Birds of a Feather

Chapter 21

(The day after Cas leaves with security)

Jungkook was frustrated, no other word to describe the feeling he was experiencing. Cas had come home last night only for 10 minutes before leaving again to go back to work. They were stuck in the practice rooms getting ready for their SNL performance.

He wished things were going better. They had just had a successful award show result at the beginning of this year, things were looking up for the group. The stress of uncertainty on whether they would stay together at the end of the year had passed. BTS was finally starting to be recognized as a successful kpop group and the members felt all around lighter because of it. If they could just keep their pack together, things would be perfect.

That's why he kept sending messages to Cas. He's not getting very big responses from her, but it's the thought that counts, right?

Yoongi moves over to him, "I love you pup, but you probably should tone it down a bit."

"Why?" Jungkook grumbles, "I want her to know that we're thinking about her."

Yoongi shakes his head, "She knows we're thinking about her. Her job is super stressful. If it's crunch time right now, she's probably not wanting too many distractions. I know I don't like them when an album is coming up due."

Jungkook's brow furrows, "Wouldn't she tell me if she didn't want to talk?"

Tae chimes in from next to them, having overheard the conversation, "Not necessarily. She might not want to hurt your feelings."

"Yeah," Jimin adds, "She could hide her feelings because she does like you, but then it's going to cause more issues because if she gets frustrated it might get associated with you. We just don't want you getting hurt JK."

"I don't think she'd do that." Jungkook says.

Namjoon speaks up now from across the room, "Jungkook. Cas doesn't have the best control over her emotions. She might not do it intentionally, but if she gets over stimulated it could cause issues."

Hoseok nods along, "Maybe give her some time to come to you instead of starting every conversation with her. That's what the rest of us are trying to do."

"What do you think, Jin Hyung?" Jungkook asks, hoping to get advice from the pack alpha.

The eldest sighs, "Honestly, Jungkook? I think you should hold off and see if she initiates a conversation on her end. Give it a day or two."

Jungkook slumps his shoulders, looking down at the phone conversation and realizing his hyungs are right that he'd been starting every conversation, and finishing most of them too. "Okay. It can't hurt to try I guess."

--

One day turns into two turns into three. Jungkook's mood kept dipping lower and lower as the days went on. The rest of the group kept trying to comfort him.

Namjoon smiled sadly, "For what it's worth. She doesn't mean too. I'm sure it's something really important that grabbed her attention."

Jungkook sighs, "I know. It just sucks a bit to start to realize that someone you looked at as important doesn't view you the same way."

Everyone nods along, giving support where they can.

They start dance practice again and Jungkook feels a quick jolt of pain and discomfort somewhere in his chest. Doubling over for a minute and rubbing at the place where the pain came from.

"What's wrong?" Jimin asks quickly, moving over to him.

He huffs, rubbing the spot again, "I don't know, it was just like I moved wrong. Just a bit of discomfort." Jungkook stretches his arms out around himself, still feeling the slight discomfort, but shoving it away to focus on their practice. They have to be ready for the SNL performance.

--

The discomfort in his chest spikes off and on throughout the week. The group even has a doctor check him out, but nothing comes from the impromptu physical. When asked how he normally handles it, Jungkook responds that he can normally push it away.

The group is informed by staff members that it's probably a manifestation of his stress and anxiety for upcoming performances. That so long as he's able to push it away he should be fine.

--

Jungkook has been quiet most of the week, slowly coming to terms with the fact that Cas hasn't messaged him at all for the past week. He sighs and throws his phone away.

The pack all watch him, upset on his behalf, and decide a movie night is order. They pull out all the stops for their maknae. Making sure he has a chance to recover a bit before they leave for the US. Everyone wishes their omega would come home to say goodbye, but have realized that whatever she's doing for work has occupied all of her time.

They spend the night laughing on the couch, just enjoying each other's company and purposely ignoring the elephant in the room. The older members lock eyes every so often, grimacing before refocusing on the youngest, knowing that a conversation would need to happen at some point on what the future of the pack looked like.

Jungkook is happy for the first time in over a week. He thinks for a minute that he catches a whiff of Cas's scent, but shakes it off, remembering the doctor's conversation that he needed to guard against his mind playing tricks.

--

August 2019

They had been traveling and performing constantly. The members hadn't seen much more than a fleeting glance of their omega who had seemed to turn into a ghost member of the dorm. Only home when they were at work, and gone again before they came home.

Everyone had sighed and tried to help Jungkook understand that this is what a platonic pack can end up being if not all parties involved actually want to be there. Trying to give him the best support they can.

His pains from earlier spikes again during this month and the company decides it's time to send the group on a break for a bit. Afterall, they can't afford to let the golden maknae get sick on their watch.

The group returns home, excited for a much-needed break. Taking time to reconnect with each other.

The second day into their break, Cas is escorted home by her security group. The men all stare hard at BTS, which has all 4 alphas hackles raised. They start growling when one of the men steadies Cas as she's changing shoes.

"Oh my god. Cut it out! He's helping me." She hisses, causing the entire pack to recoil. The security, though, has to work hard to hide their smiles.

"Let us know if you need anything Miss. Smith." The one who helped her murmurs.

"She doesn't. She has a pack." Jimin hisses, getting ready to move towards the room.

Cas hisses pack at him, "He is just doing his job. Show some respect. He doesn't mean anything by it, he's a happily mated alpha. All of them are." She turns to the three men and bows slightly, "Thank you. Have a good rest of your evening."

The men leave the room and Jin motions to the table where food is laid out, "Why don't you join us Cas? With how busy your work schedule has been lately it's been a while since we've had a pack mealtime where everyone is home."

Cas shakes her head, "No. I think I'll pass. I'm exhausted and would rather just sleep. Besides. I was provided dinner before I left the office. I only have two days off, so I'm trying to make the most of it."

Hoseok tries to smile, but it's more of a grimace, "We're also on a break. So maybe we can do something together as a pack while you have some time off." The rest of the pack turns to look at the omega, hopeful that she'll start showing an interest.

Cas closes her eyes and sighs, moving towards the hallway, "We'll see. The two days aren't guaranteed. I'll know in the morning if they need me back."

She turns to walk down the hallway and Jungkook quickly exclaims, "What are you working on? It must be something cool for security to be involved."

Cas turns to look at him, trying to keep the hurt from her eyes. She stays strong and says with only a slight waver in her voice, "I can't talk about it." She takes a breath, closing her eyes tightly as her hands fist at her side. "I'm going to bed."

She walks off before anyone else can talk to her. Moving towards the secondary nest and shutting the door behind her. The dorm echoes with the sound of the lock clicking into place.