“a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.”
Summary: You had been working at Bangtan Corporation for almost two years now, and not once have you ever laid eyes on your bosses. That was, until you met them when out with some of your coworkers. Now, you almost wish you hadn’t. Almost.
Your life in your small hometown was not the best, in your opinion. If someone were to ask your siblings, or literally any other person who resided in the small mountain town, they would say the exact opposite.
You were more or less deemed the “black sheep” of the family within the first ten years of your life, never fitting in anywhere, even within your own family. You had an older sister and brother, as well as two younger sisters, making you the middle child.
When you moved out of town to go to university, you didn’t hear a word from your family, not even on your graduation day, which was fine with you.
However, one they heard that you were working for Bangtan Co., your family suddenly wanted to know how you were doing, what you were doing, and if you could send them money.
They suddenly acted like you existed now that you “made it big”, even though your mother still complained that you weren’t ever going to get married or give her any grandchildren.
And just like that, not even 15 minutes into waking up on this seemingly wonderful Sunday morning, you were suddenly reminded of your entire childhood of invalidation.
“Heyy! I know we didn’t call or anything, but we need a place to crash for a couple of days and you were the only person we know in Korea.”
You had opened the door only to come face to face with two people you were hoping never to see again.
“a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.”
Summary: You had been working at Bangtan Corporation for almost two years now, and not once have you ever laid eyes on your bosses. That was, until you met them when out with some of your coworkers. Now, you almost wish you hadn’t. Almost.
Chapter Warnings: fat phobia, mentions of trauma, some pieces of jungkooks past, mc questioning everything again, nasty clerks, just tons of feelings, angst, major feelings of inferiority, angry jimin,
Entering Yoongi’s office, you find a whole buffet laid out against the wall next to the large window and papasan chairs. There were different fruits, cut up into squares, as well as meats, cheeses and even bread rolls. Drinks were off to the side along with some plates and silverware. You stood in awe of the room while Jungkook and Jimin made a dash for the food, not even bothering with a plate as they began to shove their mouths full of food.
A hand on your back tore your eyes away from the hungry pups.
“Here baby, why don’t you go sit down with Yoongi and I will make you a plate, hmm?” Jin asked, more like pushed you over to where Yoongi sat with Hobi on his lap.
Listening to him, you had no urge or need to say anything, more than content to just listen to his words. Sitting down in the oversize seat, you look down at your lap, waiting for Jin to return with your plate of food. It only took him a couple of seconds, two plates in hand, one with fruit and a couple bread rolls, and the other with some meats and cheeses for you to nibble on.
“Good girl.” He muttered, loud enough for you to hear, and consequently blush, as he moved to sit next to you, his side pressed right up against yours. You held no fire in your eyes as you let him feed you little bits of fruit. You held no thoughts as you let him take care of you, content with listening to the others talk and discuss the gala coming up in a couple of weeks.
You were content just being in their presence.
Hoseok couldn’t explain the satisfaction and pride swelling up in his chest at seeing you nuzzled up into his mate’s side, your sharp and cold demeanor now that of a newborn puppy. Like an omega in her alpha’s side. The marks littered across your neck had his alpha crooning, pure happiness that you were claimed as theirs.
He could see the struggle within, could see how much you truly needed the reassurance only they could provide you. The amount of information he managed to get on your past greatly upset him, made him want to protect you even more. He needed to make sure you were always safe and comfortable; that you were loved and taken care of.
Watching Jin feed you little bits of fruit as you looked up at him with stars in your eyes settled his protective instincts, if only for a while. Knowing that you were starving yourself, not getting enough food in your belly, made his alpha crazy with need. He couldn’t stand the fact that you weren’t taking care of yourself, that you were depriving yourself of nutrients because of your past.
You didn’t even comprehend that Seokjin was feeding you, your mind blank with content as you leaned your head against his broad shoulder. You felt fuzzy, like everything was passing by you while you sat. You couldn’t make out anything anyone was saying at this point. You could only feel the warmth Seokjin was providing, could feel his hand wrapped round your waist as he held you to him.
You just let yourself feed into your inner desires at this point. Unknowingly giving Seokjin the opportunity to feed his own. His chest was puffed out in pride, happy rumbles leaving his body as he felt you lean into him more and more as time went on. His alpha was happy that you were finally letting him take care of you, letting him sate his instincts and provide for his omega.
He, along with Yoongi and Hoseok, could see that you, on the inside, wanted to be taken care of. That you wanted to give up control. And they were all too happy to provide. They were completely ready for you to leave your job, to move in with them so they could keep you safe in their den.
Seokjin especially wished nothing more than to wake up to the sight of you in the nest he would help you make. Your eyes closed as you slept, wrapped in his mate’s arms as he held you close. Their den would be your safe space, would symbolize the comfort and safety they could provide you.
Realizing you were asleep, Seokjin moved his phone out of his pocket, quickly going to the online omega store he had bookmarked this morning after you had left in the elevator with Taehyung.
He quickly scrolled down to the nesting blankets, buying the softest one he could find. When he was in your apartment, he noticed the soft blues that seemed to fill up your living room, the powder blue imprinted into his mind as a comfort for you. He may not have seen your room, but he could only imagine the number of blankets and other comfort items the walls held within.
Of the time he has known you, he has realized you were a creature of comfort, someone who needed to self soothe with items. He noticed how you always rubbed your fingers together, probably subconsciously. He noticed all of your clothing was of the same material, soft cotton that probably felt good against your skin.
And he also noticed the way you bit at your lip and cheek, an anxious tic that had probably developed when you were younger. He and his alpha hated that they had not been able to find you sooner, had not been able to show you the love you deserved sooner. Maybe then you would feel more comfortable in your own skin. Maybe then you would be able to accept their love without thinking it was a joke.
Seokjin just wanted you to see yourself the way that they saw you. He hoped that their courting of you would be able to help you truly love yourself, and not just the façade you seemed to put up. The start to his packs courting of you was food and flowers, typical courting items that most packs started with.
But after that, it usually differed depending on the person being courted. For Jungkook, his second phase of courting involved trips to Han River where he could lay in the grass, picnics by the waterfront as they listened to the trees rustle in the wind.
Jungkook’s background was very sheltered, and he was not allowed to leave the house until he was 18. So, the beginning of their courting was secret, hidden from his family. His family believed that Alphas were a menace to society, that they were all dominant assholes who intimidated and dominated to get their way.
For Jungkook to present as an Alpha when he was 12, that was the worst possible nightmare coming true for the calm and anxious boy. After that night, he was only allowed to go to school and back and would then be locked in his room without food. His family had wanted to beat and starve the alpha wolf out of their son.
Jungkook had met the boys through school, when he was still in the after school sports program. He had met Yoongi first, who was his mentor in basketball. He was sixteen when he and Yoongi had met Hoseok, Jin, and Namjoon, and it seemed as though he wasn’t alone anymore. Jimin and Taehyung had come later, when Jungkook was eighteen and had just began to feel safe leaving Yoongi and Jin’s home.
None of the boys had any idea about Jungkook’s home life until he didn’t show up to school one day. The day after his younger brother had presented. Yoongi had immediately felt as though something was wrong. Could feel the pain through their bond, Jin, Hoseok, and Namjoon feeling the same thing.
By the time Jungkook was ready to confess to his mates about his home life, Seokjin and Yoongi had already figured it out, showing up at his home and forcibly entering, police behind them as they rushed to their mate’s room, saving him and bringing him back to their now shared home.
Seokjin knew your home life was nothing of the sort, but emotional abuse was sometimes just as bad, if not worse than physical. And he would do anything he could to help bring you out of your shell. If that meant buying you comfort items as your personalized courting gifts, then so be it.
Clicking buy on the soft, powder blue blanket, he made sure to add a couple of other things to his cart, things he knew you would love and cherish, even if you didn’t show it at first.
He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of you pouting at him, not wanting him to buy you anything.
He knew that you would love it though. Knew that when you saw it, you would cuddle deeper into the fabric. Would nuzzle deeper into the symbol of his complete protection.
-*-*-
You had fallen asleep in Seokjin’s side, waking up to the comfort of your own bed. You were wrapped up in a pretty blue blanket, the fabric so soft you couldn’t help but bring it to your head and nuzzle your cheek into it.
You don’t remember buying the blanket, knowing it probably cost more than your entire apartment with how soft the fabric is. The only thing you could think of is Seokjin, knowing he had seen the colors you decorated your apartment with.
Slowly pushing yourself up off the bed, you rested back on your pillows only to feel your pillow move up and down behind you. Turning around, you come face to face with Jimin, his cheeks puffy with sleep as he tightens his grip on your shirt, something you hadn’t noticed before.
“Morning ‘mega.” Snapping your head to your door, you noticed Hoseok leaning against your bedroom’s door frame. You were now beyond confused at the situation you woke up in. How did you even get home? Did one of them carry you in? Were the others here as well?
Watching as Hoseok took a sip out of one of the mugs you had managed to collect, you rubbed at your cheek, wiping away any trace of drool you might have managed to produce. Hoseok could only smile at your actions, glad he was the only one awake after Jimin passed out.
Hoseok had been the one to carry you home, Jimin tagging along after he begged to come along, claiming he needed to be with you. He could tell the younger needed to calm his instincts, and if that meant being with you, then he was fine.
Jin wanted to come, but instead had gone home to see if he could help Taehyung with Namjoon. There is only so many times the poor boy could take the head alpha’s knot. Jungkook and Yoongi unfortunately had to go back to work. Jungkook, to deal with the drama of Jinae being dragged out of the office, and Yoongi because he had a rehearsal he had to supervise.
Jin was a little concerned with how the alpha was handling everything, given how out of control he seemed with his wolf. Namjoon usually had the most control out of the entire pack. It appears their omega was affecting him more than they originally estimated. Anyone would go crazy over you, Jin thought with a smile on his face.
Hoseok could understand where his pack alpha was coming from, seeing you slowly try to untangle yourself from Jimin’s koala grip. You were the cutest thing he had ever seen, and he had seen Jungkook as a bare faced adolescent.
You struggled for a couple of minutes, until finally getting out from under Jimin’s tight grip. Getting off your bed, you know you should be embarrassed at the fact that the two men were in your room, but you couldn’t be bothered. You were still a little fizzy from before, and instead chose to move to Hoseok, leaning against his chest.
Making sure you didn’t knock into the mug in his hands, he wraps his arms around your back, just enough for you to feel the weight against your skin. He hummed, bringing his chin to rest on the top of your head. Deciding to sit on the couch with you, he slowly moved towards the piece of furniture, your legs shuffling along as you followed his lead.
Sitting down, you quickly slump into the cushion, grabbing the blanket you always keep on the back of the couch to wrap around you. You feel Hoseok grab the blanket from you, tucking you under it and bringing your legs onto his lap, a small smile on his face when you don’t fight him.
However, when you finally open your eyes, and he can see them, he notices how hazy they look. He can tell that you were fuzzy, feeling out of it. Now that he caught a glimpse, your actions made sense. You were in the middle of a scent high, probably so sensitive to it because you had never been scented before.
This realization made Hoseok bring you in closer, careful not to push out any more pheromones. Typing out a quick message into the group chat he shared with the boys, he moved in to hold you. He didn’t want you to drop, having the idea that you would experience subspace sooner or later. Watching you earlier, leaning into Jin’s side, he had some idea of your headspace, but didn’t knew entirely until now.
He savored it while he could, not even letting Jimin hold you when he woke up. He continued to hold you close, breathing in your scent. He knew once you were completely coherent that you would pull away from them, would return to being closed off and anxious of them.
Jimin whined a little, but with one look form the older alpha, Jimin was resting on the other side of the couch. Close enough o feel your warmth but far enough to not incur Hoseok’s wrath. The slight pout on his lips remained, even well after you had regained your clarity, pushing away from Hoseok, muttering apologies as you stood from the couch.
Hoseok joined the other alpha, slight pout to his lips as he stands as well, moving to follow you into your kitchen.
“Y/N, little one, it’s okay. Please don’t apologize.” His tone is like one you would use to calm down a scared puppy, and it made your insecurities rise even more. He had his hands raised, coming closer as if sensing your distress.
“There is nothing wrong with what happened. I’m happy that you felt comfortable enough to let me hold you, to let me in even if it was for a small amount of time.” He spoke softly, eye holding warmth and hope as you let him move in closer. He stopped when he saw you tense, raising his hands once more.
“Please, little one. You are safe with us. If you need more reassurance, I know our Jiminie has no problem with adding more claims to that pretty neck of yours.”
“More claims!” Jimin yells from behind, pure excitement lacing his words as he moves to stand behind Hoseok, jumping in his spot as he giggles. You chuckled at his reaction, at Hoseok’s attempt to lighten the atmosphere.
Hoseok grins, pushing Jimin slightly more behind him, whispering promises if creating claims later. Turning back to you, his lips tilt up in a smirk, catching sight of your hand wrapped around your neck, covering the marks Jimin worked so hard on earlier.
“You don’t have to hide your pretty marks from us baby. We all have them. In fact, we all love to give them as well.” He smirks again, moving closer until he has you caged against the counter.
“Jimin told us all about what happened. How you needed the reassurance we were yours.” He cups your cheek so softly that you don’t even hear the door opening, your mind caught in the soft and sweet hold he was providing.
“I don’t know why you are holding yourself back, but I promise we will be here, always. You won’t ever be alone again.” Your eyes began to tear up, those words soothing the ache in your heart you had long thought normal.
“Now, now. None of that. Our pretty omega should never cry.” He wiped his thumb across your cheek, the tears that escaped quickly trapped under his skin and disappearing.
“Jung Hoseok! Did you make our baby cry?!” You snapped your head to the shriek, Jin, Namjoon, and Taehyung all standing in the middle of your living room with bags filled with food in their hands.
Your eyes quickly moved to the head alpha, his presence undeniable and all-encompassing as his large frame stands in the middle of my now smaller living room. Your apartment was barely big enough for you, let alone when Haneul came over. Now with five out of your seven alphas, their bodies taking up space, you realize just how small your living room really was. There was no way you could fit all in here comfortably.
You become embarrassed of your space, thinking that the boys are used to so much more. They probably have such a nice house, clean and neat, large enough for all of them to move comfortably and without question.
You don’t even notice when you begin to bite the skin of your lip, fingers rubbing together as your anxiety manifests physically. You only realize when Hoseok’s fingers tug your lip away from your teeth, his finger making contact with your tongue for a quick second before you pull back.
“What’s going on in that head of yours pretty girl?” Hoseok’s voice broke through your inner thoughts once again, his eyebrows furrowed as he visibly shows his worry. He had quickly caught the change in your scent, your sweet vanilla becoming burnt, his nostrils burning as he breathes in.
“Nothing.” You say or try to say strongly to the best of your abilities. You, however forgot about the immensely strong sense of smell wolves have, catching your lie before it even leaves your lips.
“How about you try one more time, and this time, tell us the truth. We can’t help you if we don’t know what is wrong.” Jin speaks up from his spot next to Namjoon and Jimin, eyes narrowed at your figure.
The pressure of all of their eyes on you has your shoulders tensing, not used to the attention, and you probably will never be. Looking at the others, you don’t see anger, or any other negative feeling, you just see concern and worry.
These men are quickly erasing all your previous thoughts on them, on relationships in general. They seem so sincere and loving with each other, with you, that you can feel yourself seeking out their touch more. You catch yourself wanting to give in to them, and you don’t think you can hold yourself back any longer.
You can feel the small cracks in your walls growing larger, leaving holes in the foundation and opportunity for some serious damage.
Taking in a deep breath, you try to put your feelings and thoughts into words, knowing they really do want to help.
“I just, I know that you are probably used to so much more than my little apartment and I don’t want you guys to feel uncomfortable here. It’s so small and you guys are so large…” You trail off, seeing the way their lips quirk up, noses scrunched as they try not to laugh.
Seeing their expressions, you quickly become deflated, all confidence you might have had at one point now non-existent. Your mind becomes entranced in your memories, remembering many a times when you had spoken to be met with laughter.
You hated how someone could ruin all of the love you had built up for yourself, could ruin your confidence at the tilt of a lip. It angered you, made you want to kick them out of your safe place. Made you regret ever letting Seokjin into it in the first place.
“Stop laughing. If you are going to act like this over my insecurities, something that took a lot of courage for me to tell you, then you can leave.” You snap, bringing your hand up and pointing a finger towards your door.
Your words have the boys freezing, their expressions falling as they take your tone in, realize how much they’ve upset you in such a small amount of time. Namjoon quickly walks forward, ignoring your body tensing up as he brings you into his chest.
“We are not laughing at you, my love. It’s just, being in your apartment, surrounded by your scent, is probably the most at-home we’ve felt in years.” He nuzzles against your hair, lips quirking at the skip in your heartbeat at his close proximity. He could feel your scent coming back to the sweetness he already loves.
“Even though everything would be better if we had your scent in our den…” Jimin’s words broke off as Jin smacked him on the arm. Jin had noticed you, had noticed how you struggled to move away from Namjoon, but couldn’t find it in you to do so.
Hoseok had confirmed his thoughts on the scent high Jimin unknowingly sent you into, and he felt bad for leaving you like that. It was his duty to take care of you, and he was upset with himself. He was glad that his mate was able to be there for you.
You do manage to pull your head away from Namjoon’s chest, looking up at him in confusion, eyebrows furrowed and nose scrunched.
“You’re…you’re not laughing at me?” You ask, needing to hear them say it again, needed to reassure yourself. Namjoon just smiles down at you, bringing his hands up to cup your cheeks, brushing the small baby hairs away from near your ear.
“We would never, baby girl.”
-*-*-
It was said that courage sometimes passed by generations; you hoped it wasn’t true. You would need all the courage you had to even sit on the couch right now.
It had only been minutes after the alphas had left, not wanting to overstep your clearly drawn boundaries. They had each given you a kiss on the cheek, a smile on their face as they pulled back. They left after making sure you were okay, subtle but visible glimpse towards the marks of claim on your skin left behind by Jimin, who smirked proudly once he noticed his mates looks.
Once they had left, your home was empty, making you feel somehow weird inside, like you were also empty. Your blankets and pillows were laid across your couch and chair, the boys having held them while Seokjin and Hoseok had tried to shoo you out of the small kitchen, claiming they didn’t need your help setting up the dinner Seokjin had brought.
You had asked where Jungkook and Yoongi had been but were reassured that they had just been busy with work and would be meeting them at home. Seokjin had even held a little smirk when you asked the question, surprised but not shocked to hear you voice concern for the two missing alphas.
Now that you were left alone, you wished you held more courage.
You had never had your brother in your home, at any of the homes you lived in alone, let alone letting five CEO alphas who claim you as their mate in your tiny apartment you could barely afford.
But yet, that was not why you felt you needed courage.
You wanted so badly to wrap yourself in the fabric that only moments ago Taehyung and Jimin were fighting over. You wanted to lay your head on the pillow that Namjoon was holding to his chest only minutes ago.
They were your things, so why could you not take the few steps and sit on your couch?
Groaning in distress, you just bypass your living room and head straight to your bed, only to remember the new blanket you had woken up to. You had no thoughts as you moved forward, your mind completely blank as you clutch the soft blanket in between your fingers.
You had never felt something so soft and were so sure it was Seokjin who had got it for you. You couldn’t lie, you had fallen in love with the powder blue blanket as soon as you woke up from your nap.
You knew you should return it, give it back to Seokjin and claim it was too much to give you, but you couldn’t. You wanted to indulge in the gift, wanted to wrap yourself up like a burrito and remain in it forever, never to leave the soft claim you knew Seokjin was trying to give you. You knew the blanket had to be a courting gift, like the food and chocolates they were sending you.
Having courage felt like losing sometimes. It felt like you were, in reality, being fearful of a different outcome. You guess you were, being fearful that it. You wear afraid that these men, who had shown you so much love and care in the past two days, were lying. You were afraid that they would leave once they got whatever it is they wanted from you.
Courage and fear are two paths on the same road, two sides of the same coin. You couldn’t have one without the other.
In your fear of being rejected and humiliated again, you had lost the courage to accept these men and their affection. The walls around your heart were slowly growing larger cracks, and you were afraid that when it did collapse, they wouldn’t be there to catch you.
Holding the soft fabric to your cheek, you held your breath, trying your hardest to gain the courage you wanted. The courage you wish you had from the beginning. You wished you had the courage to accept their love, to accept their affection.
Taking in a deep breath, you laid in bed, the blue blanket from Seokjin in your grasp as you laid on it, half of it wrapped around your shoulder. Your head laid on the spot where Jimin had rested, letting yourself indulge in the soft pine his clothes left behind.
Hearing your phone ding from somewhere on your bed, you thrash your arm around, not caring, and find it under one of your pillows. Grabbing it and unlocking it, you see a text left behind from Yoongi.
Yoongi: I’m sorry I missed out on dinner at your home. I look forward to next time.
You can’t help the smile that grows across your cheeks, and stays when you receive a text from Jungkook, his making you let out a small giggle.
Jungkook: I hope you didn’t forget about me I wanna see your nest next!
You didn’t know where he had gotten that from as you didn’t have a nest. Yes, you collected blankest and other soft fabrics, but you weren’t a wolf. You didn’t have those nesting instincts.
You: But I don’t have a nest?
You replied and not even a second later you could see the three little dots indicating that Jungkook was typing.
Jungkook: Jimin told me you have a pile of blankets on your bed that you sleep in. That is a nest baby
You didn’t reply, now looking around at the surface of your bed. He was right, you did have an abundance of blankets and pillows on your bed, surrounding the area where you sleep. The indent of your body in the middle of the fabric. The new blanket already incorporated into your pile, your nest.
Trying not to think about his words, or their implications, you plug your phone into the charger by your nightstand, and turn around onto your stomach, exhaustion hitting you quickly as you passed out.
-*-*-
That night was the best night of sleep you had experienced in years. You woke up with Seokjin’s blanket smushed into your face, your nose practically squished into the fabric.
You had woken up to your alarm with no issue. Had gotten dressed with no question to what you were going to wear, a common fight you had with yourself every morning. You had even eaten the breakfast that had shown up at your door, a note from Seokjin with a single heart written on it by his name.
The tension usually latched onto your back had all but disappeared, shoulders dropped as you walked into the building that morning, having caught the bus after telling Seokjin and Haneul that they didn’t need to pick you up.
You had felt way better than you have ever remembered. You felt like nothing could stop you…that was until you were cornered in the elevator by Taehyung and Jimin. The two blocking anyone else from entering the elevator as they held slight grins on their lips.
“Uhh. Hello?” You said awkwardly, your body becoming nervous by the looks they were wearing.
“Hello beautiful. Feel like going on a field trip with us?” Jimin flirts, making you even more nervous. The way they both looked at you had you wondering if you were their prey at the moment. As if you were the meal they so badly wanted to indulge in.
“What do you say baby? Come spend the day with Jimin and I?” Taehyung coos, pushing forward off the rails on the wall and moving to hold your hands, bringing them up to his lips and pressing small kisses on the inside of your palm.
The two could see you wanting to say yes, could see that you only needed a little bit more reassurance before you caved into their whims.
“We’ve already talked to your supervisor, Sooyoung. She said you were ahead of your work anyways, and that she was glad you were taking a much-needed break.” Jimin started, followed by Taehyung who continued to press your palm to his cheek.
“You haven’t taken a day off since you moved here baby girl. That’s not very good. You need to take better care of yourself.”
“And if you won’t—”
“We will.”
The look in their eyes told you they weren’t kidding, that they really would take care of you. You didn’t think you weren’t taking care of yourself; you had believed you were doing well, never taking time off and doing what was expected of you.
“It’s okay baby! We will take care of you!” Jimin’s eyes were closed as he smiled down at you, confusing your own confusion for guilt.
You don’t have the chance to say anything before you are dragged back out of the elevator and brought back out of the lobby. Multiple heads turned your way as the two CEO’s dragged you to a large SUV waiting out front.
They moved quickly, giving you no room to back out as they helped you into the vehicle, Taehyung leaning over you to buckle you into the back seat as he moved in to sit next to you. Jimin got into the front seat and once everyone was buckled, he took off.
Just as you turned off of the street Bangtan Co. was on, you received a text from Namjoon.
Namjoon: Enjoy your day with Minie and Tae baby girl. But don’t have too much fun
So, they had this planned? A laugh from your side had you looking at Taehyung, a grin on his face as he looks over your shoulder at the message from his mate.
“See baby? Even Namjoon wants you to take a break.” You place your phone into your pocket, grumbling as you cross your arms over your chest. Looking away from the teasing and still laughing alpha as he brought you into his chest.
“Oh, don’t pout. We promised Jin that we would take care of you and keep you safe and happy. So just relax, let your alphas take care of you, okay?” He mused, pressing a couple of kisses to the side of your head and cheek as he spoke.
You were quiet the rest of the drive, just watching the world pass by as you listened to the two men talk about where to take you first. You knew you would never get a word in, seeing as how they were both determined to spoil you today. And because you received a warning from Seokjin in the form of a message.
Seokjin: Baby girl, I know you can’t take care of yourself properly, and that’s okay. That’s what your alphas are for so let the boys spoil you. Now, don’t be a bad girl and refuse them their chance to be good alphas, okay?
Well, it wasn’t really a threat per say, but you knew how alphas could get when they felt like they were being horrible mates. You remember from school that most alphas have the extreme instinct to take care of their mates, to protect and provide, and you could only guess that all seven of the boys had this instinct.
If you refused to any of their whims today, their opportunity to take care of you, to provide for you, then they would feel like they are bad mates, the ultimate insult to a wolf. You were just beginning to let go around them, and you didn’t want to give them even a single chance to change their mind about you. You didn’t want them to change their minds about loving you.
When you pulled up to Lotte world, you stared up in amazement, completely entranced by the sight of the large mall and amusement park. You had yet to come here in the two years you had been in South Korea. Actually, you had yet to really go anywhere besides work and your apartment unless it was to visit Haneul and her father.
You were so focused on the sight that you didn’t feel the car stop nor the arms moving around you to unbuckle your seat belt. Taehyung helped you out of the car, smiling softly at the amazement on your face.
“Have you never been here before baby?” He asked, moving to close the door behind you.
“No. I uh, never had the time to.” You reply softly, their words from earlier now ringing in your head. You had never really thought about it, about taking time off. Not until they said you weren’t taking care of yourself.
You had been on your own for as long as you could remember, your father in and out of the picture, and your mother too worried about your younger siblings to pay attention to you. You were used to taking care of yourself, using your studies and work to keep your mind busy that you didn’t even think you were doing a poor job.
You spent years figuring out how to be an adult at a young age, bills and money always being a worry for you. You had gotten so used to taking care of yourself you hated the thought of letting someone else do it.
“Alright little one. Namjoon gave us his card so get whatever you want, okay?” Jimin spoke from your side, his hand in yours as Taehyung moves to grab your other. You bag conveniently left inside the car as the boys quicky moved you away from your own wallet.
You internally cringed at the thought of using someone else’s money, money you didn’t earn on your own. You swore to yourself that you would only get a couple of things, shirts or something that were in your normal price range. Just enough to satisfy the boys.
That was your thought until you were immediately brought into the closest Gucci store, your grip tightening on their hands as you tried to pull away from them. Just the thought of breathing in the store makes you tense. You could spend your entire paycheck, heck, two months’ worth on a single tissue from here.
“C’mon baby! I want to see how you look in this dress I saw here the other day!” Taehyung’s boxy grin had you pausing in your thoughts. The thought of you in a dress he picked out had him so happy, had him feeling prideful. Something you hadn’t seen before. He looked so happy at the thought of buying you something that you felt you couldn’t deny him.
Letting them drag you in, your hands still in their own, you stood just inside the entrance when a women in a nice blouse and skirt walked up to you, her name tag reading “Ella”. She walked up and didn’t even acknowledge you.
“Hello Mr. Park, Mr. Kim. Can I be of any assistance today?” She looked Taehyung and Jimin up and down, her eyes straying far longer than you would have liked while they didn’t even look her way. Taehyung was busy looking for the dress, his fingers starting to stray from your own as he tried to pull you farther down one of the aisles while Jimin stayed still, looking at one of the displays in front of him.
“No. We are fine.” Jimin’s words were cold, lacking interest as he didn’t even turn to the woman. You watched the woman’s face fall, her eyes catching yours before they narrowed just as quickly as they returned to normal.
“Well, you just let me know if you need anything, okay? Anything at all.” The woman, Ella, almost purred at the end of her sentence, eyes fluttering in their direction before she walked away to help another customer.
You couldn’t help but rolling your eyes, finding the situation entirely ridiculous. When Taehyung began to whine that Jimin was taking too long, Jimin finally moved, letting the both of you be tugged to Taehyung’s whims. It took him all of two seconds before Taehyung’s eyes widened, grabbing the dress off the hook.
It looked entirely too small to fit, the fabric didn’t even look like it would stretch around your stomach. Your old insecurities were coming back, something you hadn’t felt since you were in high school surrounded by your “friends” in your local shopping mall.
“I don’t think that’s going to fit, Taehyung.” You whisper, still eyeing the dark fabric in his grasp.
“No baby. I checked the sizes last night. They are supposed to have two in your size. We just have to find them!” He clenches his jaw in confidence, smile on his lips as he lets go of your hand so he had both to look through the clothes.
Jimin let go as well, telling you that Taehyung might take a while and to see if I could find anything else I liked. With a kiss on your cheek, Jimin nudged you to a different aisle, watching you with a smile on his face as you kept turning around to look at him, reassurance written all over his face.
He could see how nervous you were when Taehyung brought out the dress, at least three sizes too small for you. He could see how upset and anxious you became, could smell your vanilla becoming bitter.
“Tae, baby?” He mutters, getting close to Taehyung so no one else could hear.
“Hm?”
“I know you were excited to see her in that dress we saw the other day, but I don’t think any of us realized how insecure she is.” Taehyung froze at his older mate’s words, completely forgetting the most important thing.
“oh no.” Taehyung turns to look for you, not seeing you near him. He immediately felt as though he did everything wrong. Feeling like he messed up, and not seeing you in his immediate sight, he began to panic.
While Jimin was talking with Taehyung, you had begun to wander the aisles, trying to find something remotely even close to your size so Taehyung didn’t feel bad about bringing you in here when he couldn’t find the dress. Stopping at a couple jackets you hear someone cough behind you.
Turning around, you find yourself face to face with Ella, her arms crossed in front of her chest as she stares you down. You sigh inwardly, already knowing the type of woman Ella was, and what conversation she was about to start with you.
“There is nothing for you in here.” Yup, you were right.
“I am just here with my, uhm, alphas.” You replied, not exactly knowing what to call the boys. You had only just accepted to being courted, which felt entirely too intimate to be calling them just your bosses. But you also didn’t feel like you deserved to call them your mates yet either.
“Well, there is nothing in the store that will fit your, uh, figure. So, I think it would be best if you waited outside. You might make our clientele feel uncomfortable.” She spoke while making a silhouette of your figure with her hands, her lips brought up into a seemingly polite smile, like she was speaking to any other person.
“There is no one else currently in the store besides two of your coworkers and my two alphas; there is no one to make uncomfortable but you. So, tell me what’s really upsetting you?” You turn around and continue looking at the jacket you were looking at before the women touches your shoulder.
You turn back around, not expecting her to touch you.
“Listen here, don’t expect to keep ‘your alphas’ to yourself.” She spoke, using air quotations when referring to the two men. “Not when you look as fat as you do. Do you really think you’d be able to satisfy them? You might as well just leave now before you get your feelings hurt.” You visibly roll your eyes, this conversation already had with you using different words.
You were about to say something back when you felt a presence behind you, Ella’s face morphing into one of shock. A hand on your waist is followed by a low rumble from his chest. Jimin’s voice came from your right, meaning Taehyung is the one behind you.
“She satisfies all seven of our mates without even lifting a finger. You just insulted my mate,” Jimin’s spat, enunciated the last two words with force, making the woman begin to shake. Jimin was now on the attack, his eyes shifting between his deep brown and the gold of his wolf.
“And deemed her unworthy. You are lucky I have control over my wolf, and that I don’t want my baby mate to see me get angry.” Before you could see anything else, Taehyung is ushering you out of the store, keeping you in front of him as he walked.
“Don’t worry baby, Jiminie is just protective and is making sure that never happens again.” Taehyung whispers in your ear, head nudging against your own as you try to look back behind him, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jimin or the woman.
You hadn’t thought he would stand up for you, and his actions had you feel the cracks on your walls becoming deeper, close to breaking.
“a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.”
Summary: You had been working at Bangtan Corporation for almost two years now, and not once have you ever laid eyes on your bosses. That was, until you met them when out with some of your coworkers. Now, you almost wish you hadn’t. Almost.
Of the time he has known you, he has realized you were a creature of comfort, someone who needed to self soothe with items. He noticed how you always rubbed your fingers together, probably subconsciously. He noticed all of your clothing was of the same material, soft cotton that probably felt good against your skin.
He and his alpha hated that they had not been able to find you sooner, had not been able to show you the love you deserved sooner. Maybe then you would be able to accept their love without thinking it was a joke.
Seokjin just wanted you to see yourself the way that they saw you. He hoped that their courting of you would be able to help you truly love yourself, and not just the façade you seemed to put up.
The start to his packs courting of you was food and flowers, typical courting items that most packs started with.
But after that, it usually differed depending on the person being courted.
For Jungkook, his second phase of courting involved trips to Han River where he could lay in the grass, picnics by the waterfront as they listened to the trees rustle in the wind.
Jungkook’s background was very sheltered, and he was not allowed to leave the house until he was 18. So, the beginning of their courting was secret, hidden from his family.
After he presented, he was only allowed to go to school and back, his family had wanted to take the alpha wolf out of their son.
Seokjin knew your home life was nothing of the sort, but emotional abuse was sometimes just as bad, if not worse than physical. And he would do anything he could to help bring you out of your shell. If that meant buying you comfort items as your personalized courting gifts, then so be it.
