Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“General Min, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but if they’ve granted us an audience, then there’s a chance that he’s being treated well, yes? That he’s in a position of power? At least… alive?”

Soobin flinched a little when sharp eyes were turned on him, at first filled with old fury of a grudge held for over seven years, his mouth ready to open to apologise, posture bending and conciliatory, not wanting to upset their tribe’s most decorated General in the slightest. 

But Soobin and Yeonjun were both surprised when the General spoke soft and gentle, seemingly unperturbed by the oppressive wealth and opulence and sheer size of the holding room they had been bid to wait in, the silent golden sculptures and embellishments and the colourful frescoes on the sliding doors and walls watching them in frozen contempt. 

“Sharp of you, Soobin,” he said quietly, the small party of three of the thirty-strong entourage that had been allowed within the inner wing of the forbidding palace aware that there were likely guards listening in and keeping a look-out on them, at the ready to strike and barrel through secret hidden doors if they so much as showed a hair of rebellious behaviour, “Yes, there is a chance that he’s being treated well if they so readily accepted the audience. But the fact that there are about a dozen men outside of this hall, armed to the teeth means that they’re prepared to counter for an ambush of sorts. Necessary protocols, I imagine, if we don’t like what we see.”

Yeonjun looked up from where he had been surreptitiously scuffing the edge of the carpet covering the cold, marbled floors, murmuring, “They did call him His Highness.”

“When did you catch that?”

“Right before they left. When they spoke to each other quietly before departing the hall. They came close to my side so I caught it,” Yeonjun shared. It wasn’t as if the other two weren’t sharp-eared; their semi-nomadic lifestyle on the plains, the mountains and the steppes meant generations of keen-eyed and keen-eared peoples were born and raised, a vital part of their culture being hunting for both sport and necessity, “Being granted an audience here might mean that he’s risen to a level of importance. He’s precious to them.”

“Not necessarily,” General Min said, voice quiet and flat, on alert, “This might be a ruse of sorts. A trap. Why bring only three of us up here? We could’ve arranged for an audience at another venue, another time of mutual agreement with the entire entourage. Be on guard, boys. Anything can happen. And we must be ready for it. Ready to stake our lives for it.”

Soobin and Yeonjun exchanged glances, a little worried. 

They had been instructed to restrain General Min if he acted out of turn, or did anything to jeopardise relations between their tribe and the Imperial family. The lead elder of their village, Elder Bang, had taken them aside late on night, quietly advising them to ensure that General Min did not let his personal agenda override the greater good of the village. 

For everyone knew what awaited those who roused the wrath of the Dragons - fire and fury and the ashes of destruction. 

Yet, Soobin sympathised. His memories were a little fuzzy around the edges, but he did recall the seminal moment of his tribe, of his own life, the day Seokjin, the youngest son of their tribe leader, their young omega Princeling effectively, was sent away from their lands, collected by an exquisite palanquin no one had ever seen the likes of, and an army almost a hundred strong with elite soldiers serving as part of the entourage. Their people had been slightly intimidated by the sight, though the Elders were calm and collected, ensuring the parting was controlled, though they did allow for tears and embraces. He remembered feeling sad and lost when Seokjin stepped into the palanquin and was promptly whisked away, not knowing the next time they would ever see him again, sent away to secure the future of their tribe. 

Min Yoongi, only a rider at the time, sent away (perhaps deliberately) on a mission further East, had no knowledge of such an agreement and exchange. Though Seokjin had left a letter filled with warm reassurances for his best friend, General Min had been livid. Soobin hadn’t seen it, but he remembered seeing General Min storm out of the Elder’s hut, heard the ruckus kicked up, and saw how people had to restrain General Min from taking a horse and riding out on a journey too perilous to take alone, into the heartlands of the Dragons’ domain. 

Though after hours of counselling and days of forced meditation had resulted in General Min’s grudging acceptance of the situation, Soobin sensed that he was a changed man. Quiet, thoughtful and a man of a few words, General Min seemed to carry with him a cloud of suppressed resentment and fury. He had doggedly trained and worked his way up the ranks of their fierce but small army, persevering even after an accident with a horse gave him a shoulder injury that plagued him up until this day. He never accepted any of the provisions that came quarterly throughout the year, as promised through the transaction, and even if he acknowledged that the supplies and aid had largely helped the development and well-being of their tribe, General Min never said so. 

Soobin knew that all of it had been in preparation for the mission they were currently on, something General Min himself had proposed and concocted, seven years later, until the Elders reluctantly yielded, provided that they sought permission from the palace first. 

To their surprise, within the month, a royal decree was passed and sent to the steppes, a smaller entourage accompanying the message. The preparations were hasty but thorough, and they departed within the week, with General Min himself insisting on leading their party, a determined fire blazing in his eyes. 

No one said anything, and even when General Min had choice words for everyone involved in the plot, there was no punishment for him, no words of reprimand. Perhaps everyone understood why General Min felt so deeply about Seokjin, and the situation, was that General Min himself had been a foundling - common knowledge among everyone and accepted. Soobin had heard from his own father the miraculous story of how General Min had been found by Elder Bang when he had been patrolling the woods that formed a belt at the edge of the steppes, and how he had heard a wailing baby’s cry. He had immediately taken the child in, and the entire tribe raised him as his own, Seokjin doting on him especially fondly as a child. 

And here they stood, at the end of it all, waiting nearly an hour for the omega to arrive, all three choosing not to sit but to stand in the middle of the ostentatious holding room, Soobin and Yeonjun antsy and desperately hoping Seokjin would drop by soon, growing nervous. 

Opening his mouth to ask if they were going to return as soon as they met Seokjin and dreading the answer, Soobin turned, only to be cut off by a sudden bursting open of the double doors the guards had disappeared through earlier.

“Yoongi - ! And Soobin, and Yeonjun! Oh!”

The entrance of the omega was electrifying. 

Immediately, all three of them changed their postures at the sound of the omega’s sweet voice calling out; Soobin and Yeonjun straightened, and had to refrain from running forwards upon instinct, control themselves from charging excitedly into the arms of the Jewel of their tribe that in their childhood had such a marked and indelible presence. General Min too, became as rigid as a ramrod, though Soobin spotted the slight twitches in his hands, as if he wanted to run, wanted to raise them and to cup the omega’s face, to hold him close and draw him into an embrace. 

When they were hit with Seokjin’s scent though, it became harder to fight the urge; Soobin seeing a great turmoil and conflict on General Min’s usually stoic face, Yeonjun taking a few steps forward, as the familiar, gentle floral notes of his scent hit them, followed by the deeper, sweet yet earthen scent that harkened back to a childhood filled with warmth and love and comfort, calling upon a deep-rooted nostalgia the three of them had lived, and now recalled. 

His figure and his face though, kept them in place. 

Soobin didn’t know what they had been expecting; perhaps a Seokjin worn out and worn down by palace life, or a Seokjin a little downtrodden, if not mistreated then forgotten by the fickle fast pace of a life with royalty, to be treated like a novelty and an exotic trinket before being shelved away and neglected. 

But this Seokjin that came out shone with a brilliance, a glow, looking even more beautiful than his time in the steppes, as if polished to perfection by the wealth and the comforts the palace offered. Yet, he wasn’t dripping in flamboyant clothes nor displaying opulence, even if he was admittedly exuding an aura of aristocracy in his dress and his carriage, something, Soobin realised, the omega had always carried but made even more evident now in this setting and his time with royalty. 

The omega’s dark hair seemed thicker, more lustrous, and embedded in the thick, curled locks was a delicate circlet, marking his status in the palace as someone closely affiliated to the royal line; a consort or perhaps even a mate. He wore a deceptively simple white robe, but the material was most certainly expensive, as it fell from his shoulders artfully like a silken waterfall, making him appear taller even as it flowed past his feet into a train behind him, cinched into place across his narrow waist with a gold chain. Matching golden arm rings decorated his slender upper arms, curling at the ends to create the effect of elegance and style; unmistakeable were the ways it sharpened out into talons, no doubt to harken to the Dragons he belonged to.

His face was beautiful, eyes as clear and innocent as the day he had left the tribe, lips still ever rosy and flush and full, looking so much more stunning than in the hazy memories of Soobin’s, arresting his attention, and everyone else’s in the room, at the angelic and devastating beauty that had ironically resulted in his infamy across the lands and his spiriting away from the tribe to be given as tribute to the Dragons that held power and dominion over everyone and everything. 

Seokjin had captured their attention that the three of them hadn’t noticed the little boy of around five or six barrelling out in front of the omega and moving like a blur towards them, the two identical-looking toddlers that tottered out, clinging to either side of Seokjin’s dress, and the two babies in Seokjin’s arms, one much smaller than the other. 

“I’ve missed you so much,” Seokjin spoke again, mesmerising them, a quivering smile on his face, eyes shiny with unshed tears, voice soft and husky, “When I received news of your arrival, I came here right away. We were expecting you a little later, so imagine our surprise when you were announced - I - oh…” 

It took a while for Soobin to realise that the children and babies and toddlers trotted out belonged to the still slight and slender and ever beautiful Seokjin. 

And the realisation that the most precious jewel of their tribe was also expecting another.

The scent of a pregnant omega was enough to make both Soobin and Yeonjun a little uncomfortable, uneasy, even if it was the Seokjin they knew; after all it had been seven long years since they had been in his presence, and they had grown from pre-pubescent teens into alphas. But General Min seemed unfazed, staring at Seokjin, profound emotions flitting in his eyes, as he seemed to attempt to reconcile the fact that his best friend was now standing before him. 

The omega, hands full, immediately leaned into General Min, who automatically lifted his arms to embrace Seokjin. He seemed to break out a little of his stupor, holding Seokjin tight, eyes shutting a little, and his voice was raspy as he asked, “Have you been well, your Highness? We knew not of your fate, except a few letters, here and there, reassuring of your health and happiness. Are these…”

“I apologise for not being able to be in contact as frequently as I should,” Seokjin was genuinely apologetic as he pulled back, Soobin spying a tear streaking down one porcelain cheek, “As you know it’s difficult to send letters… and … Taehyung, he said it was best to send them along with the supplies that our people sorely needed. Did those reach?” He paused, a gentle look flitting over his face as he hefted the two small babies in his arms, “And yes, these are my children. Taeyong, Taeyong say hello to papa’s friends,” he called out to the small child poking at General Min’s scabbard.

“Hello papa’s friends!” 

Soobin felt himself smile in spite of everything. 

The twin toddlers gurgled and sat on the soft carpet, content with pulling out tufts of tightly woven fur as Seokjin smiled at Soobin and leaned in, “I missed you Soobin. You’ve grown so well. I’m so proud of you, and happy to see you healthy.”

Soobin shut his eyes, scenting Seokjin as politely as possible, trying not to bury his nose into the omega’s neck and trying to embrace him with as much grace as he could manage. It was hard not to melt in the omega’s arms and he inadvertently scented the two babies he held, finding to his slight confusion that they seemed to hold varying scents, something he couldn’t place his finger on even when Seokjin finally pulled away to be held by Yeonjun. 

“We received your letters,” General Min’s voice was husky, filled with emotion, though no tears were shed, only pinning Seokjin with a fierce look, “But I - we had to come. To make sure you really were alright. Your children - there was no - no - no coercion? No - “

Soobin felt his chest twist fiercely, as all three anxiously looked at Seokjin for the answer. 

A peaceful smile crossed his full lips, and the omega shook his head, holding General Min’s gaze with a softness, a tenderness that melted their hardened General, “No, no you needn’t worry Yoongi. These babies were all made with love. With so much love. Everything I wrote in those letters are true and honest. I miss everyone back home, but my life here is good and I’m treated as well as the Prince and His Majesty the King.”

Soobin felt his shoulders sag with relief, and before General Min could press on, the doors opened once more. 

“My love, I adjourned the council as soon as word reached me. Are these your friends?”

All three men lifted their heads and turned at the sound of a deep, rich voice ringing confidently and loudly throughout the holding chamber. 

“Yes, they are.”

The alpha, the Prince exuded charisma, strength, mystery, and virility. His features were strong and bold and exceedingly handsome, with eyes Soobin had never seen the likes of before; no doubt the infamous piercing Dragon eyes that stood on par with General Min’s, able to cut a man down to size with one withering look. They were certainly the windows to his soul; deep green and filled with a great intensity that intimidated those who dared look upon him. 

Yet, Soobin caught the softening, the deep love and affection in those burning eyes when gazing upon his family, upon Seokjin, a little taken aback at the overt care the Prince demonstrated in their company. 

They were all stunned when the Prince glided close to Seokjin and kissed his cheek, and took the bigger toddler from the omega’s arms, much to his delight, squealing and wriggling in the Prince’s arms, oblivious to the threatening and overwhelming aura of his father. The biggest child in the room, whom Seokjin had addressed as Taeyong, who had been staring at each of them and chirping friendly greetings ran back once the Prince entered, running straight into his legs and chattering excitedly. 

It was clear that the children had been raised with love, and had been raised not to fear the Prince. 

Soobin relaxed a little, and felt Yeonjun do the same.

The Prince’s free hand slid over the narrow waist of the omega’s, the gesture casual and yet displaying dominance and possessiveness, his large hand and long fingers coming to rest over parts that seemed a little intimate than was expected at audiences, the tips twitching a little, the palm roaming up and down, caressing the omega’s hip before settling, the three not missing the slight squirm and the change in scent of the omega that seemed to indicate the hint of arousal. 

In an instant, Soobin felt himself flush a little, given a hint of the intimacy and chemistry of the royal couple before them, the consequences of their amorous relationship evident and embodied in the children present in the room. General Min seemed at a loss for words as well, clearly not expecting the sight before him.

“Your Highness,” strangely enough, it was Yeonjun who spoke and was composed enough to remember manners and protocol, the other two following along, as he bowed, “We are grateful for your acceptance of our arrival and presence. We are honoured to be here, and happy to meet with His Royal Highness Seokjin.”

“You’re welcome to stay as long as you desire,” the Prince said, the smile on his face transforming his features from stony cold and authoritative to warm and approachable, “I understand that the journey was long and gruelling, and to make a return so soon would be punishing. What is mine, you must use as yours. The baths, the food, the facilities - use them as you wish,” he paused, turning to look at Seokjin with eyes that dripped honey, as if it hadn’t been seven years but only seven months since the Prince had fallen in love, “A banquet is in order, to welcome the people of my beloved mate and my consort. I understand that you may wish to rest for the night. We shall make preparations for the official banquet to be held tomorrow night.”

Soobin had to keep his mouth from dropping, recalling the trek past the gardens, the bibliotechques, the dining rooms, the paddocks with horses for hunting and sport, the hot springs and endless offerings which was but a glimpse into what the palace had. 

“Thank you for your generosity, your Royal Highness,” General Min said, his tone polite but carefully neutral, Soobin knowing immediately that their General was still wary, still on guard, “We hadn’t planned on staying long. We only wanted to see if our young Prince was well, since it’s been seven years to the day he left our tribe, left the steppes. We thought it timely to pay a visit, and to bring back good tidings to the Elders and the people who have been like family to him, at the very least.”

General Min’s words must’ve struck a chord with the omega, his scent changing, and his lips trembling, eyes turning moist though he shed no tears. The slight downturn of his lips and shudder did not go unnoticed by the Dragon Prince, and his hand tightened around Seokjin’s hip, head turning a little, making a soft noise of comfort. 

“I understand,” the Prince said softly, Soobin relieved to see that the royal family did not seem tyrannical as their reputation had been, instead, for all his intimidating handsome looks, appeared kind and compassionate, looking pained as if what pained his omega hurt him as well, “It has been a long seven years… you must forgive me. It has been a most blessed time for me it simply slipped by like mere seconds. But of course your tribe has been bereft of Jinnie’s presence… his absence must be felt tremendously.”

“Indeed,” General Min said, his voice a little tight.

“Which is why I insist that you stay a while. At least until the next full moon,” the Prince said firmly, clear that he was not going to take no for answer, pulling Seokjin closer into his embrace, if it was possible, “Let your men rest, let your horses rest; the weather is warm and will not turn to frost until harvest season begins. Jinnie here would love your company, and it has been so long - so there must be much to catch up on?” He mulled the situation a while, continuing, “And perhaps a little information on the state of your tribe would be helpful. We have reports from our own men on how things have been developing; but it’s always best to hear from the people themselves. Identify problems much more deeply rooted than someone on the outside can see.”

The logic was sound, and Soobin knew that though General Min wished to deny the generous hospitality offered, especially by one whom he felt wronged by, the welfare of his men, the horses, and the knowledge that to return in a few days would be harsh and gruelling no matter how many transits and taverns they stopped by to rest. And it was a trait of General Min that drew the respect of all in their tribe; even the Elders. That he was fair and kind and just, and he was never selfish. 

Which was why Soobin was not too surprised when General Min let out a small sigh and bowed, “Very well, Your Highness. We will accept your kind offer. However, should we overstay our welcome, you must make it known to us. It isn’t in our blood to be a nuisance or inconvenience.”

“It is no inconvenience at all,” the Prince said, a smile on his face. 

“I’m pleased,” Seokjin blurted out, stepping forward to press a kiss on General Min’s cheek, a tear finally slipping out, pretty smile on his lips, lighting up his face, “Yoongi, Soobin, Yeonjun, I’m so happy you’ll be staying,” turning to the guards, “Please show them to the guest chambers. The head courtier will have given instructions to the royal household on where they will be residing. Please also assist with their belongings, and make sure their horses are fed and watered, and safely housed in the royal stables.”

Soobin did not miss the flare in the Prince’s eyes at the kiss, but he stayed silent and patient, keeping by the omega’s side as he guided them to their rooms, the grip of the large hand on Seokjin’s hip noticeably tighter. 

Without saying anything, indicating to all who were present: 

“This omega is all mine.”

*

A few polite knocks on the palanquin woke Seokjin up, stirred him from what had been a disturbed yet deep sleep, unable now to snatch at the dreams that faded quickly into nothingness. He sat up from where he had been leaning, wincing a little at the stiffness of his muscles around his waist and legs, as the palanquin, lavish for travel as it was, was not long enough to accommodate him lying down fully. 

He was grateful for it though; grateful for how the royal family accorded him comforts such as a comforter as well as a metal  warmer to keep his extremities warm when the temperatures dropped in the night time. He was grateful for the small pillow and the fact that he didn’t have to march the long march the soldiers and the attendants were forced to take to accompany him, carry him from his homeland - the steppes - all the way to the capital city - a journey Seokjin never dreamed of taking before, never expected to take. 

And now he was here. 

A gruelling month of travel, with more than a dozen stops at small villages, towns and cities, regional lords, upon royal decree, obliged to house the small army accompanying the precious cargo in the palanquin for the night, sometimes two or three if the horses needed rest and hydration. No one, however, was allowed to gaze upon his face, Seokjin at times smuggled through back doors, or through alternate entrances to avoid the curiosity of these lords and their prying sons and daughters, always donning a silken veil over his face, an imperial veil, he was told, that indicated he belonged to the King. That he was royal goods and no one was to lay a finger on him. Thankfully, these hazards were avoided, and the journey had passed without a hitch. 

Seokjin hadn’t thought of himself of anything special, hadn’t thought of himself as spectacularly beautiful - these were comments that had been made since birth, since he was a child and began to grow, until, it seemed, that the word had spread and left even their tribe, moving to other tribes, travelling past the steppes and beautiful green plains to neighbouring towns, until it had caught the attentions of the Capitol. 

He was vaguely aware of the stories the Elders would regale to him, the little things his late parents had passed down to him; that a millennia ago, their family had been a close branch of Dragons, and then made to leave the Capitol after a transgression (no one spoke of what this exactly was). They eventually settled here, and eventually became the default leaders of this tribe, when their child married into the tribe’s own ‘Prince’. 

Seokjin was only aware of the high blue skies he woke up to everyday, even in the deepest of winters - sun shining down on a cold winter’s morning - the beautiful sight of the alphas galloping away from their huts on a herd of thundering hooves as they went to hunt with their bows and their arrows. The happy and festive times of harvest, of solstice both summer and winter, the dances and the feasts. 

Until a famine swept through the lands a year or two ago, and beast and man were made helpless by the lack of food, by land made fallow. 

It had been a long time coming; they had a tenuous relationship with the central powers of their nation being so far in the outskirts - but they could no longer avoid confrontation. Emissaries had come and gone, asking for tribute or for some semblance of relationship with them, rejected by the late Elder Jong who had been exceedingly conservative in his approach to outsiders. Until such time had passed, and there was nothing else left to offer, and the lives of children were at stake, starving and desperate.

When Elder Bang took over after Elder Jong’s death, they held council once again and made the painful decision to offer Seokjin, whose reputation of beauty now preceded him, and his lineage uncovered - giving into the demands of the central powers that be. Privately, they had been told of the difficulty of the royal family - Dragons - breeding with pure-blooded humans in the past few generations - their line now dwindling to two brothers, their King and Prince who desperately needed an omega who could bear children. 

Though Seokjin did not care much for deceit, he and the council of Elders knew they needed to find an opportune time for Min Yoongi, young and charismatic and intelligent alpha and his childhood friend, identified as the next leader of their tribe, to leave before they proceeded with sending Seokjin away. Everything had been carried out quietly without his knowledge. 

Deep down inside, Seokjin knew that without external interference, he would’ve been promised to Yoongi. And he wouldn’t have minded; Yoongi, though unapproachable and quiet, was an alpha of dignity, of responsibility, and under him, Seokjin and their people would’ve been well taken care of, well provided for. It was due to his efforts of diplomacy, his foresight in storing grains where they could, smoking meats for winter, that they managed to scrape by during the famine. 

Putting on a farce in front of Yoongi had been difficult, and when he left, Seokjin had held him close, recalling the soft and slightly scratchy cloth under his fingers, the feel of his hair under his fingertips, the scent of musk and grass on his person, bidding one another farewell with the promise Yoongi would return with gifts. 

Writing a letter, pouring out his heart and soul that night as he wept, Seokjin departed the next morning, traditions carried out in haste, heart wrenched and shredded into pieces as he saw the pale and upset faces of young Soobin and Yeonjun, children he had taken care of.

Knowing he might never return and see them again. 

But he had to, if their tribe was to survive. In exchange for him, the Capitol offered up tonnes of grain, of fertiliser, of a group of agricultural experts and hunters, amongst others, to assist with their survival, and prevent decimation of their people - so much more than what their barter with the people from the East would have been able to garner. Seokjin could hardly believe he was worth so much, but if that was their wish, so be it. He would do anything to help his family and his friends. 

No turning back. 

He was now in Capitol.

Past the Iron Fangs, the defensive gates of the fortress-like palace high up in the mountains.

Seokjin, now fully awake with thoughts of his homeland now but mere memory, waited with bated breath, adjusting the ceremonial veil on his head, trembling a little as he heard the shouts of ceremony, the sound of feet stomping as the soldiers moved in unison, a voice announcing the arrival of a royal, of a ‘Taehyung’. 

As he shut his eyes and took a deep breath to gather strength, recalling the well wishes and tidings of all the people he bid farewell a million miles in those faraway steppes, the door of the palanquin swung open. 

Seokjin assumed a kneeling position, as he had been taught over the course of the month by special courtiers who had been tasked to educate him on the basics of appropriate court behaviour, hands overlapping over the other and he bowed, low and respectful. 

Blinded by the veil, senses impeded, Seokjin could only wait, as he felt the wind blow within, biting and crisp but fresh, signalling that they were indeed on mountainous land. 

But there was another scent; something deep and musky, like Yoongi’s but different, filled with musk, hinting at power and comfort all at once, Seokjin yearning for the scent to grow stronger, wanting to breathe in deeper. 

“Bring him out; let him stand before me.”

The deep, authoritative voice rang out, startling Seokjin. It was beautiful, and it sank deep under his skin, making his cheeks flush and his ears turn red. His heart beat a little faster. It was silly, and yet Seokjin knew after hearing the voice, that the man who owned it was handsome. 

Murmurs were uttered in the affirmative, and cold hands reached out to take his, guiding him off the palanquin that was subsequently lowered, and he took a few unsteady steps, blood rushing down to his stiff legs, and was made to bow in the direction he was guided to. 

There were some gasps when he straightened, and the veil was whipped off his head. 

Seokjin was momentarily disoriented; eyes adjusting to the light, but he kept his gaze fixed on the ground, seeing now a pair of feet before him, adorned in what was the most ostentatious looking shoes he had ever set eyes on - gilded gold but a deep, rich emerald green, and they were right in front of him, and still. 

He began to grow nervous, wondering if the person before him was royalty, or perhaps even the one he was being offered up to as tribute. 

While Seokjin was still trying to gain his bearings, a hand slipped under his chin and tipped it upwards. 

“Your Highness!”

“Prince Taehyung - !”

“Be silent!”

Deep, piercing green eyes stared at him. 

A Dragon’s eyes. 

He stood before a beautiful man, a man seemingly made out of the most beautiful marble and precious gemstones - something celestial must’ve had a hand in making this creature. Seokjin could only stare in awe, feeling the heat creep up to his cheeks, being the object of the handsome man’s gaze, being scrutinised, no doubt, now increasingly aware of his upbringing, as it had to be glaringly obvious that he was from the countryside, raised amidst the wilderness with no manners nor courtly teachings. If this being was this beautiful, Seokjin dreaded his fate; others had to be just as good-looking in the capital of their country. 

Then, the scent hit him. 

A strong, heady fragrance hit him, overpowering and magnetic - so much so that Seokjin felt his knees weaken. The woody musky scent tinged with that of an earthen forest and of sandalwood had Seokjin’s head spinning and heat rush in, feeling something awaken inside of him, feeling something stir low inside, low, lower than where his belly was, a strange sensation washing over him. 

He did the unimaginable. 

He swooned. 

It appeared to happen in slow-motion, and Seokjin felt mortified as his mind registered what exactly was happening and the implications of his actions - it was rude and unbecoming and he was literally fainting in front of the second highest ranking royal member after the King. His knees buckled and his leg muscles turned into jelly, and he began to sway and stumble like a new-born colt on shaky legs, aware of how awkward he looked and how inelegant the collapse would be. 

At the very least, he could avoid falling on the Prince, and so Seokjin began to fall towards the side, bracing himself for his elbow and arm to hit the ground. But something interrupted his momentum, and pulled him forwards, and he felt himself land on the soft, expensive, silken robes of the man before him. 

“Oh - ! For shame - !”

“Your Highness!”

Seokjin could hear the disapproval in the chorus of voices that rushed towards them, but was pressed ever firmer to the hard chest supporting his body weight, and the short clamour halted as soon as it had begun. 

“Enough!” The deep, imperious voice rang out, a slight echo through the surroundings, Seokjin now well and truly scared, but still pinned to the Prince, unable to let go, still giddy from the scent now overwhelming him, incapacitated by it, “Stop this nonsense at once! I will not break, I am born of fire and brimstone! Our guest has been weakened by the gruelling journey and has been made to dress in this ridiculous, ostentatious get-up! I will tend to him, seeing as all of you are incapable of even conveying one person safely to our palace!”

It took a while for Seokjin to comprehend that the Prince wasn’t mad at him, but rather at the attendants. There were murmurs and rustling all around him, and then - he was disoriented again when his body was lifted off the ground, finding himself being carried by the Prince, cheek and body leaning against the strong chest, the Prince moving swiftly, as if he weighed nothing, and attendants hurrying after, informing the Prince of Seokjin’s chambers, the preparations, and the Prince barking orders - a large entourage running ahead, presumably, to make arrangements. 

“Little rose, you must be exhausted, you poor thing. Are you feeling better now? Why did you collapse so?”

Seokjin realised the Prince was addressing him, cheeks heating up at the clear affection murmured in the soft and deep questioning, mortified to learn that he felt like snuggling into the chest, tempted to lift his head and lean upwards to bury his nose underneath that sharp, handsome jaw and inhale… 

He couldn’t say that it was partly due to the overwhelming scent of pure power, pure virility of the Dragon Prince, Seokjin thought giddily, the man in question striding briskly throughout what felt like a labyrinth, no doubt already walking within palace grounds.  

But he forced himself to answer, for fear that silence would be taken as impudence, “Your Highness,” his voice came out high and cracked, sounding almost whiny, and Seokjin cringed a little, biting his bottom lip, attempting to continue, “Your Highness, please - you needn’t - needn’t bother yourself with me - I can make my way on my own.”

There was a deep chuckle, and the Dragon Prince’s hands tightened around his body, “You fell on top of me so I feel obliged to care for you,” the teasing faded, and concern seeped into his tone, “You’re terribly light, however. Did you lose much weight during the journey here?”

“No - no I - maybe a little,” Seokjin answered in a whisper, not quite sure about the changes in his body, a little surprised that the Prince would ask such a question, “Your Highness, please don’t worry yourself over me.”

There was a slight pause, the Prince’s steps slowing.

“Oh, but I must. You are our guest, after all.”

After all the walking and motions, the Prince finally came to a halt, stepping through large doors opened by attendants, entering a space that felt like a room, Seokjin staring at the beautiful deep teal walls with a light golden embossing of patterns into the walls, made to lie down on a large, soft bed, Seokjin immensely grateful for being able to lie down fully horizontally after being made to sit in a cramped palanquin, extravagant as it was, body curled up and muscles cramping after a while. 

“You are safe here, and it is my hope that you eventually find comfort within this palace… what is your name, beautiful rose?”

Seokjin flushed deeply at the praise, coming from such a beautiful man such was the Prince, and then gasped when a hand crept up and laid on his navel. 

His hand was large and warm and comforting, the way it was resting on his belly. How could he convey to the Prince that he liked it, and wanted him to stay there? Seokjin bit his bottom lip, bidding his hands to remain by his sides, and not clasp the wrist to keep him in place. He was feeling all sorts of things, things that felt sinful to feel, coiling inside him slowly and making his body react in ways he had never know before in his life. 

“Seokjin,” he answered the Prince, finally lifting his eyes to look at his face, shy as he was, he needed to have one last look at that handsome mien, lest it be the final time he was able to meet such a high-ranking member of the royal family, one he was meant to serve in exchange for his tribe’s well-being, “Seokjin.”

The Prince smiled, and Seokjin felt light-headed again, heart thumping rapidly in his chest. 

“If there is one thing you must know, it is that you will be safe,” the most beautiful Prince whispered, eyes burning with an intensity Seokjin had never seen before in his life, “That hurting you would be akin to hurting me, or my brother. That being disrespectful to me would be a direct insult to myself and my brother. You will be looked after, rest assured… Seokjin.”

Seokjin couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran through his body; the way the young Prince uttered his name was soft, warm, velvety and rich - he had never heard his name spoken with such meaning, rolling off the Prince’s tongue as if it were something precious, even if intangible. 

As if the Prince cared deeply for him. 

But that couldn’t be, for they had just met. 

They barely knew one another. 

Seokjin felt himself flush with shame; he knew there were rules and strict principles he had to abide by. He had always thought himself in control and poised when it came to interactions with alphas, and to a lesser degree betas. But all that fell apart upon coming here as tribute; the very moment where his composure was vital - and he had practically ruined it. He was lucky that the Prince was kind and compassionate, understanding and forgiving. Whereas he had fallen prey to his own instincts, entertaining dark thoughts about the Prince, stimulated by his scent, as if he was an easy omega. 

Suddenly, a hand came to rest against his cheek, the Prince’s palm large and warm, even against his flushed skin, surprising him. His piercing, inquisitive eyes seemed to see right through his soul, the gesture seemingly meant to negate all his downward spiralling thoughts - chase them away. 

“You rest now; take today to acclimate to your room, to the surroundings and to adjust. Supper will be sent up here once evening comes shortly. If there’s anything you desire, a bath, extra towels, blankets or robes to your liking, then simply ring the bell. Attendants are at your beck and call, at all hours of the day. Do not be shy to use it…”

Seokjin wondered desperately if the Prince felt the same way; felt the same strong attraction he felt.

Those green eyes seemed to glint, a ghost of a smile on those sultry lips, the thumb brushing softly against his cheek and jaw, making him shiver, making him throb between his thighs, so shameful and sinful and yet so deliciously wonderful a sensation, making him want to touch himself there, relieve him of… something. 

He let out a small gasp, giddy again when there was a spike in the Prince’s scent - changing in its notes - deeper, muskier, of a deep, green forest filled with vitality and of a strength. Upon instinct and shame, Seokjin pressed his thighs together, as he felt moisture seep from his most intimate parts, biting down on his bottom lip and wondering at the betrayal of his body. 

The Prince seemed pleased, and he withdrew, eyes seeming to dance. 

Seokjin felt bereft of his presence, his closeness, fighting the urge to whimper with the loss, barely successful but managing to keep his hands by his sides, helpless as he watched the Prince bow. 

“Rest well, Seokjin. And welcome to the palace.”

*

“He’s here, isn’t he?”

The attendants exchanged nervous glances, before the head attendant, Adora, nodded and stepped forward and bowed, “Yes, Your Highness. He’s - he’s in your baths as you requested.”

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed, “How was he? When you brought him here?”

“How was he… in what sense, Your Highness?” The Adora asked slowly, unsure of the vagueness of Taehyung’s question. 

Sensing the fear and uncertainty in the attendants, aware of the potential wrath of the Dragon Prince, Taehyung struggled to control his breathing and impatience, even if he was dying to burst through the doors to claim what he had decided was his. 

“Was he nervous? Was he resistant? Did he ask many questions?” Taehyung volleyed, keeping his tone as gentle and calm as he possibly could.

It seemed to work; the attendants relaxed visibly and the head attendant shook her head, bowing again, “No. Well, at first he was visibly anxious. Understandably so; Lord Seokjin has been apprehensive over the past few days. It’ll take some time for him to relax and feel at ease in this palace so different from his home. Until we told him that it was you who had ordered this. He seemed,” she paused, searching for the words, “Eager and happy almost.”

“How do you know this?” Taehyung demanded, his heart beating quickly in his chest, not wanting to get his hopes up, wanting to be certain, extremely certain, that the lust and arousal he had detected in the omega’s scent had been real.

“He asked shyly if you would be here, if he would be able to meet you,” Adora said, no idiot clearly, and well aware of Taehyung’s intentions, “He seemed disappointed when we could not offer confirmation.”

Taehyung fell silent, as he weighed the small yet loaded exchange in his mind, before he quietly asked, “The Grand Chamberlain and the Council - they are out, yes?”

She nodded, “Yes, Your Highness. As scheduled; they have departed for the week to the retreat up in the Northern Glades.”

Satisfied, Taehyung gave them a short nod and drew back, giving orders, “I want only the attendants currently present to be allowed in this wing, my wing of the palace. No one is to enter; all supplies such as food will be delivered to the main entrance of the wing. Is that clear?”

There was an understanding that flashed in the head attendant’s eyes as she and her team murmured agreement. 

“Save Park Jimin,” Taehyung finished, speaking firmly, authoritatively, turning steely as he hinted at the consequences should his orders not be followed, “Call for him here as soon as he is available. I am appointing him as the personal attendant to the omega. If word gets out, and if I am disturbed by any of the Grand Chamberlain’s people or other courtiers, there will be blood. Am I clear?”

The attendants bowed and voiced their understanding, Adora shuddering and nodding at the threat. 

“Very well,” Taehyung said, relaxing a little, “Be at ease. I will not hurt the omega. Send word to Park Jimin. Prepare my chambers - make sure there are towels and sheets aplenty, and water and light refreshments on the breakfast table,” he paused, thinking of the omega, a small smile curling on his lips, “Prepare some light robes for the omega, and hang them in my cabinets. Enough to last the week.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” the head attendant’s loud affirmation could not hide some gasps from the attendants as they belatedly realised what the brazen Prince was about to do. Taehyung, however, enjoyed it and smiled at them, making a few blush at such a dashing display, and he nodded and disappeared through the doors of the baths. 

The Azure Baths were the finest in the palace; second to none, not even his brother’s personal baths, the Balnea of the Monarch. Ancestors thousands of years ago constructed the palace on these very mountains for the natural hot springs that flowed through it, at its source, reaping the medicinal and health benefits from the minerals occurring in the spring water. 

The Azure Baths were partly why Taehyung had chosen the West wing of the palace for his private chambers. The beautiful shades of blue and green painted on the walls and on the tiled floor were well-kept and reflected his own personal colour, of the scales he bore when he took the form of a Dragon. They were also calming, befitting of the waters that flowed through, Taehyung making sure that the wooden water tubs and furnishings were satisfactory, choosing to spend ample amount of time in the baths just soaking after a long day, and certainly most welcome after a hard trip patrolling the borders of the kingdom, or accompanying military sorties. 

At this very moment, Taehyung chose to focus on how the colours complemented the nymph standing in the largest pool in the centre. 

Beauty of the century, Jewel of the east; in his baths, here and now. 

It was surreal. 

Seokjin had been in the baths for a while, and so had probably shed his nervousness and unease. He was standing and not submerged, not hiding, unaware that the Prince had entered the private space. He was completely naked, the water coming up to the tops of his thighs, looking so firm and slender and creamy Taehyung licked his lips on instinct, narrowing his eyes as he stopped in his tracks to admire the omega.

So pretty and so precious; Taehyung had been stunned beyond belief when the veil had been lifted, impatient and tickled by the delicious scent that had he caught, and he was greeted with the most beautiful thing and person he had ever seen. He had traveled wide and far, to every corner of the kingdom and beyond, and had seen a great many people and items. Nothing came close to the fair, wide doe-eyed creature that had stepped out of the palanquin, looking as if he hadn’t travelled for a gruelling month. 

He was perfect in ever way, even more so when he lost his balance and stumbled. Taehyung could see the omega attempt to fall away from him, but his heart had stopped and he would be damned if Seokjin was to be injured in any way. 

Pulling him in close was the best thing he had done; automatically feeling the firm and soft flesh give under his hands and fingers, the sweet perfumed scent of the omega, both natural and applied, wafting to his nostrils, more than appealing to his interest, feeling the kick of arousal in his gut, but accompanying it something so much more primal, calling out to a part of him that had lain unfulfilled and unsatisfied. 

Wanting to make the omega his. 

No matter the cost. 

Even if the omega was not his tribute to take. 

Seokjin, still unaware of Taehyung’s presence, had begun humming a lilting tune, snapping Taehyung out of his daze, refocusing on the present. His mouth and throat went dry, hands twitched and body trembled as the omega lifted his delicate arms to push his hair back, demonstrating to the alpha his nubile body, the taut and supple figure, the tiniest and most petite of waists. He had to fight a groan when the omega turned ever so slightly, now revealing a partial profile. 

Pert pale pink nipples that tipped upwards, simply begging to be suckled and nibbled and worked into tight buds, looked like they were sensitive, making Taehyung’s mouth water and his hands itch with the need to fondle the omega’s ample chest, fantasising of how they would appear if bred and bellyful with alpha seed, swollen and engorged. 

Underneath his robe, his cock began to grow. 

Unable to hold back any longer, Taehyung spoke out, slow and deliberate.

“Are you enjoying my baths?”

He was aroused and endeared when the omega whirled around in shock, and squeaked, for a moment giving the alpha Dragon Prince a full view of his nudity, Taehyung’s eyes going straight to the clean seam of his sweet pussy made pink by the heat of the water before the precious thing sat back down into the waters with a splash, hiding his body and frozen in fear and surprise. 

Taehyung knew Seokjin was still uncertain, still adjusting to a place so unfamiliar, and worried about his fate. Bearing this in mind, Taehyung made his movements slow and as steady as possible, to ensure they did not come off threatening or menacing to the omega. Slipping the robes off his shoulders, he heard a light intake of breath, hiding his smirk, knowing the omega was drinking in the sight of his partially engorged cock, already sizeable even when flaccid. 

Then, penetrating the floral soap and scented oils, was the omega’s natural scent; unmistakably aroused. 

Confidence filled the young Prince. 

“Seokjin,” God, he loved saying that name, “Jinnie, you needn’t be afraid of me. Do you remember what I told you when you first arrived?” He asked softly, as he slowly made his way towards the middle of the pool, stepping in, until he was waist deep and the waters hid his arousal, the omega visibly relaxing but staying submerged, “Do you remember, sweetheart?”

The omega made a soft noise at the back of his throat, clearly embarrassed and pleased with the use of a term of endearment, shifting a little, waters rippling, raising his face so he could answer, “I do, Your Highness. You - you told me not to be scared. You told me - I would be protected,” he whispered. 

Taehyung nodded, halting a few feet away from the omega, spreading his arms above the water’s surface, “And I promised it. I never go back on my promise. With your consent, Jinnie, can I come closer? If you say the word, if it makes you uncomfortable, I will stop here. I will keep my distance,” he proclaimed. 

To his surprise, the omega answered immediately, shy but firm.

“I - I want you closer, Your Highness.”

“As you desire,” he murmured, closing the distance between them, coming so close he was almost skin-to-skin with the omega, stopping, and then gesturing towards a elevated portion of the baths, serving as a place to sit and relax, “Let us be seated here. Isn’t it more comfortable than standing the entire time in the baths?”

The omega gave a tiny nod and little by little began to shift such that he was seated on the ledge, moving closer by Taehyung’s side. The Dragon Prince smiled and relaxed, hoping that his scent would cue the omega into the fact that he was enjoying his company, and that he was no threat. 

At this proximity, Taehyung was reminded again just how beautiful and perfect Seokjin was, unable to help but marvel over how his skin was unblemished and porcelain-like when damp with water, practically begging for someone to reach out and touch it, smooth it over, worship it and search for the fragrant scent the omega emitted, in the crook of his neck where it was the strongest, reveal canines and clamp down that pristine neck and give it the only marks the omega would ever possess; mating marks. 

“I - I am enjoying your baths,” Seokjin suddenly spoke up, the omega remembering the unanswered question Taehyung posed to him a few moments ago, Taehyung blinking at that, realising he had been so enraptured by the omega before him he’d lapsed into silence, “I hope - I was instructed to come here… I hope I’m not bothering you, Your Royal Highness…”

Taehyung gave Seokjin a gentle smile, noticing him turn a shade redder.

“Of course. You were welcome here, and you’re always welcome to use my baths, my facilities, anything in my wing even if I’m not around. They’re yours as much as they’re mine. You don’t have to be scared,” Taehyung whispered, reaching out and wrapping his arm around the omega’s shoulder, pulling him in close, gratified and relieved when the omega snuggled in deeper as opposed to repelling his touch, able now to tease out the subtler notes of his aroused scent, giddy with the nuanced traces of roses that served as a drug, an aphrodisiac, his cock fully erect and pumped full of blood to full tumescence if it wasn’t already, throbbing and aching with need to be relieved, to be touched, to be buried deep inside the precious omega, “You’re precious to us. To me.” 

Big, soft brown eyes looked at him, searching his eyes, the direct contact, the direct gaze for the first time, stealing Taehyung’s breath away, making him flush, cock demanding to be pushed into the sweet, plush depths, balls heavy with seed unspent over the past few nights, saving his release for later, pouty lips parting, making the omega look almost petulant, “But… Your Highness, you don’t know me. I am - nobody.”

“You were brought here as a gift… as the Jewel of the East,” Taehyung omitted the part that included a gift for his older brother, the King away on a diplomatic mission for a few months, Taehyung silently counting his lucky stars that it was he who would have the first taste of the omega, “And… you are sad. Sad at being parted from your homeland, the people who love you. I … the circumstances are not ideal. Had I known about this arrangement earlier, I would’ve interfered and we would’ve had at least journeyed there to familiarise you with us, and sought your consent.”

There was surprise and alarm in the omega’s eyes, “Oh! Your Royal Highness! That’s not what I meant at all! No, we are grateful for the help that you have so kindly offered our village - and with practically nothing in return - “

“It’s not nothing,” Taehyung said firmly, not wishing to cut Seokjin off but at the same time not wanting the omega to deprecate himself, “You are a person, someone with ties to a place, to a people,” he skimmed the back of his free hand against the soft cheek, shuddering a little at the contact, desperate to possess the omega, to have the omega, to surround Seokjin in nothing but him, and his possessions, “And one so beautiful… I can imagine how bereft everyone must’ve felt to lose you… and though I have not spend much time with you, I can sense your humility, your sweetness. I would’ve fought to keep you, would’ve razed the ground for a precious thing like yourself… you must forgive me. But never have I ever been so stunned by such a face. Never has such a visage occupied my mind, and I find myself hoping every night that you would appear in my dreams so that I may gaze upon you at length.”

The sweet omega blushed deep, clearly pleased and embarrassed at being lavished with praise, “Oh… Your Highness… you’re much too kind. After all… you yourself are… are so much more handsome and beautiful… I…”

Taehyung swept in when the omega was getting tongue-tied and too shy to continue, laughing a little, “Little rose, my darling, you must not know your own beauty…. I must confess - the more I spend time with you, the more I bask in your presence, the more I wish to spend every second of my life showing you just how beautiful you are, explore each and every crevasse and part of your body to discover more beautiful things… for perfection never had a name until I came upon you…”

Words of seduction accompanied the finger that tentatively journeyed closer and closer to the seam of the omega’s pussy down in the water, testing the readiness and willingness of the omega. Taehyung couldn’t wait any longer, and all signs pointed to a positive reception, and the omega’s scent was heady around him, making him harder and hotter with each passing second as it intensified with all signals of arousal. He pressed down, managing to fight a moan at the feel of slippery, satiny soft and plush pussy lips, and the parting between them, touching the omega at such an intimate place.

The omega gasped and clung tighter to Taehyung, but he also flinched, cheeks and ears turning redder. 

He cooed affectionately, murmuring love words, and inquired, “Did I frighten you, my darling? Are you scared? Remember what I said earlier; you must be honest with me,” he squeezed Seokjin’s shoulders, and then let go, the omega blinking in surprise at the sudden release, Taehyung putting his hands up and above the water’s surface, “I need to know, sweet Jinnie, if you want me to touch you more, or if you want me to stop. If you are willing, I will take care of you. I promise you this. I will use every bit of power I have in me to protect you, and to bring you joy and pleasure, and devote every bit of my life to you,” he said, voice shaking at the truth to it all, “The last thing I wish to do is to hurt you.”

He was amused when the omega shook his head vehemently and made to come closer, splashing a little, but then halted, and his words were slow, as if worried that he was overstepping, “No, no I - I  was surprised but I - it felt - good,” he flushed a deeper red, Taehyung wondering, fascinated, just how red the omega could turn, “I - It feels like - I want more. If it’s - alright with you, Your Highness.”

“Then, are you alright if we adjourn to my chambers, Jin? There, I promise I will give you more, take care of you, and show you delights you can experience with me.”

Taehyung felt the palpable shiver that travelled throughout the omega’s body, and the answering involuntary roll of the omega’s hips against his finger, saw the trembling of those plush lips slightly ruddy with arousal, curiosity and lust in those innocent eyes as Seokjin nodded, shy and eager. 

He was, at last, triumphant. 

And it was time to savour his quarry. 

Though he had carried Seokjin the day the omega arrived, Taehyung still felt some surprise at the omega’s weight; lighter than what he had expected. With his frame and height, Taehyung had expected Seokjin to weigh much more, but he was slight and so much more slender than Taehyung himself. Tentative fingers curled around his neck, and the omega turned his face downwards, shy and embarrassed at his body completely revealed to the Prince’s eyes, no doubt. 

“Hold on tight, sweetheart,” Taehyung whispered, light and teasing, keeping his grip fastened on Seokjin’s body, “So I don’t drop you on the ground. I’ll have you safe in no time at all.”

Leaving the warm and steamy Azure Baths, Taehyung took the exit that led directly to his chambers, satisfied to see that Adora and the attendants under her had prepared everything he had asked for and more - and his cousin, Jimin, had utilised the time while he and the omega were bathing to find a delicate, pale pink collar made out of tensile silk, placed on a silver cased pillow by the side of the bed. 

He hid a smirk; it was to be a gift to the omega but also served as a warning to him from his cousin. 

Do not make the omega yours - yet. 

Brash and impulsive as he was, Taehyung knew that to claim the omega right away, mark him up might be detrimental to his plans. It might further confuse Seokjin, and push him away, plant the seeds of resentment within. No, Taehyung would not wish for the omega to loathe him. 

As quick as he was moving, Taehyung was careful and calculative. A trait many failed to see, and proved to be their undoing. 

He spread the omega down onto the bed as he had the day the omega arrived, wobbly kneed and weak, like a foal just born, Taehyung admiring now the spread of the omega’s body straight out of the baths; moist sheen all over pink skin, openly staring at his long, slender legs, mouth watering at the sight of the indent of his petite waist made more apparent with his wide, curvy hips, a veritable hourglass body with promising slope of shoulders demonstrating strength and tenacity. His body was as beautiful as his face, and Taehyung was more determined than ever to make Seokjin his. 

“Your Highness, I must beg for forgiveness,” the sweet voice whispered. 

“Whatever for?” Taehyung asked, his voice hoarse from arousal, frozen and locked into place, for if he moved he would swiftly fall upon the naked omega. 

The pretty, shy thing fluttered his eyelashes, looking away, demure and ever so sweet, the roaring Dragon within him desperate to devour the omega, thighs rubbing together in uncertainty, “I - I have heard vaguely of the act but I - I know not what to do,” dropping into a whisper and sounding slightly ashamed, “It - it is my first time, I’m afraid, Your Highness.”

“There is nothing to forgive, love,” Taehyung said, gently as he could, stroking his sweet, soft, rosy cheeks, shuddering at how endearing Seokjin was, wanting to lavish him and pamper him every second of every day of his life, “I will guide you, I will show you just how good your body can feel… I will look after you, my love. Do you trust me?”

Seokjin raised his eyes to him, still a little shy, but gave a firm, tiny nod, breath hitching a little at the feel of Taehyung’s heavy and hard cock brushing against his thigh. 

“It might hurt a bit… and it’s the last thing I want to do, but love, it will feel good,” Taehyung whispered, seeing the nervous flick of eyes down to his cock, pressing his lips reassuringly against Seokjin’s forehead, slowly beginning to enact his lovemaking skills, to cast a spell over the omega, bind his body to so much pleasure that the invasion would feel minimal, and his body would be as relaxed as possible when he would penetrate his pussy. 

He captured the sweet thing’s lips in his, slow at first, careful, testing the waters before the omega began to relax. Taehyung grew bolder, patient though his cock demanded to be encased in omega pussy at once, balls throbbing with the need to release, taking his time and seducing Seokjin with his lips and his tongue, hands coming up to play and fiddle with his chest once the omega was inebriated with lust and his scent was ripe and pungent with desire, eventually settling between those supple, creamy thighs and resting his cock against the seam of the now wet pussy, simulating what he would do, grinding against the sweet flesh. 

Taehyung was gratified when the omega began to grow more and more unhinged, responding to the motions of the Dragon Prince, hips moving on instinct and rubbing up and rolling against Taehyung, thighs parting, willing and opening up more for Taehyung, little wispy gasps and moans falling on his ears like the sweetest notes of Paradise.

His hand skimmed down slowly, moving between the omega’s thighs, and he dipped two fingertips gently past the seam, feeling the heat and the wet of dripping slick. 

“Oh!” 

The omega tensed and was skittish again at the touch, Taehyung noting that his cheeks had flooded with renewed colour, and he attempted to close his thighs and move away, hands coming up as if to cover his body. 

“Did I hurt you? Little rose?” Taehyung asked, keeping his voice calm, but concern still threading through, studying the omega’s face, “Why do you flinch?”

“No, no you didn’t hurt me,” Seokjin answered, cheeks flushed a bright crimson, stuttering slightly as he tried to explain his actions, “Sh - shameful… I’m wet. All wet down there…” he trailed off, turning away and shutting his eyes tight. 

Taehyung laughed a little, settling once again between the omega’s sweet thighs, pressing a kiss on a heated cheek, “Sweet little innocent love, it’s not shameful. It is the furthest thing from shameful. It is natural, love, a natural call and response to wanting to be loved, to be touched more… to show me that you want me,” his hand returned, stroking the sweet curve of the omega’s hips and waist, “Relax, little love, let me show you what it will help, how it will help.”

The thighs quivered but did not shut close, when his fingertips returned, Taehyung letting out a gratified groan at just how wet and hot and promising Seokjin’s pussy was, gently scooping out copious amounts of slick, sitting back on his heels, bereft of Seokjin’s body heat and feel of his skin, but shivered at the feel of the hot natural lubricant being spread over his engorged cock, throbbing and excited at the prospect of being engulfed in more wetness, pumping his cock up and down, slow and deliberate, giving Seokjin a show of his virility. 

The omega, shellshocked as he was at the action, had his hips rolling and undulating at the touch, a small, needy moan escaping those thick, sinful lips, his eyes fastened to Taehyung’s hands and his cock, body twitching slightly. 

“Don’t be scared love,’ he murmured, holding his cock at his base, coming close again, resting it on top of Seokjin’s pussy lips, eyes flaring slightly at how deep he would burrow himself into the omega if he went all the way, “I won’t make you take everything today; but eventually teach your body how to accept me, all of me. And I promise you I will show you Heaven, each and every single day as I am physically able to…”

Seokjin’s scent was arousal, tinged with excitement and slight fear, anticipation, and he ultimately held still, eyes half-lidded with lust as Taehyung lined up his cockhead with his pussy, and began rubbing, slipping past his folds but not quite penetrating the omega, focusing the friction and movement on the little nub that eventually had Seokjin moaning and writhing with pleasure, heavy breathing emanating from him, Taehyung encouraging the omega to hold onto his body, his arms, bending downwards to kiss him, continuously working Seokjin’s body. 

“Nnh - ! High - Highness!”

“Taehyung,” he corrected, his voice gruff and guttural, his fingers and hands relentless, drinking in greedily the sight of Seokjin on the cusp of his peak, the omega gasping and uninhibited, an angel of sin lying in his bed, in his sheets, beautiful and perfect as he threw his head back and his hips arched delicately, pussy swollen and pink as he climaxed wildly in Taehyung’s hands, slick pouring out moreso that before. Unable to help himself, Taehyung dipped down and lapped up some of the sweet nectar, shuddering as the taste was almost his undoing, making his cock drip pre-come in streams. 

No longer capable of waiting, Taehyung struck while the iron was hot, while the omega was limp and pliant and relaxed on his bed from his orgasm, kissing his body from head to toe, conditions perfect for him to enact their joining. 

He began to push. 

It took a while, Taehyung feeling the strain in his neck, the large, broad tip of his cock working its way through the tight, tight pussy of Seokjin’s, the omega moaning and gasping as Taehyung kept his thighs parted as far apart as they could spread, impressed by the omega’s flexibility, body moving with ease. By the time the head popped through, the omega was already trembling and shaking, whining and moaning, hips canting, Taehyung gritting his teeth and keeping up with the push, hips controlled and surging forward, slowly but surely going in deeper into the tightest, hottest, wettest most divine pussy he had ever known, eyes and ears peeled for any noise or sounds of discomfort. 

Taehyung hammered the best he could into Seokjin’s tight, virginal walls, stopping halfway each time, teeth and jaw tight and tense, sweat rolling down his forehead as the omega’s pussy milked his cock hard, strong muscles pulling at his cock, at once trying to suck him in, at once, trying to repel him, the omega himself moaning and squealing each time the tip hit him deep inside. He kept his eyes open, though all he wanted to do was to throw his head back in feral ecstasy, greedily watching the omega’s tight hole wrap around the middle of his cock, wondering giddily when Seokjin would be able to take him all the way to the hilt, take the knot, the bulge, encase his monster cock deep in his pussy, all snug and tight as he unloaded his come and bred the gorgeous omega. 

He felt faint almost, his balls tightening when the omega began to whine, the rising flush all over his delectable body turning deeper. 

Taehyung sensed it upon instinct, watching fascinated, as Seokjin whimpered and almost screamed his second orgasm, felt the hole flutter all around his cock, breath turning quicker, panting and heaving hard. Then, it gushed out of him, slick, hot and wet, coating his cock, the glide slippery and slicker as he relentlessly pumped inside the omega, who also squirted intermittently, the fluids staining his belly and his cock, his navel and thighs, Taehyung growling possessively and pleased, thumb coming to rub more of that sweet liquid out of his clit and pussy, gratified when the omega gave him more, his body seeming to turn into a vessel of pure lust and sexual sensation, collapsing onto his back, allowing the alpha, the Dragon, to take his body and use it as he saw fit. 

It was all too much, all too intense, and Taehyung threw his head back and let out a sound between a growl, a roar, and a moan, as his hips began to move uncontrollably, cock slipping in deeper just another inch, making his eyes fly open though he saw nothing. The sensation of tight, wet pussy all around him pulled out long ropes of come from his body, a prolonged, earth-shattering orgasm travelling all throughout his body, from the top of his head to the tips of his toes, he was barely aware of anything else - focused on the ecstasy sweeping and rushing within, only coming to a while after, finding he was still ejaculating deep inside the omega, pussy and thighs drenched in his come, Seokjin moaning and whining quietly, hips undulating in a poor attempt to keep the release inside, moving on instinct, the rolling indicating he was trying to find the alpha’s knot to plug himself up. 

A few more involuntary pumping of his hips and squirts and Taehyung was well and truly emptied of his seed, a little amazed at the amount he had given to Seokjin, pulling his cock out from the omega, still slightly erect and swollen, grinning a little when the omega immediately whined at the motion, bereft of cock. 

Short of knotting the omega, Taehyung reached out, chest still heaving and panting, and used his fingers to push the swollen and pretty pussy lips close, relishing the heat and pulsing, residues of the omega’s orgasm evident under his fingertips. As much as he enjoyed and revelled in the sight of the white, hot, thick come pour back out of the omega’s pussy to pool on the sheets below, there was a strong pull deep within, a primordial need to have Seokjin keep as much of his seed inside. And as the omega had been a virgin and had yet to be broken into taking the full length and width of his Dragon cock, much less knot, Taehyung needed to ensure his load would not go to waste. 

Though he was determined that this would not be the first and last time he would fuck the gorgeous omega. 

There were a thousand ways he could have the omega, make love to him, rough and gentle, fast and slow; he wanted to embed a part of himself deep inside the omega, wanted to have the omega carry a part of him, fuse their essence together. 

Seokjin was his. 

And no one could say otherwise. 

Taehyung collapsed next to the omega, finally releasing his hold on Seokjin’s pussy, knowing most of his come had been absorbed into his body, pulling him close by his sexy, curved hips. He pushed his nose into the omega’s neck, scenting Seokjin intimately, breathing the omega in deep, and gratified to find his scent still sweet and fragrant, furiously marking him up in turn, temporary as it was, it would have to suffice. It was dangerous; Taehyung felt drugged doing so, drunk and dazed on the omega’s sweet, alluring scent, so tempted to mark him up as his, made worse by Seokjin immediately snuggling into his embrace, finding solace in the sex and company of Taehyung. 

But it had to wait; taking the omega’s virginity, taking Seokjin’s first time was enough of a milestone for the night. 

He would keep the omega here, in his chambers and his wing, make constant love to him, and then claim him, Taehyung plotted, stroking back thick dark locks of hair away from Seokjin’s face, watching as the sweet creature slowly came to, opened his lovely doe eyes, filled with wonderment and curiosity at what had just transpired. 

Filled with trust and affection for him. 

For awakening his body, to the wonders of lust and sex and pleasure and play. 

There was no need for an exchange of words - for the two understood a simple kiss spoke a thousand - souls and hearts connecting in that moment. 

*

“I miss him, Jimin. Is that foolish of me? Is it - is it spoiled of me to say so? I’m sorry if it’s coming off as indulgent, or self-absorbed.”

Jimin paused from where he was focused on massaging Seokjin’s swollen foot, and looked up at the beautiful, resplendent, heavily pregnant omega reclining like some sort of living Renaissance painting on a large, white chaise, somehow managing to look virginal even when clearly not. He seemed forlorn, a little sad, but mostly guilty, his wide doe eyes seeking feedback from Jimin’s, searching his face for answers, fingers fiddling with the long hem of his sleeve. 

There was no malice in his envy for the omega that hailed from the faraway Eastern steppes of their kingdom - Jimin knew better than to pit himself against the ‘beauty of the Century’ that no one else could hold a candle to, but wished that in pregnancy he could at least have a semblance of elegance and grace that came so naturally to the omega his cousin was so besotted with. 

His lips curled up slightly as he remembered Hoseok’s words, whispered every single day, reassurances that Jimin was perfect in each and every way, appalled when he had burst into tears over his weight gain and perceived loss of his figure, never wavering in his mission to make Jimin feel good about himself, genuine in his statements and compliments. Going so far as to attempt to request for Jimin to be transferred from his position as Seokjin’s attendant and omega-in-waiting, with Jimin hastily stamping out the effort and assuring his alpha that Seokjin was not the problem in the slightest, and he was happy to be Seokjin’s companion, a bright spot in his days. 

In fact, the most beautiful omega of the century harboured plenty of uncertainties and insecurities, and was just as fervent as Hoseok in praising Jimin, able to see so much in others, so pure and sweet that Jimin was able to see, very quickly, why his cousin had fallen head-over-heels in lust and love for the heavenly creature before him. 

“No; it is not foolish nor spoiled. You rarely make demands. You yield and acquiesce and adapted so well to court life, you know better than to demean yourself,” Jimin said with an amused smile, returning to the gentle massage, deft fingers pressing in spots he knew would reduce the swelling and make the fellow omega feel good, “I understand how it must be for you to be kept apart from Taehyung, but, courtiers are worried about the babes, rightly so, especially after the last time…”

Seokjin flushed a pretty rosy pink at that, hands coming to rest on his large belly, “Oh… well… oh but Taehyung had been away as well, that last week and… we were carried away just that one time,” he defended weakly, “We couldn’t believe when my water broke right after… and besides, Taeyongie was due already…”

Jimin sighed, finishing with one foot and moving onto the other, a light breeze entering the pleasant open-air enclave that matched the romantic love Seokjin and Taehyung shared, embellished with falling vines and chaises and pillows and dreamy pinks and whites with a view of the low-rolling clouds over the distant mountains, “Hence why courtiers are so antsy about the babies,” his voice turned gentler, “Especially now that it’s confirmed that you’re carrying two, and you’re due any day now, according to the doctors. Everyone is happy to see Taeyong’s delivery was smooth and safe, but everyone’s worried it might’ve been sheer chance. And we all know that despite our cousin’s best and valiant efforts, he just can’t help himself when he’s around you, you know that, Jinnie. You’re much too beautiful and delectable for him not to take a bite or sampling of you. Your first meeting ought to have told you that,” he said meaningfully, pushing his thumbs into the heel of the omega.

Seokjin made a noise, half-embarrassed, half-enjoying the massage, back arching a little, Jimin feeling a little pinch of schadenfreude, that he was able to lay eyes on the omega being so unwittingly sensual, while his cousin could not. 

“I understand all that, and I agree wholeheartedly,” Seokjin said, earnest and sweet, sighing a little, “I just - I just miss him, Jimin. That’s all. The nights… I’m used to spending with him. Being alone… it reminds me of the first few days I was brought to the palace, all alone in a strange place. Without realising it, I search for him in my dreams, I reach out for him…”

“As do I, my sweet love, as do I.”

Jimin shot up and straightened, twisting around to see the subject of their discussion push aside the layers of silken curtains, dressed in a casual, unbuttoned linen robe and loose trousers, in the alpha’s arms, their firstborn, baby Taeyong, a veritable doppelgänger of Taehyung, almost nothing of Seokjin in the child. 

The boy had created a stir of excitement and happiness amongst the courtiers and the Council; glad and delighted a male child had been born, healthy and robust and full of vitality. 

Jimin sensed the excitement in Seokjin, the omega sitting up from where he had been reclining, a little gasp escaping him, “Taehyung - ! It’s - if the Grand Chamberlain catches wind of you here…”

“He will not, I have spoken to Adora. And it is Jimin here with you, who I trust will keep silent about this visit,” Taehyung said with confidence, moving smoothly across the enclave, “I was with Taeyong when he began to cry for you.”

Seokjin’s features were immediately soft and paternal, bringing the baby boy who began fussing close to his body, “Oh, my baby boy, you were looking for papa? Papa’s here little darling, papa’s right here, hush now,” he murmured words of love, immediately loosening the layers of his dress to reveal his swollen chest, Taeyong immediately latching onto the nipple, while Seokjin encouraged him, stroking his small head lovingly. 

Jimin had seen Seokjin completely naked, had seen him bathe in the milk and salt Venusian pools constructed for his personal use, seen him rumpled and tired and sweaty after birthing Taeyong, and had certainly on more than one occasion seen Seokjin nurse the little baby boy. 

He was sure all would agree that seeing an adult nurse from Seokjin was a whole other thing completely. 

Jimin didn’t know what to make of it, but saw the flash of desire and need in his cousin’s Dragon eyes, saw how the yearning won out and saw the moment his cousin caved, sank to his knees and leaned in close to Seokjin’s neck and clavicle, a large possessive hand coming to rest on the pregnant belly, close to his hip and pelvis, lips landing on a swollen mound and an engorged nipple, latching on hungrily to suckle. 

He could scent that Seokjin was shocked, embarrassed and aroused, the omega letting out a gasp, high-pitched and breathy, betraying the enjoyment of Taehyung working his nipple, while their first-born greedily fed from the other. Jimin wondered, with some initial detachment, whether or not the tradition of keeping the alpha away from his omega in the last two months of pregnancy was a bad idea. Long denied of touching and being in close proximity with his omega, and so used to daily sex, (though to be fair when Jimin last calculated it had been but a week) Taehyung was clearly more readily giving into his impulses. 

Alarm bells began ringing when Taehyung’s hand drifted down and skimmed below the belly, over the omega’s pussy, rising up to meet the palm, and Seokjin was unable to stifle a cry of desire and pleasure, the burst in fragrance of roses permeating the air and injecting the atmosphere with a pheromone-filled aphrodisiac. 

“Taehyung, enough,” Jimin said sharply, rising from where he sat, hands on his hips, ready to pull away the alpha if he had to, “As much as I understand your desire, I myself don’t wish to witness the two of you joined in passion. And I cannot promise silence if complications arise.”

Taehyung slowly lifted his head from Seokjin’s chest; his eyes glittered, the green irises ever more vibrant with lust, tongue running over his lips to taste the residues of Seokjin on them. When he stood slowly, Jimin could see the obvious bulge between his legs, thrusting against the loose fabric doing nothing to hide the outline of what those of Dragon lineage were so famous for, what proved to be both a blessing but also a cruse. 

“My omega is mine for the taking,” his proud, aroused cousin declared, “And I, as his alpha, his mate, would like to think that it is I who knows best when my omega is in pain. I would never seek to hurt him, and would stop the moment he requests or otherwise. I also bring our firstborn here - is it a sin to reunite child with parent? I have come here also to inform my omega of a decision the Council has come to.”

Jimin kept silent, holding his tongue, though he knew Taehyung ought to have been at meetings, or busy with paperwork, or other royal duties, and had most certainly gone out of his way to procure his son from the nursery and plucked him from the nursemaid as an excuse to see Seokjin. 

“Darling love,” Seokjin intervened, naturally, sweet in order to mollify his mate and to soothe the slight tension between the two cousins as a result of Taehyung’s visit, an elegant hand resting on Taehyung’s forearm, the attentive alpha turning his attention back to his loved one, “What decision? What is it that the Council has discussed which you wish to tell me so urgently?”

The Dragon Prince lowered himself down to his knees, coming face-to-face with Seokjin, who shifted a little where he lay, cuddling his firstborn still suckling with a healthy appetite. 

“The tradition,” Taehyung said slowly, holding Seokjin’s hand as if the omega would flee upon hearing the next words, “Tradition of the omega bearing one babe with the brother they were meant for. Penance for my insubordination.”

Jimin looked at Seokjin’s face carefully, sensing the confusion arising from the omega, sighing inwardly. Finally, the time had come - he had wondered how long the Council would remain quiet on the matter, the blatant and obvious breach of protocol. Centuries or millennia ago, Taehyung would’ve likely been executed for committing treason. Perhaps even now; if the King wasn’t the benevolent man who was more pre-occupied with improving the standard of living for his people than his personal affairs. And Taehyung was also lucky that due to the long decline of pure Dragon beings, executing one would’ve been a great waste of the bloodline. 

Ergo the tradition that had been introduced to soften the punishment, but at the same time, ensure that there was punishment nonetheless.

Jimin wondered if it would upset Seokjin greatly. 

“… Meant for?” Seokjin asked, looking ever more innocent and lovely in his confusion, that even Jimin felt a pang of admiration and marvel for the beauty sprawled on the chaise, a moment of understanding how and why Taehyung had bred his omega so fast and so often, “Forgive me, my darling, but I do not understand. Was I - Was I meant for another? I’d thought - it was you I was to be tribute for.”

“No, my love. I stole you,” Taehyung said bluntly, Jimin seeing the omega’s eyes widen at that, “Knowing I was going to commit a crime, do something bad, I did it anyway. I just… fell in love with you upon first sight. My role was simply to greet you formally as a brother, as the highest in the hierarchy of this palace, of our family. But I selfishly took you for my own… when you were meant for my older brother, who is now ready to return to the palace and whom I must face and inform of my wrongdoing.”

Seokjin absorbed the information, silent for a long time, adjusting Taeyong on his chest, the infant smacking his lips in satisfaction, burping an adorable burp before quickly settling into slumber, no doubt all because he was in the arms of his omega parent, secure and comfortable.

“Your brother…”

“Namjoon. The King.”

Jimin opted to stay silent the entire time, hoping his presence had melted away, watching the quiet exchange of looks between the illegal couple. There had been a hidden but furious uproar by the Grand Chamberlain and his faction when they had returned back to the palace from their retreat only to find that the young Dragon Prince had already marked and mated the delectable omega, taken his virginity and likely already bred his fertile body, ears and faces turning red when regaled of the number of days and nights the young Dragon Prince spent making love to the exotic tribute. 

There was nothing anyone could do; and so grudgingly a small and private wedding ceremony had taken place, the tradition of witnessing the first marking and full consummation still carried out though Taehyung had already marked up Seokjin and the omega had proven more than capable of taking his cock and seed. Seokjin had been kept in the sanctuary of Taehyung’s wing and his loyal followers and servants - and therefore immune and ignorant to all the palace politics that had run rampant from the lowliest servant to the upper echelons of aristocracy that Jimin occupied. They had all done their best to tamp out the flames of gossip and spread of untruths, Jimin knowing the close and good relationship with the brothers was the most important thing that needed to be protected. 

“I… I do not want to stir discord between my brother and myself. You have met Namjoon; he is kind and considerate,” Taehyung’s lips twisted a little, “Perhaps too kind. He has forgiven me of my transgression in taking you for myself but… instead of angering the courtiers… and allowing them to plant the seeds of discord between us - we have discussed this extensively. We… have agreed to let him handle your next heat when it arrives. Of course, after you have birthed our second child. Well, our second and third children.” 

Jimin felt a little nervous, watching Seokjin carefully. Gone was the perplexed look on his face as he listened to what Taehyung had said, and the consequences of their union sank in. 

How would the omega feel? 

“I… but… I do not wish to cheat on you,” Seokjin said slowly, his brows slightly knitted, looking up at Taehyung, “If sleeping with another, even if it is the King who wishes it, upsets you, and hurts you - I will - I will turn this down. Even if it means losing my own life.” 

Jimin saw the way Taehyung trembled at the thought of losing his omega, and saw the grateful expression on his cousin’s face. 

“My little lovely darling, my precious rose,” Taehyung said huskily, tracing a finger on the omega’s pouty bottom lip, “My sweet treasure, know that I would never begrudge you if you agreed. And I would not hate you if you did not accept. It is only a request, only a suggestion, my little love. And I am sorry that it has fallen on you. You who did not sin, you who had no idea that you were promised to my brother, not me.”

“And I want to make you happy,” Seokjin said, sounding eager to please Taehyung, Jimin noting that the omega’s blunt treatise and slightly plaintive tone pleased Taehyung indeed, “Anything you wish of me as long as it doesn’t make you sad, or upset. I would never wish anguish or agony upon you; never.”

Taehyung’s face and hands were gentle, his voice sincere, as he stroked Seokjin’s locks back from his face, eyes flitting and resting on Seokjin’s belly, both hands coming to cup it gently, “Then you will be my brother’s good hands. He is gentle, he is loving, and he would not hurt you. You will conceive with him a child, and you will return to me. I will be there for you, Jin, at all hours of the day, and support you even as you carry my nephew, his babe. Upon my honour, I promise you this, my love.” 

“Taehyung… know that I love you,” Seokjin sounded breathless as Taehyung began to embrace him, scenting him fiercely, holding the omega tight, kissing Taeyong and Seokjin on their cheeks, raining love upon his family, “Taehyung, I love you. I love you so much.”

Seokjin held on tightly to Taeyong, Jimin sighing inwardly as Taehyung geared up to begin loving his omega, initiating the beginnings of lovemaking, his thumbs rubbing and skimming the omega’s nipples, moving to kneel upon the chaise, poised over the omega’s body, the two of them practiced in the art of having sex even with the baby in Seokjin’s arms. 

“No rough sex,” Jimin’s voice pierced the fog of lust, firm and authoritative that commanded even Taehyung’s attention, his cousin looking up at Jimin, momentarily tearing his eyes away from Seokjin, speaking bluntly, “I would prefer you not engage in penetrative sex at all, but I do know that’s beyond you, so please be gentle cousin. He’s ready to pop any moment.”

He stepped towards them, trying to ignore the thick fog of lust and heady desire that enshrouded the couple, and relieved Seokjin of Taeyong, the baby fussing slightly as he left the arms of his father, but calming down when Jimin murmured a few comforting words, and cuddled Taeyong closer, confident in his hold. 

The two lovers immediately clasped one another, Seokjin opening his eyes briefly, and thanking Jimin quietly, before he was lost in Taehyung’s kisses, the alpha himself long gone in the scent of his mate, too greedy, too needy to bid his cousin farewell. 

Sighing, Jimin turned to leave, hearing the rustle of clothes being shed, the lovers’ names being murmured, soft sighs and moans, until he could not hear anything any longer, finding himself in the company of Adora and other attendants, exchanging knowing glances with them. 

“Leave the royal couple a while,” he said with meaning, and they bowed and quietly murmured acquiescence, “I will return Taeyong to the nursery and the nursemaid.”

He supposed he would put up with their antics, Jimin thought, relenting a little, as they were filled with love and would ring in happier days in the palace, especially with more pups on the way - the laughter of children and sounds of running footsteps would most certainly brighten even the dourest guard and courtier, and Jimin would lavish love on them, love them as his own, and welcome as he helped raise them alongside any children he would have himself in the future. 

*

The sight quite literally stole Namjoon’s breath away. 

He’d insisted that it wasn’t necessary; tried to dismiss the persistence of the Grand Chamberlain, advisors, court officials, and was shocked to find that even Taehyung was adamant that this was the right thing to do. Taehyung, whom Namjoon hadn’t put down as a stickler to tradition. 

And Taehyung who’d already had four children of his own with the omega put up on offer.

Namjoon felt bad that guilt had been eating away at his younger brother, that the omega brought over here from the faraway steppes and mountains, the famed ‘most beautiful omega of the century’ meant to be his mate had been seduced and mated by Taehyung instead, unable to resist the soft and gentle beauty of Seokjin. Taehyung had had many dalliances, which was why Namjoon knew he saw true love in Taehyung’s actions and words when it came to the ethereal creature now living in the palace. 

He marvelled at how a once flighty and whimsical younger brother of his could harbour such strong sentiments towards someone, unwavering over the past few years, still going strong even after the omega birthed their fourth babe. In fact, it seemed the more the omega was bred, the more possessive and more in love the young alpha Prince grew, proud of his burgeoning family, a dedicated father and an even more dedicated mate, pouring all his energies into caring for his family. 

It was a positive change, in that aspect. Not only in the personal satisfaction of seeing Taehyung find his fated one and settle down finally, but also in the production of children. Perhaps that was why scandalous though the stealing away of a mate for the King was, the courtiers put up with it. The efforts of Choi Hyosang and Jung Hoseok had come into fruition, and their estimate premised on long-conducted research that the beautiful Jewel of the East carried traces of a bloodline able to bear the children of Dragons proved accurate. Too long now since the halls had been graced by more than one or two offspring, as their royal bloodline began to dwindle. A healthy omega able to copulate with a Dragon, and carry his children to term with no problem alleviated the stress and pressure felt throughout the court for over centuries now. 

But still, Taehyung had to pay penance, they had argued, right what was wrong, especially if the young Dragon Prince insisted on keeping the omega for himself, as his mate. The brothers must adhere to tradition, the Grand Chamberlain had chided, with emphatic agreement from the High Council, to ensure that this wrongdoing was firmly put behind them, and to ensure no bad blood was formed, especially now with the future and kingdom secured by Taehyung’s bountiful seed. 

Taehyung had agreed; on a personal level he believed it was the only right thing to do by his older brother. 

Often scolded for being soft-hearted and much too compassionate by his peers, ironically, those were the two traits that led him to grudgingly agree to this arrangement, signing the contract which was whisked away and used as mandate to kick-off preparations in the mating chambers for the ruler of their nation. Namjoon was only glad and relieved that he had yet to mate with another; thus lessening any complications or jealousy with a chosen consort. 

He now stared at the figure in bed, dressed in virginal white robes, made to depict innocence (even though the omega had already made love with Taehyung countless times as evident by the four offspring between them - the fourth made promptly after the twins were born which angered the Grand Chamberlain as it delayed Namjoon’s right to breed Seokjin), but also to tempt and tantalise, the slits on the dress allowing for the soft, fluid material to part at his hips and spill down his thighs, revealing long legs and bare feet, done up in delicate, thin gold chains at the ankles. 

Namjoon took a deep breath and slowly began to pull apart the chiffon curtains let loose and draped around the circumference of the massive round bed, mouth turning dry not only at the sheer beauty of the omega, but also at the scent of the omega in pre-heat, something he’d never smelled before ever in his life, and he had to take a step back at the primal reaction in elicited from within. 

Taehyung had given him assurances prior to the ritual; telling him that Seokjin was sweet, that the omega would yield and submit if that was what Namjoon liked, and that he knew Namjoon with all his gentility and consideration would take care of Seokjin. 

That Namjoon could thrust fully and completely inside the omega, and Seokjin would be able to easily take his cock, everything, and the ensuing knot. 

That Seokjin’s body was fertile and receptive, and that a baby would most certainly be made by their union with Seokjin in heat. 

That they would be able to tell within a week or so, if the omega had conceived. 

The entire purpose of this arrangement. 

He sat down slowly, immediately picking up on the nervousness of the pretty, sweet darling with whom he had only exchanged niceties prior to this, catching only glimpses of his paternal affection in looking after the small brood he had produced over a short period of time, snatches of interactions given most of his days were spent in other provinces and regions of his kingdom, trying to right some of the damages made in the wake of his late father’s rule. 

“Are you scared?” Namjoon asked softly, taking in the soft roundness of the omega, drinking in the beautiful visage he presented, all rosy and fair pinks with wide doe eyes and soft full lips, so innocent, so pure, Namjoon couldn’t fathom him as a sexual creature able to fulfil Taehyung’s rampant lust and appetite for sex, “We don’t have to do this. You only have to say the word. But Taehyung said you agreed - is he right?”

“Only - only if it won’t stir discord between the two of you,” the omega whispered nervously, big eyes flitting back and forth, fingers playing with a necklace Namjoon knew was a gift from Taehyung, drawing his eyes inadvertently to the outline and swell pale pink of his nipples visible through the mating dress, only serving to make his cock swell harder, larger, “I do not wish to render the ties of two brothers apart. I - I do not wish to anger Tae - His Highness, and Your Majesty.”

“No, no I - “ Namjoon felt tongue-tied and scatterbrained before so much beauty, never thinking Seokjin would also be so pleasant, humble, and sweet in personality, finding out quickly why his brother had been charmed by the omega. He tried his best to clear his mind, scolding himself internally - a monarch capable of addressing hundreds and thousands, with millions that he reigned over, forging forth with development and advanced techniques to improve lives across regions; yet he was cowed by an omega! 

The omega smiled softly at Namjoon’s stuttering and silence, his cheek turning away slightly, pink and sweet, a slight swell to show amusement but not too much that it was rude. 

Ah, his heart was much too soft, and the omega was much too endearing. 

“There is no discord between us,” Namjoon began slowly, recalling his old lessons in diction and speech and elocution as a young boy, “We are amiable and amicable; only we agreed to enact this as it will silence the tongues of the courtiers, and that it would serve for others to attempt to use this and drive it as a political wedge between us, or claim it as motive against my young brother - all of which we do not wish for. I am only sorry that you have been involved and…” he gave the omega a wry smile, “Caught in the middle of political games. I wonder if you truly understand how treacherous palace politics can be, even here.”

He couldn’t help but brush the backs of his knuckles against Seokjin’s face, heart quickening when the omega leaned into the touch, eyes fluttering close like sweet beating of butterfly’s wings. 

Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. 

“I am not exposed much to it, as His Royal Highness keeps me sheltered but… I do hear whispers and see the shadows of what might be reality,” the omega replied, surprising Namjoon with his eloquent and diplomatic answer, “I will play my role, and though I hold my tongue, I continue to observe quietly, Your Majesty. But know that it is an honour to serve you, and to protect you and your brother and all that is dear. I swear my life upon it.”

“Be done with the title,” Namjoon whispered, mouth growing dry at just how much he needed to make love to the omega this very moment, “And call me Namjoon. I imagine you and Taehyung dispensed with titles long ago - am I correct?”

“Yes,” the omega paused, as if to omit the title, but stayed quiet, as if not comfortable with his name, shifting a little, Namjoon catching a whiff of his scent, powerful and heady, as expected from an omega in pre-heat, “Will you not help relieve me?” He gestured towards the precious mounds on his chest, the pink and engorged nipples that peeked through the thin chemise, “They are sore and full.”

“With your consent, I shall begin.”

“I consent.”

Namjoon gave a quick, awkward nod, and the omega fell back as his hands fumbled a little clumsily with his top, pulled away with a few rips and tears due to its delicate nature, revealing pure pristine alabaster skin, dewy and satiny under his fingertips, nipples larger than Namjoon had imagined, the sight of the omega topless immediately making his cock throb and swell more. 

He was shocked when milk immediately leaked as he attempted to massage the soft mounds into hardened peaks, hearing the omega’s soft giggle at his reaction.

And then even more shocked when a hand came to gently guide his head to lower it down to the omega’s chest. 

The resistance must have given him away, when Seokjin spoke, voice coaxing and sweet, “It’s alright; Taehyung always takes from me as well, nightly, along with the boys. There’s plenty to go around, especially now in pre-heat, and with the babies being nursed by the wet nurse in my absence. They will hurt if not suckled from daily.”

Namjoon forced himself to relax, tried not to lose a hold of his control, inner beast, inner Dragon threatening to arise and to ravage the delectable creature lying before him, and he opened his mouth, and took the tip in, latching on and pulling gently, milk spilling into his mouth immediately.

The taste was sweet and addictive, rich and filled with the delicious flavours of Seokjin, like his scent, except intensified. All at once, Namjoon felt comforted and aroused, giddy with ecstasy and delight the taste of milk on his tongue wrought. Eagerness and greed overcame caution and hesitance, and Namjoon began to work the nipple, another hand coming up to cup the other soft mound, licking and mouthing, tugging and suckling with hunger, fingers squeezing and kneading more of the sweet liquid out, arousal building quickly in his gut, and his cock hardening, throbbing, staining his trousers with his own pre-release.

It seemed the omega enjoyed it as well; once the intensity of his reaction to the milk abated, Namjoon realised Seokjin’s hips were rising and falling under his body, and he felt the damp and the heat of Seokjin’s pussy against his midriff, smelled the thick, lusty scent of an omega ripe and begging to be fucked and bred. 

Namjoon blinked against the haze of lust, pulling back a little and staring down at the wanton sight, milk stains of the omega’s chest, the pale pink buds now deep rose-pink tips that still tempted him for another suckle, another pinch, so lascivious the sight of his matching, glistening full lips. No doubt the omega’s pussy would be equally beautiful. 

Without saying anything, the omega lifted his hips, and Namjoon took the cue to begin undressing the omega. Though the sheer white fabric had covered nothing, he found his hands shaking with excitement as he disrobed Seokjin, and more nude skin slipped into sight, Namjoon finding that even the finest silk and satins could not compare to the warm and smooth texture of the omega’s skin, as if made from the finest celestial powders turned into fabric and weaved together seamlessly over flesh. 

All the cloth finally fell to the side, the weights of the gold chains anchoring them to the bed, and Seokjin was fully naked, the omega’s chest heaving, knees pulled up, and then parting, inviting Namjoon to look between his thighs, a hand coming to gently part his lips, revealing a beautiful, petaled rose.

All for his taking. 

The sight of the pussy hole was more than enough to make Namjoon want to shove the entirety of his cock deep inside, until he was balls deep, such a rare occurrence for sex given the sheer size of their appendages with Dragon blood running through their veins. 

And yet, his considerate nature overruled the feral lust running through his veins, as the more he stared, the more unconvinced he was that the slender omega could take it all. His hole was so small and tight, nothing looked out of the ordinary from past omegas he’d had before. It was getting harder to reconcile the fact that Seokjin had birthed Taehyung’s dragon offspring, all his nephews, and much less the fact that, as Taehyung claimed, the omega was able to accommodate the entirety of Taehyung’s Dragon cock, and even enjoyed the monstrous size of it, enjoyed the penetration. Though, Taehyung had confided with a little gleam in his eyes, the omega’s throat was small, and though he couldn’t take the entire thing, Taehyung said with some pride that he’d trained Seokjin to be able to swallow the bulk of his cock, and throat-fucking the omega was as enjoyable as making love normally. 

He moaned quietly, and then gasped, when a slim hand gently wrapped around his cock, met with beautiful wide concerned eyes. 

“Is something wrong, Namjoon?”

He felt himself blush to the roots of his hair, even though he had been the one to tell Seokjin to call him by his name, his heartbeat quickening, realising belatedly that thanks to his recollection of Taehyung’s words, his cock that had been hovering had leaked a load of pre-come that collected on the concave midriff of the omega’s satiny skin. 

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Namjoon whispered brokenly, wondering how he looked and sounded, the state of his cock so at odds with his words, his raging hard boner painful in how it throbbed and begged to be inserted into the omega, his brother’s omega mate, “I could never dream of hurting you.”

He sucked in a sharp breath, groaning when another slender hand wrapped around his cock, shifting, adjusting such that his blunt and broad tip was now pressing against his seam, pushing slightly past the heated lips, Namjoon unable to pull away, his treacherous cock leaking thick streams of pre-come, which the omega began to use as lubrication along with his slick, moving his heavy head up and down, smearing it all over. 

“You won’t ever hurt me, Namjoon,” the sweet, earnest whisper sounded out, curling into his ears like the song of a summer’s day, so comforting, so nostalgic, “You must take me - and take me without regrets. With no second thoughts. I trust you, and I only wish to bring pleasure to you. You, who have treated me with much kindness, and so much compassion.”

Namjoon could no longer fight it, pitching forward a little as the omega began to guide the large bulbous tip into his hole, watching with disbelieving eyes as it began to be breached, Seokjin’s body tensing as his pussy began to stretch apart to engulf the cock head, wet, hot slick helping lubricate the thrust, everything proceeding smoothly given the omega’s willingness, the extent of his arousal. 

Wanting Namjoon. 

He heard the omega’s breath catch at the twitching of his cock, certain to feel every movement, Namjoon feeling the veins on his neck throb as he strained and struggled not to fall into instinct and snap his hips forwards, realising it was turning him on even more, realising he was enjoying the sight of his exceedingly large cock make its way inside the tight tunnel, disappearing inch by inch. 

His eyes flicked upwards and he nearly came from seeing Seokjin look absolutely exquisite in his concentration; eyes half-lidded and slightly unfocused though constantly pulling the cock deep into his body, hips rolling at a gentle and consistent pace, his breathing growing shallower and shallower, the bloom across his cheeks slightly deeper, nipples leaking a trail of milk down his chest, little moans escaping as he approached Namjoon’s girthier base, pussy swallowing the cock whole and working his way to the hilt. 

It was pure majesty when the deed was done, and he was fully embedded inside Seokjin, hands falling away now that there was no more cock to wrap around, while his own now rested on Seokjin’s flared hips, gripping them hard. 

Namjoon shut his eyes, unable to fight the satisfied groan that left his throat, feeling them roll back to his head at the sheer pleasure being wrapped around his large cock at this very moment. The omega had taken Taehyung’s cock thousands of times, if not millions, and had birthed four offspring from Taehyung’s seed, and yet it still came as a shock that Seokjin’s pussy was able to wrap around his monstrous cock, able to take him from tip to base, and feel so goddamned tight and snug at the same tight, strong, wet and hot muscles squeezing him, trying to milk him of his seed, giving him sheer ecstasy, nothing like his trysts before where he had only been able to thrust halfway without hurting his partner. 

He shuddered all over, practically vibrating, when the fleeting thought of the omega being plugged up with his knot crossed his mind, and his throat ran dry, though he tasted lust and the omega at the back of his mouth, every pore and nerve-ending filled with Seokjin. 

Namjoon opened his eyes. He had never begrudged his brother for claiming the omega bequeathed to him for his own. But even if he had, Namjoon knew that he wouldn’t have blamed him now. 

As demeaning as the thought might’ve been, Seokjin was much too delectable to have been left alone for three years. 

He understood, fully now, why Taehyung had mated and bred Seokjin so quickly, with so many. 

Jewel of the East. 

All his muscles tautened, every part of him focused on not ejaculating prematurely as he began to push his hips forwards, unblinking, unbelieving as the omega’s tight, tiny pussy swallowed up the large appendage, the abnormally large cock which Taehyung had enjoyed flaunting, which he had privately lamented. But now, all hang-ups and complexes about his size vanished and flew out of the window, as Seokjin moaned and bore down on the bed, not in pain but in pure pleasure, taking every inch, pussy never drying up, retaining its tight, hot wetness that made Namjoon just want to fuck inside with reckless abandon. 

He understood now, why Taehyung could not keep away from the omega, that his younger brother had been wrongly marked as ‘sexually deviant’ for fucking his omega every single night, and every single day. 

Namjoon froze when Seokjin let out a small, mewling cry, and a rosy flush blossomed all over his chest, nipples spurting out some milk, his hips tilting upwards and his thighs quivering, feeling the rush of thick liquid flooding his cock, and seeing his pussy squirt messily, obscenely, the most sinful and beautiful sight Namjoon had ever witnessed.

The omega had just had an orgasm. 

With just one thrust of his cock. 

A slow, thrust to the hilt. 

Weeping, shivering, a rosy blush sweeping over his body and trembling lips - the omega was uninhibited in demonstrating the extent of pleasure the large cock had given him. Seeing Seokjin in throes of ecstasy only encouraged Namjoon to want to lavish him in more, want to do good by the omega, and giddily, he commiserated with his brother, and knew why the fellow Dragon was so chained to the omega, day after day, expending great effort to please him, to earn a smile, a kiss, a loving caress.

And so he thrust and pumped, each glide of his cock in and out of the tight pussy glorious and gratifying after years of never having the experience of full-bodied thrusts, Namjoon growing more and more excited, feeling the adrenaline and lust pump strongly through his veins. He was growing addicted to the hypnotic and satisfying sight of the pussy hole stretch wide open for the girth of his cock, and watching it disappear within its snug confines, his hand coming to part the sweet lips and fiddle with the bundle of nerves nestled there, engorged and swollen, omega crying out again as he squirted all over the King’s fingers. 

He wasn’t able to last too long; the way the omega writhed and moved in tandem with him, held onto him and began to scent his neck, making him lose all control. For a few seconds Namjoon gave into sheer instinct and pounded away inside Seokjin, releasing his seed with a tortured groan, gasping a little as his release was taken from him like never before, pouring out of his cock and filling the warm womb, feeling as if it was going on for eternity, relishing the deep, long licks of pleasure traversing his entire body. 

Namjoon moaned slightly as he finally wedged his knot fully inside the omega, Seokjin twitching slightly at being filled completely, stopping the leakage of come and slick out of the omega, who was fully in heat now, Namjoon able to pick up on the fullness and ripeness of his scent, luring any nearby alphas such as himself into arousal, though he remained satisfied for the moment, lulled into sleep, dozing in the cradle of Namjoon’s chest and arms. 

The Dragon King did not sleep and instead chose to watch over the precious gift over the long hours of the night, marvelling over the miracle that had chanced upon their kingdom of decay and breathed life into it once more, responding in kind whenever the omega roused and needed love and sex. He gave himself again and again, willingly, fully convinced that an angel had fallen from the heavens and that he was dreaming the most wonderful dream. 

*

“He loves you.”

Seokjin turned from his vanity, the muted rustle of his night robes swishing around his feet, seeing his mate, the Dragon Prince, enter their shared bedroom chamber, shutting and locking the door behind him, firelight licking the outline of his figure, making him look even more otherworldly than usual. 

The scent of his lover, his mate, his companion always gave him a little thrill, but gave way to a deep sense of comfort and belonging. From the very beginning, Seokjin felt compelled and enchanted by this charismatic alpha, so beautiful, so perfectly sculpted with the most entrancing eyes. The Prince seemed so unapproachable in his handsome beauty, in his enigmatic charisma, that Seokjin could hardly believe it when the Prince devoured him that night, when the Prince claimed him and continued to stay by his side, revealing different facets of his personality one by one. 

Loving him. 

Protecting him. 

Cherishing him.

Feelings of love swelled in his chest, and Seokjin tilted his head, giving his mate his full attention as Taehyung approached, “He loves me like a brother, a father,” he whispered, eyes shutting briefly when Taehyung came close enough to let his large hands slide onto his hips, pulling him away gently from the large vanity and commode towards the large bed, “We grew up together and he’s always protected me. I knew what it would do to him… I left him a letter, a long, long letter but… I should’ve known it wouldn’t do much to allay his fears.” 

Taehyung’s brow furrowed, and he kissed Seokjin’s cheeks, shaking his head a little, “You lament as if it was your fault; as you always do,” he chided gently, pushing back a lock of hair behind the omega’s ears, Seokjin briefly shutting his eyes at the showering of affection his alpha never failed to give him, loving him with all his heart, every single day, “It’s a habit that I’ve long accepted will be a part of you; humble and sweet you. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try my best to disagree and to convince you otherwise of the truth, the reality,” he paused, large hands warming Seokjin’s shoulders, in the midst of pushing his robe and thin straps off, “It is not your fault,” he stated, voice a little flat before turning a little contrite, “If anything, it is mine and my brother’s.”

Seokjin shook his head immediately, abhorring how such conversation would take them to this inevitable back-and-forth that would never end, reaching out to push his hands onto Taehyung’s chest, “No, it’s not. You said so yourself, that it was your cabinet, your advisors who had come to a decision that in return there had to be something, tribute of sorts - and that they could not spare the possibility of an omega capable of - of - holding you,” he said, turning a little pink even at the use of the euphemism, sensing Taehyung’s growing amusement, “Of, bearing your offspring. And it has proven to be true. And if it were not for the arrangement, I - I would’ve lived my whole life without knowing you. Without meeting you. Separated by thousands of miles of desert and grassland and lakes and rivers…”

“And I would have lived my life never quite completely whole,” Taehyung professed, reaffirming his love for Seokjin, hands finishing their task and pushing his robe and the top of his thin nightgown down, bearing his swollen chest and tautened nipples, constantly lactating to provide enough for the many Seokjin had borne, fighting a whimper when his alpha cupped them and fondled them, thumbs rubbing against the tight buds and wiping away the beads of milk that instantly formed, “Somehow the fates are cruel and yet kind. Placing my soul mate far away from me, and yet bringing us together. Strange, and I do not know if I should be thankful.”

“We must always be thankful,” Seokjin murmured, feeling heavy-lidded at the hypnotic and pleasurable sensation Taehyung was giving him, arousal rising high and quick low in his belly, his body always so sensitive to the wants and needs of his mated alpha, always eager and ready to please and to take in his huge Dragon cock, “I would be thankful to the devil himself if he were responsible for bringing us together.”

“Sacrilege. Blasphemy,” Taehyung chuckled, holding the omega’s chin in his fingers, a thumb swiping his bottom lip, “I can hardly believe those words are leaving your mouth; such innocence and the face of an angel uttering the word ‘devil’,” he teased. 

“I can be devilish as well,” Seokjin breathed, pulling away gently and clambering backwards to rest against the pillows, raising his legs and knees, seeing his alpha’s expression darken at the revelation that the omega wore no undergarments, always ready for his alpha’s swift taking, “I am no pure being; only mortal - like everyone else.”

“No, ’tis a lie,” Taehyung whispered, face changed, hidden in shadow and danger lurking around his chiseled features, his breathing heightened, robes slowly pulled apart and shed to reveal a powerful body, lean and muscled, veins decorating his forearm dusted with hair, eyes fastened on the deep pink treasure revealed to him, offered to him, “You are no mortal. A mortal would never be able to take this inside, take all of me and my brother into their body, and glean pleasure from the act. You are a deity, an ethereal being woven from desire and from lust - made to tempt and drive one to madness with your beauty.”

The unfiltered praise laden upon him never failed to make him blush all over, even after seven years of servicing his Dragon Prince, for each and every day at all hours at every and any location. His breath caught, the enormous cock revealed to his eyes, Taehyung holding it loosely and casually, his large hand dwarfed by the sheer girth and length of his dick growing to full tumescence before his eyes. Slick escaped from his hole, and his thighs quivered in anticipation for the penetration he secretly craved every second when he wasn’t filled with cock. 

“You offer yourself so easily to me,” his mate’s voice sounded like the deepest, most mysterious of nights, of an eternal burning fire and coal in the bitter cold, eliciting more slick to pour out from his body, Seokjin sighing with pleasure when the Dragon prince extending his hand, unable to resist the elixir of lust, wrapping it back around his thick sheath, “So ready you are with such simple words of seduction… tell me, my love, are you so sensitive? Even when bellyful with my babe for the third time?”

Shifting slightly where he lay, Seokjin parted his thighs even more as an answer to his alpha’s words, and spoke softly, “Because you are my mate,” he whispered simply, “Because I am yours, and that thought alone brings me so much pleasure, compels me to be one with you, again and again…”

Words of affirmation that stoked the Dragon prince’s possessive nature was his undoing; and Seokjin watched with satisfaction as his hips were roughly pulled forwards, now lying completely flat on his back, his mate’s green eyes glittering with lust, offering only one brief warning, “Angel,” he murmured as if to put the conversation to rest, a final word and conclusion, before he plunged his cock deep inside Seokjin’s body, one fell thrust to the hilt, the both of them gasping at the contact and friction. 

Just like this, though he had been thoroughly made love to, fucked, all the time by Taehyung and on a few occasions, the King when he sought to slake pleasures of the flesh, Seokjin thought giddily that Taehyung still felt large inside, almost too much to accommodate. The stretch and the sensation of being filled up to the brim was an aphrodisiac for Seokjin in and of itself, enjoying the act of penetration so much, he was secretly pleased that Taehyung was as voracious for it as he was, dispelling the need for him to request for it. 

A nightly ritual that Seokjin so loved, each time shifted colours and tone, no matter that the act was all the same. Tonight, Taehyung was slightly more possessive than usual, dispensing with the slow and searing seduction the Dragon prince was fully capable of, keeping Seokjin strung along for hours sometimes, until he was sobbing and crying for release. Tonight, his mate was fucking him with deep and hard and fast thrusts, moving quick and full, keeping pace and hammering inside of him to the hilt every time, this was the sort of intense and full-bodied lovemaking Seokjin could not last very long against. 

Already his pussy was leaking, even as he struggled not to come too soon, clasping Taehyung’s body hard against his own,  gasping and moaning as the Dragon cock strained against his tight walls, the heavy, heated balls slapping against his lips and the curve of his rear, Taehyung focusing all his energy and effort on his pussy, though his eyes would flick hungrily from his face to his leaking nipples, hips relentlessly snapping forwards, driving him deeper into the mattress. 

He would not let up, and Seokjin let out a helpless cry, crying his mate’s name in a choked, high-pitched voice, his toes curling and legs tautening up after kicking out in the air at the sharp, bone-shattering wave of pleasure that swept over his body, pulsing out from the core between his thighs. The Dragon prince looked pleased, Seokjin observed vaguely, unable to control his own pussy anymore as he released and squirted all over Taehyung’s belly and thighs, watching dumbly as the monstrous cock continued to pound away inside of him, seeing the beginnings of strings of white, thick, sticky come move in and out of his pussy, followed soon by a groan of pleasure and the swellings of the cock’s base, hot seed punched inside his body and plugged up shortly after, a weak orgasm travelling through his nerves once fully sealed. 

Panting, Taehyung gathered Seokjin to his chest, and promptly pulled blankets over their heated bodies, to stave away the cold that was to come, Seokjin letting his eyelids flutter shut, feeling satisfied and warm and filled with his alpha flush against his body and buried deep inside him, the two of them often falling asleep in this manner, sometimes letting soft, inconsequential talk buoy them slowly to slumber. 

But tonight, Seokjin still felt a little uncertain, and recalling the earlier parts of their discussion before it had taken a salacious turn, could not let it rest. 

After minutes had ensued, and Seokjin felt Taehyung and his heart beat slow and even out, he pressed his palm against his strong chest. 

“Oh, Taehyung, but what am I to do about him?” 

There was a vibration beneath him and a warm, amused chuckle followed, large hands keeping tight around his body, “Even after all that, you’re still thinking about him? Forgive me for my petty behaviour, but if it were any other than your precious childhood friend, I would’ve had him beheaded in a heartbeat, for taking away your thoughts from me.”

Seokjin shivered; though it had been said in jest, after seven years of knowing his mate, somehow there was a kernel of truth embedded in there. Deep, dark, intense eyes and flaring nostrils - a handsome face carved in steely anger and wrath and rage - oh, he had seen moments when Taehyung was displeased and even angry - and a Dragon prince was something you did not want to cross… 

Yet, in spite of the ruthless character and even cruel potential Seokjin acknowledged Taehyung possessed, somehow, deep down inside, he knew that with some pleading, some soft coercion from his side, his mate would acquiesce, would do anything not to upset him. That he was cradled and loved by someone who had so much power and made those around him quake with fear - it made Seokjin a little dizzy with disbelief and amazed at the love and sweet affections he displayed, as a mate, as a lover, and as a father. 

Even so, at times Seokjin would feel the thrill of receiving part of that intensity, of that strength during their lovemaking, just like earlier, Taehyung’s facial expressions of lust and desire almost matching that when he was furious, at times begging for the alpha to drive harder, take him rougher, Seokjin secretly relishing the sheer power the Dragon prince would unleash upon his body, knowing he would be able to take it all in, etch every single move and part of Taehyung into his skin and his very being…

Taehyung’s smoky voice spoke, his astute mate seeing into his mind, sensing how it had manifested physically, a large hand now sweeping below to cup his bottom, tips of his long fingers pressing gentle divots into his flesh, “My love, something has your arousal awakened once again… your omega calls to my alpha… begging to be satisfied, to be pleasured, I scent it, I feel your heat rising… is it thoughts of your childhood friend that arouses you? Or the threat that I made?” 

Fingers came to his pussy lips, cock throbbing to life inside his tight, wet tunnel, the shifting of hardening Dragon cock and a full knot almost making Seokjin lose all semblance of rational thought, moaning and gasping quietly as his mate easily found his engorged pearl nestled within the soft folds, and began to press and play with it, eliciting slick and milk from his body, a hard tweak, almost punishing, if Seokjin was indeed aroused by his childhood friend. 

He was growing drunk off Taehyung’s possessive love, as always, addicted and more than ready and willing to bear more of Taehyung’s brood; and Namjoon’s - if his mate would allow it. Endless bouts of sex and lovemaking made his days dreamy and lovely and wonderful - and Seokjin felt pampered from head to toe during his seven years in the palace. 

However, something must be addressed before they embarked on another searing lovemaking session - one that would surely render Seokjin dumb and incapable of any other thought but that of his mate. 

Taehyung had been kneading his full chest, ready to wrap his lips around an engorged nipple and feast and suckle, but Seokjin stopped him gently, gasping a little when the fully erect Dragon cock nudged deeper still as admonishment. 

“No, no - you have aroused me,” Seokjin assured softly, looking into his bold mate’s eyes, “But… what I said earlier… the guilt will stay with me. And I - I am fearful of his reaction and his thoughts after these seven years have transpired.” 

Taehyung clearly sensed that Seokjin was serious, and rightened himself, though the erection did not go down, he took time to mull over his omega’s words, Seokjin patiently waiting, and taking comfort in his mate’s loving hands that kept him close and held him always. 

“All you have to do is speak to him,” Taehyung murmured simply, his knuckles grazing Seokjin’s cheek, speaking honestly, speaking from the heart, “You can hem and haw all you wish, but you will never know unless you confront him. As I said. He loves you. And though it may manifest in resentment, in disappointment, maybe anger, there is now at least time and space for the two of you to talk and to smoothen any ire that might have formed in your relationship. Am I wrong?”

“No… no you’re not,” Seokjin gave him a rueful smile, cupping his devastatingly handsome face in his own hands, “You’re right. I need to speak with him privately. I’m just… fearful. Scared that he will reject me. That he will renounce our close ties of kinship.”

The alpha turned to kiss Seokjin’s palm, and jostled his body closer, hand sliding downwards to guide his thigh and leg over his hip, allowing him to thrust in deeper, “Have courage, my love. I will be here for you if he does, and so will our children. And remember that he is here because of you. Nothing else. No one else. So have faith my love. Have faith in your childhood friend.”

The kindly spoken words made tears spring to his eyes, and Seokjin nodded, feeling confidence begin to grow in his heart, “Yes, I will. Thank you Taehyung. I - I will depend on you these few weeks… if the reconciliation is difficult. I - I needed to hear those words. “

“There is no need for thank you, for we are mates and this is my duty to you as your alpha,” the Dragon prince said softly, but then his lips spread into a beautiful, wicked smile, “But I will not say no to any show of gratitude from your side…”

With a laugh, Seokjin accepted the kiss bestowed upon him, and allowed himself finally to indulge completely in the love unleashed on his body for the rest of the night. 

*

“Did you sleep well? I hope you’re being treated with good hospitality.”

Seokjin felt a throb in his chest, of longing and of nostalgia, seeing his childhood friend turn from where he had been perusing books in one of the many libraries located within the palace, somehow knowing Yoongi would opt for this particular one, wood sourced from forests closest to the steppes they lived on, the musky scent combined with the dewy fragrance of sweetgrass harking back to their homeland. 

Last he had seen Yoongi was to bid him farewell, sent away on a mission to the East to barter their furs and smoked meat with grain and other essential produce. It had been bittersweet to have been in his embrace, knowing at the alpha knew nothing of the fate that was about to befall Seokjin. 

Perhaps if times had not been so dire, and if the Elders had not decided already that Seokjin was to be offered up as tribute to the royal Dragons, preparations would have been made, instead, to marry the two around the same age, seen to be a perfect match by many of their tribe, always paired together since they were little during the traditional folk dances and rites. 

A life as Yoongi’s mate would have been blissful, maybe, Seokjin had ruminated the night before, allowing his thoughts to dwell on the could-have-beens and what-ifs. A simple, happy life where Seokjin would not have been the wiser and lived the rest of his days out in the steppes, receiving the hunters and cooking up meals with the others, inheriting the ancient wisdom and knowledge of the Elders, and tending to the children.

The last thought was sobering, and banished any further imaginings about such an alternate life - for it was the threat of famine and subsequently the dwindling number of children in their tribe that had compelled Seokjin to do what he did. 

There was no turning back; and the hint of a life as Yoongi’s mate had long been extinguished since the day the troubles with food source began. 

But there was no denying that Seokjin cared deeply for his friend, and still continued to do so till this very day, even after seven years of separation. 

The question was whether Yoongi felt the same. 

It hurt that Yoongi had chosen not to write to him personally, and the letters in reply were always signed by the Elders on behalf of their tribe. 

“We are treated well, fed and watered with all facilities made available to us as promised by His Royal Highness. You needn’t worry for our welfare.”

The leather bound book Yoongi had been in the middle of reading was shut with a quiet thump, and the now-General of their tribe rose, refusing to wear the loose robes offered to the arriving company, and donning the traditional garb of their people; whites and blues and reds - a spare set from that he had arrived in - and one Seokjin recognised as a warrior’s dress, hinting to the omega that Yoongi had been prepared to fight on behalf of their tribe, their people. 

For him. 

The inference from his deliberate dress, the way Yoongi rose, so regal and so charismatic, the way Seokjin now had the time and space to slowly drink in the changes his best friend had undergone - a little bigger now, leaner, time-worn eyes that had deepened with understanding yet still profound - and it struck Seokjin how similar in intensity Yoongi’s eyes were to the royal Dragon brothers, how expressive they were, how imperial they looked, able to command authority in a room with one single glance. 

And it was so obvious now how much of a man and an alpha Yoongi was; emanating a calming and nostalgic scent that had Seokjin’s stomach coiling, his face slightly more sharpened now, chiseled and betraying nothing of his own emotions as he looked upon Seokjin. Though not the devastatingly handsome Taehyung nor the striking Dragon King Namjoon - Yoongi was handsome and held his own charms, equally charismatic and compelling. 

Seokjin felt himself flush a little, disarmed as he was by his childhood friend. The teasing warning of Taehyung’s echoed in his mind, and he was a little disturbed that his alpha mate was accurate in his predictions that Seokjin would feel the way he did, something the omega had dismissed as silly jealousy and a lovers’ banter. 

“I am so grateful that you’ve come. And you’ve brought Soobin and Yeonjun with you - please do come to the banquet that Taehyung will be hosting. His Majesty is away on royal duties but will return in a fortnight. Please say you’ll stay until then,” Seokjin whispered, taking a few steps forward, closing the distance between them, making attempts to bring down the wall Yoongi seemed to have put up before him. 

“They wished to meet with you too. They have missed you over these seven years. Everyone has - but bringing the entire tribe all the way here is impossible, so they came as those who were trained on expeditions and hunting missions,” Yoongi said in his quiet, deep, raspy voice, rougher than Taehyung’s yet it gave Seokjin so much pleasure hearing it, “As for the banquet… I will not go back on my word. I have written a letter to our tribe - sending word that we have arrived safely and that - you are well. I have also written that we will written before the harvest moon, to assist with the storage and preparation for the winter.”

It was the slip in his mask, in his voice, the brief flicker of emotion in Yoongi’s eyes and in his tone that emboldened Seokjin - spying the same yearning in Yoongi that dwelled within him. 

His heart swelling at hearing that Yoongi had not given a definite time frame for their departure, and that the harvest moon was in two and a half months time, Seokjin reached out and took Yoongi’s hand in his, gripping it to show his pleasure, his gratitude. 

“Yoongi… thank you,” Seokjin whispered, swallowing down his tears, “I - there is so much to catch up on. And yet - when I am faced with you I cannot find the words. I - I must express my gratitude, as I cannot do so enough. I’m so sorry for everything - but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t happy. I’m touched and relieved that you still think of my well-being when I thought you were - “

He broke off, unsure of how raking up the past would make Yoongi feel, uncertain if this was the way to traverse into conversation with his childhood friend, so clearly a sore and sensitive point. 

To his surprise, Yoongi’s voice was gentler than ever, careful as it was, when he didn’t shake off Seokjin’s hands, “What did you think I was?”

Seokjin nibbled his bottom lip, “That you - you were angry at my actions, seven years ago. That you - you hated me.” 

There was a long silence, the heavy weight of time lost between them, and Yoongi slowly shook his head. 

“I could never hate you. Is my presence here not enough to convey that?”

“Which is why I - I said I was relieved,” Seokjin said, the sensation rushing through him now, making headway with the elusive alpha, whom he could no longer read. 

“Are you truly well, Seokjin? Are you really treated well here? The Prince… I can sense he is kind to you. That he loves you and desires you,” the last few words were spoken with a hint of dryness Seokjin knew was a sign of Yoongi’s disapproval, “But do you love him back? Or is it simply lust, charmed by the Prince’s good looks?”

Seokjin felt himself flush at that, shaking his head, “I am really well, Yoongi. Really. I am - I am happy here and well, spoiled almost. And I do love Taehyung. I love him, and yes, he is handsome but - he is also kind and charming, gentle and sweet, well-meaning and upright. He’s a wonderful mate, attentive and affectionate, and a loving, caring father to the children. They adore him, and he cares for them everyday when he is able. I am lucky.”

Yoongi’s eyes were unreadable as he absorbed Seokjin’s words, quietly commenting, “Yes. You would not have been able to live such a life out in the steppes; no comfort and no entourage of servants to care for you, and no warm baths every single day, with no delicacies for you to sample as the dish of the day depended on the successes of our hunts.”

Face burning with shame, Seokjin felt tears spring to his eyes, “I did not mean to demean our tribe’s ways, or the life that I had - “

A cool hand came to rest on his cheek, stopping the rest of his words, “I know. And I was wrong to say what I did. Do not be upset; I am sorry for my words,” there was a wry twist of his lips, a flicker of sadness in his eyes, “I know you cherished the life you had with us. And that you still do.”

Though the tears still persisted, but of a different nature, Seokjin felt himself relax a little at Yoongi’s conciliatory nature, but stayed still and silent, letting the alpha ask his questions instead, for fear of backlash. 

Finally Yoongi spoke, and the concern expressed surprised Seokjin. 

“Six offspring in seven years,” Yoongi said quietly, a small sigh escaping him, “Is that really a fate that you wish for? To be bred so often and so frequently? I can only imagine - I wonder how you are being treated when intimate with the young Prince. He has an edge of danger to his carriage; something inside that when unleashed would wreak havoc on those around him…”

Seokjin swallowed the immediate defensiveness that rose in his throat, reminding himself that to outsiders, indeed, some would look upon them with skepticism and Yoongi had just arrived. And he knew himself what his mate was capable of, and he sensed the very same thing in Taehyung as Yoongi did, only… 

“I understand your concerns, Yoongi,” Seokjin said calmly, empathetic and conciliatory, “Taehyung is good to me. He has never raised a hand or a finger against me, or any of the boys. He is a wonderful father, and he would do anything for his children - and he would never dream of hurting them. You have my word. Even for His Majesty’s issue; Taehyung loves him as he does a nephew, as if Nam-gyeongie were his own son, and does not begrudge that he is Crown Prince. And I willingly took part in - in having these children. And I am happy to have more - they bring light and joy to the palace, to Taehyung, to His Majesty, and to myself.”

There was something in Yoongi’s keen, sharp eyes, and it looked as if a veil of understanding dawned on him, face turning colder, which perplexed Seokjin. 

“So the King and the Prince share you,” Yoongi said bluntly, tone now a little flat, eyes glittering with an emotion Seokjin could not quite fathom, “I heard correctly, didn’t I? It was a passing observation when you walked in with your children, and I dismissed it because our interaction did not last more than a few minutes, but the child in your arms… he distinctly smelled different from the others. That child… is not from the union between you and His Highness but His Majesty? Tell me, Jin, how is that not a recipe for disaster? Kindling to ignite strife between two brothers?!”

Seokjin shook his head, trying not to let his frustration grow, knowing it was the pace and the packaging of information that was giving Yoongi the wrong impression, “No, Yoongi, please understand - I know how it sounds, and I know how it looks but - do know that we have all spoken to one another about this. That it was a mix of circumstances that led up to this point but… but we all made the choice and decision to do so, and no one resents anyone for it,” he chewed his bottom lip, not knowing how to convince his friend, “I myself had those doubts, and questioned both of them on it… but they were certain it was alright. And to this day, they still have a loving relationship, one of mutual respect and deep brotherly bonds. Trust me Yoongi, please. It was all done consensually, and all with understanding…”

His eyes were unreadable, facial features still cold and expressionless. The brief moment of warmth seemed to have slipped from his grasp, and Seokjin felt lonelier than before, even more so when he had first arrived at the palace. 

Perhaps believing that Yoongi still cared for him then was better than knowing that Yoongi was critical of everything he had done up until now. 

“I smell the Prince on you,” Yoongi finally said, quiet and measured as he pulled away from Seokjin, the omega feeling his heart throb with pain at the way Yoongi had shown suspicion and displeasure the entire time, saddened that his once childhood friend was now so jaded and cold and embittered, in some part because of him, “I know he loves you. And… you love him. I will continue to observe and watch. And I will wait and see, for the audience with His Majesty, just to see how dynamics are. Nothing escapes me, Jin, you know this. And I will not leave until I am assured that you are well taken care of in this place,” he paused a while, eyes glittering with determination, “I made a vow to myself, and I will keep it.”

There was a rustling of robes as Yoongi swept past him and left the library, and Seokjin in silence, wondering whether his childhood friend would ever accept that their lives had diverged a long, long time ago - and there was no turning back.