Chapter Text
“Can you stop?”
The classroom was filled with silence, except for the professor's voice echoing through the room. Some students diligently took notes, while others seemed disinterested, engrossed in their phones or simply just dozing off. But amidst that, that was not the case for the pair of two students that stood out. They were poking at each other, while the Alpha was more at fault, as he couldn't resist poking and teasing the Omega to somehow alleviate his boredom. But the Omega was not having it, while trying to pay attention he simply got distracted and broke into smiles and giggles despite his best efforts.
“Jeongguk, stop. I’m being serious.” Taehyung broke a grin, pushing the Alpha’s hand away for the twentieth time now, who was poking at his cheek.
“If you smiling is you being serious, then I’ll keep doing it.” Jeongguk said smugly and gently tugged at Taehyung's golden locks, making the Omega playfully roll his eyes and divert his gaze from the board to the mischievous Alpha.
“If you won’t stop, Mr. Choi will kick us from class, we’re being pretty loud.” Taehyung warned in a whisper.
“Me? And being loud? You’re the one giggling and shuffling around.”
“Because you keep bothering me!”
And this time they made sure to be heard, as the professor's stern gaze fell upon their way as their playful banter disrupted the class once again, they never went without a day of talking and distributing the class. “Mr. Kim, Mr. Jeon. You keep distributing my class, can you please keep it down, or I’ll have to make you switch seats once again. Thank you.”
Taehyung quickly apologized, and elbowed Jeongguk who smirked at the attack. The Alpha leaned back on his seat, finding himself paying attention to the lecture for a short period of time before getting captivated by the Omega sitting next to him. Jeongguk had chosen this class for his second semester solely to spend more time with Taehyung, realizing that lunch and after-school encounters were not enough to satisfy his desire for the Omega's company, and so he chose his class.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the class, Taehyung and Jeongguk leisurely made their way towards a nearby restaurant for lunch. Their pace was unhurried, as if time itself had slowed down just for them. Jeongguk, true to his mischievous nature, held onto the hoop of Taehyung's backpack from behind, playfully keeping him within reach and close. It had become a habit, a physical connection that mirrored the bond they shared.
“You can’t keep distributing the class, Gguk. It’s gonna get us in trouble, and I don’t want to deal with Mr. Choi’s temperament. Last time it was really embarrassing.”
“As far as I’m aware, he mentioned us distributing the class, not me specifically. You’re just as guilty, Taehyung.”
“You’re such an ass! I’m not the one who starts it though. You keep distracting me, and I can’t help but to lose focus.”
Jeongguk laughed and placed his arm around Taehyung’s shoulders, pulling him closer to his side, “Can’t help but to lose focus, huh? I mean, with a face like mine, who wouldn’t?”
“Shut up.” Taehyung broke out a soft laughter and pushed the Alpha off of him, who just added another chuckle.
“Taehyung!”
The two halted and turned around, spotting a dark haired charming Alpha walking towards them with a warm smile. Park Bogum.
“Hey, Bogumie. What’s up?”Taehyung greeted his ‘friend’ with a sweet smile that was supposed to be meant only for Jeongguk alone, not this wannabe Taehyung’s boyfriend.
“Hey, Jeongguk.” On the other hand, Bogum greeted Jeongguk with a respectful smile, and Jeongguk acknowledged him with a simple nod. However, he noticed how Bogum’s pheromones were too strong for his liking. The scent of fresh cut grass, and herbs were giving Jeongguk a headache of his lifetime, inhaling the unpleasant smell into his sensitive nostrils were like pure poison, wanting to protectively pull Taehyung away and leave.
Jeongguk always picked up Bogum's pheromones whenever he was around Taehyung. It was always as if the air itself was thick with tension, a silent battle between two Alphas vying for Taehyung's attention. And Jeongguk's instincts automatically always kicked in, his possessiveness and protectiveness flaring up like a wildfire.
He knew that an Alpha's pheromones only became so potent in the presence of someone they either fancied or felt threatened by. And in Bogum's case, it seemed to be both. Jeongguk poked his inner cheek with his tongue, annoyed with the Alpha’s presence alone.
Jeongguk is not dumb. He notices the way Bogum interacts with Taehyung, the compliments and idiotic flirtatious remarks he makes whenever he has a chance, are too obvious, making him physically sick. It irritated Jeongguk whenever his eyes had to witness that eye gouging sight. Pouring his eyes with bleach, and ripping his eardrums out would’ve been more pleasant to him than watching another Alpha attempting to make a move on Taehyung, especially an Alpha named Park Bogum. Causing a mix of jealousy and protectiveness to surge within him.
“I just spotted you from afar and wanted to check up with you, are you free this Thursday by any chance?”Jeongguk's heart sank as he heard Bogum's nervous request.
This Thursday was Valentine's Day. The day Jeongguk had been planning to finally confess his feelings to Taehyung, after two years of his failed attempts to do so. Fearing the thought of scaring the Omega away, and ruining the only relationship he truly treasured from the bottom of his heart was crucial. Yes, Jeongguk had a crush on Taehyung from the very first day the Omega asked to sit with him at a table, because the rest of the tables were occupied.
The thought of someone else potentially taking that opportunity away from him made his stomach twist in knots, especially a guy like Bogum. He knew he had to intervene. Jeongguk quickly thought of an excuse. He couldn't let this chance slip away, not after two years of secretly harboring his feelings for the Omega.
“Oh, Thursday? Not really.” Taehyung said simply, confused.
“Oh, really? That’s great. I just wanted to ask you if you’d like t-“
“Taehyung. I’m really hungry, and they’re closing at 2 o’clock. It’s 1:32. We should go.”Jeongguk's interruption was abrupt, but he couldn't help himself. His hunger was merely an excuse, a desperate attempt to pull Taehyung away from Bogum's advances, with his entire body turned towards Taehyung, begging with his eyes for him to understand and leave with him.
Taehyung didn’t really get the memo, but agreed nonetheless. He always stood by Jeongguk’s side, and never wanted to displease the Alpha in any way, since it bothered him right after and Jeongguk’s possession over Taehyung only grew stronger.
Jeongguk’s ego just boosted at that very moment he saw Bogum’s face deflating, while he subtly send daggers to Jeongguk’s side, who couldn’t give a rats ass about his sorry-ass request for the Omega to be his Valentine. He can shove that request down his throat and pull it out of his ass for all he cared.
“I’m sorry, Bogumie. Jeongguk can be really grumpy when he doesn’t eat. You can call me, or text me later on. I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible, okay?”
So he has to be ‘Bogumie’ all the time, but he’s simply just Jeongguk. The Alpha hated the fact that Taehyung was overly friendly with the Alpha for no reason, having nicknames for people is basically a subtitle way of flirting with them. Unbelievable.
“Okay, sure. I’ll try to call you later on, reach back to me whenever you’ll have time.” Bogum said with a disappointing smile, and shot a sharp bullet at Jeongguk with his gaze before turning, and walking away.
The knot in Jeongguk's stomach slowly faded, but the thought of Taehyung potentially reaching out to Bogum later on still frustrated him. He’ll just have to tell his best friend as soon as possible, or he’ll lose his chance. But it’s not like Taehyung likes Bogum back,right? So he’s not as tense. Losing to an Alpha like Bogum would be like the most embarrassing blow to the face for him. Jeongguk is a winner no matter what, and that involves claiming the Omega. Though it seemed unlikely, Jeongguk's determination knew no bounds.
Taehyung belongs to him, and Jeongguk will keep reminding that pathetic excuse of an Alpha Bogum, and make him drill it through his thick skull until he finally gets it and gives up. But that’s sadly unlikely.
“All of a sudden you’re that hungry? You’re the one who’s always walking slow, and I have to match up with your pace in order for you to not sulk later on.” Taehyung was genuinely confused to Jeongguk’s sudden request, as he ends up just getting a simple sandwich or nothing at all, since he fills himself up during class.
“What, I can’t be hungry? I can't help it if Bogum's constant chatter annoys the hell out of me. He talks too much, and y’all will end up having a conversation for the next 20 minutes with me just standing there, and I don’t need to hear all that shit. It’s like torture, Taehyung.” Jeongguk wasn’t lying, it happened once when the two bumped into each other, while Jeongguk was walking Taehyung to class. The most excruciating 20 minutes of Jeongguk’s life.
“Why do you hate him so much? It’s not like he’s being rude towards you or something.” Taehyung said, genuinely confused as they continued walking side by side.
“Who said I hate him? I just think he’s too bitchy for an Alpha.” Jeongguk knows that Bogum never really confronted his tactics of pulling Taehyung away from him, even though he has the very right to court Taehyung, since he’s not marked or claimed. The omega was single and available for any person to ask him out, and so Jeongguk had no right to scare everyone away and steal the opportunity for Taehyung to find a mate and fall in love. It gnawed at him, the fear of losing Taehyung were consuming his thoughts every night. The thought of his efforts to keep Taehyung to himself going to waste was a haunting prospect.
“Gguk, are you okay?”Lost in his thoughts, Jeongguk didn't immediately respond to Taehyung's question. Taehyung's hand on his shoulder brought him back to the present, grounding him in their shared reality. With a soft smile, Jeongguk reassured Taehyung.
“Yeah. Just hungry.”
“The hunger is taking quite a huge toll on you, isn’t it? The food is on me today.” And before the Alpha could protest, the Omega dragged him along.
🌹
Taehyung strolled through campus with his Beta friend Jennie Kim, as Jeongguk was not able to, due to the fact that he apparently had something to do already and so the Omega went with her instead. Their conversation turned to Taehyung's photography skills, and how this was their last few days before the end of their last semester. Jennie, with her unwavering support, urged Taehyung to submit his pictures to the upcoming winter competition. Her words filled him with confidence and excitement.
“You should upload some of your pictures to the upcoming winter competition, Taehyung. I’m more than sure that you’d make it to one of the winning spots,” Jennie said with huge encouragement as she walked alongside the Omega.
“You’re always too kind when it comes to my work, Jennie.” Taehyung send the Beta a generous smile, Jennie was always encouraging him to pursue photography as he was apparently very talented at taking cinematic pictures in her opinion. Her encouragement meant the world to him, fueling his passion for capturing cinematic moments through his lens.
With Jennie by his side, Taehyung felt inspired to push his boundaries and take his photography to new heights. Their friendship and shared love for the art form made their walk around campus even more memorable.
“I’m not! Anyone else would agree.” She always defended her statement.
“Really, Like who? Give me one person aside from yourself, that would overhype my work like you do.”
“Ha! Easy. Mr. Landlock and that mate of yours, Jeon Jeongguk.” Jennie said with pure confidence. It’s not the first time that she mentioned Jeongguk as the Omega’s mate, it always gave Taehyung butterflies at the simple thought of the Alpha actually becoming his mate, and that’s why he never corrected the Beta unless they were around Jeongguk himself. Which thankfully only happened by accident once, and Taehyung made sure of it.
“Awwww, look at you blushing. You’re so head over heels for that Alpha, it’s cute,” Jennie teased Taehyung as she bumped his side.
“Stooop. You always do this.” And Taehyung playfully pushed Jennie back. She was the only person that knew that the Omega had a crush on the Alpha, as she figured it out herself before she squeezed the truth out of Taehyung herself. People who knew the two, knew they were very close friends who were a little too friendly with each other, while people who did not know the two immediately thought of them as Mates. And Jennie did so as well before she got to know Taehyung, who later on told her that they were simply just friends.
“And? You should tell him how you feel! The chemistry between you two is undeniable. It's like you're in your own little world whenever you're together, you guys are dragging it for no reason, when you can be fucking instead. It’s annoying and irritating to watch, Taehyung.”
Taehyung's eyes widened in shock at Jennie's bold comment. He couldn't believe she had said such a thing out loud. "Jen!" he exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and embarrassment coloring his voice.
Taehyung let out a nervous laugh, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety at the thought of confessing his feelings to Jeongguk. He knew deep down that Jennie was right, but taking that leap was easier said than done. "I know, Jennie. It's just... I don't want to ruin our friendship if things don't work out," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Jennie softened her expression and placed a comforting hand on Taehyung's shoulder. "I understand your concerns, Tae. But sometimes, taking a risk is worth it. You won't know what could happen unless you try. And besides, you two are meant to be," she said, her voice filled with conviction. “It’s true,” and as the two were walking she spotted the Alpha from afar, not noticing that he’s talking to someone. Just her luck. “Oh, look who it is! It’s the Alpha Jeon Jeongguk himself. You should go and talk to him, and finally tell him the truth, hm???” And with that the Beta started to push the Omega towards the Alpha’s direction, but Taehyung tried resisting. “What? I’m not telling him anything! You are crazy, Jennie. Stop!”
“Stop acting like you never spoke to that guy in your life, you guys are together 24/7 a day,” Jennie kept pushing Taehyung towards his direction and finally without resisting the Omega sighed and obliged, sending Jennie a funny death glare before he started to walk towards his best friend.
He was not planning to confess to the Alpha, but to rather greet him surprisingly as he missed him, but as he got closer, his initial plan to greet Jeongguk surprisingly turned into a moment of hesitation as his heart sunk at the scene before him. Taehyung's steps faltered when he saw Jeongguk wholeheartedly laughing with a person he had never seen before—a pretty female who radiated Alpha energy. Confusion and a pang of jealousy washed over him. Who was she? Why was Jeongguk so comfortable with her? Taehyung's mind raced with thoughts and emotions, leaving him unsure of how to approach the situation.
Jeongguk was fully engaged in conversation with the girl, as he was rummaging through his backpack, retrieving a water bottle and offering it to her. With a gentle motion, he closed his bag and slung his backpack over his shoulder, before in a tender display, she hooked her arm around his bicep, and together, they began walking in his direction.
In that fleeting moment, it felt as if time stood still for Taehyung. The sight of his best friend being so close to another person than him, particularly a beautiful girl, struck him like a bolt of lightning. Did he lie to him? He said he had something important to do, and that was why he couldn’t walk with him, but was it because of her? Did he fabricate an excuse to spend time with someone else? Taehyung couldn’t breathe properly, overwhelmed by a surge of emotions, he turned away, seeking refuge in a different direction, away from prying eyes. His heart heavy with hurt, he retraced his steps, finding solace in the presence of his Beta friend.
Taehyung's mind raced as he was walking towards Jennie, a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions colliding within him. Betrayal, confusion, and deep-seated pain consumed him. Why did he feel the need to lie?
Jennie on the other hand was pouting, her soft pink acrylic nails catching the light as she contemplated getting new ones for Valentine's Day. She wanted them to look perfect for her girlfriend, Lisa. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice her friend, Taehyung, approaching until she looked up and saw the tears in his eyes.
"Tae! What's wrong? What happened?" Jennie asked, concern etched on her face as she stood before him.
"He... He was with someone else," Taehyung muttered, his voice filled with pain.
"What?! He was cheating on you this whole time!" Jennie exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock.
“No! He…I don’t know. He was with this girl, they were laughing and touching and I…well, she touched him but I just, I don’t know what to think, Jen. They seemed pretty close…Jeongguk never mentioned her…and I feel hurt.” Taehyung wiped away the tear that managed to escape and Jennie pouted, feeling sorry for the Omega.
"Aw, I'm sure it's not like that, Tae. Maybe they're just friends, like we are, you know? Don't let it upset you," Jennie reassured Taehyung, understanding his sensitivity, especially when it came to the Alpha.
Taehyung let out a sigh, the unsettling feeling in his stomach still lingering. He nodded, accepting Jennie's words of comfort as they began to walk back together.
Today had been a rollercoaster of emotions for Taehyung. Not only did he receive an email in the afternoon about his acceptance to Seoul University, but he also had to witness that hurtful scene. It was already difficult for him to feel fully happy about his acceptance, knowing it meant leaving the Alpha behind. But the scene he witnessed just added to his turmoil.
He tried not to dwell on it too much, reminding himself that the Alpha cherished him above all others. Taehyung held onto that thought, hoping it would bring him some solace in the midst of his conflicting emotions.
🌹
Thursday came in with a blink of an eye, and there stood Jeongguk in front of Taehyung's dorm room. He was a bundle of nerves and shaken to the core. Just two hours ago, he had been lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, contemplating whether or not to take Lisa's yesterday’s advice and confess his feelings to Taehyung on Valentine's Day. And now, here he was, standing at Taehyung's door. Jeongguk paced nervously in the halls for about five minutes before finally mustering up the courage to knock.
The sound echoed through the corridor, and it didn't take long for Taehyung to open the door, his surprise evident on his face. Jeongguk felt a wave of relief wash over him, knowing that Taehyung was home and alone on Valentine's Day. It meant that either Bogum hadn't asked him out or Taehyung had rejected him. Either way, it was a good sign for Jeongguk.
"Jeongguk, what are you doing here?" Taehyung asked, genuinely interested but not seeming bothered in the slightest. The question hung in the air, and Jeongguk took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before finally finding the words to speak.
Jeongguk felt a rush of emotions swirling inside him as he tried to find the right words. "I...I came to... actually, I came to, uh..." He couldn't help but curse himself for stuttering like an idiot. Stuttering was something he had never experienced before, especially not when talking to Taehyung.
Taehyung's confusion was evident on his face, as never saw the Alpha like this so he asked, "Are you okay? What's wrong?"
Jeongguk sighed, “Can I come in?”
Taehyung nodded, concern etched on his features. "Yeah, of course." He stepped aside, allowing Jeongguk to enter his room before closing the door behind them. Taehyung couldn't help but feel worried about the unusual behavior displayed by the usually composed Alpha.
Jeongguk stepped into Taehyung's room, his eyes scanning the tidy space. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he couldn't help but comment, "Your room is always clean compared to mine."
Taehyung's smile grew at the comment, but he could sense that there was something bothering Jeongguk. Slowly, he walked up behind the Alpha and wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his chin on Jeongguk's shoulder. "I'm sure you didn't come here just to talk about the cleanliness of my room," Taehyung said softly. "But I'm glad you came because there's something I need to tell you."
Jeongguk turned to face Taehyung, his gaze fixed on the Omega. He couldn't help but be captivated by Taehyung's beauty, never getting tired of admiring him as he found him breathtaking in so many ways. "What is it?" Jeongguk asked, his voice filled with anticipation.
Taehyung suddenly looked like he was lost of words, not knowing how to speak up and tell Jeongguk about the new’s he received without tearing up. “You sure? You can go first,” he insisted.
“Omegas first.” And so did Jeongguk.
Taehyung sighed and took a deep breath, turning away as he did not want to tear up, but he already was so he might as well just spill it out, and so he did with a quick turn. “I got accepted into Seoul University.”
Jeongguk's smile slowly faded as Taehyung shared the news. His emotions swirled inside him, a mixture of happiness for Taehyung's achievement and a huge tinge of sadness at the thought of him leaving him. It was as if the timing couldn't have been worse, just as Jeongguk had mustered the courage to express his feelings for the Omega, he was slipping away.
He wanted to be supportive, to celebrate Taehyung's success, but the realization of what it meant for their relationship weighed heavily on him. The silence lingered, filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions.
The Alpha stood in shock, not knowing what to do, as Taehyung slowly approached him, gently taking a hold of his face while tearing up, hoping that the Alpha would beg for him to stay, hoping that he’d tell him that he felt the same way about him and that the girl he saw yesterday meant nothing to him. “Gguk, please say something…”
Jeongguk stood there, his heart aching as he looked into Taehyung's teary eyes. He felt like jumping out of Taehyung’s window, that was cracked open for some fresh air. He wanted to say something, anything that would make Taehyung stay, but the words caught in his throat. It felt like a cruel twist of fate, the timing of their confessions and Taehyung's acceptance into Seoul University.
In that moment, Jeongguk realized that he couldn't hold Taehyung back from pursuing his dreams. He couldn't ask him to sacrifice his future for their present. It was a bittersweet realization, but he knew deep down that he had to support Taehyung, even if it meant letting him go. What was there to say anyway? Please, don’t go. Don’t pursue your dreams, and stay here with me so that we can date and marry later on?, It was all so pathetic. “I’m happy for you, Taehyung. I really am.” Jeongguk managed to say without balling out in tears.
“You are…?” Those words felt like daggers into Taehyung’s heart, all his hopes shattered within that moment. Maybe Jeongguk didn’t mind leaving him after all…maybe all this time he had hoped he liked him back were just fantasies in his head, maybe he really had something with that girl, and if that was the case then he didn’t even had the slightest respect to tell him as he was the Alpha’s best friend, or so he thought he was.
“That’s all you’re going to say? Nothing else?” Taehyung spoke as he felt betrayed and stepped back, staring at the Alpha rather disappointed.
Jeongguk was slightly taken back by the Omegas demeanor. What the hell does he want him to say? What exactly does he expect from him? He was the one who dreamt about getting accepted to Seoul University, and now he wants him to talk him out of it? Like some kind of a selfish asshole that does not want the best for his best friend, the boy he so helplessly loves and would do anything for? “What exactly do you want me to say?” Jeongguk spoke a little more defensively.
The huge mix of misunderstood feelings from both caused an argument to stir between them. “Nothing, Jeongguk. I didn’t knew you’d be so excited to get rid of me.”
Jeongguk stood in complete shock, he couldn’t understand what came over the Omega. “What the fuck are you talking about? Do you hear yourself?”
“I thought you’d be at least a little upset about the news of me leaving, that you’d care, but you don’t.”
“Me being happy for you because you got accepted into your dream university, is me not caring? You can’t be fucking serious, Taehyung.”
“You don’t get it. It’s fine.” Taehyung said with disappointment and turned away from Jeongguk, not wanting to mention something he’d regret, his feelings for the Alpha meant nothing and it hurt.
“Don’t turn your back on me, Taehyung. Stop being so self-centered.” Jeongguk spoke, not wanting to anger himself with Taehyung incapability to understand his feelings about the situation.
Taehyung's heart sank as Jeongguk's words pierced through him, a deep wound inflicted by the person he loved the most. The pain was overwhelming, and he couldn't hold back his own retort. “I’m being self-centered?? Do you not see how much I prioritize you?Me who occupies himself with your needs all the time? Me who always puts yourself before myself?”
Jeongguk scoffed as those words felt like a slap in the face. “Wow. Since when did I force you into being friends with me? Isn’t that what people do who care about one another?? I do the same fucking thing!”
Taehyung's words were filled with a mix of hurt and frustration, his emotions pouring out like a torrent. "Well, you sure have a funny way of showing it! You only seem to care when I'm around, but as soon as I'm about to leave, you can't even muster up some selfish empathy for me! Maybe you're just counting down the days until I'm out of your life, so you can spend more time with that Alpha female of yours!"
In that moment, an image flashed in Taehyung's mind. Jeongguk laughing and hanging out with the pretty female Alpha. It struck a chord deep within him, an unexpected pang of betrayal. He knew Jeongguk didn't belong to him, but the hurt still lingered, pushing him to unintentionally spill out a part of his pain to the Alpha.
Jeongguk's anger surged within him, his emotions spiraling out of control. "What the fuck is wrong with you?! Seriously, what in the actual fuck is wrong with you!"
His words echoed through the room, filled with frustration and disbelief. The omega was so harshly selfish at this very moment, all that Jeongguk avoided to be for so long for his own, and best friend’s sake. It’s as if he portrayed Jeongguk’s feelings in his imagination, without really knowing or bothering to know the truth. The truth that he loved him, and was deeply saddened by him leaving, and that his happiness meant more to him than his own.
Taehyung's assumptions and false portrayal of his feelings had pushed him to his limit. It felt as if Taehyung was putting words in his mouth, twisting the truth to fit his own narrative. Jeongguk despised being misunderstood, especially by someone he cared about so deeply.
The anger lingered until Jeongguk's heart sank as he witnessed the pain in Taehyung's eyes. Instant regret washed over him, engulfing his being. He longed to take back his harsh words, to replace them with a heartfelt apology and a comforting embrace, beg for his forgiveness.
“Leave.”Taehyung's wounded expression and firm command to leave left Jeongguk feeling helpless and lost.
"What?" Jeongguk's voice barely escaped his lips, filled with a mix of confusion and remorse.
"I said LEAVE! Are you deaf? Go Jeongguk!" Taehyung's voice cracked, the pain evident in his tone. Jeongguk could see the hurt etched across Taehyung's face, and it tore at his soul.
Taehyung was sensitive when it came to his emotions and feelings, and an Alpha screaming at him, asking him what was wrong with him, especially Jeongguk wounded him very deeply. He held back from breaking down in tears in front of him.
“Taehyung, I didn’t mean it. I-“ Taehyung tried to push Jeongguk out of his room, but in vain as the Alpha was strong, but moved nonetheless.
“GO!”
“Fine,” Jeongguk opened the door and was about to leave, but before he did so he turned to face the Omega one last time, who’s back was already turned on him, the soft sobs couldn’t go unheard and it pained Jeongguk as he was the cause of his tears.
Jeongguk's voice wavered with a mix of regret and longing. “You’re wrong. I was always selfish, especially when it came to you.” And with that he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
As the doors closed, Taehyung's emotions overwhelmed him, as the tears streaming down his face doubled. In the depths of his heart, he knew that his words to Jeongguk had been unfair and untrue. Jeongguk cared for him deeply, more than anyone else ever had. The Alpha was always the first in line, not because Taehyung placed him there, but because Jeongguk willingly gave himself that position.
Jeongguk had always been there for Taehyung, willingly taking on the role of protector and provider. He would go to great lengths to make Taehyung feel safe and loved, bringing him food, giving him massages when he was tired or sick, and offering comfort during his darkest moments, cuddling the Omega nights on end. Jeongguk's presence was a source of solace, a warm embrace that Taehyung could always rely on.
Yet, in a moment of pain, jealousy, and betrayal, Taehyung had pushed Jeongguk away. He had let his own insecurities cloud his judgment, unable to see the unwavering love and devotion that Jeongguk had always shown him. In doing so, Taehyung had unknowingly pushed away the person who meant the world to him.
And now he was gone, without knowing what the Alpha came to tell him in the first place. Maybe it was best for him to not know, as he’s scared that it would’ve been something that he wouldn’t want to hear.
But only if he had let him speak, he’d be in his arms crying, instead of crying alone.
🌹
The two best friends haven’t spoken in a week, all up until Taehyung was leaving for Seoul to attend his university. The Omega was planning to speak to Jeongguk and make up with him, he even had a great opportunity to do so as he spotted Jeongguk sulking and sitting on a bench once when he was walking back from the library.
His feet guided him towards the Alpha, the desperate need to hug and apologize to him was high, he missed his warmth. His woodsy sweet pine like scent was something he craved to inhale as he cuddled with him during late nights while listening to Jeongguk cracking up jokes, that always left him giggling for the rest of the evening. He missed Jeongguk wholeheartedly, especially when he was about to leave in a few days, contemplating on actually leaving at all just to stay with the Alpha.
But that all washed away, as he was not able to reach Jeongguk in time before a certain female Alpha took the place on the bench next to him, intercepting his path to his best friend. The very girl who had caused the rift between them. It was a painful reminder of the situation that Taehyung found himself in, questioning whether it was his fault or a combination of circumstances. The presence of the girl next to Jeongguk made him pause, unsure of how to proceed. Uncertainty and doubt clouded his mind
Taehyung's heart sank as he observed the girl's hand resting on Jeongguk's thigh, their conversation filled with a gentle tone. However, it was evident that Jeongguk was distant and unresponsive, his gaze fixed on the floor, hands buried in his pockets. The sight of Jeongguk in such a distraught and dead like state was a stark contrast to the vibrant and lively Alpha that Taehyung knew. And just as Jeongguk finally looked up, sensing a familiar milky sweet strawberry scent of the Omega, hoping to find Taehyung standing there, but the Omega had already vanished, leaving behind a void of unanswered questions and unspoken words.
Taehyung was currently standing at the train station, his heart heavy with sorrow, tears streaming down his face, he couldn't fathom how their parting had come to be so filled with sadness. In his mind, Jeongguk should have been there, standing right beside him, pleading for him to stay. He longed for Jeongguk's comforting presence, to have someone to lean on and cry into. But as Taehyung glanced to his side, hoping against hope to see Jeongguk rushing towards him, all he found were unfamiliar faces. The emptiness and loneliness weighed on him, leaving him to face the departure alone, with nothing but memories and unfulfilled expectations.
"What the hell, Jeongguk!" Lisa exclaimed in terror as the Alpha barged into her room while she and Jennie were cuddling on the bed. Both Lisa and Jennie were taken aback by Jeongguk's sudden presence and his forceful entry.
"Where is Taehyung?!" Jeongguk gasped, his breath heavy as if he had just run a marathon.
"What? How the hell am I supposed to know?" Lisa retorted, sitting up in confusion. Jennie followed suit, still trying to make sense of the situation between her mate and her friend's supposed ‘best friend’.
“Wait, you guys know each other?” Jennie asked as she pointed at them both.
They both nodded, and Jennie just sat there with her mouth partly opened in shock. She had no idea about their friendship. “What? Why the hell you never told me??” She asked her mate, surprised to find this by herself without her own girlfriend telling her.
“And why would I tell you about Jeongguk?” Lisa retorted simply, “He’s a huge pain in the ass, I just take pity in him because he’s too much of a pussy to come forward to his best friend about his feelings. It's not like we have some deep, meaningful friendship. I've known him for, like, two months. It's not that serious, Jen.” Lisa said unbothered, but Jennie did seem bothered nonetheless.
Jennie's expression shifted from shock to hurt. She couldn't believe that Lisa had kept this information from her, especially considering their relationship. "But you're my girlfriend! How could you not tell me? I thought we shared everything,"
The room fell silent, the tension between the three of them was palpable, yet awkward until Jennie broke it.
"UH, Hello??? His best friend is my friend, Taehyung! The Omega," Jennie exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and disbelief. She watched as Lisa processed this new information, her expression shifting from nonchalant to confused and then to shock. Jennie turned her gaze towards Jeongguk, who stood by the door looking just as confused and clearly bothered by the situation.
"Wait, Taehyung as in the Omega that Jeongguk has a crush on, as in this idiot's best friend?" Lisa asked, pointing at Jeongguk while trying to make sense of it all. Jennie nodded in confirmation, the weight of the revelation sinking in for both of them.
"Yooooo, ain't that a bitch," Lisa said, bursting into laughter as she leaned back against the headboard of the bed. "I didn't know that."
Jeongguk's impatience was evident ever since he entered the room, his focus solely on finding Taehyung, he did not care about this conversation whatsoever. He knew that Jennie was friends with Taehyung, but he wasn't aware of Lisa's connection to the Beta. With a sense of urgency, he turned to Jennie and asked, "Jennie, do you have any idea where Taehyung is? When was the last time you saw him?"
Jennie's expression saddened as she shook her head, her voice filled with concern. "I'm sorry, the last time I spoke to him was two days ago. Since then, he's been distant with everyone."
Jeongguk's frustration was evident as he expressed his fear of Taehyung leaving without knowing his true feelings. He longed to tell the Omega that he loved him and would go to Seoul with him in a heartbeat if that's what it took to be together.
Jennie's voice softened as she called out Jeongguk's name, her concern evident. "Jeongguk, were you guys spending a lot of time together recently?" Her question seemed to confuse both Alphas, who looked at her with puzzled expressions.
"I guess we were? Why?" Lisa replied, her confusion mirroring Jeongguk's. Jennie let out a sigh of agony as she suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. If only Taehyung knew, if only he understood that it was all a huge misunderstanding.
“Baby, what’s wrong? What are you talking about?”Lisa's concern was evident as she wrapped her arm around her mate, genuinely wanting to know what was troubling Jennie. Jeongguk, too, tuned into the conversation, curious about the Beta's revelation.
Jennie took a deep breath, her heart heavy with the weight of the truth. She looked at both of them before speaking, her words filled with remorse. “Taehyung saw you two hanging around and being overly friendly one time, and then he came up to me all upset cuz’ he thought that there was something going on between you two, but at that time I didn’t knew it was you, Lis. I wish I would’ve known so that I could tell him that it was not like that, and that you were my mate…”
And with that the Beta adverted her eyes to Jeongguk who stood silent, and spoke with pure sympathy for the Alpha. “I’m so sorry, Jeongguk.” Her words hung in the air, the weight of the misunderstanding and its consequences sinking in for all of them.
Jeongguk's mind raced as he tried to process the revelation. Was there a chance that the Omega liked him…? Why would he get upset over another person if he knew that he loved him more than anyone else? And that’s when the memory of Taehyung's words echoed in his mind, hitting him with the force of a speeding train. It all became clear to him in that moment, like a puzzle finally falling into place.
’Maybe you're just counting down the days until I'm out of your life, so you can spend more time with that Alpha female of yours!’
"He was mainly upset because he thought I was choosing someone else over him…," Jeongguk whispered, his voice filled with a mix of realization and regret. The weight of his own actions and the impact they had on Taehyung settled heavily on his shoulders.
In that moment, Jeongguk knew that he had to make things right. He couldn't let this misunderstanding tear them apart. He had to find Taehyung and let him know the truth, let him know just how much he meant to him.
Jeongguk's heart raced as he realized the urgency of the situation. Without hesitating, he grabbed his phone, ready to make yet another call to Taehyung. But just as he was about to dial, a sudden realization struck him like a lightning bolt. Today was the day Taehyung was supposed to leave for Seoul.
Time seemed to stand still as Jeongguk made a split-second decision. Ignoring the confused calls from Lisa and Jennie, he sprinted out of the room and towards the train station. His mind filled with a desperate plea to the heavens above, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
Every step felt like an eternity as Jeongguk weaved through the bustling streets, his determination pushing him forward. The train station loomed ahead, and he prayed with every fiber of his being that he would make it in time.
"Please," Jeongguk whispered under his breath, his voice filled with a mix of hope and desperation. He knew that he had to find Taehyung and make things right, no matter what it took.
The train was preparing to depart, yet Taehyung stood patiently, heart raced with anticipation, hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of the Alpha one last time. But alas, his yearning was in vain, as the Alpha never appeared. With a heavy heart and tears threatening to spill, Taehyung reluctantly boarded the train.
Finding solace in the familiarity of his booth, Taehyung settled into his seat. His gaze wandered, and he noticed an elderly woman nestled in the corner, engrossed in a book. A warm smile graced his lips as he sent her a kind gesture. To his delight, she returned the smile before immersing herself back into the world of words.
Leaning against the window, Taehyung's mind became consumed with thoughts of the Alpha. What was he doing now? Was he still entangled with the girl who had caused such turmoil? Or perhaps, in the depths of his heart, the Alpha thought of Taehyung too. The weight of their past argument lingered, leaving Taehyung longing for a deeper understanding.
As the train began to move, Taehyung's imagination took flight. He envisioned himself embracing the Alpha one last time, their bodies intertwined in a bittersweet farewell. A single tear cascaded down his cheek, mirroring the ache in his heart.
As Jeongguk arrived at the train station, his heart pounded in his chest, his feet and lungs burning from the sprint, breathless and filled with anticipation he scanned the area, searching for any sign of Taehyung. The sound of departing trains echoed through the station, and his heart pounded in his chest.
He had to reach Taehyung, to hold him close and reveal the truth that had been buried beneath a sea of misunderstandings. But his worst fear materialized before his eyes as he saw the train bound for Seoul pulling away. He was too late. “TAEHYUNG!”
Jeongguk's desperation echoed through the empty station as he futilely tried to catch up to the speeding train, “Fuck, fuck, FUCK!” His fingertips brushed against the cold metal, but it slipped away, leaving him behind. He hadn't made it.
The weight of that realization crashed upon him like a tidal wave, and Jeongguk crumbled to the ground, his knees hitting the concrete with a thud. Tears welled up in his eyes as he felt utterly defeated, the pain of missed opportunities and unspoken truths consuming him.
"No…I love you..." Jeongguk's voice quivered, the words barely a whisper as they escaped his lips. He remained there, on his knees, for the rest of the day, the weight of his shattered heart keeping him rooted to the spot. It was only in the late hours of the night that he found the strength to rise, his spirit completely broken.
~to be continued…