Chapter 16

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"So the whole wolf thing happens when you want it to, or is it subconscious? Because you said that you didn't intentionally reveal yourself as a human." Yoongi began, sitting down next to Jungkook.

Jungkook played with his feet still looking rather nervous. It wasn't surprising. After all, just like Yoongi he had no idea how things were going to continue from here on. The only thing that Yoongi had already approved was that Jungkook was going to stay there with him.

"Usually shifting is intentionally but when I'm too relaxed, for example when I'm sleeping in a safe environment, it can happen that I shift on accident." he explained. "I haven't been able to shift for a long time though. The first time I did was when you saw me like this the first time. We, my kind, we are born and usually spend our first few months in wolf form before we turn. The first time it happens it's not on purpose. It just happens when we're somewhere we feel safe. It's probably because our human form is weaker. It took me a year because I was on my own and never somewhere that made me feel like a shift was safe. That's probably why it happened when you were back."

Not knowing what to say Yoongi opened his mouth a couple of times before closing it again. Jungkook had felt save around him. Sure, he had said it before, but that was adorable somehow. It made him happy. "That's why you couldn't talk? Because you never learned it?"

Jungkook nodded, crossing his legs. "I... how is it now? I tried practicing it a bit while you were gone. I knew how things were supposed to be said anyways. Just didn't know how to actually use my mouth to say them."

"Wouldn't even be able to tell that you're new to talking." Yoongi reassured. He wasn't lying. Now words just seemed to easily roll of Jungkook's tongue. He couldn't even compare it to the way Jungkook had stuttered out his own name the first time they had met.

"Thanks." The smile he got from Jungkook made his heart beat faster. It was an adorable eye smile that showed off small imperfections that seemed perfect in their own way.

"Now a question that might dampen the mood a bit but I'm curious. Why did your... pack, right? Your pack's alpha want to get rid of you?" Yoongi asked. He really didn't get it. Why would a humanoid creature kick out a pup that was as cute as Jungkook? As much of an annoyance he had been over the weeks Yoongi had spent with him, one cute sound and Yoongi couldn't stay angry for too long.

"He was scared that I'd challenge him once I got older. Because I was born to be an alpha too. He didn't want to risk having me around." Jungkook's eyes were fixed on the ground. Even though he had hardly spent time with Jungkook's human form he could tell that he probably still had some scars from that. Being forced to leave whatever family you had behind at such an young age. Yoongi couldn't imagine what that had to feel like.

"But wouldn't that mean that he just kicks out every Alpha that is born in his pack? That's horrible."

"Alphas are rare. Most packs don't even have an Alpha as a leader but instead just a strong minded beta." Jungkook explained.

"You know a lot. When did you have to leave?"

There was a long, drawn out silence. They could hear the slight noise of rain falling onto the roof of the shed and Yoongi was almost about to ask something else when Jungkook answered.

"The day he found out. My mum hid me from him and taught me as much as she could for me to survive, things that should help me later. When he found out I had been born and an Alpha he tried to kill me, but my mother protected me and I got away. So I have at least some knowledge of some of it... although there's a lot I don't know too."

Yoongi had no idea what to say. Instead he just stayed silent. Maybe Jungkook had other things to say too.

"I got caught in your garden almost right after running away. And then you helped me... And I just stayed around." Jungkook explained. "Sorry for not telling you earlier. I know this has to be super weird for you."

Not even bothering to lie Yoongi nodded. "It is weird. I really don't know what a normal way to react would be, but you haven't given me any reason to... I don't even know... kick you out? You haven't threatened me, don't seem dangerous overall. It's just weird because you're no longer a wolf... but then again simply letting a wolf live here would be kind of weird too."

"Why?" It didn't sound like Jungkook was trying to make a point by asking. More like he was curious.

"Because usually people who live with each other are family and even a child at some point leaves their family to start a new one. The only people who live with each other for longer usually are..." Why was Yoongi embarrassed? It wasn't like this was anything he'd have to be embarrassed over. "...dating. Or even married. Just living with a stranger is nothing you do just like this."

"I..." Jungkook seemed hesitant. "...no..." he seemed to change whatever he had intended to say. "...If you want I could stay in my wolf form. Just please let me live here." he begged, grabbing Yoongi's hand.

"What were you planning on saying?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just now. You wanted to say something else. What was it?"

Jungkook looked terribly embarrassed as he quickly shook his head. "It's stupid. You'll think I'm crazy."

"The only person I'm considering to be crazy right now is me, no worries. If you exist and aren't just something my head created, you're pretty normal. Just say it." Yoongi reassured. He really hoped Jungkook was real and he wasn't finally losing it.

"But it's..." The wolf boy looked down at the ground. "It's super embarassing."

"Come on, pup, you can tell me."

Maybe Yoongi was only imagining things, but Jungkook's cheeks tinted a bit. Maybe it was just the light playing tricks on him.

"In my pack we believe in mates. It's similar to soul mates in your culture. It's two people who are fated to be together and we can tell by someone's smell. And I think you might be my..." He didn't manage continuing the sentence because his voice kept getting quieter and quieter.

"You..." Yoongi hesitated. "You think I'm your mate? But isn't it a wolf thing? Shouldn't your mate be another wolf?" Was Jungkook being serious? Because Yoongi did have a bit of a problem even believing that someone like Jungkook would consider him as a love interest. Just going by the difference in looks. Yoongi didn't look bad. He was somewhat proud that he had come to a point where he'd look into the mirror and feel good about himself, but Jungkook was just out of his league. Out of anyone's league if he was being honest. Just the deadly mix of handsomeness, manliness and cuteness.

"Usually it's within a pack or you fall in love with someone from a different pack, but it doesn't say anywhere that that's how it has to be." Jungkook explained. "I know this sounds weird to you, but I'm pretty sure you're my mate. It's just a gut feeling. Wolves work on instinct quite often. Sorry if that weirds you out. I get it if you don't think of me that way. Hell, you didn't even know I existed until an hour ago. Or thought I was a dog. Please stop calling me dog. I shouldn't feel offended by it, but it's always a kick to my pride. Sorry, I'm being complicated. I should just stop talking." Jungkook dropped his head onto the table. "I hate this. Please just forget I exist. I actually have to think about what to say and it was ten times easier when it was just you talking to me."

He didn't know why exactly, but a laugh build up in his throat and suddenly Yoongi was laughing his ass off. Maybe it was the ridiculousness of the situation finally getting to his head. Maybe it was the fact that Jungkook seemed even more on edge than he was.

Jungkook looked up in confusion. Yoongi tried to force himself to stop laughing, but that just made him laugh even more. "Sorry... I'll be... soon..." he gasped in between fits, trying to stop himself. Baby puppies being kicked. Sad baby puppies... he almost got himself in control again, but then his own thoughts triggered another fit of laughter. Puppies... Jungkook. At this point he was pretty sure that his head just couldn't quite work through the information properly.

When he finally managed to calm down enough to breathe and look at Jungkook's face without giggling, Jungkook was looking at him like he was a lunatic. "Sorry... my head is just all fucked up from sleep and everything that's going on... It's just a lot to take in. I swear I'm normal usually. You know me." He breathed in slowly, closing his eyes. He had to properly talk to Jungkook. Drawing out this conversation was just mean.

"I don't know, Jungkook. The whole mate thing... it isn't really like that for humans. Usually we just get to know each other and if we get along and there is some sexual attraction there, we try things out. You're really attractive, but the fact that you have been here for such a long time and at the same time I don't know you at all is a bit off putting. I've been treating you like a wolf, or more like a pet, for weeks. Don't you think our dynamics would be a bit off if we tried anything now?"

"I never felt like you were treating me like a dog. Might have been the reason I felt this comfortable here. You never restricted me in my freedom, you were really nice to me and talked to me like a normal person."

"I was talking to myself. You just happened to be there."

"You said that you liked me listening to you a bunch of times. Don't lie. You were always talking to me." Jungkook called him out.

"No, I wasn't." Yoongi murmured, knowing damn well he wasn't fooling anyone. He'd felt like Jungkook was oddly human for the longest time. He had let Jungkook sleep in his bed more times than not, although his last dog hadn't been allowed even close to his bed.

Yoongi had enjoyed Jungkook's company because it made him feel less lonely.

"Maybe I was... still, I think it would be weird." he tried.

"Could you give me a chance? You don't have to date me or anything, just spend time with me like this. Think about it. Consider whether you'd be able to see me as something different than your pet wolf..." Jungkook begged, sounding a bit desperate.

The main reason Yoongi hesitated was because he knew damn well that he had never quite viewed Jungkook as a pet. He was worried. Because he actually could imagine falling for the guy sitting in front of him, but he wasn't even sure whether he was ready for any relationship yet. He was still getting over his last.

But he could at least give Jungkook a chance. He nodded.

The smile that instantly spread over Jungkook's face made it totally worth it. But then that smile dimmed again. "I'm sorry for snapping at you by the way... I didn't mean to." It took Yoongi a couple of seconds to realize what he was talking about.

"Whenever someone's around I don't know I get really anxious. You're the only person I feel comfortable with, but when I'm on edge I end up leaning more towards acting on instinct, so when you reached out your hand while I was in defense mode I just... sorry... did I hurt you?"

Yoongi shook his head quickly. "No... you stopped right away. Don't worry about it. It makes sense with what happened to you. No wonder unfamiliar things scare you." Almost on muscle memory Yoongi reached his hand out and patted Jungkook's head.

For a second there was a tense silence, but then both of them broke into smiles, Yoongi chuckling a bit. "Almost feels the same."

Jungkook closed his eyes. "True. I like this a lot." He leaned his head more into Yoongi's direction and the older's hand automatically threaded through his hair. This was nice. Now that he knew who Jungkook was his tenseness finally started going away.

"Do I have to sleep on the floor now?" Jungkook asked quietly.

After considering it for a few seconds Yoongi shook his head. "As long as you're properly dressed you can sleep in my bed. I think we both need some more sleep now."

Jungkook yawned. "You have a point."

After handing Jungkook an additional pair of sweatpants Yoongi climbed into his bed, scooting to the side to give Jungkook some space. The tall boy laid down next to him, facing him. To some extend Yoongi still felt intimidated by Jungkook's looks, but the second he yawned that impression was lost. He was just cute. Once again Yoongi felt the urge to run his hand through Jungkook's hair.

When he did Jungkook closed his eyes, constantly humming, leaning against Yoongi's hand. "So cute." Yoongi chuckled. Jungkook laughed before leaning forward and pecking Yoongi's lips out of nowhere.

Yoongi could pretty much watch as realization dawned on Jungkook and his face got redder. He clamped his hands in front of his mouth. "Shit, I'm sorry."

"Let me guess, habit?"

At least Jungkook smiled a bit bashfully, but Yoongi could tell that he didn't regret it at all.

"I'll let you off the hook, but I swear to god, do that again and I'll treat you the same as I would with any sexual offender." Yoongi warned, poking Jungkook's chest.

Jungkook chuckled, sweetly. Fuck he was cute. "Even when I'm in my wolf form?"

"Especially then! I'm not into bestiality!"

This time a cheeky grin curled the corners of Jungkook's lips upwards. "Pity."

"Out. You're not sleeping in my bed after all."

"Nooooo."