Stigma

Chapter 12 - Abandoned

"Sometimes people can hunger for more than bread. It is possible that our children, our husband, our wife, do not hunger for bread, do not need clothes, do not lack a house. But are we equally sure that none of them feels alone, abandoned, neglected, needing some affection? That too is poverty" Mother Teresa.

The thing about prejudice is that sometimes it can be so deeply ingrained into someone's head, that they conform to it without even knowing. Sometimes, it can be so apart of someone's way of life, that they believe the individuals they are repressing are better off for it. The consequences of this are nothing short of catastrophic.

Taehyung had always thought that some people within his society believed they were helping him. Trying to make decisions for him, because they simply 'knew better.' But that was the issue, they didn't know better. After years of abuse and prejudice, the only person who knew what he needed exactly when he needed it was himself. It didn't matter how he was acting or what he was doing. If he was conscious, he knew. Always.

That's why it was always a common misconception that alphas knew what omegas needed too. Instead, they simply hold the ability to read their omega so well, that they pick up on their needs without their omega even needing to communicate to them. This was true mating, something only a few had been able to achieve or even witness.

Taehyung believed in it though, he didn't before, but after seeing the glimpses of awe and adoration in Namjoon's eyes as he looked at Jin, or the glances of trust and understanding when Jin looked at Namjoon, he knew that they were true mates. There was no doubt.

Which was why when Jungkook knew exactly what he needed and wanted that morning, he couldn't help the bursts of happiness that exploded throughout his body. He felt so loved, so honored and cared for, that the idea of submitting felt as natural as breathing.

It wasn't that he was an omega and Jungkook an alpha. To him, at that moment, they were simply two people. Two individuals that were so, dare he say it, in love with one another, that the idea of being apart, when one was in pain, was more horrific than the idea of eternal torment.

That was why Taehyung supposed, it hurt so much more when Jungkook was ripped away from him. He had been given a taste of the bliss Jungkook could bring. An understanding of what it could be like if he accepted Jungkook as his. But it was not meant to be. Taehyung had always joked and said that world hated him. However, it was that morning, that he knew he was right.

Hobi arrived in record speed to the apartment, ignoring the elevator in favor the stairs, taking them two at a time, impatient as ever to rush to the aid of the two betas.

All that was running through his mind was Tae's well-being, images of an omega in stress causing his alpha to rile up before he had even reached the door.

Upon entering he was met with a scene of chaos. Yoongi looked positively distraught, his face as white as snow, eyes downcast and shameful. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Jungkook had obviously called rank on the older beta while Hobi was still making his way to the apartment.

He slowly made his way into the flat, sucking in a sharp breath at the smell that melted around his nose. The sharp intake, making the two Beta's turn their attention to him in urgency.

"Hobi" Jimin cried in relief, running over to the alpha for comfort, wrapping his arms around him in contentment. Yoongi tried not to hold back the sting of jealousy he felt at the obvious display of trust.

"Where's Jungkook?" Hobi asked after releasing Jimin, sending out calming pheromones to Yoongi to let the beta know that he meant no ill intent behind the affection Jimin gave him. The two had...history.