TO BE WITH YOU UNDERNEATH THE BLOSSOMS

22- 🌸

The day was beautiful. The kind of day that made Jimin breathe easier, his chest feeling lighter than it had in a long time. It was that time of year when cherry blossoms were in full bloom, dusting the streets of the pack in soft pink petals.

The gentle breeze carried their sweet scent, and the market was alive with laughter and chatter. Jimin took a deep breath, feeling refreshed after the passing of his heat. It had been intense-it came out of nowhere and triggered Taehyung's rut too. But it was beautiful in its aspect because they had spent it together, tangled in each other's warmth. Now, his body felt settled, his heart at peace in a way it hadn't been before.

Jimin had entertained the thoughts of spending his heat cycle with Taehyung. Sharing such an intimate moment with his alpha made Jimin realize the depth of his feelings for Taehyung, who had been by his side ever since his father received a sick pup all those years ago.

As he walked through the pack market, his gaze landed on a familiar sight-Seokjin clinging to Yoongi's arm. Ever since Yoongi accepted Seokjin's offer of a courtship, the older alpha had been inseparable from the beta. Jimin had heard that Seokjin fainted on the spot, and that Yoongi had to nurse him back to health. Jungkook had filled him in on the gossip-how Seokjin made Yoongi hold his hand throughout the entire time Jimin's father did the examination, and how Seokjin seemed to be constantly trailing after Yoongi like a smitten puppy. Jimin couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Yoongi's long-suffering expression. His alpha, Taehyung, could be a bit possessive at times, too-like when he insisted on accompanying Jimin to the bathroom, sulking if he didn't get his way.

Jimin tilted his head, watching with mild amusement as Seokjin, who had spent the last week dramatically whining to Jungkook how insufferable alphas (namely Taehyung) in love were, now trailed after Yoongi with the same level of devotion.

"Yoongi ah, let me carry that for you," Seokjin was saying, reaching for the basket Yoongi was holding.

"I can carry my things, Alpha," Yoongi replied, a subtle, closed smile playing on his lips. He noticed Seokjin's ear tips flush a deep red as he addressed the elder with the title, and swiftly shifted the basket out of Seokjin's reach. Jimin saw Seokjin pout, undeterred.

"But what if your arms get tired? I should do it."

Jimin bit back a laugh. Seokjin had spent days rolling his eyes at Taehyung's constant presence around him, yet here he was, acting almost the same.

He continued walking, the market bustling around him, when he heard hushed whispers from a group of omegas nearby.

"Did you see his neck?"

"It's real, then. He's really Taehyung's mate."

Jimin blinked, confused for a moment before realizing what they were talking about. He reached up, fingers brushing against the mating mark Taehyung had left on his skin-a bite that symbolized their bond, forever tethering them together.

Taehyung had always followed him around like a satellite, even when they were pups, orbiting Jimin with unwavering devotion. Before, Jimin could simply feel when Taehyung was near, a presence he had grown used to over the years. Now, because of their bond, he knew when Taehyung was close.

He was talking to Hoseok when the feeling came-an unmistakable awareness, a tiny voice in the back of his mind, that made the fine hairs on his skin rise. But he didn't turn around to search for his Alpha. Instead, he kept talking, though his lips twitched with the urge to smile.