Archive of Our Own

Jimin’s clothes have been going missing lately.

Slowly, quietly, he’d been noticing little pieces disappearing from his closet, from shirts to sweaters to sweatpants, heck, even his underwear has been going missing.

His immediate thoughts went to the dry-cleaners and laundromat on the first floor of their apartment building, thinking maybe the staff or by-standers might have been stealing a little something from the clients. He then realized it couldn’t possibly be since Jimin always sat stubbornly waiting for his laundry to finish, always a little distrustful of anyone other than himself (he may have bared his teeth at a beta who stepped a little too close to his machine once, but he couldn’t help it; territorial alpha instinct, his wolf reasoned).

For a brief moment, his mind wandered to a far-fetched, but logical reason: Taehyung.

Then, with all his power he willed the thought away, because no, sweet, kind, distant Taehyung would never meddle with Jimin’s things.

Kim Taehyung was his omega roommate of six moons, having moved in just when Jimin needed someone to split the rent with. He was the perfect roommate; cleaned up after himself, didn’t take too long in the shower, took charge of paying bills on time. He was sweet, passionate, and comfortable to be around, not to mention one of the finest creatures Jimin had ever seen walk the earth - but he kept to himself a lot.

Taehyung would come home with a warm greeting, toe off his shoes and ask Jimin about his day. After an equally warm response, he would nod with a smile and retreat to his room. He was the type to prepare coffee and breakfast for the both of them out of convenience, but never purposely dined with Jimin out of intimacy. He even went so far as to use scent blockers so his smell didn’t stain the apartment.

“I’ve been told my scent can get a little… pervasive sometimes.” Taehyung had once told him, “So I figured it’s best if I block it out for any of your… ah, future interests.”

While Jimin should have been thankful, it only confirmed what Taehyung had been silently trying to tell him - that he didn’t have any intentions for Jimin. Romantically, at least.

Which, Jimin respected of course, they both had their boundaries. Still, it would have been nice to get to know Taehyung a little more outside of what he does for work, how he takes his coffee in the morning and what his schedule is daily.

(Jimin convinces himself it’s not because of the teeny tiny crush he has on Taehyung.)

All that aside, his clothes were still missing, and there was only one person other than himself who would know where they possibly went.

Taehyung had been staying in for the last few days which was odd, since Jimin knew he clocked in for work unfailingly. It was to his advantage though, so he quickly raised a hand and knocked on the younger’s door.

“Taehyung-ah?” Jimin called, and oh. He smelled something. Smelled of pink strawberries at their ripest, sweet but tangy.

Taehyung’s scent.

It was the first time Jimin had ever even remotely smelled the younger’s scent and - he liked it. He really, really liked it. Damn him and his perfect face and his perfect smile and his perfect scent.

When Taehyung didn’t answer, he called again, louder this time.

“Taehyung-ah? You awake?” He said with a concerned look on his face.

On the other side, he heard a muffled sound - more a hum than a groan. Jimin asked again, “Taehyungie, can I come in?”

Another hum. Jimin frowned. “I’m coming in, okay? Need to make sure you’re okay and… need to ask you something too.”

Slowly, he twisted the knob, stepping into the room and -

His nose was immediately enveloped with the thick smell of Taehyung’s scent.

It was everywhere. Strong, filling Jimin’s nose so prevalently that it awakened something in his wolf. The urge to protect, the need to care for. His inner alpha came alive and it made his skin buzz.

Jimin had been so caught up in the sweet scent that he didn’t notice Taehyung’s sprawled form on his bed, surrounded by meticulously folded clothing.

Specifically, Jimin’s clothing.

For a split second, Jimin couldn’t even think to be mad when he saw Taehyung swimming in one of his oversized hoodies, wrapped up in one of Jimin’s blankets. He hadn’t even noticed it was gone.

“Uhh.” Jimin started, not knowing what to say.

“Mhm?” Taehyung lifted his head over the pile of clothes, hair mussed and a blissed out expression on his face, perfectly content to be wrapped up in Jimin’s… everything.

“What, uhh - what are you doing there, Taehyung?” Jimin asked slowly, cautiously. He carefully approached the bed (read: mound) where Taehyung lay because this, he wasn’t familiar with.

“Nesting.” Was all the omega said.

“... but those are my clothes.”

“Yeah.”

“And you have them.”

“Okay?”

“You have my clothes.”

“Your point being?” Taehyung snapped, his head darting out from where it was tucked in, nosing one of Jimin’s shirts.

And okay, Jimin definitely wasn’t used to Taehyung being anything other than his usually courteous self. This was definitely new.

And - nesting. Jimin wasn’t very well-informed about it, considering he grew up around mostly alphas and betas. He wracked his brain for everything he was taught about it back in highschool.

“Nothing, nothing. Just,” Jimin cautiously sat on the bed, careful not to knock over the pile of clothing. “Uhm… I kind of need them? You know, so I don’t walk around places butt naked?”

“Hmm…” Taehyung put a finger to his lips to make a show of him considering thinking about it, making an exaggerated humming sound. Then, he stuck out his tongue out at the alpha, shoved himself deeper into Jimin’s covers and muffled a childish “No!”, through the fabric.

Despite Jimin knowing he should have been annoyed, all he felt was… fond? Endeared? He hadn’t seen this playful, almost bratty side to Taehyung in all the months they had roomed together. He liked it a lot, if he were being honest. Or maybe it was his wolf taking over his instincts with the need to bend to an omega’s bid, especially with one that had a smell that was equally as intoxicating as it was pleasant.

Fishing his brain for everything he could possibly remember about nesting, Jimin asked Taehyung gently, “Taehyung?”

A ruffle under the mess of fabric.

“Taehyungie?”

A huff.

“Taehyung-ah, hey. Come on, look at me, pup.” Jimin coaxed and heard a mewl from under the covers, his nose peeking out. Bingo. Jimin kept the pet name in the back of his mind for later.

“Mhm?” The omega responded, small.

“I thought when - when omegas nest, it’s for comfort? Or something? Why do you have my clothes, then?” Jimin asked as kindly as he could. Not accusingly, just genuinely curious.

“Oh, uhm.” Taehyung wiggled out of the layers so he could look at Jimin properly, but not without tucking one of the alpha’s sweatpants near his nose to nuzzle. It made something in Jimin’s chest soar. “I just finished my heat. Came a little later than usual.”

Ah. Oh. That explained the thick scent coating the room, usually one Taehyung tried so hard to mask. He vaguely wondered how he was able to hide his heat from Jimin, considering the alpha had a particularly strong sense, but he supposed that Taehyung planned for that ahead of time as well.

“Okay, but -” Jimin absentmindedly patted at the wall of clothing separating them, but Taehyung bared his fangs and growled lowly as he did so. The alpha retracted his hand quickly.

“Don’t touch them.” Taehyung squinted his eyes. He had the ability to be both frightening and adorable at the same time, which Jimin found so unfair, since it was doing strange things to his poor little heart.

“They’re my things, pup.” Jimin laughed, a little amused and a lot endeared at the omega. “Why would you nest in my things?”

Taehyung’s face melted back into his wide-eyed, childlike state. “It just - smelled like alpha. I had to.” He explained unapologetically. It made sense, Jimin surmised, an omega giving in to primal instinct after going through a heat alone, in search of the comfort of the presence, or at least the scent of an alpha. Something in him swelled with pride at the thought that Taehyung found comfort in his scent in particular, but -

“Don’t you have clothes from your family? Blankets from your house back in Daegu?” Jimin asked. He vaguely remembered something about omegas taking pieces of fabric from their childhood home to nest in when needed.

“Well,” Taehyung shrunk further into his haven, “I don’t really… have a family?”

Jimin frowned. “Oh.” was all he said in return. He didn’t have the chance to say anything else before Taehyung was shushing him and shooing him out,

“Go, go!” He huffed, waving him away with one of Jimin’s boxers (he had to stifle a laugh). “You’re ruining my nest! I’m trying to sniff your scent here, and you’re disturbing me!”

“Alright, alright.” Jimin laughed, standing up and making his way to the door. He spun around right before the threshold, “But hey, if you ever need more of my things, just say so, yeah? A pillow of mine, perhaps?”

Taehyung opened his mouth to reject the offer like he had been so accustomed to doing while he was in this state, but he shut his mouth when Jimin’s words fully sunk in. He buried himself in the sheets once again, his entire body swimming through fabric, face nowhere to be seen.

Then, a muffled “Yes, please.”

Jimin grinned.

By the time Jimin had gotten his belongings back, they were clean and washed. Although all of them had been returned, Jimin let Taehyung keep some, mainly because there were holes from the little nibbles the omega had permanently made on the fabric.

Taehyung’s scent still stuck, though. It mixed with Jimin’s - strawberry and pine together.

Since the first incident, Taehyung had opened up to Jimin more than the first six moons they had been together. He was still unapologetic about taking the alpha’s things but it was completely fine, because Jimin didn’t mind at all. In fact, his wolf howled with pride at the fact that Taehyung found comfort in him.

It happened again, though, around a month after the first.

Jimin came home from the studio, tired and sweaty, ready to hop in the shower and get a fresh, clean set of clothes to change into. He practically ran to his room, opened his closet in a rush only to find it completely empty.

Gone. Everything. Completely empty. Shirts, pants, socks, and again, underwear. At least this time he knew where they went.

With a tired sigh, he trudged to Taehyung’s room, didn’t even knock as he opened the door, ready for the sight that was about to present itself to him.

It was similar to the setup from before, a wall of Jimin’s clothing surrounding Taehyung on the bed, except this time, the omega was clad in Jimin’s from head to toe. One of his striped sweaters, sweatpants, and mismatching socks. The outfit was incredibly tacky, but Jimin supposes aesthetics wasn’t exactly what Taehyung was going for here.

The younger was sitting up, a pout clear on his face as he saw Jimin enter. It deepened. “Jimin.” He frowned, annoyed. “Did you have your clothes washed recently?” He asked like it was an accusation, as if it was a crime. As if Taehyung didn’t basically commit a crime himself by stealing Jimin’s entire closet.

“I… yes?” The alpha’s eyes crinkled fondly, trying his best to hold back a giggle.

“Why?” Taehyung whined, threw a sock at Jimin’s direction threateningly, which the older easily caught. After a small mutter of give it back, and Jimin complying, the omega continued his sermon. “These… barely have your scent! I can barely smell you!”

“Well, we can’t do anything about that, can we?” Jimin soothed, sitting on the mattress slowly, careful not to knock over the walls from the dip of his weight like before. “They’re clean now. Can’t get the scent back.”

After a deep pout and Taehyung glaring at Jimin for about a whole minute, the omega clicked his tongue, “Yes, we can.”

“I - huh?”

“We can.” Taehyung said matter-of-factly. “Give me the clothes you’re wearing now.”

Jimin’s eyes widened. “Wha - these?”

“Yep.”

“But they’re all sweaty!”

“Perfect.”

“They reek!”

“Just how I need them.”

“Ugh.” Jimin groaned, running a hand down his face. “If I give you these,” he gestured at the pieces he was wearing, “Will you give me a set to change into?” Jimin didn’t know when he had to start bargaining for his own clothing, but apparently this was his reality now. All for a pretty omega.

Taehyung squinted his eyes much like he did the last time and eventually responded with a “Fine.”

He handed Jimin sweats and a sleep shirt (one that probably smelled least like him), and headed to the bathroom to take a quick shower and change. The moment he stepped out, Taehyung was waiting for him in his little haven with grabby hands. Jimin learned that once he was in it, there was no going out.

“Come on, come on, come on -” The omega said impatiently. Jimin was pink with fondness, watched as Taehyung swiped the fabric out of Jimin’s hands and right to his nose, inhaling the scent deeply. He sighed blissfully and fell back into his mound of clothes, melting into it as if he were one with the nest.

“You can go now.” Taehyung said sassily.

Jimin smiled, couldn’t resist the amusement showing on his face this time and backed away in surrender, hands raised. “Okay, okay.” He said, slipping out the door. “Enjoy yourself.”

He heard a little, “I will.” just before he shut the door.

The third time it happened, Jimin was informed ahead of time.

He was in the kitchen on the stove, frying his dinner when he felt a soft, demure tug on his shirt.

“Jimin-ah,” Taehyung called softly, under a whisper.

Jimin immediately shut the stove off, turned around to hold Taehyung’s face in his hands with a concerned look in his eyes. They had been living together for ten moons now, almost a solid year being roommates. They had grown a lot closer since then, understanding the other in ways that most people would find alarming for only less than a year.

“Yes?” Jimin asked. Gentle.

“Uhm, hey, today hasn’t been so great, and I was wondering if maybe I could borrow your things? To make a nest?” Taehyung asked as he fidgeted with the hem of Jimin’s shirt.

“Oh, puppy,” Jimin laughed, pulling him in for a tight hug. He didn’t miss the way Taehyung’s nose immediately made home at his scent gland. “You’ve never asked before. What makes you want to now?” He teased, earning a light smack to his back.

One of Jimin’s favorite things that he learned was Taehyung got embarrassed easily, so quick to fluster. He’d learned many thing about Taehyung the last few months, like how Taehyung was kind and considerate on most days, but during the times he did need to nest, he was sassy and demanding.

(His crush on the omega might not be so tiny anymore.)

“Shut uuup.” Taehyung whined, but still held Jimin as tight. “Just wanted to be nice, that’s all.”

“I think we’re past that, you know, since you basically robbed me the first few times.” Jimin laughed.

“Ugh - look, will you give me your clothes or will I have to do it myself?”

“There’s my feisty puppy.” Jimin smiled, and for a moment he had the overwhelming urge to press a kiss to Taehyung’s hair. He resisted it. “Come on, I’ll help you transfer them to your room -”

“Actually,” Taehyung started, pulling back a bit so he could look Jimin in the eye, “I was hoping maybe I could… make it in your room? Your sheets smell better than mine.”

“You’re being biased.”

“It’s the truth!”

“You smell amazing, though?”

“But I want your scent.”

“When did Taehyungie become so entitled to my things, huh?” Jimin cooed, playfully pinching the tip of Taehyung’s nose.

The omega pouted and stomped his feet. “Come ooon. I want my nest already. Am sad.”

“Okay, okay.” Jimin laughed, bubbly. He grabbed Taehyung’s wrist and lead him to his room, pulling out every article of clothing he had.

“No, no. Let me. Alphas don’t know how to make a nest.” Taehyung pulled the basket of clothes from Jimin’s grip, like he owned it. At this point in time, he kind of did.

“But -”

“No buts.”

“But I-”

“Run along, alpha. Omega at work.” Taehyung began pushing Jimin out of his own room. The alpha braced his arms against the frame, stopping himself before the younger could completely shove him out.

“Where will I sleep tonight?”

“You can sleep in mine? Or on the couch. You can just grab some pillows and a blanket from my room.”

With a resigned sigh, Jimin did as told. He was fluffing his pillows on the couch, back to the entrance of his room when he heard the opening of a door and, not a moment later, Taehyung wrapped his arms around Jimin from behind.

“Thank you, alpha.” He whispered into the back of the older’s hair, pressed a soft kiss at his nape. Without another word, he retreated back into Jimin’s room.

Jimin touched the spot Taehyung pressed his lips against. His heart beated a million miles per minute, and perhaps it may have been too early, but his wolf howled one thing and one thing only;

Mate.

Christmas was coming along, the fall of snow becoming more insistent as more time passes. While for most, the holiday brought joy. For Taehyung, Jimin noticed as it drew nearer, Taehyung became more and more dispirited.

And he knew. Jimin knew exactly why. This time of year, everybody retreated back to their homes, their families.

Taehyung didn’t have one.

So Jimin, doing what a sensible roommate and friend would do, called his parents up and told them he couldn’t make it this year.

He would be Taehyung’s family this time.

The omega had of course protested Jimin’s stay, but the alpha had been adamant on doing so. Although Taehyung felt guilty, he was extremely happy to have company for the holidays.

It didn’t stop himself from being completely sad, though.

Taehyung tugged on Jimin’s shirt sleeve much like he did before while he stood in the kitchen, figuring out which ingredients to set out for when they would bake cookies the next day.

“Min?” Taehyung asked softly. Jimin understood immediately. He led Taehyung to his room, took out his clothes, laid them on the bed for the omega to arrange because he knew he didn’t like when someone else touched his nest.

By now, Jimin fully understood that one of the highest forms of comfort an omega could have was a nest. And while he could never completely understand why, he knew it worked. He also still didn’t quite understand why him, why his scent. He was grateful nonetheless. Jimin would give everything to be Taehyung’s comfort, even in small ways.

Taehyung quietly muttered to himself as he started arranging and folding the fabric to his liking, and to Jimin’s surprise, didn’t ask him to leave. Taehyung was very territorial of his nest, warding off everyone who could possibly destroy it - Jimin included, despite it being made solely out of his things.

Unsure, Jimin shifted on his feet where he stood. “Uhm, do you want me to go?” He asked, just to be sure.

Taehyung froze, a pair of Jimin’s socks hanging limp in his hands midair. It was silent for a moment, then -

“No.” Was all the omega said.

“Then…” Jimin took a step forward. “Do you want me to come in?”

Taehyung physically recoiled at that, bared his teeth at Jimin on instinct. “No.” He resumed meticulously folding and arranging the fabric, not looking him in the eye.

Jimin sighed, moving to his desk where his study chair sat. “I’ll just be here, then. I won’t go inside, I promise. Won’t leave either.”

Taehyung froze again, bangs covering his eyes as he stared down at a yellow hoodie in his lap. He slipped off the bed, stocked his way over to Jimin and thrusted it in the alpha’s face. “Scent it, please.” The omega said, still not looking Jimin in the eye. “It’s the one I’ll be wearing tonight.”

Jimin gingerly took the hoodie from Taehyung’s hands, leaning down to scent it thoroughly. When the younger had deemed it worthy, he went back to the pile, picking out the items he’d be wearing and asked Jimin to do the same to them.

Taehyung went back to do quick work of the nest. Jimin watched in amazement, it was his first time seeing an omega build one. He didn’t know what was going on, sure, but it intrigued him how Taehyung seemed to just know what to do.

The alpha watched him pick up an article, sniff it, and fold it a certain way and place it on the wall of clothing to his right. He did the same to another, except this time, tucked it underneath the wall to his left.

As Taehyung finished setting up his little cove and settled in, Jimin switched the lights off.

A few minutes of silence, but he knew they were both awake. Through the darkness, Taehyung said aloud, “I like it when you’re here. Scent is stronger.”

“Then I’ll be here for as long as you want, baby.”

The nickname slipped through Jimin’s lips unbidden, though neither of them acknowledged it.

“Why didn’t you go?” Taehyung asked softly. They both knew what he was talking about.

“I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving you alone, Taehyungie. We’ve been f-friends -” Jimin’s throat caught at that word, “for an entire year now. I care about you. So much.”

“But your parents care about you too.”

“They’ll understand.” Jimin shifted in his seat, “Besides, I don’t think I’d want to spend Christmas with anyone else.” He said honestly. Even through the dark, Taehyung could hear the thick truth in it.

“Hey, Jimin?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. Merry christmas.”

“Always welcome, merry christmas, pup.”

It had been awhile since the last time Taehyung nested. Six whole moons passed before Taehyung felt the urge to do it again.

Once he did, though, Jimin knew there was something incredibly wrong.

Taehyung stopped wearing scent blockers around the apartment so much after Jimin had told him how much he liked the omega’s scent. That way, Jimin could smell how he was feeling too, and right now - he smelled of distress.

Taehyung was sitting on Jimin’s bed, rearranging and folding and sniffing like he saw the younger do last time, except - with the deepest frown on his face.

“No, no, no.” Taehyung muttered to himself. “All wrong.”

Jimin asked aloud from where he was seated, didn’t dare go near the nest. “What’s wrong, Taehyungie?”

The omega didn’t answer, just continued muttering as he rearranged clothing and blankets. “Something’s not right, not right.” He whispers to himself.

“Any way I can help?” Jimin stretches, yawns. He’s been sitting there for half an hour, watching Taehyung nest.

The younger snapped his head up, regarded Jimin quizzically, then abruptly stood and grabbed his wrist, seating him on the edge of the bed.

“Please scent.” He holds out a pair of shorts to Jimin, and he does as told. Taehyung repeatedly does the same for a bit, until one moment he just whines, falling into Jimin’s lap. Straddles him and wraps his arms around Jimin. Inhales the alpha’s scent deeply.

“I can’t do it.” Taehyung sighed sadly, breathing into Jimin’s neck. “Everything’s so wrong.”

Jimin tightened his grip on Taehyung’s waist. Controlled his breathing. Controlled his hands.

“Maybe you don’t need to make it tonight, hm?” Jimin told him, thumbs running soothingly along the dip of his waist. Taehyung immediately whined at that. “All I’m saying is - you don’t have to finish it by tonight, yeah?”

The omega still hesitated.

“I can sleep beside you tonight. No nest, just me.” Jimin continued, “It’ll have a similar effect. My scent, with you asleep. Just for now.”

The alpha felt Taehyung’s hair brush against his neck as he nodded in agreement. “Okay. Just for now.”

Jimin then rearranged their position so that they were facing each other chest to chest, arms wrapped around each other tightly. Taehyung’s face was shoved right where Jimin’s scent gland was, inhaling so deeply, and Jimin did the same to him.

“Hold me.” Taehyung demanded.

“Needy.”

“Shut up.”

“Hey,” Jimin started, “wanna talk about it? What’s wrong, hm?”

Taehyung looked at him with sleepy eyes, “Which one, why I wanted to nest in the first place or why I can’t seem to make one?”

“Either. Both. It’s your choice.” Jimin whispered into the younger’s hair.

“Er, uhm…” Taehyung hummed thoughtfully. “You could say I’m upset with someone.”

Jimin shifted so he could meet Taehyung’s eyes. The omega refused to.

His wolf, on instinct, coiled at the thought of someone upsetting his omega. Not yours, he reminded himself, not yet.

Upon sensing Jimin’s tensed muscles, Taehyung snuggled in further, nosed at the older’s neck and purred. Released calming pheromones the way he knew Jimin liked. It wasn’t their first time cuddling after all, had done it a lot since they became close a year ago.

“It’s nothing.” Taehyung reassures him, “I think it’s gonna be over soon, actually.”

“That’s a relief.” Jimin breathed.

“Mmm.” Taehyung hummed. “Pet my hair, please.” And Jimin complied.

Within minutes, Taehyung’s eyes were already falling shut, but his grip on Jimin remained tight.

“Chimin-ah…” The younger whispered, voice slurred from sleep. He was barely conscious. “Thank you. I love you.” And with a chaste press of his lips against Jimin’s neck, his eyes fell completely shut. Jimin tried not to think too much of it when the pull of sleep dragged him under, decided they would talk about it in the morning.

Jimin fell asleep with a tingle on his neck and a smile on his lips.

When they awoke in the morning, they were more or less in the same position as they fell asleep in, except one of Taehyung’s legs were thrown over Jimin’s hip, and somehow one of the older’s hands ended up in the omega’s shirt, a hand against warm skin.

Taehyung woke up first. The moment Jimin opened his eyes, large, round eyes stared up at him. They were beautiful.

“Creep.” Jimin teased, felt a light kick against his back from Taehyung’s heel.

“You look like a child when you sleep.” Taehyung answered instead.

“That shouldn’t be good. Pretty sure I’m a grown alpha adult. I hope no magic elves carry me away and replace me in my sleep.” Jimin responded with faux thoughtfulness.

Taehyung laughed, “Oh my god, you’re so not funny.”

“Then why are you laughing?”

“Your face is funny.”

“Hey!” With the hand underneath Taehyung’s shirt, he proceeded to tickle him, turning their little cuddle into a tickle fight. The younger giggled, relented with his own tickles, knowing Jimin was more sensitive between the two of them.

It was moments like these that made Jimin’s heart soar. Just the two of them co-existing, in one space, like the rest of the world didn’t exist. And though he didn’t quite know where Taehyung stood in terms of dating - mating - Jimin would take whatever he was given. He just loved Taehyung liked that.

~

Jimin just finished dressing up as soon as Taehyung finished making his nest. He stepped out of the bathroom, found a wall of fabric on his bed with an omega blissfully nestled inside it.

“Taehyungie?” Jimin smiled fondly, stepping closer. A mop of dark, messy hair peeked out as soon as his name was called.

“Mm,” The younger hummed in response. He was dressed in the exact set of clothes Jimin slept in that night.

“You have a nice nest going on here.”

Taehyung’s head popped out fully. “Oh?” Then, with a jubilant smile on his face, he clutched Jimin’s pillow closer to his chest. The younger practically wiggled from happiness. “Thank you. Is it…. is it the best one you’ve ever seen?”

Yours are the only ones I’ve ever seen in real life, was Jimin’s immediate thought, but got the feeling that Taehyung enjoyed when someone compliments his nest. When an alpha compliments his nest.

“Yes. The best in the whole world. The most well-made nest I’ve ever seen.” Jimin replies.

Taehyung smiled so hard his face scrunched up, proceeded to burrow back into the fabric after he let out a joyous squeal. Jimin walked to his usual spot at his desk chair with a wide, fond smile, but Taehyung’s head popped out again with a hesitant look.

“Uhm, would you… do you want to come in?” He asked, eyes round.

“I - huh?” Jimin spun around, shock and bewilderment on his face.

“Do you want to come in? In the nest?” Taehyung clarified, fidgeting with a pair of Jimin’s socks in his hands.

“I - yeah, of course.” Jimin approached slowly as the omega opened up the wall, ushered Jimin in quickly and closed it. The moment the older was fully inside, Taehyung pushed him on his back and straddled him, then leaned forward to inhale his scent. Stayed there. Laid on top of Jimin for what felt like hours.

Jimin didn’t want to comment on how he still couldn’t believe Taehyung let him in when he was so protective of his nest, even when it’s Jimin’s clothes and scent he found comfort in. He was afraid it would shatter the moment, and Taehyung would kick him out of his cove like he usually did. So he just laid there with an omega weighted heavily on his chest, letting him breath in his scent.

“Hey, alpha.” Taehyung called softly as the silence ran long, unmoving from his position, “do you know why I want your scent?”

“Uhh, because you want to eat me? Please don’t eat me.”

Taehyung bit him playfully, “No. Stop trying to joke, you’re not funny.” He said, his tone coated with mirth. “I meant, like, in particular.”

“Then… no. I don’t. Enlighten me.” Despite Jimin’s teasing tone, his heart beat wildly in his chest, almost sure Taehyung could feel it through the thick layers of clothing.

“When we first became roommates, I know I started out kinda… distant.” Taehyung started, “To be honest, it’s ‘cause I had a small crush on you the moment we met.”

Jimin sucked in a sharp breath. Taehyung shushed him. “Shh, let me continue, alpha. I kinda avoided you since I didn’t wanna be too much, you know. But then my heat came along, even though I took birth control and… usually after one of them, I nest. Then I realized, you were the only comfort I ever had, despite our distance.”

Taehyung said all this as they remained in the same position, and Jimin wished he could see the omega’s face. Instead, he hugged him tighter as he continued on.

“So, yeah. You’re the only person I really trust. Can find comfort in. And uhh, I like you. A lot. I hope that’s okay with you.”

“Oh, puppy.” Jimin cooed as he sat up using an impressive amount of core strength, what with Taehyung’s entire body weight on him. He sat upright, the younger perched on his lap and his legs wrapping around Jimin’s waist, looked nervous for the first time in his own nest. “Oh puppy, puppy, puppy. I’m more than okay with it. In fact, I love it. I like you too. So much.” Jimin held Taehyung’s face in his hands. “Like you.” Then, remembering the younger’s words from the night before, said “Love you.”

Taehyung teared up, laughed wetly as he breathed out a “Really? You love me?”

Jimin nodded. “I do. So much.”

Taehyung hid his face in Jimin’s chest shyly as he muttered out, “I love you too. Love you, alpha. I love you, I love you, I love you.”

Jimin pulled Taehyung back out, wiped his tears away with his thumb. “Can I kiss you, Taehyungie?”

A small nod. “Please.”

And when their lips finally met for the first time, Jimin’s wolf howled once again, in tandem with Taehyung’s;

Mate.