Chapter 2 - One

"Did you hear that?" Lisa's shrill voice broke the stillness of the early morning mist. Taehyung groaned into his coffee and upended the dregs of it into the campfire. They sizzled and his bratty sister wrinkled her nose, whilst inching closer to his new boyfriend.

"The only thing I can hear is you bitching in my ears," Tae said. For the umpteenth time, he wished himself far away.

He'd known that taking Lisa along on this camping trip had been a mistake. His younger, far too flighty, sister didn't do the great outdoors. No one had been more surprised than Tae when he'd shown up at his cozy cottage with this Samuel in tow.

He was cute if you liked the clean boy band look, which Tae so didn't. Sam fancied himself somewhat of an explorer. To impress him, Lisa had arranged for this trip with Tae as their guide.

After all, no one knew the National Park as well as Tae. It was his escape, somewhere where he could immerse himself in nature and pretend he lived in simpler times.

Annoying tourists notwithstanding, the tours nicely supplemented the income he made from writing his novels. Taehyung and his sister were Korean adoptees to both European parents who died in their 40's from a fatal car accident. Right now, Tae sure wished he was back in the past and not here, witnessing his sister making a fool of herself over this stupid boy.

"No, I heard something growl over there, I'm sure." Lisa made an exaggerated arm movement, she glared into the shrubbery, whilst inching sideways toward Sam, who got to his feet and brandishing his survival knife swung it through the air as though he was slaying imaginary demons.

"I'll go see," he said.

Tae, too, rose, and with a twist of his hand on his wrist, disarmed the damn fool. The shiny never used knife embedded itself into the grass by their feet, and he gave it a kick for good measure.

"Don't be an idiot. You'll hurt yourself waving that about. I'll go see, but I'm sure there's nothing there."

"You can't talk to Sam like that." Lisa's affronted tone grated on his last nerves. Tae spun round to give her a piece of his mind when he heard it. The low, pained growl of an animal in pain. It made the hair on his neck stand up to attention while both Sam and Lisa took several steps back in horror.

"See, I told you there was something there. You never should have taken us here. God, we're about to be attacked by some wild beast—"

"Don't be ridiculous." Tae interrupted her. "There are no wild beasts in Northumbria. Even if there were, they'd have more sense than to come close to open fire and especially humans. Or what classes for humans these days." he glanced at the purple-faced Sam and smirked.

Tae laughed inwardly at the way he puffed out his chest. If that sorry excuse of a male ever came face to face with any wild animal he would no doubt pee himself.

His amusement fled when another, much more menacing, growl came from the undergrowth. Whatever that animal was, it was hurt, which made it dangerous.

"Well, in any case, I think we should leave." Sam took another step back.

"Oh. Excellent idea. This was fun, I'm ready to go home now." Lisa smiled up at him.

When he pulled his head down for a kiss, Tae turned his back on them. Shame he couldn't turn his hearing off, too. It had been bad enough last night listening to them in the tent next to him. he hadn't needed the audible reminder that, at least, boy or not, his sister had a sex life. Something that was sadly lacking from Tae's existence. With another glance into the shrubbery, he agreed.

"Fine, I'll pack up. You two head off."

"We can't just leave you here on your own." Sam disentangled himself from his sister's clutches, and Tae had to laugh at Lisa's pout.

"It's fine, just go. Lisa is itching to get out of here, I know. Follow the trail down to the car park. You can't miss it. I'll follow when I'm done here." Another low rumble made him add, "Or I might just stay awhile. There's something I want to explore." Digging into his jeans he pulled out the keys to his cottage and threw them at Sam.

"Let yourself in. Treat the place as your own."

When Sam still hesitated, Lisa grabbed his arm to pull him away.

"You heard him. Tae spends half his life out here. He always has done that. You know with him gone, we can have so much fun." The last bit of that sentence was added in a dramatic whisper that made Tae roll his eyes. Turning his back on them, he set to dismantling their tent.

"Well, if you're sure."

Tae dismissively waved his hand and breathed a sigh of relief, when he heard the two of them get ready to leave.

"Erm, the trail is where?"

Giving up all pretence of dismantling the tent, Tae wordlessly rose to guide them back to the main path. It took much longer than it should have done, thanks to his companions' slow progress. He breathed a sigh of relief when they trundled down it with enough noise for a herd of freaking elephants.

Finally, peace. Of course, knowing them they might well get lost on the way down, but there would be enough folks milling about to turn them in the right direction if they did. Tae could only hope they hadn't scared that wounded animal completely. Not that he was exactly sure what he would do with it when he found it, but that deep growl haunted him.

~~~

Something wasn't right and he had to find out what was going on. What he didn't expect when he made it back to the clearing was to see a half-naked man sitting by his fire. His long brown hair was tied back with a strip of leather, the fire drew patterns over the huge, heavy sword by his leather-clad thighs.

Muscles rippled in his bareback, as he stoked the embers of the fire to renewed life with one arm. The action revealed the swirls of a tattoo down one side of his torso, some ancient design that made his throat go dry with an impending sense of doom.

He'd seen those before in his research into old Viking customs. The clothing he wore certainly matched that era, but that was impossible. There were no Viking reenactments planned that he knew of. Plus they sure as heck wouldn't be taking place here, so far off the beaten track. So who was this, and why was he here?

The stranger swung his head around when he stepped on a twig in his approach. The animalistic rumble that rose from the stranger's chest, as he swung his sword in a defensive move, made his heart stop. It was the angry, weeping gash in his side, however, that made him forget all his misgivings. Especially, when he staggered under the weight of his sword, almost taking a step back into the fire.

"Sh!t, be careful."

Not caring about his safety, he grabbed the wounded stranger around the waist to yank him back from the fire. He stumbled again with a muttered Norse curse, which he recognized all too well before he slumped to his knees.

The action buried his head in his chest and swayed under his weight. Somehow he managed to hold onto him, as he lost consciousness. Tae lowered him down as gently as he could.

The man had to be over six foot three of pure muscle, he whistled through his teeth when he took in the myriad of healed scars that marred his torso. Not that he could admire those muscles in any detail.

He was losing too much blood from the angry gash in his side that looked as though he'd been in a sword fight. Judging by the heat emanating from him, he was running a fever. Sure enough, when he brought his hand and placed it on the stranger's forehead, he was burning up. Hallucinating, too, if the muttered Norse words he caught were to be believed.

If he was an actor, then he sure believed in immersing himself in the part, not that he had time to ponder this at this moment. A quick check of his phone confirmed what he already knew. No reception whatsoever out here. Besides, he needed help now.

Ignoring the flutters in his stomach and the growing sense of unease crawling up his skin then his spine, Tae riffled through his backpack for the first aid kit, giving mental thanks for his foresight in bringing the more substantial one along. He'd expected to have to use it for Lisa or Sam, not some Norse god who seemed to have landed, quite literally, in his chest.

Using a whole unopened bottle of water to clean the blood away, he was relieved to see that the cut, while bleeding heavily, seemed to be superficial only. Having smoothed on antiseptic, he applied a pressure bandage to stop it bleeding.

It would do, until he could get him back to civilization, he would need to wake up for that. There was no way he could even drag this mountain of a man anywhere, so instead, he proceeded to wash the rest of him as best he could, before he put some more coffee on to brew.

Nothing for it but to wait for him to come 'round and to try not to ogle the unconscious man too much. An action which proved nigh on impossible. A thick tawny jaw covered the lower half of what seemed to be a proud face. Strong eyebrows, impossibly long lashes that feathered across his cheeks in his slumber, a thick neck, huge shoulders, and a torso sprinkled with just the right amount of hair. Thick leather bands graced his wrists, and the silver ring he wore on one index finger held some form of a crest. His family or village crest no doubt. Tae's head came up at the thought.

He isn't Norse, you fool. He couldn't be, even if all indications led to that conclusion. Even in his unconscious state, there was something far too earthy and primal about this man, not related to the twenty-first century.

His calloused hands and well-defined muscles, not to mention the scars, spoke of a man used to manual labour, while the coarse stitching on his leggings spoke of earlier times. No zippers, or other shortcuts he was used to seeing on the folks who took part in re-enactments. The incredibly heavy and bloody sword that lay abandoned next to the fire spoke its tale.

Had it not been for the occasional aeroplane going overhead, which seemed to disturb him even in his slumber if his mutterings about witchcraft were anything to go by, he'd have thought somehow he travelled back in time. But that was impossible.

So, if he was still here in his time, did that mean he was displaced?

~~~

Jungkook drifted in out of consciousness, all too aware of the soft, slim but firm hands tending to his injuries. It was his scent that had first alerted his inner beast to this omega's whereabouts. Through the haze of pain and confusion he'd woken up in, unable to shift in these strange, cursed lands, it had drawn him like a beacon of hope. His wolf hadn't liked that man he was with one bit. The animal's incessant growling had eventually drawn their attention to him, come morning.

Had he not been so worried about whatever witchcraft had dragged him here, he'd have taken the competition out in a heartbeat, and dragged his Kærasti back to his place—if only he knew where his place was.

So, instead, he'd lain in wait and not emerged until his companions had left. The fire had drawn him, weakened as he was, with the promise of food and shelter, not to mention his alluring scent, which overlaid all else, now that the others had left.

Damn the cursed injury that made him stumble and fall into his brjósti like a helpless barn. He watched him now from under hooded lids as he pulled closer together the flaps of the covering he seemed to have erected over them against the fine rain that fell and threatened to douse the fire. He inched closer to him, muttering to himself in that strange language he used.

Holding up the little black box he'd seen him stare at countless times high up into the air, he cursed and threw it into the back of the shelter. An eerie glow emanated from it, as though it was some form of a firefly before it went dark. Definite witchcraft afoot, which would explain why he still couldn't shift.

He swallowed his animal's growl, but he must have heard it anyway because his head spun around. Brown eyes connected with his. A frown marred his ethereal features.

Despite the pain in his side, his loins stirred, when he flung his mass of strawberry blonde curls over one ear, while he leaned in closer to inspect his side. The pressure he used to hurt like a fucking bitch, and he grunted.

He mumbled something that sounded like an apology, then froze when he noticed he was watching.

"Hey, awoken you've last at."

His eyebrows rose at the jumble of dialects and words he used, but at least he seemed to have some command of his language.

Jungkook tried to answer, but nothing but a strangled pained groan left his lips. He quickly raised some form of see-through container to his lips. He glared at the odd thing but dutifully drank what turned out to be water. This time he managed to form a response.

"Where the hell am I?"

His eyes widened at his reply. When he made a move toward his sword, he jumped up and kicked it away.

His furious growl in answer made him startle, but when he struggled upright and swayed, he came back to wrap his arms around his torso in support.

He lapsed into his language, as he urged him back down and into the tent. Jungkook allowed him to do so grudgingly. In truth, the whole damn place seemed to move from under him, and he cursed this weakness.

He'd endured far worse injuries and healed, but he needed to shift to do so. Try as he might he couldn't summon his wolf. His animal was as frustrated as he was at being caged. It made him push this Kærasti away.

Regardless of what his instincts screamed at him, he would not, could not allow himself to think of him as his. For all he knew he might well be the one who had bewitched him, so he hardened his heart. Jungkook blocked his renewed effort to touch him by grasping hold of his wrists, flinging them away.

Not that he took any notice. With a small growl of his own, he advanced again, while he pulled a long white strip of clean material out of his curious-looking satchel, and launched into a little speech.

Jungkook didn't understand a word, but judging by the way he kept pointing at his side, he wanted to tend to him. With one hand on the hidden dagger in his belt, which he discovered he hadn't taken off him, he glanced down to where he was pointing. He frowned at the blood-stained bandage.

"Please. Help ... do not fool be."

His poor attempt to get through to him in his language made him grin, despite the inherent insult he'd just bestowed on him. Pulling out his dagger he pointed it. While he flinched, keeping a wary eye on his weapon, his eyes flashed fire at him, and he was pretty sure he had just been cursed in whatever language he called his own.

He could pick up the odd word, which sounded familiar. Whatever language he spoke still held traces of his. Again he wondered where on earth he was.

For a language to evolve and change like this took time. A hell of a lot of time. He hurt too damn much to have made it to Valhöll, which left only one conclusion. Jungkook had somehow travelled in time, just like the ancient one had foretold he would at the last feast.

Jungkook had never been one to believe blindly in the runes and their prophecies, but how else could he explain what had happened? The roar from above made him look up briefly. Not that he could see the big shiny bird-like thing that seemed capable of flight, not through the gloomy drizzle that steadily got worse, but he recognized that unearthly sound.

"Shhh, all, well. Just aeroplane."

His rescuer touched his bicep briefly to get his attention, which made a jolt of recognition hit him in the gut. His wolf sat up and howled, desperate to burst free from his body.

Jungkook's half-erect cock hardened with a speed that left him lightheaded, like a sveinbarn, who hadn't yet managed to control that body part. It only served to cement the bone-deep knowledge that he was here for this Kærasti, which in theory meant he could trust him. Besides, had he meant him harm, he could have easily dispatched him ten times over when he had been out of it.

Nevertheless, he shook his head, regarding him warily, as he pointed up to the rain-sodden sky, spread his arms out and repeated that strange word.

"Airplane."

"Airplane?" He repeated what he'd just said. When he nodded and smiled at him, his gut tightened in need. That wide smile lit up his face, as though the sun had come out from behind a storm cloud, so he said that word again.

"Airplane." he nodded. Jungkook said it several more times, rolling the syllables around his tongue.

"Taehyung." His gaze followed his arm movements, as he brought them back to his side and then pointed to his chest. "That's my nafn." (name) he smiled again, while he nodded to him. "Minn nafn, Taehyung, well, Tae. Your nafn?"

Jungkook's lips kicked up into a grim smile at his terrible pronunciation, but he dipped his head and gave what he wanted.

"Jungkook," he said. "Fenrisúlfr, Sköll faðir, sonr Liufr Loki." (Fenrir, Father of Skoll, Son of Liufr Loki)

The strange man smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes this time. "I'll call you Jungkook. Your name's a mouthful. You look like a Jungkook to me." When he worried the plump contours of his bottom lip with his teeth, he gave in to instinct and pulled the flesh away from harm with his fingers.

"Neinn, Taehyung, minn Kærasti." (No, Taehyung, my partner)

~~A/N: Direct trans for Kærasti is boyfriend.. but who knows.. google couldn't be trusted sometimes, anygays.. let's move on~~

His breathing hitched as the most delightful blush stole across his pale features and lowered the dagger he still held in his left fist and gestured to the bandages in his lap.

"Lika." (Please.)

~~~

For the umpteenth time since he'd managed to convince Jungkook away from the campsite and down to the car park, he glanced across to look at his tense profile. Tae supposed he was holding it together pretty well, all things considered, if you ignored the drawn sword held across his lap in a white-knuckled grip. At least he'd stopped muttering to himself, as though he was being led to his certain doom.

If he'd had any doubts about his authenticity they had been dispersed, following that somewhat hysterical conversation back at the campsite. Thank goodness for his dictionary of Old Norse. He'd studied it extensively for his latest series set in Viking Times. While he couldn't hold a conversation, he could at least get by. Jungkook seemed a fast learner, so all being well, he would pick up English if he studied that. Providing he could read, of course.

Tae bit his lip when he took a corner too fast in his agitation. The tires briefly lost traction on the rain-slicked road. He got the car under control quickly enough, but the blood rushed in his ears anyway. The man next to him turned to stone when his phone lit up with an incoming call and Lisa's face appeared on the screen.

Cursing under his breath, Tae pulled to the side of the road to snatch the phone off its holder.

"Finally, I've been trying to call you for ages. The reception here is such a bitch."

Tae rolled his eyes while he glanced across at the stoically quiet man next to him. His presence filled his little car to such a degree that he stopped breathing for the tense moment it took for him to look from the mobile phone in his hand. His jaw tightened. The veins in his thick neck stood out but he didn't show any other outward response to what must look like some sort of witchcraft to him.

"Are you even listening to me, Tae?" His sister's shrill voice in his ear forced Tae's attention back to the phone call. He made a non-committal sound in the back of his throat.

"Well, it's nice to hear you're so heartbroken at my departure."

That got Tae's attention.

"You're leaving already?"

A huff came down the line and he could hear Sam's laughter in the background. Jungkook grunted something under his breath next to him. He shifted his big body to seemingly be able to better glare at him.

Jeez, what was wrong with him now?

He looked utterly furious at this moment. The deep grumbles that rose from his huge chest made long-neglected parts of him sit up and take notice. It was the sexiest sound ever, especially, as he didn't seem aware of making those noises.

Had he been one of his heroes, he'd have thought he was a shifter and...

Tae almost dropped the phone at the nugget of insight that suddenly bombarded his brain. He forced himself to pay attention to Lisa's prattling. Something about there not being anything to do. The television reception was up the duff or something, so he was heading back to town.

Well, good.

Tae hadn't looked forward to having to explain Jungkook to his sister. If his reaction to hearing Sam talk in the background was anything to go by, he would have probably run that poor boy through with his sword the minute he saw him.

"Yes, fine, well it is the county... leave the key under the mat... yes, it's fine. I'm on my way back. Yeah, yeah... ditto, bye."

Tae ended the call, he attempted to put the phone back, but his fingers shook too much, as thoughts battered his brain. After all, if time travel was possible, then why not a werewolf? Or shifter? He seemed to have ended up in a real-life TwilightZone after all.

Jungkook swore. Reaching across, he took the phone off him. Tae held his breath, as he lifted it, sniffed it, then ran his fingers over it and promptly dropped it when his thumb hit the button to wake it up. The screen lit up. Tae wanted the ground to swallow him up whole when his newest book cover lit up the display.

While he wasn't ashamed of what he wrote—far from it—having a real-life Viking look at the half-naked couple depicted in a sensual embrace, seeing his lips curl up in seeming amusement, as he ran his long index finger over the sword his fictional Viking held in his fist—yeah, that was surreal.

He flicked his dark gaze over to him, then started laughing. His shoulders shook, the car rocked with his merriment. Straightening his spine he snatched the phone out of his hand, managed to get it back on its stand this time and putting the car back into gear drove off again.

Once he finally stopped laughing at him, he glared at the Viking.

"It's not that funny. That's a telephone. Not that you have any idea what I am saying to you, but we use it for communication. You'll be pleased to hear that my sister and his boyfriend are leaving, so I don't have to explain to you to them because I have no idea what I would say. 'Hey, look, I found this time travelling hunk in my travels' will not work somehow. Damn it, I won't be able to take you to a hospital either. How would I ever explain that? That cut needs stitching. Come to think of it, if you are a damn supernatural, then why aren't you healing? Oh and fuck it, I might as well talk to myself. Jeez, what am I going to do?"

The strong hand on his thigh stopped his little tirade. Tae took a deep breath in when he squeezed his thigh.

"Orindi, Kærasti."

The murmured "breathe, my partner", made him smile. When he glanced at him, saw the amusement still dancing in his dark eyes, he, too, laughed and shook his head.

"This whole thing is ridiculous. I have no idea what to do with you."

Jungkook angled his head to the side, as he studied him. A shiver went up to his spine when he sniffed the air. His eyes briefly bled to glowing gold, before he blinked and the moment passed. Tae turned his attention back to the road, keeping up a meaningless monologue of idle chatter to break the silence and to keep his nerves at bay.

He couldn't help but feel that he was inviting all kinds of trouble on his head by taking him home but he couldn't very well leave an injured man behind. He ignored the little voice in his head, telling him to call the police. Besides, if he called the authorities, who would believe his story? They would cart them both off to the funny farm at best.

Considering his injuries and the deadly weapons on Jungkook he would probably be arrested. If he was some form of time travelling, were-shifter-Viking, he wouldn't do very well confined to a holding cell. That was if they'd even managed to get him into one. He would no doubt go on the offensive, killing goodness only knew how many people, before they could subdue him. He sure as hell didn't need that on his conscience.

Tae might be a complete fool, but he didn't sense any malice from him directed at himself, quite the opposite. More than once he'd found him adjusting what looked like a huge cock after he'd touched him. The low rumbles that always seemed to erupt from Jungkook at his touch did strange things to his insides. He wasn't going to think too much about this instant sexual chemistry that seemed to have sprung up between them.

Then again, if he was a supernatural and a Viking to boot, then what sort of an author would he be, if he didn't grab this opportunity for some hands-on research with both hands, as it were?

His cheeks heated, while he squirmed on his seat at the decidedly naughty path his thoughts were meandering down. The hold on his thigh grew painful as Jungkook inhaled sharply, murmuring something to himself before he withdrew his hand. The action made the blanket he'd given him to cover up his strange clothing, or rather lack of clothing, slip. The coppery scent of blood filled the insides of his car.

"Damn it, you're bleeding again. Hang in there, Jungkook. Five more minutes, we'll be at my place. Lucky for you, I'm quite good with a needle and thread, because that wound will need stitching, I reckon. Hope you're okay with pain..."

His head came up, he followed his gaze down to the rapidly spreading red stain coming through the bandages. He pressed his hand against the wound with a grunt of pain.

"Yeah, you hold onto that. Try to stop the bleeding."

He gave a sharp nod as though he understood, Tae put his foot down the pedal.

~~~

Jungkook held onto the sides of this strange and noisy ride his Kærasti had taken him to, as though his life depended on it. Give him a horse and cart any day. This time he found himself in was full of strange and wondrous curious things. Things that flew above like birds—what had he called them? Airplanes?—now this moving cart without horses.

Fast, for sure. A cart pulled by several horses at full gallop wouldn't be able to go as fast as this shiny little cold cart on odd wheels. Mind you, it wouldn't do much good on the dirt tracks he was used to.

It didn't do that well on this smooth path they were following either. More than once the wheels seemed to want to go the opposite way to the way Tae was trying to go. His wolf whined in a desperate attempt to stop the bleeding, and Jungkook pressed harder against his wound. The scent of his blood mingled with the tart odour of his worry, the faint sweet musk of his arousal. The one thing he didn't sense from him was fear. Not like the other odd faced cowards they had encountered on their way back to what Tae had called a car park.

Even weakened by his injuries as he was, he could have taken them all out, had it not been for his little rescuer clinging onto him like a vine. While he hadn't been able to understand his urgent whisperings, he got the implication loud and clear. Don't draw any more attention to yourself.

A wise plan as it were, at least until he figured out these strange lands. He gathered Odin had chosen to deposit him in England. At least that's what he thought the sign at the bottom of this car park had said, so he had relaxed slightly. Somewhat familiar territory. His pack had been gifted with several English people over time. He just never thought it would happen to him. The last one had been almost sixty years ago.

Pain shot through him as Tae turned off the shiny path, making this cold cart lurch over gravel. Fresh blood coated his fingers, he gritted his teeth. They stopped in front of a stone house, he blinked in the glare of several torches, as Tae wrenched open the door and ran up to the entrance. The door swung open, and more light spilt out into the rapidly spreading gloom. The rain was coming down in a thick sheet now. Judging by the fast-fading light outside evening was drawing in.

How long had he lain unconscious?

And what must Jimin think? His little brother was prone to worrying over him as it was. It wouldn't do him any good this close to delivering his barn. Did he think him dead? Did time move the same way back home as it did in the future? He should have asked the ancient one these questions, instead of dismissing his prophecies. His gut churned, and he swallowed the rising lump of bile. Perhaps more importantly, how did he get back?

He should have paid more attention to the tales of the old ones. So many questions, so few answers.

Tae wrenched open the door on his side of the car. Had it not been for the belt he had insisted on drawing over his chest, he would have tumbled out of the door he had been resting against. His wolf growled his annoyance at his helplessness, while Tae rolled his eyes and leaning across him did something to take that belt off him.

The action pressed his chest into his own. Tae lost his footing when Jungkook reached out and touched him. He fell heavily across his lap and his cock hardened instantly. His Kærasti tensed and then scrambled off him with such haste that he had to hide his grin.

Soaked through as he now was his clothes clung to him. There was something to be said for this century and its choice of clothing, as the tight trousers he wore clung to his curvaceous ass. With the rain having rendered his top transparent he could see what looked like some form of under clothing. Drawing his attention to the tight little nipples, seemingly begging for his attention. It made his beast salivate for a taste. If he wasn't too aware of his continuing blood loss, he would have damn well acted on that desire.

With a groan that simply served to make more of his blood shoot south, he straightened, crossed one arm over his heaving brjósti, and flung his sodden mass of golden strawberry coloured hair off his face with the other.

"It's wet out here if you haven't noticed, rekkr, and you're not well enough for any of that."

The only word he caught out of that was warrior. It made his grin deepen, as he wrenched his gaze upward to Taehyung's face. He looked delightfully rattled, and he was fast getting addicted to seeing that blush spread across his cheekbones.

It was a delightful contrast to the tough and more than capable façade he showed the world. There was no doubt in his mind that he was very capable indeed, from what he had witnessed so far. He would make him a good, strong mate. His wolf yipped his agreement at those thought processes, while Jungkook shook his head in wry amusement. He sure as fuck hadn't envisaged going through time to find his mate, yet the more time he spent in his company, drank in his scent, the more convinced he became that that's indeed who he was to him. Besides, it was the only explanation that made sense.

Ignoring the hand he held out to him, he got out of the car. Taehyung muttered something that sounded far from complimentary, as he had to put a hand out to steady himself. Before he could stop him, he'd wrapped his arm around his waist, wedged his shoulder under his and helped him across the slippery stones under their feet, and inside the house.

They entered through a long, narrow corridor, from which several doors led off, walked past stairs that must lead to another level and toward the back of the house. Warmth greeted him, as he pushed the door open with his hip. With a curious click, the room filled with light.

He reared back in surprise at the sudden brightness surrounding them but didn't resist when he urged him down onto a bench. At least this looked familiar. They were in some form of cooking area, but where was the fire? A curious white square with several cold, shiny attachments seemed to be the source of the warmth in the room. Sure enough, Tae stepped up to it and held his hand over it as though to warm them up. Snatching a piece of cloth off the side he proceeded to dry his now curly hair, then hit another white obtrusion on the wall.

"There, I've put the heating on. We'll soon be toasty. Wait here, while I throw some fresh clothes on. Then we need to sort out that wound." he stepped up to him while speaking, and tugged the rain-sodden blanket off him. It fell to the stone floor with a squelch. Jungkook frowned when he used the piece of material in his hand to dry his face and hair as best he could. The action brought him close enough to touch, to lean in and inhale deeply. It instantly calmed his agitated wolf but seemed to have the opposite effect on Taehyung. His heartbeat went through the roof when he reached up and snared a hand in his.

They stared at each other for what seemed like ages, and it was only when he started shivering that he let him go. Tae ran away from him as though hounds were after him.

Jungkook smiled to himself, as he listened to his movements around the house. He seemed to be opening and shutting doors while muttering to himself. When he reappeared several minutes later, he'd changed into some other form of trousers.

These clung to his curves even more, even though he tried to hide them under an oversized woollen tunic of some sort that fell to mid-thigh. Thick socks hid his feet from view, he'd clipped his still-damp hair back and off his ethereal face.

Covered as he was from head to toe, his body nonetheless reacted to his presence. Jungkook didn't even bother to hide the way he was tenting his leggings. he glanced at it briefly, before he sank to his knees and probed at his injury. A hiss escaped him, and shutting his eyes he shook his head when he hesitated, giving him silent permission to do what he needed to.

Hesitant fingers feathering across his sharp jaw made him open his eyes again. Jungkook swallowed hard when he held up a needle and thread. He looked utterly terrified. While he couldn't understand what he was saying to him, he nodded anyway.

"This hurt will it." The muttered jumbled words in his attempt at using his mother tongue made him smirk before the first tug of the needle into his flesh cooled not only his ardour but also his merriment.

Where was a fucking horn of ale when you needed it?

~~~

Tae swallowed the rising bile in his throat and concentrated on the task at hand. If he thought of this as darning a sock he would be fine. Of course, no sock was made of living flesh, which contracted under his fingers, belonged to a six-foot-something hunk of a male, who did his best to hold still for him. If it wasn't for his sharp intake of breath every time he tugged the needle through his skin, he would have thought he didn't feel the pain.

His stomach churned by the time he'd tied off the last stitch. When he looked up at him, he found him watching through hooded eyes.

"There, it's not pretty, but it should hold," he said. His Viking looked down and nodded. Tae spread a generous amount of antibiotic cream over the crude stitching before he bandaged him back up. His fingers lingered on the tattoo down his side. Jungkook grasped his hands and smiled when he looked up at him.

"What does it mean?" he asked.

He cocked his head to the side in that distinctly canine way he had.

"Mark fadir Sköll."

His deep voice trembled through him. When he raised his hand to show him the ring on his finger, he could see the same design repeated on there.

Sign of Sköll he said. Earlier on he'd mentioned that he was the son of Liufr Loki, so that must be his village, clan, or he guessed pack. He would have to consult his books on Norse mythology and old family trees to be sure, but that name rang a faint bell. It might just be an often used one, but something about it made the fine hair on his neck stand up.

A shiver went through him. Instantly, his warm hands landed on his shoulders, so shivers of an entirely different kind rolled over. The calloused pads of his fingers stroked along the rapidly beating pulse point in his neck, and his throat went dry when he leaned down, inhaled, and smiled.

"Minn Kærasti... p"

"You're welcome, but you'll have a scar, and you're..."

His words faltered when he put a finger up then started to caress along his jaw, tracing his thumbs over his lips.

"Shhh. Talk too much."

His eyes widened at the broken English he uttered, and he scrambled away from him.

"You can speak English?" he asked. When he shrugged his shoulders in answer, he glared at him. Jungkook made a pincer movement with his thumb and forefinger.

"Little," he said. Tae released the breath he hadn't been aware of holding.

Something about the wicked gleam in his eyes made him think that he could understand more than he was letting on. It meant he had to fight the renewed blush creeping into his face.

Really, what was it with the blushing schoolboy act? Tae was no innocent. Yes, it might have been far too long since he got laid, and this man might be a sex-on-legs Viking freaking hunk, but that didn't mean he had to act like a whimpering virgin now, did it?

To regain his equilibrium somewhat, he stepped up to the sink and turned on the water to wash his hands. A shout from behind, followed by the loud clang that signalled the bench clattering to the floor gave him a moment's notice before said Viking was next to him. He stared at the flowing water in seeming disbelief, if the expression on his face was anything to go by.

Jungkook frowned at him when he laughed and pointed to the tap.

"Here is where you turn it on and off. Look." he proceeded to show him, all too aware of his brooding presence. When his large hand closed over him to mimic his actions he had a hard time drawing air into his lungs. Never before had he had such an instant, visceral reaction to any man. This close to him, his primal masculine scent pulled him under his spell.

It also brought home how hot he was. Surely, even if he was a werewolf he was too hot?

Disentangling his fingers, he ducked under his arm and stepped away. Jungkook was too engrossed in turning the water on and off with a small smile to take much notice of his departure, so he allowed himself a moment to watch the almost childlike fascination he showed in learning about his surroundings. His amusement fled when he stuck his whole head under the stream of water, and then pulling it out again shook himself like a wet dog. Water droplets flew everywhere. Jungkook grinned at his screech when several hit him straight in the face.

It was the way those droplets clung to his hair-roughened skin, however, as they slowly slid down his torso and soaked into the bandage... Damn the bandage.

Cursing his ogling and the stupidity of barbaric males everywhere, he snatched up a towel and threw it at him.

"Ughh, men. Use this to dry off. That sink is for washing your hands, not yourself. That's what a shower is for, you displaced big oaf."

Jungkook caught the towel easily enough and dried off with a small smile. That blasted man was far too aware of the effect he had on him, it seemed. Then again the fact that he couldn't tear his eyes away from his abs probably was a dead giveaway.

"Shower?" he asked, and Tae wrenched his gaze back up to his face, and immediately regretted his outburst. He was no nurse, but he recognized eyes glazed over with fever when he saw them.

"Yes, we use it for washing. I'll show you later. For now, we need to get you into bed."

At his blank expression, he held his hand up to bid him to stay and walked off to the living room in search of his dictionary. He should have known he wouldn't stay put because the growl behind him when he switched on the lights in the cosy little front room would have made any sane person run for the hills.

He moved the TV remote to put down the dictionary he'd pulled out of the bookcase then the TV roared to life. Great, he must have hit a button to make it—all hell broke loose as the news came on.

With speed and strength belying his injuries, Jungkook pushed his out of the way, swung his sword with a roar of fury, and his nice brand new, treat for himself, flat-screen TV was just a mangled, cut in half, smoking, ruin of parts at a dumbstruck looking Viking's feet.

He kicked the pieces of plastic, glass and electrical bits, sheathed his sword, and scratched his jaw, as he looked behind the TV stand. Tae couldn't help it. he laughed. Once he started, he couldn't stop, because really, it was that or cry.

The tears came anyway, as all the events over the last few hours came crashing down around his ears and his knees gave out. He would have crashed to the floor, had Jungkook not caught him.

Grunting, he sat down with Taehyung in his arms on the settee. He couldn't understand a word he was saying to him, but somehow, the deep, soothing cadence of his voice got through to his anyway. When he finally stopped sniffing and pushed against his chest, he let go.

Taehyung's gaze fell to the ruined TV and he gave another shaky laugh.

"How the fuck am I going to explain that to the insurance company? I was practising my sword skills and oops, I managed to slice my TV in half?"

He didn't answer him, of course, just watched with a wary expression on his face that screamed his discomfort, but also his concern. He had no idea what to do with this outburst of his, and Tae sighed.

Why was life never easy?

~~~

Bile churned in Jungkook's gut. He was uncomfortably aware that he was the reason for his mate's tears, he had no idea what to do about that. At least he'd stopped crying now, though he'd preferred the tears to the hysterical laughter, which had shaken his small frame.

His Kærasti had curves in all the right places, and when he was more himself, he would have fun exploring them all, but now was not the time for that. Besides, he felt like shit.

His side hurt, and his wolf just wanted to curl up and sleep, to get away from the realities of this new world. He glanced across at the mangled heap of what he'd been sure had been an intruder to his house and scratched his jaw again.

"That was a telly," Tae said. He offered him a grim smile when he looked back.

Tears still clung to his eyelashes. Jungkook wanted to kiss those reminders of his misery away, but he sensed he wouldn't welcome those advances right now. He seemed worried, not about the destruction to his property, but him.

Sure enough, he raised a hand, felt his forehead, and frowned.

"You're running a fever." At his blank expression, he sighed, hopped off his lap, and opened an old and often used book.

"Here, look."

Squinting at the pages that seemed to want to not let him focus on them, he eventually read the word he was pointing at and its Norse translation.

Fever, and then Medicine.

Okay then, so he was going to give him something? Sure enough, he thrust the book at him and held his hands out in the universal gesture of stay put.

Considering the room was spinning, he had no qualms with that order. He tried to look through the most informative book in his hand, but the letters were swimming in and out of focus, so he gave up with a grunt. He would study this when he was well. It would be good to understand his better because they sure had a lot to talk about.

Jungkook frowned at the two white circle-shaped objects he held out to him in the flat of his palm when he returned. That was strange looking medicine for sure, but he took them off him anyway, swallowed, and promptly grimaced.

Tae handed him some water, presumably to wash away the foul aftertaste these odd herbs had left behind in his mouth, and he drained the whole lot.

"Right, let's get you upstairs into bed. You're burning up and need to rest. I'll make you some chicken noodle soup or something."

Jungkook grunted his acknowledgement, but, in truth, he didn't have a clue what he just said to him. He dutifully followed out of the room and up the stairs. It took all of his remaining strength to do so, as whatever he had given him kicked in with a vengeance. He was dimly aware of a small room with a soft bed before the blessed oblivion of sleep pulled him under.

How long he was out for this time, he couldn't determine, but when he eventually opened his eyes, hazy sunshine streamed through the curtains lining the windows. Jungkook turned over and winced as his sore side protested that move, but his mind at least was clear. He frowned when he saw that he was naked under the sheets. Cocking his head he listened for movement. Nothing. It seemed his Kærasti had left him to his own devices.

He'd sensed his presence for most of his fever-induced hallucinations. He'd been there, washing him down with cool water, urging him to drink, and eat small bits of a soup that still stood on the bed stand. Judging by the smell it was chicken, which made his stomach rumble, and he grinned.

His wolf woke up with a start, pawing and pacing to get free, yet he still couldn't shift. His beast was there, prowling just under his skin. Jungkook shook his head and howled his frustration. The mournful sound carried, and if there were any other of his kind around they would hear him.

Alas, there was no return call, and he sighed. He truly was alone in this place then, but right now he had more pressing concerns. He needed to piss.

Glancing out of the window showed there to be plenty of opportunities outside, but something niggled at him. His Kærasti had mentioned something about somewhere to wash. It stood to reason if he had a room in the house designed for that, he would also have somewhere to take care of that side.

With a frown at the bandage still wrapped around his middle, he trotted out of the room, and out onto the landing. Two more doors led off it. The first one turned out to be another bed-chamber, and his mood instantly lifted when he scented his mate. His bed was piled high with cushions, and more of those smooth sheets he'd used to cover him up with. Pretty things were held on a table with a big set of some sort of reflective material, and he scowled at the view of himself.

Tracing his steps back he pushed open the last door and grinned. That looked more like it. There was another oblong contraption with a shiny long object protruding over it. It looked similar to what he had in his cooking area. Sure enough, when he turned the shiny buttons water gushed out. That sure beat dragging the water out of the well, as they did at his homestead.

A pang of homesickness assaulted him from nowhere. He let it out through another howl that he knew would remain unanswered. The faint smell of urine, only detectable thanks to his shifter senses led him to what looked like a bowl with a seat. Jungkook scratched his jaw in wonder. When he pressed the shiny lever water rushed through it, and he shook his head. Guess that's where folks in this land relieved themselves, so he did just that.

Having washed his hands under the mysterious inside well, the other, just as odd, see-through enclosure called him. It had the same shiny things like the sink. Sure enough, when he turned them on, water cascaded down.

It took some fiddling, but eventually, he got the temperature just right. Jungkook stepped under this inside waterfall with a sigh of contentment. The soggy bandage irritated. After a moment's hesitation, he yanked it off, pleased to see that his injury, while still an angry red, was finally starting to heal.

His Kærasti might be cross with him, but he didn't need that restriction around him anymore. The sound of what could only be a car approaching, made him stop and listen. A door opened and shut, and his scent wafted up the stairs. It made his wolf whine and his mouth water. Clutching one of the oblong pieces of material, he used it to dry himself, before he ambled to the top of the stairs.

His Kærasti's reaction to seeing him naked did not disappoint. he dropped the crinkly satchels he had been holding onto and stared before he caught himself and ran toward the back of the house.

Jungkook grinned, wrapped that material around himself, and went after her. Time to not only get some answers but to also make Taehyung his.

~~~

Tae stuck his overheated face into the freezer and tried to control his breathing. Jeez, the man was huge, and... well... huge. He rolled his eyes at his thought processes and pretended to be studying the frozen sausages when he heard him approach. Of course, he would come down.

Judging by the bare feet and legs he could see from this angle, he was still naked, damn him. Not that he could be anything else, because he'd thrown his clothes out after the leggings had shrunk in the wash. Guess they were hand wash only, which would make sense.

He should have anticipated that, and oh, lord. I'm rambling in my head now. Man up and face him. He was naked when you undressed him for pity's sake.

With a wry grin at his jumbled thoughts, Tae straightened, shut the door and looked at him. Amusement made his dark eyes crinkle up at the corner. His breath stalled to a halt when he raised his arms to tie the still wet mass of his brown hair back.

It made his biceps flex and his abs ripple, and Tae let his pent-up breath out in one fell swoosh when he saw he'd covered up with the towel. However, he could still see the long imprint of his cock, and he squeezed his thighs together to help relieve some of that ache between his legs.

Unconscious as he had been he was a magnificent sight, but seemingly back to full health, hot and wet from the shower still... damn it.

It was every erotic dream he'd ever had rolled into one mouth-watering temptation right in front of him. And it didn't help one little bit that every dream he'd had over the last two days had involved the hunk. Jungkook and Tae in a heap of sweaty entangled limbs, to be precise.

"You're awake," he finally said. Tae wanted the ground to swallow him up when his smile deepened. "I mean, of course, you're awake, you're standing there, after all... Oh, fvck it..."

He turned his back on temptation and grabbing one of the carrier bags, turned back 'round and thrust the thing at him.

At his curious expression, he rushed on to explain. "I bought you some clothes. You know modern ones. I guessed your sizes, so I hope they fit, and..."

Taehyung's voice trailed off when he dropped the towel and pulled out the clothing he'd bought him.

"I don't mean for you to do it here, go upstairs or—"

"Why?" That one word uttered in that deep growl of his was all it took for him to take leave of his senses completely, so he stood and gaped up at him.

"Why what?" he somehow managed to squeak that question, as he stepped so close that his scent engulfed Taehyung.

Clean, male musk, with that enticing hint of danger and wild animal. The barely functioning side of his brain did wish he had a pen to write that down. He would have to use that description in his next story. He was pretty sure he had used something like that, never once believing that it would be so accurate.

"Only a body," he said, winked at her—winked for pity's sake—before he made a big show of studying the set of boxer briefs he'd bought him.

When he looked at them, scratched his jaw, then tried to put one on his head, Tae finally found his sense of humour at the hilarity of all this.

A giggle escaped. Jungkook smiled at him when he took the underwear off of him and held it up to his groin.

"You wear this over your..." he glanced at his semi-erect cock, wrenched his gaze back up to his face and cursed his propensity for blushing. he was an erotic writer for pity's sake, yet, just like he couldn't get through a reading without turning the colour of beetroot, it seemed he couldn't bring himself to say the word out loud in front of him either. So he simply waved in the general direction of his genitalia, hoping he would get the drift.

Jungkook smirked. There was a devilish gleam in his eyes when he ran his gaze slowly over his body until he reached his groin where he was still clutching the damn boxers as though his life depended on it.

"You wear them under your clothes."

He threw the things at him when he reached out. Jungkook laughed, making him wonder if he hadn't known that all along and was just having fun at his expense. He turned away from him, but he still had a perfect view of his taut ass as he made short work of pulling on the boxers.

After a moment's hesitation the jeans, the t-shirt followed and he turned back around again. Not that the view of him clothed in modern clothing was any better. The distressed jeans hugged his muscular thighs, lovingly outlined the imprint of his cock, and hung low on his hips. The shirt strained against his biceps, and Tae had to remind himself to breathe.

Yeah, he hadn't thought this out very well. He should have bought him clothes three times too big. Maybe then he wouldn't look so damn edible.

When he gave a little bow and winked at him again, he laughed.

"Well, I'm glad they fit. Are you hungry?" Tae asked and he rubbed his rock hard abs and smiled.

"Yes, minn Kærasti."

The way he said that—jeez, he had to get away from him, or he'd take his hand off cutting the vegetables.

"Good," he said. "I've bought enough food to feed an army, so why don't you sit down in the other room, and... erm... I don't know, study that dictionary." Tae pointed to it on the kitchen table, and Jungkook nodded.

Much to his dismay, he didn't leave the kitchen, however. Instead, he plonked his far too delectable ass on the kitchen bench and started to read.

Tae realized with a start that he could listen to him read for hours, which was exactly what he ended up doing. They fell into somewhat of a predictable pattern over the next few days, so far that Jungkook spent every waking moment in that dictionary.

He seemed determined to master the English language, and he found himself telling him the meaning of umpteen things around the house. In truth, he astonished him with the relative ease in which his very own Viking warrior adapted to the twenty-first century. Then again, hadn't that made his kin such formidable warriors? The ability to adapt and think on their feet?

At least he had stopped destroying his electrical equipment. He still looked at the microwave as though some demon was inside it, and the radio had freaked him out, too, but he hadn't run his sword through them. Tae was rather relieved to see that he left it in his room most of the time now after he'd almost drawn it on the poor postman when he'd knocked on the door, to deliver a box of his latest paperbacks.

Tae wasn't at all sure about Jungkook having his nose stuck in one of them, the ever-present dictionary by his side. With the TV out of action, it meant they'd filled their days, with him sitting in his favourite writing spot, tapping away and him sitting on the other side glued to his books.

Every once in a while he would look up from reading and just stare at him with the most curious expression on his face.

"What?" Tae had eventually snapped at him. Jungkook had grinned, shut the book, pulled his shirt over his head, and headed outside.

When he followed him, it was to find him chopping wood for his wood burner with far more vigour than had been necessary. He'd stood watching him for a while, admiring the play of muscles in his broad back. His side was almost healed now, further testament to what he knew to be the certain truth. He had to be a werewolf.

Not that they had that discussion yet, but he saw his inner animal often enough in his eyes when he looked at her. Add to that the fact that he seemed incapable of not sniffing him whenever he stepped close to her, and yeah...

Tae glanced across at him again now and cleared his throat. He snapped his book shut, winked at him and then wandered off into the kitchen. Tae couldn't help it. he inched across to read what had him so enthralled.

Oh lordy, it had to be a sex scene, didn't it?

He didn't need to hear the floorboard creak to know he was back in the room. The fine hair on his neck stood to attention as he came up behind him and tugged the book out of his hands.

"Interesting reading, minn Kærasti," he said.

Taehyung's heart rate kicked up a notch when he put his hands on his shoulders and pulled him back into his solid frame. His breath ghosted across his neck as he bent his head and inhaled just under his ear.

"Tell me, is that what you like a man to do to you?"

His deeply accented voice settled straight to his cock and puckering hole, he bit his lip to stop himself from moaning out loud. He would no doubt smell how he was getting off for him anyway, so instead he wrenched himself out of his loose grip and put the coffee table between them. There, that was marginally safer.

"I'm a writer. I make things up."

He hedged the question, but he couldn't quite bring himself to look at him. His deep laugh told him that he didn't believe a word of it.

"Fine, have it your way, Kærasti."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" he asked. Tae wrapped his arms around himself when his gaze drew so intense that he could hardly breathe. "You've been holding out on me. Your English is coming along fast."

Jungkook smiled, as he cocked his head to one side.

"Amazing what you learn from books. I call you that because you're mine."

Jungkook rather enjoyed Tae's stunned expression, especially as his breathing sped up, same for his heart rate. Not in fear but arousal that increased his sweet scent and made Jungkook hard as nails. His cock pressed against the stiff material of the new trousers he'd bought him.

He wished himself back into his clothes. They had far more give in them, which, considering his cock was in a constant flux of readiness around his Kærasti would be much preferable. Resisting the urge to unsnap the buttons on his trousers... jeans, he called them, to free his aching staff, he shoved his hands into the back pockets of said jeans instead.

Tae looked on edge, ready to bolt if he gave in to the very real need to touch him.

Instead, he settled for quietly studying Tae, as the seconds ticked by. His throat rippled as he gave several hard swallows.

"Well, that's... you have no..."

He threw him a somewhat panicked look and turning abruptly walked over to his bookcase. The thing was heaving with all sorts of books, old and new, and he swallowed a groan of his own when he bent down to rummage through a box of books at the side of it. It tightened the material of his trousers over that delectable ass. His hands itched to caress those globes, to redden them with his hands until they glowed hot and pink and Tae begging him to take him.

Jungkook groaned and adjusted his dick away from the metal contraption that held his trousers together, just in time before he turned around, clutching what looked to be an extremely old book.

"Talking of books, I've been meaning to show you this. I found it in an antique shop years ago, and, well I can't read it. It's all in Old Norse... I think... but, I thought..."

He jumped when his wolf took over. He leapt across the distance separating them in one fell swoop with loud sounds of bones cracking and breaking. It was the first time he'd truly allowed his wolf to show, as much as he was able to in this realm. The fact that Tae didn't scream soothed the churning in his gut somewhat.

"Does it hurt?" Tae asked out of curiosity.

Jungkook shakes his head as a sign of 'no.'

"Can I touch you?"

Jungkook just snorted and laid on the floor, he looked at Tae with those dark eyes studying him. Tae kneed and touched his fur, studying its softness, thickness. He was surprised when his Kærasti pushed his whole face into his fur and hugged him - as much as his hands could.

Tae mindlessly rubbed his belly and hummed a nameless tune, he stayed there until he fell asleep.

~~~

After their nap, Jungkook returned to his human form and remembered about the book. The ancient one had something very similar back in his times.

"Where did you get this?" he asked calmly and a tingle of recognition went up to his arms when his fingers touched the worn-out cover. It was a replacement. He sensed that straightaway, his sensitive nose picking up the slightly different age scents from the covering and the paper contained therein.

He realized he'd spoken in Norse when he looked up at him blankly, so he repeated the question in halting English. While he could speak it now, having found it relatively easy to pick it up, thanks to the solid base he'd been given when he'd been a mere sveinbarn—his nursemaid at the time had been English—it still felt odd to form the words out loud.

"I—I told you. I picked it up years ago. It was old and dusty, but..." he stopped talking when he opened the old pages and clouds of musty dust rose in the air between them.

Jungkook inhaled deeply and smiled. These pages held the promise of home. If he closed his eyes, he could almost see his village, and the brothers he'd left behind. His mate's tentative hand on his forearm brought his attention back to him and he smiled at Tae.

"This." He flicked through the pages until he found what he was looking for. It was a depiction of his village. Jungkook swallowed the immediate longing to be back there down with a whine. "Minn homestead."

He traced the aged pages with one finger, inhaling sharply when Tae pressed closer into him to see. Taehyung's chest cushioned his side. With his head bent over the book with him, it wouldn't take much to close the distance and claim his lips. Only the certain knowledge that this book would hold the answers to why he was here and Odin willing, tell him how to get back to his time, stopped him from tasting his Kærasti.

"Your home?" Taehyung asked. At his grunted acknowledgement he smiled and withdrew. He instantly missed his warmth and compassion, but the thirst for knowledge was stronger right now.

"I thought it might be. I couldn't understand much of what it said in there, but I did recognize Liufr. When you said that was your kin, I kinda put two and two together and..." Again, his words trailed off when he smiled at Taehyung.

Closing the distance between them he grasped his nape and rested his forehead on his. Taehyung's sweet scent pulled him under, calmed his agitated beast, as he shut his eyes and pulled the smell of his Kærasti deep into his lungs.

"Are you okay?" Taehyung whispered question made him smile, he released her.

"Já, minn Kærasti."

"Good, is that why you're here? I mean, will it help you get back to your time?"

There was a slight wobble in his voice when he asked that, as though Taehyung was afraid of his answer or didn't want him to go. It made his wolf growl. His eyes widened, he knew without a doubt that he would be looking into the eyes of his beast.

"You're not just human, are you?" Had it not been for his sensitive hearing he wouldn't have caught that breathless and barely audible question. Tae clasped his arms around his midriff when he shook his head.

"Thought not." he swayed slightly and collapsed into his arms when he drew Taehyung to him.

Jungkook sat down heavily on the settee with his precious bundle in his arms. The book clattered to the floor, he winced when the spine bent and pages crinkled out of shape. The need to hold his mate, to reassure, took precedence right now. In truth, the tender feelings engulfing him took the wind out of his sails.

Lust was a familiar sensation for Jungkook. Women threw themselves at him back home, and he partook freely of the willing cunt, but that was all it was. Love was reserved for the brothers he fought with, his sister and his kin. To feel these tender emotions interwoven with the very real physical need to sink his cock balls deep into this Kærasti, to make Taehyung his in the most primal way was surreal, to say the least.

"What are you?" he finally asked.

Jungkook tipped his chin up with his index finger better to see Taehyung's expression.

"Ulfr."

Taehyung blinked and nodded.

"Oh, well. I guess that makes sense. You're bad enough as, well, you." Heat stained his cheeks when he cocked an eyebrow at that.

"Explain, and stop wriggling, or..."

He let his words trail off. He went as still as a statue when he grasped his Kærasti's hips and thrust his rock hard dick into his covered ass. It was only his rapid breathing and the leaking precum he could smell between his legs that told him how much he wanted him.

"We can't. I mean, I won't. This is insane. You'll be going back soon and I will not be a notch on your bedpost, so, anyway." he scrambled off his lap, bent down to pick up the book and gave it back to him.

"So you best figure out how to do that. I'll go and rustle us up something to eat."

Before he had a chance to say anything, he'd left him alone. Jungkook sighed. His mate was complicated, for sure. Besides, he was right. He needed answers, so with that in mind, he settled down to read. He would have to find out what exactly notches on bedposts had to do with anything later.

~~~

The shrill ring of his phone roused Tae out of his absentminded stirring of the stir-fry he was preparing for their dinner. In truth, it was finished. He just had to find the courage to walk back in his living room and tell his Viking warrior that it was ready. His heart clenched painfully at that thought. Jungkook wasn't his and never would be.

Their conversation, brief as it had been, had made one thing clear. He had to go back to his own time. The way his nose had been stuck in that book ever since told him how much he yearned to be back there.

Taehyung has seen that wistful look in his eyes often enough since he'd recovered his strength, yet he'd put off handing him that ledger. Tae wasn't exactly sure why he hadn't thrust it at him the minute he got him home.

No, be honest, you know why.

Last time he'd picked the book up, the night before that fateful camping trip heat had travelled up his arms branding his skin like a tattoo, a tattoo design similar to Jungkook's but there's no sign of it to show for.

Blood had rushed in his ears and Taehyung had the most awful sensation of falling, before his sister had bounded into the room, breaking whatever spell that blasted book had woven over him. The ledger had slipped from his fingers.

Lisa had picked it up with a smirk, berated Tae on his odd fascination with all things Viking and dragged him away to the kitchen. By the time he had returned to the book and picked it up with trembling fingers, nothing odd had happened, he'd stored it away in the bottom of the box.

Maybe, that had been the trigger though. Maybe he was responsible for yanking Jungkook out of his time, and... The phone stopped ringing, only to start up again. Jungkook appearing in the doorway, clutching that book to his wide chest with a thoughtful expression, Tae shook out his maudlin thoughts.

He turned off the heat and snatched the phone before Jungkook could do it. He had answered that once with hilarious results, as it had been a cold call. His growled monosyllables down the line had had Tae in stitches. Come to think of it, he must have scared that particular double glazing company off for good, because they hadn't called again.

They'd been hounding him for weeks beforehand, all because he'd stupidly asked for a quote to replace his old windows. In the end, that salesperson had annoyed him so much that he'd told him to stuff it, but having got hold of his details they wouldn't leave him alone—until Jungkook's intervention.

He walked over to him again and sniffed the food. He got used to him doing that now. It was a subtle move most folks would probably miss, but he recognized the widening of his nostrils, followed by the tiniest of nods that signalled his approval.

The fact that he liked his cooking really shouldn't please him quite so much, should it? He was becoming far too fond of having him around the place. That was dangerous thinking because he couldn't, wouldn't stay.

He was a freaking Viking. A wolf shifting one at that. He needed to get back to his own time. The sooner the better, before he did something stupid like throwing himself at him. He would be a hard man to forget as it was. It would be nigh impossible if he'd had sex with him. He didn't even want to think of any other implications that might have.

While he didn't know how that whole becoming a shifter's mate worked in real life, the connection he already felt to him scared him half to death. Best to stay well away from temptation.

"Hello?" Tae managed to answer his phone before it rang off again. The deep voice of his boss rang in his ears.

"Finally, sweet boy. Look, I know you said you needed some time off, but we're several guides down, and we have a huge party booked tomorrow. I really could do it with your help. I dread to think what would happen to them if they managed to wander off, so..."

Ignoring Jungkook's frown and the threatening rumble of his wolf, Tae turned his back on the impossible Viking and nodded.

"That's okay, Seokjin. I'm free, so I'd love to help out."

That rumble got even louder. Tae held his breath as Jungkook stepped up behind him. He was so close that the heat of his body seeped into his back. The vibrations of his wolf's growl travelled up through the soles of his feet.

Lordy me.

He sounded furious, and he had no damn right to be. This, right here, was why he couldn't act on the attraction between them. Being mated to some overbearing alpha type of guy was damn hot to write and read about, but in real life, it would be a pain in the ass.

Tae had his life to lead, and no over-possessive Viking was going to stop him from doing so.

"Is it thundering at your end or something?" Seokjin's baffled question made him grin. he elbowed Jungkook in his rock hard abs, swung round to glare at him, and shook his head when he took a step to close the distance again.

Fire flashed in Jungkook's brown eyes, as they bled from his wolf's gold back to the molten chocolate of the man. He murmured something under his breath that he didn't quite catch. To his utter relief, he stepped back, however, sat down at the kitchen bench, and opening the ledger started to read. The deep frown pulling his eyebrows together, made a ball of apprehension form in his belly, so much so that he startled when Seokjin spoke in his ear again.

"Tae? Are you okay? You've been acting strange this past week."

Tae took a deep breath in and forced a smile on his lips for the benefit of his boss.

"Yes, I'm fine, sorry. That was just a heavy goods vehicle thundering past. I do need to do something about my windows I think. You can hear everything. I'll be there tomorrow, bright and early. Can't have you killing the tourists now, can we?"

Seokjin laughed, and his deep baritone instantly soothed his nerves. Seokjin was more than just Tae's boss. Five years his senior, he'd taken him under his wing, after his parents died in a car accident while working for him. Tae had hated having to lie to him about the reason for his absence, but he couldn't betray Jungkook's secret.

"I haven't killed the darlings yet. I'll pick you up at first light. We can catch up over breakfast. I gather your latest book must be going well, as you're being so distant, so you can tell me all about it."

A giggle escaped Tae at the thought, Jungkook's head shot up. The heated intensity in his gaze took his breath away as he glared at the phone.

"I might just do that," he said. "See you tomorrow, Jin."

Ignoring Jungkook and Taehyung's racing heart rate for a minute, he plated up their dinner and set a place for himself and his Viking warrior. He shut the book and put it to one side when he put two bottles of beer down and sat down opposite him.

"So, are you any the wiser as to how you get back to your time?" he asked. "And why are you here for that matter?"

Jungkook didn't answer Taehyung straight away, just tucked into his food, and he followed suit with a small sigh. Maybe he was just trying to figure out how to say things to him in English, but Tae had long suspected that his English was far better than he'd let on. No doubt this was a ploy to keep him on edge, to show his displeasure at the fact that he had been talking to another man.

The longer the silence stretched between them the more his temper spiked, until he placed his fork on the table quietly and pushed the plate away.

Jungkook's wolf grumbled under his breath, the man showed no outward reaction. He just finished his food. It was only when his plate was clean that he pushed it away, and looked across at Tae.

"Is there a problem, minn Kærasti?" Jungkook asked.

Tae wanted to strangle the infuriating male.

"I don't know. Why don't you tell me?" Tae countered his question with one of his own.

A glimmer of amusement showed in Jungkook's dark gaze before he once again became the stoic warrior, crossing his arms over his chest.

"If you were in my time, talking to me like that would earn you hiding with my belt," he finally said.

The way his Kærasti's mouth fell open in seeming shocked, soothed some of his wolf's agitation and downright annoyance at his mate having joked about with another man. The possessive animal inside him didn't like he's talking to another male one bit, but he knew Taehyung well enough by now to know that voicing that opinion would not be welcome at this moment.

He cursed under his breath and wished he was back in his own time, where he wouldn't feel the need to second-guess his every action. He ignored the little devil sitting on his shoulder, telling him that his time or not this omega was far too strong-willed to ever submit to his will without question. That was, of course, one of the very qualities he looked for in a mate. The paradox of it all was not lost on him, he grinned at his predictable reply.

"Maybe you best bugger off to your time then and find an omega that would put up with that treatment, because of it sure as fuck won't be me."

The words were brave, but his increased scent and the rapid breathing gave Taehyung away. He might act all outraged, but he was also wet for him. While his wolf was all for leaping across the table and making him his, Jungkook held back.

He needed his willing surrender for them to get back to his time. He'd found out that much in the ancient texts, even if the exact how-tos still eluded him. Besides, the men and women they had taken in before had found their way to his time, not the other way round. The thought that he might never make it back to his village sat heavily in his gut and made him tread with caution.

Taehyung glowered at him when he didn't respond to his outburst. He took a deep draft of what seemed to pass for ale in this century.

"While we're getting some things straight, that was my boss on the phone. I'm going into work tomorrow. There's a big party booked, they need tour guides. I'll be gone for most of the day, so that'll give you plenty of time to figure out how to get back to your time, so we can all return to normal around these parts."

"Are you so eager to see me gone, Kærasti?" he asked.

Tae tensed. Instead of answering him, he scooped up their plates and dumped them into the sink.

The sounds of running water confirmed his intention to dismiss him. It made Jungkook's wolf snarl. It was just as well he couldn't shift in this time, because his volatile animal wanted to kill. Preferably whatever male was taking his mate away from him. Jungkook reined his beast back in with some difficulty.

Taehyung tensed when he came up behind her, dumped the cutlery and glasses he'd carried across into the soapy water he'd run in the sink, and then pulled him sharply back against him by grasping his hips.

Taehyung gasped when he lifted him off his feet, ground his cock into his luscious ass cheeks. His knuckles turned white, grasping the sink for support. A shuddery exhale left him, when Jungkook nuzzled into his neck, pulled Taehyung's intoxicating scent deep into his lungs. Jungkook gave in to the instinct driving him and bit down lightly on the fragrant skin. Tae groaned and stiffened, but the action calmed his beast.

"Please, don't," he whispered.

Jungkook reluctantly released Taehyung after licking the spot where he left a barely visible half-moon indent of his teeth. It would have to do until he could claim him properly. To not do so was out of the question. A small part of him would die if he didn't have this Kærasti. he was destined to be with him.

That much was clear from the texts he perused and the prophecies he'd received before he'd made this unexpected journey through time and space to find himself not only on a different continent but also in the future. He slowly put Taehyung back on his feet.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he rested against the countertop as he made short work of washing their dishes. He glanced at him briefly, and he smiled as he washed the same plate over and over with a frown pulling his eyebrows together.

"Who is this Seokjin to you?" he finally asked.

Tae groaned under his breath and put the plate on the drainer, letting the water out of the sink, before he flicked him another glance.

"He's my boss, that's all, not that it's any of your business."

Mimicking him, he crossed his arms over his chest, too. Jungkook couldn't tear his gaze away from the way the action chafed his hard nipples. It made him grow even harder, and his mouth watered with the need to taste the ever-increasing wetness he scented between his legs.

"Eyes up here, warrior."

Jungkook wrenched his gaze back up to his ethereal face at those breathy words. Tae swallowed nervously when he swung away from the counter. Putting his hands either side of his hips, he leaned in until their mouths were a mere whisper away from each other.

"Just your boss?" he asked. He knew his voice held the deep growl of his wolf.

His Kærasti flinched, his heart rate kicked up, as he held himself perfectly still, crowding him in, drinking in the scent of aroused omega, laced with fear and annoyance. He didn't want Taehyung to be frightened of him, but he couldn't rein in his wolf either.

"That's none of your business," he said.

Tae tried to push him away. His wolf growled a warning at that. Tae closed his eyes and shook his muddled head, even as his body instinctively moulded against him, while his hands fisted in his t-shirt.

"It is, minn Kærasti," he said. Jungkook pulled back slightly to study his mate's face. Flushed and trembling, he made him want to take care of him, to never let him go.

"I'm not yours," he said.

When Taehyung opened his eyes, the shimmer of tears he caught before he blinked them away, made Jungkook release him. He hugged himself, looking so utterly miserable, Jungkook wanted to break something. "I can't be. You have to go back, my life is here. You don't belong in this time."

Jungkook grumbled his agreement with that assessment, and he offered him a sad smile.

"So, there's no point in..." he waved his hand to encompass the two of them and shook his head again. "In us, this... I won't sleep with you and then have you disappear, I can't come with you, because—"

"What if you could?" His eyes grew wide when he interrupted Taehyung. Jungkook rushed on to explain. "My village, my pack, we're different. We always have been. The night before I arrived here, I visited our ancient one. He gave me a prophecy... I would travel through space and time to meet my válað, my destiny." He smiled grimly at his gasp in response. "I did not believe him. It had been many years since one such as you travelled to us. Yet, the next day I found myself here. One minute I was fighting the neighbouring clan, the next I woke up injured in these strange lands. Then I scented you..." He let his words trail off and left the rest unsaid.

"I can't be... I mean, there are others, like me, I mean in your time? How?" he asked and worried his bottom lip with his top teeth. He stilled when he growled at Taehyung. Jungkook used his thumb to pull the exposed flesh away from danger.

"Only Odin knows how."

Taehyung nodded, he could almost see the wheels turning in his head.

"Do they ever go back?" he blanched when he shook his head.

"Nein, minn Kærasti."

"So, does that mean you can't go back either?" He winced as Taehyung's voice rose in his agitation. Jungkook shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know. The texts don't say, at least not yet. I will have to study them further."

A reluctant smile kicked up the corners of his mouth when he gave him a shove and frowned at him.

"Well, then, what are you waiting for? You have to find out, and I have to go to bed anyway..."

Heat rose in Tae's cheeks when he adjusted his dick at the erotic images that instantly bombarded his brain at the thought of Jungkook in a bed. He knew just what he would look like asleep. He'd watched Tae often enough when his restless animal needed to shift and couldn't. Being close to him was the only thing that calmed his wolf down.

"Alone," he added and Jungkook laughed.

"Bed notches, I get it. Though I'm still not entirely sure what that has to do with me sinking my cock into your cunt."

Taehyung made a strangled sound at the back of his throat while he stepped away from him. Jungkook matched his retreat easily enough. When the wall stopped Tae, he pounced. Catching him gasp in his mouth he claimed Taehyung's lips like he wanted to claim his body.

His wolf strutted when he gave in immediately and opened to the insistent strokes of his tongue. Jungkook grunted his approval as his flavour exploded on his taste buds. He took the kiss deeper, devouring, making Taehyung his. The very real need to brand him in some way consumed him.

When Jungkook was finally forced to release him to draw much-needed oxygen into his lungs, they both gulped for air. It only served to further drive this Taehyung's scent into his very soul, and he knew his beast had never been closer to erupting out of his skin than right now.

"Run, and remember you're mine. If that boss of yours lays a finger on you tomorrow, I'll kill him—slowly."

With one last look at his face, Taehyung took off as though the hounds of hell were after him. Jungkook smiled grimly when he heard the lock turn on his door. There was a scraping sound as though he had dragged something in front of it, and he shook his head.

Did he think that would stop him?

The urge to go after Taehyung was almost too much to bear, but, instead, he forced himself back to the abandoned ledger. The answers he sought had to be in there.