Archive of Our Own

The first time Kim Taehyung saw Jeon Jungkook, he nearly choked on his protein shake.

It was the move in day at Hanseong University, and the campus quad was a chaos of rolling suitcases, tearful parents, and freshmen trying to look like they belonged.

Taehyung stood with his frat brothers outside the Alpha Fraternity house, watching the parade of new students with the detached amusement of a senior who'd seen it all before.

Then Jungkook walked by.

He wore a cropped pink sweater that showed a sliver of smooth stomach, high-waisted jeans that hugged curves Taehyung didn't expect to see on a male body, and white platform sneakers that made him bounce with each step. Silver hoops dangled from his ears, matching the delicate chains around his neck.

His face was a work of art: doe eyes lined with subtle eyeliner, lips glossed and full, skin so perfect it seemed to glow in the afternoon sun.

But it wasn't just his appearance that made Taehyung stare. It was the confidence. The way Jungkook laughed with the two boys helping him carry boxes, head thrown back, completely unbothered by the stares he was collecting.

The way he moved through space like he owned it, like he'd never questioned his right to exist exactly as he was.

"Holy shit," Hoseok breathed beside Taehyung. "Is that a guy?"

"That's a whole ass pretty Omega," Yoongi said, taking a drag from his vape. "And he knows it."

Taehyung felt something uncomfortable twist in his chest. He took another sip of his shake, forcing his eyes away. "Looks like a Barbie doll threw up on him."

Namjoon shot him a look. "Don't be an asshole, Tae."

"I'm just saying. This is a university, not a drag show."

But even as he said it, Taehyung couldn't stop himself from looking back. Jungkook had paused to adjust one of his boxes, and his sweater rode up higher, revealing the curve of his lower back, the dimples just above his waistband. Taehyung's Alpha instincts stirred, unwanted and unwelcome.

He crushed his empty shake bottle and tossed it toward the recycling bin. "Come on. We've got chapter meeting in twenty."

As they headed inside, Taehyung glanced back one more time. Jungkook was laughing again, and the sound carried across the quad like wind chimes. Something about it made Taehyung's jaw clench.

He told himself it was irritation.

The second time Taehyung saw Jungkook was three days later at the campus welcome mixer.

The event was held in the student union, a massive space decorated with school banners and tables laden with free food. Taehyung attended because his frat was required to show face at university events, not because he gave a shit about welcoming freshmen.

He was talking to Seojoon about their upcoming football season when he caught a flash of purple in his peripheral vision.

Jungkook stood by the dessert table, wearing a lavender crop top with long mesh sleeves and black leather pants that looked painted on. His makeup was more dramatic tonight: glittery eyeshadow, sharp winged liner, lips a deep rose.

He was talking animatedly with two other boys, one with silver hair and full lips, the other taller with broad shoulders and an elegant face.

"Earth to Taehyung," Seojoon said, waving a hand in front of his face.

Taehyung blinked. "What?"

"You were staring at that Omega. The pretty one."

"I wasn't staring. I was just, I noticed him because he's so..." Taehyung struggled for words. "Obvious."

"Obviously hot," Seojoon grinned. "If you're into that."

"I'm not." The words came out too fast, too defensive. Taehyung cleared his throat. "I mean, whatever. People can do what they want. Just seems like attention seeking."

"Or maybe he just likes how he looks," Namjoon said, appearing with a plate of cookies. "Novel concept, I know."

Before Taehyung could respond, Jungkook's laugh rang out across the room. It was bright and unrestrained, and it made something in Taehyung's chest feel too tight.

He watched as Jungkook leaned into the silver haired boy, whispering something that made them both giggle.

The taller boy, the one with broad shoulders, noticed Taehyung staring. He said something to Jungkook, who turned and looked directly at Taehyung.

Their eyes met across the room.

Jungkook's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. Then he deliberately turned away, dismissing Taehyung entirely.

The tight feeling in Taehyung's chest turned hot and sharp.

"I'm getting another drink," he muttered, stalking toward the beverage table.

He told himself the heat in his face was anger.

The teasing started the following week.

Taehyung didn't plan it. He was walking to his Economics class when he saw Jungkook sitting on a bench outside the library, legs crossed, typing on his phone.

Today's outfit was a white babydoll dress over jeans, chunky boots, and a choker with a small heart pendant. His nails were painted a soft pink.

Taehyung's frat brothers were with him. The words came out before he could stop them.

"Hey, Barbie. Did Mattel give you permission to leave the Dreamhouse?"

Jungkook looked up slowly. His expression didn't change, remaining perfectly serene. "I'm sorry, were you talking to me?"

"Who else would I be talking to?" Taehyung said, aware of Yoongi and Hoseok snickering behind him. "You're the one dressed like you're going to a tea party."

"Hmm." Jungkook's eyes traveled over Taehyung slowly, assessing. "And you're dressed like every other insecure Alpha who thinks cargo shorts are a personality. We all have our crosses to bear."

Hoseok choked on his laughter. Even Yoongi's lips twitched.

Taehyung felt his face heat. "At least I don't look like I raided a little girl's closet."

"At least I have style," Jungkook said sweetly. He stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "But thank you for your concern about my wardrobe. I'll be sure to file it under 'opinions I didn't ask for from people I don't care about.'"

He walked past Taehyung, and as he did, Taehyung caught his scent: vanilla and jasmine with an underlying sweetness that made his Alpha instincts roar to life. His hands clenched into fists.

"Damn," Yoongi said once Jungkook was out of earshot. "He dragged you."

"Shut up," Taehyung muttered.

But for the rest of the day, he couldn't stop thinking about the way Jungkook had looked at him. Like Taehyung was nothing. Like he was boring.

It made Taehyung want to grab him and, what? He didn't know. He didn't want to know.

Over the next two weeks, Taehyung made it his mission to get under Jungkook's skin.

He called him "Twinkie" when they passed in the halls. "Barbie" when he saw him at the campus cafe. "Princess" when Jungkook showed up to a party in a sheer black top and leather shorts that should have been illegal.

Jungkook never reacted. He'd smile blandly, sometimes blow a kiss, and continue on with his day. It was infuriating.

What was worse was that Taehyung couldn't stop watching him.

He noticed everything. The way Jungkook's hips swayed when he walked. The way he'd tuck his hair behind his ear when he was concentrating.

The way his lips wrapped around a straw when he drank boba tea. The way other guys looked at him, wanted him.

That last part bothered Taehyung most of all.

He saw Jungkook flirting with a senior Beta in the library, fingers trailing down the guy's arm. Saw him dancing with an Alpha at a house party, bodies pressed close. Saw him kissing a pretty Omega boy outside the arts building, casual and easy like it meant nothing.

Each time, Taehyung felt that hot, sharp feeling in his chest intensify.

"You're obsessed with him," Namjoon said one night when they were studying in the frat house common room.

"I'm not obsessed. He's just annoying."

"You bring him up constantly."

"Because he's everywhere, being all..." Taehyung gestured vaguely. "Like that."

"Like what? Confident? Happy? Himself?"

"Like he's trying to prove something."

Namjoon closed his textbook and gave Taehyung a long look. "Or maybe you're the one trying to prove something."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Figure it out yourself, Tae. You're a smart guy."

But Taehyung didn't want to figure it out. He wanted Jungkook to stop being so distracting. He wanted to stop noticing the curve of his chest under his crop tops, the way his jeans hugged his ass, the sound of his laugh.

He wanted to stop dreaming about him.

The dreams had started a week ago. In them, Jungkook was in Taehyung's bed, underneath him, those pretty lips parted and eyes hazy.

In the dreams, Taehyung could touch him, could find out if his skin was as soft as it looked, could make him gasp and moan instead of giving those bland, dismissive smiles.

Taehyung woke from these dreams hard and furious, hating himself.

He wasn't gay. He couldn't be. His parents had raised him to be a strong, masculine Alpha. To date nice Omega girls, get married, have kids, carry on the family name. His father had been very clear about what was expected of him.

So why couldn't he stop thinking about a boy in pink?

The breaking point came on a Friday night.

Taehyung's frat brothers wanted to check out The Velvet Lounge, a club near campus that was known for being LGBTQ+ friendly. Hoseok had heard they had good music and cheap drinks, and the group was always looking for new spots.

Taehyung almost didn't go. Something about the idea made him uncomfortable. But he couldn't explain why without sounding like a homophobe, which he wasn't. He didn't care what other people did. He just didn't want to think about it.

The club was packed when they arrived, the bass thumping so hard Taehyung could feel it in his chest. Rainbow lights strobed across the dance floor where bodies moved together in various states of intoxication and arousal. The air smelled like sweat, alcohol, and pheromones.

They found a spot at the bar. Taehyung ordered a whiskey and tried to relax.

Then he saw him.

Jungkook was on the dance floor, and he was devastating.

He wore a black crop top that was barely there, just thin straps and a strip of fabric across his chest. His pants were leather, low slung and tight, showing off the curve of his hips and the smooth expanse of his stomach. Glitter dusted his collarbones and shoulders. His makeup was dramatic: dark, smoky eyes and blood-red lips.

He was dancing with a tall Alpha, bodies pressed together, moving in a way that was basically vertical sex.

The Alpha's hands were on Jungkook's hips, pulling him back against his crotch. Jungkook's head fell back against the Alpha's shoulder, exposing the long line of his throat.

Taehyung's hand tightened around his glass.

"Oh shit," Yoongi said, following his gaze. "That's your Barbie."

"He's not my anything," Taehyung said through gritted teeth.

But he couldn't look away.

The song changed, and Jungkook turned in the Alpha's arms. They were face to face now, Jungkook's arms looping around the guy's neck. They were talking, laughing. Then the Alpha leaned down and kissed him.

It wasn't a gentle kiss. It was deep and dirty, the Alpha's tongue in Jungkook's mouth, hands sliding down to grab his ass. Jungkook kissed back just as enthusiastically, pressing closer, rolling his hips.

The hot, sharp feeling in Taehyung's chest exploded into something he couldn't name.

He watched as they broke apart, as Jungkook smiled and said something that made the Alpha grin.

Watched as Jungkook moved to another guy, a pretty Beta with blue hair, and started dancing with him too. Watched as that Beta's hands explored Jungkook's body, sliding under his crop top to touch bare skin.

Watched as Jungkook let him, encouraged him, clearly enjoying the attention.

"Tae, you okay?" Namjoon asked. "You look like you're about to murder someone."

Taehyung realized he was gripping his glass so hard it might shatter. He forced himself to set it down. "I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"I said I'm fine."

But he wasn't fine. He was the opposite of fine. He felt like his skin was too tight, like there was something clawing at his insides trying to get out. He felt hot and cold at the same time. He felt like he might actually be sick.

On the dance floor, Jungkook was kissing the blue haired Beta now, just as thoroughly as he'd kissed the Alpha. His hands were in the Beta's hair, his body arched into the touch.

And suddenly, with a clarity that was almost painful, Taehyung understood.

He wasn't irritated by Jungkook.

He was jealous.

Jealous of every person who got to touch him, kiss him, make him smile. Jealous of how easily Jungkook moved through the world, how comfortable he was in his own skin.

Jealous that Jungkook would give his attention, his body, his affection to anyone except Taehyung.

The realization hit him like a physical blow.

"I need air," he said abruptly, pushing away from the bar.

He shouldered through the crowd, ignoring Namjoon calling after him. He burst out the club's back exit into an alley, gasping like he'd been underwater.

What the fuck was wrong with him?

He couldn't want Jungkook. He couldn't want any guy. That wasn't who he was. That wasn't what his parents expected. That wasn't what he'd spent his whole life building toward.

But the image of Jungkook dancing, kissing, being touched by other people, it made Taehyung want to go back in there and rip them all away from him. Made him want to be the one with his hands on that body, his lips on that mouth.

Made him want to hear Jungkook moan his name instead of smiling at strangers.

"Fuck," Taehyung said to the empty alley. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

He stayed outside for a long time, trying to get himself under control. When he finally went back inside, he couldn't find Jungkook on the dance floor anymore.

He told himself he was relieved.

He knew he was lying.

The next week was torture.

Taehyung couldn't stop thinking about what he'd realized at the club. The knowledge sat in his chest like a stone, heavy and undeniable. He tried to ignore it, tried to focus on classes and football practice and frat responsibilities.

But everywhere he went, he saw Jungkook.

In the campus cafe, laughing with his friends Jimin and Seokjin. In the quad, lying on a blanket in the sun, his crop top riding up to show smooth skin. In the library, tucked into a corner with a textbook, looking soft and studious and so pretty it hurt.

Taehyung stopped teasing him. He didn't trust himself to get that close, to engage at all. Instead, he watched from a distance, hating himself for it.

His frat brothers noticed.

"You've been weird," Hoseok said one afternoon when they were shooting hoops behind the house.

"I'm fine."

"You're not fine. You've been weird for days."

"I perfectly fine."

"You don't look right now."

Taehyung missed his shot, the ball bouncing off the rim. "Can you just drop it?"

"Is this about that Omega? Jungkook?"

Taehyung's whole body tensed. "Why would it be about him?"

"Because you've been weird ever since we went to Velvet Lounge. And you used to talk about him constantly, and now you won't even say his name."

"Maybe I just got bored of the joke."

"Or maybe," Hoseok said carefully, "it was never really a joke."

Taehyung turned to look at him. Hoseok's expression was open, non-judgmental. It made something in Taehyung's chest crack.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, but his voice came out rough.

"Tae, it's okay if you...."

"I said drop it."

Hoseok held up his hands in surrender. "Okay. Dropped."

But that night, lying in bed, Taehyung couldn't stop thinking about it. About Jungkook. About the way he moved, the way he smiled, the way he existed so fully and unapologetically as himself.

About how much Taehyung wanted him.

His phone buzzed. A text from his mom: "Call me when you have time. Want to hear about your classes!"

Taehyung stared at the message. His parents were good people. They'd raised him with love and support. But they'd also raised him with expectations.

His father had played football, had been in a fraternity, had married his college sweetheart and built a successful business. That was the path Taehyung was supposed to follow.

There had never been room in that path for wanting boys.

Had there?

Taehyung tried to remember if his parents had ever explicitly said anything homophobic.

He couldn't think of specific instances, but there had been an assumption, always. That he would date girls. That he would get married to a woman. That he would be straight.

Or had he just assumed that's what they wanted?

His head hurt. He turned off his phone and pulled his pillow over his face.

He needed to stop thinking about this. About Jungkook. About any of it.

But when he finally fell asleep, he dreamed of red lips and glittering skin and a laugh like wind chimes.

The universe had a sick sense of humor.

Taehyung was in the library on a Wednesday afternoon, tucked into a study room on the third floor, trying to finish a paper that was due the next morning. He'd been procrastinating for two weeks, and now he was paying for it.

He was three pages in when the door opened.

Jungkook stood in the doorway, laptop bag over his shoulder, looking surprised. Today he wore an oversized sweater that fell off one shoulder and leggings that hugged his legs.

His hair was soft and unstyled, his makeup minimal. He looked younger like this, softer.

"Oh," Jungkook said. "Sorry. I thought this room was empty."

Taehyung's mouth went dry. "It's fine. I mean, I'm using it, so."

"Right." Jungkook started to back out. "I'll find another one."

"Wait."

The word came out before Taehyung could stop it. Jungkook paused, one eyebrow raised in question.

Taehyung didn't know what he was doing. He should let Jungkook leave. That would be the smart thing, the safe thing. But instead he heard himself say, "You can stay. If you want. It's a big table."

Jungkook studied him for a long moment. "You're not going to call me Barbie or Twinkie?"

Shame heated Taehyung's face. "No. I, I'm sorry about that. I was being an asshole."

"You were," Jungkook agreed. But he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. "Why?"

"Why was I an asshole?"

"Yeah." Jungkook sat down across from Taehyung, setting his laptop on the table. "I never did anything to you. But from the moment I got here, you've been on my case. Why?"

Taehyung stared at his computer screen, unable to meet Jungkook's eyes. "I don't know."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I have."

Silence stretched between them. Taehyung could feel Jungkook watching him, those dark eyes seeing too much.

"You know what I think?" Jungkook said finally. "I think you're scared."

Taehyung's head snapped up. "I'm not scared of anything."

"I didn't say you were scared of me. I said you're scared." Jungkook leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You're scared of what I represent. Of the fact that I don't give a fuck what people think. That I'm happy being exactly who I am."

"That's not..."

"You're scared because you're not happy," Jungkook continued, his voice gentle but relentless. "You're playing a role. The tough Alpha frat boy. But it doesn't fit right, does it? It's like wearing shoes that are too small. You can walk in them, but it hurts."

Taehyung felt like he'd been punched. "You don't know anything about me."

"I know you stare at me when you think I'm not looking. I know you get this look on your face, like you're angry, but it's not really anger. It's something else."

"Stop."

"I know you went to Velvet Lounge and watched me all night. Jimin saw you. He said you looked like you wanted to either fight someone or cry."

"I said stop." Taehyung's hands were shaking. He pressed them flat against the table.

Jungkook leaned forward. "Why does it scare you so much? The idea that you might want something different than what you planned?"

"Because I can't," Taehyung said, and his voice cracked. "I can't want, I can't be, my parents, they expect..."

He cut himself off, horrified. He was not going to break down in front of Jungkook. He was not going to admit any of this.

But Jungkook's expression had softened. "What do they expect?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It clearly does."

Taehyung laughed, but it came out bitter. "They expect me to be like my dad. Strong. Masculine. Straight. They expect me to date a nice Omega girl, get married, have kids. They expect me to be normal."

"And you think being attracted to guys isn't normal?"

"I think it's not what they want for me."

"Have they said that?"

Taehyung opened his mouth, then closed it. "Not exactly. But it's implied. It's always been implied."

"Or maybe you assumed," Jungkook said quietly. "Maybe you built this whole idea of what they expect without ever actually asking them."

"You don't understand. My family, we're traditional. My dad, he's very clear about what it means to be an Alpha. To be a man."

"And you think being with another guy makes you less of a man?"

"I don't know!" The words burst out of Taehyung, louder than he intended. "I don't know what I think anymore. All I know is that I've spent my whole life trying to be what everyone expects, and now you show up and you're so fucking confident and happy and yourself, and it makes me realize that I'm not any of those things. And I hate it. I hate that you make me question everything."

Jungkook was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "I don't make you question anything, Taehyung. You were already questioning. I'm just the excuse you're using."

The truth of it hit Taehyung like a wave. He put his head in his hands, feeling like he might fall apart.

"Hey," Jungkook said softly. "It's okay."

"It's not okay. Nothing about this is okay."

"Why? Because you might be attracted to me?"

Taehyung looked up. Jungkook was watching him with an expression that was almost tender.

"I am," Taehyung admitted, the words feeling like they were being dragged out of him. "I'm so fucking attracted to you it's driving me crazy. Every time I see you with someone else, I want to, I don't even know. I just know I hate it. I hate that they get to touch you and I don't. I hate that you smile at them and not at me. I hate that I want you this much when I'm not supposed to want you at all."

Jungkook's lips curved into a small smile. "You're not supposed to according to who?"

"According to everyone. My parents, my frat, society..." 

"Fuck society," Jungkook said simply. "And your frat brothers are idiots if they care who you're attracted to. As for your parents, you might be surprised."

"You don't know them."

"No. But I know you're using them as an excuse to not deal with your own feelings."

Taehyung wanted to argue, but he couldn't. Because Jungkook was right. He'd been hiding behind his parents' expectations, real or imagined, because it was easier than admitting the truth.

"I don't know how to do this," he said quietly. "I don't know how to be, how to want..."

"You don't have to know everything right now," Jungkook said. "You just have to be honest. With yourself, first. And then with everyone else."

"What if I'm honest and it ruins everything?"

"What if you're not honest and you spend your whole life pretending to be someone you're not?"

Taehyung had no answer for that.

They sat in silence for a while. Taehyung's paper sat forgotten on his laptop screen.

All he could focus on was Jungkook, sitting across from him, patient and understanding in a way Taehyung didn't deserve.

"Can I ask you something?" Taehyung said finally.

"Sure."

"That night at the club. When you were dancing with those guys, kissing them. Did it mean anything?"

Jungkook tilted his head, considering. "Not really. It was just fun. I like dancing, I like kissing. Doesn't have to be deep."

"Oh." Taehyung didn't know why that disappointed him.

"But," Jungkook continued, "if it was the right person, it could mean something. It could mean everything."

Their eyes met across the table. The air between them felt charged, electric.

"What if," Taehyung started, his heart pounding, "what if I wanted to be that person?"

Jungkook's smile was slow and devastating. "Then I'd say you should stop talking and do something about it."

Taehyung stood up so fast his chair scraped against the floor. He moved around the table, and Jungkook stood too, and then they were face to face, close enough that Taehyung could see the flecks of gold in Jungkook's dark eyes.

"I've never done this before," Taehyung admitted. "With a guy."

"I know," Jungkook said. "It's okay. We'll go slow."

"I don't want to go slow."

Jungkook laughed, soft and breathy. "Then don't."

Taehyung closed the distance between them.

The first touch of their lips was electric. Jungkook's mouth was soft and warm, tasting like cherry chapstick.

Taehyung's hands came up to cup his face, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. Jungkook made a small sound and pressed closer, his hands sliding up Taehyung's chest.

It was nothing like kissing girls. It was better. Jungkook kissed back with confidence, with skill, his tongue sliding against Taehyung's in a way that made heat pool in Taehyung's stomach.

His body was firm but soft in all the right places, fitting against Taehyung like he was made for it.

Taehyung's hands slid down to Jungkook's waist, pulling him closer. He could feel the curve of Jungkook's chest pressing against him, could smell his vanilla and jasmine scent mixed with arousal.

It made his Alpha instincts roar to life, made him want to bite and claim and possess.

He broke the kiss, breathing hard. "We should stop."

"Why?" Jungkook's lips were red and swollen, his eyes hazy.

"Because we're in a library and I'm about two seconds away from doing something that will get us arrested for public indecency."

Jungkook grinned. "Your place or mine?"

Taehyung's brain short circuited. "What?"

"I'm not stopping now, Taehyung. Not when I finally have you admitting what you want." Jungkook's hand slid down to palm Taehyung through his jeans, and Taehyung nearly collapsed. "And you clearly want me."

"Fuck," Taehyung breathed. "My place. The frat house. I have a single room."

"Then let's go."

They packed up their things in record time. Taehyung's hands were shaking as he shoved his laptop into his bag. This was insane. He was about to bring Jungkook back to his room, to his bed. He was about to cross a line he'd never thought he'd cross.

But as they left the library, Jungkook's hand brushing against his, Taehyung realized he didn't care.

He was done pretending.

The walk back to the frat house felt like it took forever and no time at all.

Taehyung was hyperaware of Jungkook beside him, of the way their shoulders brushed with each step, of the knowing smile playing at Jungkook's lips. His heart was pounding so hard he was sure everyone they passed could hear it.

What was he doing? This was crazy. If anyone saw them, if his frat brothers found out.....

But then Jungkook's pinky finger hooked around his, just for a moment, and all of Taehyung's doubts evaporated.

They reached the Alpha Fraternity house just after 6:00. Most of the guys would be at dinner or the gym, which meant the house was relatively empty. Taehyung led Jungkook up the stairs to the third floor where the senior singles were located.

His room was at the end of the hall. He unlocked the door with shaking hands and ushered Jungkook inside, closing and locking it behind them.

For a moment, they just stood there, looking at each other.

Taehyung's room was typical for a college senior: a double bed with navy sheets, a desk covered in textbooks and papers, posters of football players and bands on the walls, clothes scattered on the floor. It suddenly seemed too revealing, too personal.

"Nice room," Jungkook said, setting his bag down. He walked over to Taehyung's desk, examining the photos pinned to the bulletin board above it. "Is this your family?"

"Yeah." Taehyung moved to stand beside him. The photo showed him with his parents and younger sister at his high school graduation. Everyone was smiling. He looked so young, so certain of who he was supposed to be.

"You look like your dad," Jungkook observed.

"Everyone says that."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Taehyung considered. "I don't know anymore."

Jungkook turned to face him. "Are you having second thoughts? Because we don't have to do anything. We can just talk."

"I don't want to just talk." Taehyung reached out, his fingers brushing Jungkook's cheek. "I've been thinking about this for weeks. I just, I'm nervous."

"That's normal."

"Is it?"

"Taehyung, you're about to have sex with a guy for the first time. Of course you're nervous." Jungkook's hand covered his. "But I promise, it's just like being with anyone else. You follow what feels good. You communicate. You make sure everyone's having fun."

"What if I'm bad at it?"

Jungkook laughed. "Then we practice until you get better."

The tension in Taehyung's chest eased slightly. He pulled Jungkook closer, until their bodies were pressed together. "You're really okay with this? With me being so inexperienced?"

"I think it's hot," Jungkook admitted. "Getting to be your first. Getting to show you what you've been missing."

Taehyung groaned. "You can't say things like that."

"Why not?"

"Because it makes me want to skip all the slow, gentle stuff and just...."

He cut himself off, but Jungkook's eyes had darkened. "Just what?"

"Just fuck you until you can't remember anyone else you've been with."

The words hung in the air between them. Taehyung couldn't believe he'd said them out loud. But Jungkook's scent spiked with arousal, sweet and intoxicating.

"Then do it," Jungkook said, his voice low. "Stop thinking so much and just do what you want."

Something in Taehyung snapped.

He kissed Jungkook hard, walking him backward until his legs hit the bed. They fell onto it together, Taehyung covering Jungkook's body with his own. Jungkook's legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer, and Taehyung could feel the heat of him even through their clothes.

His hands slid under Jungkook's sweater, finding smooth, warm skin. Jungkook arched into the touch, gasping against Taehyung's mouth.

Taehyung pushed the sweater up and off, breaking the kiss just long enough to pull it over Jungkook's head.

And then he stopped, staring.

Jungkook's chest was beautiful. He had soft, full breasts, small but perfectly formed, with dusky pink nipples that were already hard. The sight made Taehyung's mouth water.

"Is this okay?" Jungkook asked, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

"Okay?" Taehyung's voice came out rough. "Jungkook, you're perfect."

He lowered his head and took one nipple into his mouth. Jungkook cried out, his back arching off the bed. Taehyung sucked and licked, his hand coming up to palm the other breast.

The skin was so soft, and Jungkook was so responsive, making these breathy little sounds that went straight to Taehyung's cock.

"Taehyung," Jungkook gasped. "More, please."

Taehyung switched to the other nipple, giving it the same attention. His free hand slid down Jungkook's stomach to the waistband of his leggings. He paused, looking up at Jungkook's face.

"Can I?"

"Yes, fuck, yes."

Taehyung hooked his fingers into the waistband and pulled. Jungkook lifted his hips to help, and soon the leggings were on the floor along with his underwear.

Taehyung sat back on his heels, taking in the sight before him.

Jungkook was laid out on his bed, completely naked, and he was the most beautiful thing Taehyung had ever seen. His body was soft and curved, his skin smooth and unmarked.

Between his legs, his core was already glistening with wetness, pink and swollen and so inviting that Taehyung felt dizzy.

"You're staring," Jungkook said, but he didn't sound self conscious. He sounded pleased.

"I can't help it. You're, fuck, you're gorgeous."

"Then touch me."

Taehyung didn't need to be told twice. He ran his hands up Jungkook's thighs, feeling them tremble under his touch. He spread them wider, settling between them, and then he leaned down and licked a stripe up Jungkook's core.

Jungkook's whole body jerked. "Oh fuck!"

The taste of him was incredible, sweet and musky and addictive. Taehyung licked again, exploring with his tongue, finding the small bundle of nerves at the top that made Jungkook writhe. He sucked on it gently, and Jungkook's hands flew to his hair, gripping tight.

"Taehyung, oh my god, don't stop."

Taehyung had no intention of stopping. He worked Jungkook with his mouth, alternating between broad licks and focused attention on his most sensitive spots.

Jungkook was so wet, so responsive, his thighs shaking on either side of Taehyung's head.

"I'm close," Jungkook gasped. "I'm so close, please."

Taehyung slid two fingers inside him, and Jungkook came with a cry, his body clenching around Taehyung's fingers, his core pulsing against Taehyung's tongue. It was the hottest thing Taehyung had ever experienced.

He worked Jungkook through it, only pulling back when Jungkook's hands pushed weakly at his head.

"Too much," Jungkook panted. "Sensitive."

Taehyung crawled up his body, kissing him deeply. Jungkook moaned at the taste of himself on Taehyung's lips.

"That was," Jungkook started, then laughed breathlessly. "Fuck, that was amazing. Are you sure you've never done that before?"

"Never," Taehyung confirmed. "But I really, really enjoyed it."

"I could tell." Jungkook's hand slid down to palm Taehyung's erection through his jeans. "Your turn."

"You don't have to—"

"I want to." Jungkook pushed at Taehyung's shoulders until he rolled onto his back. Then Jungkook was straddling him, working at his belt. "I want to make you feel good too."

Taehyung lifted his hips to help Jungkook pull off his jeans and boxers. His cock sprang free, hard and leaking. Jungkook wrapped his hand around it, stroking slowly, and Taehyung groaned.

"You're big," Jungkook said appreciatively. "This is going to feel so good inside me."

"Fuck, Jungkook."

"Do you have condoms? Lube?"

Taehyung pointed to his nightstand. Jungkook leaned over to rummage through the drawer, giving Taehyung a perfect view of his ass. He came back with a condom and a bottle of lube, both of which he set aside.

Then he lowered his head and took Taehyung's cock into his mouth.

Taehyung nearly came right then. The wet heat of Jungkook's mouth was overwhelming, and the sight of those pretty lips stretched around him was something out of his fantasies. Jungkook took him deep, relaxing his throat, and Taehyung's hands fisted in the sheets.

"Jungkook, I can't, if you keep doing that I'm going to..."

Jungkook pulled off with a wet pop. "Not yet. I want you inside me when you come."

He reached for the lube, slicking his fingers, and then he was reaching behind himself. Taehyung watched, mesmerized, as Jungkook prepared himself, his face flushed and his breathing heavy.

"I'm ready," Jungkook said finally. He grabbed the condom, tearing it open with his teeth and rolling it onto Taehyung's cock. Then he positioned himself over Taehyung, the head of Taehyung's cock pressing against his entrance.

"Wait," Taehyung said, his hands coming up to grip Jungkook's hips. "Are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything." Jungkook leaned down to kiss him. "Now stop being a gentleman and fuck me."

He sank down in one smooth motion, and they both groaned.

The feeling of being inside Jungkook was indescribable. He was tight and hot and perfect, his body gripping Taehyung like it was made for him. Taehyung's Alpha instincts roared, demanding that he flip them over, pin Jungkook down, claim him properly.

But Jungkook was already moving, rising up and sinking back down, setting a rhythm that had Taehyung seeing stars. His breasts bounced with each movement, and Taehyung couldn't resist reaching up to touch them, to roll the nipples between his fingers.

"Yes," Jungkook moaned. "Just like that. You feel so good, Taehyung. So big inside me."

"Jungkook," Taehyung groaned. "I need, can I..."

"Whatever you want," Jungkook gasped. "Take what you want."

Taehyung flipped them over, pinning Jungkook beneath him. He pulled almost all the way out and then thrust back in hard. Jungkook cried out, his legs wrapping around Taehyung's waist.

"Yes! Fuck, yes, harder!"

Taehyung lost himself in it, in the feeling of Jungkook's body, in the sounds he was making, in the way his core clenched around Taehyung's cock. He fucked into him with deep, powerful strokes, and Jungkook met him thrust for thrust, his nails digging into Taehyung's back.

"I'm going to come," Jungkook gasped. "Touch me, please."

Taehyung reached between them, finding Jungkook's sensitive bundle of nerves and rubbing in tight circles. Jungkook came with a scream, his whole body convulsing, and the feeling of him clenching around Taehyung's cock sent Taehyung over the edge too.

He came harder than he ever had in his life, buried deep inside Jungkook, his face pressed against Jungkook's neck. He could smell their combined scents, could feel Jungkook's heart racing against his chest.

For a long moment, they just lay there, breathing hard, tangled together.

Finally, Taehyung pulled out carefully and disposed of the condom. He collapsed back onto the bed, pulling Jungkook against his side.

"So," Jungkook said, his voice lazy and satisfied. "How was your first time with a guy?"

Taehyung laughed, the sound surprised out of him. "Life Changing."

"Good." Jungkook pressed a kiss to his chest. "Because I plan on doing that again. A lot."

"I'm not complaining."

They lay in comfortable silence for a while. Taehyung's mind was spinning, trying to process everything that had just happened. He'd just had sex with a guy. With Jungkook. And it had been incredible.

But reality was starting to creep back in. His frat brothers were probably back by now. Someone might have seen them come in together. What if people found out?

"I can hear you thinking," Jungkook said. "Stop it."

"I'm just, what happens now?"

"Now we figure it out. Together." Jungkook propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at Taehyung. "Unless you're planning to pretend this didn't happen?"

"No," Taehyung said quickly. "No, I don't want to pretend. I just, I don't know how to do this. How to be with you and still be, me."

"You're already you, Taehyung. You just have to stop being afraid of it."

Taehyung pulled him down for a kiss. "Stay tonight?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

The next four weeks were the best and worst of Taehyung's life.

Best because he got to be with Jungkook. They fell into a pattern: meeting up after classes, stealing kisses in empty hallways, spending nights tangled together in Taehyung's bed.

Jungkook was patient with Taehyung's inexperience, teaching him what felt good, showing him how to touch and taste and please.

The sex was incredible. Taehyung couldn't get enough of Jungkook's body, of the sounds he made, of the way he looked when he came apart.

They explored each other thoroughly, learning preferences and boundaries and secret sensitive spots.

But it was more than just physical. They talked for hours, about everything and nothing. Jungkook told him about growing up as an Omega who didn't fit the traditional mold, about the bullying he'd endured and overcome, about finding his confidence and his style. Taehyung shared his own struggles, his fears about disappointing his parents, his confusion about his identity.

With Jungkook, Taehyung felt like he could breathe. Like he could be himself without the weight of expectations crushing him.

But that was only in private.

In public, Taehyung still maintained his facade. He hung out with his frat brothers, went to parties, acted like the same tough Alpha he'd always been.

He didn't tease Jungkook anymore, but he didn't acknowledge him either. They passed each other on campus like strangers. Even when Jungkook would smile at him politely he's turn his face away in fear of anyone finding out.

It was killing him.

"You know this can't last forever Tae," Jungkook said one night. They were in Taehyung's bed, Jungkook's head on his chest, their legs tangled together. "Eventually, people are going to figure it out."

"I know," Taehyung said quietly. "I just need more time."

"Time for what?"

"To figure out how to tell everyone. My frat, my parents. I need to do it right."

Jungkook was quiet for a moment. "Are you ashamed of me Taehyung?"

"What? No!" Taehyung sat up, forcing Jungkook to look at him. "Jungkook, no. I'm not ashamed of you. I'm ashamed of myself. Of how long it's taken me to accept this, to accept us."

"Then why are we hiding?"

"Because I'm scared," Taehyung admitted. "I'm scared of losing everything I've built. My place in the frat, my parents' approval, my whole identity. I know it's selfish, but I need to figure out how to do this without losing myself completely."

Jungkook's expression softened. "You won't lose yourself, Taehyung. You'll find yourself. The real you, not the version you think everyone wants."

"What if the real me isn't good enough?"

"Then everyone else is an idiot." Jungkook kissed him softly. "But I don't think that's going to happen. I think you're going to be surprised by how many people accept you."

Taehyung wanted to believe him. But the fear was still there, a constant weight in his chest.

The cracks started to show in week three.

Taehyung was at a frat party, beer in hand, trying to look like he was having fun. Across the room, he could see Jungkook dancing with Jimin and Seokjin. He was wearing a sheer black top and tight jeans, his makeup dramatic, his smile bright.

Taehyung wanted to go to him. Wanted to pull him close and dance with him and kiss him in front of everyone.

But he stayed where he was, pretending not to notice.

"You're doing it again," Namjoon said, appearing at his elbow.

"Doing what?"

"Staring at Jungkook like you want to either fight him or fuck him."

Taehyung nearly choked on his beer. "I'm not..."

"Tae, I'm not an idiot. Neither is anyone else with eyes." Namjoon took a sip of his own drink. "How long have you two been hooking up?"

Taehyung's whole body went rigid. "What are you talking about?"

"Come on. You disappear for hours at a time. You smell like Omega when you come back. And you look at him like he hung the moon." Namjoon's expression was gentle. "It's okay, you know. No one cares."

"I care," Taehyung said, his voice low. "My parents care."

"Have you asked them?"

"I don't need to ask. I know what they expect."

"Expectations can change. People can surprise you." Namjoon clapped him on the shoulder. "Just think about it. Because watching you torture yourself like this is painful."

He walked away, leaving Taehyung standing there, his mind racing.

Did other people know? Had he been that obvious?

Across the room, Jungkook caught his eye. For a moment, their gazes held. Jungkook's expression was questioning, hopeful. He softly smiled at him.But Taehyung looked away first.

He saw the hurt flash across Jungkook's face before he turned back to his friends.

Taehyung felt like the worst person in the world.

Things came to a head in week four.

Taehyung was walking back to the frat house after class when he saw Jungkook sitting on a bench in the quad. He was alone, which was unusual. As Taehyung got closer, he realized Jungkook was crying.

All thoughts of maintaining his facade fled. Taehyung sat down beside him. "Hey. What's wrong?"

Jungkook wiped at his eyes, smearing his eyeliner. "Nothing. I'm fine."

"You're clearly not fine."

"Why do you care? It's not like we're together in public."

The words hit like a slap. "Jungkook..."

"No, it's fine. I get it. I'm good enough to fuck in private but not good enough to acknowledge in public." Jungkook stood up. "I should have known better than getting involved with high society traditional straight guys,it never ends up Good for people like us."

"That's not fair."

"Isn't it?" Jungkook turned to face him, and his eyes were blazing. "I've been patient, Taehyung. I've given you time. But I'm tired of being your dirty little secret. I'm tired of pretending we don't mean anything to each other when we pass in the halls. I'm tired of watching you act like the person you are with me doesn't exist."

"I'm trying," Taehyung said desperately. "I'm trying to figure this out."

"Try harder. Because I can't do this anymore." Jungkook's voice broke. "I can't keep giving you everything while you give me nothing in return."

"That's not true. I, Jungkook, I..."

But Jungkook was already walking away.

Taehyung sat on the bench, his heart in his throat, and watched him go.

He'd fucked up. He'd fucked up so badly.

And he had no idea how to fix it.

Taehyung spent the next three days in misery.

Jungkook wouldn't answer his texts or calls. He avoided Taehyung on campus, always surrounded by Jimin and Seokjin who shot Taehyung dirty looks whenever they saw him. He even stopped trying to approach Taehyung in their secret spots.Taehyung felt like he was going crazy.

He missed Jungkook. Missed his laugh, his smile, the way he felt in Taehyung's arms. Missed the person he got to be when they were together.

His frat brothers noticed his mood.

"You look like shit," Yoongi said bluntly one afternoon.

"Thanks," Taehyung muttered.

"Seriously, what's going on with you? You are not looking okay at all."

"It's nothing."

"It is definitely something" Hoseok chimed in. "Is this about that pretty Omega? Jungkook?"

Taehyung's head snapped up. "How did you..."

"Dude, we're not blind," Seojoon said. "You've been obsessed with him since he got here."

"I'm not obsessed."

"You're totally obsessed," Yoongi agreed. "And you've been sneaking around with him for weeks. Did you think we wouldn't notice?"

Taehyung felt panic rising in his chest. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Tae," Namjoon said gently. "It's okay. We know. And we don't care."

"You, you don't care?"

"Why would we care?" Hoseok asked. "You're into a guy. So what? Doesn't change anything."

"But I'm supposed to be, I'm an Alpha, I'm supposed to..."

"Be yourself," Namjoon finished. "That's all you're supposed to be."

Taehyung felt something crack open in his chest. "You really don't care?"

"Not even a little bit," Yoongi said. "Although we do care that you've been an idiot about it."

"What?"

"You've been treating that Omega like a secret," Seojoon said. "Like you're ashamed of him and don't want yourself to be seen involved with him. That's a dick move, Tae."

"I'm not ashamed of him. I'm just, I was scared."

"Of what?" Hoseok asked. "Of us? We're your brothers. We've got your back no matter what."

Taehyung felt his eyes sting. "I thought you'd think I was weak. Or not a real Alpha."

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Yoongi said. "Being an Alpha has nothing to do with who you're attracted to. It's about how you treat people, how you lead, how you protect the people you care about. And right now, you're failing at that last part."

"He won't talk to me," Taehyung admitted. "I fucked up. I made him feel like he wasn't important, and now he won't even look at me."

"Then you need to fix it," Namjoon said. "You need to show him that you're serious. That you're not going to hide anymore."

"How?"

"Grand gesture," Hoseok suggested. "Something public. Something that shows everyone, including him, that you're all in."

"I don't know if he'll forgive me."

"You won't know unless you try," Namjoon said. "But Tae, before you do anything, you need to be sure. You need to be ready to come out, to deal with whatever consequences come. Because once you do this, there's no going back."

Taehyung thought about it. Thought about his parents, about their expectations. Thought about the life he'd planned, the path he'd been following.

Then he thought about Jungkook. About his smile, his confidence, the way he made Taehyung feel alive. About the person Taehyung got to be when they were together.

"I'm sure," he said. "I'm ready."

"Then let's help you plan," Hoseok said with a grin.

But before Taehyung could put any plan into action, fate intervened.

It was a Friday night, and Taehyung was in his room, trying to figure out what to say to Jungkook. He'd written and deleted a dozen texts, none of them feeling right.

There was a knock on his door.

"Come in," he called, expecting one of his frat brothers.

The door opened, and Jungkook walked in.

Taehyung shot to his feet. "Jungkook. I, what are you doing here?"

"We need to talk." Jungkook closed the door behind him. He looked tired, his eyes red rimmed like he'd been crying.

"I'm so sorry," Taehyung said immediately. "I'm sorry for how I treated you, for making you feel like you weren't important. You are important. You're the most important person in my life, and I was an idiot for not showing it."

"Why?" Jungkook asked. "Why did you hide us?"

"Because I was scared. Scared of what people would think, scared of disappointing my parents, scared of admitting that I'm not who I thought I was." Taehyung took a step closer.

"But I'm not scared anymore. Or, I am, but I don't care. I'd rather be scared and with you than safe and alone."

"Taehyung..."

"I love you," Taehyung blurted out. "I'm in love with you. I think I have been since the moment I saw you, I was just too stupid to realize it."

Jungkook's eyes widened. "You love me?"

"Yes. And I want everyone to know. I want to hold your hand on campus and take you on dates and kiss you in public. I want to be with you, really be with you, not just in secret."

"What about your parents?"

"I'll tell them. I'll make them understand. And if they don't, then, then that's their problem. Because I'm not giving you up. Not for them, not for anyone."

Jungkook's eyes filled with tears. "You mean that?"

"Every word." Taehyung closed the distance between them, cupping Jungkook's face in his hands. "I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. But I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere."

Jungkook kissed him, and it felt like coming home.

They were so lost in each other that they didn't hear the door open.

"Hey Tae, do you have, oh shit!"

They broke apart to find Namjoon standing in the doorway, eyes wide.

"Sorry!" Namjoon said, starting to back out. "I should have knocked, I'll just.."

"Wait," Taehyung said. He looked at Jungkook, who nodded. "It's okay. Come in."

Namjoon stepped inside, closing the door. "So. You two are, uh."

"Together," Taehyung said firmly. "We're together."

"Okay. Cool." Namjoon grinned. "About damn time."

"You're not surprised?" Jungkook asked.

"Are you kidding? We've all known for weeks. Tae's been about as subtle as a brick to the face."

Taehyung felt his face heat. "You all knew?"

"Yep. And we've been waiting for you to get your head out of your ass and admit it."

As if summoned, there was another knock on the door. Yoongi poked his head in. "Is it safe to, oh hey, you guys are finally doing this in the open. Nice."

Then Hoseok appeared. "Are we having a moment? I want to be part of the moment."

Seojoon was right behind him. "Is Tae finally admitting he's in love with Jungkook? Because I had money on this week."

"You bet on us?" Taehyung asked incredulously.

"Of course we did," Yoongi said. "Hoseok won. He said you'd crack by the end of the month."

Jungkook was laughing, and the sound made Taehyung's heart feel too big for his chest.

"So," Namjoon said, "what's the plan? Because you can't keep hiding this. Not anymore."

"I'm not going to," Taehyung said. He looked at Jungkook. "I'm going to tell everyone. Starting with my parents."

Jungkook's hand found his, squeezing tight. "Are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything."

Taehyung called his parents the next morning.

He sat on his bed, phone in hand, heart pounding. Jungkook sat beside him, offering silent support. His frat brothers had offered to stay too, but Taehyung needed to do this part alone. Well, mostly alone.

His mom answered on the third ring. "Taehyung! Honey, it's so good to hear from you. How are classes?"

"Hi Mom. Classes are good. Is Dad there? I need to talk to both of you about something."

"Of course, let me get him. Is everything okay? You sound nervous."

"Everything's fine. I just, I have something important to tell you."

There was a pause, then his father's voice. "Taehyung? Your mother says you need to talk to us."

"Yeah. Hi Dad." Taehyung took a deep breath. Jungkook's hand squeezed his. "So, um. I have something to tell you. And I need you to just listen until I'm done, okay?"

"Okay," his mother said slowly. "We're listening."

"I, so. I've been seeing someone. For about a month now. And it's serious. Like, really serious. I'm in love with them." Taehyung's voice shook slightly. "And, the thing is, it's not a girl. It's a guy. An Omega guy named Jungkook. And I know this probably isn't what you expected, and I know you had plans for me, but I can't, I can't pretend anymore. I can't be who you want me to be if it means giving him up."

Silence on the other end of the line.

Taehyung's heart sank. "Mom? Dad?"

"Honey," his mother said finally, "why do you think we'd have a problem with this?"

Taehyung blinked. "What?"

"Why would you think we'd be upset that you're dating a man?" his father asked.

"Because, because you always talked about me finding a nice Omega woman. About getting married and having kids. About being a strong Alpha like you, Dad. I thought, I thought you expected me to be straight."

"Oh, Taehyung," his mother said, and she sounded sad. "We never meant to make you feel that way. We don't care if you date men or women or anyone else. We just want you to be happy."

"But Dad always said..."

"I said I wanted you to be a strong Alpha," his father interrupted. "And you are. Being strong has nothing to do with who you love. It's about integrity, about standing up for what's right, about protecting the people you care about. If this Jungkook makes you happy, if you love him, then that's all that matters to us."

Taehyung felt tears streaming down his face. "Really?"

"Really," his mother confirmed. "Honey, we love you. Exactly as you are. We always have."

"Your aunt Mina is gay," his father added. "Your mother's college roommate was trans. We've never had a problem with any of that. I'm sorry if we made you feel like we would."

"I just, I assumed," Taehyung said, wiping at his eyes. "I built up this whole idea of what you expected, and I was so scared of disappointing you."

"The only way you could disappoint us is by not being true to yourself," his mother said firmly. "Now, tell us about this Jungkook. What's he like?"

Taehyung laughed, the sound watery but genuine. "He's amazing. He's confident and funny and so beautiful it hurts to look at him sometimes. He wears makeup and jewelry and unisex clothes, and he doesn't care what anyone thinks. He made me realize that I was living my life for everyone else instead of for myself."

"He sounds wonderful," his mother said warmly. "We'd love to meet him."

"You would?"

"Of course! Maybe you could bring him home for Thanksgiving?"

Taehyung looked at Jungkook, who was smiling through his own tears. "Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that."

They talked for a while longer, his parents asking questions about Jungkook, about school, about his plans. By the time they hung up, Taehyung felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest.

"They're okay with it," he said wonderingly. "They're actually okay with it."

"I told you," Jungkook said, pulling him into a hug. "You were so worried for nothing."

"I wasted so much time being scared."

"But you're not scared anymore. That's what matters."

Taehyung kissed him, deep and thorough. "I love you."

"I love you too."

There was a knock on the door, and then Hoseok's voice. "Is it safe to come in? Did they disown you?"

"Come in," Taehyung called.

His frat brothers filed in, looking anxious.

"Well?" Namjoon asked. "How did it go?"

"They're fine with it," Taehyung said, still slightly dazed. "They were never not fine with it. I just assumed they would be."

"So you put yourself through weeks of torture for nothing?" Yoongi asked.

"Pretty much."

"You're an idiot," Yoongi said, but he was smiling.

"A lucky idiot," Hoseok added,

"The luckiest," Seojoon agreed, grinning at Jungkook. "No offense, but we all thought you were way out of his league."

"None taken," Jungkook said sweetly. "I am."

Taehyung pulled him closer. "You really are."

"Okay, this is getting too sappy," Yoongi said. "We need to celebrate properly."

"Celebrate how?" Taehyung asked warily.

The grin on Hoseok's face should have been a warning. "Frat party. Tonight. And you two are the guests of honor."

"Absolutely not," Taehyung said immediately.

"Absolutely yes," Namjoon countered. "You've been hiding for weeks. Time to show everyone that Kim Taehyung has a boyfriend and doesn't give a fuck what anyone thinks."

Jungkook looked up at Taehyung, eyes sparkling. "I think it sounds fun."

"You would," Taehyung muttered, but he was smiling.

"It's settled then," Hoseok said, clapping his hands together. "Party starts at nine. Spread the word."

By 8:30, the frat house was already packed. Word had spread fast, apparently, because half the campus seemed to have shown up. Taehyung stood in his room, adjusting his shirt for the third time.

"You look fine," Jungkook said from where he sat on the bed, applying a shimmery highlighter to his cheekbones.

"I look nervous."

"You are nervous." Jungkook capped the highlighter and stood, walking over to Taehyung. He was wearing tight black jeans that hugged every curve, a crop top that showed off his flat stomach and the swell of his chest, and enough jewelry to stock a small boutique. His eyes were lined with silver, his lips glossed pink. He looked absolutely devastating.

"How are you not nervous?" Taehyung asked.

"Because I've never hidden who I am," Jungkook said simply. "But you have. And now you don't have to anymore. That's something to celebrate, not be nervous about."

Taehyung pulled him close, breathing in the sweet scent of his perfume. "When did you get so wise?"

"I've always been wise. You were just too busy calling me Barbie to notice."

"I'm never going to live that down, am I?"

"Nope." Jungkook kissed him softly. "Come on. Let's go show everyone that the big bad Alpha has been tamed by a pretty Omega in pink."

"I haven't been tamed."

Jungkook's hand slid down to cup Taehyung through his jeans, squeezing lightly. "Haven't you?"

Taehyung groaned. "You're going to kill me."

"Later," Jungkook promised, his voice dropping to a purr. "Right now, we have a party to attend."

The moment they walked downstairs together, hand in hand, the entire room seemed to pause. Conversations stopped mid sentence.

People turned to stare. Taehyung felt his face heat, but Jungkook just squeezed his hand and kept walking, head held high.

Then Hoseok started clapping. Slowly at first, then faster, and suddenly the entire room erupted in cheers and applause. Someone turned the music up louder. Someone else thrust drinks into their hands.

"Speech!" someone yelled.

"No speech," Taehyung said quickly.

"Definitely a speech," Namjoon said, appearing beside them with a microphone that Taehyung didn't even know they owned.

"Where did you get that?"

"Don't worry about it. Speech time."

Before Taehyung could protest, Namjoon had shoved the microphone into his hand and the music had been turned down. Everyone was looking at him expectantly.

"I, uh," Taehyung started, then cleared his throat. "I'm not good at speeches."

"Just speak from the heart," Jungkook said softly.

Taehyung looked at him, at this beautiful, confident person who had turned his entire world upside down, and suddenly the words came easier.

"Okay. So. Most of you know me as the guy who acts tough and doesn't take shit from anyone. And for a long time, I thought that's who I had to be. I thought I had to fit into this box of what a man should be, what an Alpha should be. Strong, straight, masculine. No weaknesses, no vulnerabilities." He paused, looking at Jungkook. "And then this pretty boy in pink showed up and completely destroyed every assumption I'd ever made about myself."

There were some laughs, some "awws" from the crowd.

"I was an asshole to him," Taehyung continued. "I called him names, tried to make him feel small, because seeing someone so confident in who they were made me realize how much I was hiding. But he never let it get to him. He just kept being himself, kept being beautiful and brave and completely unbothered by my bullshit."

Jungkook was smiling now, eyes shining.

"So this is me, being honest for once. I'm Kim Taehyung, I'm an Alpha, and I'm completely, stupidly in love with Jeon Jungkook. And I don't care who knows it."

The room erupted in cheers again. Jungkook grabbed the microphone from him.

"And I'm Jeon Jungkook, and I'm in love with this idiot too, even though he called me Barbie for three weeks straight."

More laughter.

"But he's my idiot now," Jungkook continued, "and anyone who has a problem with that can take it up with me."

He handed the microphone back to Namjoon and pulled Taehyung into a kiss. The crowd went wild.

When they finally broke apart, Taehyung was grinning. "That wasn't so bad."

"Told you," Jungkook said.

The rest of the night was a blur of congratulations, drinks, and dancing. Jimin and Seokjin showed up around ten, immediately pulling Jungkook into hugs and shooting Taehyung looks that clearly said "hurt him and die."

"I'm not going to hurt him," Taehyung said.

"Good," Jimin said. "Because I know where you sleep."

"Literally everyone knows where I sleep. I live here."

"Then you know we can get to you easily."

Seokjin patted Taehyung's shoulder. "But seriously, we're happy for you both. Jungkook hasn't shut up about you for weeks."

"Hyung!" Jungkook protested, face flushing.

"It's true. 'Taehyung did this, Taehyung said that, Taehyung has the prettiest eyes.'"

"I'm going to kill you," Jungkook said, but he was smiling.

Taehyung pulled him close. "You think I have pretty eyes?"

"Shut up."

"You do. You think I'm pretty."

"I think you're annoying."

"But pretty."

Jungkook kissed him to shut him up, and Taehyung decided that was an acceptable compromise.

Around midnight, when the party was still going strong but they'd both had enough of the crowd, Taehyung pulled Jungkook upstairs. They barely made it to his room before they were kissing again, desperate and hungry.

"Bed," Jungkook gasped between kisses. "Now."

Taehyung didn't need to be told twice. He walked Jungkook backward until his legs hit the mattress, then followed him down, covering Jungkook's body with his own.

The music from downstairs was a distant thump, easily ignored in favor of the small sounds Jungkook was making.

"You were so brave tonight," Taehyung murmured, kissing down Jungkook's neck. "So beautiful."

"You were brave too," Jungkook said, arching into him. "I'm proud of you."

Something in Taehyung's chest cracked open at those words. He'd spent so long trying to make his parents proud, trying to make his frat brothers proud, trying to live up to some impossible standard. But hearing Jungkook say he was proud of him, just for being honest, for being himself, it meant everything.

"I love you," he said, pulling back to look at Jungkook's face. "I love you so much."

"Show me," Jungkook said, reaching for the hem of Taehyung's shirt.

They undressed each other slowly this time, no frantic urgency, just steady reverence.

Taehyung traced every inch of Jungkook's skin with his hands, his lips, committing it all to memory. The curve of his chest, the dip of his waist, the soft skin of his inner thighs.

When he finally settled between Jungkook's legs, pressing kisses to his core, Jungkook was already trembling.

"Please," Jungkook breathed. "Taehyung, please."

"I've got you," Taehyung promised, and then he was licking into Jungkook's heat, tasting the slick that had started to gather there. Jungkook's hands fisted in his hair, hips rolling up to meet his mouth.

"Oh god, oh god, Tae, don't stop."

Taehyung had no intention of stopping. He worked Jungkook open with his tongue, with his fingers, until Jungkook was a writhing mess above him, begging incoherently.

"Need you," Jungkook gasped. "Need you inside me, please, Alpha, please."

The title sent a bolt of heat straight through Taehyung. He'd never cared much about Alpha/Omega dynamics before, had always thought they were outdated and restrictive. But hearing Jungkook call him Alpha, hearing the need in his voice, it awakened something primal in him.

He moved up Jungkook's body, kissing him deeply so Jungkook could taste himself on Taehyung's tongue. Then he was lining himself up, pressing slowly into Jungkook's heat.

They both groaned at the sensation. No matter how many times they did this, it always felt like the first time. Like coming home.

"Move," Jungkook urged, wrapping his legs around Taehyung's waist. "Please move."

Taehyung started slow, deep rolls of his hips that had Jungkook gasping. But slow didn't last long. Soon he was thrusting harder, faster, driven by the sounds Jungkook was making and the way his body was clenching around him.

"Touch yourself," Taehyung commanded, and Jungkook obeyed immediately, one hand going to his chest to play with his nipples while the other slid down to where they were joined, fingers working his core.

"So good," Jungkook moaned. "So good, Alpha, you feel so good."

"You're perfect," Taehyung said, punctuating each word with a thrust. "So perfect for me. Mine."

"Yours," Jungkook agreed. "All yours."

The orgasm built slowly this time, a steady climb rather than a sudden peak. When Jungkook finally came, it was with Taehyung's name on his lips and his body shaking apart. Taehyung followed seconds later, burying himself deep and spilling inside Jungkook's heat.

They lay tangled together afterward, sweaty and satisfied, listening to the party continue below them.

"Think they noticed we left?" Jungkook asked.

"Probably."

"Think they know what we're doing?"

"Definitely."

Jungkook laughed, the sound light and happy. "Good. Let them know."

Taehyung kissed his temple. "You've turned me into a completely different person."

"No," Jungkook said, turning to look at him. "I just helped you become who you already were. You did the hard part."

"We did it together."

"Together," Jungkook agreed, and kissed him again.

Three weeks later, Taehyung stood in the middle of the Central University Quad, surrounded by his frat brothers, and wondered if he was about to make the biggest fool of himself in history.

"It's not too late to back out," Yoongi said, though his tone suggested he was joking.

"I'm not backing out."

"Good," Namjoon said, "because we've already told half the campus to be here."

Taehyung looked around. The quad was filling up fast, students gathering in clusters, clearly curious about what was happening. Someone had set up speakers. Someone else had hung a banner that read "Love is Love" in rainbow letters. His frat brothers had gone all out.

"Where's Jungkook?" Taehyung asked, checking his phone for the tenth time.

"Jimin's bringing him," Hoseok said. "They should be here any minute."

"What if he says no?"

"He's not going to say no," Seojoon said. "The guy is crazy about you."

"But what if...."

"Taehyung," Namjoon said firmly. "Breathe. You've got this."

Taehyung took a deep breath, then another. He'd faced down opponents twice his size on the basketball court. He'd given presentations in front of hundreds of people. He could do this.

He could absolutely do this.

"He's here," Hoseok said, and Taehyung's heart jumped into his throat.

Jungkook was walking across the quad with Jimin and Seokjin, looking confused. He was wearing a soft pink sweater and jeans, his hair falling into his eyes, and he was so beautiful it hurt to look at him.

When he spotted Taehyung standing in the middle of the crowd, his confusion deepened. "Tae? What's going on?"

The music started then, something soft and romantic that Hoseok had picked out. The crowd parted to let Jungkook through, and suddenly he was standing in front of Taehyung, eyes wide.

"Taehyung, what...."

Taehyung dropped to one knee.

The crowd gasped. Jungkook's hands flew to his mouth.

"Jeon Jungkook," Taehyung started, his voice shaking slightly. "Three months ago, you walked into my life and turned everything upside down. You were this confident, beautiful person who wore pink and makeup and didn't care what anyone thought. And I hated it. Or at least, I told myself I hated it."

Jungkook's eyes were already shining with tears.

"The truth is, I was terrified. Terrified of what it meant that I couldn't stop looking at you. Terrified of what it meant that I dreamed about you, thought about you constantly, got jealous every time I saw you with someone else. I'd spent my whole life building this image of who I was supposed to be, and you threatened all of it just by existing."

"Tae," Jungkook whispered.

"So I was cruel to you. I called you names, tried to make you feel small, because if I could convince myself you were just some annoying pretty boy, then maybe I wouldn't have to face the truth. But you never let me get to you. You just kept being yourself, kept being brave and honest and real. And eventually, I couldn't hide anymore."

Taehyung pulled out a small box from his pocket, opening it to reveal a simple silver band with a small diamond. Nothing too flashy, because Jungkook had enough flashy jewelry of his own, but elegant and beautiful.

"You taught me that being strong doesn't mean hiding who you are. It means having the courage to be yourself, even when it's scary. Even when everyone's watching. You taught me that love isn't weakness. It's the bravest thing we can do."

Tears were streaming down Jungkook's face now, and Taehyung's own eyes were burning.

"I know we're young. I know we're still in college and we have our whole lives ahead of us. But I also know that I want to spend that life with you. I want to wake up next to you every morning. I want to watch you put on your makeup and your jewelry and your pink clothes. I want to be the person you come home to, the person you share your dreams with, the person who gets to love you for the rest of our lives."

The quad was completely silent now, everyone holding their breath.

"Jeon Jungkook, will you marry me?"

For a moment, Jungkook just stood there, tears running down his face, hands still covering his mouth. Then he was nodding frantically, dropping to his knees in front of Taehyung.

"Oh my God Taehyung....," he said, voice breaking. "Yes, yes, yes, of course yes."

Taehyung's hands were shaking as he slid the ring onto Jungkook's finger. The moment it was on, Jungkook launched himself at Taehyung, kissing him hard as the crowd erupted in cheers.

They were both crying and laughing and kissing, and Taehyung had never felt happier in his entire life.

When they finally broke apart, Jungkook was beaming. "You're insane Tae. We're so young."

"I know."

"We haven't even graduated yet."

"I know."

"My parents are going to freak out."

"I know."

"I love you so much."

"I know that too."

Jungkook kissed him again, softer this time. "I can't believe you proposed in front of the entire school."

"You said I needed to stop hiding."

"I meant like, hold my hand in public. Not propose in the middle of campus."

"Go big or go home," Hoseok called out, and everyone laughed.

Jimin and Seokjin pushed through the crowd, pulling Jungkook into a hug. "Let us see the ring!"

Jungkook held out his hand, and the ring caught the sunlight, sparkling. "It's perfect."

"He did good," Seokjin admitted, looking at Taehyung with approval.

"Don't hurt him or we'll kill you," Jimin added cheerfully.

"I've heard that threat before," Taehyung said.

"And you'll keep hearing it," Jimin promised.

Namjoon clapped Taehyung on the shoulder. "Proud of you, man."

"Thanks for helping set this up."

"Are you kidding? This was the most fun I've had all semester."

The celebration continued around them, people coming up to congratulate them, to take pictures, to share in the joy. Taehyung kept Jungkook close the entire time, one arm around his waist, unable to stop smiling.

"You know," Jungkook said quietly, leaning into him, "when I first met you, I thought you were just another asshole Alpha who couldn't handle someone different."

"I was," Taehyung admitted.

"But you changed. You grew. That takes real strength."

"You made me want to be better."

"No," Jungkook said, echoing his words from weeks ago. "You made yourself better. I just gave you a reason to try."

Taehyung kissed his temple. "We're really doing this. We're getting married."

"We're really doing this," Jungkook confirmed, looking down at his ring with a soft smile. "My mom is going to cry so much."

"My mom already knows. I called her last week to ask for advice on rings."

Jungkook's head snapped up. "You did?"

"Of course I did. She was thrilled. She wants to meet you properly, not just over video chat."

"I'd like that."

"She also said, and I quote, 'It's about time you found someone who could handle your stubborn ass.'"

Jungkook laughed. "I like your mom."

"She likes you too. She's already planning the wedding."

"We just got engaged five minutes ago!"

"Try telling her that."

They stood there in the middle of the quad, surrounded by friends and strangers, all celebrating their love. The sun was warm on their faces, the future stretched out before them bright and full of possibility.

"Hey Tae?" Jungkook said.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you for being brave enough to love me."

Taehyung pulled him closer. "Thank you for being brave enough to be yourself. You saved me, Jungkook. From a life of pretending, of hiding, of never really living. You saved me."

"We saved each other," Jungkook said, and kissed him again.

The crowd cheered. Someone started chanting "Kiss, kiss, kiss!" and soon everyone had joined in. Taehyung and Jungkook obliged, kissing deeply while their friends and classmates celebrated around them.

When they finally pulled apart, both breathless and grinning, Taehyung realized something. For the first time in his life, he wasn't worried about what people thought. He wasn't trying to fit into some box or live up to some impossible standard. He was just himself, standing in the middle of campus, engaged to the love of his life.

And it was perfect.

"Come on," Jungkook said, tugging his hand. "Let's go call our parents before they see this on social media."

"Too late," Yoongi said, holding up his phone. "It's already trending."

"What?"

"#QuadProposal. You two are famous."

Taehyung groaned, but Jungkook just laughed. "At least we look good in the photos."

"You always look good," Taehyung said.

"Smooth talker."

"You're marrying me. I can be as smooth as I want."

"Fair point."

They walked across the quad hand in hand, Jungkook's ring catching the light with every movement. Behind them, the celebration continued, but they were in their own world now, just the two of them.

"I love you," Taehyung said.

"I love you too," Jungkook replied. "My Alpha."

"My Omega. My beautiful, brave, perfect Omega."

"Keep talking like that and we're not making it back to your room."

"Is that a threat or a promise?"

Jungkook's smile was wicked. "Both."

They made it back to the frat house in record time.

Later that night, after they'd called their parents (both sets had cried, as predicted), after they'd celebrated with their friends, after they'd made love slowly and thoroughly in Taehyung's bed, they lay tangled together in the darkness.

"Do you ever regret it?" Taehyung asked quietly. "Giving me a chance after how I treated you?"

"No," Jungkook said without hesitation. "Because I saw who you really were, underneath all the posturing. I saw someone scared and confused and trying so hard to be something he wasn't. And I thought, if I could just get through to him, if I could just show him it's okay to be himself, maybe he'd be amazing."

"And?"

"And you are. Amazing, I mean. You're brave and kind and you love so fiercely. You just needed permission to show it."

"You gave me that permission."

"You gave it to yourself. I just stood by and looked pretty while you figured it out."

Taehyung laughed. "You did more than look pretty."

"I know. But looking pretty is my specialty."

"It really is."

Jungkook smacked his chest lightly. "You're supposed to say I'm more than just pretty."

"You are more than just pretty," Taehyung said seriously. "You're brilliant and funny and brave and compassionate. You're everything I never knew I needed. You're my whole world."

"Now you're just trying to get laid again."

"Is it working?"

Jungkook's hand slid down Taehyung's stomach. "Maybe."

They made love again, slower this time, savoring every touch, every kiss, every whispered word of love. And when they finally fell asleep, wrapped around each other, Taehyung's last thought was that he was the luckiest person alive.

He'd spent so long trying to be someone he wasn't, trying to fit into a mold that was never meant for him. But Jungkook had shown him that the only person he needed to be was himself. And that was enough. More than enough.

It was everything.

The next morning, they woke to dozens of messages and calls. The proposal had indeed gone viral, with students from other universities sharing it, news outlets picking it up, people they'd never met sending congratulations.

"We're famous," Jungkook said, scrolling through his phone.

"Infamous, more like."

"Same thing." Jungkook showed him a particularly sweet comment. "Look, this person says we give them hope."

Taehyung read it, then pulled Jungkook close. "We do give people hope. We're proof that you can change, that you can grow, that love can happen even in the most unexpected ways."

"When did you become such a romantic?"

"When I fell in love with you."

"Smooth."

"I try."

They spent the morning in bed, ignoring the outside world, just existing in their own bubble of happiness. Eventually, they'd have to face reality, to plan a wedding, to finish school, to figure out their future. But for now, they had this. They had each other.

And that was all that mattered.

Kim Taehyung had spent his whole life trying to be strong, trying to be the perfect Alpha, the perfect son, the perfect frat brother.

But he'd learned that real strength wasn't about hiding your feelings or conforming to expectations.

Real strength was about being vulnerable, about loving openly, about having the courage to be yourself even when it was terrifying.

And Jeon Jungkook had taught him that. This beautiful, confident Omega who wore pink and makeup and didn't care what anyone thought. Who kissed boys scandalously and lived authentically and loved fiercely.

Taehyung had called him Barbie, Twinkie, pretty boy to tease him. He'd tried to diminish him, to make him small. But Jungkook had never been small. He'd always been larger than life, braver than anyone Taehyung had ever met.

And now he was Taehyung's. His fiancé, his partner, his future.

"What are you thinking about?" Jungkook asked, tracing patterns on Taehyung's chest.

"How lucky I am."

"You are pretty lucky."

"The luckiest."

"And don't you forget it."

Taehyung kissed him, soft and sweet. "Never. I'll never forget how lucky I am to have you."

"Good," Jungkook said, snuggling closer. "Because you're stuck with me now."

"Best thing that ever happened to me."

"Being stuck with me?"

"Loving you."

Jungkook's smile was radiant. "I love you too. My Alpha. My Taehyung."

"Yours," Taehyung agreed. "Always yours."

And as they lay there together, the morning sun streaming through the window, Taehyung knew that everything he'd been through, all the confusion and fear and self doubt, had been worth it.

Because it had led him here, to this moment, to this person.

To love.

Real, honest, beautiful love.

And that was the greatest gift of all.

THE END 🌷