Chapter Text
Part of the ancient lands of Caeli was divided two hundred years ago by two twin Alpha brothers. At first, few noticed a difference between the villages of Argenti and Aurum, but over time life in Aurum became increasingly difficult. Wars with neighboring lands slowly drained the area. Food became scarce, some lost their homes, and giving birth to Bet children—or having relationships with Bet—was scorned. Those destined to be of the same status faced all kinds of execution. It was in such a place that Jimin and Jeongguk were born.
Although they never complained about the conditions they lived in, they were grateful to simply be alive. Both boys were raised only by Jeongguk’s mother, as Jimin’s mother fell gravely ill and later passed away. Their fathers had died defending the lands of Aurum. Time eventually took Jeongguk’s mother as well, when Jimin turned eighteen. He then became a fully independent Omega, now responsible for the two-years-younger pup.
By his own account, Jimin handled this very well. Now, they were preparing to celebrate Jeongguk’s eighteenth birthday, when he would officially be recognized as an Omega. These birthdays used to be celebrated more grandly, but given the state of the village, the tradition had been relaxed. Just thirty years ago, Jeongguk would not have prepared alone for his birthday. All pups turning eighteen in the same month would celebrate on the last day of that month. They would wear white garments, place wreaths of various flowers on their heads, and at the rise of the moon, enter the river separating Aurum from Argenti.
Now, few pups remained. Everyone feared approaching the river—or each other—lest they catch a disease that could be fatal. Still, Jimin wanted to make the day special for Jeongguk, decorating it as their mother had once described.
So, early in the morning, he woke Jeongguk. He gave him a long white shirt, slightly torn in a few places, yet for them it was the best clothing they could hope for. They didn’t have breakfast, as the elder still couldn’t find even a single fruit in the nearby forest.
“Ready, Ggukie?” the older Omega asked as they left the hut. The younger nodded, grasped the blond’s hand, and together they set off toward the border.
Eighteenth birthdays changed nothing in theory. In practice, it had long been known what status one would be. Omegas were calmer, smaller than other pups, required far more attention from their father, and many would say they were adorable from birth. Alphas quickly became independent and impatient for affection, while Bet pups were a mix—some more Omega, some more Alpha. Jimin and Jeongguk, like all Omegas, had not grown much, reaching just 164 cm and 168 cm. Their builds were delicate, hips wider, so that as the lowest status they could one day bear offspring for their destined mate.
Scent was not a privilege of the eighteenth birthday. Healthy pups began to emit it at fifteen, some Omegas as early as thirteen. The only privileges that came after eighteen were the ability to enter heat in Alphas or ruts in Omegas, and most importantly, to meet one’s destined mate.
After an hour, they reached the river. There was little to do except weave a wreath from nearby flowers. They didn’t rush. It was already noon on August 31st. Perhaps the village no longer had calendars, but the Jeon family had made their own since official ones were removed. When Jeongguk’s mother passed, Jimin had taken over the tradition himself. He wanted the younger Omega to have his special day perfectly on September 1st—the day he was born.
“Jimin, how do you do it? Mine keep falling apart,” Jeongguk said, leaning against the older and nestling into his lean arm. His seventh wreath had collapsed, despite his efforts.
“It’s not that hard, Jeonggukie,” the older Omega said, placing his wreath on the younger’s head with a smile. “I’ll teach you, you’ll see. But first, let’s find something to eat.” They rose from the ground, holding hands as they had since childhood, and headed toward the forest in hopes of finding food. Few dared venture here due to the long journey and proximity to the border, so the chances of finding fruit were higher. They briefly separated to search more efficiently but remained close—venturing alone near Argenti would have been dangerous, and for two unmarked Omegas without destinies, even together it was risky.
“Jimin! Raspberries! Come here!” Jeongguk called cheerfully, already gathering some to take back to their small hut. The older quickly joined, helping the younger. Once they collected as many as possible, they searched for more but found none. Still, they were pleased. Planned carefully, the berries would last five days, maybe a week. Hunting was possible but risky; Aurum was backward, with no houses or tools to make survival easier, and knowledge of hygiene was limited—diseases were common and often fatal. They had learned more thanks to Jimin’s mother, who had come from Solis. Deer and rabbits rarely appeared, and catching them could mean illness—or worse.
Back at the river, they sat on their knees, rinsing the raspberries.
“Jimin?”
“Yes?”
“Would you want your destined mate already?” Jeongguk asked. He had long wondered about it—always wanted that one special person—but he feared Jimin might leave him if he found his own mate. That was his greatest fear.
“Like anyone, I suppose,” Jimin said, looking at the younger. “Why do you ask? Are you afraid of meeting yours?”
“What if they were from another village? Would you leave us?” Jeongguk focused on washing, controlling each motion. He dreaded the answer, though it should have been obvious. Jimin looked up at the sky, pondering.
“I don’t know about other villages or who my destined mate would be. But if they were kind and their village welcoming, I think I’d go with them. But I’d never leave you alone, so my mate would have to accept that you’re coming with me.” Jeongguk turned to the older Omega, who saw the tiny sparks and tears in his violet eyes. Jimin quickly laid a cloth over the collected berries and hugged him. “Never think I’d leave you.” He kissed the top of Jeongguk’s head.
“And what if I were your destined mate? Would that bother you, Jimin?” Jeongguk’s big, shiny eyes drew Jimin in.
“It wouldn’t bother me. I’d stay with my sun forever, and no one could change that.”
“Now you remember ‘my sun’? Before, you just yelled at me!” Jimin teased, shaking his head.
Jimin packed the raspberries in the cloth. “Get up, sun,” he smiled, earning a gentle nudge. “We were so small once, and now we’re adults. May the moon watch over you.” He kissed Jeongguk’s forehead. Jeongguk knew it was time to enter the river.
“Cold,” he shivered as he stepped in.
“Mom said to sit and slowly lie down until fully submerged, under the moonlight. But I won’t let you—it’s too risky,” Jimin said, stepping in after him.
When the moon illuminated their faces, they gazed into each other’s eyes, more beautiful than ever. Jimin traced a crescent on Jeongguk’s forehead. The pup was now a full-fledged Omega, independent and free. Their eyes met, hearts raced, bodies flushed, and scents mingled—honey and vanilla from Jeongguk, strawberries and chocolate from Jimin. They recognized the lavender glint in each other’s eyes, a sign of having found their destined mate. Jeongguk collapsed into his Omega’s arms.
“So my sun will be mine forever.” Jimin kissed the top of Jeongguk’s head.
｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈•ﾟ｡
The boys feared their village’s reaction. Not all villages offered refuge to same-status mates, especially Omegas. Views on the lowest status varied—some villages revered Omegas as gifts from the moon, ensuring their safety. Others treated them like everyone else. But some, like Aurum and Argenti, despised them. Before the wars, Omegas served Alphas, performing all tasks, their dignity ignored. Often, destined Omega pairs were burned at the stake, offered to the moon, or at best exiled. They chose to hide their bond.
They could have fled—they were of age—but the first heat comes shortly after one’s eighteenth birthday, and it was too dangerous to travel alone in the wilderness. They had to make do for at least a month, as Jeongguk could experience symptoms leading up to his first heat.
“Jimin… hot…” Jeongguk whispered, overwhelmed. The scent of strawberries and chocolate was comforting, but the heat was unbearable. He clung to the older, who understood and soothed him.
Jimin lifted Jeongguk into his arms. The pup nestled against his neck, amplifying the scent.
“Jeongguk, we need to get home. Alphas might find us. Hold on.” Jeongguk resisted, wanting closeness. “Please, it’s dangerous.” Their scents flared; instinct told them what the other needed.
“Jimin…” Jeongguk murmured, violet eyes shining. Jimin had to act fast.
A rustle behind them and a foreign Alpha scent heralded trouble. Fear gripped them—the main Alpha could see them. Two more scents approached. One was the chief Alpha, Minho.
“Jeongguk and Jimin…” he said.
“Mmm… such a lovely scent. May I borrow the pup for a while?” Jimin growled. Jeongguk was his destined mate, and Jimin would never let him go. His eyes flashed violet with protective rage.
“Jeongguk stays with me,” he snarled.
“Oh? Destined mates, then,” one Alpha mocked. Two Alphas seized them, carrying them toward the building. Jimin struggled to resist, but Jeongguk whimpered, seeking his older Omega. The danger was real—they had been captured, and their fate hung in the balance.
This would be their end…