Chapter Text
---
Then:
Considering how the pack had reacted to Namjoon taking a mission so they could all be home for Seokjin's rut, he really should've known that they wouldn't take it well when he tried to do the same thing for Jimin's and Taehyung's cycles a few months later. He thought he was doing the right thing by informing them ahead of time that he planned to take the two missions that were assigned to them that cycle week, but now that he was staring down a highly irate Bangtan pack, he was considering otherwise.
"I thought we told you not to take our missions anymore," Seokjin said, exasperated. Namjoon shifted in his seat, stirring the tea Yoongi had handed him a few minutes ago in an effort to busy his hands. They were all seated in the pack's living room, sprawled out over various couches and floor cushions with Namjoon himself perched on the edge of their one recliner. He'd come to inform them of his plan to free their schedule in a couple weeks, but now he was thinking he should've just made it a quiet surprise like last time.
"You did," he acknowledged to his teacup instead of the room, "but that was some months ago, and Jimin's and Taehyung's cycles are synced, so I thought you'd all like to be here this time to make things easier."
Taehyung groaned and flopped back so he was flat on the floor, his body half off the large cushion he was sitting on. "But that's not your job."
"It's my job to help—"
"Namjoon-ah, we've been over this," Hoseok sighed. He was seated on the couch across from Namjoon, his fingers buried in Jeongguk's hair who was seated on the floor and leaning back against Hoseok's knees. "You're our handler, not our mission replacement. Let us do our own missions or find someone else." His eyes bore into Namjoon, oddly fierce. "Either way, you're staying here, safe."
"He's right," Jimin said when he saw Namjoon's face pinch in a sign that he was gearing up to argue. "Namjoon hyung, I'm grateful that you want the whole pack home for mine and Tae's rut and heat, but please will you think about yourself? We don't want you getting hurt for us."
"They're simple missions," Namjoon pressed, ignoring how their concern did funny things behind his ribcage. He should probably get that checked. "Both are hardly worth a day each. I'll be gone and back before you even notice." One was technically classed as high danger and high priority, but that didn't change the fact that it was simple. Namjoon glanced at where Yoongi was watching him closely from his spot on the floor by Taehyung. As long as Namjoon didn't lie Yoongi wouldn't be able to say anything against him.
"If Namjoon hyung wants to help," Jeongguk said suddenly, and Namjoon didn't even have time to be concerned about the mischief in his eyes before he continued, "then why doesn't he just stay and help us? With Tae hyung and Jiminie hyung?"
Namjoon unfortunately had taken that moment to sip his tea, because he instantly started choking on it. He coughed and sputtered, blurrily noting Taehyung jumping up and thumping heartily on his back to help. He only gave himself time to recover with one big breath before he yelped out a wet "What?!"
He looked around wildly, waiting for literally anyone to refute Jeongguk. No one did. Instead, they all adopted innocent looks on their faces and nodded along like this made any type of sense.
"That's a good idea," Jimin said with a false air of thoughtfulness that made Namjoon want to throw one of the floor cushions at him. "If you're so eager to help us, hyung, you can help me through my rut."
"Or me through my heat," Taehyung nodded along. He and Jimin exchanged sly grins.
"Or both!" They said in unison, then proceeded to do a corny high five that made Namjoon groan.
"Stop," he pleaded. Damn them, it was obvious he was trying not to laugh. "Why won't you let me do this? Everything will be fine and you won't even notice I'm gone."
"Of course we'll notice," Hoseok said. "We always notice when you're not here."
"Besides," Seokjin added before Namjoon could acknowledge whatever that did behind his ribcage, "we agreed, remember? No more missions for you. Not while you're still our handler."
Namjoon huffed and finally sat back fully onto the recliner. He stared back down at his tea. "I just want you to be happy and comfortable. Jiminie and Tae-yah should have you all here for their cycles as often as I can make it possible."
"Tae and I will be comfortable knowing that you're not in danger," Jimin said. He raised himself off the floor to kneeling and shuffled forward on his knees. Namjoon held his breath and gripped his cup with both hands when Jimin came to a stop by his left leg and casually, carefully, dropped his chin onto Namjoon's thigh. "We were joking, by the way, about helping us through our periods—"
"Unless you want to," Taehyung said with a raucous wink.
"— unless you want to." Jimin agreed, rolling his eyes. "We just want you here, in the tower or in your own home, where you'll be safe." He looked back up at Namjoon and smiled. He was angelic. Namjoon wanted to squeeze his cheeks. He sighed and leaned his head back against the recliner instead.
"If you all agree that it's for the best," Namjoon said, knowing that he was just showing his hand once again as a weak man in the face of Bangtan asking him for anything, "then I won't take the missions. Not—" he cast a look at Taehyung "—to help with your periods. Not in that way. I'll check in and bring you food and and pain meds and anything else you need."
Jeongguk loudly boo'd at him. "You didn't help with my rut," he complained.
"Your whole pack was home for your rut," Namjoon reminded him. He paused, weighing the risks of what he was about to do, then finally thought fuck it and gently placed a hand on Jimin's head. He waited for any negative reaction, but when Jimin only hummed and closed his eyes, Namjoon started working his fingers through his hair, massaging the soft strands and scratching his scalp.
"So it's settled," Seokjin said, "Who are the missions for?"
"They're actually both for Yoongi hyung," Namjoon glanced at the truth seer apologetically. "I already looked for anyone with equal clearance to take at least one of the missions but everyone qualified is already either booked or on emergency stand-by."
Yoongi nodded. "It'll be alright. You said they're both simple, so I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Ah, about that," Namjoon mumbled. He looked back at Jimin to avoid the gaze of the room. The alpha was already looking up at him with one eyebrow raised. "One of them is a high-profile interrogation with a villain in possession of dangerous powers. High risk." Jimin's look turned withering. Namjoon glanced up at the rest of the pack to see that all of them were regarding him with varying levels of exasperation.
Hoseok groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose like he was getting a headache. "And when, pray tell, were you planning to tell us that?"
"As soon as possible," Namjoon promised, which could be translated to after the mission was done.
"God, Namjoon, what would you even do on a high-risk interrogation mission?" Seokjin asked. "Yoongi being assigned to it makes sense, but how would you replacing him help?"
Namjoon smiled sheepishly. Bangtan didn't know that he was good at extracting information. They didn't know the type of person he used to be before they met him. It made him almost giddy. It had been years since he regularly interacted with people who weren't aware of his reputation. It was like having a secret identity, one that he intended to keep secret.
"I'm sure I'd figure something out."
The whole pack regarded him skeptically. Namjoon could only shrug and take another sip of tea and continue to lightly pet Jimin's hair.
---
Now:
By the time the carrier touches down on the landing pad of the BigHit building, Namjoon is experiencing the old annoyance of a major adrenaline crash, and he knows Seokjin and Hoseok are not doing much better. They're all exhausted. He can't help but be extremely grateful that the Exo pack agreed to help him with this mission because he doesn't know how he'd handle it if he also had to fly them all home at the end of this.
With the familiar grumble and thump of the carrier landing, the three Bangtan members rise from where they've tangled themselves together on two pushed-together cots. Seokjin and Hoseok bow their thanks to Junmyeon and Dr. Zhang and Jongin, who had teleported in as soon as things were wrapped up with Sungho's people.
"My pack is in your debt," Seokjin says, still bent in a low bow. Hoseok nods next to him.
"This isn't even close to what I owe Namjoon-ssi," Junmyeon says. The corner of his lips and eyes are turned up in an almost-laugh. "All we did today was drive."
"That's not all," Seokjin says when he rises to his full height. He returns Junmyeon's smile with one of his own. "Say what you want, but I'll remember this. Call if you need anyone in Bangtan's services."
"I'll keep that in mind," Junmyeon promises in the polite tone that tells Namjoon that he very much will not keep it in mind. Junmyeon's most defining trait is his generosity, and that often leads to an easy willingness to forget that most of the hero industry owes him and Exo some kind of favor. Namjoon understands. He's the exact same way.
Seokjin and Hoseok move to the door. When they glance back at Namjoon he waves them away. "Go on," he says. "I'll be right there."
They both regard him for a moment longer before nodding. Hoseok swipes his hand over the keypad and the heavy door lifts open slowly. They duck out before it's in a full open position, no doubt immediately being greeted by their waiting pack.
Namjoon takes a deep breath and turns back to the three Exo pack members. He bows deeply, his body a perfect ninety degree angle.
"Seokjin hyung was right," he says to the floor. "You did more than just drive today. Thank you." He holds his bow until Dr. Zhang's gentle hands press on his shoulders to raise him up.
"Junmyeon-ah was right, too," the doctor says. "We owe you a lot as well. There's no need for thanks between us."
Namjoon shakes his head. "Dr. Zhang—"
"I think we can drop the formalities," Junmyeon cuts in. He's smiling, his lips barely turned up but his eyes crinkled at the sides as if he's wearing a full grin. "Don't you agree, Namjoon-ah? You should call us hyung."
Dr. Zhang — Lay hyung — nods in agreement. Beside them, Jongin smiles wide enough to show off all his teeth and nods as well, a lot more eagerly.
"Call me hyung as well, Namjoon-ah!" he exclaims excitedly, then yelps when Lay smacks him loudly on the thigh.
"Pervert," Junmyeon mutters, looking like a disappointed father more than a revered hero alpha. Then he says to Namjoon, "You were born in the same year, Namjoon-ah. Please don't make his head any bigger by calling him hyung." Namjoon laughs loudly while Jongin does an impressive job of whining like he's been shot in the leg.
"Ok," he says when he catches his breath. "Thank you, Junmyeon hyung, Lay hyung," he side eyes Jongin, amused, "Jongin-ssi."
Jongin puts his hands to his chest like he's been physically hit, "Rude," he whimpers, blinking like he'll cry.
"Enough," Lay says before Jongin can get going with another dramatic display. "Namjoon-ah, if you don't leave now your pack will come in and get you, and respectfully—" he gives Namjoon a look that is almost exasperated, "— I don't want to deal with that."
"Ah," Namjoon blinks, processing the emotional mess that is usually feral pack reunions, and can't help but understand. "You're right. I— thank you. I mean it." He gives them one last grateful bow. "Please return home safely." He rises then turns and speed walks to the door. He pauses a moment and takes a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever level of feral the pack might be at, then steps out into the open air of BigHIt's rooftop landing pad.
The cold air hits him instantly as he blinks at the bright lights that line the edges of the pad. It's night time now, he realizes, and the chill that comes with it makes him shiver in place as he turns to watch the carrier door close. Almost immediately the vehicle lifts off, and Namjoon grins wryly to himself. Apparently Lay was not joking about not wanting to be here for whatever reunion might take place. He gathers his nerves and turns back towards the rest of the pad.
He was right about the pack being here to immediately greet them. There, just meters away, Seokjin and Hoseok are in the middle of a complicated and tight group hug. Jeongguk is somehow fully wrapped around both of them from the front, his head in between theirs as he scents both of them furiously. Behind Seokjin and Hoseok, Taehyung and Jimin respectively have tightly wrapped their arms around the two alpha's waists. Jimin's face is pressed flushed against the space on Hoseok's back between his shoulder blades, while Taehyung growls and alternates between rubbing his cheek against Seokjin's nape and sinking his teeth into his shoulder. In front of them, behind Jeongguk, Yoongi leans against their whole tangled knot. He somehow has found a way to scent all of them at the same time, rubbing his face against Jeongguk's shoulder, Seokjin's and Hoseok's arms wrapped around him, Taehyung and Jimin's arms around them—
Namjoon takes it all in, and finally, finally, he feels at peace.
He shivers again and closes his eyes. He did it. Everyone is home. Everyone is safe. He needs to shower, and so do Seokjin and Hoseok, but that's ok because they're all home.
His knees knock together a little and he drops into a squat to save himself the dignity of a collapse. He crosses his arms over his knees and leans his head against them, breathing deeply and ignoring the scent of blood and feral almost-Rage from the pack that permeates the air around him.
"Namjoon-ssi."
Namjoon peeks up and meets the eyes of CEO Bang standing tall in front of him.
"CEO Bang," he greets. His voice is hoarse from the relief. "Hello."
"Hello," CEO Bang says. "You did well. Injuries?"
"Healed," Namjoon responds. "Some left over bruises that'll heal on their own. Fatigue. Need some bloodwork, but Lay hyung — Dr. Zhang — said everything should be fine anyway." He watches as CEO Bang takes in his appearance and grimaces. "Blood's not mine," he adds.
"Mmh," CEO Bang says. Namjoon opens his mouth to say more but is interrupted by the looming figure that steps past his boss.
He swallows thickly at the look on Jimin's face.
"Jimin-ah," he greets. Jimin's wings are slowly unfurling, obviously not of his own volition; a sure sign that he's barely hanging onto his control by a thread. Namjoon belatedly remembers that no one besides Seokjin or Hoseok would know that the gore he's covered in isn't his. "Listen—"
"Don't," Jimin says quietly. He's shaking, and the longer he stares at Namjoon the thicker the air gets with the Rage that's radiating off of him. "Just— don't. If you say you're fine or whatever I might lose my mind."
Namjoon wisely swallows back the words he was going to say and reaches one hand out to the alpha. He doesn't think his legs are steady enough to stand up straight yet.
"Come here," he says. "Jimin-ah, come smell. I swear, it's not mine. Just come check for yourself."
Jimin's lip curls at the hand extended to him, and Namjoon has to remind himself that it's because of the blood and not because of Namjoon himself. Still, after a moment, Jimin takes his hand and kneels in front of him. His wings encompass the both of them to the point Namjoon can't even see CEO Bang anymore as Jimin presses his nose to his wrist and closes his eyes. Namjoon can feel the air around his wrist shift with the deep breath Jimin takes, trying to catch his scent under the blood.
"I'm okay," he reassures. "I promise, Jimin-ah. We're all okay." Jimin's eyes open to look at him. Namjoon's heart sinks as instead of looking reassured, Jimin's pupils are blown so wide it seems to take over his whole iris. "Jimin—"
A growl from outside of Jimin's wingspan cuts him off. Namjoon turns his head to watch as Jimin moves one wing to the side just enough for Jeongguk to see past them. The maknae takes them in for only a second before his eyes widen in horror.
"Wait, Jeongguk, don't—"
"Hyungs! Hyungs, help!"
Namjoon groans and drops his head back onto his one arm that's still folded over his knees as Jeongguk calls to the rest of the pack then pushes past Jimin's wings and falls to his knees at his side. Namjoon's head is forcefully raised again by Jeongguk, who grips his jaw and turns him side to side so he can see both sides of his face.
"Where are you hurt?" Jeongguk demands. Around them, Jimin's now fully unfurled and massive wings just barely part to allow the pack through the barrier before closing again, folded so tight that Namjoon immediately feels as if he's buried beneath the combination of warm pack bodies and the scents they exude of relief, terror, gratitude, and Rage.
"I'm not hurt," Namjoon tries to tell Jeongguk; tries to tell the pack as a whole, but at the sight of him all of them save Seokjin and Hoseok instantly sink wholly into a feral headspace that nearly bowls Namjoon over with the heaviness of it's gasoline stench that fills the air. He's sure that the only reason that he stays in his squatted position instead of flat on his ass is because he's held tightly in the middle of their almost-pile as they all try at once to frantically look him over. At some point someone hooks their arms under his armpits and pull him to fully standing, which his weak legs still aren't ready for but it's alright because Seokjin quickly ducks to pull one of Namjoon's arms over his shoulder and keep him upright.
Namjoon turns his head to speak directly into the head alpha's ear. "Hyung," he pleads. "Tell them I'm okay."
"I don't think that will help," Seokjin says wryly without a trace of sympathy in his voice. Even as he speaks, Taehyung envelops Namjoon from behind and buries his face in his nape, the slightest hint of teeth scraping against his skin there. Jeongguk stands on Namjoon's side opposite Seokjin, gripping Namjoon's arm hard enough there might be finger-shaped bruises at the end of this. Yoongi nudges Jimin urgently a little to the side so he can wriggle between them and stand in front of Namjoon, then reaches up to grip both sides of Namjoon's head and turns him to look forward and directly into his eyes.
"Namjoon-ah," he growls. "Don't lie. Tell hyung where you're hurt."
"I'm not," Namjoon insists. When Yoongi's lips twist in a growl he cuts him off before he can ask again. "Not in the way you're thinking. It's just some bruises now, hyung. I swear. The blood's not mine." When Yoongi continues to stare at him Namjoon leans forward until he can nudge his nose against the truth-seer's forehead, hoping to come off as reassuring but his exhaustion makes him clumsy and he bumps his nose just a little too hard. He blinks past the tears that spring into his eyes at the brief pain in his newly-healed nose.
"I'm telling the truth," he promises against Yoongi's skin. "I'm barely hurt. We're home now. Everyone's safe." He pulls back to look Yoongi in the eye again. "Yoongi hyung, I promised you, didn't I? We all came home."
Yoongi regards him for a moment longer. His eyes are the same dark pits as Jimin's, but his Rage has always been different from anyone else's that Namjoon's ever seen. Yoongi doesn't lose himself to his Rage. Instead, he wrangles it into something sharp and dangerous; a weapon with two sharp ends that only he can wield without being hurt.
Yoongi uses that weapon now, prodding at Namjoon's half-truths and promises until he's sure that they hold strong, and only then does he huff and look away. He releases his grip on Namjoon's head and pulls Jimin close with a hand low around his waist, easily avoiding his wings. Everyone's eyes are on Yoongi now, always trusting their head omega's verdict even in the deepest parts of their feral headspaces.
Yoongi presses his nose against Jimin's temple. "He's alright," he says quietly. "Let us out now, Jimin-ah. Let's get everyone home," his lip curls as he side-eyes the three who just got back, "and in a bath."
Leaning against Seokjin's side opposite Namjoon, Hoseok huffs in offense as Seokjin tightens his grip on Namjoon's arm around his shoulder. "Rude," the alpha mutters, but there's nothing but sweet relief and gratitude in his tone. Once Jimin's wings pull back — barely; he's obviously struggling with letting the pack out of his protective embrace — Seokjin uses the extra room to slide his other hand past where Taehyung's still pressed against Namjoon's back and wraps his arm around Namjoon's waist to take more of his weight. When Namjoon tries to straighten up so he's not leaning so much on him, Seokjin nips him on the ear in warning.
"Let me hold you," he growls. Namjoon rolls his eyes but sags against him once again.
"I rescued you," he mutters. "I should be holding you up."
"Hush, Namjoon-ah," Hoseok says from Seokjin's other side. Seokjin's super strength must be mostly restored, because he's holding both of them up easily as they slowly shuffle forward towards the stairs that will lead them down to the private elevators. The rest of the pack sans Jimin fans out in front of them in a protective arc while Jimin brings up the rear, his wings still flared to block Seokjin, Hoseok, and Namjoon from any outside forces. As a group they move slowly, matching the pace of their newly-returned three.
"Wait," Namjoon calls, remembering. He cranes his neck to get a look around Jimin's wings and — there. CEO Bang is still standing off to the side. "CEO Bang, my report—"
"Don't worry about it, Namjoon-ssi," his boss says over the chorus of displeased sounds from the pack. "Just get some rest. I'll call you later."
"Tomorrow," Jeongguk says.
"In three days, actually," Seokjin corrects. He doesn't even turn to face CEO Bang; doesn't acknowledge him beyond his words. "You will not be hearing from any of us for the next three days. Please do not disturb us, either."
"Hyung, I have to give my report—"
"It will be the same in three days as it would be today," Seokjin cuts him off. He presses his nose to Namjoon's cheek. "The pack's already feral," he says quietly, only loud enough for Namjoon to hear. "Now that we're home, they'll only go deeper into the mindset from here. Please, will you stay?"
Namjoon takes in the tight formation that's been formed around them and knows that he won't be getting out of this without a fight. It's not like he wants to get out of it anyway.
"Alright," he agrees. He sends an apologetic look over his shoulder to CEO Bang, who doesn't look too put out despite the outright disrespect he's just been subject to. "I do need a bath."
Their shuffle to and down the stairs is long, but the elevator ride to the pack penthouse is blessedly short and less cramped once Jimin manages to wrangle his wings back under control and out of this plane of existence. Unfortunately, in the closed quarters of the elevator, the stench of gore coming off Namjoon only fuels the Rage of the rest of the pack so by the time they step into their own quarters they're all riled up to a point that Namjoon can only hope will fade after they're all clean and able to sleep off the stress of the mission. Even Seokjin and Hoseok are barely able to fight their instincts rising in response to their pack's distressed pheromones, so when they're all herded into the large pack bathroom Namjoon can only accept his fate when he's urged to remove his clothes along with everyone else.
Looks like it's time for his first pack bath.
Their stripping is quick and efficient; no undercurrent of heat or lust, which Namjoon is grateful for because right now he feels the furthest thing from desirable. Once naked, he makes his way to the overhead shower off to the side, but only takes a few steps before Taehyung's hand wraps around his bicep.
"Come back," Taehyung demands, his vocal chords barely able to form the words past a low growl.
"I need to wash myself first," Namjoon says.
Taehyung shakes his head, and now everyone is watching them. Jimin rises from where he's knelt helping Yoongi remove his socks and comes to where Namjoon and Taehyung stare each other down.
"We'll bathe together," Taehyung insists, the words even more garbled than before as he gets more worked up. He barely spares Jimin a glance. "Min-ah, tell him."
Namjoon cuts Jimin off before he can try to convince him. "I'm not getting all this—" he gestures to his whole self, "in the bath water with everyone in it. That's gross, and it won't help the way that we're all feeling."
"But—"
"No," Namjoon says firmly. He pries his arm out of Taehyung's grip. "Tae-yah, I need to shower first." He sees the way that the entire pack is slowly tensing up again at the discussion and huffs. "Just stand outside the shower if you feel that uncomfortable about me being away from you for ten minutes."
"We'll shower with you," Yoongi says.
"We can't all fit."
"Then I'll join you," Taehyung says. His tone implies that no amount of arguing will change his mind, so Namjoon doesn't even try.
"Me, too," Jimin says. Namjoon glares half-heartedly at him then sighs in defeat.
"Fine, but that's it," he asserts. He eyes Jeongguk where he looks like he wants to rise from where he's already settled in the huge bath, Seokjin nearly completely pulled onto his lap. "Anymore and it'll be too crowded. We'll be ten minutes at most." He watches Taehyung and Jimin for a moment longer before they huff and nod in agreement. He sighs and turns back to the shower, the other two following close behind.
He makes the mistake of turning on the water after he's already under the shower head, so the initial blast of cold on his skin makes him flinch back, knocking him against Taehyung's chest. Taehyung's arms wrap around his waist before he has the chance to apologize and move away again, locking him in place as Jimin moves past them to adjust the water's temperature to just on the comfortable side of scalding.
Taehyung hums and nuzzles at the junction of Namjoon's neck and shoulder, seemingly completely ignorant of the water that is hitting their bodies and instantly turns red on contact with Namjoon's filthy skin. He growls and tries to tighten his hold when Namjoon pulls away.
"Tae-yah, let him move so we can wash him," Jimin tells him, which Namjoon almost thinks is funny considering the alpha is pressed fully to his side. Taehyung huffs and reluctantly lets him go, then takes the exfoliating loofah off its hook on the shower wall and lathers it with soap. When he reaches back towards him however, Namjoon steps away.
"I can wash myself," he says. He tries to take the loofah, but Taehyung hands it to Jimin before he can grab it.
"Just stand still, hyung. We want to do this." Jimin's eyes are tracing Namjoon's whole body as the hot water continues to flow red off his skin, obviously scanning for any injuries that might not have been visible as the water washes away the filth that was covering him.
"Jimin—"
"Hyung," Taehyung cuts him off. He comes to stand in front of him and, before Namjoon understands what's happening, holds him close and steady with one hand on the small of his back and uses his other hand to firmly yet carefully grip his chin and tilt his head back until his hair is under the water. Namjoon can feel the matting in his hair from all the blood; knows that the water is running thick and red down the side of his face and his body, stained even darker than it was when it was just hitting his back and shoulders. He can't look like anything other an a horrifying and gory mess, yet Taehyung doesn't look away. Jimin is watching Namjoon over Taehyung's shoulder, his Rage-dark eyes hooded and predatory, and he doesn't look away, either.
In fact, they're both looking at him like he's a piece in an art museum. Like he's the centerpiece of a carefully chiseled water fountain. Like he's the only cloud in a desert sky. Like he's a desire path that they've created themselves. They look at Namjoon like they love him, and he doesn't know how that can be true when the smell of death that clings to him is stinking up the humid air of the shower around them.
"Hyung," Taehyung says again. His hands are trembling, just barely; his whole body leaning into Namjoon's space like he can't bring himself to pull away even a centimeter. "I love you."
Namjoon shudders as the words wash over him. Goosebumps raise along his arms despite the hot water, and his eyes barely flutter shut before he forces them open again so he can take in the miracles that stand in front of him and love him despite the evidence of who he is capable of being. He takes Taehyung's declaration and lets it steady his quivering heart, then leans forward. He presses his nose to Taehyung's cheek and makes eye contact with Jimin over his shoulder.
"I love you, too," he breathes against Taehyung's skin.
Taehyung let's go of his chin to slide his hand to his nape, the action making Namjoon's eyes nearly flutter shut again. Jimin gets on his tiptoes so he can lean over Taehyung's shoulder and nuzzle Namjoon's jaw.
"Then let us love you," Jimin breathes. And Namjoon's never been able to say no to him, has he?
Namjoon's hair is actually worse than he'd thought, so the shower is closer to twenty minutes than ten. When all three of them are finally satisfied with his cleanliness and step out of the shower, he's not surprised to see that Yoongi has indeed decided to wait for them just outside the stall, his brows furrowed and a worried pout on his lips. Namjoon's heart eases a little when he notices that the heavy Rage scent that is pouring off of the omega has lightened, albeit minutely.
Taehyung and Jimin eagerly lead him back to the bath tub with Yoongi trailing close behind. Jimin sinks in first then pointedly gestures to his lap.
"I am not sitting on you," Namjoon says. Jimin's lip curls, but when Namjoon just raises a judging eyebrow at him in response he sniffs petulantly and scoots over so he has room to sit next to him instead, though the way the alpha immediately has his arms around his waist in an iron-strong hold makes Namjoon think that sitting in his lap might have been more comfortable anyway. Yoongi settles down at Namjoon's side opposite Jimin while Taehyung walks around the tub so he can slide in behind Hoseok and pull the alpha onto his lap.
The rest of the bath passes with murmurs and reassurances passed between the pack, slowly gaining more volume and passion as they all relax. Seokjin and Hoseok have to promise over and over again that yes, they're fine; yes, they've been sufficiently healed; no, they don't need to talk to the BigHIt on-call therapist; yes, Namjoon nearly gave them a heart attack when he traded himself in; no, he is never allowed to do it again; yes, it is very hot when he gets all protective.
Namjoon raises his eyebrow at the direction the conversation has taken. "Why can't you all just be normal," he mutters.
"I'm normal," Yoongi says.
"Don't listen to him," Jimin teases. "Yoongi hyung was the first one to slip into a Rage."
Yoongi bares all his teeth at Jimin and Namjoon is uncomfortably reminded that the Rage is still very much present in everyone's scents, even if it has faded more than he could've hoped for Seokjin's and Hoseok's first night back. He clears his throat pointedly when Jimin's eyes narrow and he bares his teeth back at Yoongi.
"Alright then," he says loudly, stopping all conversation flow. He stands and shivers a little in the cooler bathroom air and very deliberately doesn't think about how his crotch and ass is now at eye level with the rest of the pack. "I'm tired. If you're going to start posturing, I'm going to sleep."
Jeongguk just about leaps up and out of the tub, dragging an unfortunate but only lightly protesting Seokjin out with him. "Wear my clothes, hyung," he says hurriedly before Namjoon can fully leave the room. Namjoon can never say no to him, either.
He gets dressed lethargically, the exhaustion of the past day — of the past week — catching up to him fast and hard. He's glad that Seokjin told CEO Bang to not expect his after-mission report for another three days because that's how long it feels like he might sleep. He pulls on an old soft shirt and a pair of loose sweats and shuffles into the pack den. Everyone else is still getting dressed so he gets comfortable with a little pile of blankets that he settles in close to the door, leaving the rest of the room open for the others to arrange themselves however they wish.
He's just barely wrapped himself in a tight blanket burrito when Seokjin and Jeongguk walk in.
"What are you doing over there?" Seokjin asks. Namjoon doesn't even have time to question what he means before Jeongguk squats down and hoists him up, blanket burrito and all, and plops him back down in the giant nest of blankets, pillows, and clothes in the center of the room.
"Christ, Jeongguk-ah. You could've just asked me to move," Namjoon mutters. His comment is ignored as both alphas dim the lights to near darkness and tuck themselves in until they're pressed in flush on either side of him.
The rest of the pack arrange themselves around (or in Jimin's case, on) them as they arrive, adjusting themselves as they get more and more comfortable until eventually they settle with Seokjin, Hoseok, and Namjoon in the center of a once again protective formation. Namjoon watches them settle down and hold each other close and one by one drift into slumber through heavy eyes and doesn't fight the adoration that blooms from deep in his chest and warms his whole body, tingling along his scalp and making his toes curl in a cheesy and private display.
This is his pack. They're still technically in the courting stage, of course, but—
Bangtan. His pack. His pack. The thought makes him giddy, makes him want to smile so hard that his eyes are forced shut, so that's what he does.
"What are you smiling about?" Hoseok asks quietly. Seokjin is dead asleep between them, the head alpha having scooted down at some point so he could wrap his arms around Namjoon's hips and snore against his belly. Hoseok is pressed in tight behind Seokjin, his head level with Namjoon's. He's curled so far forward that they might as well be sharing the same pillow.
"You," Namjoon replies, just as quiet. "All of you. I'm just—" he swallows thickly and turns his head to rub his face against his pillow with a sudden, sweet-scented bashfulness. "I'm happy to be home. I'm happy we're all home."
He keeps his face turned down into the pillow for a moment longer as he tries to fight down the elation that makes him feel like he might float away. He listens as Hoseok shuffles around a bit and peeks up to watch the him unwrap one arm from around Seokjin and slide his hand up to cup Namjoon's face tenderly, turning it back up again. Heat spreads from his touch, grounding Namjoon.
"I'm happy, too," Hoseok says. His eyes shine like full moons, even in the darkness. He looks at Namjoon like he's the sun. "Namjoon-ah. My beloved. Thank you for bringing us home." Namjoon's eyes widen, then slam shut as he tries to wrestle down the feelings that wash over him. Hoseok taps his thumb against his cheek, beckoning he open them again, and rewards him with a smile when he does. "Don't hide, Joon-ah. You're still so bad at letting us thank you."
"Go to sleep," Namjoon blurts. He can't hide here; not from the devotion and adoration that he harbors for these men nor from its reciprocation. He can only lay here in the middle of the den of the pack that loves him — that despite everything has chosen him — and look into the eyes of one of the men he's honored to love and have no choice but to receive the full force of that returning love in his gaze alone. Hoseok grins widely at him, amused by his embarrassment. His hand on Namjoon's cheek goes from cradling to teasingly pinching at where he knows the dimple is.
"Ah, who knew you'd be so shy?" Hoseok murmurs. His obvious delight makes Namjoon roll his eyes and nip at his fingers, which makes both of them huff quiet laughs. It turns into a little game of Hoseok poking and pinching his face while Namjoon growls playfully and attempts to chomp off his finger tips.
He almost doesn't sense the change in mood. Seemingly between one moment and the next, Hoseok goes from poking at his dimple to cupping his chin, and suddenly he's there, curled all the way forward so their heads nearly knock together and they're sharing the same breath. Namjoon freezes, his mouth still slightly open in an aborted attempt at a bite. Hoseok's focus is entirely on his lips. The heat in his body is now just a little different from before, and he can't help but swallow thickly, licking his suddenly dry lips. Hoseok's eyes track the motion. Namjoon sees the way his jaw clenches, and he watches — entranced, suspended — as the alpha takes a deep breath through his nose.
"Namjoon," Hoseok breathes. His voice is rough, from exhaustion and something deeper, something more primal than Namjoon is willing to name right now. Hoseok's scent is heavy around them with a low-burning desire that makes him shiver. "May I kiss you?"
That different, delicious heat flares through Namjoon and he nearly gives in, but he steels himself. This is something that he will not back down on, no matter who asks. He tilts his head down to brush his lips against Hoseok's palm.
"No," he whispers. Hoseok's fingers twitch against his chin. "Not until you're all out of your Rage." He tilts his head up and presses his nose to Hoseok's, relishing in the sharp inhale and tightening of the fingers holding his jaw that the movement earns him. He's playing with fire in toying with both their desires like this, but he trusts Hoseok to follow his wishes with his whole heart. "No one in the pack is allowed to kiss me until all of you are clear-headed."
Hoseok stays still against him for a moment longer, then groans and pulls both his head and hand away so he's back in his original position.
"Alright, alright," he mumbles. He scrunches his body forward just far enough to kiss the top of Seokjin's head before wrapping himself around the head alpha once again. "I guess I can wait."
Namjoon's shoulders shake as he holds in his laughter. "Patience is a virtue, my alpha." Hoseok stiffens before forcibly relaxing. Namjoon can't help latching onto the reaction. "Do you like it when I call you that? My alpha?"
This time it's Hoseok's turn to bury his face in his pillow. "Of course I like it. Now go to sleep," he hisses. Namjoon continues to struggle to laugh quietly, even as they both finally let their exhaustion take over them and sweep them into a dreamless sleep, surrounded by the warm bodies of their pack. Namjoon smiles even as he drifts away.
He doesn't know if he'll ever get over calling them his.
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