Archive of Our Own ^beta

Twenty-first birthday is quite a bit of celebration, it's just as fancy to be compared to a festival for the family whose borns reach the age. This category only restricts to the rich and richer. Its celebration is always grand in the houses of landlords, merchants, traders especially the royals.

While the poor just live their day like every other day, turning twenty-one only comes with another person just as beaten down by fate just like them. Two hands were working to feed themselves. Now two hands would work to feed two stomachs and when children come into the view, the poor only become poorer. 

Jeongguk sighs as he moves his garden scissors through the bushes leveling them, today is the youngest Kim’s twenty-first birthday. 

Another twenty-first, another celebration. 

Honestly, Jeongguk hates the rich and richer but not the Kims. Never the Kims.

The Kim's are kind people, he has no resentment towards them at all, they have fed and given a place to sleep to another hundred like himself. 

He had been bought by the Kim's to tend their gardens years ago, he was a stray beta without a pack. Not even the slightest bit of clue who his parents were or was he just another bastard. Dragged for years around the town, he had an owner who sold him family to family since he was young enough to walk. 

This is far from the best work he has ever done. Gardening. 

All he feels is peace as he tends the bushes and flowers of the Kim's garden, the spouse of the lord loves and adores his flowers and so does the youngest. 

He hasn't really ever had a talk with the youngest Kim. Once or twice at most. The youngest Kim is said to be a beauty that is rare to find in all towns and cities and Jeongguk does agree with it. Wholeheartedly, actually.

Whoever the youngest Kim's mate is would surely wake up every morning to the face of the Moon Goddess’s favorite and would definitely start his day pleasantly.

“Gguk.” 

Jeongguk flinches as he bows his head to the lord's spouse. “Yes, my sir.” 

“Careful with that.” Hyun gently with the two fingers of his touches the sharp end of the scissors and pushes it away from Jeongguk. “You'll hurt yourself again, flower lord.”

“Sorry.” Jeongguk loves that title for himself, flower lord— he'll live and die with this title and be buried, hoping a wonderful flower bed blooms on dirt under which he'd lay . “Did you need something, my sir?”

Hyun smiles, kind and serene, Jeongguk really does understand where the youngest Kim's beauty comes from. “Not really, I just wanted to inquire if you had done the work I had given you.” His eyebrow raises in question.

“Of course, my sir!” Jeongguk beams. “As you ordered, I had been growing youngest’s sir's favorite flowers so he can take them with him when he leaves for his mansion at the bay of Cascadian sea.”

“Expected nothing less from you.” Hyun pats Jeongguk's shoulder. “Now go, my flower lord, the celebration will start as soon as the sun sets and I think it's only moments away. Join us for the celebration like the rest of the staff, do not hide away like you always do.”

Jeongguk just smiles at him, no matter how earnest and kind hearted his sir is, there is a difference— a very wide difference, Jeongguk knows— between their class and status.

Kim's weren't the rich or even richer, they were the richest of the town. There are two older Kim's both dignified alphas, the eldest is a spice trader. Under lord Kim's name lay half of the town's land and even more beyond. Lord Kim, a royal, the sixth son of the deceased King, the eldest of his siblings, rules over all the towns together called the Winterfort Kingdom. Despite his family honor, his visits to the court are few, his second son handles the courtly affairs also being the youngest member of the King's council.

The youngest Kim handled the family's financial books. He is said to be the master of calculations with excellent decision making skills which always has the eldest Kim seeking the youngest’s advice.

“Flower lord!” 

Jeongguk smiles at the eldest of the three Kim siblings, Kim Namjoon. “My lord,” he bows down, “what can I help you with?”

“Your best bunch of flowers.” Namjoon adjusts his cravat. 

“You mean a bouquet, my lord?” Jeongguk chuckles as he walks towards the bed of flowers leaving the scissors with the other tools and picking up a small knife instead. “For whom may I ask?”

“For—” Namjoon starts but then he spots his youngest sibling standing near the flower bed with his squire and his steps quicken up. “Tae-ah, what are you doing here?” 

“Looking at the flowers.” Taehyung shrugs. “There are you, as my papa says lord of flowers.” 

Jeongguk bows. “My lord.”

“I've never seen flowers look so lively ever,” Taehyung praises as he bends down his jeweled fingers caressing the little daisy petals, “do you whisper spells in their ears?”

“No, my lord.” Jeongguk's chest puffs at the praise, he takes pride whenever he's told his flowers seem like magic helps them bloom so beautifully. “I take care of them and I do whisper but not spells, just praises of how beautiful they are or will be.”

Taehyung hums. “I want a bouquet.”

“Which flowers would you like to have, my lord?”

“When was your twenty-first birthday, Jeongguk?” 

“Uh,” Jeongguk flinches at the sudden question, he looks at the youngest's Kim squire but the man just shrugs, “I don't know, my lord. I— I, well, I don't know my age or my birthday either.”

Taehyung looks at him, his hazel eyes squinting, while his golden curls fall over them. “When were you brought here?” 

“A few years ago, my lord.”

“Be precise.”

“I—” Jeongguk bites his tongue, he has long back lost the sense of years, all he knows is he has celebrated five festivals of Light with the Kims (he really isn't sure if he has celebrated four or five with the Kims.) The festival happens when the earth has completed a round around the sun, “five, I think?” 

“Where is your mate?” Taehyung asks, his squire looks alarmed and Namjoon seems like he wants to stop this conversation but stays silent. 

Jeongguk is just purely lost. Mate. He hasn't really bothered to think about it. “I haven't found them yet, I assume.”

“I'm only asking you these questions because I want to know what bouquet I should give my fated mate. If you, the flower lord as my papa says, would definitely have given your mate a bouquet. I would ask you to make me exactly the one you must have made but you have no mate, so it's useless.” Taehyung shakes his head. “Do you think my mate would even like a bunch of flowers, Jimin?”

Park Jimin, the youngest Kim's squire, shakes his head. “Your fated one will definitely be an alpha and alphas prefer a horse over flowers, I may say, my lord.”

“But I have no knowledge of horses!” Taehyung says, frustrated as he looks at Namjoon. “Do you have any knowledge?”

“Only about spices and ships, my brother.” Namjoon shrugs. “But well you can offer your alpha of what our family has the most— gold.” 

“Jimin-ah,” Taehyung huffs, miffed, “tell him what you said to me as I thought about the same.”

“My lord's mate obviously would belong to a high status family, like yours and the second lord's mates do.” Jimin repeats, it's the same words he had said to the youngest Kim back in his room. “More gold would just add up to the pile they already must have. Insignificant, it would be, my lord.” 

“I want my first gift to my lifetime partner to be something significant.” Taehyung sighs pushing his hair back, away from his eyes as his jewels on his wrist show themselves when his cuffs slide, twinkling under the late afternoon sun.

“And flowers which would wither away within a week are significant?” Namjoon’s tone is mocking and even when Jeongguk has no right to, he does feel offended.

Flowers mean so much more, they have significant meanings. 

“Flowers have significant meanings.” Taehyung reasons as he turns back to the flower bed. “But I haven't met my future mate yet, I don't know who he is, what he would mean to me.”

“Flowers are not the correct gift for an alpha.” Namjoon flicks Taehyung's head.

“What if it's not an alpha?”

“Don't be silly, of course it will be an alpha.”

“Then what would an alpha prefer?”

“I don't know, my mate got me perfumes that lasted for hours, I liked those.”

“Because she's the daughter of a perfume merchant!” Taehyung growls, his small yet sharp canines proding through the softness of his lips. “All I know about is money and flowers. Not perfumes like your mate. I know nothing of how Seokjin hyung's mate knows about the best silk and intricate embroidery designs!” 

Jeongguk just stares at the youngest Kim fussing over what he is going to gift his mate. He thinks it's really unfair that the youngest Kim doesn't know his presence around the alpha for a lifetime is a greater gift than anything else.

He wonders how someone can be so beautiful that even standing near him makes his heart race. The way whenever his head moves his long earrings sway sparkling, his rings almost blind Jeongguk and his beautiful brooch pinned on his cravat shines studded with diamonds is an excellent choice.

“Jewels, my lord.” Jeongguk points out, his ears feel warm when the three of them have their eyes pinned on him, it increases his heartbeat to a certain level. “You can easily be called a master of it.”

Taehyung scoffs. “Like my papa calls you flower lord?” He looked at Jeongguk even when his words seemed like they were meant to bite, they didn't. 

It made Jeongguk laugh instead. “Maybe something like that, my lord.”

“Jewels…” Taehyung says under his breath as he looks at Jimin, “I know jewels.”

Jimin grins. “And you know them well, my lord.” 

Taehyung tongues his inner cheek. “Flower lord,” he turns towards the beta, “thank you for your suggestion, I like it. Also, make me a good rose bouquet, tell one of the servants to place it in the vase beside my bed.”

“Yes, my lord.” Jeongguk bows down. This is the most he has ever talked with the youngest Kim, usually it's his squire who comes down and collects the flowers that the youngest wishes for. 

For a moment Taehyung lingers and stares at Jeongguk before walking away with his squire following suit. 

“Flower lord, I was here first.” Namjoon pats the beta’s back. “Make me a beautiful bunch.”

“A bouquet, my lord.”

“Yes, yes, a bouquet. ”

Jeongguk laughs. “May I ask for whom, my lord? Helps in choosing the flowers appropriately.” He presents the question again.

“Who else but my mate, she's a bit upset with me.” Namjoon whispers it as if it's some funny secret. “Do me a favor and make it quick please.”

“Of course, my lord.” Jeongguk bows and goes around the flower bed.

While he makes the bouquet for the alpha, his mind wanders back to the question the youngest Kim had asked him. He never really paid mind to it.

Was he twenty-one already? If he was, where was his mate?

He hands over the bouquet to the eldest Kim, who praises him telling him it looks beautiful and gives him a coin even when Jeongguk insists he doesn't want it. The Kim's have been providing him with food to eat and a bed to sleep comfortably for five years now also an ample amount of wage— he only uses to buy himself clothes sometimes when his are completely ragged and donates the rest to to the people who actually need it— through any other favor from them makes Jeongguk feel guilty. 

The coin feels heavy in his palm before he pockets it, he walks back to the flower bed collecting the best blooming roses, his heart does throb a bit separating them from their home but it's what needs to be done. 

Rather than withering away eventually on the soil they'd rather serve their purpose beside the youngest Kim's bedside. He thinks even the flowers would be glad to share space with the youngest and be blessed in his company. 

Jeongguk carefully shaves off all the thorns, before arranging the bouquet and tying it up before giving it off to another servant, giving him the instructions.

He walks back into his cottage that he shares with his other worker brothers, he sits down on his bed laying back on it as he closes his eyes.

“Gguk-ah,” his friend, more like his elder brother walks in, Min Yoongi, the cook of the Kim household, sits on the edge of his bed, “I need your help today, brother.”

Yoongi is the closest thing Jeongguk has ever had in the name of family. They may not share the same blood but Yoongi has been an important figure in his life for the past years, taking care of him like an older brother would. He even sometimes sneaks leftover sweet treats from the kitchen because he knows Jeongguk has a sweet tooth.

“Anything, hyung.” Jeongguk stretches on the bed. “Anyways I'm done with my work for the day.”

“Ella has fallen sick so we need a hand in the kitchen, who can I trust instead of her if not you?” Yoongi chuckles as he squeezes the boy’s ankle. “You can rest for a bit though for now.”

Jeongguk shakes his head and gets up. “No, I'll just take a bath and be there.” He shreds off his tunic, getting off the bed. “Hyung-ah, I wanna ask something.”

“Yes?”

“Is there a possibility of being mateless?” 

Yoongi chuckles. “No. Everybody has a mate.” He stands up as he walks towards the door. “If you are worrying about finding yours, don't be. Your mate walks in your life when fate deems it correct. Until then all you can do is have patience.”

Even when Yoongi leaves Jeongguk feels like his words echo around. He walks out of the cottage through the back door where it leads to a lake shredding off his loose pants as he steps inside the water. 

A sigh leaves him as he leans back against the rock. There is no one bathing at this hour, everyone has their own specific time, most of them do it in the early morning before the sun even rises. 

Jeongguk doesn't like bathing with a group even when nudity among his other work brothers is common. He is rather shy, so he prefers it to be this time when it's just him and the calm water, he takes a dip in, staying there before emerging up and shaking his head.

He sighs and leans against the rock, biting down his lip as he pushes his hair back staring up at the sky. Now that the youngest Kim has brought it to his notice, he really should be having a mate. 

Was he not twenty-one yet? It can't be possible, he believes he is already in his mid twenties. 

He starts to count the amount of festival of Light he has spent in each of his master's abodes serving them.

His very first time was with an old man who just wanted a companion to live with him. He was a really kind man and Jeongguk didn't really work for him apart from mopping the floor. He just lived with him hearing all the stories the old man had to say but he remembers none now. There he spent six festivals before the old man graced heaven. He still does remember how he had wailed at the loss of him.

Second was where his masters were a bit harsh with him. They owned five cows to milk, he was woken up early in the morning to milk the cows before there was a man who came to collect it and sell it. It was to be done again in late afternoon, his fingers and forearms used to hurt back then. He used to sleep with the cows on the bunch of hay. Sometimes, he was even forgot to be fed and was not allowed to step inside the master's house even when the winters were harsh and rains were storming. He spent eight festivals of Light with them.

For three festivals he worked as a caretaker for a master's children, he liked that work. The kids were well behaved and from them he had learnt how to read and draw. 

Then he was brought by the Kim's and he spent almost five years there.

Twenty-two years is the total of years he has spent serving and he was probably four or five when he started to work so he must be in his late twenties not early. He is either twenty-six, twenty-seven or twenty-eight just to be safe but none older than that.

So almost thirty. He sighs, why didn't he ever wonder about his age before? But then he sighs again, what would be the use of it anyways? He'd spent the rest of his years being a slave, there was no point. 

About his mate, he just wishes they aren't disappointed to find out that he is their mate. Until then all he can do is wait. 

_______

Jeongguk groans, rolling his shoulders as he walks out of the kitchen, his hands ache from rotating the big spoon in the utensil to stir the spoon. He is completely sweaty because of the heat inside the kitchen, Yoongi had even laughed at him over how red and wet he was.

Pushing his hair back he almost groans when the cold air hits his skin, the sweat on his skin makes his thin shirt stick to his skin. He looks at the celebration that takes place, the lords from the whole town seem to have gathered here. The music is almost unheard through the chatter of everyone. There are performers blowing fire out of their mouths, one walking on a rope. 

He looks around trying to find the reason of this celebration, he is just a bit curious about how the youngest Kim's fated one looks like but he doesn't even find him in the crowd. He does spot his Sir and Lord Kim together along with the middle lord with them. 

Shrugging, he walks towards his cottage still scanning his eyes around to get a glimpse of the youngest Kim. His nose twitches when he smiles at something sweet, he has the urge to chase it but he doesn't, Yoongi would probably get him a bite of the dish anyways.

Though his heart does throb when the scent of it turns heavy, his mouth waters but he knows he can't just enter the celebration where the whole crowd is filled with people whose status is higher. They'd ridicule him. 

“Hey, you!”

Jeongguk turns around just to see the guard jogging up at him. “Me?”

“Yes,” the guard huffs, “you.” 

“How may I help you?” Jeongguk asks. 

“The youngest lord Kim wants to see you.” Guard grabs his arm and starts dragging him towards the crowd.

“Hey, brother!” Jeongguk pulls on the guard's hand making them stop. “Is it really that urgent? Let me at least change, I smell like kimchi and garlic. Can I get a few minutes to spare? Please.”

The sweet scent is too distracting, it's making his head dizzy and body wanting to run towards the source of it. He has never felt this desperate to ever devour a sweet treat.

“No,” guard grunts as he starts dragging Jeongguk again, “my lord, said to fetch you and get you to him instantly.”

Smells like the almond milk bread but only sweeter, he is just salivating by the scent of it making him gulp. The closer the guard drags him to the crowd the more overwhelming the scent becomes.

“Any reason?” Jeongguk asks but the guard just shakes his head in denial. 

He spots the youngest lord beside the tall cake, standing with his squire. The youngest Kim squire whispers in the lord's ear and the youngest Kim looks in his direction and when their eyes meet Jeongguk's heart almost threatens to stop his hazel eyes gleaming as he smiles.

“My lord,” the guard bows as they stop two hands away from the youngest Kim. 

“You may leave.” Taehyung says and the guard leaves immediately.

“Ye-yes, my lord?” Jeongguk looks at the cake first, is it the cake that smells so heavenly? His eyes darted at the youngest Kim who looked confused.

Jeongguk couldn't take his eyes off the omega, he looked… majestic. So unworldly that Jeongguk sighed, he was dripping in gold, his long white coat had gold embroidery, his ears were bejeweled a pearl drop hanging on the left one, his fingers were doused in rings, twinkling under the fire lamps lit up. Even with all the gold, his eyes were the one shining the brightest. The pink hue on the apple of his cheeks made him look like a doll. He is the most beautiful omega Jeongguk has ever laid eyes on. 

“Jimin-ah,” Taehyung turns towards his squire, he pouts, “he can't feel it?”

“You are an omega, your sense of smell is stronger. A beta’s sense of smell isn't really that strong, but he's close now, he should be able to smell it or feel it.” Jimin squints his eyes. “Jeongguk, do you feel uh… sick?”

“Jimin, what the hell?” Taehyung gasps. “How would he feel sick?”

“Well, uh—” Jimin struggles before he huffs, “well, tell us your thoughts, Jeongguk.” 

The scent of the cake, that's all he can think about. He looks at the youngest Kim, breathing out before his gaze lands on Jimin and he points at the cake.

“Cake.” Jeongguk points at the cake, his head is too heavy for him to think about anything else but the scent of almond milk bread. “I wanna eat the cake.” 

The way the youngest Kim's face goes all red concerns Jeongguk a bit and Jimin just looks horrified.

“Cake?” Jimin grits his teeth as if Jeongguk is getting on his last nerve. “Are you sane?”

“Almond milk bread.” Jeongguk tries to justify. “It smells like it, it's making me salivate . I— I don't know, I just have this intense urge to have a bite of it, it's like my whole body is craving it!” He shakes his head. “I feel dizzy, my head feels too heavy.”

Taehyung squeals and hides his face in Jimin's shoulder, mumbling about something Jeongguk can't decipher. All he wants to do is take a slice of it back to his cottage, maybe if asked Jimin could give him a taste at least.

“That's a vanilla cake you idiot.” Jimin hisses. “Almonds and milk are my lord's scent.” He points at Jeongguk. 

“Oh?” Jeongguk blinks. “It's not?”

“Can't you feel it?” Jimin stresses out on his words. 

“Feel what?”

“You're my lord's mate.”

Jeongguk's heart drops right down to his stomach he stares at Jimin with his eyes wide, looking at the youngest Kim now staring at him with his cheeks all rosy and ear tips red. 

“No. Are you sane?” Jeongguk breathes out a heavy breath. “What are you even talking about?”

“Are you saying I'm insane?” Taehyung takes a step closer to Jeongguk, his cheeks still tinted red as he places his hand on the beta's chest. “Your heart beats are rapid.” 

“My lord,” Jeongguk instantly takes a step back, “please, don't. I'm sorry but I cannot tolerate such jesters.” He bows down before he walks away his heart feels heavy in his chest, he lowers his head as he receives stares from the guests, some even wrinkling their noses as he passes by.

“Wait!” Taehyung grabs the beta's arm. “How dare you?!” 

“My lord, I'm sorry if I offended you.” Jeongguk pries Taehyung's hand off him. “But what you're saying simply can't be true.”

“Are you calling me a liar?” Taehyung growls as he steps into Jeongguk's space. “Why would I lie about this? Can't you feel it? Our bond, the pull, the scent. Nothing at all?”

Jeongguk stares at the omega, he breathes in and the almond and milk scent only intensifies. He never really knew the youngest lord's scent until today. Beta's can't know the scent of the others just by one whiff like alphas and omegas can, their senses are a bit dull. But a beta can only clearly smell the scent of his mate, even from miles apart, even in a crowded hall, a beta could easily whiff out their mate and Jeongguk could smell Taehyung from a mile away, his heart had begged him to follow. 

They are, indeed, mates.

Jeongguk's heart drops at the realization.

He is the youngest Kim's fated mate. A lord's fated mate. He does not deserve it, to have such a high ranking entity as his mate— more than that youngest Kim does not deserve a lowborn slave as his mate. 

Still, his heart begs, his body tight, skin burning wanting to just embrace the lord. He bites down his lip. What was he even thinking? 

The odds are really vast. It's not something Jeongguk can reach.

He stares at Taehyung whose eyes are now filling with tears, it hurts him to see how the youngest Kim's lips wobble as he tries to contain his emotions.

“ I do .” Jeongguk whispers. “But— but it's not right, my lord.” 

Taehyung scowls. “What do you mean by that?” He takes another step closer until they are standing chest to chest. “We're fated. You are my mate.”

“Please.” Jeongguk begs as looks around, seeing everyone's eyes on him, his heart beat is so loud in his ears that his head throbs. He can't comprehend but all he knows is that the world would never let them live in peace. “Please, we can't.” He looks back at Taehyung, desperate. 

“You're mine by fate.” Taehyung growls under his breath. His breath is warm as it fans over Jeongguk's face. “There is no one in this whole fucking world that has the balls to obstruct me from being yours.” 

Jeongguk gasps at the foul words that fall off the youngest Kim's lips. 

“Taehyung!” The lord Kim, Taehyung’s father, Jung-jae steps in a frown sitting on his face and Jeongguk trembles, taking three steps away wanting to turn away and run but he almost collides with the middle son Kim doing so. 

“My son,” Hyun curls his arm around his youngest son, “what's happening?”

“Jeongguk,” Seokjin holds the beta's arm, “breath, no one is going to hurt you, you know that.”

When Seokjin says so Jeongguk inhales a deep breath, his lungs burn with the effort and his vision almost blurs. 

“I found my mate.” Taehyung says, his chin is tilted high up and Jeongguk only lowers his head. “Jeongguk is my mate.” He says loud enough for his parents and brothers and for the people around him. “My fated one.” He sighs, reaching out for Jeongguk's hand to hold but the beta only pulls his hand back, taking another step back.

“I'm sorry, my lord.” Jeongguk gets down on his knees. “Please forgive me.”

The more the silence spreads the louder the whispers around them get. Jeongguk bites down on his bottom lip hard enough to taste blood.

“Jeongguk?” That's Yoongi’s voice and when Jeongguk feels the omega's arms around him he almost lets out a cry. “What did you do?” He whispers, fear is evident in his voice too.

Taehyung growls. “Get away from him.” 

Jeongguk looks up at Taehyung, tilting his head then he looks at Yoongi who looks pained but stands up. 

“How dare you?” Taehyung squares up against Yoongi. “How dare you touch my mate? I could have you thrown in the dungeons for it.”

“Taehyung, enough.” Hyun grabs Taehyung's arm and pulls him back. “This is no way to speak to our cook. I haven't raised you to be a vicious lad.”

“Do you love him?” Taehyung looks down at Jeongguk, his words hold venom as he scowls. “Is that why you are refusing our bond?” 

“No, my lord.” Yoongi answers with a gasp. “Jeongguk is like a little brother to me, I have a mate.”

“You're refusing the fated bond?” Jung-jae asks. “Are you out of your mind? How dare you refuse the bond with my son?”

“Alpha, please.” Hyun sighs. “Can we please talk this out in privacy, I know Jeongguk doesn't mean any ill, I know this lad. He must have something to say.”

Taehyung relents as he storms towards the mansion with his squire staying back to just stare at Jeongguk before running up to the youngest Kim. 

“Gguk-ah,” Hyun holds Jeongguk's shoulders and makes him rise on his feet, “come in. You too, Yoongi.” 

Yoongi nods and grabs Jeongguk's forearm and squeezes it when the beta looks at him, he only smiles.

“You can't deny fate.” Yoongi whispers as they walk towards the mansion. “Don't be so cruel to yourself and also your mate. Didn't you hear? He wants you.”

Jeongguk looks at Yoongi, helpless. “My lord and his family were excited for him to mate with an alpha of their status, not a beta slave.” He reasons, hesitating to even step inside the mansion. “Hyung, I'm not even dressed— I don't even have something worthy to wear and I smell like kimchi and garlic— I…” he huffs, “why doesn't my lord understand?”

“When has this family ever treated us like slaves?” Yoongi pulls Jeongguk inside. “We are workers here, Jeongguk, we are paid appropriate coins for it. Slaves don't earn.”

“Yeah? What about the fact that I don't have a pack of my own and that I’m a lowborn?” Jeongguk counters. 

“They don't care about that! They aren't offended by your status, they are offended because you are trying to reject the bond.” Yoongi hisses and takes a step back from Jeongguk when they reach the hall.

Jeongguk just bows his head, seeing the whole Kim family here and they are still waiting for the others to join. 

“Come here, Jeongguk.” Taehyung says and Jeongguk nods before he walks towards him.

“Yes, my lord.” Jeongguk leans down to hear Taehyung.

Taehyung pats the beside him. “Sit.”

“My lord…” Jeongguk looks up seeing the elder members of the family have a oprehensive look, “I can't, I'm not allowed to.”

“You're so difficult,” Taehyung pouts, “okay, then I order you to sit beside me, are you gonna refute a lord's order now?” 

Jeongguk stares at Taehyung. “Why are you doing this to me, my lord?” He asks. 

“Because you're mine.” Taehyung grins up at him. “Now sit.”

“My wear isn't suitable.” Jeongguk tries. “I'll desperately need to get out of it.”

“Well, of course we'll get rid of your outfit but don't you think this is a talk for us to have in privacy?” Taehyung giggles, there is a certain shine in his eyes. “How shameful of you to talk about shredding your fabrics when I'm sitting with my whole bloodline here.” He glances around as he leans forward to whisper. “Please have some patience my mate, once we reach my room I'll shred your clothes you shed mine.” He winks.

Jeongguk gasps, he feels his cheeks warm and ears burn. “That's— my lord that's not what I meant.” 

“A talk for later tonight, leave it. We have something to deal with for now.” Taehyung reaches to hold Jeongguk's forearm, a bit tentative but he smiles when Jeongguk doesn't jerk away at his touch. “Sit, please. If you sit beside me it'll give me strength to face them.”

When every Kim of the young lord's family sat, Jeongguk curls his fingers tight until his knuckles went white and veins became prominent. He flinches at the soft touch on his fist, he looks at the youngest Kim as he smiles at him. 

“My lord, I—” Jeongguk struggles as the omega's fingers slip in his, holding his hand. 

“I know you're worried about my family but—”

“No, my lord— I… I'm sorry to interrupt but that isn't my concern— well, it is one of my concerns but it's not the one I'm the most troubled by.” 

Taehyung's eyebrows draw together. “Then? Speak to me freely, my mate, I will make sure to soothe your concern.” The determination Taehyung speaks with makes Jeongguk's heart warm.

“My lord, it's you.” Jeongguk holds Taehyung's gaze. “I… my lord, you have always wished for a high ranking alpha mate. I'm neither, I've been a slave all my life, my lord, I have no pack, no family— nothing.” He says, his words absolutely rushed as he sees Taehyung's face fall. “I know being fated mates is sacred but I… I can't imagine myself living a life where you'd be forcing yourself to be with me, my lord.”

“I've never said so.” Taehyung turns to look at Jeongguk and the beta lowers his gaze. The omega's hand grasps his and Jeongguk flinches, wanting to pull back but the lord's hold tightens. “My family has been raving about it but I have never particularly wished for it. I don't blame my family— no, not at all. For generations the high born has been fated to another high born. Always an omega to an alpha, an alpha to an omega. I know it.”

“I'm a beta.” Jeongguk's voice drops. “A low-born slave.”

“My beta.” Taehyung smiles as he lets his fingers caress the beta's cheekbone. “My mate.”

“Doesn't change my identity, my lord.” 

“After today… it will.” 

Jeongguk draws in a deep breath. “Please don't make any hasty decisions, my lord.”

“Decisions have already been made by the divine, silly.” Taehyung leans forward and Jeongguk can't help but look up into those hazel irises. “You're mine and I'm yours. I'm content with my fate, in fact I'm happy too.”

“You… you didn't want an alpha mate, my lord?” 

“I always dreamt of a mate but never did I dream of him to be of a specific rank, Jeongguk.”

“I don't think your family would agree, my lord.”

“Let's see who has the balls to obstruct me from taking you to my bed tonight.” 

Jeongguk feels heat over his cheeks again and he bites down his lip when Taehyung winks at him before turning towards his family who have been discussing among themselves and a few of them have been meticulously analyzing him. 

“Jeongguk.” Jung-jae calls and the beta flinches standing up in an instance, jerking his hand away from Taehyung's hold feeling his chest heavy seeing how the omega's smile drops. 

“Y-yes, my lord.” Jeongguk gulps. 

Jung-jae sighs and pinches his nose bridge, he briefly stares at Hyun who just smiles pitifully. “Be seated.” He says and Jeongguk hesitantly sits back down. “What's your family name?”

“I—” Jeongguk looks down at his hands, he sees the dirt settled in his nail beds, “Jeon, my lord.” 

“Jeon…” The King hums, “he belongs to the lowborns residing in the south. There are masters there who lend money to people like his and when the people are unable to pay… the masters forcefully take their children and sell them.” He explains and Jeongguk bites his lips down. “Do you know of your family, Jeongguk?”

“I don't remember anything, your highness.” Jeongguk feels his vision getting cloudy as he blinks rapidly. He doesn't want to cry. 

“What's your age?” Hyun asks. “When is your born day?”

“I assume I'm older than twenty-five years of age but I do not know when my born day is.” Jeongguk answers as he sniffles. 

Taehyung's fingers reach his again, and this time Jeongguk lets him hold. He soaks in all the comfort that he gets when the omega's elegant fingers fit between the gaps of his. He looks at the contrast, where his fingers are dirty and probably smell like garlic, the omega's fingers are manicured with jewels twinkling.

How can Jeongguk ever belong to a man like the youngest Kim? 

“Jeongguk,” Seokjin calls out, “why were you turning your back on my brother earlier? Do you not accept your bond with him?” He raises his eyebrow, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. 

Jeongguk inhales a deep breath. “I— this bond, my lord… I respect it, bu-but our differences…” he struggles trying to make sense of his words in his head but it's all a jumble of emotions he can't place into coherent sentences. 

“We had a conversation about it.” Taehyung declares. “Everything is fine now, brother.”

Seokjin looks like he wants to disagree but he relents and leans back on his seat where his mate is immediately by his side holding his arm and murmuring what seems like words of comfort.

“Taehyung-ah.”

Taehyung straightens his back. “Yes, grandfather.” He says full of pride with his chin tilted up. 

His courage and aura makes Jeongguk admire him. He can't believe fate has deemed him worthy enough to pair him with a being as gorgeous and intellectual as Kim Taehyung. Their hands are still intertwined, the warmth and softness of the Youngest Kim's palm is a stark comparison from where his hands are sweaty and filled with callouses. Still, the young lord doesn't let his hand go, he even squeezes it. It gives Jeongguk assurance. 

“Do you accept it?” The man asks, face full of wrinkles, his voice ragged as he speaks. “Are you sure of it, my child?” 

“Absolutely, grandfather.” Taehyung answers. “All me and my mate need is your blessings.”

“You cannot have my blessings.” One of Taehyung's uncles speaks. Jeongguk thinks he is the second or third brother of Jung-jae. “How can you expect us to agree to this? He is a bastard beta lowborn. He doesn't match our status.” 

“He is my mate by fate.” Taehyung starts each of his words sounding as if it is meant to sit heavy and leave a print of it behind in people's minds. “That makes him a lord now. He matches our status now.” 

Jeongguk looks at the youngest lord before he looks at Yoongi with his eyes wide. 

“A lord?” He mouths, absolutely astounded. 

Yoongi grins. “Yes, my lord.” He mouths back.

Jeongguk glares at him.

“I agree.” Taehyung's grandmother speaks. “Taehyung-ah, is absolutely right.”

“But—” Seokjin intertwines. “Where will Taehyung live? In Jeongguk's cottage? Would he live in the workers' cottage of his own house?”

“I have my very own mansion at the bay of the Cascadian sea.” Taehyung shifts a bit forward in his seat, his knee touches Jeongguk and the beta flinches, pulling his knees together. “We'd live there for the rest of our lives. I have finalized it long before, right father?”

“Yes, but back then we thought you'd be a mate to a highborn, how will you survive without money there?” Jung-jae pinches his nose bridge. “Jeongguk cannot be able to earn enough to keep you fulfilled.”

“I'm absolutely touched with your concern father but I can earn enough for myself and my mate.” Taehyung lets out a laugh. “You know it too.”

“But—” Jung-jae hesitates. “You do have my blessings. I'm just worried about your future, son.”

“I'll be flourishing, father.” Taehyung sighs. “Have some faith in me.”

“I don't permit this!” Another member of the family scowls. “This is unacceptable.”

“I don't really care, uncle.” Taehyung raises his eyebrow. “You are a part of my family but our relation is of far off— with all due respect, I do not even know your name.”

Jeongguk's jaw falls as he stares at Taehyung. The lord is a little too brave. 

“Taehyung-ah,” Hyun's tone holds a warning.

Taehyung shrugs. 

The King chuckles only to be glared at by his consort.

“What?” The King shakes his head. “There is a reason he is my favorite nephew.” He looks at Taehyung, eyes proud. “You have my blessings, Taehyung-ah.”

“Always a brat.” Namjoon snickers. “You have my blessings.”

“You're not gonna back out anyways.” Seokjin sighs. “You have my blessings, brother.”

“Jeongguk is a good lad, my very helpful flower lord.” Hyun smiles. “I'll miss him. You have my blessings, my child.”

The other family members also offer their blessings, some do it reluctantly, some even grumble, a few say it in such a low voice that Jeongguk isn't sure if they are actually giving their blessings or saying something else.

“Well, blessings from the Kim's are done now— uh…” Taehyung's grandfather hesitates. “You don't have a family, who would give blessings from his side?”

“Ha,” someone from the Kim family snorts, “this is ridiculous.”

“Not— not blood related family, my lord but I've always considered Yoongi hyung as my elder brother.” Jeongguk proposes. He looks up at Yoongi and the first time ever he sees the omega's eyes brim with tears. “Hyung-ah?” 

“You have my blessings.” Yoongi bows down. “Please take care of Jeongguk, my lord. He is really precious to me.” He sniffles. 

“I apologize for my behavior towards you earlier. I don't know what came over me, it just clawed my heart to see my mate in your embrace when he was trying to deny our bond.” Taehyung bows his head. “It's my humble request, please accompany us to my mansion, I would like you to be my chef there.”

Yoongi gasps. “Of-of course, my lord, it'll be my pleasure!”

Taehyung smiles. “So… am I forgiven?” He asks.

“You didn't even need to apologize, my lord.” Yoongi bows. 

“This is absolutely not fair, Taehyung-ah.” Hyun huffs. “You're taking my favorite gardener now you're also taking away my chef.”

“Hire new ones.” Taehyung shrugs as he stands up and pulls Jeongguk with him. “Can I excuse myself for the night now?” 

“Of course.” Jung-jae sighs. “Well… I don't know what to say when your omega son is about to spend his first night with his mate!” He gets up and walks off. “I'll leave it to you Hyun-ah.”

Hyun laughs. “Well,” he shrugs, “have fun.” 

Jeongguk pales when he looks at Yoongi.

“What?” Yoongi scoffs. “Don't tell me you don't know how to do it.” 

“I—” Jeongguk looks back where Taehyung is busy conversing with his squire. “I do.” He hisses. “It's just, what else?”

“What else?”

“Do the highborns do something different?”

“Loosen him, stick your wee in and be done with it.”

Jeongguk looks at Yoongi who just huffs and walks away. He knows what happens and what he is supposed to do but he's never done it. He hasn't even kissed somebody in his entire life. 

“Mate.” 

Jeongguk shivers when the lord whispers in his ear, he feels a tickle run down his spine. “Ye-yes, my lord?” 

“Let's go?” Taehyung rounds up and stands in front of him, close. “We have a tradition to partake in.” 

“Uh, yes, my lord.” Jeongguk nods. “It's just, uh,  can I just… clean myself? I smell like kimchi and garlic, my lord.” 

“To me you smell like sweet honey.” Taehyung leans until their chests almost touch and Jeongguk can feel the heat of the lord's body against his own. “About your clothing…”

Jeongguk holds his breath when Taehyung leans close, he almost thought the lord is going to kiss him but air empties his lungs when the omega's cheek slides against his. 

A warm breath blows right on his ear. “I'm gonna fucking rip it right off you.” He growls, playful.

Taehyung backs away with a smile so sweet on his lips that Jeongguk finds himself doubting if the words that were growled in his ear was just a play of his own mind. 

“I need to go first, Jimin-ie will lead you to my room.” Taehyung gets on his tip-toes and leaves a kiss on the beta's cheek. “Don't make me wait too much.” 

Jeongguk just nods, the press of the youngest lord Kim's lips were faint and quick still Jeongguk feels his knees weak and his heartbeat is just thudding such rapidly that he loses his senses a bit.

How would he even survive the night without passing out?

“My lord,” Jimin clears his throat, “I'll lead you.”

“Jimin, please.” Jeongguk sighs. “You know the title does not belong to me.”

“It didn't belong to you this morning.” Jimin smiles. “It does now, my lord.”

“It sounds so weird.” Jeongguk says.

“It must, my lord.”

“Jimin, may I ask you a question?”

“Sure, my lord.”

Jeongguk looks at Jimin, he wants Jimin to stop regarding him with a title that he isn't even worthy of. “Is my lord really happy?”

“Which lord are you speaking off?” Jimin asks. “Your mate, my lord?”

“Jimin.”

Jimin laughs, airy and light. “Sorry, my lord.”

“Jimin, please don't.” Jeongguk stops. “Do not call me that.”

“Calling you by your name would be disrespectful, my lord, I would lose my job.” Jimin sighs pitifully but his eyes gleam. “I quite enjoy being the youngest lord Kim's squire, he is a good master.” 

“Just…” Jeongguk gives up, “just answer my question, please.”

“Yes, he really is.” Jimin answers. “Believe it or not my lord always seemed a bit repulsed by the idea of having an alpha as his mate. You know alphas, dominating and controlling— my lord did not want to be someone's puppet.” 

Jeongguk nods. “I'd agree to that, some alpha highborns are just really… you know?”

“Believe me, I do, my lord.” Jimin agrees as he turns into a hallway as he passes by the rooms to reach the stairs in the corner with all the crowd left behind them. “Also, I'd dare say my lord fancied you a bit, he said that he finds you to be a pleasing sight.”

“H-huh?” Jeongguk feels his stomach swoop. The silence is loud here, their footsteps echo as they climb. He has never been in this part of the mansion but is aware that this staircase leads to the youngest Kim's room. 

“Yes, my lord.” Jimin chuckled. “He'd stare at you from his window when you tended to flower beds, though he said he was just really trying to observe your method of taking care of the flowers. My lord loves flowers and he admires the way the flowers love you.”  

When the squire stopped in front of the large door having florals carved on the wood, Jeongguk inhaled a deep breath. He knew his mate was inside, he could smell him. Just as delicious. Almond and milk. 

Jimin steps back with a bow, he pushes the door and Jeongguk just stands frozen. 

“Oh, you're here already?” Taehyung shows up at the door, his attire from the celebration was changed into a long robe, the belt tired loosely leaving a rather large expanse of his torso on display. Still, all of the jewels that adorned him were still worn by him, twinkling under the fire lamps' orange glow. 

Jeongguk had to force his eyes away before his heartbeat would lose its rhythm completely. 

“Yes, my lord.” Jimin shrugs. 

“Thank you, my dear friend.” Taehyung reaches out and holds Jeongguk's hand. “Mate, come in?”

Jeongguk lets Taehyung tug him inside the room, he looks around in awe, the moonlight that entered through the balcony made half of the bed doze in the light of it while the glow from the lamps on the other side coated it in orange.

“Excited, Tae?” Jimin snickers. 

The beta looks at Jimin, his eyes wide because Jimin just dropped to address Taehyung in his rightful title but was also informal. But Taehyung only laughs as he leans back against the door and his eyes meet Jeongguk.

“Look at him, who wouldn't be excited?” Taehyung winks and Jeongguk just turns his head away, feeling sweat collecting over his nape. “Mate, aren't you excited?” 

Jeongguk feels stuck, he just inhales a deep breath biting down his lip as he stares at Taehyung but the omega seems like he is having a great pleasure seeing him suffer.

“Quit teasing him.” Jimin scoffs. “I'll take my leave, Hoseok must be waiting for me. I'll see you after sunrise or do you want me to greet you post noontide?”

“Greet me only when I call for you.” Taehyung steps back and closes the door. “The midget gets on my nerves.”

Jeongguk chuckles despite his nervousness, hands behind his back as he looks at the lord. “He's not quite that short, my lord, he's rather tall.”

“Shorter than me.” Taehyung squints his eyes. “That's all that matters.” He says as he walks closer.

“Of course, m-my… my lord.” Jeongguk loses his voice when the omega's arms wrap around his shoulders and he is embraced. He closes his eyes, soaking in all the warmth. This is the first time ever he has been held, this feeling of a warm body against his own with the way the omega's scent coils around him makes him smile. 

Taehyung laughs. “I've been wanting to hold you since the moment I caught a whiff of your scent. It just had to be you.” He leans back and Jeongguk looks at the omega. His hazel eyes are always warm. “You really underestimate how happy I am.”

“All of this feels like a dream.” Jeongguk's hands shake. 

Jeongguk breathes out when Taehyung reaches to hold his forearm only to make it wrap around his waist, doing the same with his other arm and now he is holding the omega against him. 

Warm. The lord is just so warm, his waist is petite and feels so good to hold. 

“It really does.” Taehyung sighs, his fingers are soft when they trail down his eyebrow to his jaw. “You're really a sight to see.” He whispers, his eyes glide over his face. “You're as charming as the flowers you care for.” 

“My lord…”

“Not your lord anymore, Jeongguk, I'm your mate.” 

“Are you sure?” Jeongguk asks. “How can you even, my lord? There isn't even a spec of disappointment you feel?”

“I do feel disappointed, not a spec but a rather large part of me is disappointed.” Taehyung backs up and turns away. With all the warmth ripped off him, Jeongguk feels the dire need to pull Taehyung close again and just stay like that. “Since I've recognized my mate all he has done is doubt me. Not once he has accepted the bond, not once he has assured me that he wants me.” He looks at the beta and Jeongguk's heart hurts seeing tears in Taehyung's eyes. 

“My lord—” Jeongguk freezes when Taehyung glares at him, “I apologize but I— I don't know how to explain. Until today I hadn't even thought about having a mate. My lord, I didn't even bother to ever count my age until this evening. Only because you asked me questions I found myself questioning my age and where my mate is. Now I know you are my mate, I can't seem to believe it.”

“What will make you believe?” Taehyung whispers, he is back into Jeongguk's space, his eyes shining from the unshed tears, his lashes wet, clumped together and Jeongguk has never stared into eyes as pretty as the omega's are. “Tell me, mate. How can I make this better for you? I'm willing to do anything you ask for.”

Jeongguk feels his tongue heavy, he stares at Taehyung, looks into his eyes and his gaze drops to the omega's lips. He swears he didn't intend to, but seeing a smile curl up on those very lips, Jeongguk sighs. When he looks up, the lord's eyes don't look sad anymore. They are gleaming like they did when he sat beside him with his family.  

“Do you want to kiss me, my mate?” Taehyung asks, the color red blooms on his cheeks and Jeongguk loses his breath a little. God, Taehyung is beautiful. “Say the word and I'm yours.”

“You'll need to be patient with me.” Jeongguk whispers as he takes a step closer to Taehyung. He brings his hand up, intending to caress the omega's cheek but he pauses and hesitates, but there is his sweet mate holding his hand and resting his cheek against his palm nuzzling into it. “I've never…”

Taehyung's eyes widened. “Oh?” He blinks. “But… I thought workers visited the brothel.”

“They do— some do, I haven't, ever, my lord.” Jeongguk chuckles, nervous. 

“Why?” 

“I don't know, I just never had the temptation to, you know?” 

“You never had any lovers?”

“None.”

Taehyung smiles. “So, you haven't ever kissed anybody?”

“No, my lord.” Jeongguk shakes his head. “Uh… have you?”

“I haven’t.” Taehyung sighs as he wraps his arms around Jeongguk's neck, taking a step closer. “But I know of a few things.”

“Huh, how, my lord?”

Taehyung scoffs. “There was something between us omegas… learning how to be a pleasurable mate so his eyes never wander and his hands would never want to touch another.” He pulls Jeongguk enough until their foreheads touch. “I along with my other friend visited this brothel, the omegas there taught us how to give and take pleasure. We learned a thing or two, paid a coin and walked out. Since that one time I've been eager to turn twenty-one.” 

“Oh…” Jeongguk shivers when Taehyung's fingers press against his neck, tugging him closer until their noses touch. 

Taehyung hums, tilting his head as he lets his lips just briefly brush against Jeongguk's, giggling when the beta gasps. “I'm asking you again, my mate, do you want to kiss me?” He whispers right against the beta's lips, breathing in the same air as his. “I must warn you though, I wouldn't be able to stop just after a kiss.”

“Ye-yes, my lord.” Jeongguk's heartbeat is fast, faster than it has ever been.

“Silly, mate.” Taehyung presses his nose against Jeongguk's. “I'm not your lord, I'm your mate, address me properly.” 

“M-my mate.” Jeongguk breathes out, fingers fisted tight against his sides, there are sparks that he feels under his skin when Taehyung's lips brush against his again. 

“Say my name.” Taehyung whispers, his mouth briefly capturing the beta's bottom lip. “Say it, Jeongguk.”

Jeongguk's toes curl in his boots. “ Taehyung… ” He doesn't just say it, he whines it. The realization has his cheeks heating up, he wants to hide but there is nowhere to hide anymore, not when Taehyung could easily whiff him out within minutes of his disappearance. 

“God,” Taehyung laughs but there is a bit of surprise in it, pulling him as close as he could, their torsos squeeze together and Jeongguk has never felt warmth like such, “hold me, Jeongguk.” 

“Feels like I'm not worthy of doing so.” Jeongguk gasps when Taehyung completely leans against his body. On instinct he holds the omega, his hands back on his waist, the silk under his touch so smooth that he fears if he doesn't hold firmly enough the omega would slip out of his grasp.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Taehyung bites Jeongguk's nose, holding his jaw as he looks into the beta's eyes, the fire is right there in those hazel eyes and it makes Jeongguk burn from within, “just obey my words. I'll make sure you know your worth and never question it ever again when the sun rises tomorrow.” 

Jeongguk doesn't expect the kiss when it comes, his lungs empty of air and his eyes fall shut, he focuses on how omega's lips move and follows. When he feels the omega smile against his lips, he smiles too. 

Taehyung's lips are soft and warm against his, he sighs when Taehyung tilts his head and parts his mouth when the omega's tongue coaxes to enter. His hold tightens on the lithe silk covered waist, pulling him in closer and he feels Taehyung fist his shirt over his chest.

If this is what being held and kissed feels like, Jeongguk would love to feel it throughout his lifetime.

The sound of cloth ripping makes him flinch, wanting to back away and check but Taehyung holds his nape. It is later that he realizes that it was his shirt that was being ripped.

“M-my lord?” Jeongguk gasps as he tries to stop Taehyung's hand from tearing his shirt any further.

Taehyung licks over his lips, staring up at him with his gleaming eyes. The fire from one of the lamps reflects in his iries and Jeongguk for a moment gets lost in the flames.

“You didn't really think that I was joking about ripping your clothes off your body, did you?” Taehyung despite Jeongguk's hold on his wrist tears it further. He kisses under Jeongguk's chin and giggles. “I'm a bit excited, my mate…” his hips press against Jeongguk's thigh and beta feels the lord's hardness, “and you have a nice body, I see.” His eyes take in all of Jeongguk's torso with his poor shirt barely covering any. 

Jeongguk gulps, he looks down at himself. He is in no better position, he is hard too, it's strained against his pants.

“Do you know how to fuck?” Taehyung rips off the remaining shirt and pushes the fabric off Jeongguk's shoulders leaving his upper half bare.

“I— I know how it's done.” Jeongguk breathes out as Taehyung's fingers busy themselves onto loosening the knots of his pants. Kind of the omega actually for not ripping that too, it's giving him time to think. “I just… I just have one question, do highborns do it any differently?”

“Differently? As in?”

“Uh, specific position…?”

Taehyung bites his smile back. “Traditionally, I'm supposed to be on my hands and knees, but you're too handsome for it.” He pulls out the thread out of the holes of Jeongguk's pants and the beta feels his pants slip down his hips pooling around his ankles. “I wanna see you when you take me. Wanna see what your innocent face morphs into when you have an omega's wet hole sinking down your cock.”

Jeongguk steps out of his pants, standing completely barely in front of the omega. Taehyung's mouth is so foul that it shocks the beta but also makes his heart jump and dick throb. 

“Heavens,” Taehyung steps back and takes in Jeongguk like he is taking in an art piece, “quite a good girth you've got there.” He hums, taking a step closer again, his fingers trailing down the beta's cock, forefinger tapping on the cockhead where pearls of pre-cum have dotted. “Gotta make me cry on your cock, Jeongguk-ah?” 

Jeongguk just stares at Taehyung, seeing how the omega grins as he takes another step closer, his fingers now wrapping around Jeongguk's dick making a shudder shoot down his spine. 

“Or are you gonna cry?” 

In all honesty, Jeongguk thinks he'd be the one crying. 

Jeongguk holds Taehyung's wrist on his cock, he pulls the omega until their chests collide. “Why am I the only one bare, my mate?” He breathes out looking down at Taehyung. 

“Oh, I'm sorry, how silly of me. But I aspire to be a good mate to you, to do so I must fix my shortcomings.” Taehyung takes a step back and Jeongguk frees his wrist. The robe comes undone instantly, silk falling off his body and Jeongguk's breath becomes heavier as he takes in the omega. He is shining in jewels, his ears, neck, wrist, waist, ankles, have diamonds around them. “Am I too, a pleasing sight for you, my mate?”

“Enchanting…” Jeongguk breathes out, he takes a step closer to the omega, his fingers tremble as he touches his skin. Taehyung is warm, his skin feels like it would shame the texture of the robe he was wearing, the dip in his waist makes Jeongguk's fingers almost touch each other. “God, am I even worth him?” He didn't mean to say it out loud but the words leave him anyway.

“Of course, you are.” Taehyung grasps Jeongguk's hand and glides it down until it settles on his fleshy backside. “Shall we say our vows now?”

Vows… Jeongguk does know the vows, he never thought that there'll be a time when he would have the chance to promise them to his mate. 

The silence prolongs between them and Taehyung's smiles yet again falls, he seems skeptical as he stares at Jeongguk. His hazel eyes search for something that Jeongguk is not aware of, the beta sees the fire in those eyes that has him under their spell dim. As if a magic has come undone, Jeongguk breathes in not realizing he hasn't been doing it and his lungs burn now. 

Taehyung sighs, he takes a step closer to Jeongguk until their lips meet in a soft kiss. “Please tell me you accept me, tell me that you want me as much as I want you.” He says, his voice sounds desperate. “I'm pretending to act like you want me more than ever I'll ever want you, it's all a mask of confidence but in reality I'm afraid.”

Jeongguk's heart hurts, soul screaming to soothe the omega— to soothe his mate with whatever means he could. 

The omega is his mate, his responsibility and Jeongguk must not fail at only the best thing the Goddess has bestowed upon him. 

Taehyung must be happy and content with every breath he takes. Jeongguk cannot let his hazel eyes lose the fire nor can he allow his pretty smile to dim. 

“There is nothing to be afraid of.” Jeongguk holds Taehyung's jaw and kisses him back, he doesn't like seeing vulnerability in the omega's eyes. He wants to see the fire that burns him whole. “I feel like I'm still dreaming— feel like I'm gonna wake up any moment and it'll be all gone. If it, by any means, is a dream I'll probably wake up knowing that you are what I'll ever want and would be unable to express it— I'd rather die.”

“I'm planning to live a long life, Jeon Jeongguk,” Taehyung sighs, “I wanna live it with you. Tonight we get to know each other's bodies and for the rest of my life I wanna get to know you as the person you are. All your thoughts and words, all your emotions and feelings, all your happiness and despair— everything. I wanna know everything.”

“May I swear the vow first?” 

Taehyung smiles, there is already a spark of fire lighting up his eyes. “You may.” He whispers with a kiss. 

The kiss, Taehyung's body against him, the omega's warmth— everything gives Jeongguk strength and courage he never thought he would ever have.

Jeongguk cannot help but smile. He inhales a deep breath, closing his eyes and recites the vow with all his heart. “I shall vow that my life, in the name of the holy Moon Goddess, will be spent beside you as my mate, Kim Taehyung.” He whispers holding Taehyung close to, he feels the omega's bare, warm skin against him and it gives him courage to say. “Through the paths that life may take us, I vow that I'm yours and only death may break my vow.” 

“Your vow… it's different.” Taehyung licks over his lips, he places Jeongguk's palm on his chest and the beta feels how rapid the lord's heartbeats. “But it's beautiful.”

“What does your vow say?” Jeongguk asks. 

“May I swear my vow, mate?”

“ Please , you may.” 

“In the name of our deity Moon Goddess, our mother and the protector of our realm, I vow to cherish and love Jeon Jeongguk as my mate and may only when my soul perishes my vow becomes undone.” Taehyung breathes out. 

Jeongguk gulps, he leans his forehead against Taehyung's. “In our vow it all ends at death of the body, while yours seems to be carried into the afterlife… when my soul perishes , a dead person's soul does not perish; it simply leads to the afterlife.” 

“Do you believe in the afterlife?” 

“I do.”

“We shall meet in the afterlife too then?”

“I'd rather die than not be yours.”

Taehyung kisses him, it's again soft, their bodies are close. It's warm, hot. Jeongguk is sweating as he stands bare in front of the omega who is said to be the most beautiful in the kingdom. There is not one flaw Jeongguk could spot on Taehyung's body, even the omega's cock was pretty, curving over his navel. 

It's the little sounds that leave Taehyung's lips, the way the omega arches against him makes Jeongguk melt against him. He holds the omega's backside, squeezing, pulling him closer and rutting against him. Lust is a nasty addiction he has heard, the warmth of bodies, the sensation of having someone's body against yours, shaking, withering, clawing at your shoulders as if they are chasing the lust of their own.

“Bed.” Taehyung gasps against Jeongguk's lips and leans back leaving Jeongguk chasing for his lips which the beta captures. “Mate,” he scolds and Jeongguk looks at him. He knows he looks desperate. Maybe that's the reason the omega smiles at him, “I want you.”

When Jeongguk nods and backs away, Taehyung leads him to the bed, with this chance of staring at Taehyung's back Jeongguk glides his eyes all over him. His curvy waist, full hips, the way his backside jiggles every time he takes a step. When Taehyung pauses and looks over his shoulder with a smirk Jeongguk feels his chest throb. 

Kim Taehyung is truly an angel who has lost his way to heaven. 

God bless he didn't find his way back or else Jeongguk would never be able to see him until he dies and leaves the realm of humanity. 

“You first, sweetheart.” Taehyung tilts his head towards the bed.

Sweetheart. Jeongguk likes when Taehyung uses the term of endearment for him. It makes him believe if Taehyung asked for anything in the world and used that endearment for Jeongguk, he'd do it. He'd do anything Taehyung asks for— anything that ranges from covering the miles of land with flowers to killing a wild boar for a feast. He'd do it, in a heartbeat. 

Jeongguk sinks in the bed, he almost loses his balance with how his knees just sink in, when he sits down the silk feels soft against his skin. It makes him feel as if he's floating, he caresses the silk under his touch, it's soft. He looks up at Taehyung who is now tugging his rings off but Jeongguk stops him.

“Can you please keep them, my lord?” Jeongguk requests. 

Taehyung raises his eyebrow. “Am I your lord still?” 

“I'm sorry.” Jeongguk sighs as Taehyung climbs over him. The omega's weight on his lap makes him grounded, makes him believe that all of this is indeed true. “I'll try not to.”

“You better not.” Taehyung holds the beta's neck and pulls him closer. “If you do, I'll punish you.” He whispers against Jeongguk's lips. 

Jeongguk shudders, it may have been the words or the fact they were whispered right against his lips. His heart again picked up speed, so loud that he could hear it in his ears as the omega positioned himself above his cock. 

Slick drips right over Jeongguk's cockhead, and Jeongguk lunges to grab the omega's hips before the lord sinks down on him.

“It’ll hurt if you just do it.” He breathes. “You'll need to be loosened first.”

“It's sweet that you care.” Taehyung still sinks down, the moment his hole stretches around the beta's tip he whines. “But… I stretched myself when I had a bath. Don't worry about me,” he pauses, taking it all in as he gasps for breath, “I'm a strong lad, I'll take you in well.”

Jeongguk couldn't process any of his words. The warm tightness around him made his mind spin, it was something so different to be one with someone, he felt as if his soul met Taehyung's.

“Look at me.” Taehyung commands as he moves his hips in languid motions. It's sort of a dance Jeongguk thinks, they way his thin body sways like waves do at the shore, there is sweat shining on his skin. “Forget about everything else. Forget our differences. Lords and slaves. Highborn and lowborn. Here right now, it's just you and— me. A beta and an omega. That's what we are. Two— ah… hah— people.” 

The blue and orange glows drown him, he looks like the way sunset looked back when Jeongguk used to live close to the sea. He'd sit in the sand and stare over the edge of the world watching the sun meet the sea. Blue and orange. 

He grunts as Taehyung clenches around him, his hips move on their own accord, chasing for pleasure as he thrusts up hearing the omega throw his head back and moan. The omegas hold over his shoulder tightens, he sounds so sweet as he calls out his name.

Then Taehyung is grabbing his nape, pulling him as their lips meet. Jeongguk turns them, he hovers over the omega finding the rhythm as he thrusts into him. He presses himself on Taehyung, their bodies sticking together because they are sweating. The loud sound that reverberates around the room whenever Jeongguk's hips meet the omega's flesh ass makes the beta slow down. 

Taehyung whines high in his throat. “Faster…” he hiccups, fingers searching for a purchase around Jeongguk's shoulders, “why did you slow down?”

“Too loud.” Jeongguk whispers as he rolls his hips, watching as Taehyung's lips part open. The omega's eyes look floaty as if Taehyung wasn't even here with him. “People outside would hear.”

“Do I look like I give a fuck?” Taehyung growls, fisting Jeongguk's hair and tugging on it. Hard enough for Jeongguk to wince. “Let them, it's my mating night— it's a tradition! They'd be proud. Now just fuck me and fuck me good .” 

Jeongguk nods, he nuzzles against Taehyung's jaw placing a shy kiss there before his hips pick up speed again. He hears Taehyung's breath getting shallow, his moans an octave higher, he whines as he keeps bouncing with the impact of Jeongguk's thrusts.

When the beta leans back just to look at the omega he finds himself bewitched by the sight. Nothing can be as before as seeing Taehyung's face ever, he, on purpose, aims a thrust right against the sweet spot seeing Taehyung gasp, his eyes roll back but there is a smile that tugs up his lips. 

“I'm close,” Taehyung whimpers as he reaches his hand between their bodies and starts to stroke himself, “I'm gonna— hah— cum.”

So is Jeongguk. 

A few more thrusts and Taehyung is arching against him, moaning his name as he spurts between them. The warm walls clenching around his cock is brutal, he gasps as he follows right after the lord. 

Jeongguk collapses on him, his knees shaking as he breathes Taehyung in. The omega holds him close, littering kisses over his shoulder. 

“You're mine and I'm yours.” Taehyung bites his earlobe. “Forever.”

Jeongguk nods. “Forever.”

“Tomorrow you'll officially be announced as a lord.” Taehyung laughs, his hands caressing Jeongguk's back. “Lord Jeon, has a nice ring to it.” He holds the beta's face in his head. “Can't wait to be lord Jeon's omega. I'll be called sir Jeon— I like it.”

“We'll be together forever, right?” Jeongguk asks, he is vulnerable. “I have never dreamt this big— never dreamt at all. I have always looked at you from a distance and thought you are the most beautiful omega to ever exist.”

“Thought?” Taehyung pushes Jeongguk off him and climbs over him, he pushes ass out again. 

“I still— ugh,” Jeongguk curls his toes as Taehyung grinds down on him, his cock filling up yet again, “of course I still think you are. Prettiest.”

“You've started to talk a lot.” Taehyung taps Jeongguk's lips. “Remember in the evening, I asked you for an advice… what flowers should I give my mate if I were to give him.”

“People didn't agree.”

“You suggested jewels.”

Jeongguk gulps. “I did.” 

“I have something for you, my mate.” Taehyung only stretches his hand out to side table, reaching for a small pouch only to empty it right on Jeongguk's chest under which his heart is vibrating. “For you, sweetheart.”

Taehyung clasps the thick gold chain around his neck, it has a ruby gem as pendant. Jeongguk doesn't deserve it, he looks up at the omega helplessly.

“Please, I don't—”

“Shush,” Taehyung frowns, “you deserve everything and more and I'm gonna make sure you get it all.” He whispers, leaning down to seal his words with a kiss. Lifting his hips he sinks down on Jeongguk, again. “You're gonna live your life swimming in gold, lord Jeon.” 

“I don't care about gold.” Jeongguk holds Taehyung's waist. “I just want you.”

“Well, you'll also have me— you really can't rid of me.” Taehyung laughs as he starts to move. “Such a lucky man you are.”

Jeongguk agrees. He is indeed lucky, he is going to wake up to Taehyung's face for the rest of his life. 

End