Work Text:
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Name: Park Jimin
Sub Gender: Omega - Verified
Marital Status: Married
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Park Jimin looks down at the tag as the assistant hands it to him and the corner of his lip turns up when he sees the photo on there. He’d wondered why his grandmother had asked him to send her a selfie last week.
His thumb flicks the plastic sleeve on it as he walks towards the elevator that will take him to the 42nd floor where he would need to present the badge before entry.
The 10 th annual Park Omega Luncheon is starting soon and though he’d rather be anywhere but, he comes at his grandmother’s request.
It’s been 7 years since Jimin has fallen so preciously from his family’s wealthy graces and Jimin has never been happier. No one had expected the docile, shy, pretty and obedient omega from the wealthy and revered Park & Park Associates Inc. to give up all his wealth and status so easily.
Jimin’s parents still aren’t speaking to him, but his grandmother, bless her soul, had never ceased contact.
She’d indulged her son, Jimin’s father, for the last seven years by not telling him that she kept in contact with Jimin, but she’s at the point of no care now, she’d directly invited Jimin to the luncheon.
Which, in reality, was just a fancy way of saying a gathering where the mostly pretentious Park omega’s come to gossip and try to outdo each other by talking and lying about their elaborate lives. Jimin had hated these events when he’d been a child and had tagged along with his mother. Nothing has changed to this day, he still would rather be at home, eating ice cream in front of his tv.
As he gets off the elevator on the 42 nd floor, Jimin hands the badge over to the omegas at the greeting counter and they promptly badge him in before pointing and letting him know to enter the ballroom on the left wing.
He really doesn’t care about what his family thinks of him anymore, but he still habitually reaches up to pat his newly back to jet black hair, making sure no strands are standing up. Yes, he doesn’t care, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to look his damned best. And thanks to his best friend, designer Kim Tae, he is wearing a (not yet debuted) silky white blouse with tiny pearls sewn all along the upper chest and shoulders and then trailing down the sleeves like magical dust paired with pristine, white custom-tailored trousers.
As he enters the ballroom, he spots his grandmother right off, seated at the head of a long, decorated oblong table. She catches his eyes and Jimin bows in greetings, walking towards her. The ballroom is decorated in opulent colors of lilac and golds and ivories, roses and lilies the flowers of theme. There are matching balloon bundles in every corner and the crystal chandelier in the middle of the room adds to the extravagance.
Parks are nothing if not lavish.
Seated all around his grandmother are the important Park omegas, his aunties and uncles and first cousins. The table next to them is the relations by marriage table and then after that is the younger parks. Jimin knows them all, has played with quite a few of them growing up. Jimin has always hated the divide. Makes one feel inferior, or superior, depending upon which table one is placed at.
He sees his name placard on an empty space 7 chairs down from his grandmother’s left and he settles into it, avoiding the stares, some curious, some pitying, most confused. Everyone is aware of the disownment and situation. He nods in polite greeting to everyone still, manners not of a goat.
It’s funny how, 7 years ago, Jimin would have crumbled under the pressure. He’d probably be so scared he’d wet his pants. But now, now he has no fear. He lightly fingers the rose gold wedding ring on his finger and is instantly rewarded with a face in mind, a face that makes him smile. He’s happy, he’s successful and most importantly, he is loved.
“…Yes, my lovely alpha-in-law is going on a business trip to Hawaii in four days, can you believe that? I asked him to bring me some of their fancy chocolates.” Next to Jimin, one of his older aunties, Park Yejin, prattles proudly. Her chest is puffed out in her preening and in her feathered boa, she looks like a strutting cock after a lay with one of the hens. Jimin almost laughs at the ridiculousness.
“Oh, really?” another omega aunt, Sunhwa answers her with a small smirk. “Well, that’s amazing and all, Yejin-ssi, but isn’t his wife, your daughter, almost due?”
This causes panicked wrinkles to appear briefly on Yejin’s forehead. But she is quick to smooth them away and smile again, although this smile is a little more stilted. “Yes, but this is an important business trip. He’s very much needed.”
“Well,” another omega chimes in, this time, Jimin’s willowy uncle Jungjin. “That is indeed important, but I would think a first born would be more so…”
And the passive aggressive banter continues. Jimin hates the fakeness. All these omegas just trying to outdo one another constantly. But Jimin has to agree with Uncle Jungjin…Jimin would never let his husband leave during the last stages of his pregnancy. Not that his alpha would want to go anywhere. Actually, on further thought, Jimin may be the one begging his mate to leave him alone as he’s so damn protective at times. He giggles softly at that thought.
“Ahhh, Jimin-ssi.”
“Yes?” he looks up. His giggling had attracted attention, it seems.
Jungjin is looking straight at him. “How have you been? It’s been so long. Are you allowed back into the family’s good graces again?”
Ahhhh. The omega uncle who never beats around the bush. Jimin is never certain whether he likes this relative or not.
“No.”
“Oh. Interesting. Are you here in hopes that your parents will accept you again?”
Jimin smiles as chatting seems to cease at his table, everyone perking up. He takes a sip of his tea.
“Not at all. I’m quite happy where I am.”
“Ahhh.” Jungjin says. “A free bird would never want to be caged again, I’m sure.”
“Is the alpha you ran off with still an engineer, Jimin? And are you still with him? As you can understand, your parents weren’t very keen on telling details but it was common knowledge that he worked under your father’s construction business for a minute.”
Jimin smiles softly, placing his tea cup down. Yes, his mate had worked for his father for a few months. That was how they’d met and fallen in love after all. And yes, his alpha was still an engineer somewhat…just a whole lot better after being fired by Jimin’s father. It had been a blessing in disguise.
He looks at his aunt Yejin and answers her. “Yes, he’s an engineer.”
“I hear they don’t make that much unless they have their own practice, right? And even then, that world is highly competitive too.” the older omega continues.. “It’s a good thing my alpha-in-law studied accounting instead. He’s on his way up that corporal ladder. As a matter of fact, that’s why the Hawaii trip is so important. He’s going to be doing a lot of promoting soon.”
Jimin wants to scoff but he doesn’t. Everyone (besides Aunt Yejin) knows Cho Min Sang would be doing a lot of things, besides promoting, in Hawaii. The alpha has always had a wandering eye, even flirting with Jimin a few times. Jimin had always just looked at him in disgust. It was a bit sad for him to hear about the nuptials between said alpha and Yejin’s daughter Park Yeri, last year. He’d been friends somewhat with his cousin when they were younger and Yeri was always super shy. No doubt, the union had been her mother’s doing. Any alpha who came from money seems to be all she cared about.
“My youngest omega’s alpha is inheriting his father’s business soon too,” another omega pipes up. Jimin recognizes her as Park JooEun, another aunt from his father’s side.
“Oh? Is that the mortician’s son?”
“Of course. You know how successful Kang’s Funeral Home is. It’s even been featured on television!”
Impressed murmurs hum amongst the elders, some nodding in approval.
“Family lineage is important, as we can all see. Isn’t that right, Jimin-ssi?” Yejin glances at him.
Jimin smiles faintly at the pointed jab. She thinks she’s got him..
“What does your alpha’s family own? Or do?” she insists when Jimin doesn’t bite.
“He’s an orphan, actually.”
An audible gasp can be heard around the table, as if Jimin had announced that his mate was a demon, not a child with unknown parents.
“Oh my!” Yejin, with a hand pressed to her chest, exclaims.
Jimin catches his grandmother’s eyes, briefly, but his expression must convey nothing for she doesn’t interrupt.
Jimin is not afraid of these people or their opinions. He’s had 7 years to put up his walls and they are strong.
“So no family backing from either side? Tsk tsk tsk! However are you even living, my dear?!”
Jimin is about to answer when his phone rings.
“Excuse me, I have to answer this,” he stands up and walks over to a quiet corner.
“Tae?”
“How’s it going, soulmate?”
“Well, I answered your call so I’m still alive.”
“Good. Cause I would’ve entered that luncheon, Park or not, guns blazing if you hadn’t.”
Jimin giggles. “You can’t even shoot water at the ducks at the carnival, you big baby.”
“Uh-uh-uh!” Tae tuts. “That’s because they’re innocent, cute rubber duckies. Those Park omegas from your family are real, flesh and blood vile creatures who’d deserve it.”
Jimin reaches up with a hand to cover his mouth as he laughs. He really loves Taehyung. He chats with the man a bit more before hanging up and walking back slowly to the table.
“…He’s not even acknowledged by his family anymore. How does he even have the audacity to act like he’s too good for us? Like he’s got some sort of impenetrable force field around him…”
Jimin catches what Yejin is whispering to JooEun and he clears his throat before sitting down. They stop immediately and smile fake, sickly smiles back at him.
God, he couldn’t wait to leave.
“So, Jimin-ssi-“
Jimin is saved from more incessant prodding into his personal life when a small commotion at the entrance to the ballroom is noticed. There’s 6 or 7 of the omegas, some Jimin’s age, some a little younger, tittering about with their phones out, giggling, bright eyed and blushy cheeked.
“What is going on over there…” Yejin starts asking just as a tall figure in all black enters the room. The tittering from the omegas get louder and squeals can be heard as camera phones start snapping pics and videos.
Jimin gasps when he spots the newcomer, eyes widening before getting up from his seat and striding over.
“Jungkook-ah? What are you doing here?”
Jungkook smiles easily as soon as he catches the omega’s eyes. “Hi, baby. You left your cardigan in the car. I was already halfway to work when I noticed it. I don’t want you to get cold trying to catch a taxi later.” The alpha lifts the fluffy white cardigan off his arm and drapes it over Jimin’s slim shoulders before pulling at the edges of the collar and tugging him closer, pressing a soft kiss to Jimin’s nose.
“You’re so pretty. Did I tell you that yet?”
Jimin giggles softly, his body melting into his mate’s warmth, his cheeks pinkening at the compliment, even after 7 years together. “Yes, alpha, twenty times already this morning and in the car when you were dropping me off here.”
“You’re so damn pretty. Make it twenty-two times.”
“Silly. Go, get to work. I don’t need Yoongi texting me about your tardiness, again.”
Jungkook grins. “I can’t help it. I have the prettiest, sexiest, cutest omega and it’s always a challenge leaving him.“
“Ex-excuse me…”
They both turn at the interruption to see a shy, young omega with her camera phone out.
“J-jeon Jungkook-ssi? Are you Jungkook from ‘Ground Up?’”
“Uh…yes.”
The young omega squeals and Jimin laughs softly. He’s used to this kind of attention to his husband by now.
As the other omegas come forth to ask for pictures, Jimin scoots a bit back and watches, a fond smile on his face. Behind him, he can hear the old bags.
“Who is that?”
“You don’t know? Yejin-ssi, you don’t watch enough tv! He’s a celebrity!”
“What?”
“Yes!” another voice chimes in. “That's Jeon Jungkook, he’s on a show where they build houses for high-name celebrities! You know he was personally requested by WonBin to design an add-on nursery wing for their new baby!”
Jimin can’t see the old biddies, but he can just imagine the shock on Aunt Yejin’s face.
Yes, that is Jeon Jungkook, the orphan alpha they’d just practically spat upon and yes, Jungkook is still an engineer, but he is also so much more. He’s rich, successful, kind, solid, strong and married to Jimin. He’d worked long and hard for everything himself, with Jimin by his side and his celeb status is just a plus.
Finally, Jungkook detaches himself, comes back over and hugs Jimin, giving him one more peck on the lips.
“Come say hi to my grandmother?”
“Of course. It’s been a minute since we’ve seen her.”
Jimin leads his husband over to the table and ignores everyone else, just allowing Jungkook to greet his grandmother and kiss her cheek in greeting. She reaches for Jimin’s hand and he promptly bends down to her level.
“I’m proud of you, my little bean. You stay strong. Now, you may leave. But take that piece of cake with you. For my handsome grandson-in-law.”
Jimin chuckles and places a kiss on her cheek before beelining for his seat to grab the piece of cake, all cutely boxed up. He lets Jungkook make small talk with his grandmother.
“Ahhh...Jimin-ssi...i didn’t know your mate was Jeon Jungkook.” Yejin slides to his side and starts patting his arm.
Jimin holds back his scoff. Of course she didn’t know, she didn’t even bother to ask anything about anyone, just started in on her own assumptions. Bitch.
“Is that…Jeon Jungkook?”
Jimin nods as Jungjin approaches him, mouth open.
“Wait. Wait a minute here-“
“Your mate really is Jeon Jungkook? The celebrity home designer we see on tv?” Aunt Sunghwa squeals, cutting off her brother Jungjin.
“Yes. But please excuse me, I have to leave. It has been...interesting...seeing everyone again.”
“Leave? But Jimin-ssi, you didn’t even stay that long. Where are you going already?” Yejin’s voice is saccharine and dripping with honey now, but Jimin can see the calculative wheels churning in her head. Beside her, JooEun is nodding too, suddenly all excited.
Jimin turns to the busybodies and his lips curve up, though the smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Apologies, aunties. My... impenetrable force field ...is waiting for me. Good bye.”
Jimin smirks upon seeing the pink tinge of embarrassment stain both the omega’s faces.
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“I’m proud of you baby.”
Jimin hums, his eyes focused on one of the veins on the back of Jungkook’s hand, clasping his in the middle of the console between them. Jungkook keeps his eyes on the road as he drives.
“Are you?”
“I am. You didn’t kill anyone.”
Jimin laughs, eyes crinkling, shoulders shaking as he falls forward.
“Was that why you came in? To make sure I didn’t hurt anyone?”
Jungkook chuckles. “No, I came in because you really did forget your cardigan and had you killed anyone, I would’ve helped you escape. We’re partners for life, even if we have to hide out in a cave.”
“A cave?”
“A cave in Barbados.”
Jimin laughs, bringing their entwined hands up so he can kiss the vein he’d been staring at. He’s so glad when his father had given him an ultimatum 7 years ago, he had chosen Jungkook. After a life of stifling and growing up never being good enough, he finally found someone who thinks he hung the moon, even when doing absolutely nothing.
“Love you, boo.”
“Love you, too.”
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END