The arrival of the small contingent of the Wong pack of Taiwan increased the tension in your small town. Your declaration in the elders’ chamber was met with both surprise and suspicion but you stood unshaken, answering each and every one of their questions - all seemingly surface questions that gauge just how much you’re willing to divulge.

And the answer to that question is — none.

You’ll play your hand when needed. The Wong pack owes you a favor and it’s time to cash it in.

Having caught them early, slipping from your town to the airport, you quickly explain the situation in the van you rented.

“You told them you’re taking him as your mate?”

For a moment, Ten’s deadpan voice got you nervous but then, he laughs - loudly, filling the van with his cackling. You keep silent, your eyes set on the road, missing the barely held-in laughter of the rest of the contingent. At the back, you completely miss Taeyong’s red ears.

You clear your throat before glancing at the rearview mirror, Johnny, the pack alpha looks back at you with a deceptively teasing smile.

“I’m taking this is the payment you’re asking us?” Johnny asked, already knowing the answer. His question acknowledges the big favor you’ve bestowed on them years ago - a favor that no one but you, Johnny, and Taeyong know about.

There’s no beating around the bush. “Yes, but—“

The red light comes at the perfect time and you turn around. Everybody left the shotgun seat alone and you low-key think that it’s Haechan’s idea to turn you into a Uber driver but whatever. Johnny sits right behind you, beside his right-hand, Ten, while Doyoung and Yuta flank Taeyong at the very back seat.

“—it’s doesn’t have to be real.”

“Oof, ouch.” Yuta murmurs, snickering while Taeyong elbows him shut.

“The elders were -are- on my back trying to get my child join the omega’s pack—“

“— isn’t that Youngho’s father’s pack?” Doyoung asks, every curious and vigilant - if not a little too direct.

You nod and in an effort to keep it short, you don’t provide a long explanation. “I already have a feeling that they’re wishing me to lose the challenge. Our town’s traditional to a fault and raising an omega - a male, at that- without any omega influence is at some degree - a crime.”

Another point against me, you don’t say.

“And I don’t want to give them any more ammunition than they already have.”

To sell the lie, the Wong pack collectively decided for Taeyong to stay at your house while the others rent out a whole inn. (“We have to establish the strength of your support,” Johnny said, winking.) After an awkward meal and a half with some suspicious stares from your perceptive parents, overpowered by Yongho’s excitement at his favorite uncle’s arrival, you and Taeyong finally got time for yourselves.

And in an effort to sell the lie further, you two are now facing each other, cramped in your younger self’s bed. The same bed Yoongi left you in.

Taeyong looks at you with big round eyes and an understanding smile, “You don’t have to look like you committed a crime.” He laughs. “This is not a suffering for me.”

You blink yourself out of old memories and shake your head. The nearer the day of the challenge comes, the heavier you feel. There are lots of things that can go wrong - you can lose, you can die, and your child will go to an omega who you’re sure will erase you from your child’s memories, all the while being supported by the pack you grew up in.

And in the middle of it all, is Yoongi.

Yoongi whose place in it all is still unknown to you. It’s as if the years away from him have made you forget that he’s as ruthless as they come when he wants to be. Part of you believed that he’ll never want to be cruel to you.

But then again, it’s been five years.

You swallow and look back at Taeyong. Your lips curve up to a small smile. “This might put you in danger, in case I lose. And I don’t want to take away your choices in life if you do end up as Youngho’s guardian.”

You don’t say anything about what you and he have to do if you do win. You don’t know how far you can stand with the lie you’re selling. Would it come to the point that you’d have to bite him? Mate together? Why is this the price to keep your son?  (And still, no price is too steep for Yongho. Nothing.)

The male omega shakes his head and bravely links your fingers together. Later tonight, he’ll wrap his arms around you, use your blanket and pillow to link your scent to his, but for now, your fingers touch. “Again, it’s not a suffering for me.”

You know what he’s not telling you. It spills from his eyes and his voice and a part of you wavers, wanting to accept this love fully but guilt holds you back. “Taeyong, I can’t—“

Taeyong’s expression barely shutters, his smile still bright even as some sort of resignation eases its way to the edges of his eyes, “I know.”

A few days after, Yoongi asks if he could have lunch with you and Yongho.

Stuck in the middle of Ten’s training from hell, you’ve sent Yongho to meet his father alone in the small park near your home. Betraying nothing in his voice, Yoongi agreed and promptly dropped the phone call.

Now, he watches his son happily eat a kimbap roll he prepared, his chubby cheeks puffed out as he chews. Yoongi wonders if you’re with your supposed mate, plotting how to win your challenge - and how to take his son away from him yet again.

“Go, spend time with your son,” Hye-joo smiled all too-sweetly. “His transition as our son will be better if he gets much more used to you soon.”

Yoongi opens his mouth in protest but the omega cuts him off.

“Unless, of course, you’d rather not see him ever again?”

Biting his bottom lip, the alpha turns to his son with a question. “Yongho, what do you think of your mom’s friend?”

Yongho tilts his head to the side, looking like a confused kitten and Yoongi has to smile. His son pouts, pondering the question. “Mama has many friends, they’re all nice! Ten-samcheon teaches me how to cartwheel!”

His son’s voice pitches slightly higher in excitement and Yoongi’s endeared. His head fills with so many thoughts. Was this your plan all along? To make him feel like he had a chance only to rip it all away?

Is this the reason why you wouldn’t even consider marrying him? Yoongi thinks back at the velvet box inside the hidden bedside drawer of his room. Because you found someone else?

“That’s awesome, bud. But what about… Taeyong-ssi?”

Yongho blinks at his father. It’s almost unnerving how much his son looks like him - the cat-like eyes, his chubby cheeks, but oh, his smile is all his mother’s. “Taeyong-samcheon?”

Yoongi tenses at the familiarity in his son’s voice and nods, “Yes, Taeyong-samcheon.”

“He’s nice,” Yongho murmurs, suddenly withdrawn, peeking at his father from under his fringe. Though he doesn’t understand what’s going on, he remembers your reminders, and the strange old people always hanging around granpa’s house.

But isn’t papa his father? Shouldn’t Yongho tell him more? Isn’t it a papa’s job to fix things?

“He plays with me a lot back in Taiwan, and he brings me chocolates.” The young omega continues, unconsciously smiling at the memories. “He teaches our omega class too!”

“I see.” Yoongi nods, chest tight at the fondness in his child’s voice, “Do you want to get ice cream before heading home?”

END NOTES: Thank you for all the great comments! This took longer than I expected. It was supposed to be the fight chapter but I wanted to establish Y/N as someone who has bonds (and had a life) apart from Yoongi. It’s been 5 years after all.  They’re both being cautious (idiots) but hey, can’t blame them.Lol.  Hearts are great but comments and reblogs will reach a lot more readers. Let’s spread the love!

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