like the cycle of life, just like how new blooms arise from soiled ash, taehyung grew- flourishing into something so beautiful, it was a joy to anyones eyes.

after finally managing to get himself into the university, taehyungs studies were back on track. he just needed a few more months to write the papers he missed anyway, before he can explore the world of art like he always wanted to.

it was not just taehyung,

even jimin, hoseok and yoongi found themselves achieving everything they wanted,

with jimin who is working towards his dream of being a professor, a field he believes needs more omega representation, whereas hoseok working towards his forever dream of opening a dance studio,

and yoongi who is secretly a rising artist in soundcloud ofcourse decided to follow his unending passion for rap and music.

but there was one person who was still left in the backdrop,

because self-forgiveness,

that didn't come easy to jungkook.

the iron cage that now suffocated his heart was hidden from outsiders eyes, for as always the alpha woke up, made cute breakfast for taehyung as the omega would always be tired from studying all night or would be hurrying to leave for university.

he was as always an ideal father and gave his pups his all, and on weekends he reviews the reports he gets from starlight and give pointers, while his identity still remained hidden.

he functioned.

but was he okay?

the answer is no.

behind the eyes that now lost all malice, hands that doubts every action he does, the once confident man was nothing more than a stone melting under the lava of guilt and remorse.

under the nightmares that plague him and the teary eyes of taehyung he sees behind closed eyes, jungkook struggled alone, so lost in the new life that laid like a curse infront of him.

as everyone around him progressed, jungkook struggled through the days that felt too repetitive now, his pups being his only joy.

sure he has unending money.

but the jungkook of now knows that cant get him all.

too clueless on how to rectify his mistakes, the alpha finds victory in every smile he can get out of taehyung.

its the simple things- be it another gift or a cooked meal he put hours of work into or its something meaningful.

like once taehyung put forward the idea of donating the clothes that the babies grew out of and jungkook was fully supportive.

one weekend as the omega spend his free time cuddling the pups, jungkook took the initiative to take their donations to the nearest orphanage.

but once the alpha reached there and saw all the little faces that never got to experience the love of a parent like he himself, the alpha came back another day with taehyung,

but this time with clothes and toys enough for all, as well as signing checks to make sure the kids can have better accommodation and education.

that day, as taehyung gazed at him with glistening appreciative eyes, jungkook felt the cage around his heart slowly start to erode,

and that day jungkook realized that brooding over the past wont rectify anything that had happened.

yes, he hurt many,

moreover he had hurt himself too.

so, his forgiveness starts with an apology for himself, for he cant cherish another while being a hostage of his own past.

so its self-forgiveness- again and again and again, until he finds his peace.

□□□

today, the morning was busy for jeon household.

as for taehyung, the omega spend the entire morning stress cleaning, even after he was ready in casual clothes the omega couldn't help but dust around a table or rearrange the pillows on the couch for the nth time.

the reason of it all? the pups were getting their shot of vaccines today.

"it wont even hurt a pinch, taehyung--- you should relax" jungkook had supplied a while back seeing the omega fretting around,

"but they're so tiny, jungkook--- wont that needle be like a dagger for them?!"

"when you put it out like that---" a bit of color drained off the alphas face, eyes worriedly gazing at his precious puppies.

everything considered, the four of them managed to get to the hospital.

outside the doctors room, the pups were patient as they laid calm in their strollers unknowing of impending doom, while taehyung reprimanded jungkook for reaching for a kids book left outside.

sure taehyung loves kids, but he cant imagine the amount of times a sick kid might have sneezed on those books. the last thing he want is another reason for their pups to be anywhere near a hospital.

"haesoo jeon--- jongwon jeon" the nurse called the names in a heavy accent and the parents scrambled to get the babies out of the strollers.

once the standard weight and measurements were taken, the doctor assured that the babies were perfectly healthy and that they can follow the nurse to were the shots were administered.

just at the sight of a syringe, taehyung was tempted to just take his babies and run away to some far away land were his pups wont have to get injections.

"you want me to hold them while--?" jungkook started and taehyung was quick to whimper a- "yes please"

first it was the turn of six toes.

it was almost comical the way jungkook sat down, big arms hugging the baby close to his chest, neck muscles straining as the pup babbled, little fingers clutched onto his appas shirt.

the poor nurse smiled uneasily as if she's scared she'll get punched the second she touch the baby, but still tried to be reassuring, gently wiping one pudgy thigh with alcohol as taehyung stood in a corner sporting worried eyes with the other pup hugged close.

true to her words, it was over in a second- but sure the little eyes scrunched in discomfort and the baby let his parents know that he's hurt with a whimpered cry.

they were given enough time to crowd and scent the pup until the whimpers stopped and then it was the turn of the second baby.

unlike the gentle tantrum from the omega pup, jongwon screamed bloody murder, pink face scrunched wailing toothless cries so much that taehyungs own eyes filled with tears.

"appa is sorry, bambi-- its over now--" jungkook murmured as taehyung took the pup to be soothed.

after a feeding and exhausted parents later, the pups were settled once their little tummies were filled with milk.

the ride home was quick after that, and once they reached the safety of home, taehyung was quick to have the pups comfortable inside the nest, later cuddling them to his hearts contend.

a short nap later, taehyung woke up with a rumbling stomach. in their frenzy that morning, they sure hadn't bothered with breakfast. deeming its best to order in, taehyung rubbed at his eyes as he shuffled towards jungkooks room to ask if the alpha wants something too.

"jungkook--?" taehyung didn't bother knocking since the door was left ajar; but as he walked in he saw a frantic jungkook hiding something under the pillow.

for starters, taehyungs protective motherly instincts were over the roof since the hospital visit and the sight of jungkook hiding something didn't sit right with him.

what if its guns? or drugs? or weapons?

taehyungs scent soured.

"what is it, taehyung?" jungkook asked unbothered,

"What are you hiding?"taehyung asked in the same breath.

"--its nothing" jungkook scratched at his hair, eyes not meeting the omega;

so taehyung marched forward hands going for the pillow, just as jungkook put his hands around the omegas midriff to pull him away.

"Let me go, asshole!" taehyung nearly growled, throwing his elbow back; it hit jungkook right on a healing scar and jungkook nearly folded over in pain, almost bewildered.

now free, taehyung scrambled onto the bed throwing the pillows away before diving for the hidden thing,

turns out it wasn't guns or drugs like he feared,

it was just a book,

a photo album to be precise.

taehyung blinked then threw an annoying glare at the alpha who was rubbing his hurt ribs,

"why were you hiding this?!"

jungkook ducked his head like every time he does when he gets shy, the fringes covering his eyes,

so, taehyung opened the book, flicking through the pages.

the first page of the rustic brown pages had a picture of an ultrasound.

taehyung gasped softly, as a finger skimmed over the familiar picture of their two little beans,

"i thought we lost this in the fire?" the omega softly said,

"--i had a picture of it in my phone-- got it from icloud and printed it out--" jungkook supplied as he took a seat on the bed.

taehyungs eyes never left the pages, flipping past two ultrasounds then reaching the third page- that one pic jungkook took for his instagram with the little cake propped on the omegas baby bump, their wedding rings also visible.

taehyung exhaled wetly, flipping the page only to let out an embarrassed whine.

"when did you took that!" he bellowed.

"--well you looked funny" jungkook tried not to smile at the picture of a very pregnant taehyung, passed out in the middle of a collapsing nest, belly bare and limbs in a starfish.

"our pups will think i was the crazy one--" taehyung pouted as he went to the next page.

fast forward, it was a pic of their newborn pups, pink and so so tiny swaddled in fluffy blankets, one taken a week or so into their birth, inside the cabin were they hid.

all the next pages were polaroid pictures of the babies with the weeks written below- the recent one ranging to them in adorable fits, more alert and smiling gummy.

the last picture on the album was one taken today marked at 7 weeks; supposedly one jungkook sneakily took of taehyung with the pups, when the omega was aggressively scenting the pups before the hospital visit.

"didn't knew you are capable of making something so cute" taehyung sighed as he closed the book with a smile.

"well you should have known 'cos i have half a hand in making our pups and they're pretty cute" jungkook shrugged, voice serious but a cheeky glint in his eyes.

"you mafia dude have no cute bone in your body! that is all my good genes!" taehyung countered.

"oh look who's the cocky one now?" jungkook raised an eyebrow and taehyung threw a pillow at him while jungkook smiled bunny, which was admittedly quite cute in taehyungs eyes.

□□□

as now jungkooks days revolved around taehyung and his pups, their moods reflects on him too.

that day he woke up excited after a nice sleep of no nightmares. freshened up early, he made breakfast as most days.

taehyung however was stressed, one of the assignments he has to submit been keeping him on toes lately; so after hastily stuffing the breakfast, the omega was off to his university library.

the days taehyung leave for university, its rather dull in the house; there is only so much jungkook can do to entertain himself with the pups napping most of the time.

jimin, hoseok and yoongi are very busy lately and he can only call up his hyung when namjoon is free- so jungkook lazy around the couch, sulking waiting for taehyung to be back home.

its around 4 pm when taehyung stumbles inside with hands full of books.

"can we go outside today?" jungkook asks as soon as he spots the omega.

"no-- i have work to do"

"but-- please? you can relax, its--"

"i told you, i'm busy-- god, stop being annoying!"

the door to taehyungs room slams shut.

jungkook tells himself to not be angry; after everything that had happened, jungkook associates showing anger as a bad emotion.

so he takes deep breaths, then gets himself ready and leaves the house.

japan still isn't familiar to him, but it is beautiful with fall approaching the parks filled with orange leaves and cherry blossom flowers.

that dissipated the sour mood and being woken up ready to have a good day, jungkook sucked up his confidence and went inside the first bakery he saw.

he felt really out of place in his all black attire standing inside pink and vibrant walls and when a kind woman asked him what he'd like to order, jungkook pointed at a simple cake with white swirls in the glass cabinet.

hesitating, the alpha asked if they can add a writing to which they kindly agreed to and gave him a paper to write what he want to add.

taking the pen jungkook scribbled a "happy birthday jk!" as neatly as possible, even if he felt sort of pathetic for even doing this.

soon the cake was packed with the writing in a bright purple color and jungkook bowed to them as he left for his house.

by the time he reached home it was dark.

everything was just as he left, albeit the darkness.

taehyungs room was still locked with the lights turned on inside and he checked on the pups to see that they were changed and is now sleeping peacefully.

back in the living room, jungkook didn't bother to turn on the lights,

instead sat on the floor with the cake still in his arms.

he took of the white cover of the cake and placed it on the low table, the writing on it now smudged with how tight the alpha was holding it.

jungkook took the free candles they added in his arms and smiled bitterly.

he hadn't had his birthday celebrated in nearly two decades, no one bothered remembering it and its not like the old jungkook was the one to have celebrations with people.

today too, if it wasn't for the birthday wish message from namjoons number, jungkook wouldn't even have remembered the importance of today.

the alpha kind of wished he hadn't remembered it,

because he truly felt pathetic; now sitting in the dark, gazing gloomily at the birthday cake he bought for himself;

"why am i even doing this?!" he asked into the void.

jungkook was just about to take the cake, throw it in a dumpster and about to call it a night when suddenly the lights to the living room turned on.

at the end of hallway taehyung stood in one of his baggy sweater and thigh high socks, eyes squinting at the sudden light before it locked on jungkook who is standing dumbly in the centre.

as the omega shuffled closer, jungkook gulped but made no move to run away.

taehyung stopped close to him then again squinted at the messy writing on the cake.

suddenly the omega became alert then looked up at jungkook wide eyed- "Happy Birthday!" the omega blurted out in a swoosh of breath, quite shocked at the new revealtion.

"uhm__thankyou" jungkook murmured back, form still stooped.

just when the alpha was about to turn around and leave, taehyung tackled him into a hug.

jungkook even if startled put his arms secure around the omega.

"'m sorry for yelling at you-- shouldn't have taken my anger out on you" taehyung murmured, voice muffled because of his face being pressed onto the alphas chest.

jungkook buried his face onto the omegas soft hair, soothed by the sweet scent,

"i deserved it-- you shouldn't be nice to me_"

taehyung looked up at that,

"you hurt me when i was at my lowest. if i did the same to you, _then i wont be any better"

"tae-- taehyung i know i dont deserve your forgiveness___but i'm so sorry, for everything i done to you, for hurting you__i'm sorry i let you down--" jungkook rambled like everytime he does when he receives an ounce of kindness.

taehyung patted him on the back twice before escaping the iron hug, then smiling brightly-

"come on now, we have a birthday to celebrate"

thats how half an hour later, jungkook found himself sitting on the floor infront of the same table and same birthday cake again,

but this time the lights are bright, he had a makeshift paper birthday cone on top of his unruled hair and there is a birthday melody playing from taehyungs phone.

above all on the opposite side of the table, taehyung sat with the babies in his lap, them giggling to the way taehyung was singing 'happy birthday to you' in a high note, swaying back and forth.

"make a wish!" taehyung reminded the alpha,

and jungkook who was smiling so wide with eyes filled with the bestest scenery couldn't wish for more.

the candles were blown out, the cake was cut and taehyung snapped many pictures in jungkooks polaroid camera.

at the end they tried to take a selfie with the polaroid camera, with four of the faces squished together to fit in the frame.

just then five toes decided to aim for the sparkly paper cone on jungkooks head, instead the baby got a handful of his appas hair.

the pic was snapped just as jungkooks face scrunched in pain while taehyung laughed gleefully.

the adrenaline was high and thus it was a task to get the pups to sleep later.

as taehyung put the pups to bed, jungkook pasted the pictures onto his photo album; and the one with four of them just might be his favorite.

now with the house silent but the happiness still bussing, the parents cleaned up the kitchen after a quick dinner.

occasionally they would talk casual, like taehyung would complain about his assignments or grumble about having to take a shower later- both to which jungkook playfully offers full help if needed.

while taehyung was arranging the dried plates, jungkook came behind him to place the spice bottles on the top cupboard. the way the alpha was crunching the ice cubes between his teeth made the hair on the omegas nape stand up.

"are you trying to seduce me, alpha?" taehyung asked, playful.

"you made yourself clear before that i'm not your type-- so i dont think its working" jungkook feigned disappointment.

"ah you're right. besides i think you've turned rather soft lately" taehyung turned around to face the other, now caged in between jungkook and the kitchen counter.

jungkooks scent spiked at the challenge, him leaning forward before stopping himself; he wondered if he's crossing a line, but when taehyung made no move to push him away, his cold lips ghosted over the omegas ear lobe.

the ice cube now nestled between jungkooks lips clinked against the metal earring on the omegas ear and taehyung shivered breathy.

"oh baby, you dont have to worry about that. i can go as hard as you want" jungkook said, his voice low.

then the alpha angled his head in such a way that when that ice cube slipped off from his lips, it fell onto to the dip of taehyungs collarbone, it then gliding down lower, before it dissappeared under the sweater and melted inside the omegas bralette.

taehyung bit his lips and writhed as the ice left a cold trail, then craned his neck back and looked at jungkook, eyes hooded.

"tssk messy omega. now you really need that shower" jungkook thumbed away the droplet of water that pooled in taehyungs collarbone.

the omega then cocked his head and fluttered his lashes prettily,

"or i can just get rid of the mess?" taehyung smirked.

before even jungkook can comprehend that statement, taehyung arched himself off the counter, chest now flushed against the alpha.

then one of his hand dissappeared to the back, just as the bralette strap on taehyungs shoulder got loose.

jungkooks heart skipped several beats when taehyungs long pretty hands went under his own baggy sweater, the material dragging up torturously slow revealing a sliver of skin before it bunched around the waist.

jungkook doesn't know how it happened; but taehyung was shrugging off the bralette from under the sweater like its the most normal thing ever.