike of the alpha. In the confines of his mind, he liked to think of Jungkook as his husband, and not just an absentee fiancé.
When Taehyung was eighteen, he got married, and life had never been the same.
He thought of Jungkook as a god incarnate.When they met, his scent and height had Taehyung’s knees tremble. He towered over the omega. His crimson eyes swept over the frail frame. His smile curved into a lopsided smile. He spared Taehyung a glance and it had been enough for the omega to fall.
Taehyung was invited to the Jeon mansion in the city, far away from the safety of his parents’ humble farm. His head swooned from the luxury and display of wealth. Maids bowed to him. People referred to him with such deference that Taehyung lost his voice. He was left at loss and speechless. Only a night ago, he was the mere son of a farmer, and right there in the Jeon’s house he was a young master.
Taehyung was taken to his room. It was bigger than any room he saw. It was a suite fit for a king, he thought candidly. He was informed that Jungkook left for a business meeting. Their encounter barely lasted a minute. Taehyung felt his heart ache. But, it did not matter because soon enough Jungkook would be his husband.
Jungkook never reappeared.
Taehyung was left with Aera, Jungkook’s mother, to handle all of the wedding preparations. His days were punctuated with long meetings with dozens of different weddings planners, florists, chefs, bakers, and many other occupations he couldn’t list. He did not understand why the flowers had to match his wedding outfits. He did not understand the need for several wedding cakes. He did not understand when the adults talked. When he dared to open his trembling mouth to ask a question, Aera shushed him with a violence that had his eyes sting.
And Jungkook became a ghost.
“We will proceed with the legal papers tomorrow,” Aera said as she roamed in Taehyung’s room. He kept it clean and tidy despite the maids complains. Taehyung did not understand why he couldn’t do his own bed or clean his own bathroom. The maids were livid each time he helped. They gently ushered him away.
“I know, mother” Taehyung said with a polite bow. He watched her move around in the room. Her elegant hand brushed over Taehyung’s possessions. They were not many, only trinkets and souvenirs from his friends.
“Don’t call me that,” Aera sighed turning to face Taehyung. He quickly dropped his gaze. “Call me Madam,” she instructed with her usual firm tone. It left no room for discussion. “And you will refer to my son as young master,” she added. Taehyung, startled by the demand, raised his gaze. She stood tall and impressive. Her aura smothered Taehyung. “I won’t have you act improperly,” she said with a saccharine smile. It never reached her eyes. Taehyung knew as much now. He spent enough time by her side. “You don’t want that, do you now omega?” she said. The name felt like an insult, although she was one herself. Taehyung shook his head. His throat knotted. “Speaking of legal papers, I have something that I need you to sign before the ceremony,” she handed Taehyung an envelope. He opened it with trembling hands. Prenuptial agreement, the documents said. He wondered what it was. He wondered if he had a right to ask, or if he would be silenced again. The choice was taken from him as Taekyung came into the room with a furor that Taehyung never witnessed before.
“What do you think you are doing?” Taekyung asked snatching the documents from Taehyung’s hands. His glare anchored itself on Aera. The women did not even flinch. She even smiled. Taehyung admired her calm composure.
“Grandfather, I am only discussing the wedding with my son-in-law,” Aera said walking closer to Taehyung. She wrapped her arm around Taehyung. He grip was vice like. Taehyung suppressed a whimper. “And forgive me for trying to protect my son and our family,” she sighed glancing at the documents. “It was merely a test,” she explained. Taehyung felt at loss.
“Leave us,” Taekyung said sternly not wanting to engage in her mind games. He waited until the door closed behind her. “Are you all right, son?” he asked facing Taehyung. His face was void of that harshness that painted it a moment ago. His eyes were full of worry.
“I am, grandfather,” Taehyung smiled leaning in the soft touch. The wrinkled hand wrapped gently around his forearm. “She wanted me to sign something for the legal union. I didn’t understand what it was,” he said with an honesty that pained the older man.
“It is nothing,” Taekyung said with a soft smile. “Don’t sign anything she gives you from now without my approval. Do you understand, boy?” he asked scrutinizing Taehyung’s face. The omega nodded with a smile.
Taekyung left shortly after. Taehyung watched him walk out in a hurry with the crumpled papers in his hand. He wondered what they were. He did not have time to ponder on them. The day had been extremely long and tiring. Sleep won over with unsurprising ease.