Accepted | Jikook

20

The morning of the alphas' departure has finally arrived.

Jungkook wakes up early, triple-checking his backpack to make sure he has the necessities Namjoon has told him to bring--layers for the cold weather, water, small snacks, and anything else that will help him get by for at least a few days while the large group figures out what exactly they're dealing with.

He tries to be quiet, not wanting to disturb his mate from his slumber. It took Jimin hours to fall asleep, his mind tormented by stress that turned his sweet citrusy scent sour. Jungkook wanted the omega to sleep as long as he could, only moving to wake him when he was packed and physically ready to go (he knew that he would never be emotionally ready at the thought of being separated from Jimin).

It's not that he wanted to leave or was itching to go on a blind manhunt. He was torn between wanting to stay inside, keeping the omega attached to his hip and living in paranoia, and helping Namjoon, performing his duties as an alpha to keep Jimin safe and end the threat once and for all. He knew what was at stake, knew that his life was at risk, but a small part of him took pride in the idea of coming home to his mate's wide smile after declaring that he had been the one to take down the murderer. He would fight to keep Jimin safe, no matter what. He would fight to make sure the omega never had to live in fear ever again.

With this in mind, he gently shakes the omega awake, the brunet coming to with a startled gasp. He looks around wildly before his eyes settle on Jungkook's face, glowing in the orange sunrise pouring through their window. He knows Jungkook's about to leave, and he knows that what he's about to do is selfish, but he resorts to his final and strongest weapon in one last attempt at keeping the alpha from going.

His pout.

He rubs the sleep from his eyes, and when he opens them again, he juts out his bottom lip, not having to fake the tears that threaten to spill down his cheeks. Jungkook breathes shallowly at the sight, and Jimin feels a sliver of satisfaction at the younger's steadily breaking façade. He can see the slight furrow of his eyebrows, the pinch of his lips and his tongue poking through the side of his cheek. They hold their gaze for what feels like an eternity, neither moving nor daring to break the silence. That is, until Jungkook sighs and leans down to place a kiss on the omega's pouting lips.

"I love you," he whispers, touching their foreheads together.

Maybe Jimin is just overthinking. Maybe it's because he's still new to this mate thing that he feels so distraught over being away from Jungkook. Maybe he shouldn't worry so much--this is Jungkook he's talking about. The alpha is perfectly capable of holding his own and has done well to prepare Jimin for the same independence. He nods to himself, forcing his pout to twist into a small smile. The muscles in his face resist such movement and he's left to hope that his expression doesn't look too much like a grimace as he blinks away the waterworks.

"I love you too." He grabs Jungkook by the nape of the neck, pulling him down for another kiss, trying not to focus too much on the fact that this feels like a goodbye. He doesn't want a goodbye. "I'll see you later, okay?" he mumbles.

The alpha flashes his bunny smile. "Okay."

"Okay."

Neither of them are quick to move away, and it is with strong hesitation and remorse that Jimin pulls away from the alpha's embrace, falling back against the bedsheets. He knows Jungkook feels his distress, can probably smell it on him. But the alpha has already made his decision, and Jimin knows that this is something the alpha feels he must do to prove himself.

His smile a little more genuine this time, Jimin lightly pushes the younger's chest, encouraging him to go before the two can think too much and change their minds.