Chapter Text
"Will you marry me?”
In a village near the mountains, surrounded by miles and miles of beautiful green trees, near small bodies of lakes, and home to four hundred people.
They had just gotten back from setting up rabbit snares far from the hiking trails and checking up on the fish nets out on the lake. They had taken off all their winter gear and they’re now warming up next to the fireplace, both snuggled up against each other. Comfortable silence takes over as they close their eyes and listen to each other’s heart beats. They’ve been out all day, waking up at the crack of dawn and leaving their little hut to hunt for this year's harsh winter.
They had a good amount of food stored but they can’t take any chances if they were to somehow starve, so they keep hunting. It’s better that way.
Jungkook had his arms wrapped around his lovers waist and his chin resting on their shoulder, breathing in their lovely scent. With a small smile, Taehyung would lean back whenever Jungkook would nuzzle his nose into his neck. This is their favourite place. Cuddling by the warm fire after a hard-working day.
Jungkook and Taehyung had been dancing around each other for years, the younger had always been too shy to make any moves on the older. A few shy kisses on each other’s cheeks here and there during their early teenage years, then sharing real kisses in the youngers bedroom later on was enough to realise that they were soulmates. They spent a lot of time together, every day. Whether it be hunting, fishing, canoeing, trapping - they’re always right by each other. Sometimes late at night, they would sneak out from their parents hut to meet in the forest, where they shared more kisses and experimented with each other.
After Jungkook had turned seventeen, he had asked Taehyung to meet him in the forest, at their usual hideout. Once the birthday get-together his father had planned for him was over and once he knew both of his parents were fast asleep, Jungkook snuck out. If his parents already knew that their son would run off at night, they said nothing. Fully knowing that their son is in love.
Jungkook anxiously waited for Taehyung’s arrival, fixing his vest and padding down his hair, he stood beside the old Evergreen tree where they had their first real kiss years ago. He rehearsed the speech he prepared in his head over and over, he did not want to mess this up. Groaning to himself when he overlapped his words and sounding gibberish, he sighed and practiced once more.
Jungkook knew that they weren’t ready for this to become serious and possibly freak out the both of them, but he also knew that if he didn’t do something, he could lose Taehyung. He hopes that the older would understand and stay with him.
“There you are,” Jungkook smiled once Taehyung finally emerged from the bushes. “I thought you fell asleep.” He met Taehyung halfway and immediately took him in for a hug.
“I arrived a while ago, I was just watching you muttering to yourself,” Taehyung giggled, tightening his grip on the younger. “You look like a fool, by the way.”
“A fool for you,” Jungkook winked once they walked back to their tree and sat down, looking over the quiet lake. The moon was out and about, illuminating the forest with it’s blue light, no clouds in sight. This was perfect.
They sat together, hands intertwined and leaning against the tree, slowly inching closer to each other.
Taehyung had his eyes on the lake, occasionally pointing at ducks and beavers swimming by with a smile on his face. They listened to the nature’s song with content hearts. They were fine like this. Together.
While Taehyung had his curious eyes on the landscape, Jungkook had eyes for Taehyung, watching his every move. He would smile like a fool whenever Taehyung smiled at him. He would try to look at whatever’s Taehyung pointing at, but his eyes would always go back to Taehyung’s beautiful boxy smile. He just knew that he had finally found his forever.
“Taehyung,” Jungkook whispered, not wanting to disturb the nature’s wonderful song. He blushed when Taehyung stared back at him, full attention on him. “I had a whole speech to give,” Jungkook started, suddenly feeling shy. “But your beauty has captivated me and I'm at a loss for words.”
It was Taehyung’s turn to blush, “Jungkookie,”
Jungkook sat up and faced the older, heart beating faster than ever. “I know that we said we would take this slow, we aren’t ready at all. But I don't want to lose you forever if I don’t ask right now.” He took both of Taehyung’s hands into his and looked right into his eyes. “Taehyung,” Jungkook hesitated, but he knew he had nothing to fear. “Will you be my mate?”
Taehyung’s blush had turned into a bright shade of pink, “Y-Yes,” He sat up, faster and stronger than anticipated and they ended up falling over. Giggling to each other, Taehyung kissed the tip of Jungkook’s nose, “Yes, I’ll gladly be your mate, Alpha.”
They spent the rest of their time cuddling against their favourite tree looking over the lake, now filling up with fireflies. “Forever my Omega.”
They both knew that they had to get married to even consider themselves “mated”, but they aren’t ready for that. They knew deep into their hearts that they’re already soul mates from the second they met at one of the ceremonies their village had years ago. They don’t need a fancy wedding ceremony just yet, they only need their love to prove it.
Two years go by and the two love birds had moved out of their parents' hut and moved into their own little hut. It’s a bit further from the village but closer to their special place by the lake. It’s summertime so it’s easier to move in while the weather is perfect. Taehyung was the most excited, decorating their home with little animal fur and carved little cute bunnies figures that he carved a couple of months prior. He was absolutely thrilled when Jungkook came home with home-made furniture.
“Oh, Jungkookie!” Taehyung squealed when Jungkook brought in their new bed frame. It was beautiful crafted by the friendly neighborhood elders, the younger had told him. “This is beautiful! I can’t take this, I feel unworthy.” Taehyung followed the younger into their bedroom and watched as he carefully placed the frame in the middle of the room. “I thought you were building this yourself?” Taehyung kneeled down to further inspect this beauty.
“Yes, I did.” Jungkook chuckled, kneeling beside his mate. “I was going to carve it myself but the elders insisted, who am I to deny their help?”
“This is so beautiful,” Taehyung carefully tracing the carving of a deer, pride filling his gut as he realizes that he owns this. “I need to repay them somehow. This isn’t something that you just take, we need to give back.”
“We will,” Jungkook smiles happily, leaning in to kiss Taehyung’s cheek. “We also would need to be careful not to break it, if you know what I mean,” He teased, leaving a trail of kisses down his neck to his collarbone.
“Jungkookie,” Taehyung hummed, eyelids fluttering shut. “I would hate to break something as valuable as this,” He turned his face to connect their lips. Jungkook cups the olders face just to have better control, they both get lost in each other. If any of them had better self-control than the other, it would be Taehyung. “Jungkookie,” he moaned, pulling away a bit.
“Huh?” Jungkook said in a daze, he could never get over the feeling Taehyung gives him. “Yes, love?”
“We still have things to do,” Taehyung squealed once again, pecking his mates lips a few more times before standing up and running away. “We have a home!”
Two months go by and they’re still as happy as ever. Jungkook would bring food back from his hunting trip and find a lonely Taehyung pouting at the front door, “How’s my beautiful,” Jungkook would always greet him with a kiss to make up for his absence.
“I’m bored,” Taehyung would whine and immediately wrapped his arms around the younger, the omega in him yearning for his alpha. “Why can’t I come along?” The pout deepening.
“I hunted at the west, near the enemy’s territory.” Jungkook walked around the hut to the other side to where the fire pit was, dropping his catch onto the ground.“I don’t want you to get hurt. I’ll let you come along from now on, though” Jungkook didn’t have to turn around to see Taehyung’s expression change from a big frown to an even bigger smile. “It’s becoming dangerous to keep hunting at that area, so there’s no reason for me to keep going there. Are you up for it?”
“Are you kidding?” Taehyung jumped for joy. Feeling relieved that he doesn’t have to wait for Jungkook to come home all alone again. He hated feeling worried. “I can’t wait!”
Since then, they went out hunting together. Waking up at dawn and gearing up for their day. Jungkook would always do the heavy lifting while Taehyung held their weapons.
One warm October day, they decided to walk into the village. They were needing new bedding after Jungkook had ruined their old ones a few nights before. Sorry, baby Jungkook had told the older, sheepishly disposing the ruined fur. At least we didn’t break the bed frame, Jungkook managed to say before Taehyung threw a pillow right at his face. They walked hand in hand, waving at fellow peers and stopping to greet elders.
Taehyung heard a roar of cheers from behind them, smile disappearing when he laid his eyes on the newly married couple running out of the council log house, families and friends cheering as they both share a kiss then continue their run into the forest. No doubt that they’re officially giving their all to each other. Taehyung sighs, wishing for his special day to come.
Unknowingly to Taehyung, Jungkook had watched him the whole time. Frowning when his mate looked so dejected. He knew that he was playing with time at this point, not fully ready to pop the question, but he will. Soon. He just had to find the perfect time.
“Let’s go, baby,” Jungkook tugged the older, taking lead as they continue their walk. “Let’s get the most expensive fur they have,” He teased, watching for any reaction on the older’s face. Sadly, Taehyung didn’t really hear him. Jungkook frowned, thinking it was best to just keep walking.
The more they walked further and further into the village, they noticed more and more happily married couples out and about. Some of them were dancing to the drum beats as the village’s drum group were practising for the winter festival that’s to happen in two months, Some of them were sitting outside their own huts and laughing with one another, Few of them tending to their children. The more they noticed, the more Taehyung frowned.
Once they have gotten their newly clean bedding, Jungkook insisted that he would carry all of it back since he did ruin their old ones. Taehyung agreed with no complaints, starting to walk ahead of him, but Jungkook stopped him before he could leave the shop. He watched as Jungkook shifted the fur onto one side and reached out his free hand. “Take my hand,” Taehyung smiled, clinging close to the younger as they make their way back home.
First week of December, they had just gotten back from setting up rabbit snares far from the hiking trails and checking up on the fish nets out on the lake. They had taken off all their winter gear and they’re now warming up next to the fireplace, both snuggled up against each other. Jungkook had his arms wrapped around his lovers waist and his chin resting on the others shoulder, breathing in the lovely scent. With a small smile, Taehyung would lean back whenever Jungkook would nuzzle his nose into his neck.
They stay cuddled up by the fire, feeling each other’s heartbeat, content on staying like this forever and forever. Jungkook had spoken, sending vibrations all over his chest, but Taehyung had almost missed it, the tiredness he had felt long gone. “What was that?” Eyes as big as snowballs.
“I said,” Jungkook chuckled, lifting Taehyung up so they could sit and face each other. “Will you marry me?” Jungkook leaned in to kiss Taehyung’s cheek gently, smiling to himself when he had the older speechless.
“Wha- Holy mother of-” Taehyung caught his breath and immediately screamed, practically falling into Jungkook’s open arms. “Yes! Yes! I do!” Taehyung cried, kissing anywhere he can get his lips on. Giggling underneath him, Jungkook wraps his arms around his lovers waist and tightens his grip. “Yes, Jeon Jungkook, I’ll happily marry you and spend the rest of forever with you.” Taehyung still kept crying, but he knew that the younger would be there and take care of him.
“I love you, Kim Taehyung,” Jungkook wiped the tears off of Taehyung’s cheeks and replaced them with gentle kisses. “So much.”
“I love you,” Taehyung leaned in for a kiss, his hands finding their way onto Jungkook’s hair, tugging at it slightly. “The most.”
Later that evening, the couple had made their way into the village to celebrate the winter festival. Holding hands as they laugh and play with high spirits, knowing that they are stepping into a whole new journey together. It’s scary and new, but they will be fine as long as they have each other.
Six months later, middle of May, Taehyung is anxiously waiting in a hut with his mother and four of his best aunties. They sat him down on the chair, fixing his hair a million times because they just can’t decide on a hairstyle and fixing up his outfit, brown bear fur hugging his skin like it was made for him on this special day. “Ma, I’m perfectly fine with the way I look.” Taehyung reassured his mother, who was frantically trying to dust off any dirt on his fur.
“My son, getting married,” His mother wiped her eyes, not letting herself cry just yet. “Took that alpha long enough,” She teased, pulling in her only child for a hug. Taehyung could only smile at his tiny mother. Age has been good to her, she still looks strong and healthy and could probably still throw a good punch. He’s internally grateful to have his mother here with him. They had lost his father who died during one of his hunting trips, caught in a landslide up in the mountains. “Your father would be so proud of you,” His mother said quietly, kissing her son’s cheek. “Remember, the alpha might be the strongest one in the pack, but the omega is the most important one. You are important. Keep yourself happy and all will be good.”
“Yes, ma.” Taehyung spent the rest of the time wondering if Jungkook is just as nervous as he was. He predicts that the younger is bumping into everything and tripping over his own feet. He thinks that Jungkook might even do his jungkookie thing and mutter to himself, thinking that no one is watching him. Taehyung laughs to himself, wishing he could see his lover.
Once his aunties had told him that he can walk down that aisle, Taehyung is walking out of that hut and rushes into the council log house, He blushes once he realizes that Jungkook’s family is looking at him. He feels embarrassed for a quick second, but feels comforted when Taehyung’s uncle stepped up beside him, sending a smile for reassurance. He takes a big, long breath in and takes that first step towards his mate, who is waiting at the altar.
Taehyung stops at the end, feeling eyes on him. This was too overwhelming. Maybe he wasn’t ready at all, maybe he should have waited a bit more. Maybe-
“Hey,” Jungkook’s angelic voice brought Taehyung out of his anxiety attack. He looked up at the youngers’ extended hand then at his bunny smile. “Take my hand.”
Taehyung smiles.
The rest of the wedding was a blur, neither of the two knew how long weddings actually took. As soon as they were finished exchanging their vows and promising a healthy life with each other, the chief congratulated them as mates. Cheers could be heard from every part of the room as the chief covers the newlyweds with a fur blanket. Taehyung never stopped smiling as he finally shares a kiss with the younger as official mates.
“I love you,” Taehyung smiles into the kiss. “Only you.”
(Note: Based on Legend of Thunder Boy )