it took barely a week for jungkook to crack.

it was on a sudden whim, now with no mafia works for him to look into, the weekend had looked rather dull; so thats exactly how a phone call later he was boarding his private jet to japan.

jungkook drove the car through the chilly friday evening, a new excitement and anticipation in his veins, and a small rarest of rarest smile on his lips as he drove upto the familiar house.

with just a single bag of hastily packed things in his hands, he had knocked on the door.

there were light footsteps from within and a minute later the door opened cautiously. taehyung looked startled by jungkooks unannounced appearance, the omega wearing a washed out beige tshirt and shorts, his now blonde hair in a messy apple.

"oh" he blinked with a wry smile and jungkook invited himself in to the warmth of the house.

"everything going on okay?"

"yes-" taehyung nods, then trails after,

"the pups are in the second room" he adds.

jungkook hums, depositing his bag by the couch then washing his hands by the dining room sink before making a beeline to the said room.

he could hear the soft coos from the door itself, the pups mesmerized by the little stars on crib mobiles, now them squealing, one with a elephant soft toy in his mouth.

the big eyes turned towards jungkook when he stopped by the crib, the pups eyes now curious recognizing the scent.

"hello!" jungkook smiles, hands gentle as it smoothed over both of the pups head, the itch in him dying down with each inhale of the milky scents.

"i know-- appa missed you both too" the alpha laughed when the squealing increased.

eventually he reluctantly moved away.

"i will go take a quick shower" jungkook says to taehyung who was silently watching the interaction, before the alpha dissappeared to one of the empty rooms.

his footsteps echoed when jungkook entered the guest room, him taking a pair of comfy clothes from his bags.

as he passed to move towards the washrooms, his steps abruptly stopped.

jungkook took a step back and then glanced at the mirror infront of him.

his fingers traced his own face, specifically at the smile lines on his face from where he was still grinning.

oh

he is smiling.

jungkook cant remember the last time he was genuinely this happy.

hm he could get used to this.

after the shower, jungkook had a quick meal, leftover kimchi stew from earlier when taehyung had cooked for jimin before the omega had moved to the college dorms that morning.

and then as darkness faded on, taehyung tidied up the place and put the baby clothes for laundry as jungkook stayed in the nursery and entertained the pups.

as the omega folded the little clothes and onesies he cant help but worry, no matter how much he try to suppress the ugly quelling.

taehyung swears whenever he hears one of the pups make a noise or jungkooks voice getting a tad louder, his hands would freeze, then listening intently until he can hear the giggles again.

"no-- he wont hurt them" taehyung would whisper to himself, leveling his breathing down.

maybe he was more at easy before since jimin, hoseok and yoongi was with them. now alone with the alpha who had hurt him countless times, he cant help but be afraid and unsure.

as the night progressed taehyung had all the dry clothes folded, had his own fill of dinner and had fed the pups.

as the omega burped the alpha pup, jungkook took the little omega from the crib and copied to do the same.

and today jungkook was the lucky one grazed with the spit ups, the alpha grimacing as the vomited milk stained his tshirt.

now with the babies cleaned up and fast asleep in their cribs with the baby monitor kept on, both parents silently retired to the respective rooms for their much needed sleep.

when taehyung woke up again, eyes still heavy with sleep, it was around 3 am on the bedside clock.

the omega frowned rubbing at his eyes because the pups usually wakes him up with little cries around 2.30 am every morning.

not able to keep away the uneasiness, taehyung hauled himself up and walked towards the nursery.

as he reached there, soft footsteps on the cold floor, his eyes widened when he saw jungkook inside.

the alpha had the pups in the bassinette, gently rocking it as the babies sleeped peacefully.

"why didn't you wake me?" it came out of taehyung as defensive.

the alpha straightened up from his sleepy stupor as the omega padded in fussing over the pups, correcting the blankets and scenting them a little.

"its okay-- i handled them" jungkook shrugged moving a step away.

"its not okay. they're my pups" taehyung grits out.

"our pups" jungkook corrects, his pheromones increasing in air at the hostility.

at that precise moment, taehyung breaks.

"get out" taehyung places himself between the pups and jungkook.

"what?"

"Out" taehyungs voice grows louder as he pushes at jungkooks chest, the alpha tumbling back.

the alpha however gets out of the nursery, not wanting to wake up the pups, but taehyung wasn't going to stop there.

"you're going to take them away from me" taehyungs face looked frantic and broken, eyes glassy as he continued pushing at the alpha, nails digging onto the others skin.

"what are you even saying?!" jungkook only got irritated and stood unmoving which only increased the omegas panic.

taehyung looked desperate and lost as he started throwing anything he got hands on at jungkook.

the alpha stumbled as the couch cushions hit him, cursing low as he got hold of taehyungs wrist.

"Stop it, taehyung!" the alpha rumbles and taehyung angry sobs as he continues pushing away at the alpha with all his might.

"y-you're gonna hurt us-- you" taehyung pulled at jungkook by the tshirt opening the sliding glass door at the back and pushed the alpha onto the veranda.

jungkook for minute looked shell shocked as the glass door slid shut and taehyung locked it.

"taehyung. open the door" the alpha tried to be calm as the omega broke down into sobs on the other side.

jungkook too crouched down, hands against the cool glass- " i'm not going to hurt you or the pups" he said.

"t-the contract-- it said i-i could only stay for a month" taehyung hiccuped, his face leaned on the same glass.

"the contract doesn't exist anymore. fuck-- your father is dead, my hyung is in prison??!" jungkook says incredulous as his warm breath fogged the partition.

"no- you will--" his voice was small as taehyung curled into a ball on the floor.

taehyung has still not grasped at the reality; of not having to fear his father and of the world now freely open infront of him.

he's always second guessing, wondering if all this is just a cruel mirage, if everything will crumble down again?

with the tight hold of past still on him, taehyung is afraid to let himself be happy, be carefree and be at peace.

"tae, trust me. i wont take them away--" jungkook tries as another cold breeze hits and goosebumps raise on his skin.

"How can i trust you after everything you done to me?" the other spits out, heaving, face red from exertion.

"you hurt me too much, you broke me- how can i ever trust you?"

no matter how much he run away, his life is now tangled with jungkook forever, now with their pups in the equation.

think through, be considerate...

"i know- i know i fucked up" jungkook admits.

"fuck-- i dont know, tae. i cant understand the right and wrong" the alpha laughs wetly, corner of his eyes burning.

he did think through and it was exerting to put past all his ideologies and just think like himself.

but still those were confusing; to distinguish the rights hidden in the foggy dark and of the wrongs with the false shiny coating of truth.

after a mind-churning long self reflection, jungkook concluded that the only time he acted like himself, showed his vulnerable side not shadowed by power was when he ran away with taehyung in his arms from the burning jeon mansion.

at the face of uncertainty and at the brink of losing everything, there was no concrete facade of cockiness; at that moment he wanted nothing more than to have people he care for to be safe; then he didn't care about the money or his wealth melting away. and even now he knows that was the best decision he took.

outside a lightning flashed in the sky followed by a rumbling thunder, the light curtain of rain spraying against the wood verenda he is sitting on.

"i'm sorry, okay? i just--" jungkook shivered, honestly not knowing what is proper to say.

he doesn't know if this is his greedy self talking, but he can't just let go of this. right now, he cant pretend that his pups doesn't exist and just move on.

jungkook hated every part of his childhood after he lost his parents, but right now as another thunder rumbled, he wished he was back to being twelve, running to seokjins room to scoot under the blanket to cuddle his brother at the first sign of storm.

"i didn't know any better, taehyung" he huddles closer to the glass, eyes tracing the red tiger lily inked in his arm,

"and i dont know if its possible for me to be better" jungkooks breath was weighed down, "but i dont want to lose everything again".

its funny how all his life he was trying desperate to prove himself to be ruthless and unbreakable, all that pointless now.

just to talk, not with those thoughts weighing over him- it was difficult, but at the same time easier than he thought it would be.

inside, taehyungs hiccups had died down to tired sniffles.

"'m hurt enough-- just scared to trust you"

"thats okay." jungkook agrees,

"you can live your life however you want-- i will only come here for the pups. i only want that much"

okay. thats okay.

thats less scary.

"fine." taehyung sniffles. taehyung doesn't want to be cruel enough to keep the babies away from their father.

the silence settled then, weighed by the exhaustion of first proper conversation they had ever had.

"can you let me in now?" jungkook asked again when his teeth start clattering.

taehyung considered it for a moment, before sliding open the door.

they both steered clear of the cushions on the floor and soon went back to their beds for a second time that day.

the hours went by peaceful and the sun was up, birds were chirping and the atmosphere considerably more warmer.

it was unsurprising that jungkook woke up with a runny nose considering the alpha was outside on the cold night for an hour in just his home clothes.

the alpha in result grumbled a lot, having come here to spend time with his pups and now has to stay away until he gets better.

so after having a light breakfast that taehyung prepared after feeling a little guilty and taking the medicine, jungkook sat slumped on the couch with a box of tissues.

nevertheless he felt peaceful in the homely scents and his pups constant noises as taehyung took care of them.

"jungkook, where did you place the pacifier yesterday?" taehyung calls from the nursery.

"whose?" jungkook asks blowing his stuffy nose.

"uhm--- six toes?"

"yeah- i washed it and kept it on the cupboard" the alpha replies.

minutes later, taehyung stomps out of the nursery, stopping short of the couch and glaring with hands on his hips.

"what?" jungkook blinks.

"Why on earth haven't we named our pups yet?!" taehyung throws his hands up and exasperates.

oh.

they totally forgot that step.

□□□

please do vote. seeing those are my only motivation.