Chapter Text
Taehyung hisses as he peels his black shirt off his injured arm.
“You okay?” Yoongi asks, looking at Taehyung through the rear-view mirror of the town car he’s driving, heading toward the restaurant Taehyung’s parents had informed him they were to have dinner at.
“Yeah, it’s just a graze,” Taehyung says, reaching for the first-aid kit kept under the driver’s seat. “Not that it would have happened if my dam hadn’t decided that it was absolutely essential to talk to me mere hours before dinner.”
He slaps the alcohol wipe on the wound, grimacing when he realises it’s long enough to need more than one.
Probably deep enough to need stitches.
Fuck.
“She just wanted to make sure you didn’t fuck this up,” Yoongi says.
“How would I even fuck this up?” Taehyung grouses. “It’s not like either of us can get out of this marriage.”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure you could manage to fuck up your first meeting with your fiancé somehow,” Yoongi smirks back at him.
Taehyung snorts as he reaches for the steri-strips he’ll use until he can put in the stitches.
“And it still wouldn’t matter. We all know there’s no backing out of this merger.”
“We could run,” Yoongi says, sounding serious for the first time in this whole mess. “Get new identities. We could even live comfortably on the money we’ve already made.”
Taehyung stills, taking a moment to close his eyes and consider it.
Freedom from being the sole heir to Kim Inc., the most powerful company in South Korea.
Freedom from the marriage that had been arranged for him, nothing more than a business merger with the second most powerful company: Steel Entertainment.
No one was under any illusions regarding the real reason for this marriage, which was why he was meeting his fiancé for the first time two days before the wedding.
They technically didn’t even need to meet before the wedding at all, but apparently the spoiled brat he was to marry had whined so much that his sire had given in.
A true sire’s little omega.
Rumour had it that he had never been denied a thing in his life.
Well, he would just have to get used to being told no, because Taehyung was not in the habit of giving in to spoiled brats. He would be firm in his decisions, and if the omega behaved, he would take his opinion into account.
Although said opinions might not be very good, since the omega had finished high school before being whisked off to some fancy finishing school that would undoubtedly have turned him into the air-headed socialite he was expected to be.
“He spent six years being turned into a perfect little omega,” Taehyung sighs. “The consequences of not marrying me would be…disastrous.”
“And that’s your problem because?” Yoongi snaps. “We can hardly change the stupid elite’s way of doing things.”
“That’s why I can’t just leave him,” Taehyung says. “He’s as much a victim of the system as any other omega socialite. It’s not like he had a choice in this either.”
Yoongi grimaces but continues driving.
Maybe the omega wouldn’t be as bad as his reputation made him out to be. Taehyung is no stranger to how cruel society can be to omegas.
“You’d better put your shirt on. We’re about five minutes out,” Yoongi says and Taehyung nods, slapping an Opsite over the wound to ensure that no blood will seep through his shirt.
He shrugs on the white silk shirt and then his Charvet jacket, finishing up just as Yoongi stops in front of the restaurant.
By the time Yoongi opens his door, Taehyung looks like a proper alpha heir, no sign of his…hobby visible to the general public.
The restaurant is, of course, very understated in its elegance. In fact, if one didn’t know that the waitlist was several months long, you could be fooled into thinking it was just another restaurant in Gangnam.
Taehyung’s family wasn’t nouveau riche , after all. They would hardly be caught dead in those tacky, overpriced restaurants populated by the idiots who flaunted their newly-gained money.
No class, as Taehyung’s dam would say, and in this case Taehyung could not fault her.
The maitre d’ immediately bows at the sight of Taehyung, murmuring a quiet, “This way if you would, Mister Kim.”
And then Taehyung is faced with his parents and the other Kims that they would merge with.
“Ah, Taehyung, how wonderful of you to join us,” his sire murmurs, one eyebrow cocked in a way that lets Taehyung know that he will be hearing about this in private.
“Indeed, sire,” Taehyung murmurs back, pulling out a chair on his parents’ side.
“I apologise for my tardiness, Alpha and Omega Kim,” Taehyung says, with a respectful bow at them.
“Oh, nonsense.” Alpha Kim waves an elegant hand. “A young alpha such as yourself should enjoy the last days of bachelorhood. After all, marriage will require you to take proper care of my baby.”
Ah, a threat. The possibility of his fiancé being a sire’s omega seems to be increasing by the second.
“Of course.” Taehyung inclines his head respectfully. “I am fully aware of how to care for an omega as precious as your son.”
“Good. I shall keep you to that,” the Kim sire says. “My darling is also well-educated in how to take care of an alpha.”
Taehyung has to suppress a snort, but manages a pointed glance at the empty seat next to the Kim dam.
The Kim sire’s eyes flash at the implication before she smiles a smile so polite it can only mean that she is considering having Taehyung assassinated.
How ironic.
“An omega has much to do before a wedding,” the Kim sire says. “Although such things are not for alphas to know, you understand.”
The Kim dam nods meekly, smiling a smile so practised, Taehyung wants to puke. “If alphas knew all our secrets that would rather spoil the surprise, you understand.”
“Oh, of course,” Taehyung’s dam nods. “Why, I remember rushing to finish everything the day before the wedding. It is good that your son is more prepared.”
The Kim sire’s chest puffs out in a way that is most unseemly. “Of course he is. He consistently scored the highest in his finishing school - in the UK, you understand - and even stayed for additional training. There is no better omega in the entire world, I believe.”
“Darling,” the Kim dam says, placing his hand on the sire’s to calm her.
“Nothing but the truth,” the Kim sire says, but manages to calm herself nonetheless.
Taehyung feels his chest constrict, the thought of spending the rest of his life with nothing more than a doll making him want to run away far more than any arranged marriage.
Perhaps he could give the omega one of his island properties, to give them both some space?
“Oh, I apologise for keeping you waiting,” a voice says from behind Taehyung.
It’s breathy and far too light for Taehyung’s taste. Too perfect.
“Ah, darling.” The Kim sire gets up, Taehyung immediately following her example but taking his seat once more when the older alpha shoots him a look that clearly says the omega is not yet his.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it,” the Kim sire fusses as she pulls out the chair for her son, who merely gives her a smile.
“Thank you, Mommy.” And then he plants a quick peck on his sire’s cheek, clearly every inch the brat he has been rumoured to be.
Taehyung closes his eyes and prays for strength.
Or death.
He’s not picky at the moment.
“Of course, darling. These are the Kims, of course, and your fiancé.” Another dark look at Taehyung and he almost wants to tell the Kim sire to keep her precious son.
Instead he bows his head respectfully and murmurs, “A pleasure indeed, Omega Kim.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Alpha Kim.” The omega bows his head demurely, blonde hair glowing in the restaurant’s light.
Taehyung resigns himself to a torturous dinner as things turn to talk of the upcoming merger.
The omega remains quiet and demure the entire time, his alpha guarding him as though Taehyung won’t be expected to take her precious son to bed in two days.
Well, he supposes it’s an alpha thing.
And Taehyung’s hardly planning on bedding the omega anytime soon.
If only he could reassure the other alpha of that without causing a scandal.
🔹🔶🔹
“There.” Jungkook steps back to take in Taehyung’s suit, looking for any imperfections that could cause a scandal.
“Perfect?” Taehyung asks, not daring to touch anything.
“Perfect,” Jungkook confirms.
“Good. Because I get the feeling Alpha Kim is looking for any excuse not to let me near her precious son.”
Jungkook snorts. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married to some sire’s little omega, all prim and proper and finishing-schooled to hell and back.”
Taehyung grimaces. “Can you not remind me?”
“Considering your penchant for omega-fatales? Nope.” Jungkook smirks. “Remember Nara? She got pretty close to killing you.”
“Yes, thank you, Jungkook,” Taehyung grits out. “But at least she had personality.”
“Well, Omega Kim’s better for your health at least,” Yoongi’s voice comes from behind him.
“Not if he bores me to death,” Taehyung mutters sullenly.
“You’re being dramatic.”
Taehyung groans, almost running a hand through his hair. Luckily Jungkook catches the hand in time, glaring at Taehyung, who smiles meekly.
“He’s a virgin, of course,” Taehyung sighs.
“You wouldn’t be marrying him if he failed the test,” Yoongi points out.
“That means he’ll be absolutely clueless in bed!” Taehyung snaps. “I’m too old to go back to clueless fumbling.”
“I thought the point is that you teach them how to please you?” Jungkook points out and Taehyung gags.
“Ugh. Disgusting,” Taehyung says once he finally gets his gag-reflex under control.
“You’re not gonna touch him, are you?” Yoongi says knowingly.
“Obviously not,” Taehyung says. “I’m not kidding about the clueless fumbling being decidedly unsexy.”
“Bet he’s a pillow princess too,” Jungkook muses. “Someone that spoiled won’t be willing to put in much work.”
“Yes, thank you, Jungkook.”
“You’re gonna have to touch him eventually,” Yoongi points out. “Everyone’s going to expect pups, and soon.”
Taehyung grimaces again. “I’ll…figure that out once it gets to it.”
“Better be snappy about it,” Yoongi says. “You know people are gonna talk if there isn’t at least one pup in the first year.”
“Hyung’s not wrong,” Jungkook sighs.
“I’ll figure it out!” Taehyung snaps, just as there’s a knock on the door.
“Taehyung?” Seokjin, Taehyung’s cousin, sticks his head into the room. “It’s time.”
Taehyung takes a fortifying breath before he heads for the altar, where he will be awaiting his future mate.
Whose name he doesn’t even know, he suddenly realises.
Shit.
Finally, the music starts, signalling the arrival of his fiancé.
Taehyung turns and has to admit that his breath catches in his throat.
The omega does look gorgeous in his dress.
Clearly, whatever he had been doing in preparation for the ceremony worked.
Not that he’d seen much of the omega during their dinner, considering the Kim sire’s possessive behaviour.
But here, in the soft light coming through the stained-glass windows, Taehyung can finally acknowledge that the omega wears the dress well.
The omega’s sire scowls at Taehyung for his stare, but it’s not like she can do anything about it now.
Finally, the omega stops next to Taehyung, the Kim sire clearly struggling to let go.
Still, she does, and Taehyung turns to the priest.
Whatever the priest says is lost to Taehyung, who’s only listening for anything that requires a response from him.
Yoongi isn’t wrong about the pups, and once again Taehyung won’t be the one to face the backlash.
But the thought of taking some clueless doll to bed is incredibly unappealing. So much so that, before the conversation with Yoongi, Taehyung had resigned himself to a life of celibacy.
“Do you, Kim Taehyung, take Kim Namjoon to be your lawfully-mated omega, to love and to hold until death do you part?”
“I do,” Taehyung answers, taking the ring that he did not choose and putting it on the omega’s finger.
“And do you, Omega Namjoon, take Kim Taehyung to be your lawfully-mated alpha, to obey, remain faithful to, and serve until death do you part?”
Taehyung clenches his teeth at the unfairness of that statement, but it’s not like he can do anything about it.
“I do,” the omega says, slipping the ring onto Taehyung’s hand.
Demurely.
Taehyung hadn’t even known you could slide a ring onto someone’s finger demurely.
Guess those six years of finishing school really did make him a perfect omega, Taehyung thinks to himself.
“Then you may mark the omega,” the priest says, and Taehyung grits his teeth even harder as he flips the veil to expose the omega’s neck.
The omega has already tilted his head, ready for the bite, and Taehyung closes his eyes as he looks for the scent gland.
He finds it, the scent of chocolate and coconut surprisingly alluring.
Strange how things that were usually taboo were now expected of them, like Taehyung smelling the omega’s scent. Something only mates should do.
Taehyung bites down on the gland, drawing blood.
The omega tenses so little in response that, if they hadn’t been attached by Taehyung’s teeth, he wouldn’t have noticed.
But the omega never does anything else, merely taking the marking meekly.
Perhaps not so bratty after all.
At least not with an alpha that is not his sire.
Taehyung worries the gland with his teeth, making sure that the omega’s scent thoroughly floods the area, before pulling back and licking the spot to encourage the healing process.
“And now you are lawfully and spiritually mated, under the government and Moon Goddess both,” the priest declares, and Taehyung takes the omega’s hand to lead them down the aisle.
The reception is terribly boring, and the omega is as demure as always when interacting with their guests.
Taehyung smiles and smiles until he feels like his face is about to fall off.
Finally, the torture ends and they get into the town car Yoongi will be driving them to the airport in.
Customs barely glances at them as they go through the gate to Taehyung’s private jet, which will take them to Tetiaroa, a private island in French Guinea where the Brando Resort awaits them.
The jet is all understated elegance, of course. With seats that convert into beds.
Taehyung falls into one, which the cabin crew have already converted into a bed. He considers changing but throws that thought out the window. Besides, he’s slept in far worse conditions.
“So,” the omega’s voice comes from somewhere at the front of the cabin. “What shall we do now?”
“Sleep,” Taehyung slurs, already pulling the covers over his body. “Just sleep.”
There’s the sound of shuffling and then someone settling into the couch-bed.
Taehyung is out like a light the moment he hears the omega’s breathing even out.
🔹🔶🔹
Taehyung is shaken awake by a pale Jimin.
“What’s wrong?” Taehyung asks, having long-since learned that grogginess is far too dangerous to allow himself.
Jimin glances at the other bed, the occupant ostensibly still asleep, before whispering, “Bad news about your personal hedge fund, I’m afraid.”
Taehyung immediately shoots upright, Jimin moving out of his way with his usual speed and grace.
“Cockpit phone?” Taehyung asks and Jimin nods, flattening his skirt to cover the hurry-up sign he flashes Taehyung.
“Right. Serve my…husband breakfast, Jimin. I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
And then he’s striding to the cockpit, opening the door to a worried looking Yoongi on their private communicator, Hoseok paying the flight instruments only the most necessary attention.
Yoongi immediately hands over the communicator, Taehyung settling it against his jawbone.
“Jin?”
“Firstly, I’m okay.” Jin’s voice comes over the comm seconds before there’s the sound of a tussle and Jungkook’s voice comes on.
“They nearly fucking killed him!” Jungkook growls.
“Oh for fuck’s sake, you’re being dramatic!” Jin says, annoyed as he wrestles the microphone away from his alpha. “It wasn’t nearly as bad as Jungkook is making it seem.”
“Someone cut your brake lines!”
“Yes, that’s why I have decoy brake lines,” Jin soothes. “But, well, for all relevant purposes, I am currently lying in a morgue in Seoul, burned to a crisp.”
“Let me guess, the guy who cut the lines?” Taehyung asks, hoping for some kind of resolution to this entire thing.
“Yes,” Jin says.
“But?” Taehyung asks, rubbing the bridge of his nose and releasing all the air in his lungs.
“He was just some low-level criminal. Did it for 50 dollars from some completely anonymous account.” Disdain drips from Jin’s voice and Taehyung allows himself a small smile at his cousin’s antics.
“Figured it would be easy money to slash some chaebol’s tires at the biggest wedding of the year… I told you it was a ridiculous security risk!” Jungkook snarls.
“The day of!” Taehyung hisses. “None of us knew what the fuck was going on until we set foot in that venue.”
“The Grand Walkerhill,” Yoongi says and Taehyung rolls his eyes because he really did not give a fuck.
“Calm down,” Jin snaps. “None of us could have predicted this. We’re not exactly talking about above-ground activities here.”
“There’s a very limited pool of people who could have done this,” Taehyung agrees.
“Unless you count the people who just want to kill the spare’s mate - it’s not like Jin-the-airheaded-socialite doesn’t have enemies,” Jin points out.
“So what? That French hag decided to get revenge because you managed to get the entire new Chanel collection?” Jungkook snorts. “No, this isn’t about our day jobs. I can feel it in my soul.”
“Oh, well, if you can feel it in your soul, obviously we should all rush to conclusions. Also, omegas can be very vicious when it comes to the spring collections,” Jin snarks, causing the other alpha to sigh.
“Jin’s right. I know you have good instincts, JK, but we can’t afford to leave any angle open for attack,” Taehyung says, even as he agrees with Jungkook.
He had known from the instant Jimin had woken him that something was brewing with his hobby, and his instincts were very rarely wrong.
“Fine,” Jungkook says. “But don’t say I didn’t tell you so.”
“Yes, yes. Go punch something before your pheromones give us away,” Jin sighs, undoubtedly shooing his alpha away.
“And you’re sure you’re fine?” Taehyung asks, knowing Jin will be more honest without his alpha fussing over him.
“Nothing happened. I got into the car and the warning system let me know the brakes had been cut. Well, the fake ones. Jungkook identified and neutralised the guy within seconds. Nothing major. Except for staging my death.”
“Well, I can imagine that would be difficult,” Taehyung says.
“Of course, it’s not like I could go out in some silly little fender-bender.”
“…How big was the explosion exactly?” Taehyung asks, lifting his brows and making Yoongi groan.
“Barely big enough, but Jungkookie reminded me that damaging infrastructure affects the populace and that would be bad.”
Taehyung snorts. “Good for JK.”
“Whatever,” Jin sniffs and Taehyung tilts his head back, looking at the cabin roof.
“You want to come to Tetiaroa? Get some distance from your dead body?”
“I don’t know, the funeral is in two days and I want to see who cries. I bet Chihyon will hit on Jungkook, the backstabbing bitch that she is.”
Taehyung chuckles at his cousin’s antics, before getting serious once more. “Jin. I’m serious.”
Jin sighs. “I know, Gukkie Cookie said the same thing. But I’ve always wanted to go to my own funeral.”
The last bit is said in a whine that makes Taehyung grin, shaking his head even though his cousin can’t see him.
“I’ll send the jet back for you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. How would that look?” Jin chides. “Kookie and I will use the Mach 6.0. Ugh, I never should have let him name things. He’s definitely not naming our pups.”
“All right, you can take the Mach 6.0.” Taehyung repeats so that Yoongi and Hoseok can hear the plan. “We’ll expect you in T-minus 30 hours. No later, Jin.”
The last is said in Taehyung’s firmest alpha voice, and he hears his cousin sigh.
“I need to pack, you know!”
“Don’t pretend this is about anything but wanting to go to your own funeral,” Taehyung sighs. “If you’re that desperate, we can always fake your death again.”
“But then people will know that I faked it the first time! It won’t be the same.” The pout is clear in Jin’s voice.
“It’ll calm JK down,” Taehyung points out.
“Ugh, fine! I’ll go get him. See you in T-minus thirty hours.”
And then the transmission cuts out and Taehyung lets his head fall to his chest.
“At least he’s okay,” Hoseok says.
Yoongi snorts. “He’s definitely going to outlive us all. I would bet on that.”
Taehyung smiles wanly at them before taking the comm off, handing it to Yoongi.
“We’re 20 minutes out,” Hoseok says, and Taehyung nods in understanding: take-off and landing require all the pilots’ attention under the best circumstances.
He heads back to the sound of Jimin’s clear laughter.
“Oh, you are just precious!” Jimin coos and Taehyung frowns at the reminder that they have a…guest.
This is going to complicate things, Taehyung thinks grimly as he gets closer to the guest in question.
Striding back into the cabin, Taehyung takes in the scene in front of him.
The… His husband is smiling at Jimin, dimples Taehyung had been unaware of popping out.
Jimin is currently holding a magazine that Taehyung can’t make out.
At his entrance, both omegas scramble to hide the magazine, finally shoving it under the seat.
Taehyung lifts his brow at Jimin, who merely gives him a bright smile.
“Coffee?” Jimin asks, holding the carafe out.
“You know the answer to that, Jimin,” Taehyung says, sour at the fact that Jimin seems to make friends with everyone.
“Of course, how silly of me!” Jimin smirks at him. “I’ll just go get your hot chocolate.”
Taehyung sends the omega a glare that is gleefully ignored as Jimin glides out of the cabin.
Silence.
Taehyung throws himself back onto the pull-out bed, pressing the buttons needed to convert it back to a seat and rubbing his hands over his face.
This is too complicated a situation to be dragging some socialite into, but what choice do they have? Sending the omega back to the (possible?) safety of Seoul will absolutely kill their reputations.
And Taehyung’s parents will just kill him .
The Kim alpha will probably take him in though, if Taehyung proves that he never touched her precious son.
“Your hot chocolate,” Jimin sing-songs as he sets the…fucking sippy cup in front of Taehyung. “Pilots said to buckle up, darling. We’re landing in about fifteen minutes.”
The last part is said to Taehyung’s husband, who merely bows his head and tries to convert his bed back into a seat.
“Jimin…” Taehyung frowns, wondering why the usually helpful and caring omega is letting the other struggle on their own.
“Oh, would you look at that! Fifteen minutes! I have to get the cabin ready! So busy!” And then he’s gone, leaving Taehyung to stare at the spot he had been.
Taehyung glances at the omega, whose mouth is turned down unhappily in his pale face.
His face is so thin, Taehyung thinks. He needs a solid meal or six.
Another fumble sends the omega sprawling and Taehyung out of his seat.
“Are you okay?” Taehyung asks, hovering over the omega, whose face is beet red, unsure of how to approach the situation.
“Fine! Fine,” the omega says, breathy voice making Taehyung want to puke.
It’s not the omega’s fault, Taehyung reminds himself. He’s just the product of their environment.
“Right. Well.” Taehyung grabs the omega’s hand, pulling him upright, before assessing him with a practised gaze. “I don’t think you hurt anything. I’ll just…”
And then Taehyung converts the bed into a seat, gesturing for the omega to sit.
“We’re landing soon. You know how to handle that, I assume?”
The omega, still looking down at his feet, nods, and Taehyung heads back to his own seat, mind immediately working on the issue of who tried to kill Jin.
Something about the entire thing is bothering Taehyung, like an itch that he can’t reach, dancing around just outside his range.
Taehyung is so engrossed in his own thoughts that he barely registers landing, disembarking, being greeted by the resort staff, or being whisked away to their luxurious accommodations.
He manages to have enough wherewithal to take in the villa that they’ll be staying in, making note of the many entrances and escape routes.
Taehyung grimaces at the nightmare it’s going to be to secure it.
He tips the porter handsomely, the beta grinning like only the sight of money can make people grin.
Taehyung sweeps the place again, noting that every wall seems to have at least some form of breakable glass in it, huge sliding doors opening to the oceanside deck, more massive glass sliding doors opening to the forest-side deck…
A nightmare.
A nightmare he can’t leave because the house, one of only six allowed on the island, was the Kims’ wedding present.
Taehyung grimaces and reaches for his phone, already praying that Jungkook will be his usual paranoid self, and knowing that he’s going to have to ask the others to help him guard this place until Jungkook arrives.
A sudden crash startles Taehyung so much he reaches for his gun as he whips around, eyes taking in the scene…of his complication, eyes huge as he stares at the remains of…something breakable.
When their eyes meet, the omega immediately clears his throat.
“It was ugly.”
Taehyung feels his eyes nearly bug out of his skull. “It was ugly?” he asks, unsure of what the fuck he is dealing with.
“Very,” the omega sniffs, crossing his arms, all signs of docility gone.
“So you…broke it?” Taehyung asks, staring incredulously at the shards on the floor.
“Yes.” A beat and then, “Mommy knows I hate art deco.”
The only thing Taehyung’s brain can say to that is a constant litany of “what the fuck?”.
“Someone should clean that up,” the omega says, before heading to the stairs.
And nope, Taehyung is not going to let some stranger in here.
“You,” Taehyung says, before looking at the omega and scowling fiercely. “You’re going to clean it up.”
The omega’s eyes widen, mouth going slack. “I am not… I am your mate!”
“And? Does that make you incapable of cleaning up your own messes?”
“Yes!”
“Not while you’re mated to me, it doesn’t,” Taehyung growls.
The omega sets his jaw and Taehyung sees a flash of something in those dragon eyes.
“Call a maid,” the omega says.
“At this time of night? How cruel of you, husband dearest,” Taehyung sneers.
“Then you do it,” the omega says, crossing his arms.
“What?”
“If you’re so against calling people to do their jobs, then you should clean it,” the omega sniffs. “Or are you incapable of taking care of me?”
Taehyung can feel his jaw drop at the one-eighty his husband has made in the last few minutes.
When they landed, he would never have guessed that the omega would become such a brat on land.
“You are a spoiled brat!” Taehyung snarls, taking a step closer to the omega, who merely lifts his chin even higher in defiance. “And I will not stand for it!”
“Why not?” the omega says and once again Taehyung finds himself floored.
“Why not what?”
“Why won’t you tolerate me being a spoiled brat?”
“…It’s…unseemly,” Taehyung tries, because what’s he going to say? Spoiled chaebols is what they’re supposed to be, after all.
“Is it?”
“Yes…” Taehyung says, scrambling to think of the correct answer in high society.
Damn, apparently he should have listened to his sire’s tirades at least once. But how was he supposed to predict this?
“Why?” the omega asks.
“What do you mean why? It just…disrespects…me?” Taehyung tries.
“How? Because I won’t hurt my hands picking up some trinket? What if I cut myself and it scars?”
And…what the fuck?
The omega raises his brows, challenging Taehyung for an answer.
Taehyung looks around, hoping that whoever is probably trying to kill them jumps out from somewhere to save him from whatever the fuck this entire confrontation is.
Another sniff from the omega draws Taehyung’s eyes back to his mate, who promptly turns around, stepping up the first stair.
“Where are you going?” Taenhyung asks stupidly.
“To do my omegan duties. Which does not include picking up broken glassware.”
And then he disappears up the stairs, leaving Taehyung completely gobsmacked as he tries to process the entire thing.
He looks at the shards for far too long before he finally goes looking for something to clean it up with. He’s forced to make do with what might be some form of brush he found in the kitchen and a spoon; clearly this is not a place where people clean up after themselves.
As he painstakingly scrapes the pieces off the hardwood floor, Taehyung hardens his resolve.
He was caught off-guard tonight, his mind too preoccupied with important things to really handle that ridiculous conversation.
Also, the complete one-eighty from every previous interaction they had had.
Devious.
Taehyung can admire that in an opponent.
But Kim Taehyung doesn’t lose.
Ever.