Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"An open relationship?" the young omega asked, his voice soft, almost trembling, as he struggled to believe his ears. The words that his boyfriend just said felt surreal.

What the fuck?

"Yes," Daehyun, his alpha, answered with a gentle smile, though there was doubt in his expression. "I think it’s something we need," he added in a serious tone, almost too calm.

Beomgyu's hands clenched into tight fists, the fabric of his black dress pants crumpling under the pressure. The hours he'd spent ironing, smoothing every crease with care, now felt like it was all for nothing—like so much of what he thought this night would be.

"Why? Did I do something to upset you? Is it because I—"

"No, Gyu, you did nothing wrong." Daehyun reached across the restaurant table, gently taking his hand in an attempt to calm him. The setting was almost painfully beautiful—an elegant restaurant that two college students could hardly afford, a place that, for Beomgyu, was supposed to hold a memory much sweeter than this.

Tonight was meant to be the night Daehyun asked to mate him, and Beomgyu, after all his hesitation, would finally be ready to say yes.

He hadn’t expected this other kind of proposal.

"Don’t think I want us to break up. It’s nothing like that. Our relationship will stay the same, just with a small change. We’ll both be free to see other people without it being considered cheating." Daehyun's words flowed easily, as if this was just another casual conversation.

"But I only want you," Beomgyu whispered, his brow furrowed, confusion swirling in his eyes.

"I only want you too," Daehyun replied, voice warm, his thumb tracing soothing circles on Beomgyu's hand. "I’ve told you many times that I want a future with you and no one else. I just thought... it might be good for us to meet other people first. We’ve been together for a long time, and I don’t want you to feel like you're missing out on anything when I finally mark you."

Is this really about me? Beomgyu thought, though he didn’t say it.

"It'd be temporary," Daehyun added quickly as if that made it all better.

Beomgyu said nothing, his gaze fixed on the untouched food in front of him, his appetite gone.

The alpha sighed, pulling his hand back. "Forget it. It was just a suggestion." His voice softened, almost apologetic, though he couldn’t quite meet Beomgyu’s eyes. "I just thought... after everything, after how hesitant you’ve been, that maybe this could help, you know? To make sure there are no regrets when the time comes."

Beomgyu looked up at him, searching for something familiar, something safe. Ever since they met, the omega knew Daehyun was the one for him. But the relationship he had once believed was rock-solid now felt so... delicate.

You’ll lose him if you don’t agree, a voice whispered in the back of his mind.

"Alright... let’s do it," he said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Daehyun’s smile, on the other hand, was much bigger, much brighter.

"Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel pressured into anything," Daehyun asked, though there was a lightness in his tone, as if he had already won.

"I’m sure," Beomgyu replied, his heart heavy. "Like you said, it’s just temporary, right?"

"Of course."

x-o-x

"Welcome," the cashier muttered, sounding like she might fall asleep mid-sentence. If she noticed Beomgyu’s red, puffy eyes and tear-streaked face, she gave no sign of it, which he was grateful for.

After fleeing the restaurant as fast as he could, Beomgyu got into the first taxi he saw and started crying. He couldn’t stop, even when he tried. It was one of those cries—the kind where the more you try to rein it in, the more your face turns into a blotchy mess. Even the driver offered him some tissues.

Am I having a meltdown?

Maybe. But there was no time for that now.

Ignoring the stares of the other customers, he headed straight for the freezer section. Maybe his favorite hazelnut ice cream would fix the mess in his head.

The good news was that there was one tube left, the bad news was that someone else’s hand reached for it.

Beomgyu froze, staring at the hand in disbelief. The owner—a tall alpha in a hoodie—hadn’t even bothered to look down at him. Just reached right in. On any other day, Beomgyu would’ve backed off, maybe even smiled awkwardly and walked away. But today he just didn’t feel like it.

“Could you, like, let go?” he asked with strained politeness.

“No,” came the blunt, deadpan reply.

Beomgyu blinked, not used to this level of resistance. He tried a different tactic, switching on his omega charms—the same ones that usually scored him a seat on a crowded bus.

“I’ve had a really bad day…” He pouted, looking at the others side profile.

“So have I,” the alpha shot back and turn his face to glare at him, tightening his grip on the tub.

And just like that, they were full-on wrestling over the ice cream like little kids. The alpha was winning—damn genetics— and Beomgyu was seriously considering kicking him in the shins and making a break for it.

I’m wearing boots, it might work.

“Stop crying,” the alpha grumbled, clearly irritated. “You’re making me feel guilty for taking the ice cream.”

“I can’t help it!” Beomgyu sniffled, feeling even more betrayed by his own omega charms, which were clearly malfunctioning thanks to his puffy, tear-streaked face.

“Soobin!” a voice called out from the end of the aisle, and Beomgyu seized his moment. With a final yank, he snatched the tub away and dashed toward the cashier.

“Hey!” the alpha—Soobin, apparently—yelled after him, but Beomgyu was already halfway out the door, clutching his ice cream.

Victory tasted a little bittersweet as he spooned ice cream into his mouth while dragging himself home, still crying. He was almost at his apartment when his phone buzzed with a notification.

His heart leapt. Maybe it’s Dae. Maybe he’s regretting what he said… Yes, Beomgyu knew he was being naive, don’t judge him.

He unlocked his phone and read: Good evening. We regret to inform you that we have decided to proceed with other candidates. Best of luck with your future endeavors.

Beomgyu stopped in his tracks, staring at the screen. “The worst day ever,” he muttered to himself, ice cream still in hand. His hopes for that dream internship had been eliminate, and now, even his favorite ice cream didn’t taste quite as comforting as it should.

And just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, someone grabbed his arm.

A thief?!

Fueled by his lingering rage and a little bit of insanity, Beomgyu didn’t think—he acted. He punched the thief square in the face, yelping as his knuckles made contact. Then, without a second glance, he sprinted the rest of the way home.

x-o-x

"HE ASKED YOU WHAT?"

“Ugh, that bastard! I knew he wasn’t good for you!”

“YOU encourage them to date!” Taehyun groaned.

“DON’T REMIND ME!” Yeonjun dramatically clutched his head.

Beomgyu just sat in his bed.

“Taehyun, do something! The kid’s not talking,” the older omega whined, tightening his grip around Beomgyu like he was trying to squeeze the sadness out of him.

Taehyun, arms crossed and unamused, huffed. “What do you want me to do? His alpha is clearly a clueless idiot who doesn’t know how to read a room.” He looked ready to punch something. “After years of begging to mate, he pulls this crap?”

“He even did—”

“I’m fine,” Beomgyu interrupted quietly, his voice so soft it was almost swallowed by the drama around him. “It’s temporary. He said so.”

After a disastrous date, it was impossible for his two roommates not to notice how he’d lost the sparkle in his eyes. So, fulfilling their roles as best friends, Taehyun and Yeonjun insisted until he told them what’d happened.

Needless to say, they were not handling the news well.

“Gyu, it’s so clear you hate the idea, why did you agree?” Yeonjun asked, his chin now firmly planted on Beomgyu’s shoulder.

“I just… I feel like it’s the least I can do after rejecting him for so long. He thinks it’ll help me feel sure about him before he marks me,” Beomgyu mumbled, fiddling with the edge of his sleeve.

“That little piece of—", Taehyun muttered under his breath before scooting closer, wrapping Beomgyu in his own hug from the other side.

“I thought, you know, since Yeonjun hyung had an open relationship with Jae, it couldn’t be that bad,” Beomgyu said in a quiet voice.

“Okay, first of all—different situation.” Yeonjun raised his hand dramatically. “Jae and I were just a few months in, and we were used to that kind of setup. You and Daehyun? Years, babe. And let’s be real, you don’t look like you’re thrilled about this little arrangement.”

“This ‘arrangement’ means you’ll have to watch him flirt—or who knows what—with other people. You won’t be able to say a damn thing,” Taehyun reminded him, with a raised eyebrow.

Beomgyu sighed, rubbing his temples. “I know, but I love him. If he thinks he needs this, I’ll try.”

Yeonjun perked up mischievously. “Ooooh, are you gonna see other people too? My sweet little Beomgyu, out there having casual flings?”

“No!” Beomgyu shot back instantly, his face turning bright red.

“Why not? Open relationships are made for that.”

“I’d feel like I was cheating on Dae,” Beomgyu pouted, his lip trembling, tears starting to well up again. “Sorry, I'm too emotional today.”

“Just tell him you don’t want to do it. If he loves you, he’ll understand”, Yeonjun said, annoyed on Beomgyu’s behalf.

Taehyun shot him a warning look, softening his tone as he leaned in. “We just want what’s best for you, Gyu. It’s going to be really hard watching him with someone else.”

“It’s temporary,” Beomgyu insisted, but even he didn’t sound convinced.

“Of course it is,” Yeonjun sighed, patting his head with care. “Give it a week. That dumb alpha’s gonna realize you’re all he needs.”

“Exactly! He’ll be crawling back, begging for forgiveness,” Taehyun added, smirking.

“Yep! And when he does, we get to decide if he’s earned it,” Yeonjun joked, making Beomgyu laugh despite himself.

“But hey, if you wanna have some fun while you’re waiting, I’ve got a bunch of friends who’d love a chance with your cute little—”

“Hyung!” Beomgyu yelped, blushing furiously as the three of them dissolved into laughter.

x-o-x

It’s only temporary.

Beomgyu clung to that thought, watching Dae laugh with a gorgeous blonde omega, their heads too close for comfort. Usually, he wouldn’t have cared—Dae was charismatic, always drawing people in—but things had shifted between them. The "open relationship" talk had cracked open old insecurities he thought he’d buried.

Taking a breath, Beomgyu made his way toward them, trying to look more confident than he felt. Dae spotted him instantly, flashing that warm, boyish smile as he politely excused himself from the conversation.

"Hey, baby," Dae murmured, wrapping an arm around Beomgyu’s waist and pulling him in for a soft kiss. "You okay? You didn’t answer my texts yesterday."

Right, the texts. After Saturday’s emotional rollercoaster, Beomgyu had gone radio silent, needing time to process everything. He hadn’t answered all Sunday, except for a quick "I got home" text.

“Sorry,” Beomgyu said, trying to sound casual. “I was buried in assignments and didn’t want distractions.” Beomgyu forced a smile, hoping he wouldn’t catch the lie. Usually, he’d see right through it.

Dae just smiled back, not questioning a thing. "No worries."

“Oh, I made cookies,” he fished out a container from his bag. “Thought you might like them.”

Stress-baking had become his go-to strategy on Sunday. It was his way of clearing his mind for a while.

Dae chuckled, affection in his eyes. "Thanks bae. I’ll walk you to class."

Routine. Safe, familiar routine. This had been their thing since they started dating—walking to class together, hand in hand. Despite their wildly different majors, they’d managed to line up a few classes, and today felt oddly normal as Dae filled him in on yesterday’s activities.

When they reached Beomgyu’s classroom, he bit his lip. “See you at lunch?”

Dae hesitated, giving him a sheepish look. "About that... I’ve got a team thing. I’ll see you tonight, okay?"

“Okay,” Beomgyu said, laughing when Dae started kissing his neck, the affection bordering on playful. “Stop! We’re in the middle of the hallway.”

“I need to stock up on your scent if I’m going to survive until tonight,” Dae teased, inhaling deeply before finally pulling away to give him one last kiss on the lips. "I love you."

“I love you too,” Beomgyu replied softly, his heart doing a little flip.

It wasn’t until Beomgyu sat down in class that he realized Dae had left without the cookies.

I’ll give them to him later

And then, just as he was about to open his laptop, a voice broke through his thoughts. "Small world, huh?"

Beomgyu turned, his eyes landing on an alpha with a strikingly handsome face—and a black eye.

"Uh, sorry… do I know you?" Beomgyu asked, frowning. He didn’t pay much attention to other people apart from his friends.

Maybe he’s new in this class?

The alpha blinked, clearly not expecting that. "Seriously? You don’t remember?"

"No..." Beomgyu crossed his arms, looking him up and down. The guy was ridiculously good-looking, even with the black eye, but still. His face didn’t ring any bells.

The alpha stared at him like he was waiting for something. "You gave me this." He pointed at his black eye, and Beomgyu stared at him blankly.

Still no clue.

"From the convenience store? You know, you fight me over a tub of ice cream?" The alpha’s voice rose slightly, clearly frustrated.

“Oh… oh my God!” Beomgyu gasped, finally connecting the dots. This was the thief he’d punched! "Wait, why did you try to rob me?!"

"I was returning your student ID, not robbing you," the alpha said, exasperated. "But sure, go ahead and forget about the part where you punched me." He added, handing him his ID.

Beomgyu’s face heated up with embarrassment. He was this close to apologizing, but the smug look on the alpha’s face stopped him. "Well, maybe don’t go grabbing random people’s arms at night. What did you expect?"

The alpha’s mouth opened, but the professor walked in, cutting off the conversation. Beomgyu quickly opened his laptop, mentally praying the guy would drop it.

“We’ll talk later,” Soobin warned, the omega just rolled his eyes.

“Wait,” Yeonjun whispered, sitting next to him with a mischievous grin. “So, he didn't try to rob you and is kinda hot?”

“Shut up,” Beomgyu hissed, trying to ignore the fact that the alpha was now sitting behind him, probably glaring a hole in the back of his head.

Class went by painfully slow, and Beomgyu could feel the alpha’s presence the entire time. He focused on taking notes and answering the professor’s questions, but the tension was almost unbearable.

"Before we finish for today, you'll be working in pairs on this project due in two weeks," the professor announced, clicking in her laptop. "I've already assigned partners." Then, she show a list with the names in the projector.

“We didn’t get paired together,” Yeonjun pouted, leaning over to see the list. “Who’d you get?”

Beomgyu glanced down at his name. "Some guy named... Soobin?"

"This is great," a familiar voice said from behind.

Beomgyu turned, sighing in disbelief.

"Gyu, this must be fate," Yeonjun said, laughing while munching on the cookies that Dae forgot to take.

"How do you know my name?", Beomgyu looked at him suspiciously.

"It’s not hard to figure out when you talk more than the professor herself."

"I don’t," the omega crossed his arms.

"Yes, you do," said his friend (enemy) with his mouth full.

“And I saw your student ID, remember?”

“He looks so cute in that photo”, Yeonjun added, still eating the cookies.

"So..." the 'thief' sat in the empty chair in front of him and raised his eyebrows, expecting something.

"Anyone would’ve done the same as me, okay?", Beomgyu explained. "Plus, I had a bad day."

"You're not the only one who got hurt! Look at his poor hand!" Yeonjun interrupted again, grabbing Beomgyu’s right hand to show it. His knuckles were slightly bruised.

"That’s what happens when you punch someone in the face," commented the alpha, taking one of the cookies and making a satisfied sound as he tasted it. "These are really good."

"I know!" Yeonjun said again, his mouth full. "Gyu is the best baker."

Soobin looked at him with interest.

"Maybe I’ll forgive you if you make me a thousand of these."

"I didn’t ask for your forgiveness," the omega replied, grabbing his backpack. "Just give me your number so we can get this over with.”

Soobin raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "You sure you don’t want to buy me dinner first?"

“For the project,” Beomgyu snapped, handing over his phone.

"I’ll be waiting for your apology text, sweetheart," Soobin said, handing the phone back. "My schedule is a bit chaotic, so I’ll let you know which day this week I’m free," the alpha seemed to speak seriously for the first time.

Beomgyu only nodded in response and watched him leave with the rest of the cookies he made for his boyfriend.

"Wait! Those are for—"

"I’ll take them as compensation for the damage to my face!", Soobin said as he walked out the door.

"He’s an idiot, but isn’t he charming in a way?"

"No," Beomgyu replied, trying to hide his smile.

Chapter Text

Thief

i’m free friday at 3

at the library

bring cookies

maybe i'll forgive you after that

Me

ok

Thief

i'm serious

bring cookies

or i’ll sue you

Me

not if i sue you first :p

Thief

don’t be late :p

Beomgyu smiled and locked his phone. The thief, Soobin, was going to be quite the annoyance now that they had to work together on a big project for the class they shared. Soobin had really appeared out of nowhere in his life. He wasn’t even sure if they were in the same major since the class they had was an elective. He wasn’t surprised they hadn’t crossed paths before; after all, the university was huge, and Beomgyu wasn’t exactly social. What did surprise him, though, was that he hadn’t noticed Soobin earlier in the two weeks they'd been taking the class together—especially since Soobin was quite a good-looking alpha.

Still, despite his good looks, he was being a major nuisance, and Beomgyu hoped to finish the project as quickly as possible so he wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore.

Soon, this would all be over.

x-o-x

Beomgyu went to the pharmacy to buy ointment for the bruises on his knuckles, even though they were almost gone and both Taehyun and Dae had already gotten him some. He definitely bought it for himself—not for the alpha he’d punched in the face.

Definitely not. Besides, it wasn’t as if he’d run into him on campus. He hadn’t seen him in all these years.

There was no way.

Until there was.

Because there he was, sitting at one of the tables in his college library, glancing (not so subtly) in Beomgyu’s direction while the omega pretended to look for a book.

Sighing, Beomgyu sat down across from him. He hated having problems with people, but he wasn’t about to apologize. So, handing over the paper bag with the ointment was the best way to make peace.

“Here,” he said, sliding the bag across the table. “It’s not an apology,” he added, pulling out his laptop to start his assignment.

They continued working in silence until Dae arrived and sat beside Beomgyu.

“What’s got you so focused, baby?” Dae whispered, slipping an arm around Beomgyu’s waist.

“I’m finishing this storyboard for one of my projects,” Beomgyu said, still typing. “I thought you had class right now.”

“I did, but it ended early, and I wanted to see you before the next one,” Dae said, kissing his cheek and nuzzling his neck subtly.

“Should I wait for you? We could go to that ramen place you love.” The omega offered.

“How about tomorrow? I’ve already made plans to eat with my groupmates,” Beomgyu pouted playfully. “Unless you want to join us?”

“You’re hilarious, ha-ha-ha,” Dae laughed as Beomgyu narrowed his eyes.

It wasn’t that Beomgyu hated Dae’s friends—most of them were actually quite nice. The key word: most. There was one guy he couldn’t stand, which was why he avoided any contact with him. And Dae knew that pretty well.

Plus, Beomgyu wasn’t in the mood to be around more than one person at a time. Socializing in large groups was exhausting.

“Tomorrow, then. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Well, I’ve got to go, though I don’t want to,” Dae said, giving Beomgyu a kiss on the lips. “Bye, baby.” He gave him another kiss before grabbing his things and leaving.

When Beomgyu finally finished his work, he noticed something next to his laptop. It was a tube of pain relief cream with a note attached.

Not an apology either

That brought a smile to his face.

It didn’t last for long though, because as he left the library, he spotted Dae talking closely with the same blonde omega from before.

x-o-x

Friday finally arrived, and Beomgyu felt strangely nervous.

At 2:55, he stepped into the study room he reserved for them and was caught off guard by Soobin already seated, looking effortlessly relaxed with his laptop open. The omega tried to ignore the thoughts revolving in his head, and sat down beside him quietly, placing the box of cookies he made between them.

“I think I said I’d need a thousand of these to forgive you,” Soobin teased, his lips curling into a smile that made Beomgyu’s pulse quicken, just a little.

“I’ll just take them back, then,” Beomgyu replied with a playful huff, reaching for the box.

Soobin was quicker. “Oh no, no—this will do for now,” he grinned, pulling the box closer. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome…” Beomgyu replied, trying to keep his cool under Soobin’s steady gaze.

“Just so you know, I was only teasing you,” Soobin said, leaning in slightly, his voice softer now, more intimate.

“I could tell,” Beomgyu answered, feeling a little flustered.

“I really am sorry for being so childish about the ice cream,” Soobin admitted, his tone warm, yet serious. “I guess I was having a bad day too, and like you, I just wanted something sweet to make it better. If you think about it, it’s all the store’s fault for not stocking up.”

Beomgyu chuckled, feeling the tension in his body ease. “Definitely their fault.”

“And… I’m sorry if I scared you,” Soobin continued, his eyes locking with Beomgyu’s. “I didn’t think about how the situation might’ve seemed to you. Perks of being an alpha, I guess.”

“Yeah,” Beomgyu agreed, his smile softening as he met Soobin’s gaze. “But you’re forgiven.” He hesitated, then added quietly, “I do feel a bit guilty about your face, though… so, I’m sorry for that, too.”

Soobin waved it off with a casual smirk. “Don’t worry about it. The ointment you so kindly gave me worked wonders.”

“My knuckles are almost fully healed, too,” Beomgyu said, showing Soobin his hand. The alpha gently took it, his thumb brushing over the fading bruise.

“So, this is the ring that almost took off part of my eye?” He joked before letting go of his hand.

Beomgyu laughed nervously, the warmth of Soobin’s touch lingering. “Yeah… it wasn’t great for either of us. It hurt my finger, too”.

“Note to self: if you ever run into a real thief, maybe surrendering is the better option.”

“I know. Everyone keeps reminding me how dumb I was, and how bad it could’ve gone,” Beomgyu sighed. “But it was just a reflex—muscle memory or something.”

“Muscle memory? So, what, you’re secretly a martial artist?”

“Yeah, I practiced taekwondo for a few years,” Beomgyu admitted shyly.

“Well, good thing I apologized,” Soobin teased, his grin making Beomgyu feel a little dizzy.

“I haven’t practiced in ages. I doubt I could win a fight now,” Beomgyu added, trying to downplay it.

“Muscle memory, remember?” Soobin leaned closer, his voice lowering in that playful, teasing way again. “You nearly knock out me. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow you’ll be fighting crime at campus.”

Beomgyu rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “You’re exaggerating.”

“Not at all,” Soobin said, shaking his head with a mock-serious expression. “My sister thought I got into a fight with some gang. When I told her it was a little omega, she yelled at me for scaring you.”

“She sounds smart,” Beomgyu said with a grin, then added, a bit defensively, “And I’m not little—I’m actually tall for an omega.”

“Oh, I know,” Soobin said, his eyes sparkling as he looked Beomgyu up and down. “But you do look… young. Younger than me, at least.”

“I’m 22,” Beomgyu replied, trying not to blush under Soobin’s intense gaze.

“That makes sense. I’m 24. You can call me hyung if you want,” Soobin teased, giving him a wink.

“Still, you’re not that much older.”

Soobin chuckled. “Two more years in this world gives you a lot of wisdom.”

“Sure thing, old man,” Beomgyu said with a laugh, trying to steer the conversation away from the butterflies Soobin’s teasing was stirring up inside him. “Let’s get started. I’m already regretting taking this class after seeing the project instructions.”

“Let’s get to work then”

And so they did. After about four hours of focused work, the bulk of the project was done.

“I think my brain is officially fried,” Soobin groaned, standing up and stretching, his shirt lifting slightly as he did, exposing a sliver of skin. Beomgyu quickly looked away, feeling an unexpected flutter in his chest.

“Yeah, we definitely made good progress today,” Beomgyu agreed, starting to pack up his things, trying to shake off the strange feeling. “Do you think we can meet again next Friday to finalize everything?”

“Same time?” Soobin asked, his voice lingering just a touch too soft, like an invitation to something more.

“Perfect,” Beomgyu replied, feeling the weird atmosphere between them.

As they left the room, Soobin’s voice pulled him back. “Hey, Beomgyu.” He paused, turning to find Soobin leaning against the doorframe, eyes glinting with something playful. “Wanna eat something? I know a great spot nearby.”

“A dinner to seal the peace treaty?” Beomgyu teased, raising an eyebrow, trying to keep things light despite the sudden warmth in the air between them.

“Obviously,” Soobin smirked, his eyes not leaving Beomgyu’s.

Beomgyu chuckled, feeling a bit of nervous energy but pushing it down. “Let’s go. I’m starving.”

x-o-x

Beomgyu glanced at Soobin’s leg, bouncing anxiously under the table, his brow furrowing in concern. “Are you alright? You look… nervous.”

Soobin paused, glancing at Beomgyu with a small, almost shy smile. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Beomgyu set down his chopsticks, sensing the shift in atmosphere. “Go ahead.”

Taking a breath, Soobin’s voice softened, “From what I understand, the alpha I saw with you at the library—he’s your boyfriend, right?”

Beomgyu nodded, though it seem like he already knew. “Yeah, we’ve been together for three years.”

Soobin hesitated, a flicker of something in his eyes that Beomgyu couldn’t quite place. “Okay, I wasn’t going to say anything, but I mentioned it to my sister, and she told me it was better to tell you now, or it might be worse later, and—”

“Just get to the point, please.” Beomgyu smiled faintly, trying to ease the tension between them.

Soobin’s fingers fidgeted with his chopsticks, his gaze dropping to the table before meeting Beomgyu’s again. “Right. A few days ago, I saw your boyfriend kissing an omega at a restaurant near campus. I recognized him because of the football jacket he was wearing. The same one from the library.”

Beomgyu’s chest tightened, though he’d been expecting this. “I already knew,” he said softly. “Or at least, I had a feeling… Dae and I have an open relationship, so I’m not surprised or angry. It’s just… normal, I guess,” he added, his voice almost a whisper.

Soobin blinked, then offered a sympathetic smile. “Oh, I see… Wow, maybe I am an old man. I’m sorry. It’s just, back in my day, open relationships weren’t really a thing. I’m loyal to monogamy.” He stumbled over his words, leaning in slightly, his closeness sending a subtle thrill through Beomgyu.

“It’s alright,” Beomgyu replied, eyes flickering to Soobin’s lips for a brief moment. “I understand it can be… different.”

Soobin’s gaze softened, his voice lowering in a more intimate tone. “You don’t look too excited about it, though.”

Beomgyu shrugged, “At first, I didn’t like it much. But now, I guess I’ve grown… used to it.”

A playful smirk danced across Soobin’s lips, his tone turning flirtatious. “And… have you taken advantage of this new freedom? I’m offering myself as a volunteer.”

Beomgyu laughed, flustered. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I wasn’t just teasing you all this time for fun, you know. I wanted you to remember me somehow. Then I saw you with your boyfriend, and I figured I’d lost my chance. But now... well, here we are.”

Beomgyu’s heart raced, his pulse quickening as he tried to suppress the blush creeping up his neck. “I’m not planning to explore that new freedom anytime soon.”

"Too bad," Soobin sighed dramatically but grinned. "You’d be missing out."

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, but the hint of a smile tugged at his lips.

“Still,” Soobin drawled, his gaze lingering on the omega’s face, “it doesn’t seem like you’re happy with this arrangement. I’m guessing it was his idea?”

Beomgyu bit his lip, feeling the weight of Soobin’s eyes on him. “It was, but I’m fine with it.”

Soobin’s hand brushed against Beomgyu’s ever so slightly. “This might be personal but did your bad day have anything to do with that?”

It was the whole reason he was crying his eyes out at a random convenience store, but it was kind of embarrassing to say it out loud. So, Beomgyu preferred to keep it to himself.

“That night I was rejected for an internship I really wanted. It would’ve been my first time working on a real film set, but… well, I didn’t make it.”

He wasn’t lying either. Not getting the opportunity he worked so hard for truly hurt.

Soobin’s expression softened, sympathy in his eyes. “You’re a film major, right?”

Beomgyu nodded. “Yeah. I love it, but now that I’m in my last year, I’m starting to understand why my mom was so worried,” he said with a small laugh. “What about you?”

“Photography major.”

“Oh, so we’re kinda in the same boat. No job prospects,” Beomgyu teased, feeling a little more comfortable.

"But hey, at least we’ll both be starving artists together, right?"

Beomgyu smiled, the weight of the earlier conversation lifting. "Have you majored in anything else besides photography?"

“Are you asking because I’m old?” Soobin asked with a sly grin.

Beomgyu nodded, smirking.

“Well, no. After high school, I started working at a café. I can’t cook, but I’m a certified barista.”

“You should make coffee for me sometime.”

Soobin smirked, his voice dropping to a teasing tone. “Whenever you’d like.”

Beomgyu’s stomach flipped at the suggestive undertone.

Soobin continued, “But anyway, I needed more money, so I started working as a waiter at events. That’s where I met Minjeong—she’s a photographer. During downtime at the events, I’d always ask her questions about her camera. One day, one of her assistants couldn’t make it, so she asked me to help. I did, and I really enjoyed it. I applied for a scholarship, and voilà, here I am.”

“Do you still do events?”

“I do, but I’d love to get into editorial photography.” Soobin smiled warmly, his eyes locking with Beomgyu’s. “You don’t like talking a lot about yourself, huh? I have to admit it, you’re a pro at dodging questions. I almost didn’t notice.”

Beomgyu grinned, leaning in slightly. “I think you just love talking about yourself.”

“I do, especially when there’s a cute omega listening,” Soobin replied, his voice laced with flirtation.

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, a little flustered.

“Nothing’s going to happen between us.”

Soobin’s grin turned playful. “Okay, okay, but you have to admit you find me attractive. I saw the way you were looking at me when you arrived.”

Beomgyu felt his heart skip a beat. “I’m not blind, of course I find you attractive,” he admitted, his cheeks flushing as Soobin’s grin widened. “That doesn’t mean I want anything from you, though.”

“Thanks for the ego boost. And who knows, we’ll see about that.” The alpha shot him a playful wink before changing the subject. “Did you like the food?”

“Yeah! I’ve never been here, even though it’s so close to campus. It was really good.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” Soobin said, raising his hand to ask for the check.

Beomgyu considered suggesting dessert just to stay a bit longer, but the waitress returned faster than he’d expected, and Soobin had already paid before he could even reach for his wallet.

“Let me pay you back half,” Beomgyu offered as they both stood up.

Soobin grabbed Beomgyu’s backpack and slung it over his shoulder, flashing him a charming smile. “No, I invited you, so I’m paying.”

“But—”

“No buts,” Soobin interrupted with a playful nudge, steering Beomgyu toward the door. “Why don’t you treat me to dessert instead?”

Beomgyu’s eyes lit up. “Of course! What do you want?”

“Ice cream from the convenience store.”

“I hate you,” Beomgyu laughed, his heart lighter than it had been all day.

x-o-x

“Couldn’t you have picked something else?”

“Why? It’s our favorite ice cream, isn’t it?” Soobin replied as they sat outside the convenience store.

“Well, it is the best flavor.”

“Exactly,” Soobin agreed. They ate in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the Friday night atmosphere. It was clear they were close to their college campus because groups of friends passed by, buying drinks or hanging out on the street.

“Are you doing anything later?”

“No, my only plan is to go home and continue watching Avatar,” Beomgyu explained. “What about you? You give off frat boy vibes.”

“I’ll go to one if I feel like it, but I’m not the type to go out every weekend. Though, I thought you would be. I mean, your boyfriend is in the football team, I know some of them and they’re crazy at parties”, the alpha said while eating his ice cream. “Also, the first time I saw you, you were dressed kinda fashionable”, he added as an afterthought.

“People don’t dress like that for parties these days, old man,” Beomgyu teased.

“And why were you all dressed up that night, then?”

Beomgyu shifted uncomfortably, feeling a bit embarrassed. “It was just a dinner,” he answered evasively. “What about you? Why were you so upset about the ice cream?”

“You’re doing it again,” Soobin said, smiling.

“Doing what?”

“Avoiding the topic… you could just tell me you don’t want to talk about it, and that’s fine.”

Beomgyu wasn’t sure how to answer that.

“I think I should get going. Buses take longer at this hour”, the omega said after finishing his ice cream.

“Oh no, I’m driving you home. My car’s nearby.”

“You don’t have to. I live pretty close.”

“All the more reason. I don’t want you running into another ‘thief’ and hurting your other hand.”

“I’d never do that to anyone else—you’re special,” Beomgyu teased.

“Well, then you can promise me you won’t punch anyone else except me, okay?” Soobin said, holding out his pinky.

“Alright,” Beomgyu replied, wrapping his smaller pinky around Soobin’s.

“Let’s go,” Soobin smiled, once again grabbing Beomgyu’s backpack as they walked to the parking lot.

“You really don’t need to carry my bag. I go to the gym, you know. I’m super strong,” Beomgyu bragged.

“But you’ve been carrying it all day. Let me do it for a few minutes.”

Beomgyu just smiled and followed him to the car. As he sat in the passenger seat, he suddenly noticed the alpha’s scent for the first time—sandalwood, warm and rich.

“Sorry, is it too strong? Let me open the windows.”

“It’s fine,” Beomgyu reassured him.

Soobin started driving and asked for directions. Beomgyu hadn’t been exaggerating when he said he lived nearby so less than ten minutes later, they were in front of his apartment.

“We’re here.”

“Thanks… for everything. I had fun.”

“You can come to me anytime you want more fun,” Soobin said with a playful raise of his eyebrows.

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, laughing.

“See you Monday.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Goodbye,” Beomgyu said, leaning over to kiss Soobin’s cheek. The alpha’s blush and stunned expression made Beomgyu laugh as he grabbed his backpack and quickly fled.

Why did I do that?

He groaned, unlocking the door to his apartment. As soon as he got into his room, his phone rang with a new message.

Thief

you’re treading dangerous waters little omegaaa

goodbye to the peace

i’ll have my revenge

x-o-x

“So… you had a date,” Yeonjun said with a knowing grin after hearing about Beomgyu's meetup with Soobin.

“No! We just grabbed something to eat, that’s all.”

“You went to dinner,” Taehyun interrupted, placing breakfast on the table, “at a restaurant that isn’t exactly cheap.”

“Yup, I looked it up already. Definitely not a place broke college kids frequent.”

“Sounds like a date to me.”

“I don’t think he’s into me like that. I mean, sure, he finds me attractive, but I don’t think he wants anything beyond, you know… the physical. And me? You guys know I can’t do the whole ‘no feelings’ thing.”

“Always the hopeless romantic,” Taehyun teased.

“Still,” Yeonjun added, smirking, “Soobin’s a good influence. I haven’t seen you smile like that since Dae forced you into his drama.”

“He didn’t force me into anything, alright?”

Yeonjun and Taehyun exchanged a look, raising their eyebrows.

“I thought you liked Dae.” Beomgyu said with a pout on his face.

“Liked—past tense,” Yeonjun quipped.

“Anyway, Soobin seems like a nice guy. I’ve never met him but he’s close friends with Kai, and you know he’s trustworthy.” Taehyun explained while eating some fruit from his bowl.

“He’s friends with your boyfriend?!” Yeonjun gasped dramatically.

“He’s not my boyfriend!”

“It’s destiny!”

Chapter Text

Beomgyu was on the verge of losing his mind, and there were two main reasons for it. The first one was, of course, his boyfriend. Things with Daehyun were... fine. And that was exactly the problem. He was acting like nothing had changed between them, like everything was perfectly normal. But it wasn’t—not for Beomgyu. He’d agreed to the whole open relationship thing, thinking it wouldn’t be that bad. But seeing Dae with that blonde omega? Now he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

What does she have that I don’t?

Beomgyu hated himself for it, but he couldn’t help comparing. Sure, he knew he was attractive—people had told him plenty of times—but she was on another level. Gorgeous in a way that made him feel… not enough.

“You look so pretty with this color!” Yeonjun’s voice snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts.

Beomgyu looked at himself in the big mirror in their living room, remembering that he’d let Yeonjun do his makeup. The older omega hadn’t gone overboard—just some dark eyeshadow that made his eyes stand out. The three of them—Beomgyu, Yeonjun, and Taehyun—were getting ready for a party. Not just any party, though. This one was being thrown by one of the most popular, and definitely the richest, guy on their department.

He hadn’t really planned on going. He wasn’t against parties—in fact, he liked the way alcohol could make the world feel lighter—but he hadn’t felt like socializing much lately. Still, with Dae out of town visiting family, Yeonjun had easily convinced him to go out, promising that dancing and getting a little drunk was exactly what he needed.

“Here,” Taehyun handed him a shot glass filled with tequila.

“One, two, three,” the three of them downed their shots in unison, the burn making him winced a little. But the warmth hit immediately, making him feel lighter. More carefree.

“I knew this top would look great!”, Yeonjun complimented him.

He glanced down at his outfit, feeling a bit more confident than he had earlier. He wasn’t wearing anything too crazy—just a sleeveless white top that showed a hint of his stomach and some loose jeans. Yeonjun had even talked him into wearing a waist chain.

He looked good.

But in the back of his mind, he couldn’t help but wonder if she would still look better. Before he could fall too deep into that pit, his phone buzzed with a message.

Choi Soobin

you know huening kai??? 😮

Beomgyu blinked at the screen. Ah yes, the second person driving him insane—Soobin. There was something about the alpha that had gotten under Beomgyu’s skin, and not in a bad way. In fact, that was the problem. It wasn’t bad at all. He’d only known him for a couple of weeks, but something about the way Soobin looked at him, the way his voice lingered just a little too long when they spoke, made Beomgyu feel things. Things he didn’t really want to admit to himself. Not yet.

Me

yep

kinda

he’s close with my roommate

Choi Soobin

wait don’t tell me taehyun is your roommate

Me

yesss

how did you guess? 🤨

Choi Soobin

kai never shuts up about him lol

said he lives near your area so

Me

ohhh yeah makes sense

tae’s the same haha

Choi Soobin

they should just date already lol

Me

I KNOW

 they’re cute

Choi Soobin

not as cute as you though ☺️

i’m assuming you’re also going to heeseung’s party?

Me

it’s kai your spy now?

but yeah my friends convinced me

you’re going???

Choi Soobin

he’ll be my underling from now on

can’t miss a chance to see u so I’m 100% going

Me

stop you saw me yesterday

Choi Soobin

that’s too long for me 😩

“Are you texting Soobin again?” Yeonjun’s voice pulled him out of the conversation, handing him another shot of tequila and sitting beside Taehyun in the sofa.

“Yeah,” Beomgyu replied, tucking his phone into his pocket before either of them could give him a hard time about it.

“How was your second date?” Taehyun asked teasingly.

“It wasn’t a date! I’ve told you both a million times—it was just because of our project.”

The day before, Beomgyu and Soobin had finally met up to put the finishing touches on their group assignment. Sure, they’d gone out to eat afterward, but that was only because Beomgyu wanted to treat Soobin as a thank you for last week. Although, he didn’t even manage to do that since Soobin paid before he could.

“We’ve eaten together plenty of times before, and it doesn’t mean we’re more than friends.” He kept explaining himself.

“Uh-huh, but you’ve never kissed me after a dinner,” Yeonjun added, mock-pouting.

“It was on the cheek!” Beomgyu corrected quickly. “A friendly, platonic kiss.”

“Uh-huh,” Yeonjun snorted. “Friendly. Sure.”

“Well, if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll kiss you too,” Beomgyu said with a laugh, climbing into Yeonjun’s lap and smothering his face with kisses.

“Beomgyu, get off! You’re gonna ruin my makeup!” Yeonjun laughed, trying to push him off.

Taehyun watched the chaos unfolding beside him, unimpressed. “You two are embarrassing.”

“There’s enough love for you, too, Taehyun,” Yeonjun called out, reaching toward him.

“Try it, and I’ll break your hand,” Taehyun deadpanned, dodging out of reach.

Yeonjun gasped, clutching his chest. “Wow, I guess only Kai gets to kiss you now.”

“Shut up,” Taehyun snapped. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

Beomgyu grinned. “We never said he was.”

Taehyun shot Beomgyu a look that could kill. “Are you excited to see Soobin tonight?”

“I’m not excited,” Beomgyu replied, a little too quickly. “It’ll just be… nice. As friends.”

“Uh-huh,” Taehyun muttered, side-eyeing him. “We’ll see how ‘friendly’ things stay by the end of the night.”

x-o-x

When they arrived at the club, the party was already in full swing—people dancing wildly, drinks flowing, and the lights pulsing in time with the music. The bass thrummed through the walls, making Beomgyu’s heart race, though maybe it was the pre-party shots kicking in.

He wasn’t surprised when Yeonjun immediately greeted half the room—it was a Arts Department party, after all. Friends of friends were everywhere.

Together, they made their way up to the VIP section, courtesy of Yeonjun’s charm, and sank into a booth with a great view of the dance floor.

"Finally, the life of the party arrives!" Aeri, a bubbly omega from their department, cheered as she greeted them.

“Drink up! No one’s leaving here sober”, Ning, a beta, passed them shots like she was on a mission.

They met the girls last year, basically trauma bonding over a difficult class and a lazy classmate all of them hated to death. They'd been close since then.

"To our last year!" Yeonjun shouted, raising their glass in celebration.

"To our last year!" they echoed, clinking glasses, laughter bubbling up in between.

It felt good to be surrounded by friends, laughing and drinking without a care in the world. They hadn’t had time to do this much lately, with classes and everything else getting in the way. Tonight was a much-needed break from all of that, and though Beomgyu wasn’t usually the type to go wild, he was all in tonight.

Minutes later, he was laughing too hard about all the new gossip they were sharing. Maybe the fact that all of them were kind of tipsy was the reason everything seemed so funny.

As the group continued chatting and drinking, Ning’s voice cut through. “Oh, Kai! Heeeeey!” she waved enthusiastically as Kai, followed by Soobin, made their way over.

They know each other?

Maybe the Arts Department wasn’t as big as he thought.

Kai grinned as he reached their booth. “Hey, guys! Hope you don’t mind us joining you. This is Soobin, thought I think some of you already know him”.

“Nice to meet you all,” Soobin said smoothly.

After quick greetings were exchanged, Soobin slid into right next to Beomgyu, making his pulse jump just a little faster.

“He-“

But before they could talk, Ning leaned over the table. “Here!”, She grinned, handing Soobin a shot. “Drink with us!”

“You better be able to keep up,” Aeri added, sitting next to the omega. “Beomgyu here thinks he’s good, but he might end up throwing up on you”

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, “that was one time!”

“Oh, don’t worry, Kai has the same tendencies”

“Hey!”

Kai just started laughing, not even trying to defend himself. Meanwhile, Soobin’s attention turned back to Beomgyu.

"Hey," Soobin said smoothly, his voice low as he leaned in close enough that Beomgyu could feel the warmth of his body.

"Hi," he answered, trying to sound casual, but his heart was already betraying him, racing as Soobin’s knee brushed his under the table.

"You look... stunning tonight," the other murmured, his gaze lingering on Beomgyu’s face, eyes dark and intent.

Is the make up too much?

“Thanks. You too. Looking… pretty smart,” Beomgyu stammered, biting his lip as he realized just how lame that sounded.

Smart? Really?

“Smart?” Soobin repeated with a smirk, his fingers brushing lightly over Beomgyu’s hand over his thigh, sending an electric current up his arm. “Is that all?”

C’mon, you’re better than this!

“Okay, fine. Devastatingly attractive,” Beomgyu teased, turning to meet Soobin’s gaze, his lips curling into a playful grin, trying to look not so nervious.

“Now we’re talking,” Soobin chuckled, leaning in just a bit more, their faces close enough that Beomgyu could feel the tension simmering between them. “You know, you’re devastatingly cute when you’re tipsy.”

“Cute?” Beomgyu tilted his head, teasing back. “I was going for irresistible.”

“Mission accomplished,” Soobin whispered, his voice dropping as his eyes roamed over the omega. “You really know how to keep someone’s attention.”

Beomgyu’s heart stuttered. “Glad to know someone’s enjoying the view”.

Why did I say that?!!

Soobin smirked, his thumb grazing Beomgyu’s jawline for just a second before pulling back, but his eyes never leaving his. “You have no idea.”

Maybe I’m more drunk than I thought!

They stayed like that for a moment, the sounds of the party fading into the background, the lights flickering around them but neither of them noticing anything but each other.

“Oh, by the way,” Soobin said, breaking the moment with a more playful tone, “our project grades came out. We absolutely crushed it.”

“You’re serious? I love crushing it,” Beomgyu giggled, feeling lighter from both the alcohol and the tension still lingering between them.

“How much have you had to drink?” Soobin asked, his voice filled with amused concern.

“Not enough, apparently,” Beomgyu quipped, a smirk on his lips as he raised an eyebrow. “But I’m holding my own.”

“Impressive,” Soobin grinned, his fingers trailing lazily along the rim of his glass as he spoke, watching Beomgyu closely. “Though I was expecting you to be more of a lightweight.”

Beomgyu grinned, the banter keeping things lighter again. “I’m full of surprises.”

Soobin leaned in once more, close enough that Beomgyu could feel the warmth of his breath against his ear. “Maybe one of these days, I’ll figure out all of them.”

Beomgyu bit his lip, catching his breath. He didn’t want to admit that Soobin was making it harder and harder to focus on anything else.

“Careful,” Beomgyu warned, trying to keep things light. “You might be overestimating how much mystery I’ve got.”

Soobin’s gaze softened a bit, as if he could sense the line Beomgyu was walking. “I’d never underestimate you.”

Beomgyu smiled, but inside he was trying to steady himself. This was all in good fun—harmless flirting. Right?

x-o-x

Yeonjun, sitting in front of him, was grinning like a maniac. Now that Kai and Soobin left to get them more drinks, he was a little scared of what was coming.

“So,” Yeonjun leaned over the table, a wicked glint in his eyes, “is it just me, or is our precious Beomgyu getting extra cozy with our classmate?”

Beomgyu immediately flushed, eyes wide. “Wh—what? No, I—”

“Please,” Yeonjun cut him off, smirking. “You’ve been acting all innocent, but that smile of yours has been anything but.’”

Beomgyu huffed, crossing his arms defensively. “It’s just harmless flirting. You’re reading too much into it.”

"Harmless?" Yeonjun arched a brow. “Harmless would be if you didn’t look like you were about to melt every time Soobin gets within five feet of you.”

“Yeonjun,” Beomgyu groaned, leaning back in his seat. “It’s not like that! I mean, I have a boyfriend, remember?”

Taehyun, who had been silently sipping his drink and enjoying the show, chimed in with a sly smile. “Oh, we remember, but does Soobin know?”

Beomgyu gave Taehyun an exasperated look. “Of course he knows! He’s not… I mean, we’re just messing around, that’s all.”

“Messing around looks a lot like intense eye contact and whispering sweet nothings,” Taehyun said dryly, earning a chuckle from Yeonjun.

“Look, we’re just talking,” Beomgyu insisted, but the heat in his cheeks betrayed him. “Dae and I are… fine.”

“Uh-huh. Fine,” Yeonjun dragged out the word with an exaggerated eye roll. “Babe, you’re here at a party, flirting with Soobin while Dae is nowhere in sight. You call that fine?”

Beomgyu’s smile faltered for a moment. He loved Dae, he really did, but the situation between them lately… it wasn’t easy. Still, this thing with Soobin—it was just playful. Nothing serious.

“Hey, hey, don’t let Yeonjun mess with you too much,” Taehyun said, giving Beomgyu a sympathetic smile before flicking his eyes towards Soobin, who was now engrossed in conversation with Kai, waiting for their drinks at the bar. “But, I mean, Soobin does seem very interested in you.”

Beomgyu sighed, “He’s just a flirt. Maybe he acts like that with every omega he finds attractive. We’re just friendly though.”

“Friendly?” Yeonjun snickered. “That boy is not just trying to be friends. He’s trying to figure out how to get you on an actual date, and maybe in your pants too.”

Beomgyu gave Yeonjun a scandalized look, his heart racing. “Stop!”

“Okay, fine, fine,” Yeonjun threw his hands up in mock surrender, “but if you’re gonna flirt, at least commit. Don’t half-ass it.”

Taehyun smirked. “Yeonjun’s got a point. If you’re gonna play with fire, don’t be surprised if it gets a little hot.”

Beomgyu glared at both of them, but his lips quirked up. “I’m not playing with fire, okay? And that was so corny”

"Yeah, sure," Yeonjun said with a grin, reaching across to ruffle Beomgyu’s hair. "Just don’t come crying to us when you’re stuck between two alphas fighting over you.”

“Oh my god, that’s not happening!” Beomgyu protested, batting Yeonjun’s hand away, though he couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Even more so when he saw Ning and Aeri’s surprised faces.

“We have to do a sleepover! There’s too much gossip we don’t know!”

“A lot has been going on, our Tae over here also has the hots for someone”

“Oh, I think we all can see that”

Before Beomgyu could join the teasing, Soobin’s voice cut through their banter as he slid back over to their side of the booth, “What are we talking about over here?”, he asked, handing him the piña colada he wanted.

Yeonjun immediately grinned, the devil in his eyes sparking to life. “Oh, you know, just discussing how Beomgyu looks like he’s having the time of his life tonight.”

I really can’t catch a break.

Soobin glanced at Beomgyu, his smile soft and knowing. “He definitely seems like he’s enjoying himself.”

Beomgyu flushed, sipping his drink to avoid Soobin’s gaze. “You all need to stop,” he muttered, trying to hide his embarrassment behind his glass.

“Nah, this is way too fun,” Yeonjun said with a laugh. “But don’t let us stop you two from… getting to know each other better.”

“Yeonjun!” Beomgyu groaned, wishing the booth could swallow him whole.

Soobin, however, just chuckled, leaning a little closer to Beomgyu. “You okay there? They’re giving you a hard time, huh?”

Beomgyu shot a look at his friends before turning to Soobin. “You have no idea.”

“Good thing I’m here to save you,” Soobin grinned, his voice dropping to a low murmur meant just for Beomgyu. “Though, I don’t mind watching you squirm a little. It’s cute.”

Beomgyu felt his heart skip a beat as he met Soobin’s gaze again, the teasing warmth in his eyes making it impossible to look away. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Maybe,” Soobin said, his tone flirtatious but gentle. “But I think you are too.”

And Beomgyu couldn’t deny it. The tension, the teasing, the closeness of Soobin—it was thrilling. However, a voice in the back of his head reminded him of Dae. The complication of it all tugged at him, but for now, he was lost in the moment, surrounded by friends and the electrifying energy of the night. So he just kept drinking and talking.

“Hey, we have to say hi some friends, we’ll be back in a minute”, Soobin told him before taking off with Kai.

“Well, I think it’s time to dance,” Aeri said, clapping her hands together. “Who’s with me?”, Without waiting for an answer, she and Ning took their hands.

Together, they stumbled onto the crowded dance floor, bodies swaying and bumping under the flashing neon lights. The music vibrated through Beomgyu’s veins, feeling a sense of freedom washing over him, letting loose as he laughed and danced with his friends. They challenged each other to ridiculous dance-offs, each move more outrageous than the last, those minutes (or hours) unfolding in a blur of music and movement.

They even took more shots with a group of omegas who seemed vaguely familiar, but Beomgyu couldn’t place them, and frankly, it didn’t matter. The alcohol made everyone seem like his friend.

For a while, Beomgyu could clear his mind of everything—the tension with Dae, the complicated feelings about Soobin. All that existed was the pounding beat, the flashing lights, and the way his body moved with the rhythm. It wasn’t until his legs started to ache and his vision blurred around the edges that he realized just how much alcohol he’d consumed. They finally took a break, returning to the booth to catch their breath.

Beomgyu sank into the seat, feeling his head spin slightly. The room moved a little slower now, the world soft and blurry. He rested his head on someone’s shoulder—didn’t even bother to check who it was. He just needed a moment to collect himself.

Kai and Taehyun were huddled close, whispering to each other. Yeonjun was wrapped up in some kind of game with the girls, their laughter echoing around the booth. But none of that held Beomgyu’s attention. So his eyes drifted, catching sight of Dae in the distance.

Beomgyu blinked, trying to clear his vision. He was probably just seeing things, right?

But someone who looked too much like him was there.

Standing by the bar.

Arm wrapped around that omega.

The blonde, with her perfect hair and flawless smile, leaned into him, her laugh too pretty, too effortless. The way “Dae” touched her—so casual, so familiar. His chest tightened painfully.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” Beomgyu muttered to someone, not even sure who he was speaking to, before he slipped out of the booth. He didn’t go to the bathroom, thought. His feet carried him outside, following Dae and the blonde into the street.

Once outside, the cool night air hit his flushed skin, but it didn’t calm the knot forming in his chest. His breath hitched as he caught sight of them, wrapped in each other, their lips meeting in a kiss under the streetlights. The sight hurt, but he couldn’t look away.

As their silhouettes disappeared down the street, Beomgyu’s mind started spinning with thoughts he couldn’t untangle. Was he not enough? Was this why Dae wanted to open their relationship, because Beomgyu couldn’t compete with someone like her and he felt sorry for him?

“Hey, you okay?” A familiar voice broke through the haze, soft but steady. Beomgyu turned to see Soobin standing beside him, draping a jacket over his shoulders. The alpha’s warmth was a stark contrast to the cold outside.

“Soobin?” Beomgyu blinked, trying to focus, but his mind was still racing.

“Let’s get you out of here,” Soobin said gently, guiding him down the street with a steady arm around his shoulders. Beomgyu let himself be led, too numb to protest, too exhausted to think.

He realized they reached a convenience store, when the harsh fluorescent lights stung his eyes, making him squint. Soobin guided him to one of the chairs outside and disappeared for a moment before returning with a bottle of water.

“Drink this,” Soobin said, pressing the cold bottle into his hands. The alpha watched as Beomgyu took a long sip, the water cooling the burning in his chest.

They sat there in silence for a while, the sounds of the street buzzing faintly around them, he didn’t notice before but there were crowds of people walking and drinking.

Finally, Beomgyu broke the stillness.

“I lied to you,” he admitted, voice quiet.

Soobin raised an eyebrow, curious but patient. “About what?”

“About my bad day.” Beomgyu’s voice wavered, but he continued. “I got rejected for that internship. And Dae... Dae invited me to dinner that night. I thought he was going to ask me to make things official, to mate. He’s been trying for years, and I’ve always said no. But that night... I was ready. If he had asked, I would’ve said yes. But instead, all he wanted was to open our relationship.” Beomgyu’s eyes darkened as he spoke, the words spilling out before he could stop them. “I only agreed because I felt guilty for rejecting him so many times. Now, he’s out there with her, and I can’t even be mad. I agreed to it, right? But it feels like… like I’m watching him slip away, and there’s nothing I can do.”

Soobin’s gaze softened. “You shouldn’t feel guilty, Beomgyu. You’re allowed to take your time with something as permanent as that. That jerk… he doesn’t get to make you feel like you have to rush into anything. And if he’s out there with someone else, that’s on him. Not you.”

Beomgyu shook his head, biting his lip.

"But what if I’m the problem? What if I’m the reason he wanted this? Maybe I wasn’t enough, and now he’s just looking for more" His voice cracked. “She’s so pretty. Like… perfect. You saw her, right? I can’t even blame him”

Soobin frowned, his head tilting as he stared at Beomgyu. "What are you talking about?"

Beomgyu swallowed, the alcohol making his emotions too raw, too honest. “I just… look at her. And then look at me.”

Soobin blinked, his eyes narrowing like he was trying to process Beomgyu’s words through the fog of his own drunkenness. “You’re kidding, right?”

“What?”

Soobin suddenly leaned in closer, his hand cupping Beomgyu’s face in a surprisingly soft gesture. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”

Beomgyu stared at him, wide-eyed, the heat in his chest now mixing with confusion. “You don’t have to say that.”

“I’m not saying it because I have to,” Soobin murmured, his voice a little rough, his eyes intense despite his tipsy state. “I’m saying it because I’ve never seen anyone more stunning in my life.”

Beomgyu’s heart skipped a beat, and he laughed awkwardly, trying to brush it off. “You’re drunk, Soobin.”

“So are you,” Soobin shot back, his thumb gently brushing along Beomgyu’s cheek. “But I know what I’m saying. I mean, God, Beomgyu, do you not see it? You’re… breathtaking. Like, the kind of breathtaking that makes people stare and wonder how someone could be that perfect.”

Beomgyu felt his face flush under Soobin’s intense gaze. “You’re just—”

“No, seriously,” Soobin interrupted, his lips curling into a affectionate smile. “I’ve thought it since I first saw you. I mean, even drunk, you’re gorgeous. Your eyes, your smile—your whole face, actually. I couldn’t stop looking at you. Still can’t.”

Beomgyu’s heart pounded in his chest, the sincerity of Soobin’s words catching him off guard. "You... really think that?"

Soobin nodded, a goofy grin spreading across his face. “Yeah. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. Hands down. No competition.” He finished, finally letting go of his face.

Beomgyu laughed softly, feeling warmth spread through him, and it wasn’t just the alcohol this time. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

Soobin giggled, a soft sound that made Beomgyu’s heart squeeze. “Maybe. But I’m still right.”

The omega felt his cheeks heat up even more, so he looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment. “You really know how to flatter someone.”

“Only when it’s true,” Soobin replied, a little serious now. “Look, you deserve better than to feel like you’re not enough. And if that asshole doesn’t see that, then he’s the one who’s blind.”

Beomgyu sighed, but the tension in his chest had eased slightly. Soobin had this way of making everything feel less heavy, like the world wasn’t pressing down on him so hard.

“Thanks,” Beomgyu whispered, meeting Soobin’s eyes. “For… being here. I didn’t expect you to—”

“To care?” Soobin finished, his lips curving into a soft smile. “We haven’t known each other for long, but I do care.”

Beomgyu blinked, still surprised by the sincerity in Soobin’s voice. “I guess now I owe you”

Soobin laughed, the sound light and teasing. “How about this? Buy me lunch, I promised I’ll let you pay this time”

Beomgyu smiled, feeling lighter. “Deal. But only if I choose, you’d probably pick ramen from the convenience store if I let you”.

Soobin chuckled, nudging Beomgyu playfully. “You’ve got high standards, huh? Okay, it’s a deal then.”

“It’s a deal”.

“So, do you want to sit here all night, or should we go back in there and dance our worries away?” he asked offering his hand to the omega.

“I like that idea”

However, they didn’t go back to the club.

x-o-x

Beomgyu felt his phone vibrating somewhere on his nightstand, the low hum pulling him reluctantly from sleep. His room was still dark, thanks to the blackout curtains, but he could tell it was already daytime. He groaned, sinking deeper into the comfort of his blankets, fully prepared to ignore the world for a bit longer.

The phone buzzed again, insistent. With a heavy sigh, he blindly reached for it, squinting as he accepted the call without even checking the screen.

“Baby, I’ve been texting you, but you didn’t answer,” Dae’s voice cut through the stillness, casual and loud enough to make Beomgyu wince. “I’m bringing lunch, almost there.”

“Uh… okay,” Beomgyu mumbled, barely processing the words. He hung up and nestled back into the warm body beside him, closing his eyes as the scent of sandalwood wrapped around him, soothing his senses.

Sandalwood…

Soobin

Lunch

Daehyun!

Beomgyu’s eyes snapped open, his heart suddenly racing. He tried to sit up, but the arms around his waist tightened, holding him firmly in place.

“Sleep, it’s still too early” Soobin murmured, his voice muffled against Beomgyu’s neck. He could feel the bare skin of his chest against him and now he could noticed their clothes on the floor.

Oh my god, I had sex with Soobin?!

Chapter Text

Last night

Junie changed the group name to WE HATE KIM DAEHYUN

Junie

hahaahah

gyuuuuuu

Taehyunie

gyu where are youuu

Me

i left sorry

tell you later

dont woery

Beomgyu’s first mistake was not going back to the club. His second? Letting Soobin convince him that karaoke would be a good idea—because karaoke was always a good idea when you were drunk, right?

“You’ll love it, Gyu,” Soobin had said, flashing that teasing grin. “Just sing it out. You’ll feel better.”

Beomgyu figured singing his heart out would be a good way to forget about his messy feelings.

So, they stumbled into a cozy, dim karaoke room, the neon lights casting a soft glow over their faces. The place was buzzing with energy, but Beomgyu only had eyes for Soobin— the way he moved, the way his hands sometimes lingered a second too long on Beomgyu’s arm or waist, the feeling of being handled playfully.

His third mistake? The drinks. They kept coming, one after another, until Beomgyu felt lightheaded, the alcohol buzzing through his veins. He was giddy, loosened up in a way he wasn’t used to, and Soobin was right there with him, matching his energy. Every brush of their shoulders, every time Soobin leaned in to laugh at something Beomgyu said, it all felt electric.

And so, the night became a blur of pop songs, off-key notes, and Soobin’s arm casually slung around his shoulders. Every touch sent a jolt through Beomgyu—Soobin’s warmth, the strong grip on his skin, the heady mix of alcohol and proximity. And Beomgyu felt himself responding to every laugh, every lingering look, like he was caught in the current. The alpha was warm, strong, and the way his fingers played with the waist chain on his torso set off sparks in his belly.

When Soobin chose their next song, the familiar melody of A Whole New World filled the room. "A duet?" Beomgyu raised an eyebrow, half-laughing.

“Oh, hell yeah!”, Soobin said, thrusting the microphone into Beomgyu’s hands. “We’re doing this, and we’re doing it right.”

Beomgyu couldn’t help but giggle as the song’s introduction played out, but when Soobin began to sing—terribly off-key—he was already in fits of laughter.

“I can show you the wooooooooooooolrd,” Soobin sang, twirling the omega around dramatically, almost tripping over his own feet in the process.

“I’m gonna die if you keep singing like that!” The omega wheezed.

“I’m doing my best Aladdin impression!” Soobin defended himself, pulling him into another clumsy spin.

"A dazzling place I never knew," Beomgyu attempted to sing, just as off-key, his cheeks flushed and eyes bright. Soobin’s eyes flickered, catching the moment with a mischievous smile before his hands slid to Beomgyu’s waist.

“We need choreography!”, and without warning, the alpha lifted him off the ground as if they were on some musical.

“Put me down, you idiot!” Beomgyu shrieked, but his laughter made it impossible to sound serious. The strength in Soobin’s hold sent a thrill down Beomgyu’s spine, the way he handled him like it was nothing. And, if he was honest with himself, Beomgyu liked it—liked how Soobin’s hands gripped him, how easily Soobin’s tall frame moved him around. It made his skin tingle in ways he wasn’t prepared for.

“Nope! We’re flying!” Soobin insisted, twirling them both with the music still going in the background. Beomgyu’s hands clutched onto Soobin’s shoulders as they spun, dizzy and laughing so hard that tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

“If you don’t stop, I’m going to puke!” The omega warned.

“Not until we finish the song!” Soobin said, his grin as wide as ever.

“I swear, if you don’t stop, I’m gonna bite you!” Beomgyu threatened, though it was more playful than serious.

“Oh? Go ahead then, bite me,” the alpha challenged him, his voice dropping into something almost teasing, almost daring.

Beomgyu didn’t hesitate. He leaned forward and playfully bit the tip of Soobin’s nose, catching the other completely off guard. Soobin’s eyes widened, and his grip on Beomgyu faltered. Before they knew it, they tumbled onto the couch, both of them in a tangled heap, Beomgyu landing right in Soobin’s lap.

“You—” Soobin gasped between breaths, laughing as he rubbed his nose. “You actually did it! You bit me!”

“You told me to!” Beomgyu shot back, grinning, his cheeks flushed from both the alcohol and the spinning.

“Well, I think I deserved compensation. I’m injured.” Soobin leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a soft murmur, his eyes never leaving Beomgyu’s. “A kiss, maybe?”

His heart skipped a beat. His pulse quickened, but he tried to play it cool. “A kiss? For a tiny nibble? You’re ridiculous.”

“No, really. I think I’m bleeding.” Soobin pointed at his nose with a fake pout, his eyes full of mischief. “Just a little kiss.”

Beomgyu couldn’t help but roll his eyes, but the smile tugging at his lips gave him away. “Fine,” he muttered, leaning in to give Soobin’s nose a quick peck. “There. Happy?”

Soobin smirked, his gaze softening as he shook his head. “I think I need another. Just to be sure.”

Beomgyu couldn’t suppress his laugh, and before he knew it, he was giving Soobin another kiss—this one softer, lingering a little longer than the first. He could feel Soobin’s breath against his skin. The room seemed quieter now, the neon lights casting a softer glow around them.

“Uhm, I’m not satisfied yet”.

“You’re impossible,” Beomgyu muttered, but there was no bite to his words. Instead, he leaned in again, this time pressing a series of small, soft kisses to Soobin’s cheeks, laughing quietly as he did.

But when he pulled back, their faces were so close that their noses brushed. The air around them seemed to thicken, the tension growing. Soobin’s grip on Beomgyu’s waist tightened again, and Beomgyu could feel every point of contact between them—the heat of Soobin’s body, the way his arms embrace him, the steady rise and fall of Soobin’s chest.

“So…” Soobin’s voice was barely above a whisper, his breath ghosting over Beomgyu’s lips. “Can I kiss you for real now?”

Beomgyu’s heart raced, his mind swimming with the intensity of the moment. The attraction between them felt overwhelming, and Beomgyu didn’t want to resist it anymore. Without a word, he nodded, his eyes fluttering shut as Soobin leaned in, closing the small distance between them.

The moment their lips met, the omega felt a surge of warmth flooding his body. Soobin kissed him softly at first, testing the waters, but when he kissed him back, the alpha’s hold on him tightened, the kiss deepening with a passion that took Beomgyu by surprise. Soobin’s hands slid up his back, pulling him closer, and Beomgyu found himself sinking into the kiss, letting the heat and intensity consume him.

Every touch, every movement between them was charged, the physical attraction undeniable. Soobin kissed him like he’d been waiting for this moment, and Beomgyu couldn’t get enough. His fingers curled into Soobin’s shirt, holding on as if he never wanted to let go.

When they finally broke apart, Beomgyu was breathless, his heart racing. Soobin’s forehead rested against his, their noses brushing as they tried to catch their breath.

“So…” Beomgyu whispered, his lips still tingling from the kiss. “Since when have you wanted to do that?”

Soobin chuckled softly, his fingers playing with the waist chain Beomgyu was wearing. “Since the first time I saw you,” he admitted, his voice low and teasing.

“Don’t lieeee, I looked horribleeee”, Beomgyu whined.

“You’re gorgeous, all the time”

“Even if I’m red and swollen?”

“Breathtaking, I’ve told you already”

Beomgyu grinned, feeling a warmth bloom in his chest. “Well… I guess you’re allowed to kiss me. Just this once thought.”

“Just once?” Soobin smirked, pulling Beomgyu even closer, his fingers tightening around the waist chain as his thumb brushed against his skin. “We’ll see about that.”

Beomgyu couldn’t help but laugh, but the intensity between them had shifted. His pulse quickened as Soobin's touch lingered, their breaths mingling. The room, once filled with laughter and bad singing, felt stifling now, charged with something electric.

They needed to leave.

“Let’s get out of here,” Beomgyu murmured, his voice hushed but thick with urgency. He didn’t wait for Soobin’s answer. Their hands tangled together as they stumbled out of the room, half-dizzy with drinks and the pull of each other.

The cool night air hit Beomgyu’s face, but it did nothing to clear the buzz in his head because the alpha was all over him. He was drunk, sure, but more than that—he was drunk on Soobin. On the way his touch burned at the small of his back, the way his hand traced the waistband of his jeans, the playful tug on the waist chain that never let Beomgyu forget just how close they were.

They barely made it into the back of a taxi before Soobin’s lips were on Beomgyu’s neck, soft and teasing, sending jolts of heat down his spine. The ride felt like forever, every bump in the road pushing them closer together, every breath Beomgyu took filled with the scent of Soobin, the warmth of his body pressed against his side. Soobin’s hand slipped lower, brushing across Beomgyu’s thigh, then back up again, resting on his waist as if it was its rightful place. Beomgyu’s pulse quickened, and the tension between them became unbearable.

They were all over each other, too eager to wait, laughing and touching, breathless as they held the other tight. The taxi driver didn’t even bother to look back as they stumbled out in front of the omega’s building.

The second they hit the sidewalk, Beomgyu felt Soobin’s arm wrap around him, pulling him flush against his chest. There was no space between them, no hesitation. Soobin’s lips found Beomgyu’s, hard and fast, hands tugging at his waist. He kissed him hard, his tongue exploring his mouth, leaving him breathless. It was wet, messy and too much for his body.

They needed to get to his room as soon as possible.

“You’re practically glued to me,” Soobin teased, his lips brushing against Beomgyu’s ear. They were stumbling, practically falling up the stairs in their rush to reach his apartment, the alpha’s fingers still toying with the waist chain, tugging at it.

“You love it,” Beomgyu shot back, breathless, his hands already pulling at Soobin’s shirt as they clung to each other, drunk and laughing.

They barely made it to his floor, the heat between them thick and intoxicating, every second apart feeling unbearable. Beomgyu was all over him, fingers gripping Soobin’s arms, lips brushing against his neck, his pulse racing.

“I swear, you’re so clingy when you’re drunk,” the alpha chuckled, but his own hands were just as greedy, gripping Beomgyu’s waist and pulling the delicate chain again. The sting of the metal pressing on his skin made Beomgyu shudder, his whole body aching with need.

“You love that too,” Beomgyu murmured, voice low and teasing, his lips ghosting over Soobin’s scent gland. He could feel the way Soobin’s breath hitched, how his grip tightened in response.

“I do, so much,” Soobin said, voice hushed, lips already on Beomgyu’s neck, planting soft kisses as they try to walk down the hallway, clumsy and impatient.

“Come on,” Beomgyu muttered, fumbling with the keypad of his door, Soobin’s hands going up his torso.

“Hurry, baby,” The alpha breathed against his ear, voice low, filled with that teasing warmth that made the omega shiver.

“I’m trying!” He laughed, fingers shaking as he finally punched in the code to the door, but he could barely think straight with Soobin’s lips pressed to the side of his neck.

They barely made it inside before Soobin was on him again, lifting him off the ground as if he weighed nothing, his hands gripping his thighs tightly.

“Why do you keep on picking me up today?” Beomgyu gasped, though his hands immediately flew to Soobin’s shoulders, holding on tight as he was pressed against the door, the sudden weightlessness making his head spin in the best way.

“Because I can,” Soobin murmured, his voice low and rough, his breath hot against Beomgyu’s skin. His fingers tugged at the waist chain again, harder than before, a grin spreading across his face as Beomgyu shivered at the sensation. “It’s easy.”

“Shut up,” Beomgyu muttered, but the words were lost as Soobin’s lips found his, kissing him hard, desperate, like they hadn’t been able to get close enough all night. The heat between them was overwhelming, every touch sending sparks through Beomgyu’s skin. His fingers dug into Soobin’s hair, pulling him closer, their bodies pressed flush as Soobin stumbled through the apartment, fighting to keep their balance.

“The door on the right”

Soobin barely managed to get them to the bedroom, but once they were there, everything blurred together in a rush of heated kisses, hands roaming, and the overwhelming need to be as close as possible. Beomgyu’s skin burned under Soobin’s touch, and every kiss, every brush of lips against his skin felt like too much and not enough all at once.

By the time Soobin laid him down on the bed, Beomgyu was already pulling at the alpha’s clothes, his body thrumming with the need to feel more. It was all too fast, too intense, and yet somehow, not fast enough. Soobin’s hands moved over his body, taking off his clothes, fingers trailing over the waist chain again, pulling harder for the last time before unclicking it and letting it fall somewhere on the bed.

Beomgyu couldn’t stop the shudder that ran through him when Soobin’s lips started sucking the delicate skin around his scent gland.

“Peaches,” Soobin whispered, voice low and thick, his breath hot against his neck. “Of course, your scent is as sweet as you”

His heart raced as he let out a shaky breath, fingers curling into the alpha’s hair.

Soobin was right. It was teasy. To let him take control, to melt into the heat between them. To let his hands touch his body, to let him kiss him…

It was just so easy.

x-o-x

“We didn’t have sex, if that’s what you’re wondering,” Soobin’s sleepy voice broke through the haze in his mind.

Beomgyu blinked, barely processing anything beyond the pounding headache and Soobin’s deep voice. His stomach churned, not just from the alcohol still lingering in his system, but from the mess of feelings twisting inside him. Last night was…

“This is so wrong” he muttered under his breath, noticing both of them were only in their underwear.

“Hmm?” Soobin grunted, sounding like he was still half-asleep.

“My boyfriend’s coming,” Beomgyu said, the words thick with panic as they spilled out.

“Hmm,” came the same lazy reply.

“You need to leave,” Beomgyu repeated more urgently. His heart pounded faster, the anxiety crawling up his throat.

“Mhm.”

“Now,” he snapped, but Soobin didn’t even flinch, just lay there like he didn’t have a care in the world. Frustrated, Beomgyu broke free from the alpha’s arms and jumped out of bed, scrambling to gather his clothes.

Soobin finally sat up, slow and deliberate, his gaze heavy on Beomgyu as he put on the first shirt he could find over his head and slipped into some shorts. There was something almost predatory in the way Soobin watched him—like Beomgyu’s every move was fascinating. The weight of Soobin’s gaze made his breath catch in his throat, a flare of attraction burning through his panic.

He hated how much he liked it.

“Hurry up,” Beomgyu hissed, tossing Soobin’s jeans at him. But when Soobin didn’t move fast enough, Beomgyu found himself dressing the alpha, tugging on his sleeves and pulling him to his feet like a child. Soobin didn’t resist, in fact, his lips curled into a playful smirk, as if he was enjoying watching Beomgyu spiral.

“So eager to get rid of me?” Soobin teased, voice husky and amused, his hands finding the omega’s waist under his clothes.

Ignoring the sparks in his belly, Beomgyu started pulling Soobin towards the door by his hand.

"This isn’t exactly how I pictured waking up next to you," Soobin grumbled, but allowed himself to be dragged, amusement still dancing in his eyes.

As they reached the living room, Yeonjun’s voice drifted in from the couch. "I knew it" he exclaimed loudly, sitting beside Taehyun, both with knowing smirks.

"Sorry, we’ll talk later!", Beomgyu said to the alpha, opening the door, only to feel his heart nearly leap out of his chest when he saw Daehyun standing right there.

“Hey, baby,” Daehyun greeted him, leaning in for a kiss as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Beomgyu dodged it with a nervous laugh, feeling guilty when he saw Daehyun’s smile faltered.

“And who’s this?” Daehyun asked, eyes narrowing slightly, when he noticed Soobin standing right behind him…holding his hand. The omega let go as soon as he noticed.

“Choi Soobin,” Soobin answered smoothly, stepping forward with a hand outstretched. “We’re classmates.”

Daehyun took the offered hand. “Kim Daehyun. You probably already know I’m Beomgyu’s boyfriend.”

The slight emphasis on ‘boyfriend’ didn’t go unnoticed. Soobin smiled politely, but there was something sharp behind it.

"Of course," Soobin said, his voice calm but his eyes glinting with challenge.

Daehyun’s gaze flickered between them before he stepped inside, throwing an arm around Beomgyu’s shoulders. “I brought lunch for us,” Daehyun said, the smile back in place. “You staying?”, he directed at the other alpha.

“He was just—”, Beomgyu tried to answer, but Soobin, as usual, had other plans.

“Actually, I’d love to stay,” he said, smiling as he brushed past Daehyun and made himself comfortable in the living room.

Beomgyu’s pulse quickened. His mind raced as Daehyun’s smile grew tighter. Before Beomgyu could think of an excuse, the alpha leaned down to kiss him again. This time, Beomgyu flinched, stepping back just in time.

“Ah, hold on! I just woke up—I need to shower!” Beomgyu blurted, retreating into the bathroom and slamming the door behind him.

Once inside, he let out a shaky breath. He was in so much trouble.

Why the fuck is my life a soup opera now?!

His boyfriend was in his living room, and he had another alpha’s scent all over his body. The omega could only hope Daehyun didn’t notice anything.

So, after he took a quick shower and summoned all his courage, Beomgyu returned to the living room, finding everyone sitting at their small dining table. Trying to act as casual as he could, he quietly sat next to Daehyun. Soobin, of course, was seated directly across from him, staring at him with amusement.

"Baby, you didn’t tell me Soobin’s the guy you punched in the face. What a funny coincidence!" Daehyun said with a laugh, putting a plate in front of him. He seemed more relaxed than before.

"Yeah, small world," Beomgyu muttered awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. His stomach churned when he saw the food, still queasy from all the alcohol he'd had the night before.

"Oh, I just remembered," Soobin said, looking at Daehyun with an innocent smile. "Aren’t you on the university’s football team? I think I’ve seen you around."

"Yeah," Daehyun replied, puffing out his chest slightly. "Have you come to a game?"

"Never. I hate football, especially when the team keeps losing," Soobin deadpanned, taking a bite of his food.

Taehyun stifled a laugh while Yeonjun didn’t even bother hiding his grin. Daehyun, clearly struggling to keep his composure, forced a smile.

"We’ll be turning that losing streak around soon," Daehyun explained, placing a heaping portion of Chinese food onto Beomgyu’s plate.

Beomgyu, growing increasingly uncomfortable, could just poked at it.

"You’re not eating?" Daehyun asked, piling even more food onto his plate. "This is your favorite"

It wasn’t. Yeah, he liked it a lot, but it’d never been his favorite, especially not with a hangover, "I don’t have much appetite..."

"Ah, we drank a lot last night," Yeonjun chimed in with a mouthful of food.

"Really?" Daehyun’s eyes narrowed as he turned to Beomgyu. "Where did you go? You didn’t mention anything."

"Club 24," Soobin answered with a smug smile before Beomgyu could. "Someone from our department hosted a party there. You know the place?"

"Not really," Daehyun replied smoothly.

If Beomgyu hadn’t seen him there, he would’ve believed his lie without question.

"Did you go too, Soobin?"

"Of course," Soobin said, leaning back casually. "Beomgyu and I had a great time”, he added while serving a glass of water, placing it besides the omega’s plate.

Daehyun’s gaze sharpened, his smile strained as he focused on Soobin. "That’s good. I guess Gyu needed a night to realx."

The omega, feeling the weird atmosphere, took a large gulp of water.

“So,” Daehyun began, trying to sound casual, “how long have you and Beomgyu known each other?”

Soobin’s eyes flicked toward Beomgyu for a moment, chopstick twirling in his fingers with a nonchalant grin. “Oh, we’ve been in the same class for a while now. But we’ve gotten a bit... closer recently.” His gaze lingered on Beomgyu a second too long before meeting Daehyun’s eyes.

"Closer, huh?" Daehyun’s smile didn’t falter, but his grip on his glass tightened. "That's great. Gyu’s really friendly. He gets along with everyone."

"Yeah, he is," Soobin responded, his voice carrying an edge that only Beomgyu seemed to pick up on. "But I like to think there's more between us than just being friendly."

Beomgyu felt his throat tighten, Soobin’s gaze practically burning into him. The tension between the two alphas was becoming impossible to ignore.

Daehyun chuckled, though there was no real humor in it. "Oh? More, huh?" His eyes flickered to the omega. "Funny, he never mentioned anything like that to me."

Soobin leaned forward slightly, his posture deceptively relaxed. "Well, I guess it’s hard to bring up everything when you’re in a... busy relationship."

Beomgyu's heart raced as he risked a glance at Soobin, his face slightly flushed from the uncomfortable tension.

What is he trying to do?

Daehyun’s smile turned colder. "Busy? Oh, we always make time for each other, don’t we, Gyu?" His hand found Beomgyu’s knee under the table, squeezing it in a way that was both possessive and gentle.

Beomgyu winced slightly, unsure of what to do. "Yeah... we do," he muttered, hoping to diffuse whatever was building between the two alphas.

"Must be hard, though," Soobin mused, ignoring Beomgyu's awkward attempt. "Being away from him so often, but I’m sure you’re busy with football and... other people", his voice was smooth, but the bite was unmistakable.

Daehyun’s jaw clenched briefly before he smiled again, though the tension in his face was hard to miss. "We make it work."

Soobin hummed thoughtfully, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "I bet it’s hard to keep up with him. He’s got so much energy. He was really... lively last night at the club." His voice dripped with something almost taunting.

Beomgyu froze, his pulse thudding loudly in his ears. He desperately avoided Daehyun’s gaze.

"Really?" Daehyun’s voice dropped. "Guess you’ve been having fun without me”, he finished.

"Yeah." Soobin answered easily. His eyes locked onto Beomgyu’s, forcing the omega to meet his gaze. "We always have a great time together. Don’t we, Gyu?"

Beomgyu’s heart was pounding now, his palms sweaty as he struggled to keep his composure. "It was nice to go out with friends"

"Sounds like you two have been spending a lot of time with each other," Daehyun said, his voice low and controlled.

Soobin smirked, leaning forward slightly, his posture relaxed. "I guess I’m the one on a winning streak”.

Beomgyu glanced at his phone under the table and quickly texted:

-WE HATE KIM DAEHYUN-

Me

help

please get soobin out of here

Junie

but the drama is so good

Me

i’ll clean the apartment for a month

Taehyunie

Deal. You can’t back out.

Before Beomgyu could text back, Yeonjun cleared his throat loudly, standing up abruptly. "Well, this has been... fun, but Taehyun and I have a project to finish." He grabbed Soobin’s arm, yanking him to his feet. "And Soobin’s promised to help us out."

"I did?" Soobin raised a brow.

"Yup, you promised!" Taehyun added, pulling Soobin by his other arm toward the door.

"Thanks for the lunch, Daehyun!" Yeonjun called over his shoulder as they dragged Soobin out.

"Gyu, do the dishes!"

"Beomgyu I-"

"Bye!" Yeonjun waved before the door shut behind them.

Beomgyu let out a sigh of relief, sinking into his chair. He wasn’t sure how he’d survive this awkward lunch, but for now, at least, his biggest problem was gone.

“He’s a jerk”

x-o-x

Beomgyu’s mind was spiraling.

He knew he had to talk to Daehyun. He knew he had to tell him how much it hurt to see him with other people. But after what happened with Soobin, did he even have the right to say anything? It was hard to admit, but the truth was that if he hadn’t fallen asleep, he might have let things go further with Soobin—without a second thought.

He couldn’t deny it anymore. There was a pull between him and Soobin, and he couldn’t keep pretending he saw Soobin as just a friend.

But what was he supposed to do?

He still loved Daehyun, didn’t he? Their relationship had been the one stable thing in his life for almost his entire adulthood. No matter what was happening at home, even when everything felt like it was falling apart, he could always count on Daehyun being there for him. But now… he wasn’t so sure. And that was the problem—he wasn’t sure of anything anymore.

Was Daehyun even still in love with him? How could he be if he could so easily be with other people? The same question echoed in Beomgyu’s mind—did he still love Daehyun, even after admitting to himself that he was drawn to Soobin?

“Hey, are you listening?” Daehyun’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. They were both lying on Beomgyu’s bed—he had, of course, changed the sheets and aired out the room before letting the alpha in. Daehyun had been talking about his visit to his family, but Beomgyu had drifted off into his own head.

“Sorry, what were you saying?”

“Just that my mom says hi. She wants you to come with me next time I visit.”

Beomgyu forced a smile, but the thought made his stomach twist. He didn’t dislike Daehyun’s family, but some of their comments made him uncomfortable—especially Daehyun’s mother, who seemed obsessed with the idea of them getting married soon.

“Sure, sounds good.”

“Just ignore her, baby,” Daehyun added, his voice soft and soothing. “You know how she gets.”

“I know.”

Daehyun’s eyes searched his face, his expression softening. “Everything okay?”

Beomgyu opened his mouth, unsure of how to even begin, but Daehyun let out a small, knowing sigh before he could speak.

“I get it,” Daehyun said, voice dropping, as though he had been expecting this conversation for a while. “It’s about opening our relationship, isn’t it?”

“Yeah…”

Daehyun leaned back against the pillow, rubbing his face. “Other alphas know about it, and now they’re trying to take advantage of you, right?”

“What?”, Beomgyu frowned, caught off guard by the assumption.

“Like your new friend, Soobin. Maybe you don’t see it, but it’s obvious he’s interested in you. You should stay away from him, Gyu. You’re too good for him.”

Beomgyu wanted to laugh. It was funny how both Soobin and Daehyun had told him the same thing about each other.

“I know people like him, he probably is just trying to play with you. So just ignore him, he’ll get tired eventually” Daehyun continued, shrugging it off like it was nothing. “And please, don’t think I’m trying to control you—you’ve got every right to meet other people if that’s what you want. That’s the deal”

“Have you?” Beomgyu asked, even though he already knew the answer.

Daehyun hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, but it’s just for fun. You’re still my priority—you know that, right?”

Beomgyu could only nod in response as Daehyun shifted closer, draping his arm around Beomgyu and resting his head against his neck. His warm breath tickled Beomgyu’s skin, sending an uncomfortable shiver down his spine.

“You don’t have to see other people if you don’t want to,” Daehyun murmured, his voice softening as his fingers traced lazy patterns on Beomgyu’s back. “But if you do, you could let me know who it is.”

Beomgyu’s voice was small when he asked, “Will you tell me, too?”

Daehyun chuckled. “There’s no need for that, baby. Sometimes you’re too good for this world and I just want to make sure you’re safe. I promised your mom, didn’t I?”

“Okay,” Beomgyu whispered, not knowing what else to say.

“Oh, speaking of that,” Daehyun added, his fingers trailing lightly across Beomgyu’s back, “your mom called me earlier. She says you haven’t been answering her texts.”

“I’ll reply soon,” Beomgyu mumbled, he didn’t want to talk about his mom right now.

“You can't be angry forever, Gyu. You know she just wants what’s best for you”

“Yeah… I know.”

But as Daehyun’s hand continued to stroke his back, Beomgyu felt the frustration rise in his chest. Everyone seemed to know what was best for him—everyone but him.

x-o-x

My soobinie <3

i changed my name in your contacts hehe

Its more fitting don’t you think??

x-o-x

My soobinie <3

heyy

i have the theory that youre avoiding me lol

you still have my jacket though

wanna go to that ramen place again?

my treat

x-o-x

My soobinie <3

can we meet?

i really want to see you

x-o-x

My soobinie <3

i’m sorry

i shouldn’t have said anything to daehyun

is he giving u a hard time about it?

are you mad at me??? 

you can punch me again if u want to

x-o-x

My soobinie <3

please don’t avoid me

i know i'm dumb and stupid

but lets talk about it okay? 

i’m really sorry

Chapter Text

My Soobinie <3

i binged watched the first season of avatar

its amazing just like you said

sokka is lowkey annoying though lol

i wanna hear u talk about it

youre cute when you rant about things

you didn’t block me right??

x-o-x

Beomgyu loved his mom, he really did. But sometimes, he wished she wouldn’t make him do things like this.

“You should see him more often” she’d suggested, her voice hopeful over the phone.

Now, he was sitting in front of his father in a familiar restaurant, pushing food around on his plate, wondering how many more times they’d have to do this.

“So, how’s everything going at school?” his father asked, cutting into his steak with practiced ease. The question sounded more like small talk than genuine interest.

Beomgyu’s fingers tightened around his fork. “It’s fine. Most of my classes are practical now, so we’re working on projects more than theory.”

His father nodded. “Good, good. You’ve always been responsible, so I’m sure your grades are still excellent.”

Beomgyu shrugged. “I’m doing okay.”

His father smiled, wrinkles around his eyes. “I’m glad to hear that. You’re always trying your best, aren’t you?”

Beomgyu gave a noncommittal nod, not feeling like correcting him. It’s not like he was failing any of his classes, but he could be doing better…He wanted to tell his dad about his failed internship. That maybe his best wasn’t good enough these days. However, he swallowed the words, not willing to deal with the awkwardness that would follow.

“And how’s your mom?” his father asked, the usual follow-up. He was always careful to keep the conversation safe, predictable, as if avoiding anything too personal would prevent discomfort.

Beomgyu hesitated for a moment. “She’s the same as always, you know, working” he replied, knowing that his father wouldn’t probe further.

“And your boyfriend?” His father’s voice lifted in a teasing tone. “When’s the wedding, huh?”

Beomgyu let out a forced chuckle, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “We’re… good.”

So good that I’d been avoiding him since Sunday.

His dad continued eating, nodding as though Beomgyu’s simple responses were enough to satisfy him. There it was again, the same disconnection. His father didn’t really know anything about his life, and Beomgyu wasn’t sure if he wanted him to.

“So, what’s it like being in your last year? It must be different for film majors, right?”, his father asked, looking up from his plate.

For a moment, Beomgyu was surprised. Is he actually asking me about my life?

“Well… a little bit. I mean, we do have to do a thesis and all of that but there’s a lot of creative work, which can be even more important, so that’s good. Sometimes it’s overwhelming, but I think I’m getting better.” He paused, searching for words that wouldn’t sound like a complaint. “It’s just hard to balance everything sometimes.”

His father nodded again, “you’ve always handled things well. I’m sure you’re doing great, son.”

Beomgyu wanted to believe him, wanted to feel that reassurance, but it only made the ache in his chest worse. It felt like his father was giving him praise without really knowing if he deserved it.

They fell into silence for a moment, the clinking of cutlery filling the gap between them. Beomgyu could almost hear the clock ticking on the wall behind him, and he wondered how much longer they’d be stuck in this awkward routine. Talking, even laughing, but just so…

His father cleared his throat, breaking the quiet. “I wanted to tell you something… some good news, actually.” He smiled, his expression softening in a way Beomgyu rarely saw anymore.

“Oh?” Beomgyu looked up, curious but hesitant.

“I proposed to Jia,” his father said, almost too casually. “We’re getting married next month. I know it sounds fast but we wanted something small, just family.”

For a second, Beomgyu couldn’t process the words. His chest tightened, and he forced himself to nod, trying to look like he wasn’t affected. “Wow… congratulations. That’s… great.” His voice sounded thin, barely masking the complicated emotions swirling inside him.

Jia was great. She really was. They’d been dating for around two years so marriage was a natural next step. But hearing that his father was officially moving on with someone else, made Beomgyu feel…strange. Was it wrong to feel that way?

His father smiled wider, clearly pleased. “Yeah, I think it’ll be a good new chapter for all of us.”

Beomgyu’s fork hovered above his plate. “All of us?” he repeated.

“Yeah. Jia, the boys, you—everyone will be a part of it.” His father’s tone was light, as if blending their families together would be a simple task.

Beomgyu’s stomach twisted again. “Right, that sounds nice.”

But did it? Did he really want to be part of this new life his father was building, when he felt like a leftover from the old one?

“I should probably get going,” Beomgyu said after a moment, feeling the walls of the restaurant closing in. “I have class in half an hour.”

His father nodded, not questioning the sudden news. “Of course. Let me pay the bill, and I’ll drive you back.”

While waiting for his father, his phone buzzed with a notification.

It was Daehyun. With the same offer he’s been trying to dodge all week.

Dae <3

baby

ill drop by your apartment tonight ☺️

Me

can’t ill have dinner with my dad

Dae <3

but I miss uuuuu

Me

sorry 🥺

Beomgyu kept quiet as they left the restaurant. Once in the car, he noticed his father’s hand slipping into the glovebox, pulling out an envelope.

“Here,” his father said, handing him a small, neatly designed invitation. “It’s a small thing, but Jia wanted to send physical invites. She loves those little details.”

Beomgyu accepted the card, running his fingers over the simple design. “It’s nice.”

“You can bring Daehyun if you want,” his father added, though before Beomgyu could answered, his phone buzzed.

“Oh, it’s Jia.” His father answered the call, putting it on speaker. “Hey, honey, what’s up?”

“Sorry to interrupt you, but I’ve got a bit of an emergency at work. Could you pick up the boys from their class?”

“Of course. I’m just dropping Beomgyu off at his university, then I’ll head over.”

“Thanks, sweetie. Hi, Beomgyu! Sorry about this,” Jia’s voice came through, cheerful and apologetic.

“Hi, it’s fine,” Beomgyu answered, though he couldn’t shake the heavy feeling in his chest.

“Take care! Hope to see you at the wedding!”, Jia added before hanging up.

His father glanced at him with a smile. “Seojun and Minho are always asking about you, you know. They like you a lot.”

Seojun and Minho. Jia’s kids. His soon to be half-brothers.

I guess I won’t be an only child anymore.

Beomgyu forced a smile, even though it felt more like a wince. “That’s great, they’re cute”

Don’t get him wrong, he liked the kids. He’d seen them a few times and they were always sweet and energetic. But…

“They’ve been growing up so fast. Seojun’s really into music now. He had a performance last week, and he’s got real talent, you know?”

I bet he was there for that performance, Beomgyu thought bitterly, remembering all the times his dad had missed his school shows and recitals. The memories stung.

Was it dumb to feel jealous of two kids?

“I’m glad they’re doing well,” Beomgyu mumbled, staring out the window. He couldn’t bear to look at his father right now.

“We’re here,” his father said, pulling up to the curb outside the university.

Beomgyu opened the door quickly. “Thanks for the ride.”

His father smiled. “Anytime. See you soon, okay?”

Beomgyu just waved before closing the door, watching his father drive away, the hum of the engine swallowed by the surrounding city sounds. He stayed there, unmoving, on the edge of the curb with the cold wind grazing his face, his fingers absently clutching the edges of the invitation.

He’d always been able to handle these meetings with his dad by keeping things shallow, safe, and easy. But today, the news left him with a weight he couldn’t shake off.

I should be happy for him, he thought.

Jia’s nice, and it’s good that he’s found someone who cares about him and… fits.

But the congratulations he had offered felt brittle, held together by hollow politeness. There had been something stinging in his father’s easy smiles, in the way he’d talked about Jia’s kids like they were his family, like it was his father’s chance to start over with a “fresh” beginning. It reminded him of all the times he had waited—hoped, even—for his father to look at him with the same warmth, the same genuine investment. But now, as he felt the cool weight of the wedding invitation in his hands, it was clear he had never been part of that picture.

The ache inside twisted, and Beomgyu wondered why he still cared. Why did he let himself feel so deeply for someone who could so easily walk away, rebuild, and leave him in the past?

I’m an adult now, he told himself, breathing out slowly. I should be past needing anything from him.

But something about the idea of his dad being a father to someone else’s children made him feel like a kid again—left out, forgotten. And as he held back a lump rising in his throat, he hated the small, selfish part of himself that still longed for the past.

Around him, students bustled by, laughing and talking as they passed. Beomgyu stood still, feeling more isolated than ever.

A soft chime from his phone brought him back to the present. He blinked, his fingers loosening around the invitation as he pulled out his phone and saw a text glowing on the screen.

The contact’s name made him smile a little.

My Soobinie <3

hey again 

can I stop by?

my class is almost over

i really want to talk about what happened

i miss you a lot

Beomgyu stared at the words, re-reading them until the meaning slowly seeped in. He wants to talk. At that moment, it felt like a lifeline, a reminder that someone was out there, waiting for him, someone who actually wanted to spend time with him and wasn’t there out of obligation.

After days of dodging and deflecting, it suddenly hit him how much he’d missed Soobin’s presence, his steady calmness and his honest concern.

Beomgyu’s gaze drifted over the campus, he didn’t need to go to a class right now; that had been an excuse to escape the stifling conversation with his dad. In reality, his schedule was clear, and he could have easily spent the afternoon doing anything he wanted. Or, maybe, with anyone he wanted.

Maybe I should see him.

He knew the exact room where Soobin’s class was held. It wasn’t far—just a short walk hrough the main courtyard. He swallowed, running his fingers along the phone screen, considering the text.

He still wasn’t ready to talk about what happened but now he really needed someone to take his mind off this new problem.

Was it selfish to want comfort?  

Slowly, Beomgyu started walking toward Soobin’s classroom, every step feeling heavy in his chest.

He arrived just as the lecture hall began to empty, students streaming out into the hall. He scanned the crowd, looking for Soobin, and felt a surge of hope when he finally spotted him. Just a few more steps and a quick call of his name.

He took a breath, gathering his courage, but before he could move forward, a voice stopped him.

“Hey, Beomgyu, right?”

He turned and found himself face-to-face with a blonde girl, slightly shorter than him. She looked at him with a familiarity that caught him off guard, a small smirk curling at her lips. He didn’t recognize her at all—certainly not from any of his classes—and yet she was looking at him like they’d met before. Maybe she was one of Soobin’s classmates?

“Uh… yeah,” he replied, his voice tentative, a little on edge.

She smiled as if amused by his hesitation. “I’m Minji,” she introduced herself, leaning forward slightly. “Daehyun has probably mentioned me, right?” Her tone was soft, almost sweet, but it didn’t settle easily with him. Something about her eyes felt a little too sharp.

And suddenly, it clicked. This was the blonde omega he’d seen with Daehyun at the club last week. Before he could fully process this, she tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as if savoring his reaction.

“You’re not here to, like, confront me or anything, are you?” She asked, a hint of laughter laced through her words, as though the idea itself was ridiculous.

Beomgyu let a faint smile tug at the corner of his mouth, hiding his irritation. “Just here to see a friend.” He shrugged casually.

Now that he recognized her, all those insecurities he tried to ignore flared up sharply, prickling in his chest. Her features were striking up close—perfectly styled blonde hair, large eyes, and an effortlessly cool look that seemed to say, Of course I get everything I want. And the way she was looking at him now, confident, amused… it made him feel even more out of place.

“Ah, sure,” her smile widened, as though she didn’t believe him for a second. “I just hope there isn’t any misunderstandings. I mean, I’d get it if you’re a little annoyed that Daehyun’s been, well… busy lately.”

He forced a cool expression, indifference slipping into his voice. “I don’t mind,” he replied.

Her smile widened as if she found his denial amusing. “Good,” she replied, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Because we’ve been having a lot of fun together. Daehyun’s hilarious when he loosens up. I haven’t laughed like that in a while.”

Beomgyu’s smile faltered, though he held her gaze. He remembered that they used to have a lot of fun together, too. But lately, even in moments alone, Daehyun was rarely so carefree with him. Did he just not have that effect on him anymore? Was he really… that boring?

Minji seemed to catch his hesitation, her gaze narrowing with a smirk. “Aw, you really are so cute, kinda wish I could be a little more like you” she complimented, looking him up and down, her expression unreadable. “But I guess I’ve always been more… bold? Daehyun’s one of the few who can actually keep up.” Her tone dropped, almost conspiratorial. “Most people get a little intimidated.”

Beomgyu swallowed hard, fighting the urge to look away. He’d known she was beautiful from a distance, but up close, there was no escaping how effortlessly alluring she was. The dark eye makeup, the way she carried herself… everything about her screamed confidence. Next to her, he felt unremarkable, plain even. Just so ordinary.

“Daehyun’s got pretty varied taste, wouldn’t you say?” she continued, her eyes watching him closely, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “I wonder if he has a preference”

He forced a thin smile. “Maybe you should ask him yourself,” he replied, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt.

“I’m just joking around. Don’t take it personally” She tilted her head, her smirk never fading “Daehyun actually mentioned that you might be a little… sensitive. I guess I didn’t really believe him until now.” Her eyes sparkled with something almost sympathetic, though the effect felt anything but.

Beomgyu clenched his jaw, feeling his heart drop. Sensitive? Was that really what Daehyun thought of him?

The sting was real, her confidence grating, but he wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of seeing it. He stood straighter, taking a step back as if to better look her over, and gave her a soft, almost pitying smile.

“Thanks for all the info,” he replied, his voice calm, with a hint of amusement. “I’m a little sad I know nothing about you thought, Dae never really mentioned your existence. Funny, right?”

He saw the flash of uncertainty in her eyes, and the satisfaction warmed him. “But anyway, I really should go,” he continued, a genuine smile curving his lips. “Daehyun may want to see you tonight though, I’m too busy to answer his texts.”

Without waiting for her to say anything else, he gave a quick nod and turned away, practically fleeing the hallway. Each step he took felt like a heavy weight, and the courage he’d gathered to talk to Soobin dissipated entirely. He could barely think straight as he moved further from the lecture hall.

What the fuck was that?

What was the point of trying to talk to Soobin now, anyway? He could still feel Minji’s mocking gaze and the sharp words echoing in his mind. Everything he wanted to say felt trapped under the weight of her lingering presence, his resolve crumbling under the reminder of how insignificant he seemed to be.

x-o-x

Dae <3

what about later??

i miss u so muchhhh

youre too busy these days 😔

Me

i have plans with my friends sorry

x-o-x

"She said that to you?!" Yeonjun's voice cracked in disbelief, eyes wide as Beomgyu relayed the events from earlier that day. His friends’ reactions felt like the comfort he’d been craving.

They’d all gathered—Yeonjun, Taehyun, Ning, and Aeri—crowded in the boys’ apartment, draped in mismatched, cozy pajamas and surrounded by takeout boxes, half-eaten slices of pizza, and scattered cans of beer. The living room was their sanctuary tonight, and the pile of pillows and blankets on the floor felt like a shield from the outside world.

"Yeah..." Beomgyu mumbled, picking at a stray pepperoni on his pizza slice and taking a small bite, as if chewing would help him digest the thoughts in his mind.

"Oh, if I’d been there, I would've yanked her by the hair," Ning seethed, pulling on the ears of a teddy bear nestled against her chest, a bear he recognized as a gift from Kai to Taehyun.

He had a matching one, the only difference being how big his was. Literally almost as big as him. And also, Soobin was the one who sent it to his apartment as another of his apology gifts.

“Honestly, she’s probably intimidated by you, Gyu,” Taehyun suggested, tipping his beer can toward Beomgyu before taking a sip.

The omega sighed, his shoulders drooping a bit as he leaned back against the big teddy bear. “I don’t think so…how could she feel intimidated by me?” He gave a faint, tired smile. “She’s gorgeous.” Beomgyu hated saying things that put himself down, but lately, the confidence he used to felt started to slipped away in small doses.

"You’re even more gorgeous!" Yeonjun interjected, one hand dramatically reaching to point at Beomgyu’s phone lying between them on the carpet. "You’ve got two insanely hot, and stupid, alphas basically begging for your attention!" He grinned, glancing pointedly at Beomgyu’s phone as it buzzed again—a message either from Soobin or, occasionally, Daehyun, which had been the pattern all week.

"Exactly! If she didn’t see you as competition, she wouldn’t even bother coming near you," Aeri chimed in, carefully dipping a small brush into black nail polish and focusing on Yeonjun’s nails with practiced precision.

“Maybe she’s threatened because, at the end of the day, you’re the one with the official title,” Ning mused, twisting the teddy bear's paw thoughtfully.

"Have you thought that she may want that title?" Taehyun’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

“What do you mean?” Beomgyu frowned, leaning forward.

Taehyun paused, his gaze unwavering. "Maybe she’s not satisfied just being 'someone to have fun with.' Maybe she wants the spot of girlfriend."

"That bitch is clearly trying to make this a competition," Aeri muttered darkly as she closed the nail polish bottle with a snap.

“Don’t call her that…” Beomgyu mumbled, his voice almost apologetic, eyes dropping as he scratched lightly at the hem of his pajama shirt.

“But that’s what she is, right?” Aeri asked, giving him a raised eyebrow.

“But—”

“I agree with Aeri,” Yeonjun cut in, his voice resolute. “Minji definitely thinks she can just waltz in and replace you.”

Taehyun leaned back, crossing his arms as he added, “I wonder what Daehyun’s been telling her to make her think she even has a shot.”

“Ugh, sorry, Gyu, but your boyfriend is an idiot,” Aeri said bluntly, tossing the nail polish to the side.

“A total asshole,” Ning muttered.

“With an ego the size of a mountain,” Taehyun sighed.

“Self-centered jerk,” Yeonjun added, raising an eyebrow at Beomgyu.

“A rat!”, Ning added.

Beomgyu held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I get it!" he cut them off, shaking his head with a smile.

“Do you really, though?” Taehyun pressed gently, his voice dropping to a softer tone. “If you see all this, why are you still with him?”

Beomgyu hesitated, words catching in his throat. “We’ve been—”

“None of that ‘we’ve been together too long’ crap,” Taehyun interrupted, a hint of steel in his tone.

“I know, it’s just…” Beomgyu trailed off, rubbing a hand over his face. “It’s hard to imagine a life without him.” His voice came out as a whisper, like he was confessing a secret to himself as much as to them.

“But that’s what you’ve been doing these past few weeks, isn’t it?” Taehyun asked, looking at Beomgyu with curious eyes. “Even before he suggested that open relationship shit, you’d already told us it didn’t feel the same.”

Ning nodded vigorously. “You even stopped dragging us to his practices, and you never missed one before.”

“Gyu, you haven’t even wanted to see him lately,” Yeonjun pointed out, reaching over to pat Beomgyu’s knee.

Beomgyu took a deep breath, glancing at each of his friends. They were right. He knew they were right but hearing it all laid out brought a sense of clarity he hadn’t expected. Had his relationship been falling apart long before Daehyun’s proposal?

“Beomgyu, you know we love you, right?” Yeonjun’s voice broke his thoughts as he pulled him into a side hug, squeezing his shoulder.

“I know… and I’m sorry,” Beomgyu replied, voice thick with emotion. “I think I’ve been distancing myself from Dae without even realizing it. But the idea of ending it all just… terrifies me.”

“Why?” Taehyun asked softly, searching his face.

“We… he’s…” Beomgyu faltered, his voice barely a whisper.

“Gyu, I don’t want to sound harsh, but maybe you’re clinging to Daehyun because he’s familiar. He’s been your longest relationship, and you haven’t had the chance to explore anything else,” Aeri explained gently, a sympathetic smile tugging at her lips.

Beomgyu could only nod, feeling the weight of her words settle over him.

“It’s natural to be afraid of the unknown,” Taehyun continued, cracking open another beer, the faint hiss filling the silence. “But if that’s the only thing keeping you with him, wouldn’t it be better to let go for both of you?”

“And besides, there’s someone else who’s very interested in you,” Ning teased, raising her brows with a mischievous glint in her eye.

“Soobin is just—”

“Oh, don’t deny it!” Yeonjun scoffed, grinning. “It’s painfully obvious you like him.”

Beomgyu couldn’t hold back his smile at that, warmth spreading across his cheeks.

“See that smile? You like him way too much!” Ning giggled.

“And Soobin clearly likes you back,” Taehyun added with a nod.

“Last Sunday, he even took us out for ice cream after we practically dragged him out of here,” Yeonjun reminded him with a smirk.

“Just to ask us questions about you!” Taehyun chuckled. “Daehyun never did anything like that.”

“I still can’t believe they almost got into a fight right here. Talk about bad timing, Gyu,” Ning added said with a laugh.

Beomgyu felt his face warm, covering it with his hands. “Don’t remind me,” he muttered, laughter slipping through his fingers.

“Look, Aeri’s right. You haven’t really dated anyone other than Daehyun for years. So why not give Soobin a shot? I know he was a jerk, but he’s trying to make up for it, right?” Taehyun questioned.

“This gigantic bear isn’t the only one! He’s been sending you gifts all week”

“He’s so into you,” Ning drawled, smirking. “You saw how he was looking at you at the club that night…”

“Wait,” Beomgyu started, slowly uncovering his face, “by giving him a chance, do you mean… having sex with him?”

“Whatever you want!” Yeonjun replied with a smirk. “Didn’t you say you were sad he didn’t fuck you that night?”

“I never said that!” Beomgyu protested. “I just said that if I hadn’t fallen asleep, we might have…”

“Nah, that’s the same thing,” Yeonjun laughed, leaning back against the couch with a sly grin.

“Just don’t hold back on what you actually want because you feel loyal to Daehyun,” Taehyun advised, eyes soft but serious.

“At first, I felt guilty, but now… after meeting Minji, I feel… almost free?” Beomgyu admitted, “I know it sounds awful, but I feel like I have a free pass.”

“Of course you do!”

“Yes, fuck you, Daehyun!”

“And let’s fuck Soobin!”

“Oh my god, shut up,” Beomgyu laughed, clutching his stomach as he doubled over, their laughter echoing around the room.

“On a serious note, Gyu,” Taehyun said, leaning forward, “it’s okay if you don’t know what to do right now. But don’t be afraid to open yourself up to new things.”

Beomgyu looked around at them, his heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you… really. And sorry for making this all about me tonight.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Yeonjun chuckled, his lips curling into a sly grin as he glanced at Taehyun. “We’ll save the next intervention for when Taehyun finally realizes his feelings for Kai.”

“Shut up!” Taehyun groaned, grabbing a pillow and hurling it at Yeonjun’s head.

x-o-x

My Soobinie <3

gyu im losing my mind

i think i saw you when i came out of my class?? 😭😭

do u think ive already started hallucinating???

is this what withdrawal is like??

im literally going crazy over you

Beomgyu read the texts through a dreamy haze, his lips curling into a soft smile. The hours had melted away with his friends, swallowed by singing, dancing, and enough alcohol to leave his head spinning. He’d finally drifted back to his room for a break from the noise, sinking into his bed. But now, with his phone lighting up in his hand, his mind was blissfully occupied with someone else.

The alcohol had him in that perfect, tipsy state where inhibitions floated away. With a boldness he’d blame on the drinks, he scrolled to Soobin’s contact and called, each ring drumming through him with an excited thrum.

A gentle, groggy voice answered on the other end. “Hello?”

Hearing Soobin’s voice sent a rush through Beomgyu, making him sink deeper into his pillow. “Soobinie…” he murmured, his voice a slow drawl that was both lazy and affectionate.

“Beomgyu?” Soobin sounded surprised, his voice quiet with a hint of confusion. “I… I didn’t think you’d call. It’s everything okay?”

“I’m… going crazy over you toooooooooo,” Beomgyu said, his words slurring just enough to sound endearing.

“Are you drunk? Where are you right now? I’ll go pick you up”, Soobin asked, worry creeping into his voice.

“In my room,” Beomgyu replied, sinking further into his pillow, feeling delightfully light and reckless. “All alone…thinking…” A soft laugh escaped him.

He could practically hear Soobin’s smirk on the other end, even as his voice dipped lower, careful yet intrigued. “Well, now you’ve got me here,” he said quietly. “What are you thinking about?”

Beomgyu bit his lip, a sly smile creeping over him as he rolled onto his side, still holding his phone close. “That last time we kissed,” he confessed, his voice no louder than a whisper. “Kept remembering it. Over and over again…”

“Oh, is that so?” Soobin replied, his tone a touch deeper, like he was savoring every word.

“Mmhm,” Beomgyu hummed, the alcohol in his veins giving him an easy confidence. “I told my friends… that you’re so hot and strong,” he chuckled. “I like it when you manhandle me”.

“You do?” Soobin murmured, his voice like velvet.

Beomgyu’s smile widened, his heart fluttering. “Yeah,” he breathed, feeling bold enough to let himself sink fully into the feeling. “And the bear you got me,” he continued, almost as if to himself, “I love it…want you to fuck me, please”.

Soobin’s breath hitched on the other end, and when he spoke, his voice was low, almost husky. “God, you’re not making this easy.”

“Good,” Beomgyu giggled, the alcohol amplifying the thrill in his voice. He curled up on his bed, feeling his heartbeat pick up as he whispered, “I want you to want me”

“Oh, baby…” Soobin’s voice trailed off, his tone thick with restrained desire. “Believe me, if you weren’t drunk right now, I’d be there in a heartbeat.”

Beomgyu’s eyelids fluttered as he laughed softly, a wicked glint sparking in his eye. “You don’t want to come here and kiss me?” he teased, his voice lilting playfully.

“You know exactly what I want, Gyu,” Soobin replied, his words low and sultry. “But I want you when you’re fully mine—clear-headed and no excuses.”

A wave of warmth washed over Beomgyu, and he let out a soft, satisfied sigh. “Come here tomorrow? Won’t run away anymore” he said, his voice a whisper, gentle yet brimming with promise.

“Promise?” Soobin’s voice was like a caress, wrapping around Beomgyu and making him feel even more intoxicated than before.

“Promise,” Beomgyu murmured, sinking further into his bed, feeling a content warmth settle over him. He could hear Soobin’s soft, approving hum on the other end, and it made his heart flutter.

“I’ll hold you to that,” Soobin said, a gentle edge in his voice that sent shivers down Beomgyu’s spine.

“I’ll be so good for you, Soobinie...I’ll let you do whatever you want with me”. Beomgyu murmured, eyes droopy with sleep.

“I should hang up before I lose my mind”, Soobin chuckled, almost a growl.

“Want you to knot-“

“Okay, you need to stop, or you won’t be able to even look me in the face tomorrow”

“But I love, love your faceee”, Beomgyu whispered, his eyelids fluttering shut as the world slipped into a comfortable blur.

“Love your face, too, baby”, Soobin replied, his voice low and fond.

“You think I’m pretty?”

“Stunning…but get some sleep, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow”

Beomgyu felt himself drifting, his smile soft. “I’ll be waiting”

x-o-x

Alcohol will be Beomgyu’s downfall.

As soon as he woke up, still tangled in Ning’s arms (who somehow sneaked into his bed after he fell asleep), memories of everything he’d confessed to Soobin on the phone came rushing back. He wanted nothing more than for the ground to open and swallow him whole, sparing him the embarrassment he’d feel when he saw the alpha again.

Still, he wasn’t about to take back anything he’d said. No more denial, no more excuses. He, finally, was going to confront his feelings.

After a long shower, he joined his friends for lunch, letting the company calm his nerves before finally saying goodbye to all of them.

“Don’t forget you have to clean the bathroom,” Taehyun reminded him, heading off to his parents’ place for the weekend.

“And the whole apartment. You promised.” Yeonjun added, waving goodbye as he left. “I’ll be back late.”

Beomgyu sighed, then rolled up his sleeves and got to work. He cleaned every corner of the place, going from the living room to the kitchen, scrubbing and wiping until the apartment gleamed. Finally, he moved on to the bathroom, determined to fix the slightly leaky faucet he’d been ignoring for weeks. A few YouTube tutorials later, he’d somehow managed to install a new one.

Hours had slipped by without him realizing it, so he didn’t hear the knock at the door until it came again, louder this time.

Without thinking, he opened the door, immediately feeling his stomach flip when he saw Soobin there with a soft smile and a plastic bag. In a moment of panic, he shut the door again, his mind reeling.

“Wow, okay! Promise I’m harmless—I just brought ice cream,” Soobin chuckled from the other side.

Beomgyu took a deep breath and opened the door again.

“Hey…” he murmured, taking in the sight of Soobin, looking effortlessly handsome in a white shirt and blue jeans. In contrast, Beomgyu was in an old black T-shirt, shorts, and, to his horror, cleaning gloves. His cheeks flushed as he stepped aside.

“Bad time?” Soobin asked, smiling.

“No! Come in, just… give me a second.” He let Soobin inside, then darted to the bathroom, tugging off the gloves and washing his hands. A quick glance in the mirror showed he looked like a mess, but there wasn’t much to do about it now.

When he rejoined Soobin, he sat beside him, accepting the tube of the ice cream.

Beomgyu’s face softened when he realized it was their favorite. “Thank you.”

There was an awkward silence between them before the alpha broke it.

“So…” Soobin began, taking a deep breath. “I wasn’t sure how to start, but… I wanted to say I’m really sorry. I acted like an idiot with Daehyun, and I made things uncomfortable for you. I was immature, letting my jealousy get to me. And I understand why you needed space. I shouldn’t have put you in the middle like that.” He sighed, looking earnestly at Beomgyu. “I like you way too much, Gyu. But if you decide you don’t want anything to do with me… I’ll step back. No complaints.”

“I don’t want that!” Beomgyu replied quickly, scooting closer. “I accept your apology. I’m sorry, too. For ignoring you all week, for being so bad with my own feelings.” He paused, cheeks warming. “But… just in case it wasn’t clear from that call last night… I like you. A lot.”

“So… everything you said was true? Even the part where you said you wanted—”

“Oh, please, don’t remind me,” Beomgyu groaned, covering his face with his hands. “But yeah, everything I said was serious.”

“You don’t have to be embarrassed,” Soobin murmured, gently prying Beomgyu’s hands away. “I thought I made it obvious from the start that I wanted the same.”

A deep flush crept over Beomgyu’s face as his pulse quickened.

“Does that mean… you’re willing to give us a chance?”

“I’m still not sure what to do about Daehyun,” Beomgyu admitted slowly. “I don’t know if I want to keep seeing him or end things. But I do know I want to see where this goes. With us.” He bit his lip. “Are you okay with that? It’s confusing, I know. We’d be more than friends, but not exactly—”

“We’d just be Beomgyu and Soobin,” Soobin interrupted, taking Beomgyu’s hand. “And that’s enough for me.”

“You’re sure? You might still have to see me with Daehyun.”

Soobin nodded, his gaze softening. “I’ll manage. I can’t miss this chance to be close to you—especially after that call,” he added with a teasing smile.

Beomgyu couldn’t help but grin. “You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?”

“Never,” Soobin replied, leaning in closer, his voice dropping. “You don’t know how much I wished I could’ve been with you last night.”

“Oh yeah?” Beomgyu asked softly, his pulse picking up.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you, lying in your bed, so soft and…” Soobin trailed off, his gaze dropping to Beomgyu’s lips.

They were so close, breath mingling, when the sound of running water interrupted them.

“What’s that…?” Beomgyu’s face fell, his eyes widening. “Oh no.” He dashed to the bathroom, Soobin quick at his heels, only to find water cascading from the newly installed faucet, flooding onto the floor.

“Oh, crap,” Beomgyu muttered, inching closer, though the water was already pooling around his feet. But before he could step in, Soobin held him back.

“Hold on, let’s do this together,” Soobin said, rolling up his sleeves as he assessed the damage. “You got another towel? And maybe a wrench?”

Beomgyu nodded, darting off and returning quickly with supplies, throwing extra towels down to absorb the water. Together, they worked quickly to control the splashes and manage the flood as best they could, but water still streamed from the pipe, spraying mainly Soobin.

“Wrench?” Soobin asked, pushing his hair out of his face, soaked.

Beomgyu passed it to him, his fingers brushing Soobin’s as he worked. He watched as Soobin's grip tightened around the tool, his hands firm and skilled, making him look even more attractive in that moment.

“Hold this, please,” Soobin directed, guiding Beomgyu’s hand to the faucet. His fingers over Beomgyu’s were strong and steady as they worked together, finally stopping the leak. Water dripped onto the floor, but the geyser had stopped.

“Got it,” Soobin finally sighed in relief, setting the wrench down, his own shirt completely soaked through.

Beomgyu grabbed a dry towel and began drying Soobin’s hair and shoulders, murmuring, “You didn’t have to help. Now you’re all wet…”

Soobin gave him a gentle smile, his eyes soft. “I didn’t mind at all,” he replied, watching Beomgyu with an amused warmth. “Actually… I could get used to this kind of attention.”

Beomgyu grinned and gave Soobin a playful thumbs-up. “Guess we’re a pretty good team, huh?”

Soobin chuckled, rolling his damp sleeves back down. “We definitely are. You’re pretty handy when you want to be, you know.”

“Pfft, please,” Beomgyu said, waving him off. “I was a mess. My dad once taught me how to install faucets, but I totally forgot. I guess these are the consequences..."

Soobin noticed the flicker of hesitation in Beomgyu’s voice. He tilted his head, curiosity in his gaze. “You guys close?”

Beomgyu paused, biting his lip as he tossed the damp towel onto the edge of the sink. “It’s complicated,” he admitted slowly, feeling an odd rush of vulnerability. “We’re just not on the best terms right now. Or maybe… I’m not.”

A gentle silence settled between them as Soobin nodded, his expression open, not pressing for more than Beomgyu wanted to share.

“It’s not like he’s a bad dad or anything,” Beomgyu added, shrugging. “He’s just… he’s getting remarried. He’s sort of moved on to a new life, you know? And he seems really happy…Sorry, not the time to bring this up”, he let out a dry laugh, unable to shake the twist of bitterness.

Soobin’s eyes softened with understanding as he moved closer. “You don’t look happy though,” he murmured.

Beomgyu looked up, surprised by Soobin’s words. “I’m a terrible person, right?”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Gyu. Parents can be... complicated.”

Beomgyu sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I should be happy for him, but then I see him all-in with his fiancée’s kids while we barely see each other. Sometimes it feels like he’s this new, better dad for them.”

“It’s okay to feel jealous, you know?”

“Maybe it’s my fault. I put so much distance between us, and now we’re just… awkward around each other.”

Soobin hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Something I learnt over the years is that the phone does works both ways. I don’t know the whole story, but your dad was and is a whole grown adult that could’ve try more if he wanted to”.

Beomgyu’s dad tried for a while, but he gave up, maybe way too easily.

“It's not your fault", Soobin added. "And you’re allowed to feel... however you feel.”

“You really think so?” Beomgyu murmured, his gaze softening. “I mean, isn’t it kinda ridiculous to be jealous of two kids?”

“Not at all. I’m jealous of everyone who gets to spend more time with you”.

Beomgyu laughed, nudging him lightly. “You’re ridiculous.”

“But you aren’t. Everything you’re feeling right now is totally normal. And even if it isn’t, well, fuck them. You’re allow to feel bad, to mope and cry about it, to yell at your dad if you want to…”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah”

Beomgyu felt a warmth spreading through him, a sense of understanding he hadn’t realized he needed. Their quiet lingered, rich and close, filling the space between them. Slowly, he reached out, his hand brushing Soobin’s.

“Thanks for… being here, I guess. For dealing with this disaster, and... for listening.” He felt himself leaning in, an unspoken invitation hovering between them.

Soobin’s fingers grazed his cheek, his touch as gentle as his gaze. “Anytime, Gyu.” Soobin replied, a soft smile on his face as he placed his hands on the omega’s waist.

The omega looked up, feeling his heart stutter as he took in the way Soobin’s eyes held him, tender and unhurried, as if there were no one else in the world. The closeness made his pulse quicken, and a shy smile crept over his lips. “Stop looking at me like that,” he whispered, voice barely above a breath.

Soobin’s smile softened, a gentle warmth radiating from him as he reached to tuck a strand of hair behind Beomgyu’s ear. “Alright,” he murmured. But instead of pulling away, he leaned in, his hand lingering near Beomgyu’s cheek.

And then, as naturally as breathing, Soobin pressed his lips to Beomgyu’s in a kiss that felt like a promise. It was slow, gentle, and achingly sweet, carrying with it the warmth of every unspoken word between them. The world faded, leaving only the gentle press of Soobin’s lips, the warmth of his hands against Beomgyu’s back, and the soft, steady beat of their hearts in the quiet of the apartment.

Beomgyu’s hands fell to Soobin’s shoulders, pulling him just a little closer, letting himself melt into the moment. When they finally parted, Soobin’s gaze held his, a tender smile playing at his lips.

“So,” he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur. “Still embarrassed?”

Beomgyu’s answer was to grab his face and kiss him deeply, pressing his body as close as he could to Soobin’s. A shiver ran down his spine as he felt the wet fabric of the alpha’s shirt clinging to him.

“You’re soaked,” he murmured against Soobin’s lips.

“Well, we can’t have that, can we?” Soobin replied. He pulled back, slipping his shirt off before moving back in, kissing Beomgyu again, this time with a hunger that made the omega’s head spin, his tongue running all over his mouth, sucking on his bottom lip every time he pulled away. His cold hands went under his shirt, running up and down until he reached his ass, squeezing with some force, bringing him even closer to him.

A low hum left Beomgyu as he felt Soobin’s member pressing against his hip.

“Let’s go to my room?” The omega whispered, his voice filled with anticipation.

He didn't feel guilty anymore.

Chapter Text

As always, things escalated quickly. One moment they were kissing in the bathroom, and the next, Beomgyu was on his bed with a shirtless Soobin hovering over him. It wasn’t an unfamiliar position, but everything felt much more intense compared to the last time.

The room seemed smaller, the air heavier with the scent of sandalwood.

His legs dangled off the edge of the bed while the alpha kissed him, his mouth was relentless, claiming Beomgyu’s lips with a fervor that left him breathless. His tongue teased and explored, sliding against the omega’s as if tasting something he couldn’t get enough of, his bottom lip caught teasingly between the alpha’s teeth.

The alpha was all over him. His hands roamed incessantly over his body, gripping his hips to press him closer. A small moan escaped the omega’s lips as he felt the friction of their bodies, the alpha’s erection pressing firmly against his own.

“Take it off,” Beomgyu whispered against Soobin’s lips, guiding the alpha’s large hands to the waistband of his shorts.

The older pulled back just enough to smirk, his dark eyes locked onto Beomgyu’s. “So demanding,” he teased, but his fingers obeyed, sliding beneath the fabric and pulling the shorts down slowly.

The cool air kissed his bare skin, sending a shiver up his spine, but it was nothing compared to the heat radiating from Soobin. The alpha discarded the shorts onto the floor before his hands slid beneath Beomgyu’s panties, his palms rough against soft skin. He squeezed firmly, dragging a low moan from the omega’s throat as their bodies pressed even closer.

“So wet already,” Soobin muttered, almost to himself, his voice thick with approval. His lips moved to Beomgyu’s neck, trailing kisses that quickly turned into playful nips. He lingered there for a moment, inhaling deeply as if the omega’s scent alone could intoxicate him. “Peaches…”

Beomgyu’s chest heaved, his head tipping back against the mattress as Soobin’s mouth traveled lower, biting the skin of his collarbone. The alpha’s hands found the hem of his shirt, pushing it up to expose more of his body. His lips followed, leaving a heated trail down Beomgyu’s torso, slow and deliberate, until they hovered above the waistband of his underwear.

The anticipation was unbearable, a delicious ache spreading through Beomgyu’s body. “Soobinie…” he breathed, his voice trembling with a mix of desperation and need.

The alpha didn’t answer with words. Instead, he gripped Beomgyu’s thighs and pulled him effortlessly to the edge of the bed, dropping to his knees. Feeling exposed, Beomgyu propped himself up on his elbows to watch.

The alpha’s dark gaze flickered to the omega’s glistening entrance, and he let out a shaky exhale. “Perfect…” he murmured, almost to himself as he pressed his mouth against the sensitive skin of his inner thigh, dangerously close to his hole. He bit down gently, just enough to leave a mark, and Beomgyu’s body jolted in response.

Still kneeling, Soobin looked up at him, his hands slipping behind Beomgyu’s back to gently pull him upright.

“Sorry,” Soobin murmured. “Is this okay? I just assumed—”

“It is,” Beomgyu interrupted quickly, his voice tinged with embarrassment. “I want it,” he clarified, his cheeks flushed.

“Are you sure?” Soobin asked, his gaze searching Beomgyu’s face for any hint of doubt.

“I thought you were dying to fuck me,” Beomgyu tried to sound confident, though a flicker of nervousness betrayed him.

“I am,” Soobin admitted with a soft laugh. “But I can wait if you’re not ready.”

“I am.”

At his reassurance, Soobin’s lips curled into a small, lopsided smile. He wrapped his strong arms around Beomgyu’s waist, resting his chin against the omega’s chest.

“Then, can I eat you out?” Soobin asked, voice so casual it made Beomgyu groan in embarrassment.

“Oh my god, do you have to say it like that?”

“That was my plan,” Soobin explained with an innocent grin, pressing a kiss to Beomgyu’s chest. “I was going to eat you out and finger you until you couldn’t think straight…”

“Yeah?” The omega answered, voice barely a whisper.

“Mm-hmm. Get you nice and ready and then knot you,” Soobin continued, his tone dropping as he brushed his lips lower. “You said you wanted that, right?” He murmured against his belly.

The heat in Beomgyu’s core intensified at the words, slick already pouring out of him. His face burned, body trembling at the explicit words. “I do,” he murmured, his voice barely audible over the rush of blood in his ears as the alpha rose to his feet and tilted his chin up.

“Your wish is my command, angel,” Soobin said before kissing him deeply, their lips swollen from the intensity.

Without realizing it, Beomgyu found himself flat on his back again, Soobin’s hands were unhurried but deliberate as he slid the last piece of fabric down Beomgyu’s legs. The anticipation was unbearable. The omega’s breathing quickened when he felt Soobin knelt between his legs, his broad shoulders keeping them spread apart. 

He could feel the alpha’s gaze lingered, dark and hungry, before he leaned in and pressed a kiss to the omega’s slick entrance.

Beomgyu’s head fell back, a broken moan escaping his lips as Soobin’s tongue pressed inside, warm and wet. The alpha took his time, exploring every inch of him with languid strokes, as though savoring his taste. Each flick, each press was calculated, designed to drive Beomgyu to the brink. The omega’s hands clawed at the sheets, his head tossing back as Soobin’s tongue dipped deeper, curling inside him.

The alpha’s hands gripped his thighs, keeping him firmly in place even as his body tried to arch away from the overwhelming pleasure.

“Stay still,” Soobin commanded softly, his voice low and firm, sending a shiver straight to Beomgyu’s core.

The omega’s senses were overwhelmed, his body alight with pleasure as Soobin worked his tongue inside him with fervor. It was messy; he could feel the alpha’s saliva and his own slick dripping down, pooling beneath him.

“You taste so good,” Soobin murmured against him, his words slurred with lust.

Was it wrong that it turned him on even more?

“Soobinie…” Beomgyu’s voice cracked, feeling the slight sting as the alpha added a finger.

“So sweet,” Soobin breathed, his lips brushing against Beomgyu’s entrance as he spoke. “I could do this all night.”

The omega’s body burned at the words, his slick sliding down his ass as the alpha’s mouth returned to him with renewed fervor and a second finger stretch him even more.

The alpha moved them in tandem with his tongue, but soon the rhythm built, each thrust curling just right, hitting that spot that made Beomgyu see stars. His cries grew louder, his body arching off the bed as the pleasure overwhelmed him. Each stroke of his tongue, each press of his fingers, pushed Beomgyu closer to the edge.

“Soobinie,” the omega gasped, his voice high and desperate.

“I know, baby,” Soobin murmured, his tone softening even as his movements remained firm. “I’ve got you.”

Beomgyu’s back arched off the bed, his walls clenching around the alpha’s long fingers. They moved deep and unrelenting, curling just right. Soon, a third finger joined, stretching him further as Soobin’s lips wrapped around his cock, taking him in entirely and bobbing his head.

The omega’s release hit him like a tidal wave, his body tensing before shuddering with the force of it. His moans filled the room as Soobin rode him through it, tongue and fingers never stopping until Beomgyu was trembling, spent and sated beneath him.

When Soobin finally pulled back, his lips glistened, curved in a soft, satisfied grin. Beomgyu lay sprawled beneath him, chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. Soobin pressed a gentle kiss to the inside of his thigh, a silent gesture of tenderness, before easing him back onto the bed, his head cradled by the pillows.

Sliding in beside him, Soobin's hands moved in soothing patterns over Beomgyu's skin, grounding him in the blissful haze of the aftermath. His lips brushed Beomgyu’s forehead, and his voice was soft, almost reverent, as he whispered, “You did so well, angel.”

Beomgyu hummed faintly, the nickname coaxing a drowsy smile from his lips. “Angel?” he murmured, barely lifting his heavy lids.

“Yeah,” Soobin replied, his thumb tracing lazy circles over the sharp curve of Beomgyu’s hipbone. “You like it?”

The omega let out a soft laugh, “it’s… cute.”

“You’re cute,” Soobin countered smoothly, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek. The gesture felt lighthearted yet tender, leaving Beomgyu’s cheeks tinged with warmth.

“Thank you,” he murmured after a moment, his voice barely audible. Then his brows knitted slightly, and he added, “But you didn’t cum.”

The alpha’s lips curled into a lopsided grin. “I’m not done with you yet,” he replied, his tone low, his fingers tracing the lines of Beomgyu’s body, teasing, exploring, as though he had all the time in the world.

A playful spark flared in Beomgyu’s eyes as his lips quirked into a lazy grin. “Then take these off,” he said, weakly tugging at the waistband of Soobin’s jeans, his fingers grazing the denim.

The alpha chuckled, slipping off the bed to remove the last of his clothing. Beomgyu’s dazed eyes took in Soobin’s form: strong, firm muscles, thick thighs, defined abs, and—

A big dick. A very big, still-hard dick.

Soobin caught the unabashed look of appreciation on Beomgyu’s face and smirked, one brow quirking upward. “Enjoying the view?” he teased, his tone dripping with amusement.

“Yep.” Beomgyu replied instantly, his blunt honesty drawing a low laugh from the alpha.

Soobin returned to the bed with a graceful ease, his movements deliberate as he climbed back between Beomgyu’s legs. Their bodies aligned perfectly, and Soobin leaned close, his lips brushing against Beomgyu’s ear as he whispered, “Can I take this off?” His fingers ghosted over the hem of Beomgyu’s shirt, his touch light but brimming with intent.

Beomgyu shivered, his breath catching as he nodded. “Yeah…”

The air seemed to still as Soobin gently removed the last of Beomgyu’s clothing, baring him completely to the alpha’s gaze. Soobin knelt back for a moment, his dark eyes roving over every inch of Beomgyu’s body with a kind of reverence that made the omega’s skin flush under the intensity.

“You’re stunning,” Soobin murmured, his voice filled with quiet awe. His fingers traced a soft path from Beomgyu’s collarbone to his hip, lingering as though trying to commit every curve and line to memory.

Beomgyu shifted under the alpha’s gaze, suddenly self-conscious. He’d never felt particularly sexy, always thinking himself too thin or plain. He wasn’t used to the way Soobin looked at him, as if he were the most captivating thing he’d ever seen.

“You’re gorgeous,” Soobin said simply, his hands firm yet gentle on Beomgyu’s hips.

“Thanks…” Beomgyu replied, trying to meet his eyes but eventually turning his face away, covering it with his hands. “You’re making me shy.”

Soobin chuckled softly, leaning closer to whisper in Beomgyu’s ear, “The prettiest omega I’ve ever seen.” He punctuated the words with a slow grind of his hips, drawing a breathless moan from the younger. “You’re so beautiful, so sexy… and so wet for me.” Soobin murmured, his voice dropping into something raw and hungry. His hands trailed down to grip Beomgyu’s ass, kneading the soft flesh with possessive strength. His long fingers grazed over the omega’s slick entrance, teasing but not yet pushing inside.

“Hyung—” Beomgyu tried to protest, though his voice faltered, the heat of Soobin’s gaze and touch making him squirm.

“Shh,” Soobin whispered, pressing a kiss to the corner of Beomgyu’s mouth. “Let me take care of you. You’re mine for now, mhm.”

The words sent a sharp thrill through Beomgyu, the weight of Soobin’s desire tangible, inescapable. His body arched instinctively, hips pushing forward, silently begging for more.

“You like that, huh?” Soobin smirked, slipping one finger inside without warning. Beomgyu gasped, his walls clenching reflexively around the intrusion, the stretch both familiar and electrifying. “So greedy for me already,” Soobin continued, his tone both teasing and dark with possession.

Beomgyu whimpered, heat rushing to his cheeks as Soobin pumped his finger in and out slowly, deliberately.

“God, you’re so perfect,” Soobin whispered, leaning down to kiss along Beomgyu’s jawline and neck. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve wanted this? How much I’ve wanted you?”

“Stop saying stuff like that…” Beomgyu mumbled, though his flushed cheeks betrayed how much he loved hearing it.

“But it’s true,” Soobin countered, his tone soft but loaded with intent. He pressed another finger inside, slowly, as if savoring every second. Beomgyu’s breathing hitched, his body instinctively tightening before melting into the intrusion.

“So soft and pliant for me” Soobin whispered, kissing along Beomgyu’s jaw.

The alpha’s praise set Beomgyu’s skin ablaze. He hadn’t realized how much he craved this kind of attention until now—being wanted, admired, cherished. It was intoxicating.

“Shit,” Soobin muttered suddenly, pausing mid-kiss. “I don’t have condoms.”

“Second drawer,” Beomgyu replied, pointing weakly toward the nightstand beside his bed.

Soobin’s lips quirked into a small smile. “Always prepared, huh?” He retrieved the unopened box, tearing it open with an ease that made Beomgyu’s heart race even faster.

When Soobin rolled the condom on, his movements slowed, deliberate. His gaze flicked up to meet Beomgyu’s, searching for any sign of hesitation. “Still sure?”

“Yes,” Beomgyu said without missing a beat, but the slight shake in his voice betrayed his nerves. “I want you.”

The sincerity in his words made Soobin pause again, leaning down to press a tender kiss to Beomgyu’s forehead. “Okay,” he murmured, his voice low and steady. “Then tell me if it’s too much. I mean it.”

He kissed along Beomgyu’s neck, his tongue tracing over the omega’s scent gland, where the sweet, peachy aroma clung thickly. Beomgyu gasped at the sensation, his hands gripping Soobin’s broad shoulders as the alpha settled between his legs. The proximity was almost suffocating, their bodies pressed so tightly together there wasn’t an inch of space between them.

When Soobin guided himself to Beomgyu’s entrance, the omega tensed slightly, his body instinctively resisting the stretch. Soobin stilled, his forehead resting against Beomgyu’s. “Relax for me, angel,” he coaxed, his voice a soothing balm. “I’ve got you.”

With careful pressure, he began to push inside, inch by inch, the stretch both uncomfortable and electrifying. Beomgyu bit his lip, overwhelmed by the sensation of being filled so completely, tilting his head to capture Soobin’s lips in a messy, desperate kiss.

“Does it hurt?” Soobin asked, his tone laced with concern even as his voice trembled from the effort of holding back.

Beomgyu shook his head, the flush on his cheeks deepening. “N-no… it’s good,” he managed, his nails digging into Soobin’s skin. “Move. Please.”

Soobin’s first thrust was slow, excruciatingly so, as if he wanted Beomgyu to feel every inch of him. The omega whimpered, his legs wrapping around Soobin’s waist to pull him closer. The sound sent a low growl rumbling through Soobin’s chest, his restraint faltering as he set a steady rhythm. The alpha began to move, his pace deliberate, thrusts deep and unhurried as if savoring every moment. One hand gripped Beomgyu’s hip, pulling him closer, forcing him to take every inch.

“You’re so tight,” Soobin groaned against Beomgyu’s lips, his thrusts growing deeper, more purposeful. “So soft… perfect for me.” He kissed him again, swallowing the omega’s soft cries as he rocked his hips steadily.

The sensations were overwhelming. Beomgyu felt every inch of Soobin moving inside him, so deep he swore the alpha was going to hit his cervix. The room filled with the wet, rhythmic sounds of their bodies colliding, amplified by the slick pooling between them.

When Soobin adjusted his angle, his cock brushed against something inside Beomgyu that sent a jolt of electricity up his spine. The omega let out a louder moan, unable to contain it.

“Ah… hyung,” Beomgyu gasped, his voice breaking as Soobin hit that spot again. His nails raked down the alpha’s back, leaving red marks that would surely linger.

“You drive me fucking crazy,” Soobin growled, his voice thick with need. His grip on Beomgyu’s hips tightening possessively. His movements became shaper, his hips snapping against Beomgyu’s with a slick, messy sound that left them both breathless.

His pace quickened, his thrusts growing harder, more insistent. Beomgyu could barely keep up, his head spinning from the relentless pleasure. Even as Soobin kissed him, their mouths barely aligned anymore, both too lost in the heat of the moment to care about precision.

Beomgyu gasped as Soobin licked over his scent gland, the intimate gesture sending sparks down his spine. “You’re mine,” the alpha said again, more forcefully this time. “No one else gets to have you like this. Ever.”

At those words, the omega felt a searing heat pooling in his stomach, building with every thrust. It was almost too much when Soobin’s hand slipped between them, stroking his cock with ease, the slick making the motion effortless.

Beomgyu moaned, overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through him. Every drag of Soobin’s cock sent waves of pleasure crashing through his body, each thrust more deliberate, more consuming than the last.

“I’m gonna…” Beomgyu stammered, his body trembling as he neared the edge, the alpha’s cock hitting his sweet spot again and again.

“Come for me, angel,” Soobin urged, his voice soft yet commanding. “You said you’d be good for me, didn’t you? Show me.”

“I’ll be… good,” Beomgyu managed, his voice trembling as the tension inside kept building.

The feeling of Soobin thickening inside him almost sent him over the edge again, his walls clenching instinctively around the alpha.

“So eager for my knot, huh?” Soobin growled, though Beomgyu could barely process the words. All he could focus on was how full and hot he felt, every thrust pushing him further into bliss. His hands now gripping Soobin’s hair, legs wrapping tighter around the alpha’s waist, urging him deeper.

Soobin buried his face in Beomgyu’s neck again, his teeth grazing the tender skin. Each bite left a small mark, reminders Beomgyu knew would last for days. He didn’t mind; he wanted the memories to stay etched on his skin.

It only took a few more deep, deliberate thrusts, along with Soobin’s murmured praises, for Beomgyu to fall apart again. The omega cried out, his body arching as his release streaked through him, hot and brilliant, burning with a fleeting intensity that left him breathless.

The clench of his walls around Soobin was too much for the alpha, who let out a guttural groan as he came, his knot swelling and locking them together.

The room spun for a moment, the overwhelming heat finally ebbing into a warm, sated haze. Beomgyu felt himself melting into the mattress, Soobin’s weight comforting against him as the alpha pressed lazy kisses to his neck.

“Call me Hyung again,” Soobin whispered, his voice soft.

Beomgyu hadn’t felt this good in a very, very long time.

x-o-x

Beomgyu felt weightless in Soobin’s arms, the world a warm blur of exhaustion and bliss. His body ached in the best way possible, his limbs heavy but sated. He’d lost track of time—how many times Soobin had made him fall apart, how many times they’d clung to each other, tangled in a haze of heat and need. Maybe it was a bit too “omega” of him, but he liked feeling this way—held and knotted by an alpha, even if it wasn’t his.

Soobin shifted against him, and Beomgyu stirred slightly as the knot finally went down. The alpha moved with care, reaching for a box of wipes on the nightstand and gently cleaning him up. Beomgyu barely registered it, his mind adrift, his body pliant. When Soobin was done, he lay back down without a word, pulling Beomgyu close again.

“I’m cold,” Beomgyu whispered, his voice barely audible.

Soobin immediately reached for the duvet at the end of the bed, tugging it over them and tucking it snugly around Beomgyu’s shoulders. “Better?” he murmured, his hand brushing gently along Beomgyu’s cheek.

"Are you feeling alright?" Soobin asked, caressing his cheek, both of them now lying face to face.

"Mm-hmm, I enjoyed it. Ten out of ten. Five stars," Beomgyu replied with a playful smile. But he wasn’t kidding, it’d been a while since he felt this good after sex.

Soobin chuckled, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Glad to hear it. I’ll look forward to your review on my page".

Beomgyu grinned, running his fingers along the line of Soobin's jaw. "I didn’t think you’d be so…"

"So… big?" Soobin teased.

Beomgyu rolled his eyes. "So kind."

That seemed to caught Soobin off guard. “Oh. No one’s ever called me that before.”

“Well, you are,” Beomgyu said, his voice quieter now. “Thoughtful, too. I, uh… wasn’t expecting you to stay.”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Soobin asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

Beomgyu hesitated, shrugging slightly. “I don’t know. I guess I thought this would be a one-time thing. Not that I wanted it to be, but…”

“Hey,” Soobin interrupted, tilting Beomgyu’s chin up gently. His gaze was steady, his voice firm but kind. “I’m here because I want to be. Not because I feel obligated or whatever else you’re thinking.”

Beomgyu’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “I guess I’m excellent company.”

“You are,” Soobin said without missing a beat, his teasing grin returning. “And ridiculously beautiful, too.”

“Stop it,” Beomgyu muttered, hiding his face against Soobin’s chest.

“It’s true,” Soobin insisted, wrapping his arms tighter around him. “I wasn’t lying earlier. You’re stunning, especially when you’re flushed and out of breath because of me.”

“Don’t say that!” Beomgyu groaned, his cheeks heating up again.

“Why wouldn’t I? You clearly love hearing it.” He replied, pulling Beomgyu closer and kissing him.

Beomgyu couldn’t deny it; with Soobin, he’d discovered he did enjoy all the sweet praise, both in and out of bed.

"So, you know," Soobin said suddenly, a hint of humor in his voice, "I didn’t expect you to have a whole box of condoms in your room. I was already planning to make a pharmacy run." He didn’t really expect an explanation, but Beomgyu couldn’t help but give him one.

Beomgyu’s face scrunched with embarrassment. “Yeah, well… after seeing Dae, I kind of had to get them.”

Soobin’s teasing grin softened. “What do you mean?”

“It just made me paranoid,” Beomgyu admitted. “I know he’s not dumb enough to skip protection, but… I didn’t want to take any chances.”

Soobin nodded, his hand stilling against Beomgyu’s back. “That makes sense.”

“And… I met her,” Beomgyu said quietly, the words slipping out before he could stop them. “The blonde omega we saw him with.”

"Really?" Soobin asked, a little surprised as he pulled back to look at Beomgyu’s face.

“Yeah. I didn’t answer your texts that day, but I saw them. I even went to your classroom to talk to you. But then she showed up. You might know her—Minji? She looked like she came from your class.”

“So you were there,” Soobin said, a note of relief softening his voice. “I thought I was imagining things.”

Beomgyu chuckled softly. "Sorry about that."

“I don’t think I know a Minji, though” Soobin mused. “But if she’s in that class, she’s probably in my major.”

Beomgyu couldn’t explain why that made his stomach twist.

“She said some things… about Dae. About how he’s been spending all this time with her. It was like she was trying to make me jealous.”

Soobin’s jaw tightened. “Your friends have probably already said this, but Daehyun is an asshole.”

Beomgyu laughed humorlessly. “They remind me of that everyday”.

"And while I can’t judge her too harshly because I kind of did the same thing she did, she’s also an asshole for making you feel bad." Soobin added, his tone laced with sympathy.

"Now that I think about it, you two have a lot in common." Beomgyu joked.

Soobin snorted. “Does that make me an asshole, too?”

“No, you’re safe. For now,” Beomgyu teased, his lips twitching into a small smile.

The lightness in their conversation eased some of the tension, but Beomgyu’s thoughts soon wandered back. “The situation is different though. I mean, Dae didn’t even think anything was happening between us. I think he sees me as someone…naive.”

Soobin arched a brow. "Alright, next time I see him, I’m going to make it very clear that you love spending time with me”.

"Don’t you dare! I’d die of embarrassment, and then I’d kill you for putting me through it," he threatened, playfully pinching Soobin's chest.

"Ouch! Alright, alright. I’m kidding. After what I’ve gone through this week, I’m not going to risk doing anything you don’t like. I’ll be on my best behavior." Soobin promised.

"Good."

“For what it’s worth, you’re the only person I’m seeing.”

Beomgyu’s chest ached at the sincerity in Soobin’s voice. “You don’t have to, though.”

“I want to.”

“Okay…” Beomgyu hesitated. “And I haven’t been with Dae since… since we opened things up. Not at all.”

Soobin stilled for a moment. “Oh.”

“Honestly… I’m not sure I could,” Beomgyu revealed, his voice barely audible. The words had lingered in his mind for a while but saying them aloud made them feel heavy.

“Could what?” The alpha asked cautiously.

“Have sex with him,” Beomgyu whispered. “I just… can’t.”

Soobin tensed briefly but relaxed just as quickly, his hand resuming its gentle strokes along Beomgyu’s back. “You don’t have to explain,” he said softly. “But maybe it’s something you should bring up with him. If it bothers you, setting boundaries could help.”

Beomgyu sighed, pressing closer to Soobin’s warmth. “Sorry, you probably don’t want to hear any of this.”

Soobin seemed like he wanted to say more, but the persistent buzzing of Beomgyu's phone interrupted him.

"Ugh, sorry. That’s how Yeonjun hyung texts," Beomgyu said, picking up his phone and checking the messages.

-WE HATE KIM DAEHYUN-

Junie

gyuu

gyuu

gyuu

gyuuuuu

im staying the night with heeseung hehe

Me

you’re ditching me for dick????

Junie

don’t play dumb babyyy

when i went back to get my things i heard u making the most out of your open relationship

Me
YOU WERE HERE????

i hate u

dont come back

Taehyunie

no fucking on the couch or I’ll kill you both of you

Junie

but i did NOTHING

Beomgyu set his phone back on the nightstand, a bit flushed from Yeonjun’s teasing.

"Everything okay?" Soobin asked.

"Taehyun’s spending the weekend with his parents, and Yeonjun hyung just said he’s staying the night with his new fling."

“We have the apartment all to ourselves, then” Soobin said with a soft grin, leaving behind the tense conversation they were having.

Outside, thunder rumbled low and threatening, the sound making him stiffen.

“You okay?” Soobin asked softly, shifting closer. His hand slid up Beomgyu’s arm, grounding him with gentle squeezes.

He hated storms. He always had. There was a time when he could’ve called Dae, asked him to stay and keep the silence at bay. But those days were behind him now, and truthfully, he didn’t want to revisit them. Still, the thought of facing the night alone weighed heavily on his chest.

Instead of answering, Beomgyu asked, “Would you… would you like to stay the night?”

“I…” Soobin started, hesitating.

“It’s just the rain,” Beomgyu rushed to explain, flustered. “I didn’t want to be alone, and I thought maybe—”

Soobin leaned in, cutting off his rambling with a kiss. It was soft but assured, a silent answer wrapped in warmth that settled Beomgyu’s nerves in an instant.

“I’ll stay,” Soobin said, his words gentle but certain.

“Are you sure?” Beomgyu asked, his eyes searching Soobin’s face. “I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything.”

Soobin’s gaze softened further, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “How could I say no to spending the night with the most beautiful omega I’ve ever met?”

Beomgyu’s cheeks flushed, a shy smile spreading across his face. He leaned closer, ready for another kiss, when his stomach let out an embarrassingly loud growl.

Soobin chuckled, his hand brushing lightly against Beomgyu’s belly. “Fried chicken?”

“That sounds perfect,” Beomgyu admitted, laughing softly. “Although… maybe a shower first. I feel gross.” He added, finally noticing the stickiness of his skin.

“Is that your way of suggesting we shower together?”

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, the faintest hint of a blush coloring his cheeks. “Absolutely not. I don’t trust you to keep your hands to yourself. I’ll go first, and then you can have your turn.”

Soobin pouted dramatically, his arms tightening around Beomgyu’s waist. “You’re mean,” he whined, “but fine. I’ll wait.”

Beomgyu leaned in, pressing a soft kiss on Soobin’s pout. “Good hyung”, he whispered against his lips, lingering for just a moment before finally pulling away.

x-o-x

Beomgyu wondered why everything felt so effortless when he was with Soobin. It was as though the world around them dissolved, leaving just the two of them in a space where nothing needed overthinking.

Wearing Soobin’s oversized shirt because it was soft and smelled like him, settling on the couch to watch the second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender—Beomgyu eagerly sharing little tidbits of trivia about the show, while Soobin listened attentively, his smile never wavering. Brushing their teeth side by side in front of the mirror. Searching through his drawers to find something Soobin could wear to sleep—it all felt so easy, so right.

Later, they lay in bed, Beomgyu nestled against Soobin’s chest, his head rising and falling with every steady breath. Soobin’s voice was low and soothing as he showed him his lastest photoshoot. The alpha spoke about light, angles, and how the concepts were crucial for him. Beomgyu watched Soobin’s face light up as he explained, realizing he’d never seen him this excited about his work before.

How much more was there that he didn’t know?

The rain pattered gently against the window, mingling with the steady rhythm of Soobin’s heartbeat beneath his ear. And Beomgyu listened, his fingers tracing the lines of the alpha’s collarbone.

They tried to continue the show on his laptop, but sleep tugged at Beomgyu, lulling him into stillness. The sandalwood scent clinging to Soobin wrapped around him like a cocoon, and he let himself drift off, completely at ease.

Maybe it was too easy—this warmth, this comfort. But maybe, for once, that wasn’t something to question. Maybe it was exactly what he needed.

x-o-x

Beomgyu woke sprawled across the bed, arms and legs flung out like he’d wrestled the covers in his sleep. Soobin stood by the desk, fingers tracing the edge of a miniature living room set the omega had been working on, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

He moves like he belongs here.

“You’re finally awake,” Soobin said, turning with an amused tilt of his head.

Beomgyu groaned, squinting at him. “Why are you over there? Did I kick you out or something?”

Soobin chuckled, crossing back to the bed and sitting on the edge. “I’m just snooping. I didn’t get a good look at your room the last time I was here.”

Beomgyu rubbed at his eyes, mumbling, “I know it’s messy, so don’t judge me.”

“Messy is generous,” Soobin teased, brushing a kiss against Beomgyu’s forehead. “You’re one vintage lamp away from starring in Hoarders.”

“It’s not that bad! It’s just a little cluttered”. Beomgyu protested, groaning as he hid his face in his hands. “Those lamps were so hard to find—I can’t just get rid of them, okay?”

Soobin’s laugh was soft, his voice gentling. “I know, I know. It’s kind of endearing, honestly.”

Peeking through his fingers, Beomgyu’s lips twitched into a reluctant smile. “Thanks, I think?”

“It’s cozy,” Soobin replied, tucking a strand of hair behind Beomgyu’s ear. “Very you, but definitely chaotic.”

Beomgyu followed Soobin’s gaze around the room. Posters curled at the edges lined the walls, and his bookshelf was an overflowing mix of books, CDs, small figurines and vintage perfume bottles. The desk was full of paints, fabric swatches, and tools, with the miniature living room set Soobin had been admiring at its center. Polaroids and sketches crowded a corkboard, a spool of neon thread teetering precariously on a stack of notebooks and three different typewriters lying on the floor. And obviously, a set of three lamps near his closet.

Messy, but the omega loved it that way.

He wondered if Soobin’s room was similar. Or the total opposite. The alpha knew so much about him already, but some things about him were still a mystery for Beomgyu.

“Half of this stuff is for college,” Beomgyu admitted sheepishly. “You never know when you’ll need a tiny plastic cactus.”

Soobin laughed, trailing his hand along Beomgyu’s arm before settling it on his waist. “And the jar full of googly eyes?”

“I made a shit ton of dolls for a short film last semester,” Beomgyu defended, giving Soobin an indignant look. “They needed eyes.”

“But that life-sized Taylor Swift cutout…” Soobin shuddered dramatically. “It scared the hell out of me when I got up to pee. Can’t it face the wall or something?”

Beomgyu threw his head back, laughing. “No way. Aeri got it for me. It stays exactly where it is.”

Soobin sighed, feigning exasperation as his thumb toyed with the waistband of Beomgyu’s panties. “The things I put up with for you…”

“You’re so dramatic,” Beomgyu teased, grabbing his hand. “Now, come on. Let’s have breakfast, I’m starving.”

They stumbled into the kitchen together, laughing and bumping shoulders as they jostled around the space. Every step of the process was chaotic: Soobin kept resting his hand on Beomgyu’s back or sneaking kisses whenever he tried to explain something.

“Hyung, focus,” Beomgyu said, swatting his hand away for the third time, though his lips twitched in amusement.

“I am focused,” Soobin said with a grin, stealing another kiss. “Just not on the food.”

Despite Soobin’s constant interruptions, they somehow managed to cook a decent breakfast. Sunlight spilled over the table as they finally sat down to eat, casting a warm glow over the quiet moment. Without thinking, Soobin’s hand found its way to Beomgyu’s bare thigh, his thumb caressing the soft skin. The touch wasn’t calculated; it felt instinctive, as though Soobin needed the reassurance of Beomgyu’s presence beside him.

The omega didn’t mind. If anything, he leaned into the warmth, his own hand brushing over Soobin’s wrist. It was simple, domestic in a way Beomgyu hadn’t realized he craved until recently.

However, the peaceful bubble burst when Soobin’s phone buzzed against the table.

“Sorry, I need to take this,” he murmured.

Beomgyu watched him retreat to the kitchen, the phone pressed to his ear. Soobin’s voice softened into something he couldn’t quite hear, and Beomgyu’s curiosity itched. He busied himself with his chopsticks, but his attention stayed fixed on the figure pacing a few feet away.

When Soobin returned, his expression was thoughtful, his usual relaxed demeanor replaced by a faint tension. He sat down and picked at his food, but Beomgyu caught the way his gaze lingered on the tabletop, unfocused.

“Who was that?” Beomgyu asked finally, his voice careful. “Is everything alright?”

Soobin blinked, as if realizing he’d been quiet too long. “Oh, yeah,” he said quickly, waving it off. “It was about an internship I applied for.”

Beomgyu raised an eyebrow. “An internship?”

“Yeah.” Soobin scratched the back of his neck, avoiding Beomgyu’s gaze. “At Frame. They’re a publicity agency. You’ve probably never heard of them, but they’re amazing. I’ve wanted to work there for years.”

Beomgyu’s eyes widened, his chopsticks frozen mid-air. “Wait—Frame? They were the ones on the phone?”

Soobin nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “They want to interview me next week.”

“Hyung, what the hell! Of course, I know who they are” Beomgyu all but shouted. “This is huge!”

“It’s just an interview,” Soobin said, his ears pinkening. “I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”

“It’s a big deal!” Beomgyu leaned forward, practically vibrating with excitement. “What’s their whole thing again? Storytelling?”

“Advertising through storytelling,” Soobin said, his voice softening as he explained. “They blend visuals and narratives to create campaigns that feel… alive. Like they mean something.”

Beomgyu smiled so brightly it felt like the room warmed a degree. “So pretentious. That’s perfect for you.”

“Was that a compliment?”

“I’m joking! But being serious, you’re a great fit for them. You’ve shown me some of your photos and you always come up with fascinating concepts. I’m sure they’ll pick you, hyung”.

Soobin ducked his head, his fingers brushing the edge of his plate. “Thanks, Gyu. That… really means a lot coming from you”.

Beomgyu reached out, sliding his hand over Soobin’s. “I mean it. You’re amazing. And when you get in, we’re celebrating.”

Soobin’s lips twitched into a shy smile. “Deal. But even if I don’t get in, we’re still celebrating. Having you here already makes everything better.”

Beomgyu’s pulse quickened at the sincerity in Soobin’s voice, but he tried to mask it with a teasing grin. “Lucky for you, I’m excellent at celebrations. And cheering people up. Basically, I’m irresistible.”

Soobin laughed, leaning closer until their foreheads nearly touched. “That you are.”

They stayed like that for a moment, quiet and comfortable. Beomgyu’s thumb brushed over Soobin’s knuckles.

“What about you?” Soobin asked suddenly. “Heard back from any of the places you applied to?”

Beomgyu hesitated, the question deflating his earlier energy. “Not really. I kind of… stopped looking a few weeks ago.”

“Why?” Soobin tilted his head, his frown faint but genuine.

“I don’t know,” Beomgyu said, shrugging. “I’ve been trying for months. Sent out so many applications, but it’s just rejection after rejection. I guess I’m not cut out for this ‘real job’ thing.” He tried to joke.

“That’s not true,” Soobin said firmly, his hand tightening around Beomgyu’s.

The omega huffed a laugh, leaning back in his chair. “It’s fine. I’ll just live off my charm and good looks. Someone out there must need a professional housewife.”

“First of all, I’m that someone,” Soobin stated without missing a beat.

Beomgyu burst into laughter, shaking his head. “Of course you’d say that.”

“Second,” Soobin continued, his tone softening, “stop underestimating yourself. I actually watched one of the short films you worked on. Your work is incredible.”

Beomgyu blinked, caught off guard. “Wait, what? How did you—?”

Soobin grinned, leaning back smugly. “I have my ways. I’ll tell you someday.”

“You’re insufferable,” Beomgyu muttered, though his smile betrayed him.

“I am,” Soobin agreed, “but I also know you have a gift for… production design?”

“Stop. You even got the name right. I don’t think I’ve ever told you that.” Beomgyu narrowed his eyes. “Are you secretly obsessed with me?”

“I’m publicly obsessed with you,” Soobin declared. “And just by seeing your room it’s obvious you are passionate about it. That miniature living room set on your desk looks so good”.

“So, what, you’re my personal cheerleader now?”

“Absolutely,” Soobin said without hesitation. He leaned in, cupping Beomgyu’s cheek. “But I’m also your very biased… classmate, which in my book means I get to be incredibly annoying about how amazing you are until you believe it.”

Beomgyu tried to glare, but the fondness in Soobin’s gaze melted his resolve. “You’re an irritating classmate”

“Mm-hmm,” Soobin hummed, brushing his lips against Beomgyu’s. “But you love it.”

Beomgyu sighed dramatically, but his lips curled into a smile. “Fine. I guess I’ll keep trying, just to get you off my back.”

“Good,” Soobin murmured, kissing him properly this time. The kind of kiss that lingered, sweet and soft, with just enough pressure to make Beomgyu’s breath catch.

When they broke apart, Beomgyu rested his forehead against Soobin’s, his voice barely above a whisper. “Thanks.”

“Anytime,” Soobin said, sliding his hand from Beomgyu’s cheek to his waist. “Now, finish your breakfast before I decide you’re more interesting than food again.”

Beomgyu laughed, swatting at Soobin’s chest as they returned to their plates.

“Oh, right,” Soobin said after a beat, his voice casual as his hand settled on Beomgyu’s thigh again. “Do you have any plans today?”

The omega looked up, his gaze soft. “No plans,” he said, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. “I’m all yours.”

Soobin’s grin turned mischievous. “Good. I want you to model for me today. I need new photos for my portfolio.”

“Model?” Beomgyu teased. “That’s just an excuse to keep staring at me, isn’t it?”

“Obviously,” Soobin said.

x-o-x

Beomgyu dressed quickly, trying to ignore the nervous energy simmering beneath his skin. He’d chosen something casual, reminding himself—over and over—that this wasn’t a date. Just a friendly outing. Nothing more, nothing less. Definitely not a date. Nope.

They slid into Soobin’s car, the alpha steering with an ease that made everything about him feel so grounded, so solid. It was comforting, and maybe that was part of what unnerved Beomgyu.

They were heading to Soobin’s apartment first so he could change and grab his camera. But the closer they got, the heavier Beomgyu’s thoughts became.

This would be his first time seeing where Soobin lived. The realization stirred something uneasy in him, a small knot forming in his stomach.

How much did he really know about Soobin?

Beomgyu’s gaze flickered to the alpha, whose profile was relaxed as he drove. They’d spent hours together, sharing quiet moments, laughter, even vulnerable confessions. But the more Beomgyu thought about it, the more he realized how much of Soobin’s life he hadn’t seen. His family, his past, his daily routines—all of it was still a mystery.

Why did he feel so drawn to someone he didn’t know that well? Was he getting ahead of himself? Filling in gaps with an image he wanted Soobin to be, rather than who he really was?

They pulled into the parking lot, and Soobin opened Beomgyu’s door, offering a hand to help him out. The gesture was simple but steadying, a brief anchor against Beomgyu’s growing unease.

“This is my first time going to your place,” Beomgyu said aloud, the casualness in his tone masking the spiral in his head.

“That’s true,” Soobin replied with a sheepish smile. “Now I’m suddenly nervous for you to see how I live.”

“Are you an actual hoarder?” Beomgyu teased, arching an eyebrow. However, he didn’t have a clear picture of how his place would look like.

“According to my sister, I’m a disaster. But between us, I think she’s just a neat freak,” Soobin replied, guiding Beomgyu toward the elevator with a hand lightly resting on his lower back.

“Oh, right, your sister! Is she older than you?” Beomgyu asked, his curiosity was getting the best of him. New places made him anxious.

“Yeah, by four years. She’s an omega like you, and basically my walking conscience,” Soobin said as the elevator doors closed. “Actually, she’s the one who gave me the idea of sending you those apology gifts.”

This is the most he’d ever talked about his family.

Beomgyu tilted his head in thought before giving a small, approving nod. “Well, they were sweet. She sounds wise.”

“Hey, I picked the gifts! I deserve at least some credit—and maybe a reward,” Soobin said, puffing up his chest in mock pride.

Beomgyu let out a small laugh, but the unease crept back in as the elevator dinged. They stepped out onto Soobin’s floor, and Beomgyu glanced around. The building was far nicer than his own—clean, modern, and well-maintained. Definitely not the kind of place a broke student would live.

The alpha drove a nice car and was older than him. He carried himself with the confidence of someone who had their life together. So it shouldn’t be a surprise he lived in a place like this.

Beomgyu was aware of that, but he couldn’t stop the questions running in his head.

What if I don’t know him as much as I thought I did?

The moment Soobin opened his door, Beomgyu barely had time to take a single step inside before a small child came running toward them.

“Daddy!” the little boy shouted, clinging tightly to Soobin’s legs.

Daddy?!

Did Soobin—? A kid? Did he have a wife, too? Was Beomgyu about to star in a soap opera?

Chapter Text

“W-wait! He’s my nephew!” Soobin blurted out, his voice slightly frantic as he noticed the confusion flickering across Beomgyu’s face. He crouched slightly to meet the child’s eyes, his tone softening. “Sujin, how many times have I told you to stop calling me that in public?”

The boy tilted his head innocently, though the mischievous glint in his eye was unmistakable. “But Mommy says it’s funny!” he chirped, his small hands gripping Soobin’s pant leg. He peeked around Soobin’s knees to stare at Beomgyu, curiosity lighting up his wide eyes. The moment didn’t last, though—his face flushed, and he darted back behind the alpha, hiding again.

Soobin sighed, running a hand through Sujin’s hair in a gesture that was combined fondness and exasperation. “Gyu, meet Sujin—my nephew and my sister’s little gremlin,” he said, his lips twitching into a smile.

Beomgyu, who had been holding his breath without realizing it, let out a soft laugh as relief flooded his features. “Hi, Sujin,” he greeted, crouching down to the boy’s level. His warm smile and outstretched hand made the interaction feel natural despite the initial awkwardness. “I’m Beomgyu. It’s nice to meet you.”

Sujin peeked out cautiously, his small fingers curling around Beomgyu’s as they shook hands. “H-hi,” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. After a pause, his eyes roamed Beomgyu’s face with an almost reverent expression before blurting, “A-are you a princess?”

Beomgyu burst into a soft, musical laugh that immediately put Sujin at ease. “A princess? What makes you think that?”

“Because… you’re really pretty,” Sujin mumbled, his cheeks now a bright pink as he shyly ducked his head.

Soobin groaned, his head falling into his hands as his shoulders shook with quiet laughter. “Sujin,” he said, his tone half-scolding and half-defeated, “where do you even get this stuff?”

Beomgyu grinned, brushing his bangs out of his face as he straightened up. “Well, he’s a flirt just like you,” he teased.

“Oh, come on, Gyu, I’m much better,” Soobin replied, a fond smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Alright, troublemaker. Let’s go say hi to your mom before you embarrass me even more.” He reached down, scooping Sujin up effortlessly and guided the omega into the apartment with his free hand.

Before Beomgyu could ask anything, a cheerful voice rang out from the kitchen. “Oh, you must be Beomgyu!”

A woman appeared, wiping her hands on an apron as she approached. Her smile was wide and welcoming, and her resemblance to Soobin was striking—from the slope of her nose to the slight curve of her lips.

“Hi,” Beomgyu said, feeling uncharacteristically shy under her warm gaze.

“I’m Jimin, the genius older sister of this idiot,” she said, motioning toward Soobin with a playful roll of her eyes. Before Beomgyu could process it, she pulled him into a friendly, tight hug. “It’s so nice to finally meet you!”

“Nice to meet you too,” Beomgyu replied, his voice a little muffled as he awkwardly patted her back.

Pulling away, Jimin smiled knowingly. “I’m so glad you forgave him. Please, try to understand—his brain misfires sometimes, but he’s a good guy.”

Beomgyu glanced at Soobin, a laugh bubbling out. “Well… I guess I can’t argue with that.”

“Hey!” Soobin exclaimed, setting Sujin down as the boy scrambled back to Jimin’s side.

“Oh, come on, you know it’s true,” Jimin said, draping an arm over Beomgyu’s shoulders like they were longtime friends. She leaned in conspiratorially. “Seriously, Beomgyu, this guy is obsessed with you. His room is full of your photos. If I were you, I’d run while you still can.”

“Oh my god, Gyu, don’t listen to her,” Soobin cut in, his cheeks turning red as he tugged at Beomgyu’s arm. “She’s insane. I should’ve warned you.”

Jimin smirked, ignoring her brother entirely. “If it weren’t for this insane sister, your apartment would still be a disaster zone. Three months, Soobin! Who moves in and just… stops unpacking?”

“Unpacking is hard!” Soobin shot back, crossing his arms defensively.

“Sweetheart,” Jimin said, turning to Beomgyu with a mock-serious expression, “if it weren’t for me, he’d be surviving on instant noodles and frozen dumplings.”

“Hey!” Soobin protested, throwing his hands up. “I know how to cook!”.

Jimin raised an eyebrow. “Want me to take back the side dishes I just brought you?”

“Next time, text me before you come over,” Soobin retorted, grabbing Beomgyu’s hand and pulling him toward the hallway. “That way, I can keep Gyu safe from your clutches.”

“Love you too!” Jimin called after them, her laughter echoing as the two disappeared into what Beomgyu assumed was Soobin’s bedroom.

Soobin let out a deep sigh of relief as the door clicked shut, leaning back against it with a dramatic groan.

“Sorry about that,” the alpha said, a faint flush still lingering on his cheeks. “She lives to embarrass me.”

“I like her,” Beomgyu replied with a small, teasing smile, his eyes wandering across the room.

Soobin pushed off the door and closed the distance between them, his presence warming the space instantly. “Of course you do. She’s a menace,” he muttered, rolling his eyes. When he reached Beomgyu, he brushed a stray strand of hair from the omega’s forehead the gesture intimate and tender. “Well, welcome to my room. Make yourself comfortable. I won’t take long.”

Before Beomgyu could respond, Soobin turned and disappeared into the walk-in closet, his voice carrying out as he rummaged through clothes. “So… I saw your face when Sujin popped out earlier. Did you really think I had a whole child I hadn’t told you about?”

Beomgyu perched himself on the edge of Soobin’s neatly made king-size bed, the faint scent of sandalwood enveloping him. He hummed thoughtfully, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.”

Soobin’s voice was light with mock offense. “Wow. I feel a little betrayed, honestly.”

“You shouldn’t,” Beomgyu replied with a small laugh. “I’m a professional overthinker, and we haven’t known each other for that long.”

“That’s fair, I guess…” Soobin trailed off as if talking more to himself. “I haven’t told you much about me either.”

The air felt heavier after that, and Beomgyu, unsure of what to say, took advantage of the alpha’s absence to explore the room.

Unlike the sparse living room, which seemed barely lived in, the bedroom felt like a window into Soobin’s world, even if there weren’t a lot of things inside. The bed was neatly made, but the desk was cluttered with pens, papers, and a camera bag. The walls were filled with photos…landscapes, the streets, random objects and people. Beomgyu could even recognize Kai in some of them.

But it was the framed photo on the desk that truly caught his attention. He stepped closer, picking it up carefully. The picture showed a younger Soobin standing between Jimin and a woman with strikingly familiar features. She had to be their mother—the resemblance was undeniable. Her smile was warm and maternal, radiating a kindness that softened the sharp ache in Beomgyu’s chest.

Where is she now?

Soobin never mentioned anything about her, it was always his sister. Hell, he didn’t even know he had a nephew until today.

“That’s my mom,” Soobin’s voice came from behind him, startling him.

Beomgyu turned sharply, his hand free flying to his chest. “Oh my God, you scared me.”

“Sorry.” Soobin’s lips quirked into a faint smile as he stepped closer. His hair was mussed from the closet, and his simple black t-shirt clung to his broad shoulders. Paired with grey jeans and a leather jacket slung casually over one arm, he looked effortlessly handsome.

“I didn’t mean to pry,” Beomgyu said softly, setting the frame back on the desk.

“It’s fine,” the alpha reassured him, closing the distance between them. He rested a hand lightly on Beomgyu’s waist, pulling him just a little closer. “I think I’ve been too closed off with some things. But…I trust you. So if you have questions, ask them. It’s only fair—you’ve been so open with me.”

Beomgyu hesitated, his fingers nervously playing with the hem of the alpha’s t-shirt. “it’s okay, you don’t have share anything you don’t want to.”

“I want to,” Soobin said firmly, his thumb brushing soothing circles against Beomgyu’s hip.

Beomgyu tilted his head slightly, biting his lip. “The woman in the picture… that’s your mom?”

“Yes, she passed away,” Soobin said quietly, his thumb tracing soft circles against Beomgyu’s hip. “A few years ago. Cancer.”

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and aching. Beomgyu’s throat tightened, and before he could think better of it, he wrapped his arms around Soobin’s waist and pressed his cheek against the alpha’s chest.

“I’m so sorry,” Beomgyu whispered, his voice muffled against the fabric of Soobin’s t-shirt.

“It’s okay,” Soobin murmured, wrapping his arms around the omega and holding him securely. He rested his chin on top of Beomgyu’s head, swaying them slightly as if to soothe them both. “I don’t like to get sad about it anymore”

Beomgyu pulled back just enough to look up at him. His hands slid to cradle Soobin’s face, his thumbs brushing against his cheekbones.

“I’m fine, angel,” Soobin replied with a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Really. It’s been years.”

Beomgyu stood on his toes and pressed a soft kiss to Soobin’s cheek, lingering there. “Okay, I’ll believe you,” he whispered against his skin.

The alpha let out a quiet laugh, though it was thick with emotion. “Don’t start crying, okay?”

“I’m not crying!” Beomgyu said, though his voice wavered.

“You look like you might,” Soobin teased, gently nudging his forehead against Beomgyu’s. “But I’m serious. Ask me anything, I know you still have some questions”

Beomgyu hesitated again before asking, “Why did you move here?”

“I used to live with my sister and Sujin, but she decided that it was time for me to move out. They actually live in the same building, though” Soobin explained, his tone softening at the mention of his family. “I think she feels a little guilty now that I’m living alone. That’s why she’s so… intense about helping.”

“Guilty?”

Soobin hesitated, his hands sliding up and down Beomgyu’s back in slow, soothing motions. “I’ve told you before that I started university later because I needed money. My mom’s treatment wasn’t cheap. Noona wanted to handle everything on her own, but then she got pregnant, and her alpha left her. Not long after that… my mom passed away.”

Beomgyu’s throat tightened. He didn’t trust himself to speak, so he simply kept stroking Soobin’s face, his silence offering comfort.

“So, I forced her to let me help. She’s stubborn as hell, but I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I was 18 and had no experience so I worked whatever jobs I could find and helped taking care of Sujin so she wouldn’t lose her job.” Soobin chuckled softly, though it was tinged with self-deprecation. “Sorry, not me trauma dumping”

Beomgyu’s brows knitted. “You don’t have to make jokes about everything.”

“I do,” Soobin said with a half-smile. “Otherwise, I’d probably just cry, and that’s not very alpha of me, is it?”

Beomgyu huffed a laugh, his hands sliding to rest on Soobin’s shoulders. “I think it’s okay to cry sometimes.”

“Not when I have someone as pretty as you to hold,” Soobin murmured, his voice dropping slightly, and his eyes locked on Beomgyu’s.

The sincerity in his tone made Beomgyu’s heart ache in the best way. He stood on his tiptoes, his hands sliding up to cradle Soobin’s face, and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.

“You did so well, Hyung,” Beomgyu whispered, his voice soft but steady. “18-year-old you? Total badass.”

“Oh no,” Soobin groaned, his ears turning red. “18-year-old me was a disaster.”

“Don’t say that,” Beomgyu protested, his brows furrowing. “Not just anyone would’ve done what you did. You took care of your family. You were there when they needed you most. Don’t get your ego too high, but I think you’re amazing” He combed his fingers through Soobin’s hair gently.

“You really think so?” Soobin’s voice was barely above a whisper, doubt lingering in his words. He seemed vulnerable in a way Beomgyu hadn’t seen before.

“I know so,” the omega affirmed, his smile gentle as he leaned up to kiss Soobin. It wasn’t hurried or fleeting—it was steady and heartfelt, as if trying to convey all the things he couldn’t put into words.

When they finally parted, Soobin rested his forehead against Beomgyu’s, closing his eyes. “Should we just stay here so I can cuddle you?” He murmured.

Beomgyu smirked. “Nope. You’ve got a portfolio to work on.”

Soobin groaned dramatically. “I guess there’s no way out, I have to get a better job so I can keep treating you like a princess”.

“Ugh, don’t say that, it’s only cute when Sujin says it”.

x-o-x

After bidding goodbye to Jimin and Sujin, they climbed back into Soobin’s car. The plan was to visit a park on the outskirts of the city—a hidden gem that Soobin swore had the most breathtaking spots for capturing the beauty of nature.

The drive itself felt like an extension of the magic they’d been experiencing all day. The radio played softly in the background, but it was Soobin’s occasional hums and the way his fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel that made Beomgyu’s heart flutter. Every so often, Soobin would glance over at him, his smile soft and unguarded, like Beomgyu was the only thing worth looking at.

When they arrived, Soobin, as always, placed a guiding hand on Beomgyu’s lower back, gently leading him into the heart of the park. The world seemed to quiet around them, leaving only the rustle of leaves, the sweet scent of flowers, and the occasional chirping of birds.

They wandered the winding paths slowly, pausing whenever one of them found something worth capturing with their cameras. Beomgyu hadn’t realized how long it had been since he’d taken photos for no reason other than his own joy. Adjusting the settings to chase the perfect light, crouching carefully to avoid startling squirrels, and stealing candid shots of Soobin while he wasn’t looking—it all felt like rediscovering a forgotten part of himself.

“Your turn now,” Soobin said suddenly, his tone playful yet firm as they reached a wooden bridge overlooking a small, shimmering lake.

Beomgyu tilted his head, feigning reluctance. “Alright, alright, I’m not fighting you on this.”

“Good.” Soobin’s grin widened. “Now walk ahead, slowly… and pretend you’re mesmerized by the flowers.”

Beomgyu snorted but obliged, strolling along the bridge and letting his gaze drift lazily over the blooms. He could feel Soobin’s eyes on him, the weight of his attention warming him from the inside out.

“What do you think?” Soobin asked a moment later, motioning for Beomgyu to come see the photos.

Leaning close to the camera, Beomgyu’s breath caught. The pictures were stunning. The way Soobin had used the sunlight to create a halo around him made it look otherworldly.

“You made me look…” Beomgyu hesitated, cheeks flushing. “Really good”.

“I’d say ethereal,” Soobin said simply, his voice so steady and sincere that Beomgyu’s heart skipped.

The rest of the day passed in a haze of laughter and soft moments. It felt wonderful, not just taking the pictures but watching Soobin light up every time Beomgyu gave him advice or feedback.

“I love your artistic vision,” Soobin said at one point, his voice quiet but full of meaning.

Later, they stopped at a cozy restaurant near the park for lunch. Beomgyu had every intention of paying—they had a deal, after all—but Soobin was faster, slipping his card to the waiter before Beomgyu could even reach for his wallet.

“We had a deal,” Beomgyu protested, his pout making Soobin chuckle.

“Next time,” Soobin promised, his smile so disarming that Beomgyu couldn’t stay annoyed.

Afterward, Soobin took Beomgyu to a quaint antique shop that the omega had been eager to visit. The omega found the rug he needed for a university project. However, his eyes kept wandering to a golden and blue music box with a delicate ballerina inside. It was beautiful, almost hypnotic, but too indulgent for him to justify buying.

He really needed to get a job soon.

Still, none of it dulled the warmth he felt from the day. Soobin’s thoughtful gestures, his easy laughter, the way he seemed so attuned to Beomgyu’s every reaction—it was all too perfect.

On their way back, they stopped at a café for dessert. An excuse to spend more time together.

“Yeonjun likes mint chocolate, right?” Soobin asked when they finished eating, his tone casual but his attention fully on Beomgyu.

“Yeah,” Beomgyu replied, smiling softly. He didn’t even bother arguing about who was paying anymore—Soobin was impossible to beat.

Now, standing outside Beomgyu’s apartment door, the air between them felt charged, like neither wanted the day to end.

“Thanks for today,” Beomgyu said, his voice quieter than usual. “I had a really great time.”

“So did I,” Soobin replied, his gaze soft but unwavering. “Can we do it again sometime?”

“Yes!” Beomgyu blurted out, blushing at his enthusiasm. “But only if you let me pay next time.”

Soobin chuckled, stepping closer until their breaths mingled. “Next time, I promise.” His hand tilted Beomgyu’s chin gently.

Beomgyu barely had time to think before Soobin’s lips were on his. The kiss was deep and unhurried, leaving Beomgyu breathless and dazed when they finally pulled apart.

“See you tomorrow, angel,” Soobin murmured, pressing a softer, lingering kiss to his lips before stepping back.

“Tomorrow,” Beomgyu managed, his voice a whisper.

Even as he walked inside, his friends teasing him for every detail of the weekend while eating the ice cream, Beomgyu couldn’t stop smiling. That night, as he lay in bed, his thoughts circled back to Soobin, the anticipation of seeing him again making sleep come slowly but sweetly.

My Soobinie<33

goodnight angel

x-o-x

The next morning, that familiar excitement bubbled up again as he grabbed his bag, ready to head out. But the moment he opened his apartment door, the warmth drained from his face.

“Daehyun? What are you doing here?” Beomgyu asked, startled.

“Guess who’s got a car now!” Daehyun grinned, holding up a set of keys like a trophy. He sounded so casual, as if everything between them was perfectly fine.

“Oh… that’s great,” Beomgyu mumbled, his stomach twisting.

“My dad got it for me—last year of college perks,” Daehyun explained, puffing out his chest slightly. “Come on, let me give you a ride to campus.”

Before Beomgyu could object, he found himself in Daehyun’s new car, clutching the seatbelt tightly as Daehyun sped down the streets, narrowly avoiding collisions. His heart raced—not in the good way.

“Could you slow down? We’re not in a race,” Beomgyu muttered, trying to keep his voice steady.

“Relax, babe, I’ve got this,” Daehyun said with a laugh, completely unfazed.

Fortunately, the drive only lasted about ten minutes, though Beomgyu’s nerves felt like they’d aged a decade. Unfortunately, as they got out and walked toward the building, Daehyun reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together.

“How have you been? Feels like forever since I’ve seen you,” Daehyun said, glancing at him with a soft smile.

That’s because I’ve been avoiding you, Beomgyu thought but kept the words to himself.

He knew they needed to talk, really talk.

“Just busy getting ready for midterms” he said instead, keeping his tone neutral.

Daehyun gave his hand a light squeeze. “You should make time for me in that packed schedule, baby. I missed you.”

Beomgyu opened his mouth to answered, to say something, anything that would steer the conversation toward the truth they’d been dancing around, but a voice cut through the air.

“Hey, Dae!”

Beomgyu turned his head, and his stomach dropped. Minji was walking toward them, her smile wide and confident, though it faltered slightly when her gaze landed on him and their intertwined hands.

“Hi,” Daehyun greeted her easily, his tone almost too smooth. “Baby, this is Minji, one of my classmates. Minji, this is Beomgyu, my boyfriend.” He draped an arm casually over Beomgyu’s shoulders as he spoke.

Minji’s expression barely shifted, but Beomgyu caught the faintest flicker of discomfort in her eyes.

"Oh, we’ve met before," Beomgyu said suddenly, his voice steady.

Daehyun stiffened beside him. "You have?"

Her gaze darted to Daehyun, but he avoided her eyes, his expression infuriatingly calm.

"Yeah," Beomgyu confirmed, keeping his gaze locked on Minji. "It was...interesting."

Minji hesitated for a second before letting out a small laugh. "Oh, that’s right! Such a funny coincidence." She smiled at Beomgyu, but there was a tightness around the edges that wasn’t there before. "We didn’t talk much, though. Just a brief hello"

"Is that what you’d call it?" Beomgyu asked, tilting his head slightly, his tone deceptively light.

Minji’s smile faltered for the briefest moment, and her eyes darted to Daehyun again. But the alpha said nothing, his jaw tightening as his gaze flicked between the two omegas.

"Well," Minji began, regaining some of her composure, "I was just being polite. I mean, I am close to you, Dae, so it only felt natural to introduce myself." She shifted her weight, her tone airy but defensive.

"Polite," Beomgyu echoed, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smile. "Sure”, the omega laughed.

Minji blinked, her poise cracking just slightly. "Do you have a problem?" she said, her voice cooler now, the edges sharp.

Daehyun cut in, his tone firm but measured. "Do you need something, Minji? We’re in a bit of a rush."

Minji’s gaze snapped to him, her lips pressing together in a tight line. For a moment, the confident mask slipped completely, and something darker flickered across her face. "I just wanted to remind you about tonight," she said, her voice taking on a pointed edge. "You don’t have better plans, do you?"

Beomgyu felt no anger toward her anymore—just pity.

“Ah, sorry,” Daehyun said, brushing it off without a second thought. “I’ve got something else going on tonight. Maybe next time.”

Minji’s jaw tightened, but she forced a saccharine smile. "Of course. Next time." She turned to Beomgyu and the condescension in her eyes was unmistakable. "It was nice seeing you again."

"Likewise," Beomgyu replied, his voice steady but loaded.

Minji’s eyes narrowed, but before she could say more, Daehyun tugged Beomgyu away, his hand firm around the omega’s shoulder.

As they walked, Beomgyu’s thoughts raced. Finally, he stopped before they could reach the door of his classroom, pulling himself free from the alpha’s embrace.

"Daehyun," Beomgyu said softly, hesitating before continuing. "You don’t have to lie to me, you know”.

Daehyun sighed, running a hand through his hair. "She probably likes me or whatever," he stepped closer, his hands settling on Beomgyu’s shoulders. "But don’t mind her. Minji just likes to stir up drama. That’s all it is.”

Beomgyu didn’t say anything, tired of all the lying. He had questions, but before he could press further, Daehyun changed the subject abruptly.

"My mom’s in town," he said, his tone softening. "She wants to have dinner with us tonight."

Beomgyu blinked, the sudden shift catching him off guard. "Dinner?"

"Yeah," Daehyun said, his hand sliding down to take Beomgyu’s. "Just the three of us. But, baby, don’t mention anything about... our arrangement. She wouldn’t understand. Let’s keep things simple."

Beomgyu swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "Right. Simple."

x-o-x

Daehyun had a picture-perfect family.

Married parents, a successful older brother, a big house…even a purebred golden retriever. They had family dinners at a perfectly set table, summers spent exploring new destinations, and holidays that sparkled like something out of a movie.

It was a stark contrast to Beomgyu’s own family, where arguments dragged on longer than they should and vacations were nothing more than a fleeting thought.

So yeah, deep down, even he didn’t want to admit it to himself, Beomgyu enjoyed being part of Daehyun’s perfect family… most of the time.

This wasn’t one of those times. Not when things were so…awkward between him and Daehyun.

“My Beomgyu!” Yuna, Daehyun’s mother, stood from her seat the moment she saw him, her face lighting up as she came over. She pulled him into a warm hug that smelled faintly of lavender and vanilla, her usual perfume. “Oh, have you been eating properly? You’re so thin!” she exclaimed, pulling back to cup his face with gentle hands, her thumbs brushed over his cheekbones, her gaze scanning his face with maternal concern.

Beomgyu gave her a soft smile. “I’ve just been too focused on school. But I’m fine, Mrs. Kim.”

“Yuna“, she scolded him softly, still holding his face like he was a porcelain doll. “And you, Kim Daehyun”, her gaze sharpened as she glanced at her son. "You’re supposed to be taking care of your omega!"

Daehyun, who had just sat down at the table, groaned playfully. “I am taking care of him, Mom. You don’t have to worry.”

“You’d better be,” Yuna huffed, releasing Beomgyu only to wave him toward the seat in front of her. “Now sit, sit! You must be starving.”

He appreciated Yuna—truly, he did. Despite what anyone might assume about an omega with two alpha sons, she’d never been anything but kind to him. She welcomed him into their family with open arms, always quick to praise him, always eager to make him feel at home.

But tonight, that warmth felt suffocating.

“I started my piano lessons,” Yuna announced cheerfully once the waiter had set their meals on the table. She adjusted her napkin with practiced elegance, her smile bright as she looked at Beomgyu. “Just like you suggested!”

“That’s amazing!” Beomgyu perked up, his previous unease momentarily forgotten. “How’s it going?”

“It’s really rewarding,” she said, beaming. “You always have such good ideas.”

She launched into an animated recount of her first few lessons, detailing the challenges of learning scales and how her teacher kept reminding her to sit up straight. Beomgyu listened attentively, nodding and laughing at the right moments, offering encouragement wherever he could.

He couldn’t help but smile. Yuna’s life, confined to a house in the suburbs with a husband who worked long hours and children who rarely visited, often seemed stifling. Beomgyu admired her attempts to fill the silence with hobbies and small joys. He always made sure to suggest new things she could try, and she seemed genuinely grateful for it.

What he couldn’t understand was why her own children sometimes seemed so indifferent to her. Was it because they were alphas? Beomgyu didn’t like to assign behaviors to sub genders…but why couldn’t her own children see that she wasn’t as happy as he appeared to be? Could he see so clearly because he was an omega?

“Here,” Yuna said suddenly, interrupting her own story as she reached into her handbag. She pulled out a small velvet box and set it on the table in front of Beomgyu. “Open it.”

He hesitated, glancing at her, but her expectant smile left no room for refusal. Carefully, he lifted the lid to reveal a delicate gold bracelet nestled inside. It was slim, understated, but undeniably expensive.

“Oh, I couldn’t—”

“It’s an early graduation gift,” she interrupted with a soft laugh. “I’ll be upset if you don’t take it.”

“Thank you. This is… really kind of you,” Beomgyu could only thank her. Refusing her gifts was pointless; she never took no for an answer.

“Hey, what about me?” Daehyun interjected, looking up from his phone with a playful pout.

“You already got a car! Don’t ruin the moment,” Yuna shot back, her tone exasperated but fond.

As the dinner went on, Yuna and Beomgyu continued chatting while Daehyun chimed in occasionally. To an outsider, everything might have seemed perfectly normal. But Beomgyu was sure Yuna noticed the way her son’s gaze drifted off too often to his phone, the fleeting moments of tension in his jaw, the way his replies to his mother’s questions sometimes came a beat too late, as if his mind was elsewhere, and the biggest giveaway of them all, the little interaction between him and Beomgyu.

When Daehyun excused himself to the restroom, Yuna’s cheerful demeanor turned more serious. She leaned across the table, her hand reaching out to rest gently over Beomgyu’s. “Sweetheart,” she began, her voice low, almost a whisper. “Tell me the truth. Something’s wrong with Dae, isn’t it?”

“Oh, no, everything’s fine. We’ve just been busy with classes, our midterms are coming,” he said, forcing a smile he hoped was convincing.

Yuna’s brow furrowed, her hand giving his a slight squeeze. “Daehyun still has some growing up to do,” she said, her tone understanding but firm. “Alphas can be… easily distracted. You know that, right?”

“I…” Beomgyu faltered, unsure of what she wanted him to say.

“I know it’s hard,” she continued, her grip tightening slightly. “The idea of him… seeing someone else. But alphas are impulsive, dear. They don’t always think things through. You just have to be patient with him, okay? He’s under so much stress.”

So, she thought Daehyun was cheating, and her advice was to forgive him and move on?

Yeah, Yuna was Daehyun’s mother after all. Not a kind aunt that cared about his feelings or his thoughts. Beomgyu felt dumb for not expecting something like this from her.

“You’re such a sweet, intelligent omega,” she said, her smile returning as if her previous words were a casual thing to say. “I know you’ll get through this. And once you’re married and have your own babies, you’ll be so happy that you won’t even remember any of this.”

Her words felt like cold water washing over him. He wanted to shup her up, to tell her that this wasn’t about patience or understanding. But instead, he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll try”.

“You’re meant to be, sweetheart”, she smiled brightly. “Oh, I just know you’ll be such a good mother, and your babies will be so cute. You’re twenty-two already, this is a good age for…”

The air felt thick, suffocating. Beomgyu’s vision blurred slightly, the weight of her words pressing down on him. Marriage. Babies. A future he couldn’t imagine, not anymore.

He couldn’t understand how he was so willing to let Daehyun marked him not too long ago. How was he so willing to do something that’d inevitably lead to the future Yuna wanted for them?

Now, the thought of it filled him with a quiet, creeping dread.

Daehyun returned a moment later, his easy smile back in place as he slid into his seat. “What’d I miss?” he asked, oblivious to the tension in the omega’s body.

“Nothing important,” Beomgyu replied, his voice hollow.

For the first time, he realized just how terrifying the future Yuna described truly was.

x-o-x

When Beomgyu had seen Daehyun and Minji at the club that night, he’d felt a painful mix of sadness and betrayal. But now, as they sat in his car, that sadness had transformed into anger, simmering under his skin.

He glanced at Daehyun, his profile illuminated by the soft glow of passing streetlights. Beomgyu’s chest tightened at the familiarity—how well he knew the curve of Daehyun’s jaw, the way his lips pressed into a thin line when he was focusing on something. Beomgyu knew him better than anyone. And yet, lately, he couldn’t tell if he recognized the person sitting beside him.

He wanted answers—but more than that, he wanted clarity about what they’d become. Did Daehyun even notice how far they’d drifted? Or was he too busy pretending everything was fine?

Beomgyu couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Were you cheating on me with Minji?” he asked suddenly, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

Daehyun’s hands froze on the wheel, his foot easing off the gas. The car slowed unnervingly in the middle of the street. “What?”

“You heard me,” Beomgyu pressed, his hands gripping his knees tightly. “Before we opened the relationship—were you cheating on me with her?”

“No! Why the hell would you think that?” Daehyun snapped, his tone defensive.

Beomgyu hesitated, his chest tightening as he struggled to put his thoughts into words. “Then why do you keep lying about her? You act like she’s nothing, but I know the truth. You’re hooking up with her, aren’t you?”

Daehyun groaned, running a hand through his hair. “For the last time, she’s crazy. Whatever she’s told you, whatever you think you know, it’s bullshit.”

“Don’t make this about her,” Beomgyu said, his voice rising. “I saw you, Daehyun. That night at the club. You were kissing her.”

The alpha opened his mouth to protest, but Beomgyu cut him off. “Don’t. Don’t lie to me again. I’m so tired of it.”

For a moment, Daehyun was silent, his jaw tight. Beomgyu could feel his own heart pounding, a mixture of dread and anticipation for the truth he already knew.

“Fine,” he muttered, his voice low. “Yes, I hooked up with her. But only after we agreed to open the relationship. I swear, Beomgyu, I would never cheat on you.”

Beomgyu’s nails dug into the skin of this thigh. He didn’t know whether to believe him. Maybe Daehyun hadn’t technically cheated, but hadn’t the lies, the omissions, and the way he’d dismissed Beomgyu’s feelings been betrayal enough?

“Then why lie about it?”

Daehyun sighed again, gripping the steering wheel. “I didn’t want to hurt you, okay?”

Beomgyu let out a bitter laugh. “Because I’m too sensitive, right? Minji made sure to let me know you think that about me.”

“That’s not what I—” Daehyun cut himself off, groaning. “I told her to stay the hell away from you. She has no right to say that.”

“But she still did,” Beomgyu shot back.

Daehyun sighed, dragging a hand down his face. Beomgyu noticed his other hand inching toward his mouth, his thumb catching against his teeth. Without thinking, Beomgyu reached out and grabbed it, stopping him.

“You’ll start bleeding if you don’t stop,” Beomgyu said quietly, his fingers holding the alpha’s wrist.

Daehyun’s face twisted, a mixture of guilt and frustration. “I swear I didn’t mean it like that. I love that you feel things so deeply, that you care so much.”

Beomgyu stared out the window, letting go of Daehyun’s hand. The city lights streaked past, but his mind was miles away. Daehyun’s words felt hollow, too late to undo the damage.

“I just…I knew you didn’t like this whole arrangement,” Daehyun continued, his voice quieter now. “So I thought it’d be better for you if you didn’t know about the people I was seeing. I know you. You overthink everything, and I knew this would eat you alive.”

Daehyun had thought it’d be better for him. But had he even stopped to think about what Beomgyu wanted? Or had he just assumed Beomgyu would go along with it, like he always did?

“If you knew I didn’t like it, why did you push for it anyway?” he asked softly.

Daehyun glanced at him briefly, his expression unreadable. “I thought the open relationship would make things easier, Gyu. For both of us.”

The words stung. Beomgyu wasn’t sure what hurt more—that Daehyun thought this arrangement was good, or that he’d convinced himself Beomgyu would eventually agree.

“Easier for you,” Beomgyu shot back.

“That’s not fair,” Daehyun said quickly. His voice dropped, turning pleading. “I could see you weren’t happy, okay? I just thought—if we had the space to figure things out, maybe it’d help us get back to where we were. Gyu, we used to be so… happy”.

The rest of the drive passed in heavy silence, Daehyun’s focus on the road while Beomgyu wrestled with the storm of emotions swirling in his chest. They had loved each other once—he knew that much. But love wasn’t supposed to feel like this, right?

When Daehyun finally pulled up in front of his apartment, Beomgyu hesitated, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

“You’re mad at me”, Daehyun stated, nudging the omega’s hand from his thigh. 

The sting his own nails left on his skin didn’t make things any better for Beomgyu.

“I slept with Soobin,” he said, his voice breaking the stillness.

“What?” Daehyun’s head snapped toward him, disbelief flashing across his face.

“You wanted me to tell you if I was seeing someone,” Beomgyu said quietly, his gaze fixed on his hands. “So I’m telling you.”

Daehyun’s expression darkened, his grip on the steering wheel tightening until his knuckles turned white. “Him?” he spat. “Of all people, Beomgyu? He’s just using you.”

“You don’t know him,” Beomgyu shot back, his voice firm. For the first time that night, he felt certain about something.

“I know enough,” Daehyun said bitterly. “Last weekend, he bragged about you. To my face. Like you were some kind of prize.”

“Minji did the same thing to me.”

“That’s different,” Daehyun snapped, jealousy crackling in his voice. “She just cares about herself, but I know that. Soobin thought, he’s a player, and you…you care too much. He’s not good for you.”

“And you are?” Beomgyu asked sharply.

Daehyun flinched as if the words had struck him physically. He exhaled sharply, leaning back in his seat. “Are you going to keep seeing him?”

“…Yes,” Beomgyu admitted after a moment. “And you? Are you going to keep seeing Minji?”

“Probably,” Daehyun said, his voice quieter now.

“Isn’t that weird?” The omega asked softly.

“What is?” His fingers drifted toward his lips again, and this time, Beomgyu didn’t stop him.

“That we’d rather spend time with other people,” The omega murmured.

“What, you want to break up?” Daehyun asked, laughing lightly.

Beomgyu didn’t answer, the lump in his throat making it impossible to speak. He wasn’t sure if he wanted that. He hated how distant they’d become, how love had turned into something so complicated and painful. But he couldn’t ignore the gnawing feeling that they were clinging to something that had already fallen apart.

“Look,” Daehyun said, reaching over to take Beomgyu’s hand. “I know things haven’t been great lately, but that doesn’t mean we should throw everything away, okay? Those other omegas—they’re just fun.”

“And I’m not?”

“I mean that it’s just a physical thing, like a hobby”, the alpha tried to explain, “They won’t ever be relationship material. You’re different, baby. At the end of the day, it’s you I want to mark.”

Beomgyu felt a shiver run down his spine. The word "mark" sounded heavier than ever, suffocating, as if it carried promises Daehyun could no longer keep.

“Do you love me?”

“I love you,” Daehyun said softly. “And I don’t want to lose you.”

Beomgyu met his gaze, searching for the sincerity he used to see so easily. But all he felt now was exhaustion.

“Why not?”

Daehyun blinked, caught off guard. “What are you even asking? We’ve been together so long, my mom even—”

What does his mom have to do with anything?

“I have to go,” Beomgyu said abruptly, pulling his hand away and stepping out of the car.

Daehyun didn’t even try to stop him.

Beomgyu thought that meant more than he could understand.

x-o-x

The clatter of keyboards and the hum of distant voices filled the office, a chaotic symphony that Beomgyu had quickly grown used to over the course of his first day. His new job at the local TV station wasn’t exactly what he’d imagined. Instead of sitting in on creative meetings or watching directors work their magic, he found himself running errands—delivering coffee, picking up dry cleaning, and trying not to drop the precariously stacked scripts shoved into his arms.

By mid-afternoon, he felt like an invisible cog in a machine that barely noticed him. Still, he kept his head down, determined not to let it show.

“Hey, newbie!” A voice rang out sharply, cutting through the office din. Beomgyu turned to see a senior production assistant, Jiyeon, waving a hand in his direction.

“Yes?” he asked, straightening up.

“Next time, check the scripts before you bring them over.” She tapped the papers on her desk. “The pages are out of order. Do you know how much time I just wasted fixing this?”

Beomgyu blinked, the blood rushing to his ears. He hadn’t even looked at the scripts; he’d just been told to deliver them as fast as possible. “I’m sorry,” he stammered. “I’ll double-check next time.”

Jiyeon didn’t look up, already flipping through other documents. “Yeah, sure. Just don’t let it happen again.”

Beomgyu swallowed hard, it wasn’t anything drastic, but the sting of being brushed off lingered. He ducked into the break room for a moment, letting out a soft breath as he leaned against the counter. The weight of the day settled in his chest, and without the constant shuffle of tasks to distract him, his thoughts slipped back to Daehyun.

The fight in the car played in his mind, raw and unresolved. It had been days since they’d spoken, and the silence gnawed at him…but he really wasn’t ready for another confrontation.

The buzz of his phone jolted him from his thoughts.

My Soobinie <3

hope you’re surviving

remember you promised to come over after work 😚

A smile tugged at the corners of Beomgyu’s lips despite himself.

Me

barely

you’d better have something good waiting for me

The reply came instantly.

My Soobinie <3

I do

you’ll see angel 🙂‍↔️

The small exchange was enough to lift some of the weight off his chest. Soobin had a way of doing that—of making the world feel a little less heavy, even when Beomgyu didn’t know how to put it into words.

When his shift finally ended, the brisk evening air hit his face as he stepped outside. His exhaustion followed him like a shadow, but it evaporated the moment he spotted Soobin.

The alpha stood leaning casually against his car, a green cup in his hand, his tall frame illuminated by the glow of a nearby streetlamp. His eyes softened as they met Beomgyu’s, a smile pulling at his lips.

“You didn’t have to pick me up,” Beomgyu said, his voice quiet with surprise.

Soobin straightened, crossing the short distance between them. “I figured you’d need rescuing.” He held out the cup, the smell of matcha wafting up to meet Beomgyu’s nose.

“You brought me boba?” Beomgyu asked the alpha. He handed Beomgyu the cup, his other hand slipping to the small of Beomgyu’s back, drawing him just a fraction closer.

“Of course,” Soobin said, his tone light but his gaze steady. “I know it’s your favorite. I even texted Yeonjun to make sure”

Beomgyu stared at him, the warmth in Soobin’s expression cutting through the chill of the night. “Thanks,” he murmured, the word feeling too small for the way his chest tightened.

“Rough day?” he asked, his voice softer now. Soobin’s hand didn’t leave his back, the heat of his palm seeping through the fabric of Beomgyu’s shirt.

Beomgyu nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing at his touch. “You could say that.”

Soobin’s hand slid from Beomgyu’s back to his waist. His thumb traced a slow, deliberate circle, the intimate gesture sending a ripple of heat up his spine.

“Well,” Soobin said, leaning in just enough that the warmth of his words brushed against Beomgyu’s skin, “let me fix that, then.”

The world around them faded as they stood close, the quiet hum of passing traffic muffled by the rush of Beomgyu’s pulse.

Then Soobin pulled back slightly, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “Your chariot awaits,” he said with mock grandeur, opening the passenger door.

Beomgyu rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at his lips as he climbed in. Inside, the scent of sandalwood wrapped around him—distinctly Soobin.

When Soobin joined him in the car, his hand found Beomgyu’s thigh, resting there with a casual intimacy that made him almost blush.

As they drove, Soobin’s fingers tapped lightly against his leg, the rhythm oddly soothing yet electrifying. Beomgyu tried to focus on the city lights blurring past the window, but his attention kept slipping to Soobin—the easy way he held the wheel, the curve of his smile, the occasional glance that felt like a touch all its own.

When they pulled up to Soobin’s apartment, the quiet hum of the car faded, leaving only the sound of their breaths mingling in the charged air. The alpha turned to him, his hand still on Beomgyu’s thigh, squeezing gently.

“Feeling better?” Soobin asked, his voice low and warm.

Beomgyu nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. “Yeah. Thanks to you.”

“Good.” Soobin leaned closer, his breath warm against Beomgyu’s cheek. “Let’s go inside, I’ll make you feel even better”.

And then his lips were there, a soft, lingering brush against Beomgyu’s temple before trailing down to his jaw. Beomgyu closed his eyes, his pulse thrumming as he leaned into the touch, letting Soobin’s presence wash away the weight of the day.

But just as his heart began to settle, his phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. Beomgyu hesitated, reluctant to let the moment slip away, but something about the timing felt too strange to ignore.

“Give me a minute”, he said pulling out his phone.

Unknown number

Its minji

can we talk??

i have something to tell you

However, it was something else that caught his attention.

The calendar.

His heat was late.

There's no way, right?

Chapter Text

The air smelled of pine and damp wood, and the golden light of the setting sun danced across the rippling surface of the lake. Beomgyu crouched near the edge of the dock, leaning precariously forward as he dipped a finger into the cool water. He watched the ripples fan out, his reflection distorted and broken by the movement.

“Gyu!” Daehyun’s voice carried from behind, playful but firm. “If you fall in, I’m not jumping after you.”

Beomgyu glanced over his shoulder, grinning as Daehyun approached with two steaming mugs in hand. “You’d just let me drown? Worst boyfriend ever.”

“I’d drag you out eventually,” Daehyun replied, rolling his eyes as he sat down beside him. “But not before taking a picture.”

Beomgyu scoffed, reaching for one of the mugs. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh, I would,” Daehyun teased, watching Beomgyu blow on the surface of the hot chocolate before taking a tentative sip. He reached out, tugging lightly on the hem of Beomgyu’s sweater. “But seriously, sit down before you actually fall.”

With an exaggerated sigh, Beomgyu shuffled back and plopped down beside him. “Happy now?”

“Very,” Daehyun said, his smirk softening as he looked out at the lake. “You’re too pretty to risk getting fish slime all over you.”

Beomgyu flushed, hiding it behind another sip of hot chocolate. “You’re so annoying.”

“But you love me.” Daehyun’s arm draped around his shoulders, a gesture so casual yet so intimate that it sent a flutter through Beomgyu’s chest.

It was Daehyun’s idea to go to his family’s cabin. A weekend away to escape the chaos of Beomgyu’s parents’ divorce. His mom’s nagging, his dad’s cold indifference—it had all been too much. But here, in the quiet embrace of the woods, none of it mattered.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the stillness of the lake and the chirping of distant crickets wrapping around them like a warm blanket. Beomgyu’s shoulders relaxed, the weight he hadn’t even realized he was carrying lifting slightly.

“You know, my family’s planning a trip to Jeju next summer and...” Daehyun broke the quiet first, his tone unusually thoughtful.

Beomgyu turned to him, one eyebrow raised. “And?”

“And you’re coming with us,” Daehyun said simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Beomgyu blinked, caught off guard. “You never even asked me.”

“I didn’t have to,” Daehyun replied, his grin widening. “My mom’s already picking out which room you’ll stay in. She likes you more than she likes me at this point.”

Beomgyu laughed, the sound bubbling out of him before he could stop it. “You’re making that up.”

“She said, and I quote, ‘Make sure Beomgyu doesn’t have to deal with your nonsense, or I’m taking him home with me.’”

Beomgyu laughed harder, the tension in his chest unraveling as he shook his head. “Your mom’s too good to me.”

“Can’t blame her” Daehyun said, his voice softer now, more earnest.

Beomgyu just smiled, his gaze dropping to the steaming mug in his hands. “You think it’s okay if I go? I mean, we’ve been together for less than a year. I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable”

“You won’t,” Daehyun said softly, setting his mug aside and taking Beomgyu’s hand in his. “I want you there with me. Always.”

Beomgyu looked at him, his chest tight with something too big to name. He leaned in without thinking, his lips brushing Daehyun’s in a kiss that started soft but deepened as Daehyun’s arms wrapped around him.

When they pulled back, Daehyun rested his forehead against Beomgyu’s, their breaths mingling in the cool evening air. “Careful,” he murmured with a small smile. “You’re going to make me fall for you all over again.”

Beomgyu laughed, shaking his head. “You’re the worst.”

“And yet, you’re still here,” Daehyun said, grinning as he kissed his cheek playfully.

“Thank you for this,” Beomgyu said softly, voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Daehyun tilted his head, his dark eyes searching Beomgyu’s face. “You won’t ever have to find out.”

The memory warmed him, filling his chest with something tender, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. But as he gazed at the lake, the colors began to bleed, the serene image warping.

The ripples grew violent, the water darkening to an inky black. The sun vanished, replaced by an oppressive, suffocating gray sky.

“Beomgyu,” Daehyun’s voice called again, softer now, but wrong.

Beomgyu turned to see the cabin wasn’t a cabin anymore. The porch was gone, replaced by a sterile, too-bright room. The scent of pine replaced by something artificial and cloying.

He blinked, disoriented, finding himself in a massive bed, swallowing him in layers of pristine white sheets and pillows that felt suffocatingly soft.

As he sat up, the room came into focus—spacious, immaculate, and strangely cold, despite the sunlight. A vanity table stood by the far wall, holding an array of jewelry he didn’t recognize. His heart skipped.

This wasn’t the cabin or his bedroom.

“Mommy!” a child’s voice broke through the silence.

Beomgyu turned sharply to see a little girl, no older than five, bounding toward him. Her bright smile and sparkling eyes should have been comforting, but they weren’t. They were too perfect. She climbed onto the bed, clutching a doll in one hand. “Mommy, the baby’s crying again. Can you come?”

“B-baby?” Beomgyu stammered, his mouth dry.

The girl tilted her head, her expression almost unnerving in its sweetness. “Daddy said you’d help.”

Before he could answer, another voice chimed in, soft and familiar. “Beomgyu.”

He looked up to see Daehyun standing in the doorway, holding a small bundle wrapped in a pastel blanket. The man’s face was serene, his smile painfully gentle.

“It’s your turn,” Daehyun said, stepping into the room.

Beomgyu’s breath hitched. “My… what?”

“The baby needs you,” Daehyun said, placing the bundle in Beomgyu’s arms.

The weight was heavier than he expected. Slowly, his trembling hands pulled back the edge of the blanket. A tiny face stared back at him—features eerily similar to his own. The baby cooed softly, its little hands reaching up toward him.

“You’re such a natural,” Daehyun murmured, his tone warm but unsettlingly hollow. “This is everything we wanted, isn’t it?”

“No,” Beomgyu whispered, his heart racing. He tried to put the baby down, but his arms wouldn’t move. They clung to the infant as if they had a will of their own.

The little girl giggled, climbing into his lap. “Mommy, don’t cry. Daddy says you’re happiest when we’re all together.”

“I-I’m not crying,” Beomgyu muttered, though tears were blurring his vision. He turned to Daehyun, desperation clawing at his voice. “What is this? Why are you saying this?”

Daehyun’s smile didn’t waver as he stepped closer. “You’re pregnant again, Gyu. Isn’t it wonderful?”

The words sent a cold, sharp wave through him. He looked down, only to see his stomach swelling beneath his hands, growing larger and larger. His breathing grew shallow as the weight of it pressed down on him, making it harder to move, harder to breathe.

“No, no, no—” Beomgyu’s voice cracked as he tried to push himself away, but the little girl clung to him, her laughter growing louder, echoing unnaturally around the room.

The baby in his arms began to cry, the sound piercing and relentless. His vision darkened at the edges as Daehyun loomed closer, his smile growing unnervingly wide.

“You’ll stay with us forever, won’t you?” Daehyun whispered, his voice dripping with sweetness that felt like poison.

Beomgyu screamed, jolting awake.

He was in his apartment, the air stale and heavy. Sweat drenched his clothes, and his chest heaved with each frantic breath. His stomach churned violently, and he barely made it to the bathroom before doubling over the toilet, retching.

“Gyu?” Yeonjun’s voice carried from the hallway, followed by the sound of socked feet padding closer. “That’s the third time this week you’ve woken me up like this. Do you have the plague or something?”

Beomgyu groaned, resting his forehead against his arm as he clutched the porcelain edge.

The older omega leaned against the doorway, arms crossed and one brow arched. “I swear, if you’re pregnant and didn’t tell me, I’m demanding child support. Or at least naming rights. Let’s go with Yeonjun—it has a nice ring, doesn’t it?”

“Shut up,” Beomgyu muttered, his voice hoarse and weak.

Yeonjun’s smirk faded when he saw the tension in Beomgyu’s hunched shoulders and the pallor of his face. “Wait… you aren’t pregnant, right? Like, actually?” His teasing tone dropped, replaced by genuine concern.

Beomgyu’s silence stretched too long.

“Okay, nope. Taehyun!” Yeonjun called over his shoulder, his voice sharp. “Get in here! Beomgyu’s either dying or hiding something, and I don’t like either option!”

“I’m fine!” Beomgyu snapped, though his trembling hands betrayed him.

“Yeah, fine people totally have their heads in toilets at dawn every day,” Yeonjun retorted, crouching down beside him. “What’s going on?”

Beomgyu didn’t answer, his mind replaying the nightmare in vivid detail. Daehyun’s words, the baby’s cries, the weight in his arms… his stomach twisted again.

“What is it?” Taehyun’s voice joined the mix as he shuffled down the hallway, his bedhead giving away that he’d just woken up. He stopped short at the sight of Beomgyu slumped against the bathroom floor. “Shit, the medicine I gave you didn’t work, then”.

“Don’t freak out,” Yeonjun said, flailing his hands in the air like a man very much freaking out. “But Beomgyu is pregnant!”

“Calm down, we need to check first”, Taehyun replied calmly.

Before either could say anything else, the apartment buzzer sounded, startling them all.

“I’ll get it,” Taehyun muttered, turning on his heel.

Moments later, Ning and Aeri walked in, both holding suspiciously large paper bags.

“Special delivery,” Ning announced with a grin. “Pregnancy tests, moral support and snacks, just in case.”

“You told them but not me?” Yeonjun exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. “This is betrayal of the highest order.”

“I didn’t tell anyone because I’m not pregnant!”

“Yeah, we figured it out on our own,” Aeri chimed in, her voice soft but matter-of-fact. She set the bag on the counter and walked over to Beomgyu. “Skipping meals, zoning out, looking like death. And you almost fainted on me yesterday”.

Taehyun leaned against the bathroom door, arms crossed. “I asked them to come. Your heat was late, remember? I connected the dots.”

Beomgyu let out a small groan of embarrassment, covering his face with his hands.

Ning plopped onto the couch. “So, are we placing bets? Alien parasite or baby?”

“Not helping!” Aeri shot her a glare before turning to Beomgyu with a softer tone. “Look, Gyu, just take the test. At least then you’ll know what’s going on, okay?”

Beomgyu sighed deeply, nodding. There was no escape now—not from the reality of the situation, or his friends.

“Oh my god, did all of you know but me?!”, Yeonjun exclaimed.

How did I get myself into this mess?

The answer was really easy…because it had everything to do with one person in particular.

Maybe it wasn’t obvious to everyone, but Beomgyu had a talent for ignoring his problems—a skill he’d refined over the years. And lately, it was far too easy to lean on that habit, especially since Daehyun had gone radio silence for the past month.

So, yes, distractions were a welcome escape. His job at the TV station, where he was still treated like the errand boy, kept him busy enough. At least now, he had a few friends to pass the downtime with: Jihoon, who always saved him a seat at lunch; Minseo, who never missed the chance to talk shit about the senior producer all of them hated. Even Seungmin, who flirted a little too much, made his days working bearable.

But if he were being honest, the real distraction, the one that left him breathless, flushed, and unable to focus on anything else, was…someone else.

Choi Soobin.

Whatever they were—whatever this thing between them was—had spiraled out of control faster than Beomgyu could comprehend. It wasn’t just attraction; it was something primal, an overwhelming need that gripped him whenever they were close. He didn’t fully understand it, never in his life had he felt such an intense pull toward someone. Spending time with Soobin, no matter the activity, felt addictive. Beomgyu craved the alpha’s touch—the firm grip on his thighs as he lifted him, the possessive hold on his chin during a kiss, and the marks left behind on his hips, a reminder of their heated encounters. It consumed Beomgyu entirely.

And Soobin? He was even worse. The alpha seemed to thrive on pushing Beomgyu to the edge, leaving him breathless, trembling, and craving more. The freedom of him living alone only added fuel to their fire, leading to moments of passion whenever the mood struck. And it often struck.

Like that time in the library.

They’d gone there with the best intentions. Public space, neutral ground. It was supposed to help them focus on their assignments without succumbing to temptation. For a while, it worked. But then Beomgyu glanced at Soobin’s hands, lingering far too long on the way his fingers curled around his pen. He thought about how those hands felt on him, how they gripped, claimed, marked—

Soobin caught his stare.

Beomgyu’s cheeks flamed as he quickly looked away, but it was too late. Soobin’s eyes darkened, his lips curving into that knowing smirk that always made Beomgyu’s stomach flip.

Minutes later, they were tangled in the backseat of Soobin’s car, Beomgyu straddling the alpha. There was no patience, no pretense of taking it slow. Soobin’s hands tore at Beomgyu’s clothes, yanking his sweeter over his head and pushing his jeans down his legs with an urgency that made Beomgyu’s heart race.

“So fucking beautiful,” Soobin murmured, his lips already trailing down Beomgyu’s neck, his voice thick and raw.

“Someone might see,” Beomgyu gasped, his back arching as Soobin’s teeth grazed his collarbone. That almost made him forget that they were in their college’s parking lot.

Soobin’s response was a low chuckle against his skin, his hands taking his own shirt off and then sliding down to grip Beomgyu’s bare thighs. “The windows are tinted, angel,” he said, his breath hot against Beomgyu’s ear. “No one’s seeing you like this but me. I’d never let them.”

Before Beomgyu could reply, Soobin’s fingers slipped inside his hole, finding him already slick. The alpha groaned, the sound vibrating through Beomgyu’s chest.

“You’re so ready for me,” Soobin growled, his voice laced with both awe and need.

The friction of Soobin’s fingers and the warm press of his lips against the fading hickeys of his own making, sent shivers through him. The omega’s breathing grew uneven, his body trembling with need.

“Hurry,” Beomgyu snapped, his tone breathless but demanding. His hips bucked against Soobin’s hand, chasing the friction that wasn’t nearly enough. “Please, just—”

“Shit, I don’t have a condom,” Soobin cut in, his voice strained.

“Don’t care,” Beomgyu interrupted, his hand sliding up and down the alpha’s cock. “I need you inside me.”

Soobin cursed under his breath. “I’ll pull out. I promise.”

Beomgyu nodded frantically, his body trembling with need. That was all the permission Soobin needed.

With one fluid motion, Soobin lifted Beomgyu and sank into him in a single, sharp thrust. Beomgyu cried out, his nails digging into Soobin’s shoulders as his body stretched to accommodate the alpha. The stretch and burn a perfect mixture of pain and pleasure that had him arching against the alpha with a broken moan.

The pace was relentless from the start. Soobin’s hands gripped Beomgyu’s hips, guiding him up and down with a desperation that matched the frantic beat of their hearts. The car was filled with the sound of their bodies colliding, Beomgyu’s whimpers, and Soobin’s ragged breaths.

“Fuck,” Soobin groaned, his head falling back against the seat as his grip tightened, “…wish I could cum inside you”.

Beomgyu couldn’t answer. His mind was blank, consumed by the overwhelming pleasure, the delicious burn of Soobin filling him over and over again.

When Soobin pulled out abruptly, Beomgyu whimpered in protest, but his complaint died in his throat as the alpha laid him on his back on the seats, his movements hurried but controlled.

The new angle had Beomgyu gasping, his leg thrown over Soobin’s shoulder as the alpha thrust into him again, deeper this time, hitting a spot that made his vision blur.

“Hyung,” he cried out, his hands gripping the alpha’s hair tightly.

“Shh,” Soobin murmured, his lips brushing against Beomgyu’s ear. “You don’t want anyone to hear, do you?”

Beomgyu’s answer was lost in the shuddering moan that escaped him as his climax hit, his body trembling violently. The sight of him falling apart beneath him was enough to push Soobin over the edge. With a guttural groan, he pulled out just in time, spilling across Beomgyu’s stomach.

Breathless and spent, Beomgyu blinked up at the alpha, his chest heaving.

And well, that whole encounter might be the cause of his current problem.

“You did it without a condom?!” Yeonjun’s voice sliced through the haze of Beomgyu’s thoughts, incredulous and sharp.

“It was just once! He pulled out!” Beomgyu blurted, hands raised in self-defense.

“That’s not exactly reliable, you know,” Taehyun added dryly.

“Weren’t you on the pill?” Aeri cut in, her eyebrows shooting up.

“I…”

“You stopped taking it?” Yeonjun’s voice rose several octaves.

“It was only for a few weeks, okay? But I started again after we… after the no-condom thing!” Beomgyu scrambled, his cheeks flushing.

“And when was that?” Taehyun asked, the clinical tone making Beomgyu want to crawl into a hole.

“Three weeks ago,” he muttered under his breath, barely audible.

“Three weeks?!” Ning shrieked, already pacing. “Oh my god, Gyu, you could actually be pregnant. What are we going to do?!”

“That’s what I’m saying!” Yeonjun shouted, throwing his hands into the air.

“I thought you weren’t serious!” Ning added, gnawing on her thumbnail. “Wait. If you’re pregnant, could the baby be Daehyun’s?!”

Beomgyu bolted upright, his face flushing hot with embarrassment. “What the hell, Ning?!”

“Oh my god!” Yeonjun gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “Did you sleep with Daehyun and Soobin in the same month?!”

“It wasn’t the same month!” Beomgyu snapped, barely resisting the urge to throw a pillow at him. “The last time I slept with Daehyun was like three months ago. And for the record, we haven’t even spoken this past month!”

“But you’re still technically dating,” Taehyun pointed out.

Beomgyu groaned, flopping back against the couch. “Oh my god, I’m still technically dating Daehyun.”

“Wait, when was your heat supposed to start?” Aeri asked, her tone turning more serious.

“Uhm… three months ago,” Beomgyu admitted weakly.

“And it didn’t occur to you to take a test before now?” Taehyun’s voice was sharp enough to cut glass.

“My cycle is irregular, okay?!” Beomgyu shot back, feeling cornered.

“What if you’re having twins?” Ning speculated, her pacing becoming frantic. “And one’s Daehyun’s and the other’s Soobin’s? That’s totally a thing!”

“That’s horrifying,” Yeonjun interjected, looking genuinely disturbed. “Imagine explaining that to the kids. ‘Mommy’s in an open relationship, and Daddy A and Daddy B are both technically your dads.’”

“Gyu,” Aeri said gently, sitting beside him and placing a hand on his arm. “You’re so pale. Are you okay? Should I get you something? Tea? A sedative for Yeonjun?”

“I heard that,” Yeonjun snapped, continuing his frantic pacing. “And I’m not the problem here! Beomgyu’s life could be flipping upside down, and none of you are taking this seriously enough!”

“We are taking it seriously,” Taehyun replied flatly. “You’re just being dramatic.”

“If it’s Soobin’s, though, that kid’s going to have the best dad,” Ning said, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “He’d totally be the type to bake cookies and make sure they don’t skip meals”.

Beomgyu groaned, “Can we stop talking about a baby that doesn’t even exist?”

“I mean,” Yeonjun started, ignoring him, “Soobin would probably handle this way better than Daehyun.”

“True,” Ning nodded. “If it were Daehyun, the kid would be raised by his mom anyway. She’d probably buy Gyu a mansion and visit every week to spoil the baby rotten.”

“Enough with the hypotheticals!” Taehyun cut in, exasperated. He pointed at Yeonjun and Ning. “Both of you, sit down before you burn a hole in the floor.”

Beomgyu sighed, burying his face in his hands. “If I am pregnant, it’s not Daehyun’s, okay? It’s Soobin’s. It has to be Soobin’s.”

“The baby shower sho—”

The sharp buzz of Beomgyu’s phone timer silenced the room instantly.

“Moment of truth,” Taehyun said, handing Beomgyu the tests with a calm steadiness that belied the tension in the room.

Beomgyu stared down at the plastic sticks, his heart hammering in his chest. One by one, he checked them.

Negative.

Negative.

Negative.

A beat of silence passed before—

“YES!” Yeonjun shouted, leaping off the couch and grabbing Ning, spinning her like they’d won the lottery.

“We did it!” Ning cheered.

“Beomgyu did it,” Taehyun corrected, exchanging a celebratory high-five with Aeri.

“I knew you weren’t ready to be a parent, and look! The universe listened!” Aeri grinned, throwing her arms around Beomgyu in a tight hug.

Beomgyu exhaled deeply, slumping back into the couch. “For a second there, I really thought I might be pregnant.”

Yeonjun plopped down beside him, grinning from ear to ear. “You did it, Gyu! The streak of irresponsibility remains unbroken. Truly, a victory for the ages.”

“You’re acting like I won a marathon,” Beomgyu muttered, rolling his eyes.

“Parenthood would’ve been an ultramarathon,” Ning quipped, casually patting his stomach. “Guess the baby’s just not ready for their debut yet.”

“Don’t touch my stomach!” Beomgyu complained, laughing despite himself.

And, of course, that was when the door swung open, revealing Daehyun standing there with wide eyes.

“What’s going on here?” he asked slowly.

Daehyun’s gaze swept the room, landing on Ning’s hand near Beomgyu’s stomach. Then his eyes darted to the pregnancy tests boxes strewn across the table.

His gaze returned to Beomgyu, his expression a mix of awe and suspicion.

“Right. Well, you two clearly have a lot to talk about,” Taehyun interjected smoothly, clapping his hands together. He started ushering the others toward the hallway, ignoring Beomgyu’s protests.

“Wait—don’t go,” Beomgyu called, but the door of Yeonjun’s room clicked shut behind them before he could say another word.

“Fuck,” Daehyun said, his voice low and deliberate. “Beomgyu… are you pregnant?”

“What? No!”

But Daehyun wasn’t listening. His expression softened, and he took a step closer. “You weren’t answering my texts this morning, and now I see why. You must’ve been so overwhelmed.” His voice dropped, almost reverent. “You should’ve told me, though. I—look, I know things have been rocky, but I’m here for you. For both of you. We’ll figure this out together, okay? This could be—”

 “Stop. Daehyun, stop. I’m not pregnant.”

Daehyun blinked, the words taking a moment to register. “You’re not…?”

“No,” Beomgyu said firmly, pointing to the tests. “See? All negative. And how did you get in here?”

Daehyun shifted on his feet, suddenly looking less sure of himself. “I, uh… I still have the code. For emergencies. And I heard you all screaming, so I thought something was wrong…” He trailed off, scratching the back of his neck.

“We were celebrating…”

The silence that followed was almost deafening.

Daehyun lingered awkwardly by the couch for a moment before sinking into the spot beside Beomgyu, leaving a careful distance between them. “I came here to talk,” he said, his voice quieter now. “About us.”

Beomgyu leaned back into the couch, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “You haven’t talked to me in a month.”

“You didn’t talk to me either,” Daehyun countered softly, his gaze dropping to the floor.

“Yeah…I know,” Beomgyu muttered after a beat, glancing away.

Daehyun let out a shaky breath, his hands fidgeting in his lap. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us,” he began, his voice heavy with the weight of what he was trying to say. “And I want to apologize—for pressuring you into opening our relationship, for making excuses, for… hurting you. I didn’t mean to.” He paused, swallowing hard before continuing. “I was scared. Scared that we were falling apart. I started noticing things—how you stopped smiling as much around me, how distant we’d become. You have to admit it, Gyu. Things weren’t right even before all of this.”

Beomgyu’s chest tightened. The words hit like a slap, not because they were untrue but because they weren’t. Memories he’d tried to push down rose to the surface: late-night arguments about meaningless things, the way their silences had grown longer and heavier over time, the empty ache that lingered even when Daehyun was right next to him.

But there were good memories too. Nights when Daehyun held him after a rough day, the way he’d bring him chinese takeout late at night just because he knew Beomgyu liked it, the easy warmth of their early days when they could laugh about anything.

Daehyun used to be his anchor in a world that felt like it was constantly shifting beneath him. The alpha used to mean safety for him, a place he could run to every time his world felt like falling apart.

Daehyun sighed, breaking the silence. “I don’t want this to end,” he said softly. “Let’s close our relationship. No more Minji, no more Soobin—just us, focusing on what we have.”

Beomgyu’s throat felt tight, his mind racing. Not long ago, this was exactly what he wanted to hear. But now, the idea of ending things with Soobin felt like cutting off the one part of his life that made sense.

“That’s what you wanted, right?” Daehyun pressed, his voice uncertain.

“It was,” Beomgyu admitted quietly. “But now I—”

“I love you,” Daehyun interrupted, leaning forward, his hands trembling as he reached for Beomgyu’s. “You’ve always been there for me, Gyu. You’re kind, patient… you’re the one for me.”

The one.

Beomgyu had once believed that too. He’d believed it so strongly that he ignored the creeping cracks, the way his heart felt heavier with each passing day. He used to think losing Daehyun would be losing everything—stability, love, belonging. But now… now, he wasn’t so sure.

“Your dad’s wedding is next week, right? Your mom told mine,” Daehyun asked suddenly, catching him off guard. “I know it’s going to be hard for you, but I’ll be there. By your side.”

“You’d come with me?” Beomgyu asked, his voice smaller than he intended.

“Of course,” Daehyun said, his voice softening. He leaned in closer, his hands cupping Beomgyu’s face. “That’s what we do, right? We’re there for each other.”

Beomgyu closed his eyes against the tears threatening to fall. He couldn’t stop the memories flooding back—their first date, the way Daehyun’s hand lingered on his cheek as he leaned in for a kiss, the warmth that used to fill him whenever Daehyun smiled.

“Everything will be okay,” Daehyun murmured. “After the wedding, we can go to my parents’ cabin for a few days. You love it there, don’t you? Remember the last time? You fell in the lake, and I had to carry you all the way back.”

Beomgyu let out a small, wet laugh, now realizing he started crying. “I remember,” he whispered.

“So let’s go,” Daehyun urged, his hand now cupping Beomgyu’s cheek. His touch was achingly familiar. “We’ll get back to that. To us. I know we can make this work again.”

The tears came faster, and before Beomgyu could stop himself, he leaned into the alpha’s touch. “Dae…”, Beomgyu wanted to say yes. He wanted to let Daehyun take him back to that place, to the simplicity of what they used to be. But the words wouldn’t come.

“Baby, please,” Daehyun whispered, his voice cracking. “I can’t lose you. Just give us a chance.”

The warmth of Daehyun’s hand, the tenderness in his voice—it pulled at something deep inside Beomgyu. So when Daehyun leaned in, his breath ghosting over Beomgyu’s lips, Beomgyu didn’t pull away.

Their lips met in a kiss that started soft, hesitant, but quickly deepened as Daehyun pressed closer. Beomgyu’s hands found their way to Daehyun’s shirt, clutching the fabric as if holding on would stop the world from crumbling around him. Daehyun’s fingers trailed to the back of Beomgyu’s neck, tilting his head to deepen the kiss further.

For a moment, Beomgyu let himself sink into it—the familiarity, the comfort, the illusion of safety. His chest ached with the memory of when this felt like everything he’d ever need.

Daehyun pulled him closer, his mint scent familiar, and for a fleeting second, Beomgyu wanted to believe they could fix this. But as the kiss went on, the hollowness crept in. No matter how tightly he held on, it wasn’t enough to fill the void.

When Daehyun pulled back, his expression shifted. “You’re in heat,” Daehyun murmured, his lips brushing over Beomgyu’s temple. “That’s why you’ve been feeling off, isn’t it? I’m sorry I didn’t notice”.

Oh.

The nausea, the exhaustion—it all made sense now. He’d heard of omegas experiencing these symptoms before their heat, but it had never happened to him until now.

“Don’t worry, let’s pack your things. We’ll go to my apartment.” Daehyun said quietly, brushing his fingers over Beomgyu’s scent gland.

Beomgyu flinched at the touch, instinctively pulling back and covering his neck with his hand. “I can’t,” he whispered, his voice cracking.

“It’s okay, I think some of your things are still in my place from last time”.

Last time. He spent his last heat with Daehyun—it was normal for them, something intimate and safe. But now, it felt like those moments belonged to someone else.

Beomgyu shook his head. “Dae, I can’t.”

“We’ll figure something out,” Daehyun said, already pulling out his phone. “Maybe a hotel—some of them have heat services. I’ll take care of it. Just get your stuff.”

“No, Daehyun,” Beomgyu interrupted, his voice firmer now. “I don’t want to.”

"Why? We-"

"Please, just go".

Daehyun froze, his hands falling to his sides. His lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, it looked like he might argue again. Instead, he exhaled shakily, standing up but not moving away. “Gyu, I can’t leave you alone like this.”

“I’ll be okay,” Beomgyu said, though his voice wavered.

Daehyun hesitated, his hand lingering in the air as if he wanted to reach for Beomgyu again but knew he couldn’t. “Think about what I said, okay? About us. I meant it—I love you.”

He lingered in the doorway for a moment, glancing back at Beomgyu like he was hoping for a reason to stay. When none came, he left, the sound of the door closing behind him echoing in the silence.

Beomgyu sat there for what felt like an eternity, staring at the empty space where Daehyun had been. His hands went to his lips, still tingling from the kiss that had felt so much like...nothing.

When the tears came again, they didn’t stop.

x-o-x

Hours later, Beomgyu sat in the quiet of his room, his resolve solidifying.

He was going to end things with Daehyun—but not yet. Once his heat passed, and he could think without the haze clouding his mind, he’d do it.

Yes, that was the plan. 

Heats weren’t new to him. With the help of suppressants and his own fingers, he could handle them alone. He had before. But since starting university, Daehyun had been there for nearly every one, and now the idea of facing it on his own left him uneasy. Suppressants dulled the symptoms, but the ache, the craving for intimacy, for the fullness only someone else could provide—that was harder to ignore.

Still, it was just a day. He could survive a day.

In the meantime, Beomgyu busied himself arranging his nest. Blankets and pillows were meticulously layered, fluffed, and adjusted until it felt right. His cheeks turned pink when he noticed Soobin’s hoodie tucked near his pillow. The faint sandalwood scent still lingered on it, comforting but fading since Soobin had left it behind on Wednesday. The last time they’d seen each other.

Beomgyu sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed. He missed him. Too much, probably, for someone who wasn’t even his boyfriend. And maybe all that thinking about the alpha did work because after padding into the kitchen for a glass of cold water—anything to temper the heat radiating from his skin—he was startled by the sound of the doorbell. Without thinking, he opened it.

And there he was. The object of all his thoughts.

“Hyung!”

Before Soobin could say anything, Beomgyu threw himself into his arms, clutching tightly at his hoodie as he pressed their lips together in a kiss that was all heat and desperation.

Soobin froze in surprise, his hands hovering uncertainly for a moment before they found their way to Beomgyu’s waist. The bag he was holding hit the ground with a soft thud as he melted into the kiss, his lips moving gently but insistently against Beomgyu’s.

When they finally pulled apart, Beomgyu stayed close, his forehead resting against Soobin’s. “You’re here,” he whispered, his voice a mix of relief and something deeper.

“Of course I am,” Soobin said softly, his hands steadying Beomgyu’s frame. He chuckled lightly. “Someone missed me.”

Beomgyu nodded against him, too caught up in the moment to deny it. He tightened his grip around Soobin’s neck, breathing in his familiar sandalwood scent. It soothed something restless inside him, the ache easing just slightly in Soobin’s presence.

Soobin pulled back just enough to grab the bag from the ground. “I brought you soup,” he said, his voice laced with affection. “Thought it might help.”

“You didn’t have to,” Beomgyu mumbled, his arms still wrapped firmly around Soobin’s neck.

“Of course I did,” Soobin murmured, brushing a hand over Beomgyu’s flushed cheek. “You’re burning up. Have you taken medicine? Is it a fever? Should we go to the hospital—”

“It’s not a fever,” Beomgyu interrupted quickly, letting Soobin’s neck go. He hesitated, his face burning even hotter, “It’s my heat.”

“Oh,” Soobin said, stepping back quickly, his ears turning red. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I should probably—”

“No!” Beomgyu cut him off, grabbing his hand and holding it tightly. “Don’t go.” He looked up at Soobin, his voice softening. “I already took suppressants. I’m fine, really. Just… stay for a while.”

Soobin hesitated, his brows knitting together. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Beomgyu said firmly, his fingers lacing with Soobin’s. “Please? I don’t want to be alone right now.”

Soobin’s expression melted, his concern giving way to a small, tender smile. “Alright,” he said quietly.

Beomgyu’s mood lifted instantly. He tugged Soobin inside, his energy shifting from shy to eager. “Oh! I have something for you!”

“For me?” Soobin asked as Beomgyu pulled him toward the dining table.

“Yep! Sit here.”

“Wait, it’s not my birthday, is it?” Soobin teased, watching Beomgyu dart into the kitchen.

“It’s in honor of your new internship!” Beomgyu called out before reappearing with a small cake in his hands and two forks. He placed everything on the table with a bashful grin.

Soobin blinked, surprised. “You didn’t have to do this.”

Beomgyu fidgeted, his hands clasping behind his back. “We were supposed to celebrate, but you got busy… and now my heat…” He trailed off, his voice quieter. “It’s the least I could do, and you know I like baking so don't worry about it”.

Soobin’s gaze softened as he reached out, taking Beomgyu’s hand. “Thank you,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over Beomgyu’s knuckles. “You’re too good to me.”

Beomgyu felt heat creep up his neck, but he smiled. And instead of sitting across from him, the omega hesitated for a moment before settling himself in Soobin’s lap. His heart raced, but he needed to be close to him—to feel his warmth, his steady presence grounding him in a way nothing else could.

Soobin looked surprised but didn’t object. Instead, his arms instinctively wrapped around Beomgyu’s waist, holding him steady. “Comfortable?” he teased softly, his breath brushing against Beomgyu’s ear.

Beomgyu nodded, his fingers fiddling with the hem of Soobin’s hoodie. “I like being close to you,” he admitted quietly, leaning back into him.

Soobin’s lips quirked into a gentle smile as he picked up a fork and offered Beomgyu the first bite of cake. “Then stay as long as you want.”

They shared the cake like that, soft laughter and quiet conversation filling the space. Beomgyu leaned fully into Soobin’s chest as the alpha recounted his hectic week and his new job. Beomgyu listened intently, his hand idly tracing small patterns on Soobin’s arm.

“Wait, you were still doing wedding shoots on top of everything else?” Beomgyu asked, eyes wide.

“I had to,” Soobin said, laughing tiredly. “I couldn’t back out of those contracts, Minjeong would’ve killed me. But today was probably my last ones—thank God. If I have to deal with another mother-in-law demanding photos of herself over the bride, I’m going to lose it.”

Beomgyu laughed, leaning into him. “At least the internship sounds like it’s going well.”

“I really like it. It’s a lot of pressure, and sometimes I feel like I’m not skilled enough, but I enjoy it. Even if I thought I was going to drop dead from lack of sleep,” Soobin explained.

“You’re amazing,” Beomgyu said softly. “I don’t know how you manage it all.”

“It was exhausting,” Soobin admitted, his lips brushed against the side of Beomgyu’s temple, and his voice was warm as he said, “But this makes it worth it.”

Beomgyu’s heart skipped a beat. “You’re so chessy,” he mumbled.

Soobin laughed, but before he could say anything, his phone buzzed loudly on the table.

Again.

Beomgyu glanced at it instinctively. The screen lit up with an unknown number. It was the third time the phone had rung in the past fifteen minutes.

“Maybe you should check?” Beomgyu suggested. “What if it’s work or something urgent?”

“It’s not work,” Soobin muttered.

“Then who is it?” Beomgyu asked, raising a brow.

“No one I want to talk to,” Soobin said with a small, dismissive smile. He picked up the phone, silenced it, and placed it back down.

Beomgyu watched him curiously, the faintest flicker of recognition in his chest as he watched the screen. He frowned, trying to place it, but it slipped away before he could grasp it fully. Probably nothing.

“Well,” Beomgyu said, leaning into Soobin again, “if it’s not work, then it can wait.”

“Exactly,” Soobin said, his hands finding their way to Beomgyu’s waist. “Right now, I’m here with you.”

Beomgyu felt his cheeks flush, but he didn’t move away. Instead, he turned in Soobin’s lap, his arms looping around his neck. Their eyes met for a moment before Beomgyu leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that was softer this time but no less consuming.

“Hyung,” Beomgyu whispered against his lips, his voice barely audible.

“Hmm?” Soobin hummed, his hands resting gently on Beomgyu’s hips.

“Let’s go to my room. It’s more comfortable there,” Beomgyu murmured, his forehead resting against Soobin’s.

Soobin hesitated. “Your room? Are you sure?”

“Just to hang out,” Beomgyu promised, giving him a playful pout. “I’m not going to jump you or anything.”

Soobin laughed nervously, but he let Beomgyu drag him down the hallway. When they reached the room, Soobin froze, his gaze landing on the nest carefully arranged on Beomgyu’s bed.

“You made that?” Soobin asked, stepping closer.

Beomgyu crossed his arms, cheeks flushing. “It’s just blankets and pillows. Don’t make it weird.”

“I’m not,” Soobin said softly, running his fingers over the edge of a blanket. “It’s… cozy. Like you.”

Beomgyu rolled his eyes but smiled anyway, pulling Soobin to sit down. “Come on.”

“You’re sure? I don’t want to mess it up.”

“It’s fine, I’m fine,” Beomgyu insisted, tugging him into the nest.

Soobin chuckled as Beomgyu nestled against his side, curling into him like he belonged there. Their conversation resumed, soft and easy. Beomgyu felt himself relax completely for the first time in days.

However, the peace shattered when the door flew open with a dramatic thud. Yeonjun stood in the doorway, arms crossed and an insufferable grin on his face.

“I’m heading out for a bit,” he announced, scanning the scene with mock suspicion. “Don’t do anything gross while I’m gone.”

“Get out!” Beomgyu yelled, grabbing the nearest pillow and hurling it at him.

Yeonjun ducked, his laughter trailing behind him as he closed the door. “Don’t get pregnant!” he called out, his teasing voice echoing down the hallway.

Beomgyu groaned, slumping against Soobin in defeat. “I hate him.”

Soobin’s soft chuckle sent a warm shiver down Beomgyu’s spine. “He’s just teasing,” he said, his hand brushing soothing circles along Beomgyu’s back.

“He’s still a menace,” Beomgyu muttered, but the slight quirk of his lips betrayed him.

The room settled back into quiet intimacy. Beomgyu noticed how Soobin’s eyes began to droop, his body leaning heavily against him as exhaustion weighed him down.

“You’re tired,” Beomgyu murmured, his fingers slipping into Soobin’s hair, stroking it gently. “How many weddings did you shoot today?”

“Two,” Soobin admitted with a soft yawn, his voice husky from fatigue. “I’ve been up since five this morning. The venue was out of town.”

Beomgyu frowned. “But didn’t you have another one late Friday night?”

“I did,” Soobin said, his head lolling onto Beomgyu’s shoulder. “And I had to finish an essay after that. I didn’t really sleep.”

“Hyung, you should’ve stayed home and rest,” Beomgyu chided, his tone soft but concerned.

“I couldn’t,” Soobin murmured, his breath tickling Beomgyu’s neck. “I missed you too much.”

Beomgyu’s heart stuttered, his cheeks warming at the confession.

“Lie down with me,” he blurted, the words escaping before he could stop himself.

Soobin blinked at him, hesitant. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea…”

“It’s just sleeping,” Beomgyu insisted, his hands clutching Soobin’s sleeve. “You need it, and I… I wouldn’t mind the company.”

Soobin studied him for a moment before nodding, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Alright. Just for a little while.”

They lay down together, the room shrinking to the quiet space between their bodies. Soobin’s arm instinctively wrapped around Beomgyu’s waist, pulling him close. Beomgyu tucked himself against Soobin’s chest, his head resting over the steady beat of the alpha’s heart. The familiar scent of sandalwood enveloped him, lulling him into a light, blissful sleep.

When Beomgyu woke up hours later, his body was on fire, the heat in his veins surging with need. He shifted restlessly, trying to find relief. Soobin stirred as well, his arm tightening protectively around Beomgyu’s waist.

“You okay?” Soobin murmured, his voice thick with sleep, his lips brushing against Beomgyu’s temple.

Instead of answering, Beomgyu tilted his face up, his lips catching Soobin’s in a hesitant kiss.

Soobin froze for a moment before responding, his hand coming up to cradle Beomgyu’s jaw. The kiss deepened, slow and deliberate, as Soobin tilted Beomgyu’s face to guide him. His lips moved with a gentle insistence that left Beomgyu breathless, his entire body melting into the alpha’s embrace.

Beomgyu let out a soft whimper as Soobin’s tongue traced the seam of his lips, parting them. The kiss turned hotter, messier, with Soobin’s tongue exploring him, teasing him, and coaxing little gasps and moans from the omega.

Soobin’s free hand trailed down to Beomgyu’s waist, gripping it firmly as Beomgyu pressed closer, his body seeking friction. He moved instinctively, his hips rolling against Soobin’s, the rough drag of fabric igniting sparks of pleasure.

Soobin groaned against Beomgyu’s lips, the sound low and guttural, his hand slipping to Beomgyu’s thigh, squeezing it. “Angel…” he rasped, pulling back just enough to speak. “We shouldn’t. You’re in heat.”

Beomgyu’s eyes fluttered open, glazed with desire. “Hyung… alpha,” he breathed, his voice trembling with need. “I need you.”

Soobin’s resolve wavered, his gaze darkening as he cupped Beomgyu’s face, his thumb brushing over his cheekbone. “You’re not thinking clearly,” he murmured, though his hands stayed on Beomgyu, as if he couldn’t bring himself to let go.

“I’m thinking about you,” Beomgyu whispered, his lips brushing Soobin’s. “Only you.”

Before Soobin could respond, a loud voice shattered the moment. “Beomgyu, I’m home! Put your clothes back on!” Yeonjun’s shout echoed from the living room.

The omega froze, his face flushing crimson as reality came crashing back. He quickly pushed away from Soobin, his hands flying to his burning cheeks.

Soobin chuckled, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Feeling alright?” he asked, his tone light, though his darkened eyes lingered on the younger.

Beomgyu glared at him, still mortified. “What’s so funny?”

“You did jump me,” Soobin teased, a crooked smile tugging at his lips.

Despite himself, Beomgyu let out a soft laugh, hiding his face in his hands.

The rest of the evening passed quietly. Beomgyu took more suppressants while Soobin stayed by his side, the two of them watching the movie Soobin had been talking about all week. Beomgyu even ate the soup Soobin had made for him, savoring the warmth it brought.

When the clock struck eleven, Soobin sat up reluctantly, glancing at the time. “I should go,” he said softly.

“Stay,” Beomgyu murmured, his voice heavy with sleep as he reached for Soobin’s sleeve.

“You know what might happen if I stay,” Soobin said gently, his fingers brushing through Beomgyu’s hair.

“That’s okay. I don’t mind,” Beomgyu whispered, his eyes half-lidded.

“I know you do,” Soobin replied with a soft smile. “Let’s talk about it when you’re fully awake, yeah?”

“I wish you could stay with me,” Beomgyu mumbled, his voice barely audible as he nestled deeper into his blankets. The scent of sandalwood lingered around him, comforting and grounding.

“Soon, angel,” Soobin murmured, his voice so quiet that Beomgyu wasn’t sure if he’d imagined it.

When Beomgyu woke in the early hours of the morning, his body once again aflame with need, Soobin was gone. But his hoodie was draped over the edge of the bed, a silent reminder of his presence.

Beomgyu would never admit it, not even to himself, but that night, he buried his face in the soft fabric, inhaling the intense scent of sandalwood as his hands wandered inside his underwear, imagining it was Soobin’s touch he craved so desperately.

x-o-x

The day after his heat was always heavy. Beomgyu lingered in the quiet of his apartment, the ache in his body a muted echo of the storm that had raged through him. He’d spent the morning cleaning up his nest, folding blankets, and stuffing pillows back into their corners as if tidying the mess outside could fix the one inside.

But it didn’t.

It never did.

He wanted to stay in, to cocoon himself in the lingering scent of sandalwood clinging to Soobin’s hoodie and pretend the world didn’t exist. But his phone kept buzzing, each vibration a sharp reminder of the real world pressing in.

Minji. Again.

The texts had started the moment he woke up, relentless and insistent. He should’ve ignored them like he’d been doing for weeks. Instead, he stared at her latest message, the bold letters glaring up at him.

Unknown number

stop ignoring me

its urgent

He groaned, scrubbing a hand through his hair. Maybe if he met her, she’d stop. Maybe this would finally end.

So he agreed. At least he could deal with this while he prepared himself for the biggest problem in his life.

His still, technically, boyfriend.

-DONT FUCK ON THE COUCH-

Me

im meeting minji at that ugly café we hate

kill me so i dont have to go plss

Junie

omg

i need to see that shit front row

Taehyunie

We’ll be there

The café was small and quiet, tucked into a corner of campus Beomgyu usually avoided. He arrived ten minutes late, half-hoping Minji would’ve given up and left, but there she was by the window, waiting.

Beomgyu hesitated in the doorway, considering walking right back out. But then he caught sight of Yeonjun and Taehyun seated at a table in the far corner, their casual conversation a thin veil for their watchful eyes. Their presence was more of a reassurance than he wanted to admit.

With a deep breath, he walked over and slid into the seat across from Minji.

“You came,” she said, her lips curving into a small, satisfied smile.

“You’ve been blowing up my phone,” Beomgyu replied, his tone flat. “What’s so important you couldn’t let it go?”

Minji raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. “Straight to the point, huh? Fine.”

She hesitated for a second, her fingers fidgeting with her coffee cup.

“I’m pregnant.”

The words landed with a dull thud in Beomgyu’s chest. He blinked at her, unsure if he’d heard her right.

“What?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m pregnant,” she repeated, her tone firmer this time. “And it’s Daehyun’s.”

Fuck, I should’ve just block her.

Chapter Text

Beomgyu should have seen this coming. Maybe, deep down, he always had. But when the words left Minji’s mouth, they still hit him like a punch to the gut.

“Oh my God,” he breathed, barely able to form the words. His mind scrambled to process her revelation, but the emotions tangled in his chest made it impossible. Was this betrayal? He wasn’t even sure anymore. 

“I thought you should know,” Minji continued, her tone tight but measured, as though she’d rehearsed this conversation. “It’s better for you to hear it from me, so you can end things with Dae. I mean, there’s no point in staying together when this is happening. Right?”

Beomgyu stared at her, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“Does Daehyun even know?” he asked finally, his voice taut.

Minji hesitated—just for a second, but long enough for Beomgyu to catch it. She took a breath, her shoulders squaring. “Not yet,” she admitted, “but he’ll take responsibility.”

Beomgyu scoffed softly, shaking his head in disbelief. He should have been angry, but instead, he was… worried. Her confidence was unsettling, almost naive, and it made his chest ache in a way he couldn’t quite name.

“Minji,” he said carefully, choosing his words like stepping through a minefield. “You’re so sure of him, but I don’t think you’ve thought this through. You should consider all your options because… I'm not sure he’s going to handle this the way you’re hoping.”

Her eyes flashed, her posture stiffening as she leaned forward. “Why do you always act like you’re better than me? Like you know everything?” she snapped. “I know Daehyun better than anyone, and I know he’ll support me. Don’t sit there and act like you’re some saint looking out for me when all you care about is protecting yourself.”

“I’m not trying to protect myself,” Beomgyu replied, his tone sharper now. “I’m trying to warn you because you don’t seem to understand what you’re walking into. Daehyun’s family—they’re conservative. They already hate anything that disrupts their perfect little image. Do you think they’re going to welcome the idea of Daehyun having a child with someone who isn’t—” He stopped himself, exhaling hard.

“Someone who isn’t who?” she demanded, her voice trembling with anger. “You?”

Beomgyu clenched his jaw. “That’s not what I—”

“Sure it isn’t,” she interrupted bitterly. “You think just because Daehyun’s family likes you that it means anything? Newsflash, Beomgyu—it doesn’t. They’ll come around to me and my baby. You just can’t stand the idea that you’re not as irreplaceable as you think.”

Beomgyu took a slow, deliberate breath, forcing himself to stay calm. “Minji, this isn’t about me. I’m trying to get you to see reality. Daehyun’s family won’t just ‘come around.’ They’re going to make this difficult for you, and Daehyun… he’s not going to stand up to them. He never has, and he never will.”

Her face crumpled for a moment, doubt flickering in her eyes before she quickly masked it with defiance. “You don’t know that. You’re just bitter because you know he’s going to leave you for me.”

Beomgyu sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I was planning to end things with him even before this. But that doesn’t change the fact that you need to think about what you’re doing. I’m serious. The reaction you’re expecting from him… it’s not going to happen.”

He stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor, and walked out of the café without another word. Taehyun and Yeonjun, who had been waiting at a nearby table, followed him out.

“Well,” Yeonjun said, breaking the silence as they stepped onto the sidewalk. “That was disappointing. I was hoping for some yelling, maybe a drink thrown in someone’s face or—”

“Minji’s pregnant with Daehyun’s kid,” Beomgyu said flatly.

Taehyun and Yeonjun stopped in their tracks, both of them turning to stare at him.

“What?!” they exclaimed in unison.

“Yeah,” Beomgyu muttered, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Taehyun was the first to recover, his face hardening. “Okay, no more excuses. You have to break up with him.”

“We were right all along—fuck Daehyun!” Yeonjun snapped, his anger bubbling over as they continued down the street.

x-o-x

Me

hey

we need to talk

i know about minji

He had typed those texts the night before, thumb hovering over the send button for what felt like hours. When he finally pressed send, unease took root in his chest, a weight that hadn’t lifted.

It was the day after Minji dropped the news on him and he still didn’t know how to feel. Did he even have the right to be angry with Daehyun when he’d already decided to end things? And worse, could he even judge Daehyun when he himself might have ended up pregnant by someone who wasn’t his boyfriend?

His friends had all told him he had every right to be furious, but Beomgyu just felt… drained. This news wasn’t just shocking; it was the final straw, the weight that tipped the scales. There was no way to fix this—no path to a resolution. He could feel the end looming, inevitable.

Every moment of the day dragged by. Beomgyu couldn’t remember what he wrote during his morning classes or how he even ended up on the bus heading to work. He was walking through the motions, waiting for… something.

“You okay?” Minseo asked, prying open her lunch container. She and Jihoon were sitting with Beomgyu in the cafeteria during their lunch break, their chatter a contrast to his heavy silence.

“You’ve been out of it all day,” Jihoon noted, speaking through a mouthful of food.

“Ugh, don’t talk with your mouth full,” Minseo chided, giving him a sharp look before turning back to Beomgyu.

“Just stress, I guess,” Beomgyu replied, forcing a weak smile as he poked at his lunch.

“Sure… if you say so,” Minseo said, though her expression made it clear she didn’t buy it.

Beomgyu hated how transparent he was sometimes.

Jihoon perked up suddenly, snapping his fingers as if remembering something important. “Oh, by the way, what kind of car does your boyfriend drive? I always see it when he picks you up. It's so cool!”

“That was creepy,” Minseo teased with a smirk.

“Why? I just want a car like that,” Jihoon defended himself, raising his hands in mock surrender.

“And I just want a boyfriend who picks me up every day,” Minseo sighed wistfully. “You two are so cute. How long have you been together?”

Beomgyu stiffened. The question caught him off guard, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

“Wait… you’ve seen us?” he asked hesitantly.

“Of course! It’s impossible not to when you’re all lovey-dovey in the middle of the street,” Jihoon said, once again through a mouthful of food.

“We are not like that!” Beomgyu protested, his cheeks tinged with pink.

“Ah, young love. When will it be my turn?” Minseo sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling.

“But seriously, what kind of car is it?” Jihoon pressed.

“What car?” Seungmin, a production asistant, interjected as he slid into the seat next to Beomgyu—closer than he would have liked.

“Beomgyu’s boyfriend’s car,” Jihoon replied, leaning back in his chair.

“Oh,” the older alpha said casually, though his eyes lingered on Beomgyu a moment too long. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”

“I’m not sure what model it is. I can ask him and let you know,” Beomgyu said, deliberately avoiding Seungmin’s gaze.

“Awesome!” Jihoon beamed.

“Well, I just stopped by to remind everyone about the team reunion this Friday. It’s mandatory, and the boss is covering the food. Alcohol included, of course, so don’t miss out,” Seungmin announced, standing as he spoke.

“This is exactly what I needed—free booze!” Jihoon cheered.

“Love the enthusiasm,” Seungmin said, flashing a quick smile before turning back to Beomgyu. “Make sure to come”, his gaze lingered briefly before he walked away.

“He totally has a crush on you,” Minseo whispered, her grin mischievous.

“Duh, we all know that,” Jihoon said with a shrug.

“He doesn’t—” Beomgyu tried to deny it.

“He does! But whatever, you’re taken anyway,” Minseo interrupted.

“Mm, and your boyfriend is way hotter than Seungmin, by the way,” Jihoon added in a casual way.

Beomgyu couldn’t help but laugh.

“Should I be worried you have a crush on my boyfriend?” he teased Jihoon.

“Hey! I’m strictly into omegas,” Jihoon defended, raising his hands dramatically.

It wasn’t until the end of his workday that Beomgyu realized he hadn’t denied that Soobin was his boyfriend. In fact, he’d called him that without hesitation.

He really needed to talk to Daehyun soon.

“Jihoon, hide! Your crush is here!” Minseo exclaimed as the three exited the TV studio. She nodded toward Soobin, who was leaning against his car on the curb, clearly waiting for Beomgyu.

“I can introduce you if you want,” Beomgyu quipped, earning a groan from Jihoon.

“Ugh, I hate you both. See you tomorrow,” Jihoon grumbled as he walked away.

“I’m leaving, too. Oh, and if your boyfriend has any single brothers or cousins, let them know I’m available!” Minseo called with a wink before leaving.

Beomgyu couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at his lips as he walked toward Soobin. His heart fluttered at the sight of the alpha’s familiar figure, the casual confidence in the way he waited.

The last time they’d seen each other had been Saturday—during Beomgyu’s heat. He hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Soobin in the ethics class they shared because the alpha had skipped to finish some work.

So, yeah, he was a little excited to see him again.

“Hi,” Beomgyu said softly, stopping just inches away from the alpha.

“Hi,” Soobin murmured, his hands finding Beomgyu’s waist and pulling him close. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

The words fell from Beomgyu’s lips without hesitation, and before he could overthink them, Soobin dipped his head to kiss him. The world seemed to fade, leaving only the warmth of his lips and the firm grip of his hands.

When they finally pulled apart, Soobin’s fingers brushed under Beomgyu’s shirt, his touch cold against the omega's warm skin.

“So…what about going to my place?” Soobin suggested, his voice low. “Maybe you can give me a private lesson on everything I missed in class today.”

“Hmm, will there be a reward involved?” Beomgyu teased, biting his lower lip.

Soobin leaned in close, his breath hot against Beomgyu’s ear. “I can think of a few things you’d enjoy.”

Beomgyu shivered as Soobin kissed the scent gland on his neck, and for the first time that day, his worries faded.

x-o-x

As soon as the door clicked shut, Soobin hoisted Beomgyu up by the thighs, his grip firm and commanding as he pressed their bodies together and kissed him with unrestrained fervor. Lips crashed, teeth grazed, and the Alpha's hands gripped possessively, holding the Omega close. Beomgyu could only laugh breathlessly in response, his arms instinctively wrapping around Soobin’s shoulders as he fumbled to kick off his sneakers.

Soobin began striding toward his bedroom, his determination palpable, when a voice abruptly cut through their moment.

“Uh, sorry to interrupt, but this is kind of an emergency,” a feminine voice chimed, halting Soobin in his tracks.

Both of them turned sharply toward the source of the voice, Beomgyu’s breath catching in his throat as he spotted Jimin, Soobin’s sister, standing casually by the couch. Beside her, Sujin was practically bouncing with excitement.

“Hyung!” Sujin squealed, bolting toward them with tiny, determined steps. “Carry me too!”

Beomgyu’s face burned scarlet, mortification sweeping over him. Without thinking, he squirmed out of Soobin’s arms and moved behind him, instinctively seeking cover.

“Noona! I told you to call before you come over!” Soobin scolded, sighing as he crouched down to lift Sujin into his arms.

“Sorry!” Jimin sang, though her cheeky grin betrayed her lack of genuine remorse. Turning her attention to Beomgyu, she added playfully, “I swear, Beomgyu, I didn’t mean to interrupt your romantic moment.”

Beomgyu was relieved to see Soobin’s ears glowing red with embarrassment, he felt slightly less alone in his mortification.

“But I have a work emergency,” Jimin continued, her tone shifting slightly to one of urgency, “and I need you to watch Sujin for a few hours, okay? Just until bedtime!”

Soobin rolled his eyes, his annoyance softened by a resigned chuckle. “What would you do without me, huh?” he teased, bouncing Sujin gently in his arms.

“Aww, my favorite little brother! Thanks! You’re the best!” Jimin gushed, reaching up to pinch Soobin’s cheek affectionately.

“I’m your only-“

Then, turning to Beomgyu, she added with a genuine smile, “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry for ruining your plans today. I promise I’ll make it up to you!”

“It’s fine, really. Don’t worry about it,” Beomgyu replied softly, his voice warm and reassuring.

“You’re way too good for my brother, you know that?” Jimin teased with a knowing grin, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

“Hey! Stop talking bad about me!” Soobin protested, his expression somewhere between irritation and amusement.

Ignoring her brother’s complaint, Jimin turned her attention to Sujin, who was now perched comfortably in Soobin’s arms. “Be good for Uncle, okay, my baby?” she cooed, leaning in to hug him and plant a kiss on his cheek.

"Okay, Mommy! Bye-bye!" Sujin chirped, waving enthusiastically as Jimin planted one last kiss on his forehead before hurrying out the door.

Once she was gone, Sujin turned shyly to Beomgyu. "Hi..." he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Hi, little one!” Beomgyu responded warmly, his voice gentle. “You can call me hyung if you’d like, okay?” he added, running his fingers lightly over Sujin’s hair in a comforting gesture.

“Okay… hyung,” Sujin said, his face lighting up with excitement at the word, followed by a soft giggle. “Will you stay and play with us?”

“Do you want me to?” Beomgyu asked with a kind smile.

“Yes!” Sujin exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over. “You can help me with my spaceship!” The little boy wriggled free of Soobin’s arms and grabbed Beomgyu’s hand, tugging him eagerly toward the living room, where the coffee table was scattered with toys.

“Don’t forget you still have homework to finish,” Soobin reminded, sitting beside Sujin on the floor.

“Can I do it later? Please?” Sujin pleaded, clasping his hands together dramatically. “I want hyung to help me!” He pointed toward the box containing the Lego spaceship set.

“Let him play for a little while,” Beomgyu chimed in, his lips forming a playful pout as he glanced at Soobin.

Soobin groaned in mock defeat. “Ugh, fine.”

Both Beomgyu and Sujin celebrated with little cheers, and the three got to work on the spaceship. Sujin babbled excitedly about his ideas, Beomgyu guided his small hands whenever he got stuck, and Soobin sneaked kisses on Beomgyu’s cheek whenever Sujin wasn’t looking.

“Hyung, you’re so good! Do you build LEGOs at home?” Sujin asked, his eyes wide with admiration.

“Not exactly,” Beomgyu replied, laughing softly. “But I do something kind of similar. I could show you one day if you want.”

“Really?!” Sujin gasped, his expression brimming with hope.

“Of course,” Beomgyu assured him, brushing back the child’s slightly long bangs behind his ear.

“Uncle! That piece doesn’t go there!” Sujin exclaimed when Soobin tried to attach a block in the wrong spot.

“You’re terrible at this,” Beomgyu teased, guiding Soobin’s hand to the correct placement.

“These things aren’t my strong suit,” Soobin grumbled. “I’m better at puzzles!” He draped an arm around Beomgyu’s shoulders, Sujin nestled comfortably between them, almost sitting on Beomgyu’s lap.

“Liar! You’re bad at puzzles too!” Sujin declared with an innocent giggle.

“Hey!” Soobin protested.

“Just admit it. Not even your nephew can defend you,” Beomgyu teased, his grin widening as he glanced up at Soobin.

“Gyu, I brought you here to be on my side!” Soobin complained, leaning back against the couch dramatically. “Every day, I’m the victim of my sister and her little gremlin. I’m sorry but I’ll have to use my secret weapon”.

“Uncle! No!” Sujin laughed as Soobin began tickling him mercilessly. “Hyung, save me!” the boy pleaded, climbing fully into Beomgyu’s lap to escape.

“Alright, stop before he ends up needing a change of clothes,” Beomgyu said with a laugh, wrapping his arms protectively around Sujin.

Soobin relented, stealing a quick kiss from Beomgyu’s lips. “You’re lucky you’re cute,” he muttered with a playful smirk.

“Uncle!” Sujin grabbed Soobin’s sweater to get his attention. “Let’s show Gyu hyung our favorite gummies, please!”, he exclaimed with a big smile, eyes full of excitement because of his new idea.

“Fine,” Soobin conceded, “but you can't finish the whole bag. You still have to eat dinner, alright?”

“Yay! To the store!” Sujin cheered, practically bouncing as they all headed out.

The chilly night air didn’t dampen Sujin’s excitement as he swung his hands, clasped tightly between Beomgyu and Soobin’s. His happiness was infectious, and neither adult seemed to mind the cold either.

Inside the convenience store, Sujin tugged Beomgyu eagerly toward the candy aisle. “These are my favorite! Uncle Soobin and I love them. They’re so yummy!” he exclaimed, pointing to a specific pack of gummies with a bright smile.

Beomgyu’s heart melted. For someone who had seemed so shy when they first met, Sujin was incredibly talkative and affectionate. It was hard not to feel attached to him or…try to deny him anything.

“Hyung, carry me, please,” Sujin requested, arms raised as they left the store.

“Jinie, I’ll carry you, yeah?” Soobin offered, balancing the bag of sweets on his arm.

“But I want hyung…” Sujin pouted softly, his lip trembling slightly.

“Aww, why are you so cute? Come here,” Beomgyu said with a smile, scooping the little boy into his arms despite Soobin’s protests. Sujin snuggled happily into Beomgyu’s chest, his small arms wrapped securely around his neck.

“Are you sure? Let me know if he gets too heavy,” Soobin said, concern flickering in his eyes as they walked.

“Don’t worry, it’s just one block,” Beomgyu reassured him.

Satisfied, Soobin leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Beomgyu’s cheek, his arm slipping around the Omega’s shoulders. “Trying to steal my omega, huh?” he teased Sujin, playfully tugging at the boy’s cheek. 

“You’re spoiling him,” Soobin murmured when he saw Sujin giggling when Beomgyu bounced him lightly.

The omega chuckled softly, glancing at the gummy bag Sujin hugged to his chest. “I’m not the one who gave in and bought the extra bag, am I?”

Soobin huffed, pulling Beomgyu closer. “You gave me the puppy eyes. It’s not fair when you team up with him.”

Before Beomgyu could respond, Sujin piped up, his voice small but eager. “Hyung, do you like gummies too?”

“I do,” Beomgyu said, smiling down at him. “But I think I like chocolate a little more.”

“Chocolate is yummy too!” Sujin agreed enthusiastically before glancing mischievously at Soobin. “But Uncle likes boring stuff.”

“Boring?” Beomgyu raised an eyebrow, amused. “What’s boring about chocolate?”

“He likes the bitter one!” Sujin giggled.

“It’s not bitter; it’s a classic,” Soobin defended, pulling Beomgyu tighter against his side.

Beomgyu laughed, leaning into him. “Sorry, but I have to side with Sujin on this one.”

“You’re both traitors,” Soobin muttered, but the soft kiss he pressed against Beomgyu’s hair as they reached the apartment door betrayed his fake annoyance.

Dinner was a relaxed affair, filled with Sujin’s cheerful recounting of his days at school and the occasional teasing glance Soobin sent Beomgyu’s way.

After the meal, Soobin guided Sujin through his homework at the dining table, his voice soft as he explained math problems in a way that made Sujin nod with understanding. Beomgyu observed from the couch, unable to hide his smile at the sight of Soobin’s care and attentiveness. Beomgyu couldn’t help but admire this side of Soobin—playful yet protective, teasing Sujin one moment and making sure he finished his vegetables the next. It was… oddly attractive.

Once the homework was done, the three of them sprawled on the living room floor to finish the Lego spaceship. Beomgyu and Sujin worked on attaching the final pieces, while Soobin stayed close, leaning against Beomgyu.

“Hyung, look! It’s done!” Sujin exclaimed, holding up the completed spaceship with pride.

“Great job, Sujin!” Beomgyu said, clapping softly, his smile warm.

“Team effort,” Soobin added.

“Uncle, don’t lie!”, Sujin piped up.

Soobin groaned dramatically, flopping back onto the floor. “I’m so unappreciated.”

By the time Jimin returned, Sujin was drowsy, curled up against Soobin’s chest. She scooped up her son with a grateful smile, kissing both Beomgyu and Soobin on the cheek before leaving.

As the door clicked shut, Soobin let out a soft sigh and immediately wrapped his arms around Beomgyu, pulling him onto his lap on the couch. “Thanks for helping with him,” he murmured, his voice low and warm.

Beomgyu leaned into the embrace, letting his head rest on Soobin’s shoulder. “He’s a good kid. Easy to like. Just like someone else I know.”

Soobin chuckled softly, tightening his hold around Beomgyu. For a moment, it was quiet—just the two of them, the evening still and comfortable. Then Soobin spoke again, his tone a little hesitant.

“What if… you stayed the night here?”

Beomgyu stilled, caught off guard by the suggestion. His heart gave a nervous flutter, and he was suddenly hyper-aware of how close Soobin was, how the alpha’s voice had softened like he was worried about pushing too hard.

“I mean,” Soobin rushed to add, his words tumbling out quickly, “you don’t have to if you’re not comfortable. But I can lend you clothes, and tomorrow I’ll take you back to your apartment first thing so you can grab your stuff and change before class. It’s not a problem at all! I just thought—”

“Soobin,” Beomgyu interrupted, his voice light, trying to keep the alpha from spiraling.

Soobin blinked, his nervous ramble stopping mid-sentence as his wide, hopeful eyes met the omega’s.

Beomgyu hesitated, biting his lip as his thoughts swirled. It wasn’t like staying the night was some huge deal. Soobin had slept over at his place before, and they’d shared a bed more than once, in every sense of the word. But being here, in Soobin’s space, in Soobin’s bed—it felt different. Intimate in a way that made him nervous, though he couldn’t quite explain why.

Still, the look in Soobin’s eyes, anticipation and vulnerability, made Beomgyu’s worries seem so small.

“I’ll stay,” the omega said softly, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Really?” Soobin asked, his expression lighting up instantly.

“Yeah,” Beomgyu replied, his voice steadier now. “I mean, you make a pretty convincing argument.”

Soobin’s relief was almost palpable. He let out a soft laugh, wrapping Beomgyu up in his arms again and pressing a quick kiss to his temple. “Good. Because I wasn’t sure how else to convince you, and I really didn’t want you to go.”

Beomgyu chuckled softly, his breath brushing against Soobin’s neck as he nestled further into the alpha’s arms. “You don’t have to try so hard. I wanted to stay anyway.”

A visible wave of relief washed over Soobin, and his arms tightened instinctively around Beomgyu, his smile radiating warmth against Beomgyu’s temple. The earlier tension dissolved.

“Wait,” Soobin murmured, his voice carrying a mixture of excitement and hesitation. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to give you.”

“Something? What is—” Beomgyu began, but his words faltered as Soobin shifted, standing abruptly with the omega still cradled securely in his arms.

“You’ll see,” Soobin interrupted with a playful grin, effortlessly carrying the omega toward his bedroom.

Beomgyu huffed in mock exasperation, his arms instinctively wrapping around Soobin’s neck. “You know I can walk, right?” he teased, though his cheeks flushed at the alpha’s strength and ease.

“I know,” Soobin replied with a cheeky smile, gently setting Beomgyu down on the neatly made bed. “But this way is faster.”

With that, he disappeared into the walk-in closet, leaving Beomgyu to look around the room, the faint scent of sandalwood filling the air. Moments later, Soobin emerged, holding a small box in his hands.

He approached the bed with an uncharacteristic shyness, placing the box delicately on Beomgyu’s lap. “Go on—open it.”

Curiosity flickered in Beomgyu’s eyes as he untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. The moment he saw what was inside, his breath hitched.

The antique music box. The one he’d admired in the store but couldn’t justify buying for himself.

“How…how did you—?” Beomgyu stammered, his fingers careful as they traced the intricate designs on the box.

“I noticed how much you liked it when we were at the store,” Soobin said softly, his hand resting lightly on Beomgyu’s thigh. “So I went back and got it for you.”

Beomgyu’s gaze flickered between Soobin and the music box, a mix of gratitude and disbelief swirling in his chest. “You didn’t have to do that. It was kind of expensive...”

The alpha shrugged, his expression unapologetic. “But it made you happy, didn’t it?”

“Well, yes, but—”

“The store has a no return policy,” Soobin interrupted with a teasing smirk. “So, you’ll just have to keep it.”

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, though his smile betrayed him. “I hate you,” he muttered, his tone far too affectionate to be convincing.

Soobin’s grin softened as he leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from Beomgyu’s face. “There’s…something else I wanted to say,” he began, his voice hesitant. “I don’t want to pressure you or anything, but I thought you should know.”

Beomgyu’s brow furrowed, his smile fading slightly. “You’re making me nervous now. What is it?” He set the music box gently on the bedside table, turning his full attention to the alpha.

Soobin took a deep breath, reaching out to take Beomgyu’s hands in his own. His thumbs traced slow, soothing circles against the omega’s knuckles as he looked at him with an intensity that made his heart race.

“Gyu…I don’t just like you anymore,” he started quietly, “it’s so much more than that.”

Beomgyu blinked, his heart hammering against his ribs.

Soobin gave a small, nervous laugh and looked down briefly before meeting Beomgyu’s eyes again. “I like the way your nose scrunches when you’re concentrating, like when you’re doing those miniature sets. I like that you bake cookies when you’re stressed and always make sure to do the chocolate ones I love. I even like that ridiculous Taylor Swift cutout in your room, even though it startles me every time I see it. I’m getting used to it.” He grinned, the nervousness in his voice replaced by a gentle fondness.

Beomgyu couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of him, a blush spreading across his cheeks. “She has a comforting presence, okay?”

“Sure,” Soobin teased, his grin widening before it faltered slightly. He exhaled deeply, his expression turning serious again. “But more than all those little things, I like who you are. I like the way you care so much, even when you’re hurting. I like how creative you’re, I’m serious, you’re so talented at what you love, even if you don’t see it, I do, all the time. You’re…” He paused, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “You’re incredible, Beomgyu.”

Beomgyu swallowed thickly, his throat suddenly dry as his chest tightened with emotion.

Soobin continued, his voice soft but resolute. “I know things are…complicated with Daehyun. And I know it’s not easy to untangle everything between you two. But…I want you to give us a chance. I want you to be with me.”

Soobin squeezed his hands gently, his eyes searching Beomgyu’s face for any sign of hesitation. “You don’t have to decide right this second,” Soobin added quickly. “But if you’re feeling anything close to what I feel, then I’m asking you—no, I’m hoping—that you’ll let me in. That you’ll choose me.”

Beomgyu looked down at their joined hands, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but steady. “Soobin…you’re always on my mind. Now, every time I think about what I want or what makes me happy, it’s you. You’ve been there for me in ways I didn’t even know I needed, and…I’m starting to feel so much more for you too.”

Beomgyu looked up, his eyes shining with vulnerability. “I promise I’ll give you a clear answer soon. I just need to do something before”.

A slow, radiant smile spread across Soobin’s face, the tension in his shoulders melting away. “I can live with that,” he said softly.

Beomgyu gazed at Soobin, his heart full to the brim with a tenderness he couldn’t contain. He cupped Soobin’s face in his hands, his thumbs brushing over the soft curve of his cheeks. “You’re amazing, you know that?” Beomgyu whispered, his voice trembling slightly, not from nerves but from the sheer intensity of what he was feeling.

Soobin’s lips parted as if to speak, but before he could say a word, Beomgyu moved. Sliding onto Soobin’s lap with ease, he looped his arms around the alpha’s neck, pressing their bodies close. “You make me feel so special, Soobin,” he murmured, his voice low and warm. “Like I’m the only thing on your mind.”

“You are,” Soobin said quietly, his hands instinctively finding Beomgyu’s waist. His grip was firm, as if he was afraid Beomgyu might slip away.

Beomgyu let out a soft laugh, brushing his nose against Soobin’s. “And you’re so cute when you’re flustered. It’s honestly unfair.” He leaned in, brushing his lips lightly over Soobin’s, a teasing touch that sent a shiver through both of them.

Soobin closed his eyes, his breath catching. “You’re going to be the death of me,” he muttered, his voice low and filled with affection.

“Good,” Beomgyu replied with a playful grin before closing the distance between them fully.

Their lips met in a tender kiss that quickly deepened. Beomgyu tilted his head, his fingers threading through Soobin’s hair as he poured every unspoken feeling into the kiss. The alpha responded with equal fervor, his hands sliding up Beomgyu’s back to hold him closer. The kiss grew hotter, more desperate, their shared emotions igniting into something undeniable.

When Beomgyu shifted in Soobin’s lap, pressing closer, Soobin groaned softly, the sound low and deep. His hands gripped Beomgyu’s hips, steadying him as their movements became more heated.

Beomgyu pulled back slightly, his lips flushed, his chest heaving as he looked down at Soobin with a mix of playfulness and desire. His eyes sparkled like molten honey under the dim light, teasing yet earnest. "Hyung," he murmured, his voice low and sultry, "don’t you think we’re a little overdressed for this?"

Soobin tilted his head, letting out a low chuckle that rumbled in his chest. His large hands rested firmly on Beomgyu’s waist, his thumbs brushing slow circles over the fabric of his jeans. "You’re not wrong," he replied, his voice thick with amusement as he leaned forward, pressing his lips to the curve of Beomgyu’s jaw. "But…are you sure? I don’t want you to think that I told you to spend the night so we could—"

Beomgyu grinned, his fingers slipping under the hem of Soobin’s shirt. His nails lightly scraped against the alpha’s skin, sending a shiver up Soobin’s spine. "Do you think I’d be here, on your lap, literally begging you to take your clothes off, if I wasn’t sure?"

A rosy flush spread over Soobin’s cheeks, but he smiled, clearly pleased. "Point taken," he said softly, his voice almost a growl as he leaned back, allowing Beomgyu to tug his shirt over his head. The alpha’s toned chest was bare now, the soft glow of the room casting faint shadows over his skin.

Beomgyu’s hands were on him immediately, palms smoothing over Soobin’s chest, fingers brushing against his taut muscles with a mix of curiosity and appreciation. "You’re so…hot," Beomgyu breathed, his voice barely audible as he leaned in, pressing warm kisses along Soobin’s collarbone and up to the curve of his shoulder.

Soobin’s lips curved into a smirk, his hands sliding under Beomgyu’s sweater. "You’ve never said that sober before," he teased, his tone playful but heavy with desire.

"Well, I’m sober now," Beomgyu shot back, lifting his arms to let Soobin pull the sweater off. The fabric was discarded carelessly to the floor, leaving Beomgyu sitting there, bare from the waist up, unabashed and stunning.

Soobin took a moment, his gaze drinking in every detail of the omega before him. His fingers traced lightly along Beomgyu’s sides, his touch reverent. "Beautiful," Soobin murmured, his voice low and rough.

Beomgyu leaned down, capturing Soobin’s lips in a kiss that was both demanding and tender. Their mouths moved together with an electric intensity, a slow build of passion that made Beomgyu’s heart race.

As the kiss deepened, Soobin’s hands traveled down, gripping Beomgyu’s ass with a firm touch. When Beomgyu moaned softly into his mouth, Soobin took it as an invitation, flipping them effortlessly so that Beomgyu was beneath him.

Soobin trailed his lips down to Beomgyu’s nipples, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin until Beomgyu’s breathing grew ragged. His hands mapped every inch of Beomgyu’s torso, fingers skimming over soft skin and eliciting shivers with every touch.

"You're too good at this," Beomgyu gasped, his head tipping back as Soobin’s mouth moved lower, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.

Soobin chuckled against his skin, his hands sliding to the waistband of Beomgyu’s jeans. His thumbs dipped under the fabric teasingly. "We’ve had a lot of practice," he murmured.

Beomgyu laughed breathlessly, his fingers threading into Soobin’s hair to tug him back up for another kiss. This time, it was slower, deeper, filled with unspoken emotions that neither of them could quite put into words.

The rest of their clothes disappeared piece by piece, discarded carelessly across the room as their bodies pressed together, skin on skin, every movement charged with heat and longing. Beomgyu was moaning beneath Soobin on the bed, his back arching as the alpha’s fingers worked inside him. Soobin’s lips trailed over Beomgyu’s chest, teasing and leaving marks that made the omega’s breath hitch.

A whimper escaped Beomgyu when Soobin withdrew his fingers, only to watch the alpha lick them clean. Soobin’s gaze was dark with satisfaction as he moved toward the nightstand, likely searching for a condom.

"Don’t use it," Beomgyu said softly, drawing Soobin’s attention back to him. "We don’t have to…if you don’t want to. I’m on the pill."

"You want to do this without a condom?" Soobin asked, his voice tinged with surprise.

"Yeah," Beomgyu admitted, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. "I want to…feel you."

Soobin’s response was a searing kiss, his lips claiming Beomgyu’s with an intensity that left the omega breathless.

"You’re so damn sexy," Soobin murmured as he pulled away, his voice thick with desire. "I can’t wait to cum—"

"God, you don’t have to say it!" Beomgyu exclaimed, quickly covering Soobin’s mouth with his hand.

In response, Soobin chuckled, kissing Beomgyu’s palm before gently moving it away. "Then I’ll just do it”.

Soobin’s chest heaved as he kissed Beomgyu again, his lips lingering as his hands guided himself into the omega. Soobin slid into him easily, Beomgyu’s warmth drawing him deeper, and they both gasped at the connection.

The rhythm they found was slow at first, deliberate, each thrust pulling soft whimpers and moans from Beomgyu’s lips. Soobin’s hands gripped his hips, his movements growing more urgent as they lost themselves in each other. Beomgyu felt his body tremble, every thrust sending sparks down his spine.

"You were made for me, angel," Soobin murmured, his voice thick with raw emotion as he pressed his forehead against Beomgyu’s.

Beomgyu’s response was a breathless moan, his nails digging into Soobin’s back as their pace quickened, their connection deepening with every motion.

Without warning, Soobin pulled out, flipping Beomgyu onto his stomach. Beomgyu gasped as he felt Soobin thrust back into him, the alpha’s breath hot against his ear.

"You like this, don’t you?" Soobin whispered, slipping two fingers into Beomgyu’s mouth. "Being taken like this, exactly how I want."

Beomgyu moaned around Soobin’s fingers, shivering when they were removed only for them to tease his sensitive nipples again.

"Ah, alpha," Beomgyu gasped, the word slipping out unbidden.

Soobin froze for a moment before resuming his rhythm. "Say it again," he demanded, his voice low and commanding.

"Huh?"

"Omega, say it again," Soobin urged, his lips brushing against Beomgyu’s scent gland, leaving light bites along the area.

"Alpha, please," Beomgyu whimpered, his voice trembling.

"My baby is so good," Soobin murmured, his thrusts deep and steady, each one claiming Beomgyu completely.

Time seemed to blur, the world fading away until there was nothing but them—their bodies, their breaths, their hearts beating in unison. Soobin’s voice, low and husky, murmured soft praises as Beomgyu trembled beneath him, completely undone.

Beomgyu loved this—being under the alpha, feeling him so deeply, their bodies connected with nothing between them. It didn’t take long for his pleasure to overwhelm him, and his mind went blank as his release hit.

He felt Soobin follow shortly after, the alpha’s knot swelling as warmth filled him completely. Beomgyu’s breath hitched at the sensation, his body trembling in satisfaction.

"Baby, is this okay?" Soobin asked softly, carefully shifting them to lie on their sides as they waited for the knot to subside. His hand gently caressed Beomgyu’s belly.

"Mm, perfect," Beomgyu murmured, his eyes fluttering shut as he nestled into Soobin’s chest.

x-o-x

The bathroom was dimly lit, the soft glow of the lights casting flickering reflections across the water. The bathtub was filled almost to the brim, its surface dotted with small bubbles that glimmered faintly under the golden light. Beomgyu sat comfortably, his back resting against the alpha’s broad chest, their bodies submerged in the warm water.

The omega let out a content sigh as he leaned his head back onto Soobin’s shoulder, his damp hair sticking to his forehead in soft strands. The alpha’s hands were gentle, one resting on Beomgyu’s hip beneath the water, the other trailing absentmindedly along his arm. They were both quiet, basking in the serene closeness, the only sounds the faint trickle of water and their steady breaths.

“You’re so warm,” Beomgyu murmured, breaking the silence, his voice low and relaxed.

Soobin smiled against the curve of Beomgyu’s neck, pressing a light kiss there. “And you’re so tiny,” he teased, his deep voice carrying a playful note. “I can wrap you up like this and not let you go.”

Beomgyu chuckled, elbowing Soobin lightly. “That was so creepy. And I’m not tiny! I’m normal size!”

“Oh, sure,” Soobin replied, grinning.

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, though he didn’t argue. He tilted his head slightly, his damp hair brushing against Soobin’s cheek. “I forgot how much I missed taking baths.”

Soobin hummed, his lips curving into a small smile as his fingers lazily traced patterns on Beomgyu’s hip under the water. “I’m glad you like it. You’re welcome to use mine anytime, the only condition is that I have to be with you”.

Beomgyu chuckled, sitting up just enough to reach for the shampoo bottle on the tub’s edge. “Your whole apartment is really nice, actually,” he said, squeezing a small amount into his palm and turning so he could face the alpha. “Way nicer than mine. You’ve got this fancy bathtub and everything.”

Soobin leaned forward slightly to help as Beomgyu’s hands moved to his wet hair, lathering it gently. “Yeah, well,” Soobin said with a light laugh, closing his eyes as Beomgyu’s fingers massaged his scalp. “It’s the only good thing my dad ever did for me.”

Beomgyu paused mid-motion, his brows knitting slightly as he rinsed the suds from Soobin’s hair. “What do you mean by that?”

Soobin opened his eyes, but instead of answering, he took the shampoo bottle. “Come here,” he said, his tone soft.

Beomgyu hesitated but leaned forward, letting Soobin carefully work the shampoo into his hair. “Soobin,” he started, his voice cautious. “If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to, but—”

“I’ll tell you later,” Soobin interrupted gently, a small smile tugging at his lips as he ran his fingers through Beomgyu’s hair, rinsing it with the warm water. “Right now, there’s something else I wanted to talk about.”

Beomgyu straightened slightly, water dripping from his hair as he tilted his head to look at Soobin. “What is it?”

Soobin hesitated for a beat, hand caressing the omega’s thighs. “I wasn’t going to bring it up tonight, but…Saturday, when I was in your bathroom, I saw… the box. The pregnancy test.”

Beomgyu froze for a moment, his body stiffening ever so slightly. The alpha noticed immediately, his grip firm but reassuring. “I know you aren’t pregnant so I— I wasn’t sure if I should say anything, but I thought maybe I should. That time in the car, I should’ve been more careful. I mean, I know very well that pulling out isn’t a reliable method and I still did it. So, I’m really, really sorry”.

Beomgyu’s expression softened as he looked away, his fingers tracing idle patterns on the surface of the water. “The mistake was mine, too, you know,” he said after a moment, his voice quiet but steady. “I’m obviously not pregnant. I just…I panicked, and I guess I didn’t think it was worth mentioning once I knew everything was fine.”

Soobin nodded, “I get that. I do. I just— I want you to know you don’t have to go through things like that alone. Even if it turns out to be nothing, I’d still want to know.”

Beomgyu turned his head to look at him, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a small, warm smile broke through. “Okay. I’m sure it won’t, but if anything like that ever happens again, I’ll tell you. Promise.”

Soobin smiled back, pressing a gentle kiss to Beomgyu’s forehead. “That’s all I’d want.”

Their conversation lulled as Soobin reached for the conditioner, working it gently through Beomgyu’s hair. The omega closed his eyes, relaxing into the alpha’s touch, a soft sigh escaping his lips. “You know who’s actually pregnant?” he murmured.

“Kai will lose his shit if it’s Taehyun”.

“Oh my God, that’d be crazy but no…It’s Minji”.

Soobin’s hands stop moving for a moment, but then continue massaging Beomgyu’s scalp.

“Tha-that’s crazy. How do you feel…?”, the alpha asked in a soft voice.

“Fine, I guess? I’m not jealous or anything. It was just surprising and I kinda feel bad for her? Daehyun’s family is really harsh when things don’t go their way”.

Soobin hummed, rinsing the last of the conditioner out of Beomgyu’s hair before leaning in to kiss his cheek. “Stop being so good to everyone”.

Beomgyu laughed softly, the sound light and unguarded. He leaned in slightly, catching Soobin’s lips in a kiss that was slow and tender, a quiet thank-you for the comfort he didn’t realize he needed.

x-o-x

Beomgyu had a bad feeling.

He didn’t consider himself a superstitious person, but that morning, he spilled salt while eating breakfast. Maybe that was what triggered everything that followed: he was late to class, spilled juice on his favorite shirt, and tripped over a rock on the way.

“My baby’s having a bad day, huh?” Soobin’s voice came through the phone, warm and teasing.

“Definitely. Someone might’ve cursed me,” Beomgyu replied, weaving through the campus crowd on his way to the library. Relief washed over him as he stepped into the quiet, nearly empty space and slid into one of the seats by the window.

“Hmm, sounds plausible. They probably have a little voodoo doll of you in their pocket.”

“I’ll let you know if I start feeling needles in my body,” Beomgyu quipped, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Don’t worry. I’ll find a way to save you,” Soobin promised, though the sound of people chatting in the background hinted his class was about to start. “My lecture’s about to begin.”

“I’ll be at the library,” Beomgyu told him.

“Okay, I’ll text you when I’m done. See you later”

“Bye.” Beomgyu hung up, a smile tugging at his lips despite the sour day he’d had. At least he’d get to see Soobin later and spend time with him—a bright spot in an otherwise terrible day.

Just as he leaned back in his chair, his phone buzzed.

Daehyun

hey

i’m sorry

please let’s talk

i’ll explain everything.

where are you?

Beomgyu stared at the screen, his heart sinking. He’d been waiting for this response for days. Daehyun had been ignoring him, leaving him on edge and considering cornering him outside one of his classes just to finally talk and end things. But now, it seemed he wouldn’t have to resort to that.

Me

Let’s meet in the park in front of the humanities library

Daehyun

i’ll be there in a minute

i love you

Beomgyu shoved his phone into his pocket and made his way outside. The air was crisp, but the park felt unusually desolate, the silence amplifying his nervous heartbeat. He perched on the edge of a bench, willing himself to stay calm.

He inhaled deeply, willing himself to stay calm. He had rehearsed this conversation in his head countless times, but now that the moment had arrived, his chest felt tight. It wasn’t supposed to happen here, in a public place, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was ending things with Daehyun. He couldn’t keep Soobin waiting—not when he knew how they both felt.

Besides, with Minji now pregnant, maybe this would make things easier. Maybe Daehyun wanted to end it too. Minji certainly seemed confident he would.

Maybe she does know him better than me.

Footsteps crunched against the gravel, and Beomgyu looked up. His breath hitched. Daehyun was approaching, but he wasn’t alone. Minji trailed behind him, her arm clutched tightly in his grip as though he’d dragged her there. Her usual confident posture seemed slightly off—her shoulders slumped, her steps uneven.

“Daehyun?” Beomgyu stood, his confusion evident.

“Tell him” Daehyun demanded, his tone sharp as he looked at Minji.

“Let go of me” she snapped, yanking her wrist from his grip. She turned to Beomgyu, her usual smug expression plastered on her face, though it seemed to falter. “I’m having your boyfriend’s baby.”

“No! You said you were going to tell him it was a lie!” Daehyun said raising the volume of his voice.

“But it’s not, darling. We’re going to have a baby,” Minji’s tone was sweet, but her face looked pale under the afternoon sun. Beomgyu noticed the way her hand trembled as she crossed her arms, as if to steady herself.

“Shut the fuck up,” Daehyun growled, anger flashing in his eyes. For the first time, Minji’s confident façade cracked. He turned to Beomgyu, desperation etched into his features. “Gyu, you have to believe me. There’s no way that baby’s mine,” he pleaded, grabbing Beomgyu by the shoulders.

“Daehyun, I—”

“I swear! It can’t be mine. The only person I’ll ever have children with is you, okay? She’s just a liar, jealous of what we have,” Daehyun continued, his voice frantic.

Behind him, Minji’s expression twisted, and Beomgyu couldn’t tell if it was from fury or pain.

“You know how omegas like her are,” Daehyun pressed on.

“Excuse me?” Minji interjected, her voice sharp. “Omegas like me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Daehyun ignored her, his grip on Beomgyu tightening. “She probably hooked up with some random guy and now wants to pin it on me—”

“Daehyun! Stop!” Beomgyu interrupted, his voice loud enough to cut through the alpha’s desesperation. “I’m sorry, I should’ve done this a long time ago”

“Don’t,” Daehyun interrupted, panic lacing his voice. “We-we loved each other. We can fix this. That baby is not mine—”

“Listen to me!” Beomgyu said forcefully, trying to regain control of the conversation.

“Please, we have to be together. She doesn’t mean a thing to me. I just wanted to have a little fun, but it wasn’t worth it, not when you’re the only one that—”

“I want us to break up!” Beomgyu said firmly before Daehyun could interrupt again.

The words hung heavy in the air and for a second no one said a thing.

“No! You don’t mean that!” Daehyun’s voice broke the silence. He glanced over his shoulder at Minji, his expression hardening. “This is all her fault! If she hadn’t—”

“This isn’t about her!” Beomgyu exclaimed, cutting him off. His frustration boiled over, his fists clenching at his sides. “I’ve felt this way for a while, Daehyun. I just didn’t know how to say it.”

Daehyun’s expression crumbled, his hurt palpable, and for a moment, Beomgyu almost regretted his words.

“You can’t do this to me. I love you. If you give me a chance, I’ll fix everything,” Daehyun begged.

“I’m sorry… but I haven’t felt the same in a while. And I don’t think you have either,” Beomgyu admitted, brushing the alpha’s hands off his shoulders.

“No! Beomgyu, I—”

“He already said he doesn’t love you. Just drop it, and let’s go,” Minji interjected, her voice sharp as she stepped closer.

Beomgyu couldn’t believe she was still standing there after everything Daehyun had said.

“Dae, let’s just leave, okay?” she added, voice softer, placing a hand on his wrist.

“Don’t touch me,” Daehyun snapped, jerking his arm away with a force that made Minji flinch. “This is all your fucking fault! You’re a manipulative liar, and I want nothing to do with you or your fake baby!” he yelled at her.

Beomgyu had never seen Daehyun this angry before. The usual soothing minty scent of his pheromones had turned bitter and oppressive. If it was suffocating for Beomgyu, he could only imagine how Minji felt.

“You think you can just walk away? You’re not going to abandon me!”, the girl shouted back. She wiped at her temple, beads of sweat glistening despite the cold air.

“You probably orchestrated all of this because you want my family’s money!” Daehyun continued to yell.

In retrospect, Beomgyu should have left at that moment. He had already done what he needed to do, even if the alpha refused to accept it. However, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. Blame it on the years he’d loved Daehyun deeply, but he couldn’t abandon him in such an erratic state. And Minji… even though she tried to hide it, she didn’t look well.

Those two really made a terrible combination.

“Don’t think you can fool me! You’re just a—”

“Daehyun, stop!” Beomgyu’s voice was sharper this time. His gaze darted to Minji again, who now leaned against the back of a bench, her breathing ragged and uneven.

But Daehyun didn’t notice. His focus was entirely on Beomgyu, his voice growing more frantic with every word as he started stepping closer to the omega. “Gyu, please. Don’t let her ruin us. I’ll prove to you that the baby isn’t mine—”

“Back off,” Soobin’s voice cut through, firm and commanding. One arm wrapped protectively around the omega, while the other held Daehyun at bay. Beomgyu felt some of his tension ease, the comforting sandalwood scent of Soobin surrounding him.

How did he find me?

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Daehyun snapped, shoving Soobin’s arm away. “Stay out of this, asshole.”

“Daehyun, please calm down,” Beomgyu begged, trying to diffuse the situation. “You’re not acting like yourself”.

“This is about him, isn’t it? That’s why you want to leave me?”

Beomgyu opened his mouth to answer, but Minji’s loud laugh distracted him.

“Oh, this just keeps getting better. Soobin? What the hell are you doing here?” she demanded, fury and dry tears in her cheeks as she approached the alpha. “I’ve been calling you for weeks!”

“You know each other?” Beomgyu asked quietly, instinctively stepping out of Soobin’s arms.

None of this made sense. Weeks ago, Soobin had assured him he didn’t know Minji, but now she seemed to know him very well.

“Oh, we know each other,” Minji sneered, her voice dripping with anger. “Why don’t you ask your little knight in shining armor how involved he’s been in all of this?”

“Minji, shut up,” Soobin snapped, his composure cracking for the first time. “Gyu, don’t listen to her, okay? It’s not what you think,” Soobin tried to reassure him.

“Fuck you!” Minji screamed, her fury spilling over. “You’re a fucking psychopath. It’s your fault that I’m pregnant! You told me—”

“How is that my fault? I didn’t do anything!” Soobin shot back, his tone growing sharp. He turned to Beomgyu again. “Please, let’s go to the car. I’ll explain everything”

“Oh my God,” Minji seethed. “This was your plan all along? Use me to get Daehyun out of the way?”, Minji swayed slightly, her breathing had grown shallow and irregular, her chest heaving as she fought to stay upright.

“Both of you alphas were just playing with me!” she spat, pointing at them both, her breathing ragged. “And you…”, Minji’s words trailed off as she stumbled toward Beomgyu.

Before he could ask what was wrong, Minji collapsed into his arms…unconscious.

Beomgyu looked at both alphas, exasperated. “Call an ambulance. Now”

Yeah, he definitely shouldn’t have dropped the salt.

Chapter Text

Soobin didn’t cry the day his father left.

He was ten years old, but even at that age, he had a knack for noticing the unspoken. The little things that slipped past others—his father coming home late each night, the growing silence between his parents, the permanent frown etched into his father’s face…

If he’d understood the concept of unhappiness back then, he would have named it after his father.

So, while his older sister cried and hurled blame at their mother for the abrupt abandonment, Soobin remained quiet. Watching. Always watching. He didn’t need to say anything to know the truth. He’d pieced it together long before his father packed his bags.

His mother was quiet too, sitting at the edge of the couch with her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She didn’t look surprised. She didn’t even look heartbroken. Instead, her expression was a mix of resignation and…relief.

Later that night, as Jimin sobbed herself to sleep, Soobin found his mother sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea in her hands. She wasn’t crying. She wasn’t raging. She simply sat there, staring out the window at the darkened street beyond.

“You’re not sad?” Soobin asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

She turned to him then, her gaze soft but unwavering. “I’m sad, Binie. But we’ll be fine, okay? You don’t have to worry”, she said, pulling him into her arms. Her embrace was warm and steady, the kind of comfort he didn’t know he needed.

“You, your sister and me will be so happy”, she said while cleaning his tears. He didn’t even noticed he started crying.

“Not noona”, Soobin answered with a pout,

“Oh, my Binie”, she said smiling, “don’t be mad at your sister…she’s hurt. You have to try and understand her, alright?”.

That was who his mother was—steady, composed, and always a step ahead. If his father embodied unhappiness, his mother was the total opposite. She laughed easily, smiled often, even when her heart was breaking or her body betrayed her with strange, aching pains.

Years later, when Soobin was seventeen, he sensed something was wrong before anyone else did. His mother had started losing weight, her energy waning in ways she couldn’t hide. She brushed it off with a smile, but Soobin saw the strain in her eyes, the hesitation in her movements.

The diagnosis came as a blow, but his mother treated it like another obstacle to be managed. “It’s early,” she told them, her voice calm as always. “Nothing to worry about.”

She smiled through the appointments, reassured Jimin when she cried, and waved off Soobin’s silenced concerns with her usual calm.

“It’ll be fine,” she’d say, her voice gentle but firm.

And for a while, it was—relatively speaking. His mother lost her job, but Jimin had already graduated and was thriving in hers. The family savings meant for Soobin’s university plans were drained, but he hadn’t even decided what he wanted to major in yet.

Things weren’t perfect, but they had each other.

And everything was supposed to be fine. The doctors promised.

But cancer isn’t something you bargain with. It takes what it wants, heedless of promises or plans.

And his mother was no exception.

In her final weeks, Soobin saw her more clearly than ever—or perhaps he saw more of her in him. The way she observed the world around her, even as it slipped through her fingers. The way she noticed the small things, like Jimin’s forced cheerfulness or Soobin’s attempts to hide his fear.

One night, as Soobin sat by her bedside, she reached for his hand. Her grip was frail but strong, her gaze unwavering. “You’re allowed to grieve, Binie,” she said softly, her words like a key turning in a lock he hadn’t realized was there. “You don’t have to be strong all the time”.

Her words broke something in him. The tears he’d been holding back for years since her diagnosis spilled over. He sobbed into her lap like he had when he was ten, seeking the same comfort he’d found in her arms all those years ago.

She held him then, her fingers running through his hair, her voice a soothing hum. For a moment, he was a child again, wrapped in the safety of her warmth.

“Take care of your sister and let her take care of you, okay?” She smiled then, soft and knowing, as though she could see straight through him.

Sometimes, Soobin wonders if she’d seen it coming—the day his father walked out the door.

Maybe she knew long before he even did.

x-o-x

Years later, Soobin was still watching. He liked to think that made him a good judge of character.

It was the reason he didn’t have many friends. People were predictable, their patterns easy to read once you knew what to look for—the way their eyes darted when they lied, the empty promises disguised as good intentions. He learned that lesson the hard way when his life went to hell.

Jiho had been the only friend who stayed when his live went to hell—when Soobin’s mother passed, when he had to start working to help Jimin with bills, when university felt like an impossible dream. But even Jiho eventually drifted away, swallowed by the kind of busy life Soobin could never afford to have.

So by the time Soobin finally made it to university, making friends wasn’t high on his list of priorities. He had too much on his plate to bother with shallow connections that wouldn’t last.

Then Kai came along.

Unlike most people, the alpha wasn’t deterred by Soobin’s reserved nature. He was warm without being overbearing, persistent without pushing too hard. He had a way of slipping into people’s lives like he’d always been meant to be there. And somehow, he’d managed to do the same with Soobin.

But it wasn’t until he got sick a few weeks later that Kai proved himself.

His fever had started that morning, creeping in like a dull ache at the back of his skull. By noon, it had settled deep in his bones, leaving him sluggish and heavy. But he had an important project due, one that could make or break his grade, so staying in bed wasn’t an option. He spent hours fighting through the haze of exhaustion, squinting at his laptop screen as the words blurred together.

At some point, his phone buzzed.

Kai history 101

hey

where are you? you weren’t in class ☹

Soobin barely had the energy to reply.

Me

home

sick

trying to finish the essay

Kai read the message instantly. Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then came back.

Kai history 101

stay put

Soobin frowned at the screen, his fevered brain working slower than usual.

Me

??

Kai didn’t answer.

An hour later, Soobin nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of knocking. Dragging himself to the door, he cracked it open and found Kai standing there, holding a bag of food in one hand and his laptop in the other.

“I figured you’d be too dead to function properly,” Kai said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “So I’m here to make sure you don’t fail.”

Soobin blinked at him. “…You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know.” Kai set the food down, already pulling up a chair beside Soobin’s desk. “But I wanted to.”

Kai didn’t just help him fix his essay—he stayed. For hours, he worked beside Soobin, fixing errors, offering suggestions, making sure Soobin actually ate something. By the time they were done, Soobin’s body still ached, but the weight in his chest felt lighter.

He sat back, watching as Kai scrolled through the final version of his work with a small, satisfied grin.

Maybe Soobin wasn’t as good a judge of character as he thought.

For once, he didn’t mind being wrong.

So, yeah, Soobin didn’t feel the need to make more friends after Kai, and he was usually excellent at setting boundaries with people who didn’t sit right with him. But even he had lapses in judgment.

Minji was one of those.

They met in their third year when they were assigned to the same group project. And the omega was…too much. Always the first to speak, always commanding attention. The alphas in their group hung on her every word, but Soobin noticed she didn’t get along with omegas as easily.

Minji’s charm was calculated, Soobin realized. She knew how to draw people in, but her connections rarely seemed to go deeper than the surface. Despite her bold exterior, there was something guarded about her, something lonely.

Soobin didn’t really want anything to do with her.

However, one day during a group meeting, Minji turned to him. There was glint in her eye that made Soobin immediately wary.

“Oppa,” she said, her tone honeyed, “you like Rala Choi, right?”

Soobin nodded cautiously.

“I’ve got two tickets to his solo exhibition this weekend,” she said, leaning closer, her smile teasing. “Thought it’d be fun if you came with me. You can be my personal tour guide.”

Soobin froze. He’d mentioned he liked that photographer once in passing weeks ago, and now it felt like she’d been waiting for the right moment to pounce.

“I—” he started, searching for a polite way to decline. But Minji tilted her head, batting her lashes playfully.

“C’mon,” she said, her voice dropping just enough to sound conspiratorial. “You’re not going to make me go alone, are you?”

Soobin felt trapped. He didn’t want to say yes, but rejecting her in front of the group felt unnecessarily cruel—and maybe even risky for their project dynamic. They still had to work together for a few more weeks.

And, well, he did want to see that photographer’s work up close.

“Sure,” he said finally, forcing a neutral smile.

Minji’s grin widened. “Knew you’d say yes”

Soobin nodded, already regretting his decision. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was setting something in motion—something he wasn’t entirely comfortable with.

x-o-x

The gallery was a masterpiece in itself, its minimalist design highlighting the photographs that adorned the walls. As Soobin held the door open for Minji, she paused briefly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before stepping inside with a quiet “thanks.”

Soobin barely acknowledged it, already drawn to the first photograph in the exhibit. The image was simple yet profound—a woman seated on a bright blue surface, her back to the viewer, holding out an orange to a man seated beside her. The vibrant blue background enveloped the scene, making the warm tones of the fruit and her gesture feel almost luminous, like a quiet offering in an otherwise still world.

“This is stunning,” Minji said beside him, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

“It really is,” Soobin replied, his tone animated. “Rala Choi has this way of capturing intimacy in the most understated moments”.

Minji nodded, a thoughtful look on her face as her eyes scanned the photo. “I can see why you like him so much. It’s... captivating.”

As they wandered further into the exhibit, Soobin couldn’t help but notice the subtle ways Minji seemed to go out of her way to engage him. She leaned in when he spoke, her questions about the photographs overly enthusiastic. Even her laughter seemed just a bit too frequent, as though she were trying to fill any potential gaps in their conversation.

Whenever the space grew crowded, Soobin instinctively guided her with a light touch on her shoulder. Each time, she stiffened slightly, though she said nothing. He caught her sneaking glances at him whenever she thought he wasn’t looking, her expression a mixture of curiosity and something deeper he couldn’t quite place.

When Minji stumbled slightly on a loose strap of her heel, Soobin’s reflexes kicked in. “Hold on,” he said, crouching down to fix it before she could protest.

“It’s fine—” she began, but he was already adjusting the buckle, his fingers moving with practiced ease.

“There,” he said, straightening. “That should hold.”

She looked at him, her surprise flickering briefly in her eyes… For the alpha it wasn’t a big deal, he’d always helped his sister when she had trouble with her heels.

“Thanks,” she said, her voice softer than before.

After the exhibit, Minji suggested dinner, her tone hopeful but casual. “There’s this bistro nearby,” she said. “It’s small, but the food is amazing. Want to go?”

Soobin hesitated for a moment, but her eagerness was hard to ignore. “Sure,” he agreed. “Lead the way.”

The restaurant was cozy, its warm lighting spilling onto the quiet street. Soobin opened the door for her again, and later pulled out her chair.

Shit. Did that seem like flirting?

It wasn’t, of course. He did this for everyone. It was just second nature by now—Jimin had bullied him into doing it for her when they were kids, saying, “If I have to suffer through being your sister, you can at least act like a gentleman.” The habit stuck.

He even did it for Kai the first time they went out to eat together. Kai had stared at him like he’d grown a second head.

So, yeah, it really wasn’t anything special.

Dinner flowed smoothly, with Minji steering the conversation. They talked about professors, their favorite photographers, and their own work. Soobin even laughed a few times, but the more he noticed her leaning toward him, brushing her hand against his, the more uncomfortable he became. Everything was just nice enough, but as he already knew would happen, he felt no spark, no magnetic pull that would suggest anything beyond a surface-level connection.

When the check arrived, he paid without hesitation, and she didn’t protest.

“You’re something else, you know?” Minji said with a hopeful look in her eyes.

Oh no.

Was paying the bill romantic now? Should he have split it instead? But he was older tan her, wasn’t this just common sense?

He couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. His actions weren’t meant to lead her on, but he could see how she might misinterpret them. He wasn’t treating her any differently than he would treat anyone else—but maybe that was the problem.

As they left the restaurant, the cool night air was a welcome contrast to the warmth inside. They walked in silence for a while, until Minji slowed her steps and glanced at him, her expression tinged with a subtle expectancy.

“This was fun,” she said, her voice soft but deliberate. “Do you... want to go somewhere else? Maybe somewhere quieter?”

Soobin paused, catching the subtle shift in her tone, the way her stance angled slightly toward him.

“We could grab a drink... or maybe just relax somewhere more private.” She let the words hang, her meaning clear.

“I think I’ll head home,” Soobin finally said, his tone polite but firm.

Minji blinked, surprise flickering across her face before she let out a small, almost knowing laugh. “Oh. Right. Of course. You’re not that kind of guy, huh?”

“Let me walk you to your bus stop,” Soobin offered, hoping to smooth over the awkwardness.

“Sure.”

The walk was quieter now, the energy between them shifted. When her bus finally arrived, she turned to him with a lingering look.

“See you in class,” she said, voice light but laced with something expectant. “I hope we can do this again”.

“Sure,” Soobin replied, stepping back as she boarded.

As Soobin walked home, he couldn’t shake the weight in his chest. Minji was fun—but he knew his feelings wouldn’t grow beyond anything platonic.

She deserved more than polite gestures and quiet kindness mistaken for something deeper. And as he replayed her small, unspoken reactions in his mind, he realized he needed to address it sooner rather than later.

Next time, he’d just let people pull out their own damn chairs.

x-o-x

Soobin remembers the first time he saw Beomgyu with startling clarity.

It was at the university’s end-of-semester film festival, an event Soobin hadn’t particularly wanted to attend. He’d gone only because one of his professors had all but demanded it, and with Minji and a few other classmates tagging along, it seemed like it was an unofficial last assignment.

In the beginning, the films all blurred together—predictable plots, uninspired visuals. Soobin felt himself growing restless and wanted to just pull out his phone…until the final film began.

That one was different.

It was just ten minutes long, but every second pulled him deeper into a vivid, striking world. Bright, saturated colors clashed deliberately with the somber tones of the story: an omega navigating the quiet heartbreak of losing a father who had been more absent than present.

The simplicity of the narrative shouldn’t have moved him, but it did. It stirred something in Soobin he thought had gone dormant, leaving him feeling raw in a way he hadn’t expected.

When the credits rolled, he wished they hadn’t.

As the lights came up, a group of people stepped onto the stage, smiling nervously under the crowd’s gaze. They began introducing themselves as the team behind the short film.

And that’s when Soobin saw him.

Short, chestnut-brown hair framed a face lit by the brightest, most captivating smile Soobin had ever seen. His cheeks were flushed from the attention, his posture humble yet proud.

“Good evening, everyone. I’m Choi Beomgyu, the director of this short film,” he said, his voice warm and confident. “This project was very special to all of us, so I hope you enjoyed it.” His eyes sparkled under the stage lights, his sincerity palpable.

Soobin sat frozen, unable to tear his eyes away. Something about the omega’s presence drew him in, so magnetic it was almost unsettling.

He knew, then and there, that he had to meet him.

“My favorite was the first one,” Minji’s voice broke through his thoughts. Her tone was casual, but the expectant look in her eyes told him she wanted a real response.

“Hmm? Oh,” Soobin blinked, dragging his gaze back to her. “It was… fine.” His answer was vague, distracted.

Minji tilted her head, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Wow, don’t overwhelm me with enthusiasm or anything,” she teased, but there was a flicker of something deeper in her expression—a quiet question she wasn’t voicing.

Soobin sighed softly, turning toward her fully. “Minji,” he started, his voice calm but firm, “I think we should stop seeing each other.”

Minji froze, the smirk faltering for just a second before she recovered, leaning back in her seat. “Oh,” she said lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s… sudden.”

“I’m sorry,” Soobin said gently. “You’re great. I just don’t think we’re a good match. It’s better to end things now before it gets more complicated, right?”

Her brows furrowed slightly, but her voice remained steady. “You don’t have to sugarcoat it. If I’m not your type, just say so.”

“It’s not about that,” Soobin assured her. “I just don’t think I can give you what you want.”

Minji’s laugh was soft, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You know, you’re probably the nicest alpha I’ve ever dated. I mean, usually we would’ve fuck by now, but we went on a date, and you didn’t even kiss me”, she said without looking at him, as if her inner thoughts were escaping from her.

“I think you’ve just dated assholes then,” Soobin said, trying to lighten up the mood.

Minji looked at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she exhaled, her lips curving into an easy smile. “Well, at least you didn’t ghost me”, she said, standing up and smoothing her skirt. “Thanks for being honest, Soobin.”

“Of course,” he said, offering a small nod.

Minji hesitated, then added with a light laugh, “For the record, you are way too boring for me anyway. I like a little chaos.”

“And you’re too much for me,” Soobin replied, his lips quirking into a smile.

She gave him a quick wave before walking away, her head held high, her steps unhurried.

Soobin watched her leave, feeling a fleeting sense of relief. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, but he also hadn’t felt any real connection. To him, their brief relationship was a casual misstep, nothing more.

Shaking the thought away, his focus shifted back to Beomgyu, who stood near the auditorium’s entrance, surrounded by a small group of people. Soobin’s heart thudded as he took a step forward, rehearsing a simple introduction in his head.

Up close, Beomgyu looked even more radiant, his cheeks flushed as he nodded politely at the compliments being thrown his way. Soobin found the omega’s shyness utterly charming, a stark contrast to the confidence of his stage presence.

He was just about to call out his name when an alpha stepped into Beomgyu’s space and leaned in to kiss him—a casual, possessive gesture that spoke volumes.

“You were incredible, baby,” the alpha said, his tone warm and proud as he adjusted the university football jacket slung over his shoulders.

Soobin stopped in his tracks and just watched them.

It wasn’t the right time. Not now.

Maybe it wouldn’t ever be.

x-o-x

Jimin once told him about the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon, the strange sensation of suddenly seeing something everywhere after learning about it for the first time. A word, a phrase, a concept—it starts popping up so often it feels like the universe is playing a trick on you.

Soobin is sure that Beomgyu had become his Baader-Meinhof phenomenon.

After seeing him for the first time at the end of the semester, it seemed as though Beomgyu’s presence had multiplied overnight. Soobin would catch fleeting glimpses of him in the university hallways, his Instagram profile kept showing up in his "suggested accounts," and, without fail, Beomgyu always seemed to be at the same parties as him throughout that summer break.

It was probably just a coincidence. Both of them were part of the Art Department, after all. It made sense that they’d share mutual friends, attend the same events, and cross paths in the same buildings.

But Soobin couldn’t help but wonder if it was fate.

“That’s Beomgyu,” Heeseung said, leaning close to Soobin to be heard over the pulsating music. The two of them stood near the edge of the room, nursing their drinks and surveying the party unfolding around them. The house belonged to one of their friends from their major, so it was packed wall-to-wall with acquaintances, the air thick with laughter, alcohol, and faint traces of perfume and cologne.

Across the room, in a small cluster of people lounging on a mismatched couch, was Beomgyu. Even in the dim lighting, he stood out—his soft features illuminated by the glow of lava lamp beside him. He was laughing, his head tipped back, the sound lost in the chaos of the party.

Soobin felt a flicker of embarrassment. “Was I that obvious?” He thought he’d been subtle, stealing glances when no one was looking.

“Painfully,” Heeseung replied with a grin, taking a casual sip from his drink. “Sorry to destroy your hopes, but he’s taken. And it seems pretty serious.”

Soobin’s brow furrowed slightly. “You know him?”

“Not really,” Heeseung admitted with a shrug. “I know Daehyun, his boyfriend. Met him a few times when I dated that jerk from the football team.”

Daehyun.

So that was his name.

“You’ve got a crush, don’t you?” Heeseung teased, his smirk widening as he watched Soobin’s expression.

Soobin rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t deny the thought had crossed his mind. There was something magnetic about Beomgyu, something that drew him in without him fully understanding why. Maybe it was his looks—Beomgyu was probably the most beautiful person he’d ever seen. Or maybe it was his talent.

Ever since Soobin saw Beomgyu’s short film, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. He’d even gone so far as to find his public Instagram account, where he posted more of his work. Soobin had spent more time than he cared to admit scrolling through his feed, captivated by the artistry in each photo and video.

But no, it wasn’t a crush. It was just... admiration. Respect. Maybe even inspiration. That was all it was.

And yet, deep down, Soobin knew that wasn’t the whole truth.

“I don’t do crushes,” Soobin said finally, though his eyes drifted back to Beomgyu. The omega was leaning forward now, his elbows resting on his knees, his smile soft as he listened to one of his friends speak. “I just think he’s interesting.”

“You’re still staring,” Heeseung pointed out, a teasing lilt in his voice.

Soobin tore his gaze away from Beomgyu and glared at his friend. “I’m not.”

“You’re hopeless.” Heeseung snorted, then glanced back toward the couch. “If you’re just curious about him, go introduce yourself. That’s how friendships start, you know”.

“I can’t just walk up to him,” Soobin said, exasperated.

“Why not?” Heeseung asked, tilting his head.

“Because…” Soobin trailed off, unable to articulate the knot of thoughts in his mind. The truth was, even if he was confused about his fixation on the omega, he was sure he didn’t want to be just Beomgyu’s friend. Not really.

Before he could answer, Heeseung smirked. “You’ve been staring so much, now I’ve got a crush too,” he said, his gaze fixed on the tallest omega in Beomgyu’s group.

“I don’t have a crush—”

“Watch and learn,” Heeseung interrupted, straightening his shirt before striding confidently toward the group.

Soobin watched, half in awe and half in secondhand embarrassment, as Heeseung introduced himself with the kind of boldness Soobin could never muster. It was impressive, really—the way Heeseung’s charm seemed to disarm everyone, even the tall omega who was now smiling back at him.

Hours later, Heeseung returned to Soobin’s side, his cheeks flushed and his steps unsteady from the alcohol.

“I’m in love,” he announced dramatically, slinging an arm around Soobin’s shoulders. “His name’s Yeonjun, and he’s so sexy I could die.”

Soobin chuckled, shaking his head.

“When we get married, I’ll thank you in my wedding vows.” Heeseung said with a contented sigh.

“At least someone had a productive night,” Soobin muttered, though he couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh, and Daehyun’s here,” Heeseung added casually, as if it were an afterthought. “So you’ve got no chance to meet your ‘not-crush’”.

“I wasn’t planning to,” Soobin replied quickly, a little too defensively.

Heeseung studied him for a moment, then leaned closer. “You know, I thought those two were endgame, but maybe not.”

Soobin’s curiosity piqued despite himself. “What do you mean?”

Heeseung shrugged, laughing softly. “I don’t know, something doesn’t seem right between them anymore. Maybe everyone was right about them being too different…”

Soobin said nothing, but the faintest flicker of satisfaction stirred in his chest. It was ridiculous, irrational, but the idea of cracks in their relationship made him feel a little lighter.

He shoved the thought aside, taking a long sip of his drink as the party swirled around him.

x-o-x

When the new semester began, Soobin realized Beomgyu wouldn’t be the only person he’d find impossible to escape from.

“He’s so hot,” Minji whispered, leaning toward him conspiratorially.

Soobin rolled his eyes. The faint buzz of conversation from their classmates and the distant hum of the projector did little to drown out his irritation. Of all people, it had to be her sitting next to him.

He hadn’t expected to see the girl he had rejected so soon, let alone end up in the same class, it was an elective after all.

He’d hoped she’d ignore him, maybe even avoid him. Yet here she was, every week, settling into the seat beside him with an easy smile, as if they were old friends.

When did I ever give her the impression I wanted to be friends?

The alpha’s annoyance grew with every word Minji spoke, especially now that her focus had shifted from trying to win him over to treating him like some confidant he never asked to be.

Today, her topic of choice was another alpha in their class.

“Soobin, look at him. He’s so handsome,” she said, her voice tinged with a dreamy quality.

“Minji, I’m trying to focus,” Soobin muttered, his fingers flying over the keys of his laptop.

“Are you jealous?” she teased, her lips curving into a smirk.

“What?” Soobin frowned, finally looking at her.

“I’m joking!” she said, lightly smacking his arm. “But seriously, you’re my friend. You’re supposed to listen to me.”

“We’re not—” Soobin began, but she cut him off before he could finish.

“Oh, look! He’s right there,” she interrupted, her excitement palpable as she pointed toward the alpha.

Soobin’s gaze reluctantly followed her finger to the front of the room. There, leaning casually against the professor’s desk, was Daehyun.

Perhaps there was a third person Soobin wouldn’t be able to avoid seeing this semester.

“You should forget about him,” he said flatly, his eyes returning to his laptop. “He already has an omega.”

“Do you think I should go and talk to him?” Minji asked, ignoring his comment.

“Go for it, I guess,” Soobin said absently, his fingers tapping on the keys.

“Well, then. Sorry, but you’ll have to find a new partner for the report. I’ve got someone else in mind,” she said with a smug grin, rising from her seat. Her confidence was unshaken as she strolled toward Daehyun.

Soobin watched, against his better judgment, as she approached the other alpha. Her smile was dazzling, her posture relaxed but deliberate. Soon, they were laughing together, their conversation flowing easily.

What the hell is he doing? Soobin thought bitterly, his hands still on his keyboard though he wasn’t typing. He has Beomgyu—what more does he want?

As he watched them interact, Soobin felt that something had shifted, and he knew it wouldn’t end here. And he was right. For weeks afterward, Minji made sure he was kept up to date on every development in her crush.

“You know,” she began during one of their many one-sided conversations, “I thought he’d be like the rest of the football guys—arrogant and dumb. But…he kind of reminds me of you.” she said softly, her tone uncharacteristically shy.

Soobin looked up from his laptop, caught off guard. “What?”

“Daehyun,” she clarified, fidgeting with her pen. “He’s kind. Like… genuinely kind. Not the fake kind of nice most alphas pretend to be. He makes me laugh, he listens, and he’s so gentle with me. It’s... like you.”

Soobin felt his chest tighten uncomfortably. He forced himself to keep typing as he responded, “I’m not sure what you’re trying to say.”

Minji let out a soft, nervous laugh. “I just… I think that’s why I like him so much. He’s like you, but he actually wants to be around me.” Her gaze flicked to her hands, which were clasped tightly in her lap. “It’s just nice when someone treats you well, you know?”

Soobin didn’t reply immediately, unsure of how to answer. Her words carried honesty he hadn’t expected, and for a moment, he felt a pang of guilt for how he’d been treating her.

She sighed, the moment of vulnerability passing as her tone grew more confident. “Anyway, I think he likes me too. I mean, I can tell by the way he looks at me.”

“Minji,” Soobin said sharply, harsher than he intended. “He’s in a relationship.”

“I know,” she replied quickly, a small pout forming on her lips. “But three years is a long time. He’s probably bored. Who wouldn’t be?”

Soobin knew better than to trust Minji’s assumptions, but he couldn’t ignore the faint bitterness curling in his chest.

Daehyun has the most beautiful omega I’ve ever seen, and yet he’s entertaining someone else?

“His boyfriend seems like the uptight type,” Minji continued. “I think that’s why he’s interested in me. But he seems scared to make the first move.”

“Then you do it,” Soobin said before he could stop himself. “You’re the bold type, right?”

Minji’s eyes widened at his suggestion. “You’re right. I should just do it. There’s nothing to lose!”

“I was joking,” Soobin clarified quickly, but the omega’s determination was already set.

“Yeah, me too,” she said lightly. But they both knew she wasn’t joking at all.

As Minji turned back to her notebook, Soobin stared at the screen of his laptop, his mind elsewhere. Daehyun’s laugh echoed in his memory, grating and unwelcome.

Beomgyu deserved better.

x-o-x

The semester unfolded with Minji and Daehyun growing undeniably closer. Soobin couldn’t ignore it, even if he wanted to. Nothing physical had happened between them—of that, he was certain. Minji would’ve spilled every detail, whether he wanted to hear it or not. But what she did share was enough: they texted constantly, acted unusually intimate during class, Daehyun showered her with expensive gifts, and, most damning of all, it all seemed to be happening in secret.

What did you call that? Emotional cheating?

Soobin wasn’t sure, but it looked a hell of a lot like it. And yet, what could he do? He didn’t even actually know Beomgyu. So warn him about what was happening behind his back? He couldn’t—and didn’t want to—get involved.

That’s what he told himself until the night he unofficially met Beomgyu for the first time.

It was finals week. The library buzzed with the subdued chaos of overworked students, and Soobin was taking a much-needed break from his own studies. He hadn’t thought about Beomgyu much that week. He’d tune out Minji’s relentless updates, stopped scrolling through Beomgyu’s Instagram, and, thankfully, hadn’t catch a glance of him for a while. For the first time in months, it felt like Beomgyu wasn’t dominating his thoughts.

But Beomgyu was his Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon—always cropping up when he least expected, impossible to escape.

This time, fate didn’t just make him notice Beomgyu in the hallways. It threw him straight into his arms.

Literally.

The moment Soobin pushed open the bathroom door, a figure collapsed against him, the faint scent of distress mingling with something sweeter, sharper—heat.

“Shit, are you okay?” Soobin blurted, automatically steadying the person. His hands found thin shoulders and trembling arms, the omega practically melting into his hold.

“I’m… doing amazing…” the omega slurred, voice weak, head lolling against the alpha’s chest.

Soobin’s breath caught as the omega turned his hazy, half-lidded eyes up at him.

Beomgyu.

Even disheveled—his face flushed, skin damp with sweat, his body radiating feverish heat—the omega was breathtaking. He had a beauty that seemed untouched by circumstance, the kind that made Soobin’s heart twist in ways he wished it wouldn’t.

“You’re going into heat,” Soobin managed, trying to keep his voice steady. “Do you have suppressants? Is there someone I could call?”

Beomgyu squinted up at him, his lips curling into a lopsided smile. “You’re cute,” he said, completely ignoring the question.

“Okay,” Soobin replied, flustered. “Thanks, but you’re about to pass out. Let’s focus on that.”

The omega didn’t answer, instead letting out a soft whimper, his head tilting back against Soobin’s shoulder.

“You smell nice…” Beomgyu murmured, his words slurred and heavy. “It hurts…”

Soobin swallowed hard, his brain scrambling to focus. “Let’s get you to the infirmary, okay?” he said, keeping his tone calm, gentle.

Beomgyu gave a faint, noncommittal hum of agreement, his knees wobbling as if they could give out entirely at any moment.

“Carry me?”

Soobin hesitated for only a second before sliding an arm under Beomgyu’s knees and lift him effortlessly.

The omega was lighter than he expected, his body limp and pliant in Soobin’s arms. He leaned into the alpha’s chest as though it was the only solid thing keeping him grounded.

“You think I’m pretty?” Beomgyu mumbled, his voice muffled against Soobin’s shirt.

Soobin hesitated, his steps faltering for a fraction of a second. The question felt far too intimate, far too vulnerable.

“You are,” Soobin admitted quietly, the words escaping before he could second-guess them.

Beomgyu let out a soft, breathless laugh. “Maybe he doesn’t think that…I miss… the past,” he said, voice cracking. “We were so good, but now… he… he’s slipping away…”

The words lingered in the air like a confession, raw and unguarded. Soobin tightened his grip on Beomgyu, his chest tightening with something he couldn’t quite name.

When they reached the infirmary, the nurse on duty sprang into action, taking an sleeping, or unconscious, Beomgyu from his arms.

“Good thing you brought him,” she said briskly. “I’ve already given him an emergency suppressant. He’ll be fine.”

Soobin nodded but didn’t stay. He left before Beomgyu could wake up, his mind racing with the omega’s words. He wanted to go back, to tell Beomgyu everything he’d overheard about Daehyun and Minji. But would the omega even believe a stranger? He clearly suspected something was wrong with Daehyun, but was that enough to trust Soobin? Would what he’d seen be enough to convince him?

After all, it didn’t seem like Minji and Daehyun had crossed any definitive lines yet. And for some people, that was all it took to justify staying.

Maybe he shouldn’t get involved.

Maybe he should just stay an observer.

Maybe…

His phone buzzed as he stepped inside the library.

Unknown Number

oppa!

dae bought me a bracelet

it looks so expensive! he’s so thoughtful

By the time Soobin worked up the nerve to return to the infirmary, Beomgyu was gone.

Maybe it was a sign.

Perhaps the phenomenon that had quietly infiltrated his life had reached its conclusion the moment they met—unofficially, albeit unforgettable for him, even if the omega wouldn’t remember a thing.

But by now, Soobin should’ve known better. Phenomens didn’t vanish just because you crossed their path. They lingered, like shadows cast by the flicker of an overhead light, persistent and unrelenting.

x-o-x

It didn’t take long for another so-called sign to rear its head. This one, however, felt like it was here to mock him, to throw his fragile resolve into disarray.

It arrived in the form of an omega. Not Beomgyu, but one Kai couldn’t stop gushing about.

“Taehyun is so cool and smart. He may be a film major but he’s so good at math, can you believe that?” Kai said for what felt like the hundredth time. The words tumbled out of his mouth with unrestrained enthusiasm, his energy palpable as he flitted around his apartment.

Soobin lounged on the couch, stretching out his legs as Kai vacuumed meticulously around him. “So, have you asked him out yet?” Soobin asked, feigning disinterest.

Kai nearly tripped over the vacuum cord. “W-what? No! Of course not! We’re just friends,” he stammered, his flushed face betraying him.

Soobin raised a brow, a lazy smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Really? Because you’ve been acting like a lovesick puppy for weeks.”

Kai groaned, turning off the vacuum and shoving it into the closet, “I just… I like him. As a friend. Nothing more.”

“Uh-huh,” Soobin replied, watching him with mild amusement. “So that’s why you’re deep-cleaning your apartment for his visit? You don’t do that for me!”

“Jealous much? I thought Minji already replaced me as your best friend.” Kai shot back, grabbing a rag to wipe the coffee table.

At her name, Soobin groaned. “Ugh, don’t bring her into this.”

“Why not?” Kai teased, his grin widening. “You know, I think she’s been so persistent with this ‘friends’ thing because she’s still into you”.

“Or maybe she’s punishing me for being the one who ended things”, Soobin trailed off, scowling.

“The consequences of being too hot, I guess”, Kai barked out a laugh. “She lowkey traumatized you, you haven’t dated anyone since her”.

“We didn’t date, we just went out once” Soobin flopped back onto the couch. “And now I have no energy to meet new people, fall in love and all that shit”.

Kai sat down next to him, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Want me to set you up with someone?”

“Sure,” Soobin said, smirking. “As long as it’s Taehyun. You’re just friends, right?”

Kai smacked him with a pillow. “Then I’ll start dating Minji and we’ll go on double dates”.

“That sounds like a nightmare”

Kai tilted his head, his grin softening into something more sympathetic. “Just tell her you’re not interested in her friendship”

“I feel…bad?” Soobin admitted, ruffling his hair in frustration. “She seems really lonely, and I don’t know how to get rid of her without being a jerk”.

“Ah, so Choi Soobin does have a heart. Who knew?”

“Maybe I’ve been too nice to you,” Soobin muttered, shooting him a glare.

“At least she’s harmless. She’ll stop texting you eventually and if you’re lucky you won’t have another class together again”.

“I hope so” Soobin said.

As if on cue, Kai’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his face lit up with excitement.

“He’s here!” Kai announced, nearly sprinting to the door.

Soobin straightened slightly as Kai opened the door to reveal Taehyun. The omega was shorter than them and had big eyes, exuding an air of effortless cool.

“Hey,” Taehyun greeted, stepping inside and offering Soobin a polite nod before dropping onto the couch beside him.

“Hi,” Soobin replied, glancing at the bag Taehyun carried. “Editing problems again?”

Those two used the excuse of Kai teaching the omega about a new editing software to spend time together. They were so lame and cute.

Taehyun pulled out his laptop and sighed. “It’s killing me. I can’t get the colors right, no matter what I do.”

“Good thing you’ve got me,” Kai interjected, plopping down on the opposite side of Taehyun with a grin.

“It’s the least you could do after I saved your grade in Ethics,” Taehyun quipped, smirking as he set up his workspace.

“And I’ll always be grateful for that,” Kai replied dramatically, clutching his chest. “That class almost destroyed me. I still don’t get why you told your friends to take it.”

“It’s easy if you actually do the readings,” Taehyun said with a shrug.

Kai turned to Soobin, pointing at him with mock seriousness. “Hyung, whatever you do, don’t take Ethics. It’ll ruin your life.”

What happened next could only be attributed to the phenomenon that Beomgyu had become in Soobin’s life—or perhaps to fate.

Soobin couldn’t be blamed when the information simply fell into his lap.

Taehyun had been careless, leaving his laptop open on the coffee table when he went to the bathroom.

It wasn’t Soobin’s fault that a message conveniently popped up at that exact moment:

Gyuuu

tae!

ethics with professor jeon right??

And it certainly wasn’t his fault that Professor Jeon only offered one time slot for that class.

Well, Soobin needed one more elective to graduate anyway.

x-o-x

The first week of his final year at university started out unremarkably, save for two factors that set it apart.

The first was Minji, who seemed incapable of giving him space. Soobin had half-convinced himself that the universe had it out for him when he spotted her in one of his classes. At least this time he wasn’t alone—Kai shared the class with him, which seemed to deter her from hovering too much. She’d only waved and greeted him before finding her seat, a small mercy he’d quietly appreciated.

But Soobin should have known better than to think that was the end of it.

“I finally found you!” Minji’s chirpy voice rang out, cutting through the tranquil rhythm of his lunch in the cafeteria. She didn’t wait for an invitation and slid into the seat across from him, her tray landing on the table with a soft clatter.

Soobin barely glanced up from his bowl of noodles. “I was hiding from you,” he muttered, his tone flat.

Minji laughed as if he’d made a joke. “Yeah, yeah”

“I wasn’t joking,” he replied, but the omega had already launched into her next thought.

“Do you see them?” she asked, leaning forward slightly, her voice dropping conspiratorially.

“See who?” he asked, feigning ignorance as he picked up another bite of noodles with his chopsticks.

“Daehyun. Two tables behind me... with his boyfriend.” The word ‘boyfriend’ left her lips coated in venom, her gaze darting briefly behind her before snapping back to him.

Soobin’s eyes flicked past her, and sure enough,

There they were: Daehyun and Beomgyu. Sitting close, shoulders touching, they painted the picture of a happy couple. Daehyun leaned in to murmur something to Beomgyu, and the omega’s lips curled into a small smile. It looked natural at first glance, but Soobin’s eyes caught the cracks in the performance.

Beomgyu’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. His fingers toyed nervously with the sleeve of his sweater, as if the action was more comforting than holding hi boyfriend’s hand. Meanwhile, Daehyun’s gaze wandered—scanning the room in brief, restless sweeps as though he was more interested in the people around them than the omega beside him.

“They look happy,” Soobin said despite everything, the words bitter on his tongue.

“They’re not,” Minji snapped, her lips curling in frustration. “I know Dae likes me. He’s just staying with that omega because he feels guilty. That’s all it is...guilt.”

Soobin’s eyes flicked back to Beomgyu, who had stopped smiling altogether. His expression was neutral now, almost blank, like he was trying not to feel anything at all.

“And now you’re spying on them?” Soobin asked, his tone laced with annoyance as he returned to his noodles.

“I’m not spying,” Minji insisted, sitting up straighter. “I just... I was curious. About how they act together.”

“And?”

“They look fake,” she said matter-of-factly. “I mean, look at him! Daehyun’s pretending, I know it. He doesn’t even hold his hand.”

Soobin didn’t need her commentary to see it. Daehyun’s hand rested on the table, close enough to Beomgyu’s but not touching. The space between them felt deliberate—less like a couple deeply in love and more like two people playing at a romance that had long since soured.

“I thought if I waited long enough, they’d break up,” Minji admitted, her voice quieter now. “But it’s been months and sometimes it feels like they never will.”

His mind wandered back to that fleeting moment in the bathroom and Beomgyu’s words tinged with sadness. It was obvious that whatever Minji had been doing was working.

But he couldn’t tell her that.

“Do you think I should... let it go?” Minji asked, her eyes searching his for an answer.

Soobin hesitated. He didn’t owe Minji anything—he barely liked her—but her words struck a chord. The cracks in Daehyun and Beomgyu’s relationship were obvious, even painful to watch, but neither seemed willing to let go. And maybe, just maybe, Soobin didn’t want Minji to give up on Daehyun.

Not yet.

“You’re already cheating,” Soobin said, his voice detached as he kept his gaze on the couple. “Daehyun probably just needs an excuse to take things with you to the next level without feeling guilty.”

Minji’s expression brightened. “What kind of excuse?”

“How should I know? Polyamory? Open relationships? That’s your problem.”

Her eyes lit up with something disturbingly close to excitement. “Huh. That’s... interesting,” she murmured, her gaze drifting back to her phone.

Soobin sighed, setting his chopsticks down with more force than necessary. “Minji, seriously, stop looking for me every time you need someone to talk to about your love life,” he said, his tone sharper now, though he doubted it would sink in.

She was already lost in her thoughts, her gaze flicking between her phone and Daehyun, who was now leaning closer to Beomgyu, speaking quietly. Beomgyu nodded, but his expression didn’t change, his eyes distant even as he leaned into Daehyun’s touch.

It was a façade. A carefully constructed act to convince the world—and maybe themselves—that everything was fine.

But it wasn’t.

With a frustrated huff, Soobin stood and grabbed his tray. “Bye,” he muttered, not bothering to see if Minji answered.

x-o-x

The second factor was, of course, Beomgyu. Soobin hadn’t anticipated that he would be one, considering they only shared a class and, up until then, their interactions had been limited to fleeting glances from afar (all of them coming from Soobin, obviously). Nothing had occurred to disturb the alpha’s peace of mind.

That was, until that day.

Saturday had been a terrible day, mainly because his father was once again attempting to be part of their lives in ways beyond financial support, the only involvement Soobin cared about.

Usually, avoiding his father was easy; the man lacked the courage to visit in person and have a proper conversation. But that Saturday, Soobin had gone to the cemetery with his sister and nephew to visit their mother—and his father was there, too.

He hadn’t said much at first, lingering awkwardly at the edge of their small gathering. His eyes darted from Jimin to Soobin, as though testing the waters for a reaction. When Sujin ran to him, though, with unreserved delight in his tiny voice, his father’s hesitation dissolved.

“Why don’t we all have dinner?” he asked, smiling warmly at the boy in his arms.

Soobin had wanted to refuse. His silence would have been an answer if not for Jimin’s tentative nod, her glance flitting to Sujin’s wide, hopeful eyes.

“Uncle! Let’s go!” Sujin said, his small voice insistent.

Begrudgingly, Soobin agreed.

At the restaurant, the tension was palpable. Jimin carried the weight of strained civility, her careful smiles at odds with the unease behind her eyes. But Sujin chattered on happily, oblivious to everything going on. Meanwhile, Soobin kept his mouth full, using food as a shield to prevent himself from saying something that might ruin the fragile harmony of the evening.

His sister would never admit it, but Soobin could tell she secretly wanted a relationship with their father. Whether for Sujin’s sake or the abandoned teenager she once was, her eyes would light up whenever their father showed her the slightest attention, even as she masked her feelings with an air of indifference.

However, unlike Jimin, Soobin saw his father’s return four years ago as offering only one thing of value: money.

And money was exactly what his father had provided. In some twisted way, Soobin was grateful. Without his father’s financial support, they wouldn’t be living in such a nice part of the city, and Jimin wouldn’t have convinced him to work less and finally pursue university.

But that was all Soobin wanted from him—nothing more. So when his father directed a question at him during dinner, it nearly made him snap.

“Soobin,” his father said suddenly, drawing his attention. “How’s school going?”

Soobin paused, his fork hovering mid-air. “Fine.”

“That’s good,” his father replied, undeterred. “You’re graduating soon, right?”

“Yeah,” Soobin said curtly, forcing himself to take another bite.

His father smiled, but it was strained. “Your mother would’ve been so proud of you.”

The words lingered in the air, sharp as broken glass. Soobin set his fork down, the clatter loud enough to make Jimin flinch. His jaw tensed, but he inhaled slowly, keeping his gaze fixed on the plate in front of him.

“Don’t,” he said softly, his voice steady but weighted.

“Don't what?” his father asked, his tone cautious.

“Don’t bring her into this,” Soobin said, meeting his father’s gaze for the first time.

“I’m not trying to upset you,” his father began, but Soobin cut him off with a tight shake of his head.

“Then don’t mention her. You lost that right a long time ago.”

Across the table, Jimin’s hand twitched as though she wanted to intervene but wasn’t sure how. Sujin had gone quiet, his small hands gripping his fork tightly as he glanced between the adults.

“Don’t be like this, son,” his father said after a moment, his voice lowering. “I’m trying—”

“Trying to do what?” Soobin interrupted, though his voice remained calm. Too calm. “Rewrite the past?”

“I know I made mistakes,” his father said.

“Good,” Soobin said, his tone clipped. “You should sit with that.”

“Soobin,” Jimin interjected softly, her hand reaching his. “Please.”

The single word carried enough weight to pull him back. He glanced at her, then at Sujin, who was staring at him with wide, uncertain eyes. Soobin exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair, picking up his glass of water as though the conversation hadn’t just veered dangerously close to an argument.

His father shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly unsure how to proceed. Jimin picked up the thread of conversation, steering it toward safer topics that Sujin could engage with. Soobin tuned them out, his focus on his nephew’s bright laughter, a salve to the tension still lingering in the air.

The day would’ve gone down as an irredeemable disaster if not for what happened next.

After he left the restaurant, he stopped by a convenience store to grab his favorite ice cream, hoping to salvage what was left of his mood. But when he reached the freezer, there was only one tub left…and another hand on it.

At first, Soobin didn’t even recognize him. The alpha was too focused on winning the silent battle over the last tub of ice cream, even if it felt a little unfair, considering his opponent was an omega.

It wasn’t until he took a closer look that he realized who he was up against.

“Soobin!”, someone said across the store, probably a classmate he didn’t care about.

But in his moment of surprise, the omega seized the opportunity, snatched the tub, and bolted for the cash register.

“Wait!” Soobin called after him, spotting the student ID the omega had dropped on the ground. Acting on instinct, he chased after him.

And made the mistake of grabbing his arm.

What Soobin didn’t expect was for their first official meeting to end with him nursing a black eye.

Well, now at least he had an excuse to talk to him.

Beomgyu truly was the phenomenon of his life.

Chapter Text

Soobin didn’t have time for love.

Or at least, that was what he told himself.

The truth was love had never really happened to him. It wasn’t like he avoided it— Soobin had dated before and he wasn’t bad at it. In high school, omegas had confessed to him, and he had accepted, thinking that maybe if he gave it a shot, the feelings would come later.

They never did.

In university, he gave it another try. He figured that maybe, if he actually tried, if he focused—if he was present, if he was engaged—it would be different.

"Do you even like me?"

It was Suho, an omega senior from his major. They had been dating for six months by then. Soobin remembered the way he had asked it—soft, careful, as if he already knew the answer and just wanted Soobin to say it out loud.

"Of course I do, we always have fun together, right?" Soobin had replied.

And it wasn’t a lie. He liked spending time with Suho. Liked the way their schedules aligned, liked their conversations, liked the way Suho always had something sharp and funny to say.

But apparently, that wasn’t enough.

Suho’s lips had pressed together. He had exhaled sharply, gaze dropping to the table between them. "That’s not what I meant," he said after a moment. "You don’t look at me the way people look at someone they love."

Soobin hadn’t known what to say to that.

Because how was he supposed to look at someone? What was he supposed to feel? Being honest, there had never been a moment with Suho where his chest had tightened just from the way he smiled. Never a moment where a single glance made him want to reach out and touch. Never a moment where the sound of his laughter stayed in Soobin’s mind longer than it should have.

But Soobin thought that eventually it would happen.

Suho had exhaled through his nose, tilting his head slightly. “You’re a good boyfriend,” he'd said. “You’re attentive. You listen. You remember things I tell you, and you never push.” He'd paused. Then, quieter: “But you never tell me anything about yourself.”

Soobin had frowned. “That’s not true.”

Suho had raised an eyebrow. “Okay. Then tell me something real. Something that actually matters to you.”

He'd opened his mouth—then hesitated.

Because what was there to say?

His problems had never felt important enough to bring up. He'd always thought that talking about them would be pointless. He knew how to handle things on his own—why burden someone else with them?

And maybe it wasn’t intentional, but that had been the problem.

Because Suho had always been the one to reach out first. Always the one to ask if Soobin was okay, if he needed anything. And Soobin would always say no, always insist that he was fine, even when he wasn’t.

Suho’s voice softened. “You know, it’s funny,” he murmured. “We’ve done a lot of intimate things but it still feels like we aren’t more than friends”.

Suho had waited for him to say something. Soobin hadn’t.

Eventually, the omega had just sighed. "Forget it," he had muttered, rubbing his temple. Then, with a wry smile: "I hope you actually like someone someday. You’d probably be a great boyfriend if you did."

They broke up soon after.

And Soobin had moved on, just like that.

Or at least, that was what he told himself.

The truth was, sometimes—when the world was quiet, when he wasn’t busy—Suho’s words would slip into his mind uninvited.

"You don’t look at me the way people look at someone they like."

"Tell me something real."

He never had an answer. He still didn’t.

But that was fine. It didn’t matter. Suho had been right about one thing: Soobin was a good boyfriend, even if he had never been a great one. He had done his part. It wasn’t his fault that feelings didn’t come as easily for him as they did for other people.

…Right?

Soobin exhaled sharply, pressing his thumb against the edge of his laptop. That was enough of that. No point in digging up things that didn’t matter anymore.

So no, Soobin wasn’t the type to fall in love easily. He wasn’t even the type to have crushes.

And his thing with Beomgyu? That wasn’t a crush.

It was just… interest.

That was what he told himself, at least.

But it was getting harder to believe.

Because Beomgyu wasn’t just some passing thought in his mind. He was everywhere. Somehow, always there. And Soobin was starting to think the universe had a personal vendetta against him.

Or maybe it was just coincidence that they got paired together for their ethics class project.

Soobin assumed his interest would fade after their first real interaction—when Beomgyu had punched him in the face and barely looked sorry about it. Instead, it only got worse.

And then, during their first meet-up to do their project, Soobin realized something.

"I listed the key points from the reading," Beomgyu said, tilting his laptop toward Soobin. His voice was smooth, confident, like he already knew his arguments were solid. "I think any of these could work as a starting point. What do you think? I also found a few extra papers we could reference."

That should’ve been the part Soobin focused on. Instead, his eyes caught on something else.

Beomgyu’s Google account theme was pink.

That was cute. Objectively.

And then there was the way Beomgyu spoke—so sure of himself, so completely convinced that he was right about everything. That was attractive too.

More than that, Beomgyu was kind.

Not in an over-the-top way, not in a fake way, but in that effortless, natural way that made people want to be around him. He asked if Soobin had eaten without even thinking about it. He tilted his laptop toward him so he could see better, even though Soobin hadn’t asked. He was competitive, but never mean—when Soobin's argument fell apart under scrutiny, Beomgyu had still nodded and said, "It’s not a bad point, though," like he wanted to make him feel better about losing.

And Soobin noticed that.

He noticed everything.

He just didn’t want to think too hard about why.

They were taking a break from typing when Beomgyu suddenly squinted at Soobin’s laptop screen.

"Wait." He leaned in, frowning. "Is that Chihiro?"

Soobin blinked. "Yeah?"

"Like, from Spirited Away?"

"No, from Fast & Furious."

Beomgyu rolled his eyes. "I just didn’t think you’d be a Ghibli guy."

"Why? Do I look like the type that only watches movies with explosions?"

Beomgyu hummed, pretending to think. "No, you actually look like the type to have a Letterboxd account where you exclusively rate Lynch movies and call everything else 'too mainstream.'"

Soobin scoffed. "I do like Lynch, but I feel attacked."

Beomgyu smirked. "So I’m right?"

Soobin sat back. "Actually, no. I love anime. Like, really love anime."

Beomgyu raised an eyebrow. "Define really love."

Soobin exhaled, bracing himself. "I cried when Gojo died."

Silence.

Beomgyu blinked at him. "You cried over Gojo?"

Soobin’s expression didn’t waver. "I cried. I grieved. I had to take a mental health walk. I looked up fan theories for resurrection. I watched TikTok edits at two in the morning while Life is Beautiful played in the background. It was a dark time."

Beomgyu was staring. "Gojo? That cocky, overpowered man-child?"

Soobin pointed at him. "You take that back and apologize. You don’t understand. He was everything. He was the strongest. He was their last hope. And they took him from us."

Beomgyu pressed a hand to his mouth, "That’s crazy."

"And do you know what the worst part is?" Soobin continued, undeterred. "I should’ve seen it coming. Every anime mentor figure gets bodied eventually, but I believed in him. And they did him so dirty."

Beomgyu let out a strangled wheeze. "Oh my god."

"I was in shambles," Soobin went on. "Like, I actually had to put my phone down and sit in silence. I understood what people meant when they said grief comes in waves."

"I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were best friends."

Soobin shrugged. "Almost family."

Beomgyu opened his mouth to answer, but then it just—happened. A sharp exhale, a small shake of his shoulders, and then—

He laughed.

Really laughed. Loud and unfiltered, the kind of laugh that started in his chest and spilled out before he could stop it. His head tilted back slightly, his entire body leaning into it, and his eyes crinkled at the corners, bright and amused in a way that made something in Soobin's stomach twist.

Soobin just sat there, watching him, and realized with an unsettling certainty—

He wanted to hear that laugh again.

He wanted to be the reason for it.

Soobin wasn’t the type to have crushes.

But maybe this was one.

"...Wait," Beomgyu said suddenly, wiping a tear from his eye. "Who is Gojo? I thought you were talking about Naruto."

x-o-x

Having a crush was something entirely new for Soobin. Before, Beomgyu had only occupied the edges of his thoughts, an occasional distraction. But now? Now he was all Soobin could think about.

Alright, maybe that was an exaggeration—but only a slight one. Ever since he accepted that he liked Beomgyu, the omega had taken root in his mind, lingering there with every passing moment. And the best part? Beomgyu seemed to feel the same. Or, at the very least, he was on his way there. That was enough for Soobin to seize every opportunity to talk to him, to invite him to dinner, to find any excuse just to be near him.

From the moment he first laid eyes on Beomgyu, Soobin had wanted to know him. But now, his feelings were far from platonic. He wanted more—he wanted to know Beomgyu deeply, to touch him, to kiss him, to claim even the smallest part of him. And Beomgyu… Beomgyu seemed to want it too.

But something was holding him back.

His boyfriend.

The concept of an open relationship didn’t seem to make sense to Beomgyu. The omega either didn’t fully grasp what it entailed—or perhaps, he needed to see it for himself before he could accept it.

Which was how Soobin ended up allowing something he’d later regret.

x-o-x

“What are you doing here?” Soobin asked flatly when he spotted Minji in the university’s equipment room.

“Wow, Minji! I missed you so much! It’s been ages since we talked!” she mocked, flashing a fake smile. “I need equipment for a project. Not everything is about you, okay?”

Soobin narrowed his eyes at her before turning to another aisle, searching for the flash he needed to borrow. He sighed when he heard her following him.

“I don’t want to hear it,” he muttered as he scanned the shelves.

“Oh, come on. You’re my only friend,” Minji whined.

“We’re not friends,” he shot back.

“Just this once. I swear.”

Frustrated, Soobin moved to another aisle.

“Talk,” he said wearily, not bothering to stop his search.

“Your idea worked. Dae opened his relationship, and now we’re… well, you could say we took things to the next level.” He could hear the smugness in her voice.

“Stop saying it was my idea. I wasn’t even serious.”

“Whatever. The point is, Dae and I are in some kind of relationship now. At least, it feels like he treats me like his girlfriend… but only when no one he knows is around.”

Soobin kept walking.

“It’s like he’s hiding me when there’s nothing wrong with what we’re doing! For all I know, Beomgyu could be doing the same thing,” she added bitterly.

Soobin didn’t respond. He was too focused on searching for the damn flash that wasn’t where it was supposed to be.

“Ugh, he even told me not to go near Beomgyu. As if I wanted to.”

“Minji, what did you expect? That he’d introduce you to his friends as his second omega?”

He truly couldn’t understand what she was hoping for.

“I don’t know… I just thought it’d be different.”

“If he actually cared about you, he wouldn’t be hiding you.”

“I know that… Maybe I should put him to the test.”

Soobin turned, eyeing her warily. “And what’s your grand idea?”

“The semester kickoff party,” she said, a gleam in her eye.

There was no way she was talking about that party—the one Kai had mentioned, the one Taehyun was going to with his friends… The one Beomgyu was almost certainly attending.

“I’m going to make him go with me or end whatever this is. It’s perfect, right?”

“What party are you—”

“Oh! Dae’s calling me! I’ll tell you how it goes later. Bye!”

And just like that, she darted out of the equipment room, leaving Soobin standing there with a sinking feeling in his chest.

Yes, there were plenty of parties happening for the start of the semester, but Minji and him were in the same major. There was a high chance she was talking about the very same party Soobin was planning to attend—not for the event itself, but because Beomgyu would be there.

Should he warn him?

Or would that make things worse?

Would it hurt Beomgyu more if he saw it for himself?

Soobin kept thinking about it. Even later that night, when he found Beomgyu at the party, when the omega was unusually receptive to his flirting—when Beomgyu matched his energy without hesitation.

"Cute?" Beomgyu tilted his head, the movement shifting his long hair and revealing the delicate curve of his neck. "I was going for irresistible."

For a moment, Soobin felt like some dumb high schooler with a hopeless crush. He was sure his ears were turning red.

"Mission accomplished," he murmured, voice dipping lower as his gaze roamed over the omega. He really couldn't stop looking at him. Beomgyu was stunning—his features sharp yet soft, his lips plush, his eyes gleaming with mischief. The low lighting of the club only added to his allure, the warm hues casting shadows along his jaw, making him look almost unreal.

"You really know how to hold someone's attention," Soobin added, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips.

"Glad to know someone’s enjoying the view." Beomgyu’s confidence was unwavering, but Soobin didn’t miss the slight flush on his cheeks.

Soobin should have said something then. Should have warned him.

Hours later, standing outside the club, watching Beomgyu’s face twist in heartbreak as he saw Daehyun and Minji kissing before disappearing down the street, he regretted staying silent.

"But what if I’m the problem?" Beomgyu’s voice was barely a whisper, raw and broken. "What if I’m the reason he wanted this? Maybe I wasn’t enough, and now he’s just looking for more. She’s so pretty. Like… perfect. You saw her, right? I can’t even blame him."

Even with his thoughts clouded by alcohol, Soobin wished he had done something—anything—to spare Beomgyu from this moment.

Which was why he suggested karaoke. Not because he particularly wanted to sing, but because he wanted to help Beomgyu forget. Even just for a little while.

(Though, maybe he should thank Daehyun. Because if it weren’t for his stupidity that night, Beomgyu might have taken a lot longer to finally let Soobin kiss him.)

"So," Soobin murmured, his voice quieter now. "Can I kiss you for real, then?"

Beomgyu’s breath caught. His lashes fluttered, and—for the first time tonight—he didn’t tease. Didn’t fight it. He just nodded.

Soobin closed the distance.

Their first kiss was soft—hesitant, testing. But the moment Beomgyu responded, kissing him back without reservation, Soobin tightened his hold. He pulled Beomgyu closer, deepening the kiss, letting himself drown in the warmth, the softness, the sheer intoxicating feel of him.

And fuck, he wanted more.

Beomgyu’s hands curled into Soobin’s shirt, holding on like he never wanted to let go. Soobin didn’t want him to let go.

When they finally broke apart, Beomgyu’s lips were red, his breath unsteady. Their foreheads stayed pressed together.

Beomgyu stared at him, pupils blown, expression unreadable. "Since when," he whispered, "have you wanted to do that?"

Soobin smirked, his fingers tracing absent circles against the delicate waist chain Beomgyu was wearing.

"Since the first time I saw you," he admitted.

And he definitely wasn’t talking about the time they fought over a tub of ice cream.

x-o-x

No matter how much he ignored it, no matter how much he pushed it aside, there was always something that found its way back into his life.

Minji.

Maybe it was his fault. Maybe he should have been clearer with her. Maybe he should have never entertained her presence to begin with. Or maybe… maybe he should just be cruel.

This time, she intercepted him right after their shared class, appearing out of nowhere as she latched onto his arm. Her grip was tight—too tight for someone who claimed to be acting casual.

"Let’s go get coffee?"

Her voice was light, lilting, but Soobin could hear the strain underneath. The desperation.

His jaw clenched.

She was always like this. Pushing, prying, lingering. Tired didn’t even begin to cover it. He was exhausted—exhausted from her persistence, from the way she refused to listen, from the way she always brought up the one person he hated most at the moment. The way she saw Beomgyu as an enemy.

His patience was running on fumes.

He waited until the hallway had mostly cleared before speaking, voice flat, final.

"I'm not your friend. I mean it."

He pried her fingers off his arm, letting them drop to her side.

Minji didn’t flinch. Instead, she exhaled sharply, almost as if she had been expecting it. "I know! But please. I'm desperate. It’s been over a month, and Daehyun still won’t leave Beomgyu. He even humiliated me in front of him! Can you believe that?"

Soobin didn’t answer. He just turned on his heel and kept walking.

But she followed. Of course she did.

Her voice sharpened as she rushed to keep up. "Beomgyu is pathetic. How can he stay with him when it’s obvious Dae doesn’t even love him?"

That made him stop.

His body stilled, his breath coming in slow, controlled inhales through his nose.

Then, he turned to face her, his lips curling into something cold, something edged with amusement and venom.

"You’re one to talk," he said, tilting his head. "Minji, if you want Daehyun to stay with you so badly, then force him."

Minji let out a frustrated breath. "But I’ve tried everything!" She crossed her arms. "I even confronted Beomgyu, but he’s too naïve to know what’s good for him. It really irks me, the way he plays this whole ‘I’m so kind and sweet’ act. He’s just so—"

"Stop."

The word came out sharper than he intended, but he didn’t regret it.

Minji blinked, stunned for a second, before narrowing her eyes. "What? Do you feel bad for him or something? This is his fault—"

Something inside Soobin snapped.

"Get pregnant."

Minji froze.

Soobin smiled, slow and deliberate, letting the words settle between them like thick, toxic air. "You’re pathetic enough to do something like that, right?"

He expected her to scoff. To call him an asshole. To finally give up and walk away.

But she didn’t.

Instead, something in her expression cracked.

The smugness drained from her face, replaced with something raw. Something wounded.

"You… you really think that?" Her voice had lost all of its usual bite, barely above a whisper.

Soobin exhaled, the weight of his own words pressing against his ribs. He didn’t even care what she did, not really. He just wanted her to leave.

"Please, just leave me alone," he muttered. Then, without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

But long after he was gone, long after Minji had disappeared from his sight, the look on her face stayed with him.

x-o-x

“Shit.”

Soobin’s voice barely left his lips, but his pulse still jumped as his eyes landed on the shadowy figure standing in the corner of the room. It took his sleep-heavy brain a moment to process the dim light filtering through the curtains, the sharp jawline, the piercing gaze.

Taylor Swift.

The life-sized cutout stood vigil near Beomgyu’s bed, half-shrouded in darkness.

He let out a slow breath, his heart settling. Beomgyu was still sprawled across his chest, warm and pliant. The scent of peaches melting into Soobin’s skin, his soft hair tickling his neck. He was completely undisturbed, oblivious to the way his ridiculous cardboard had nearly scared Soobin to death.

Again.

Carefully, Soobin shifted Beomgyu’s head onto the pillow. The omega let out a little sigh but didn’t wake, only curling deeper into the mattress.

For a moment, Soobin just watched him, his fingers twitching with the need to touch.

Then, reluctantly, he slipped out of bed. He needed to pee, and not even Taylor Swift was going to stop him.

When he returned, he slid under the covers again, reaching instinctively for Beomgyu, but before he could pull him back into his arms, the omega let out a disgruntled whimper and weakly shoved at Soobin’s chest.

"Too hot," Beomgyu mumbled, shifting onto his side. He kicked the blanket off completely and clumsily pulled at his pajama shirt, struggling with the fabric before finally yanking it over his head and tossing it somewhere onto the floor.

His mouth went dry as his eyes adjusted to the dim light, taking in the way Beomgyu’s bare skin glowed faintly in the dark. The curve of his waist, the soft rise and fall of his breathing, the way his hair spilled across the pillow like something out of a dream.

Beomgyu was always beautiful. But like this—sleepy and vulnerable, completely at ease—he was devastating.

Soobin reached out before he could think better of it, running the back of his fingers down Beomgyu’s arm. "Baby, you're gonna get cold."

Beomgyu made a soft, uninterested sound, already half-asleep again. "M’not."

Soobin huffed a quiet laugh and lay back down, but it wasn’t long before Beomgyu let out another whine and started shifting around, hands fumbling over the sheets.

"Cold," he muttered, voice slurred. "Where’s my—mmh—shirt?"

Soobin sighed. "You just threw it off, Gyu."

Beomgyu groaned, rolling onto his stomach and burying his face into the pillow. "Then gimme yours."

Soobin didn’t hesitate.

He sat up, tugging his shirt over his head in one smooth motion. “Sit up,” he murmured, his voice softer now, coaxing.

Beomgyu made a sleepy noise of protest but let Soobin guide him up, pliant and warm under his touch. Soobin steadied him with a hand on his waist, fingers lingering longer than necessary.

Beomgyu’s skin was warm beneath his palms. He smelled like peaches, something familiar and soft, something Soobin wanted to press his face into and never leave. Carefully, he slipped the shirt over Beomgyu’s head, guiding his arms through the sleeves. The fabric was too big, draping over his frame, and when Beomgyu finally settled back onto the pillow, he curled his fingers into the hem, like he needed to keep it close.

Soobin swallowed.

"Better?" he asked softly.

Beomgyu hummed, eyes still closed. "Mm. Smells like you."

Soobin let out a slow breath, then lay down beside him again, slipping an arm around his waist. "Come here."

Beomgyu let himself be pulled in, molding against Soobin’s chest without resistance.

A comfortable silence stretched between them, warm and slow, the kind that made Soobin want to stay in bed forever. He could hear the soft, rhythmic sound of Beomgyu’s breathing, the faint hum of the world waking up outside, the quiet rustling of sheets as Beomgyu shifted just enough to press his face further into him. Soobin let his hands wander, smoothing them over Beomgyu’s back, tracing absentminded circles against his skin.

Soobin wasn’t used to this.

Not just the physical closeness—he’d had that before. But this. The way Beomgyu let him take care of him without hesitation, the way his presence felt like something natural, like something Soobin didn’t have to work for.

With past relationships, there had always been a pressure. A silent weight in the back of his mind, the feeling that he had to try to be what they wanted, to give enough.

But with Beomgyu, everything just was.

It had been about a month since… whatever this was. A relationship? They hadn’t put a name to it. They were just together. And that was enough.

It was easy with Beomgyu. So easy that sometimes it surprised Soobin, how natural it felt. How there was no pressure to be anything other than himself.

Soobin still couldn’t believe how easily he had spoken about his sister, his family…about his mother.

He hadn’t meant to talk about it. But something about Beomgyu—his gentle curiosity, the way he simply listened, the way he softened his scent just slightly as if to say it’s okay, I’m here—had made it easier.

Soobin had spent years learning how to be fine on his own. But that day, Beomgyu had made him feel like he didn’t have to be.

Even now, in the quiet glow of early morning, Beomgyu’s presence was a steady weight against him, warm and solid. Safe.

Soobin had never realized how much he craved that.

Now, as he lay here with Beomgyu in his arms, he wondered—did Beomgyu feel safe, too?

His fingers ghosted along the curve of Beomgyu’s spine, a silent question.

"Are you comfortable?" Soobin murmured.

Beomgyu shifted slightly. "Yeah." Then, after a beat, "You?"

Soobin’s arms tightened around him. "Yeah."

Beomgyu hummed, nuzzling into his chest.

Soobin felt something warm bloom in his ribs.

Then—

"Wait," Beomgyu mumbled, probably more sleep than awake. "Do you think Taylor saw me change?"

Then, before he could stop it, laughter bubbled up in his chest. "Probably. But we’ve done worse in front of her"

Beomgyu groaned, "That’s so embarrassing."

"She’s a cardboard cutout, baby."

"She’s an icon."

Soobin grinned. "Right. My bad."

Beomgyu let out a long sigh, curling back into him. His fingers found the hem of Soobin’s shirt again, gripping loosely, as if holding onto something precious.

Soobin let his eyes drift shut, feeling the steady rise and fall of Beomgyu’s breathing, the warmth of his body pressed against his own. He didn’t know what this was between them, not exactly. But whatever it was, he didn’t want to let it go.

Beomgyu shifted again, breath warm against Soobin’s neck. "Stay, okay?"

Soobin’s throat tightened. He curled himself around Beomgyu, letting his body answer for him.

"I’m not going anywhere."

x-o-x

There was something about touching Beomgyu that felt effortless—natural, like muscle memory. Soobin could never get enough of it. His fingers knew the shape of him by heart, the way his waist curved inward, the soft dip of his spine, the plushness of his thighs. He could trace them forever, memorize every inch of skin.

And the best part? Beomgyu let him. Wanted him to.

“Sit on my face,” Soobin murmured against his throat, pressing slow, open-mouthed kisses down his neck. They were in his bed, the omega sitting on his lap, their clothes already on the floor.

Beomgyu tensed slightly, his hands pausing where they’d been running through Soobin’s hair.

“What?” he sputtered. “No way! What if I suffocate you?”

Soobin grinned, pressing a kiss right over his pulse, feeling the way it jumped under his lips. God, he was so cute.

“Then I’d die a happy man,” he teased. He pulled back just enough to look at him, taking in the way his cheeks flushed pink. Soobin kissed one, then the other, then kissed his nose for good measure. “You won’t, baby. I promise.”

Beomgyu pouted, squirming slightly in Soobin’s lap. “But—”

“If you don’t want to, it’s okay,” Soobin assured him, pressing a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth.

“I do…” Beomgyu admitted, voice small. Then, groaning, he covered his face with his hands. “It’s just so embarrassing.”

Soobin chuckled, prying Beomgyu’s hands away just to kiss his palm. “Why? I’ve seen every part of you—even your—”

“Don’t!” Beomgyu practically shrieked. But then, after a shaky breath—“Okay, let’s just do it.”

Soobin smirked. “My pleasure.”

He lay back, watching as Beomgyu climbed over him, hesitating slightly before settling on his chest. His thighs trembled faintly, and Soobin couldn’t stop himself from tracing them, following the faint marks he left on his skin, smoothing his palms up toward his hips.

God, he was perfect.

Beomgyu hovered uncertainly over his lips, his scent thick in the air. Soobin groaned, squeezing his hips.

“Baby, sit down,” he coaxed, voice thick. He pressed a kiss to Beomgyu’s inner thigh, then another, and another. “I’ve got you.”

Beomgyu exhaled shakily and obeyed.

Soobin moaned the second he felt him. The heat of him, the taste—fuck, it was too much. His tongue pushed inside, licking deep, savoring the way Beomgyu shuddered above him.

“Soobinnie… ah—” Beomgyu whimpered, his fingers twisting into Soobin’s hair, his thighs trembling as he tried to keep himself upright.

He was loud. Always.

He moaned, cried, gasped out Soobin’s name between desperate little sobs. Any other time, Soobin might’ve thought it was excessive. But from Beomgyu? It was intoxicating.

It made him want to wreck him.

“So good,” Beomgyu gasped, voice breathy and wrecked.

Soobin hummed in agreement, dragging his tongue against the sensitive spot inside him that made Beomgyu jolt. His hands slid up, gripping Beomgyu’s waist as he pulled him closer, making him grind down against his mouth.

The sounds were obscene.

Beomgyu was probably too far gone to even notice how loud it was—the wet, filthy noise of Soobin’s tongue, the slick that dripped down his chin, the desperate gasps of breath between kisses.

Soobin devoured him, groaning into him, drowning in him.

“Hyung, I’m—” Beomgyu’s voice broke into a whimper as Soobin pressed two fingers inside, stretching him effortlessly.

He was so wet. So ready.

Soobin didn’t hold back, his fingers curling just right, fucking into him alongside his tongue, pushing him higher, making his back arch, his thighs tremble, his voice turn raw.

“Soob—stop!”

The word snapped him out of his haze instantly.

Soobin pulled back immediately, hands guiding Beomgyu down until he was seated on his belly, breath ragged, slick smeared across Soobin’s skin.

“Want you inside me,” Beomgyu murmured, voice wrecked, pressing his forehead to Soobin’s. His lips brushed against Soobin’s as he spoke, soft and so tempting.

Soobin sucked in a breath. So pliant. So willing.

“Want Alpha to fuck you?” he murmured, trailing kisses down Beomgyu’s jaw, then lower, down the column of his throat, sucking a mark right over his fluttering pulse.

Beomgyu nodded desperately, wrapping his arms around Soobin’s neck. “Yes, please.”

That was all Soobin needed.

He lay the omega on the bed, spreading him open beneath him. He kissed Beomgyu’s thigh, then the sensitive dip of his waist, then higher, dragging his lips over the marks he’d left earlier.

Then, finally, he pushed in.

Beomgyu gasped, eyes squeezing shut, back arching off the bed. The stretch had him trembling, breath hitching, lips falling open in a soft, wrecked cry.

Like he was made for this.

Like he was made for him.

“Alpha—!” Beomgyu’s voice cracked when Soobin started to move, his pace slow at first, deliberate, dragging out every second.

Soobin watched him through hooded eyes, drinking in every little detail—the way his mouth parted, glossy with spit, his nipples flushed and hard from earlier kisses, his thighs trembling with every thrust.

But it was his stomach that drove Soobin insane.

Because he could see himself there.

Just a faint outline, pressing against Beomgyu’s belly, making it bulge slightly every time he pushed in deep.

He groaned, dragging his palm over the spot, pressing down just enough to make Beomgyu wail.

“Feel that?” Soobin murmured, voice thick with lust. “Taking me so well, baby.”

Beomgyu sobbed, nodding mindlessly, too far gone to do anything else.

Soobin kissed him—deep, messy, swallowing every sound as he fucked him harder, harder, until—

Beomgyu came with a cry, his body tightening around Soobin like a vice, drawing a shuddering groan from his lips.

He barely had time to process before the tight, wet squeeze around him sent him over the edge, and with a few more frantic thrusts, he spilled inside the condom, collapsing against Beomgyu’s shaking body.

For a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of their breathing, their chests rising and falling in sync.

Then, still high from the scent of him, Soobin kissed the corner of Beomgyu’s lips and murmured, “I should come inside you next time. So you’ll feel me for days.”

Beomgyu hummed, sleepy and satisfied, nuzzling closer. “Mmh… I’d like that.”

x-o-x

So yeah, Soobin felt an almost irrational attraction toward the omega. His alpha instincts were constantly on edge around him, heightened, hungry. It was the first time something like this had ever happened to him. He had never wanted someone this badly—never felt this possessive, this weak for another person. It was almost humiliating.

Before Beomgyu, he had prided himself on being in control. But now? Now, he was at the mercy of a small, brown-haired boy who didn’t even realize what he was doing to him.

Like right now.

Beomgyu was simply mixing cookie dough after they had taken a shower together. His damp hair curled slightly at the ends, his oversized T-shirt hanging loose on his frame—Soobin’s T-shirt. And when he reached up to grab the flour from the top shelf, the hem lifted just enough to expose the delicate skin of his waist.

And the bruises on his hips.

Marks Soobin had left on him.

Mine.

"If you're just going to stand there like a creep, at least make yourself useful," Beomgyu said without even sparing him a glance, already stirring the ingredients together with practiced ease.

Soobin blinked, snapped out of his daze. "I am making myself useful. I’m providing emotional support."

With that, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Beomgyu’s waist, pressing his chest against his back, slipping his hands beneath the soft fabric of his shirt. His palms roamed over the warmth of Beomgyu’s stomach, fingertips tracing the faint ridges of his ribs before settling on his hips.

Beomgyu smelled like him—his shampoo, his body wash. It made something deep in Soobin’s chest clench.

"How did you even find all these ingredients in my kitchen?" he muttered, peering over Beomgyu’s shoulder. "I didn’t even know I had this stuff."

The omega simply shrugged, brushing excess flour off his fingers.

"I'm pretty sure you don't even know where your frying pans are," he replied, voice dripping with amusement.

Soobin gasped, offended. "Excuse me, I do know where they are! They’re…in the…um."

Beomgyu turned to look at him, one unimpressed eyebrow raised.

"...Under the sink?" Soobin guessed weakly.

A slow, knowing smirk spread across Beomgyu’s lips. "You're lucky your sister feeds you, huh?"

Soobin groaned, burying his face in Beomgyu’s shoulder. "This is humiliating."

The omega only laughed, soft and teasing, reaching back to pat Soobin’s cheek. “Poor baby”

Beomgyu went back to kneeding.

“So…why are we stress baking?” the alpha asked.

Beomgyu didn’t pause, but Soobin caught the way his fingers tightened around the dough for a second.

“We’re not,” he denied, a little too quickly.

Soobin raised an eyebrow. “Baby, you only bake like this when you’re anxious about something. What’s wrong?”

Beomgyu sighed, separating from the alpha and turning to look at him. “It’s stupid.”

“Try me.”

Beomgyu hesitated, then mumbled, “I’m starting my new job at the TV station tomorrow.”

“I know,” Soobin said, resting a hand on the small of Beomgyu’s back. “And?”

The omega groaned, slumping against the counter. “And I’m terrified. What if I mess something up? What if I spill coffee on a producer, or hit the wrong button, or—ruin my whole life?”

Soobin bit back a smile. “That’s quite the escalation.”

Beomgyu shot him a glare. “I’m serious! What if I screw up so badly that I never get a job in the industry ever again? What if word spreads and I have to leave the country and change my name and—”

“Okay, okay.” Soobin laughed, wrapping his arms around Beomgyu again and pressing a kiss to the side of his head. “First of all, you’re going to be fine. You’re smart, talented, and way too charming for anyone to stay mad at you for long.”

Beomgyu huffed, but his body melted into Soobin’s hold.

“And second,” Soobin continued, “even if you do mess up, it’s not the end of the world. Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is that you fix them. Apologize, make up for it somehow. Maybe bribe people with cookies.”

Beomgyu scoffed. “I am making cookies. Does that mean I’m already apologizing in advance?”

“Exactly,” Soobin teased. “But if all else fails, you know you can always be my trophy wife.”

Beomgyu snorted, pushing Soobin’s face away with his flour-dusted hand. “Shut up.”

“I’m serious! I’ll work, and you can stay home and look pretty, bake cookies, and wait for me to get home in an apron—”

“Stop.” Beomgyu was laughing now, the tension in his shoulders easing. “You’re ridiculous.”

“But I made you feel better, right?” Soobin grinned.

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, but his smile was soft when he said, “Yeah. Thanks, hyung.”

Soobin kissed his cheek in response, lingering just long enough to make Beomgyu squirm.

After a moment, Beomgyu cleared his throat. “You know… you’ll probably get the call for that internship soon.”

Soobin blinked.

The internship.

He hadn’t really been thinking about it. Or—well. He hadn’t let himself think about it. It was just something in the background, something that would happen when it happened.

Right?

“You think so?” he asked, his voice strangely careful.

Beomgyu turned to face him fully, expression steady. "Yes, Soobin. You're amazing at what you do. Like, ridiculously good. And I know you act all chill about it, but I also know you’ve been waiting for this call, even if you won’t admit it. So trust me when I say—they’d be stupid not to pick you.”

Soobin exhaled slowly, suddenly aware of the way his fingers had been gripping the fabric of Beomgyu’s shirt.

Oh.

So he was nervous about it.

He hadn’t realized.

“…You really think so?” he asked quietly.

Beomgyu rolled his eyes but smiled, soft and genuine. “Duh. You’re the most talented person I know, Soobin. If they don’t pick you, it’s their loss, not yours.”

Something warm spread through Soobin’s chest, something full.

It was simple.

But in moments like these, Soobin knew—his connection with Beomgyu was more than just physical.

It was something deeper. Something real.

x-o-x

Soobin hadn't expected to witness Beomgyu in heat so soon.

He couldn’t deny that he had thought about it before—had let himself imagine how the omega would look, how he would feel. But nothing, nothing compared to having him right here, in real life.

The moment Beomgyu touched his hair, fingers threading through his scalp with quiet intimacy, Soobin knew he was in trouble.

He had been too exhausted to question it when Beomgyu pulled him into bed, curling up against him like it was the most natural thing in the world. The warmth of Beomgyu’s body pressed into his chest, his scent wrapping around him like a drug, thick and overwhelming. And now, lying there, Soobin could feel it—the heat. The way Beomgyu shifted restlessly against him, his breathing coming in uneven little exhales.

A dangerous situation. Soobin knew that.

He knew it the second Beomgyu turned toward him, his lips warm and pliant as they brushed against his own.

He should have pulled away. He should have reminded Beomgyu that he wasn’t in his right mind, that his body was acting on pure instinct. But Beomgyu’s lips were so sweet, his breath so unsteady, and the soft, needy sound he made when Soobin kissed him back nearly undid him.

It was intoxicating, the way Beomgyu melted under him. The way he sought him out, pressing closer, hands clutching at the fabric of Soobin’s hoodie like he needed something to hold onto.

Soobin’s own body betrayed him—heat pooling in his gut, the primal urge to take, to claim, clawing at his restraint. His fingers flexed against Beomgyu’s hip, feeling the way he trembled, the way his body responded so easily.

And then Beomgyu spoke.

"Hyung… alpha. I need you."

Soobin swore under his breath, pressing his forehead against Beomgyu’s, trying to breathe. Trying to keep himself from losing the last shred of control he had. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to give in. To sink into the warmth of Beomgyu’s skin, to let himself drown in the scent of him, the taste of him.

But Beomgyu was in heat. This wasn’t a choice. Not really.

Soobin cupped Beomgyu’s face, thumbs brushing over his flushed cheeks, grounding him even as his own pulse roared in his ears. "You’re not thinking clearly."

"I’m thinking about you," Beomgyu whispered. His voice was breathless, raw. "Only you."

And Soobin wanted to believe him.

He wanted to believe him so badly.

But what about tomorrow? What about when Beomgyu woke up and realized he had only reached for Soobin because his body demanded relief?

A sharp pang of something close to fear ran through him.

Then—Yeonjun’s voice shattered the moment.

Beomgyu jolted away, eyes blown wide in mortification. His hands flew up to cover his face, but not before Soobin caught the furious blush spreading across his cheeks, the way his lips were still swollen from their kiss.

For a second, Soobin could only stare at him.

Then, a laugh escaped him, breathless and tinged with relief.

He was beautiful like this.

Soobin let himself look for just a moment longer before he forced himself to sit up, hands curled into fists to keep from reaching for him again.

The night passed in a blur of stolen glances and silent restraint. Beomgyu took more suppressants, and Soobin stayed by his side, pretending his pulse wasn’t still racing. They put on a movie, but Soobin barely processed it—his mind was too tangled with thoughts of Beomgyu’s scent, of the way his body had felt against his.

And then there was Minji.

She kept calling him.

His fingers twitched. He should have ignored her from the start. He never should have entertained her, never should have let her think he was willing to help. Because now, she wouldn’t leave him alone.

And if Beomgyu ever found out—

No. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Not yet.

Soobin glanced at Beomgyu, watching the soft rise and fall of his breath, the way his lashes fluttered as he fought sleep.

"I wish you could stay with me," Beomgyu mumbled.

Soobin’s heart ached.

He wanted to stay. He wanted to tell Beomgyu that he would, that he wouldn’t leave, that he’d do anything for him. But if he did—if he let himself get any closer—he knew he would never be able to let go.

"Soon, angel." The words left his lips before he could stop them, quiet and raw.

And when Beomgyu finally drifted off, Soobin forced himself to leave.

He wasn’t expecting Yeonjun and Taehyun to be sitting on the couch in the living room, watching him with identical looks of amusement.

"Wow," Yeonjun drawled, stretching his arms over his head. "We really thought we were gonna have to drag you out of there."

Yeah. Me too.

Soobin scoffed, adjusting the strap of his bag over his shoulder. "Good thing I’m leaving on my own, then"

"How’s he holding up?" Taehyun asked, lifting his beer bottle to his lips. He barely spared Soobin a glance, like the question was casual—like he didn’t already know the answer. "You made sure he took his suppressants, right?"

"He did," he confirmed. He shifted on his feet, frowning. "...He’ll be okay, right?" His voice was quieter now, a little less sure.

Yeonjun tilted his head, his easy smirk faltering just slightly. "In theory, yeah. But he’s not used to going through his heats alone, so—"

Taehyun elbowed him before he could finish.

But it was too late.

Soobin already knew.

Of course.

Beomgyu wasn’t used to going through his heats alone.

He had someone for that. Someone specific.

Daehyun.

Soobin’s fingers twitched at his sides, nails biting into his palms. He kept his face neutral—at least, he tried to—but it wasn’t enough. Both omegas noticed.

He hated that name.

Hated how it clung to Beomgyu like a shadow, how it made him turn unreadable, like he was somewhere far away. Hated how no matter how much Beomgyu laughed with him, no matter how close they got, Daehyun’s presence still lingered, a reminder that Beomgyu wasn’t his.

"Gyu’s gonna be fine," Taehyun assured him, cutting through his thoughts. "We’ll make sure of it."

"Yeah," Yeonjun added, his smirk creeping back. "But, damn. You’ve got it bad, huh?"

Soobin blinked. "What?"

Yeonjun just laughed. "Dude. You are so down bad."

Soobin scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I am not—"

"Please," Taehyun said flatly. "You stayed in there for hours."

"So?"

Yeonjun grinned. "So," he mimicked, dragging out the word. "Are you preparing to confess or something?"

"He definitely is”

“But don’t get him preg-“

“Shut up”, Taehyun reprimanded the other omega again.

Soobin opened his mouth, then closed it, then sighed. "You guys are so annoying."

"But we’re right," Yeonjun sang. "I mean, look at you. All pouty and defensive. I bet you don’t even wanna leave, huh? Bet you wish you were still in there, holding his hand or—"

"Or wiping his sweat like a concerned husband," Taehyun supplied, eyes glinting with amusement.

Yeonjun gasped dramatically. "Exactly! Oh my god, that’s what it is. You wanna take care of him. Gyu’s adorable. No wonder you fell so quickly".

Soobin rolled his eyes again, but heat crawled up his neck anyway. "I am not—"

"You totally are," Yeonjun cut in. "It’s okay, though. We support you."

Soobin scowled. "You guys are literally the worst."

"Hey, if you ever need advice on how to woo your omega, I’m here," Yeonjun continued. "I mean, I’m no expert, but I have experience."

"Terrible experience," Taehyun muttered.

Yeonjun ignored him. "For example, Gyu loves forehead kisses. You should try that next time—"

"Okay, I’m leaving."

"Or—oh! You could get him some weird vintage trinkets, he loves that shit!”

"It’s time to go, bye!" Soobin turned on his heel and bolted toward the door.

"Say hi to Kai for me!" Taehyun called after him.

Once he was outside, Soobin exhaled, dragging a hand down his face.

Then, before he could think twice about it, he pulled out his phone.

Me

your friends are bullying me!

He sent the message. Then, he stared at his screen, waiting.

He had spent the entire day with Beomgyu, and the first thing he did the second he left was reach for him again.

Shit.

Oh, no.

And in that moment, it hit him—

He wasn’t just down bad.

He was falling in love.

x-o-x

It felt good to fall.

Soobin had expected fear, had braced himself for the dizzying drop—but with Beomgyu, there was no panic, no hesitation. It just was.

The days after his confession had been perfect. Even though Beomgyu hadn't officially reciprocated, they both knew the truth. Their feelings hung between them, unspoken yet understood, heavy yet light, enough yet not enough.

Soobin had convinced himself that everything would fall into place eventually. That once the two biggest obstacles were gone, their relationship would finally have the space to grow.

Daehyun and Minji didn’t matter anymore—or at least, that’s what he told himself.

But they did.

Far more than he wanted them to.

It was supposed to be a good day. His classes had ended early, and Beomgyu was waiting for him in the library. Or at least, he should have been.

But when Soobin arrived, Beomgyu wasn’t there.

Something in his gut twisted.

That feeling only worsened when the omega didn’t answer his texts.

And then his calls.

By the time Soobin stepped outside and spotted him across the street—standing in the park, talking to someone—that unease had turned into something darker.

Because he recognized the silhouette in front of Beomgyu instantly.

Daehyun.

Fucking Kim Daehyun.

Soobin didn’t think. He didn’t hesitate.

The moment he saw the alpha lean in, saw him get too close, something snapped.

He moved before he could stop himself.

Maybe he should have thought for a second longer.

Or maybe… this was inevitable.

And now, as Minji was lifted onto a stretcher and into the back of an ambulance, Soobin regretted not answering those missed calls.

"Go with her," Beomgyu said to Daehyun, his voice steady, unnervingly calm—the first thing he had said since Minji fainted.

Even Daehyun looked unsettled by the coldness in his tone.

"No, Gyu, she’s not—"

"She’s pregnant," Beomgyu interrupted, his expression unreadable. "You can’t leave her alone. Get in."

Daehyun hesitated for a second before nodding.

"Please, let’s talk later, okay?" he tried, but Beomgyu was already walking away.

Daehyun turned toward Soobin, eyes dark. "Don’t try anything," he warned before climbing into the ambulance.

But Soobin didn’t give a fuck about Daehyun.

He was thinking about Beomgyu, about the way he hadn’t looked at him once since this all started.

"It’s cold," Soobin murmured as he draped his coat over Beomgyu’s shoulders. But the omega didn’t react, didn’t even acknowledge him.

He just kept walking.

"Please," Soobin tried again, his voice quieter now, more desperate. "Let me explain. It’s not what it looks like."

Still, Beomgyu ignored him.

"Take me home."

The drive was suffocating.

Even with the hum of the radio filling the space between them, the silence was unbearable—thick and heavy, pressing down on Soobin’s chest like a weight.

He almost wished Beomgyu would yell at him. Scream. Curse him out. Say something. Anything was better than this.

But the omega just stared out the window, his face unreadable.

Soobin’s hands were shaking. He gripped the steering wheel tighter, as if that could hold everything together. As if that could stop Beomgyu from slipping away.

Even the song on the radio was all wrong. Something soft, lighthearted—mocking the silence between them.

The moment the car stopped in front of Beomgyu’s apartment, the silence finally shattered.

"Explain," Beomgyu said, voice sharp, eyes locked onto Soobin’s for the first time that night.

Soobin inhaled deeply.

"I went on a date with Minji once…"

And then, he told him everything.

How he had felt that instant pull toward Beomgyu the first time he saw him. How he couldn’t get him out of his head, how he had needed to know more about him.

How he had entertained Minji because he felt bad for her. How he had always known Daehyun was cheating. How he had hated it, how he hadn’t been able to stand it.

How he had been the one to suggest the open relationship.

How he hadn’t stopped Minji when she brought the party.

"I told her she should get pregnant if she wanted to trap Daehyun," Soobin admitted, his voice raw. "I said she was pathetic enough to do it." He swallowed hard, his hands curling into fists. "I didn’t think she’d actually do it. I just—I just wanted her to leave me alone. I didn’t mean for any of this to—"

A laugh.

Sharp, bitter.

Soobin’s stomach twisted.

Beomgyu was smiling.

"You fucking lied to me," the omega said, his voice laced with something cold. "Are you even sorry?"

"I am!" Soobin’s voice cracked. "I just—I didn’t know how to tell you about Daehyun and Minji. I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t want to make it worse—"

"Oh, so you wanted to protect me?" Beomgyu let out another laugh, cruel and empty. "Do you think you’re some kind of hero? That I should be grateful you wanted to keep Daehyun away from me?"

"I wasn’t trying to keep you apart!" Soobin insisted, desperate now. "But I couldn’t watch him play you both like that. So I just… interfered. Without realizing it. But I never forced them to—"

"You’re no better than Daehyun."

The words hit harder than any slap could have.

Soobin opened his mouth. Closed it.

Because Beomgyu was right.

Maybe he was just like every other alpha he despised.

Like Daehyun.

Like his father.

Beomgyu’s expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes darkened.

"Don’t talk to me ever again," he said, voice devoid of warmth, before stepping out of the car.

Soobin lunged forward before he could stop himself—grabbing Beomgyu’s wrist, heart hammering against his ribs. "Please just—"

Beomgyu flinched.

And that was worse than anything.

He had never looked at Soobin like that before.

Like he was something awful.

Like he was…

Soobin let go.

Beomgyu didn’t say another word.

And then, just like that—

Soobin was alone.

He fell.

And crushed through the ground.

Chapter Text

Beomgyu learned at a young age that love was temporary.

Or at least, his parents' love was.

He remembered being ten years old, curled up beneath his blankets, listening to their voices rise and crash against the thin walls of their apartment. The arguments had started as rare storms, distant and brief. But as the years passed, they came like clockwork, rattling the windows, shaking the floor beneath his feet.

He remembered pressing his hands over his ears, his pillow damp with tears, as if he could block it all out.

He remembered his mother kneeling beside his bed, brushing the hair from his forehead with trembling fingers. We won’t separate, honey, I promise. We’ll be okay. Her voice was tired, stretched thin, but he had clung to those words like a lifeline, desperate to believe them.

He remembered the nights when his father never made it to bed, sprawled across the couch with the stale scent of alcohol clinging to him like a second skin. Those nights always meant more yelling. More slammed doors. More reasons to hold his breath and hope the morning would bring something softer.

He remembered the day his mother finally lost control—the venom in her voice when she looked at him, like he was a weight around her ankles. I could have left if it weren’t for you.

But he also remembered holding both their hands on the way to the movie theater, swinging their arms back and forth as if nothing had ever been broken. He remembered playing hide-and-seek at the park, his father laughing as he pretended not to see him behind a tree. He remembered sitting on his father’s shoulders, the world spread out before him like a promise.

He remembered that once upon a time, they had been happy too.

He remembered it all so vividly that perhaps it was his own fault he felt this way now, standing on the threshold of his father’s new life, a guest in a home that was never meant to include him.

It was ironic, really, that the one forcing him through this ordeal time and time again was always his own mother.

Maybe she thought he needed this.

Beomgyu took a deep breath, tightening his grip around the basket of gifts his mother had insisted he bring to dinner with his father and his family.

He knocked on the apartment door, and almost immediately, the scent of home-cooked food and Jia’s radiant smile greeted him.

“Beomgyu! I’m so happy to see you!” The beta pulled him into a hug, firm and familiar.

“Me too,” he said automatically, though the words sat stiff on his tongue. When they pulled apart, he pushed the basket into her hands along with a small box of cookies he had baked earlier that afternoon. “Here. It’s from my mom and me.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to! Come on, keep me company while I finish dinner. Your dad will be here with the boys in a few minutes.”

Beomgyu followed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the counter, already feeling uncomfortable being alone with her. Jia was nice—he had no complaints about her—but their conversations were always easier when his father or her kids were around.

He hated awkward silences.

“Uh, it smells great,” he said, just to fill the quiet.

“Thank you! I’m trying a new recipe. I hope you like it,” Jia replied as she stirred something in a pot.

“I’m sure I will,” he murmured, racking his brain for another question to keep the conversation going. He didn’t have to search for long, though—Jia turned off the stove and sat beside him at the counter.

“These are your famous chocolate-orange cookies, aren’t they?” she asked, opening the box. “I think I’ll have to hide them from your father and the boys. The last time you brought these, I only got to eat one before they finished them all!” she joked, biting into one.

“I’ll make more as a wedding gift,” Beomgyu replied.

“You really are the best stepson, sweetie,” Jia said warmly.

Beomgyu forced a small laugh and dug his nails into his thigh.

“There’s a bottle of wine in the basket,” he added when Jia didn’t speak for a few seconds. “It’s Dad’s favorite, but I hope you like it too.”

“Oh, great! Your dad doesn’t drink anymore, but more for me then!” she said cheerfully.

Beomgyu pressed his nails harder into his skin.

Of course.

Obviously, he doesn’t drink anymore.

He had to be a good example now.

Before he could dwell on it, the front door opened, filling the space with the excited laughter of children.

“Hyung! Hyung! I missed you!”

“Me too! We’re playing Mario tonight, right?”

Minho and Seojun nearly tackled him in their enthusiasm, their small hands tugging at his sleeves, their bright smiles disarming in a way that made Beomgyu feel something sharp twist in his chest.

Sometimes, Beomgyu wished he had a reason to hate them. He wished Jia were selfish, that she treated him badly. He wished her children were spoiled brats who resented him.

Maybe then, he wouldn’t feel like such a horrible person for feeling this way every time he saw them all together.

He couldn’t explain it, but it always surfaced in moments like this—when they were all sitting at the dinner table, when Jia was setting the plates, when the boys were excitedly telling stories about school, when his father was laughing freely.

They had a rhythm he didn’t belong to.

Still, Beomgyu played along. He smiled when spoken to, asked Minho about his classes, encouraged Seojun to talk more, complimented Jia’s cooking. He knew how to do this. He had years of practice pretending things were fine.

Maybe any other week, it would have been easier to keep up the act. But truthfully, he had had a shitty week.

“You should bring Daehyun next time! Such a good kid. He’s going to the wedding with you, right?” Jia asked casually.

Beomgyu tried to smile, but he was sure it looked more like a grimace.

“Yeah, sure,” he said as simply as possible.

It would have been a relatively successful visit if it weren’t for his father.

“Everything okay?” his father asked.

Jia had gone to tuck the kids into bed, leaving them alone at the table. Beomgyu stared at his nearly empty glass of wine, the dark stain it left on the rim.

“Yep.” He tipped the glass back, finishing the rest.

His father was drinking soda.

“Are you sure? You seem a little off.”

Beomgyu looked at him. It was strange for his father to insist after he had already given an answer.

“Your mother told me she noticed something was wrong when she spoke to you on the phone.”

Of course. His mother had told him to ask. It wasn’t like his father had noticed on his own.

He hadn’t paid enough attention to Beomgyu to notice anything since he was sixteen.

“Is it about Daehyun?” his father asked.

Beomgyu dug his nails into his thigh. He was so fucking tired of hearing that name.

“Did you two have a fight?”, his father continued, oblivious to how Beomgyu’s expression darkened. “Don’t worry, you’ll fix things soon. You’ll see—”

“We broke up,” Beomgyu interrupted, pouring himself more of the damned wine he’d picked out for his father before knowing he had transformed into a brand-new man for his beautiful new family.

“Oh… I’m sorry. Wha—what happened?” his father asked nervously, like he didn’t really want to know.

Beomgyu took a slow sip, then smiled.

“He cheated on me,” he said, lightheartedly, like it was something funny. “Hilarious, right? He even got that bitch pregnant.”

“Language,” his father scolded.

Beomgyu felt his nail snap against his thigh.

“Oh, sorry”, Beomgyu laughed. “You used to call mom that all the time. So I though you wouldn’t mind me saying it.”

“That’s—” His father looked stunned, the words dying in his throat.

“I guess Jia would never get called that. Of course not. Your new family doesn’t deserve that, right?”

“Beomgyu, stop.”

“Stop what? Telling the truth?” He leaned back in his chair, tilting his head. “Scared they’ll hear about how you used to come home blackout drunk and scream at Mom? That you didn’t care I was listening?”

His father exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I know I made mistakes, and I apologized to your mom for everything I did, I—”

“What about me?” Beomgyu’s voice cut through the space between them. “You never apologized to me. You never cared how I felt. And now you’re playing father of the year to two kids while you never even tried to be mine.”

“I am trying!” His father’s voice rose in frustration. “I worked hard to give you the best. You had everything—good schools, extra classes, a future. You’re even going to a great university.”

Beomgyu knew that was true. He knew his father had always worked himself to the bone, taking every job he could, running on little to no sleep, never taking breaks.

He knew all of that, which was why he had never dared to confront him before.

But now…

“Look, son,” his father exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I get that it was hard. But you’re an adult now. You can’t keep throwing tantrums. You need to move on.”

Move on.

Was it that easy for him? To just move on from his mother and him? To forget about the tiny apartment they used to share? To erase the happy memories they built there?

Why was it so easy for him?

Why couldn’t it be easy for Beomgyu too?

His father was looking at him with frustration, as if dragging the past into the present was nothing more than a headache.

Maybe Beomgyu was just a nuisance to him. A chapter he wanted to forget now that he was starting a brand-new life with his perfect family.

Beomgyu clenched his fists. Maybe he should just help him get rid of himself.

“You’re right,” he said, voice eerily calm. “I am stuck in the past. And it’s your fault. Because you never quit drinking for me. Because you didn’t care that I heard everything you said to Mom. Because you were never there.”

“Son, I—”

“I’m not going to your fucking wedding. But you probably wouldn’t have even noticed if I wasn’t there, right?” Beomgyu finished, standing up. “I’m leaving.”

“Choi Beomgyu, wait—”

But Beomgyu didn’t listen. He left as fast as he could and got into the first taxi he found.

x-o-x

When he got home, he thought about his parents.

About the love letters his mom used to keep in a shoebox under their bed, the ones his dad wrote when they were young and stupid and thought love was forever. He remembered sneaking into their room as a kid, tracing over his father’s messy handwriting with small fingers, reading words like my love and always yours and I can’t wait to spend forever with you.

Where did all that love go?

Did it vanish into thin air? Did it rot?

Or did it just… run out?

Maybe that was all love was. Something with an expiration date, something doomed to dry up like spilled water under the sun.

His parents’ love ran out.

Daehyun’s love ran out.

Maybe his dad’s love for him is running out too. Maybe it’d been draining for years, slowly trickling away every time his dad chose work over coming home, every time he saw Beomgyu struggling and turned the other way. Maybe tonight was the last drop. Maybe that was it.

Maybe there was nothing left.

And if that was true…

Then Soobin—

Beomgyu squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his nails into his thighs.

Soobin’s love for him would’ve eventually dried out too, right?

It had to. That’s how it always worked. People loved you until they didn’t. They stayed until they didn’t.

So, he shouldn’t be surprised.

Love was temporary, after all.

So why was he still hoping for more?

x-o-x

Beomgyu barely slept. He’d spent half the night replaying the dinner with his dad, the forced smiles, the quiet resentment simmering beneath every word. And how guilty he felt for getting mad at his dad again. The other half, he spent thinking about Soobin. And Daehyun. And how he somehow always ended up feeling like shit no matter who he was with.

And now, the universe seemed determined to make his morning just as miserable.

“You. Stop right there.”

Yeonjun’s voice cut through the silence as Beomgyu rinsed out his coffee cup in the kitchen sink.

Beomgyu sighed, gripping the ceramic a little too tight before setting it down. He had spent the last two days avoiding Yeonjun and Taehyun—especially Yeonjun—because he knew. He knew they had noticed something was wrong after he last saw Soobin. He knew they were waiting for him to talk about it.

But Beomgyu didn’t want to talk. He didn’t want to hear their opinions, their judgments, their concern.

“Hey,” he muttered, grabbing a dish towel to dry his hands. “I have work all day, so I need to go.”

“Is something wrong?” Yeonjun’s gaze pinned him in place. “You’ve been acting like a ghost since you got back from seeing Soobin.”

Beomgyu felt his back tense. He hated how easily Yeonjun could read him.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re clearly not”, Yeonjun’s expression hardened. “Did that fucker do something? Just tell me, and I’ll go beat the shit out of him.”

Yeonjun's voice was sharp, his protective streak flaring up like it always did. Beomgyu knew Yeonjun cared. He knew Yeonjun was only trying to look out for him. But he was so fucking tired of everyone treating him like he was breakable.

Beomgyu’s jaw clenched. “It has nothing to do with him,” he muttered, shifting to step around Yeonjun, but Yeonjun moved with him.

“You’re lying.” Yeonjun’s eyes narrowed. “You’re always too good for these damn alphas, and they always end up hurting you.”

Beomgyu’s stomach twisted. His breath caught for half a second before something sharp and bitter rose in his throat.

Too good.

Why was it always that?

People said it like it was a compliment, but it never felt like one. It felt like a fucking insult. Like they were really saying, you’re too stupid to see things for what they are. Too naive. Too soft. Too weak.

Too good to fight back. Too good to make people pay for the way they treated him. Too good to be anything but a fool who kept getting hurt over and over and over again.

Was that how everyone saw him? Just some pathetic, breakable thing?

His grip on the dish towel tightened.

“Maybe I should be more like you, then.” His voice came out flat, cold. “Just fuck whoever I want and not give a damn about their feelings.”

Yeonjun stiffened. His jaw tightened for half a second before his eyes darkened.

“What’s your fucking problem?”

“Nothing.” Beomgyu tossed the towel onto the counter. “I told you to drop it.”

He shoved past Yeonjun, grabbing his bag from the chair and heading toward the door, but before he could reach it, Yeonjun grabbed the strap of his backpack and yanked him back.

“You think you can keep living like this? Ignoring your problems and pushing everyone away?”

Beomgyu yanked his bag free. Something flared up in his chest—hot, burning, suffocating. He clenched his fists.

“What about you?” His voice came out sharper than he intended. “You’re so fucking terrified of commitment that the second someone starts caring about you, you run. Is that any better?”

Yeonjun scoffed, his laugh dry and humorless. “Oh, now you’re trying to hurt me? Did you do that to Soobin, too? Want me to call him and ask what the fuck happened for you to be acting like this?”

Something in Beomgyu snapped.

“Stop trying to get into my life!” His voice rose before he could stop it. “I’m not some dumb kid who needs you to tell me how to handle everything!”

“Well, you’re acting like a fucking child right now!”

“I’m not!”

“You are.”

“No, I’m not!”

“Oh my god, you’re both acting like children!”

Taehyun’s voice cut through the argument like a blade. He stood in the hallway, hair messy from sleep, blinking at them like they were the most exhausting people alive.

“Why are you even fighting this early in the morning?” he muttered.

Beomgyu scoffed, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Just leave me alone.”

And then he was gone.

x-o-x

Yeah, he had a shitty morning. And the day didn’t get any better when he remembered he had to go to the party after work.

Well… maybe grilled meat and copious amounts of alcohol would help soothe his wrecked heart.

So he drank, more than he should had. He let Jihoon pour him shot after shot, let Minseo drag him into gossip, let Seungmin lean in with half-slurred jokes that made him laugh a little too loudly. His limbs felt lighter, the air warmer, the hollow pit in his stomach not as deep.

For a moment, he could pretend he was fine. For a moment, nothing mattered.

Beomgyu sometimes understood why his father drank so much.

Alcohol was comforting. It filled the hollow spaces inside him, dulled the sharp ache in his chest, warmed the cold that always lurked beneath his skin.

"Wanna go for a smoke?" Seungmin asked, flipping open a pack of cigarettes. By now, Jihoon was passed out on the table, and Minseo had more energy than everyone combined.

"Sure," Beomgyu said, pushing his chair back.

"Yeah, I’ll join you in a bit, just gotta hit the bathroom first," Minseo added, standing up and stretching.

Beomgyu followed Seungmin outside to the front of the restaurant, where the air was cool and thick with the scent of grilled meat and cigarette smoke from other late-night drinkers. He leaned against the wall as Seungmin lit up a cigarette, offering him the lighter.

It had been months since he last smoked. Yeonjun and him quit because they liked it too much.

The first inhale burned in a way that felt good, the nicotine sinking into his bloodstream, coating everything in that familiar, warm haze.

"So, is your boyfriend picking you up?" Seungmin asked, his voice casual as he exhaled a slow stream of smoke into the air.

Beomgyu flicked ash off the end of his cigarette, watching embers glow and disappear into the night.

"I don’t have a boyfriend," he said. "Not anymore."

Seungmin hummed, and from the corner of his eye, Beomgyu caught the twitch of his lips—like he was trying to suppress a smile.

“Sorry about that”.

"You don’t look very sorry about it," Beomgyu teased, arching a brow.

"Well… it’s not exactly a secret that I’m into you. Obviously, I’m not happy you’re upset, but…"

"But?" Beomgyu turned to him with a slow, amused smile, watching Seungmin stumble over his own words.

"But maybe now I have a chance?" Seungmin finished, meeting his gaze with something hopeful.

"Oh?" Beomgyu tilted his head. "You want a chance?"

Beomgyu took another slow drag of his cigarette, holding the smoke in his lungs before exhaling. His heart felt sluggish, his body heavy, like he was sinking into the feeling of being wanted.

Even if he didn’t feel anything in return.

"Yeah…"

"Show me how much, then."

He didn’t know why he said it. The words left his mouth before he could think them through, and he didn’t want to take them back.

Seungmin’s brow lifted in surprise, and then he laughed under his breath. "Didn’t take you for the bold type."

Beomgyu just shrugged, already reaching for another cigarette.

Seungmin stepped closer, plucking the cigarette from his fingers before he could light it.

"Let’s get out of here," he said, voice lower now, laced with something else. He stubbed out his own cigarette and reached for Beomgyu’s hand. "I know a place."

And Beomgyu let him.

Why?

Maybe because he was drunk. Maybe because the nicotine had scrambled his brain after months of abstinence. Maybe because he liked the feeling of being wanted or maybe—maybe—he was tired of being good.

Everyone always said he was good. Nice. Sweet. He wanted to feel something. Something different.

Time blurred after that.

He found himself in a bar bathed in neon lights, swallowed in red and blue and purple, the bass vibrating through his bones. More drinks found their way into his hands, and he drank them all.

They sat close. Too close. Seungmin’s laughter was warm against his ear, and Beomgyu laughed too, but he wasn’t sure at what.

Beomgyu felt warm all over. His head swam pleasantly, and when Seungmin slid a hand onto his thigh, he let him.

The alpha turned toward him, fingers tipping his chin up. The closeness was sudden but not unpleasant.

"You okay with this?"

Beomgyu’s lips parted. He could feel Seungmin’s breath against his skin.

He should have felt something.

Excitement. Desire. Nervousness.

Anything.

Instead, there was just… emptiness. That same gnawing void in his chest, untouched.

But maybe this was the answer. Maybe this was what everyone meant when they told him he was too good, too soft. He was tired of it—of people looking at him like he was sweet, like he was delicate, like he needed to be protected. Tired of being told he was always the one who got hurt, the one who didn’t know better, the one who couldn’t handle things.

He wanted to be reckless. He wanted to be selfish. He wanted to stop caring.

So he let Seungmin close the distance.

The kiss was messy—hungry, searching, shallow. Beomgyu tilted his head, let Seungmin press in deeper, let him take whatever he wanted.

And yet—

Nothing.

He felt nothing.

When they pulled apart, the words spilled out before he could stop them.

"I’m sorry."

Seungmin blinked, then exhaled a short laugh. "Don’t be. Let’s just chalk this up to a drunk mistake."

Beomgyu let out a breathless chuckle. "Yeah—"

"Beomgyu!"

For a second, he thought he was hallucinating. The sound of his name was so sharp, cutting through the haze in his mind.

Then, before he could even process it, he was being touched. Warm hands cupping his face, calloused thumbs pressing against his cheekbones. The scent hit him next—sandalwood, familiar and grounding, curling around him like a safety net.

"Fuck, you can’t just disappear like that without your phone!"

Soobin’s voice was strained, filled with something raw and frantic.

"Your friend was worried sick! I was worried sick! I even had to call Yeonjun because I couldn’t find you anywhere!"

Beomgyu blinked up at him slowly, like the words weren’t registering.

"You were looking for me?" he mumbled.

"Of course I was," Soobin said, and his voice—god, his voice—was so full of emotion that something in Beomgyu’s chest twisted painfully.

Soobin cared.

Soobin always made him feel good.

"Soobinnieee," Beomgyu slurred, letting himself fall against Soobin’s chest, letting himself be held. He could hear Soobin’s voice, could feel the way his arms tightened around him, could sense the tension rolling off of him as he spoke to Seungmin.

"…Calm down, we were just having a few drinks…"

"…You can’t just leave with an omega like that. Do you understand how worried everyone was? What if you—"

"…Okay, sorry, but I…"

"… He could’ve been hurt! He’s barely standing, what if…"

It didn’t matter.

Because Soobin was here.

Soobin was his.

"Alpha," he mumbled, eyes fluttering closed. "Wanna go home, uhm?"

Soobin’s whole body tensed for a second before his arms tightened around him. "Okay, baby, let’s go."

A jacket draped over his shoulders. A firm grip guided him forward. Beomgyu barely noticed the world moving around him.

"Bye, Beomgyu! Let’s do this another time!" Seungmin called.

"Byeeee," Beomgyu drawled, not even turning back.

And then he was in Soobin’s car, warm and safe, his bag placed carefully on his lap.

"Here. Your friend gave me your things."

"Thanks."

Beomgyu stared at it. "Thanks."

The car started moving. The streetlights blurred together.

And then they were outside his apartment.

"Let me help you up?"

"No."

"I’ll call Yeonjun or Taehyun then—"

"No! I don’t wanna see them… especially Junie, he’s mean… I don’t wanna be here…" Beomgyu clutched Soobin’s arm, voice suddenly desperate. "Take me to your place."

"I don’t think that’s a—"

"Please, please, I don’t wanna go in there."

Soobin hesitated, and Beomgyu could hear the conflict in his breathing.

"But we—"

"No!"

Another pause.

Then, finally—

A quiet sigh.

The car pulled away from the curb.

x-o-x

The apartment was quiet, save for the sound of the door clicking shut behind them. The dim glow from the city outside cast long, stretched shadows across the walls, making everything feel distant, unreal. Beomgyu swayed slightly where he stood, head swimming, limbs heavy. He felt like he was floating—adrift, untethered.

Soobin rubbed the back of his neck, his voice stumbling over itself.

“I… You can sleep in my room if you want. Or the guest one. Whatever you prefer. There’s—there’s still some of your clothes in my closet. They’re clean. You can shower if you want, even though it’s late, but I can dry your hair after if—”

Beomgyu wasn’t listening. The words barely registered, slipping through his fingers like sand. Instead, he stepped forward, slow, deliberate, until his arms came around Soobin’s waist, pressing his face against his chest.

Sandalwood. Warmth. Safety.

A lie.

Soobin stiffened for only a second before his hands found Beomgyu’s back, his hold hesitant, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to touch him.

Beomgyu didn’t give him time to think. He lifted his head, caught Soobin’s face between his hands, and kissed him.

It felt like before. Like something to drown in. Like something to take all the jagged edges inside of him and smooth them down. It was desperate, breathless, necessary.

And for a moment, Soobin kissed him back.

For a moment, Beomgyu let himself believe it could be enough. That this was all he needed. That this was all Soobin needed.

But when his hands wandered, sliding lower, fingers dipping beneath the hem of Soobin’s shirt, the alpha flinched.

“Wait—wait.” Soobin pulled back, catching Beomgyu’s wrists, breathing uneven. “You’re not thinking straight.”

Beomgyu’s stomach twisted. His heart pounded, hard and fast, the rejection cutting through him like a blade.

He felt stupid. So stupid.

“Wasn’t this what you wanted?” His voice came out unsteady, wavering between anger and something far more fragile. “All that time watching me, lying to me—wasn’t it for this?”

Soobin’s grip on his wrists loosened, his expression falling into something pained.

“You’re drunk, Beomgyu,” Soobin said quietly. “You don’t—”

“I don’t what?” His voice rose, sharp with hurt. “I don’t know what I want? But you do, right?” His breathing was shallow, erratic. “Seems like everyone knows better than me.”

His thoughts were a tangled mess, looping over themselves, contradicting, fracturing. He doesn’t want me. He never wanted me. It was all in my head. I’m so fucking stupid.

Silence stretched between them. Beomgyu’s nails dug into his thighs.

“You told me to stay away.” Soobin's voice was urgent. “So I did.”

A beat. His pulse thundered in his ears.

I'm always the one left behind.

“Was it that easy for you?” His voice broke. “To just move on?”

“No!” Soobin’s voice was desperate. “It's not about that! I just—I thought you needed time to—”

“I thought you liked me.” Beomgyu’s breath hitched. “I thought you were real. I thought—” His throat tightened, forcing the words out like glass through his teeth. I thought I was enough.

“I was,” Soobin said. “I am.”

Beomgyu shook his head. “What was I to you? A game? A distraction? Something to keep you entertained?” He exhaled sharply, his body trembling. “Wasn't fucking me once enough to satisfy your fixation?”

Soobin flinched like he’d been struck. “Beomgyu—”

Beomgyu shoved at his chest. The push wasn’t strong, but it made Soobin stumble back a step.

“Why did you let it go this far?” His voice was cracking at the seams, unraveling. “Why did you make me believe you were different?”

“I am different,” Soobin pleaded. “I swear to you—”

“Then why?” His voice was wrecked now, broken open. “Why did you hurt me just like every other alpha in my life?”

Soobin went still. His hands hovered between them like he didn’t know what to do with them, like he wanted to reach for Beomgyu but wasn’t sure if he was allowed.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

Beomgyu’s breath shuddered, his hands trembling at his sides.

And now that you don’t want me, you will leave me. The realization hit like ice in his veins, numbing him, hollowing him out. I’m never enough. For anyone.

He sank onto the couch, curling in on himself. “Did you get tired of me?”

Soobin dropped to his knees in front of him, hands gripping the edge of the couch like it could keep him from falling apart.

“No, it was never about that,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “Please, just—”

Beomgyu let out a short, breathless laugh. “You would’ve left me too, right?” He didn’t even look at him. “Just like Dae did.”

“No.” Soobin’s voice cracked. “I—please, please just listen to me.”

He was begging now. His whole body trembling. His eyes glistening under the dim light.

“I never wanted to hurt you,” he said, voice thick, raw. “I never wanted you to think I used you. I never—” His throat bobbed as he swallowed. “It’s not like that.”

Beomgyu finally looked at him, gaze unreadable. “Then what is it like, Soobin?”

Soobin stared at him, eyes wide, hands shaking where they hovered in the space between them. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

And then—

“I—” Soobin inhaled sharply, closing his eyes for half a second before looking at Beomgyu again, gaze unwavering. “I love you.”

The words hung between them, heavy, unshakable.

Beomgyu stared at him. His breath faltered.

“I love you,” Soobin said again, voice quieter this time. “You were never a game to me. You were never just a fixation.” He exhaled. “You’re special to me, Beomgyu. And I love you.”

Beomgyu’s shoulders stiffened.

Soobin reached for him, slow, hesitant.

Beomgyu flinched back.

“You’re lying.”

The words came out like shattered glass, sharp and broken.

“I’m not,” Soobin whispered, his hands still trembling. “I swear to you, I’m not.”

Beomgyu wiped at his face, but there were no tears.

His chest ached, but he felt empty.

“…Forget it.” His voice was barely there. “I—I need to sleep.”

He stood up, walking past Soobin without another word.

Soobin stayed on his knees, hands still reaching, watching him go.

I can’t believe him. Not anymore.

x-o-x

The next morning, Beomgyu left Soobin’s apartment as fast as his aching body would allow, barely managing to pull on his shoes before stumbling outside and hailing the first taxi he could find.

His head was splitting open. Every pulse of pain behind his eyes was like a cruel reminder of last night—of what he had done, what he had said, what he had felt.

He was never drinking again.

He slumped against the cool glass of the taxi window, exhaling shakily as he pulled out his phone. The brightness stung, making him wince, but the real blow came when he saw the endless stream of missed calls and messages from Soobin, Taehyun, and Yeonjun.

Shit.

The three of them had practically blown up his phone. Taehyun had sent the most, his messages getting shorter and more frantic as the night went on. Yeonjun’s were filled with curses and threats. Soobin’s were hesitant, filled with apologies Beomgyu couldn’t even begin to process right now.

He didn’t even have the energy to respond.

By the time he reached his apartment, exhaustion weighed him down like chains. His limbs ached, his chest felt hollow, and his thoughts were nothing but static. The only thing pushing him forward was the knowledge that he could finally crawl into his own bed and disappear under the covers for the rest of the day.

But the moment he stepped inside, that fragile hope was crushed.

Yeonjun was waiting for him. And he looked furious.

“What the fuck happened last night?!” Yeonjun’s voice crashed over him like thunder. He stormed forward, finger jabbing toward Beomgyu’s chest. “How the hell do you just disappear like that—without telling anyone—and with an ALPHA?!” His voice cracked on the last word, his anger barely concealing the tremor of fear underneath. “Do you even realize what could’ve happened to you? We spent the entire night looking for you! Do you even care? Since when are you this fucking irresponsible? Do you even—”

Beomgyu moved without thinking.

He collapsed against Yeonjun, burying his face into his shoulder.

Yeonjun didn’t hesitate, his arms came up and wrapped around Beomgyu, holding him tight.

And just like that, everything cracked open.

A sob ripped through Beomgyu’s chest, then another, until he was trembling, gripping Yeonjun like he was the only thing keeping him from falling apart completely.

“I’m sorry,” he choked out, voice raw and uneven. “I was so awful to you, and you were just trying to help me, and I—I’m the worst, I—”

“Hey, hey.” Yeonjun’s hand pressed against the back of his head, fingers curling into his hair. “It’s okay. I was an ass too—I pushed you too much.”

“No, I needed it,” Beomgyu admitted, voice barely above a whisper. “I—” A fresh sob wracked through him.

Yeonjun held him tighter.

He had been holding everything in. Swallowing down every painful thought, locking away every fear because he didn’t want to be a burden. Because he was terrified that one day—even the people who always stayed—would get tired of listening, would judge him for being so stupid, so sensitive, so him.

But Yeonjun had still been worried. Even after their fight. Even when Beomgyu had tried to shove him out of his life.

And Taehyun had been worried too.

They had all looked for him. They had all cared.

Even when he made mistakes. Even when he wasn’t perfect.

A small, shaking breath left him.

“What happened?” Yeonjun finally asked, softer this time.

Beomgyu sniffled. “I hate alphas,” he muttered. His voice wobbled as he added, “I should’ve just said yes when you asked me out in our first year.”

Yeonjun let out a breathless laugh, rubbing slow circles against his back. “I know, right? We could’ve been the ‘it’ couple on campus.”

“You two are way too dramatic to date each other,” Taehyun’s voice cut in.

Beomgyu lifted his head to see Taehyun standing beside them, arms crossed, expression unimpressed but eyes warm.

Beomgyu let out another choked sob. “Tae,” he whimpered. “I’m so sorry.”

Before Taehyun could react, Beomgyu lunged at him, clinging to him as if he were afraid he’d slip away too.

Taehyun sighed but didn’t hesitate to hug him back, firm and steady. “I know you are,” he murmured, resting his chin on top of Beomgyu’s shoulder. “Now go take a shower. You reek of cigarettes.”

“Oh my god,” Yeonjun gasped, drawing back in mock horror. “You smoked without me? We had a deal! That’s literally betrayal.”

Beomgyu let out a weak, watery laugh. “I wasn’t thinking straight,” he admitted, voice still thick with tears. He hesitated, then added, “I even kissed some random guy from work.”

“What?!” Yeonjun and Taehyun said in unison.

“Go shower,” Taehyun sighed, exasperated. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“Yeah, you’re telling us everything,” Yeonjun added, nudging Beomgyu toward the bathroom.

Beomgyu let himself be pushed along, exhaustion settling deep into his bones, but the crushing weight on his chest felt lighter now. He wasn’t alone. Even when he messed up, even when he wasn’t enough for anyone else—he was enough for them.

His friends had always been there.

Even when he had been too afraid to believe it.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

x-o-x

By the time Beomgyu stepped out of the shower, his skin was raw from scrubbing, and the thick steam curling around him felt suffocating. His limbs were still heavy, his eyes swollen, but at least the shaking had stopped. He caught his reflection in the fogged-up mirror—pale, exhausted, hollowed-out in a way that no amount of hot water could fix.

With a sigh, he pulled on a sweater that wasn’t even his—probably Yeonjun’s, judging by how oversized it was—and trudged into the living room.

Yeonjun and Taehyun were waiting for him. A steaming cup of tea sat on the coffee table, an unspoken demand from Taehyun. Drink it.

Beomgyu sighed and collapsed onto the couch, pulling his knees to his chest. He took the mug, letting the warmth sink into his fingers. For a long moment, none of them spoke.

“You look like shit,” Yeonjun said, no real bite behind it.

Beomgyu huffed out something like a laugh. “I feel like shit.”

Yeonjun leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Tell us what happened.” His voice was careful—firm, but not forceful.

Beomgyu stared into his tea, watching the surface ripple slightly in his hands. “A lot.”

“No kidding,” Taehyun muttered. “Start from the beginning.”

Beomgyu inhaled deeply, then exhaled. “Soobin… went on a date with Minji once.”

“What?!”

And then, he told them everything.

By the time he was done, the room felt heavier, weighed down by the silence that followed.

Yeonjun sat back, arms crossed tightly. His expression darkened. “So, he saw your short film, got obsessed, kept track of you without you knowing, and then played a part in making you miserable?”

Beomgyu flinched. “He didn’t mean to hurt me,” he said quickly. “It’s not like he was trying to manipulate me. He was just…” He trailed off, struggling to find the right words.

“I mean, it is weird,” Taehyun admitted, more thoughtful than outright angry. “Even if he regrets it now, he still lied to you and had to be backed into a corner to finally tell you.”

Beomgyu swallowed. He knew how it looked, knew what they were thinking. But when he thought about Soobin—the way he had looked at him, the way he had confessed everything—it didn’t feel like manipulation. It felt… real.

Soobin wasn’t like that.

…Right?

His grip tightened around the mug. “Am I overreacting?” he asked suddenly.

Yeonjun raised an eyebrow. “You mean, about Soobin?”

Beomgyu nodded. His throat felt tight. “I just… I don’t know. I should be angry, right? Or at least… creeped out. But I’m not. I was, for a second, but then he—” Beomgyu exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “He looked guilty. And sad. And scared. And when he told me he loved me, it didn’t feel… fake.”

Taehyun hummed, tilting his head slightly. “That doesn’t mean you have to forgive him.”

“I know,” Beomgyu murmured. But that wasn’t what he had asked.

Yeonjun sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, you’re not crazy. You’re not overreacting. But you are trying really hard to justify something that hurt you.”

Beomgyu bit his lip.

“I think,” Taehyun added carefully, “that you want to believe him. And maybe you should. Maybe he really does love you, and maybe he’s not a bad person.” He paused. “But just because someone loves you doesn’t mean they didn’t fuck up. And it doesn’t mean you have to accept it.”

Beomgyu pressed his fingers against his temple. He had let it sink in—last night, over and over again, until it hollowed him out.

Taehyun’s voice cut through his thoughts. “And Daehyun.” His tone was cold, clipped. “That asshole gaslit you for months. Made you feel like you were the one being unreasonable when he was already cheating on you. I want you to really let that sink in.” His jaw tightened. “You kept thinking you weren’t enough for him. But he was never enough for you.”

Beomgyu blinked at him, a lump forming in his throat.

Taehyun sighed through his nose, his expression softening. “I’m proud of you for breaking up with him.”

“Thank God you did,” Yeonjun groaned, running a hand through his hair as he sank back against the couch. “I thought this day would never come. I should’ve placed a bet on it.”

Beomgyu exhaled, something fragile uncoiling in his chest. He tightened his grip around the warm mug, then let out a breathy, almost disbelieving laugh. “Fuck Daehyun.”

“Yeah! Fuck him!” Yeonjun echoed, his grin sharp.

A tired laugh escaped him. It felt good—to say it out loud, to have them react like this, to feel a weight lift instead of settle.

At least a little bit of it.

“So what do you want to do about all of this?” Yeonjun asked, his voice gentler now.

Beomgyu thought about it. Really thought about it.

For so long, he had been holding onto Daehyun like a lifeline, afraid of what would happen if he let go. And Soobin—Soobin had been lingering in the background, always there, always watching, drawn to him for reasons Beomgyu was only just beginning to understand.

The anger, the heartbreak, the betrayal—it was all tangled together, impossible to pull apart.

But despite everything, one thing was clear.

“I need to talk to them.”

Yeonjun exhaled sharply but nodded. “Fine. But if either of them upsets you again, I’m punching them in the face.”

Taehyun hummed in agreement. “Same.”

Beomgyu let out a small, exhausted laugh. He leaned back against the couch, staring up at the ceiling. He still felt like a mess, but at least he wasn’t alone in it.

“Well,” Taehyun drawled, breaking the silence, “you definitely had the worst week.”

“I know.”

Yeonjun smirked. “But congratulations on finally kissing someone who isn’t your boyfriend?”

“That’s not something to congratulate him on,” Taehyun deadpanned.

Beomgyu groaned and buried his face in a pillow. “I’m never drinking again! I just embarrassed myself, and now I have to see Seungmin on Monday!”

“Aww, poor baby,” Yeonjun cooed. “Look at it this way—at least you didn’t fuck.”

“Shut up.”

Beomgyu threw the pillow at Yeonjun, who caught it effortlessly, grinning.

“Pathetic throw,” Yeonjun teased.

Beomgyu groaned. “Shut up.”

Yeonjun only smirked, but then he reached out, ruffling Beomgyu’s damp hair. “You’re gonna be okay, you know?”

Taehyun, still curled up on the other side of the couch, nudged Beomgyu’s leg with his foot. “Yeah. You’ve already done the hardest part.”

Beomgyu hesitated, glancing between them. “I don’t feel okay.”

“We know,” Taehyun said simply. “But you will be.”

Yeonjun hummed in agreement, then suddenly flopped against Beomgyu, draping himself over him like a heavy blanket. “You’re too cute to be sad,” he announced.

Beomgyu made a noise of protest, half-heartedly shoving at him. “Get off—”

“No.” Yeonjun hooked an arm around his waist, effectively trapping him. “Consider this a comfort cuddle.”

Beomgyu groaned, but despite himself, he melted into the warmth.

Taehyun rolled his eyes but didn’t protest when Beomgyu reached for him too, pulling him into the mess of tangled limbs.

For a while, none of them spoke. They just were, pressed close, breathing in sync.

The ache in Beomgyu’s chest didn’t disappear. But the weight of it felt a little lighter.

Maybe he wasn’t over it—not Daehyun, not Soobin, not the tangled mess of emotions weighing him down. He wasn’t sure what he felt anymore. Anger, hurt, confusion… they all bled together, impossible to separate.

But this—the warmth of his friends beside him, the quiet understanding in their presence—this was real. A love that didn’t leave him second-guessing, that didn’t ask him to be anything other than himself.

Maybe love was temporary. Maybe it wasn’t meant to last.

But this would always be his.

And that was enough.

x-o-x

The apartment was silent. Too silent.

Soobin stood in front of his bed, staring at the spot where Beomgyu had been just hours ago. His hands curled into fists against his knees, nails biting into his palms.

Beomgyu had left without saying a word.

He hadn't even slammed the door, hadn't screamed at him again. He was just... gone.

Soobin should have expected it. He had seen the look in Beomgyu’s eyes—the way something in them cracked, the way his body had gone rigid, as if the air had turned too thick to breathe. Soobin had done that to him. He had been the one to take whatever fragile trust existed between them and crush it beneath his own selfishness.

And yet, some desperate, delusional part of him had still hoped Beomgyu would stay.

Now, alone in the heavy quiet of his apartment, that hope felt like a joke.

He raked a hand through his hair, fingers trembling. The weight in his chest pressed down harder. Beomgyu had every reason to leave. Every reason to hate him.

But Soobin wasn’t ready to give up.

He didn’t know how to make this right—didn’t even know if he could—but the thought of letting Beomgyu slip away, of leaving things like this, was unbearable.

He reached for his phone before he could stop himself, opening their chat. The last texts he sent before everything fell apart were still unread.

Me

Gyuu

Where are u?

His thumbs hovered over the keyboard.

Are you okay?

No. Too empty. Too late.

Please, let’s talk

He exhaled sharply, deleting it. That wasn’t enough either.

What could he even say? I’m sorry felt too small. I didn’t mean to hurt you felt like an excuse. He already said all of that.

He locked his phone with a sigh, gripping it tightly.

Somewhere out there, Beomgyu was probably with his friends. Maybe he was crying. Maybe he was angry. Maybe he was already deciding to cut Soobin out of his life completely.

The thought made Soobin’s stomach twist.

He couldn’t let that happen. He’d spent so long watching Beomgyu from a distance, convincing himself it was enough. And now that he had him—had really had him, even for a brief, dizzying moment—he couldn’t just let it go.

He had to do something.

He didn’t know what yet, but he would figure it out. He had to.

Soobin leaned forward, pressing his elbows to his knees, his head in his hands.

For now, all he could do was sit in the quiet, in the mess he had made, and hope it wasn’t too late.

Chapter Text

Crying at work was a humiliating milestone Beomgyu never thought he’d hit.

But there he was—curled on a closed toilet seat, fists pressed to his eyes to muffle the sound, tears slipping out anyway. He bit his lip so hard it stung.

There wasn’t even a real reason, not something that justified this breakdown. Jihoon had just been chatting in the hallway about some football game—loud, animated, laughing about goals and fouls—and something about it cracked Beomgyu open. It was stupid. Ridiculous.

Because all he could think about was Daehyun talking the same way. That warm, low voice rattling off player stats, debating formations, complaining about calls the ref made. Beomgyu never gave a damn about football—not one single damn—but he’d stand there and listen anyway. Pretend to follow along. Let Daehyun’s voice fill the room until the game ended and they could move on to something else. It was just part of him. Part of them.

And in that twisted, unfair way life worked—he missed it.

He missed him.

He missed Daehyun scoffing at movie trailers, pretending not to tear up at Pixar films. He missed late-night Chinese food runs and lying on the floor together, talking about nothing until the sun came up. All those stupid little rituals that stitched their lives together until they felt like one.

It hurt more than he wanted to admit—not just losing Daehyun, but losing the future he thought they were building. He’d pictured it so clearly: graduating college, moving in together, getting his mark, getting married, maybe even having a kid someday. That silly, soft vision of a life had gotten him through so many bad days.

And Daehyun, too. He had been there. Through everything.

The night his parents sat him down and said the word divorce, Daehyun was the one who showed up. When Beomgyu stopped calling his dad, Daehyun didn’t push, didn’t judge—just filled the silence so his thoughts wouldn’t tear him apart. Back then, it made him feel less abandoned. Less like the floor had been pulled out from under him.

Now, his dad was getting remarried. Today. Probably standing under some arch of flowers right this second, saying vows to someone else. And this time, there was no Daehyun beside him to make it bearable. No one to distract him from the knot in his throat. No one to squeeze his hand and joke about the shitty wine at the reception. He’d chosen not to go, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

And for the first time in a long while, he felt completely—completely—alone.

Even if he knew he wasn’t, he had his mom, he had great friends, he had…

Which was when his mind betrayed him again, slipping to Soobin. Steady, infuriating, unexpectedly kind Soobin. The one who could make him laugh until his ribs hurt, who made things feel almost safe again—and who scared him for that exact reason.

He didn’t know if he was mourning the past, terrified of the future, or both.

But then why did it still hurt? Why did it still gut him like this?

Whywhywhywh—

His phone buzzed in his pocket.

Production Assistant Kim
Bring me more copies of the script for today. Now.

Beomgyu groaned. Of course. No time for grief in show business.

He splashed water on his face at the sink, hoping his red eyes could pass for sleep deprivation. He looked wrecked. But exhaustion was easier to explain than heartbreak.

So, grabbing a stack of freshly printed scripts, he rushed down the hallway toward the set.

Unlike the relative calm of the office wing, the studio was alive with noise and movement—crew members weaving between wires, cameras being adjusted, someone shouting directions from behind a monitor. Usually, Beomgyu found the chaos energizing, a nice break from his usual paperwork grind. But today it made him feel even more unmoored.

He handed off the scripts and tried to slip away toward the exit, eager to disappear back to his desk and ride out the rest of the day in silence. But of course, life had other plans.

“Hey, wait!” Seungmin called from behind him.

Beomgyu froze, closing his eyes for a beat before turning.

“Hi,” he said flatly as Seungmin jogged over.

“I just wanted to—”

“Choi! Take these props to the deposit room!”

Beomgyu sighed as someone shoved a loaded cart in his direction. He grabbed the handles, ready to push it across the studio, but Seungmin wasn’t done.

He walked beside him, still talking, voice getting drowned out by the buzz of studio chatter and the thudding in Beomgyu’s skull. Beomgyu couldn’t hear him—didn’t want to hear him. His head felt thick, too full.

Maybe that’s why he didn’t notice the people rushing in with another cart full of more props. Didn’t hear the shout until it was too late.

“Watch out!”

Something heavy crashed and he was pushed to the side. He only had a second to flinch before the world tilted sideways and the floor rushed up to meet him.

Everything blurred.

There was a ringing in his ears. Shouts. Someone yelling his name.

He blinked up at the ceiling, heart racing. Pain bloomed in his head, hot and sharp.

Lying there, surrounded by the whirlwind of set crew and Seungmin’s panicked voice, Beomgyu had a single, fleeting thought.

Maybe this is a good excuse to finally quit.

x-o-x

Soobin knew he had no right to be there. None.

But it had been a week. A full week since he last saw Beomgyu. A week since he’d said I love you. A week since Beomgyu didn’t believe him.

Maybe this was karma for every time he’d sidestepped someone else’s confession. For every relationship he’d let slip away because he was too afraid to be honest. Too afraid to feel something real.

Still, none of that justified standing here—leaning against his car outside Beomgyu’s job like some pathetic creep. He hadn’t even realized where he was driving until he parked. Now he stood frozen under the clouded Friday sky, staring at the entrance, debating whether to leave before someone saw him.

Beomgyu hadn’t replied to a single text. Probably had him blocked. Soobin had suspected it—his texts didn’t even show up as delivered anymore. Which, yeah, hurt.

But seeing the way Beomgyu had looked that night—so tired, so small—it haunted him. He needed to know if he was okay. Just okay. That was all.

He exhaled sharply, trying to collect himself. Maybe I should just leave. Maybe he really doesn’t want me-

Then a voice cut through the haze.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

It wasn’t Beomgyu.

Soobin turned—and there was Daehyun, arms crossed, face curled into an expression of disgust. Perfect.

“What do you think?” Soobin replied flatly, forcing his voice into something steady, something unbothered, even if he wanted to beat the shit out of Daehyun every time he saw him.

“If you’re waiting for Beomgyu,” the other alpha said, stalking closer, “leave. He’s not going to forget what you did that easily, fucking weirdo.” He snapped, pointing a finger at him like he was something vile.

And he was, but he didn’t need fucking Daehyun to remind him of it.

Soobin’s mouth twitched, half a laugh, half something uglier. “That’s rich coming from you. Didn’t you get someone else pregnant?”

Daehyun’s expression darkened. “That’s none of your business. We’ll deal with it. You, on the other hand, need to back off.”

His mind immediately jumped to conclusions—Were they still together? Had Beomgyu forgiven him?

“You’re delusional”, Soobin laughed once—sharp, joyless. “I can’t believe you’re still pretending there’s anything left to save.”

“You don—”

“Do you even know what time he finishes work today?” Soobin cut in.

Daehyun looked caught off guard. “Well-”

“It’s three p.m. He’s not out until six”. Soobin let that hang in the air. “Kind of embarrassing that I know that and you don’t.”

“And that makes you better than me?”, Daehyun spat. “Because you know his fucking schedule?”

Soobin didn’t flinch. “Not better. Just… different. I care.”

“You think stalking is caring?”

“I made mistakes, yeah. But I own them. I never pretended I didn’t hurt him. Unlike you.”

Daehyun’s laugh was bitter. “You’ve known him for, what, three months? You barely know his last name. His allergies. His parents’ names. Anything that matters. You don’t even know him.”

Soobin’s fists curled slightly at his sides. He didn’t know all those things. That was true. It burned more than he wanted to admit.

But he knew the way Beomgyu looked when he was trying not to cry. He knew the exact moment his voice would crack, how he laughed a little when he was nervous, how he clung to people he cared about even when it hurt him. He knew Beomgyu’s heart.

Or maybe not…but he wanted to, so badly it ached.

Soobin shot back. “Maybe I didn’t know everything yet—but I wanted to. You had years with him and all you did was break him down. You call that love?”

That did it. Daehyun’s smirk dropped entirely, replaced by something sharper—hot, ugly anger. He stepped forward fast enough that Soobin instinctively straightened, their chests almost touching.

“You were a distraction. Something to fill the gap while he figured his shit out.”

Soobin’s stomach twisted, but he masked it with a humorless laugh. “You keep telling yourself that. Makes it easier to ignore the fact he doesn’t want to see you either.”

Daehyun’s hand twitched at his side—just short of grabbing Soobin’s shirt. His shoulders were tense, jaw clenched like he was seconds away from swinging.

Soobin wanted to punch him too.

Still, he forced himself to breathe. Beomgyu wouldn’t want to see this—them, fighting like kids in front of his workplace. He didn’t deserve that.

“Whatever,” Soobin muttered, retreating. “Let’s both go. It’s clear he doesn’t want either of us here.”

“You go. I’m staying,” Daehyun said stubbornly.

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

“You’re really—”

The scream of sirens sliced through the air. Both of them turned, stunned, as an ambulance pulled up near the entrance of the TV Station. Paramedics rushed out.

Soobin’s stomach dropped.

He didn’t know how, didn’t know why—but he knew. That horrible, crawling certainty sank into his stomach before his brain even caught up.

He shoved past startled PAs and studio assistants crowding around the ambulance.

Then he saw it.

The stretcher. The pale skin. The mop of brown hair plastered to his forehead.

Beomgyu.

“Shit—” The word tore out of Soobin’s throat as his pulse spiked into overdrive.

He didn’t think—he just turned and ran, his body moving before his brain could. He nearly fumbled his keys, hands shaking so badly he had to jab them at the car door twice before the lock gave.

Then—

“Drive.”

Soobin’s head snapped up just as the passenger door wrenched open.

Daehyun. Breathless. Pale. Climbing in like he owned the damn seat.

“You’re kidding me—” Soobin started, but Daehyun was already slamming the door.

“Just fucking go!”

The tires shrieked as Soobin stomped on the gas, shooting them out of the lot like it was a getaway scene.

“Buckle up,” Soobin barked, swerving around a delivery van.

Daehyun yanked at the seatbelt, cursing when it caught. A cyclist shot them a middle finger as they blew past a red light. Soobin didn’t even blink.

“This is bad—fuck, this is bad,” Daehyun said, voice cracking like something inside him had already split. “What if it’s serious? What if he—what if I never—”

“Don’t,” Soobin snapped, eyes locked on the road. “He’s breathing. I didn’t see blood. Could be a concussion. Could be shock. He’s gonna be fine.”

“You think logic helps right now?!” Daehyun shot back, practically vibrating with panic.

“No,” Soobin muttered, jaw like stone. “But it’s the only thing I’ve got.”

A beat of ragged silence, then—

“Call his mom,” Soobin said.

Daehyun dug for his phone with trembling hands, stabbing at the screen.

“She’s not answering—fuck—she’s not picking up!”

“Try again!” Soobin’s knuckles were white on the wheel.

“I am trying!” Daehyun barked, hitting redial like the phone might obey if he yelled loud enough.

By the time they reached the hospital, the stretcher was already gone behind a wall of swinging doors. He didn’t know what was worse—the panic in his chest or the silence in his head, like his thoughts couldn’t form fast enough to catch up with reality.

“Excuse me,” he said, breathless, storming toward the front desk. “Choi Beomgyu. He was just brought in.”

A nurse glanced up from behind the counter. “Are you family?”

“I’m his boyfriend,” Daehyun said at the same time Soobin blurted, “He’s my omega—”

They turned to each other. Glared.

“You’re barely a friend!”, Daehyun corrected quickly, loud and defensive.

“Are you even together anymore?”

“Boys,” the nurse cut in, raising a brow. “You’re being loud.”

They both fell silent, embarrassed and sheepish.

“Look,” she sighed, “if you’re not listed as emergency contacts, so you’ll have to wait until someone from his family gets here.”

So, they waited.

Soobin picked a chair as far from Daehyun as possible, perching stiffly with his hands pressed into his knees like that might keep them from balling into fists. Across the room, Daehyun sat with his arms crossed and his leg bouncing a mile a minute, glaring like Soobin had just stolen something from him.

It took approximately twenty seconds for the whisper-arguing to start.

“Why the hell were you even there?” Daehyun muttered. “Following him around like some creep.”

“I wasn’t following him around,” Soobin snapped.

“This is your fault”.

“What?”

“You made him miserable. And now you show up here acting like you get to be the hero—”

“If someone made him miserable, it was you. You threw him away the second things got hard”, Soobin whispered.

“I didn’t throw him away! I just—"

The nurse behind the desk let out a pointed cough. “Gentlemen. There are sick people here. Alpha problems are not a medical emergency.”

Soobin sank back into the chair, heat rising to his face. The shame wasn’t enough to bury the fear, though. It thudded behind his ribs, relentless.

He was about to get up and pace for the third time when the automatic doors slid open again.

A woman stepped in briskly, dressed in jeans and a pressed blouse, her phone clutched in one hand. She looked around with sharp eyes, then made a beeline to the front desk.

“Hi, I’m Choi Beomgyu’s mom. Where is he? Can I go see him?”, she asked the nurse.

Soobin froze. That was his mom?

The nurse nodded, tapping quickly at the computer. “He’s unconscious, the doctor says he should wake up soon. But you can go in now”.

“Thank you,” the woman breathed, shoulders relaxing.

“Also…” the nurse lowered her voice and tilted her head toward the waiting area. “You might want to talk to those two.”

Beomgyu’s mom turned—and saw them. Soobin sat up straighter instinctively. Daehyun did the same, though with more guilt than grace.

“They have been arguing about who is your son’s boyfriend for 10 minutes. Please, it’s disturbing the calm here”.

Beomgyu’s mom sighed.

“You two.” Her voice was sharp, commanding. “Come here and apologize.”

They both scrambled to their feet and ran to the front desk.

“We’re sorry!” they said in unison, bowing so fast their foreheads nearly collided.

“Yeah, sure”, the nurse said and went back to her computer.

“Ah, my Gyu has always been too popular,” Beomgyu’s mom added, stepping closer to them. Her gaze settled on Soobin, squinting slightly.  “You must be Soobin?”

Soobin blinked. “Uh. Yes, ma’am—”

“He’s mentioned you,” she said with a small smile. “You’re the one he punched on the face, right?”

Soobin could barely breathe. “Yeah… that’s me.”

She nodded like that was an endearing fun fact. “He talks about you a lot. Glad you’re friends now.”

Soobin didn’t know what to say to that. His throat was suddenly dry. She didn’t know. Of course she didn’t. About what had happened. About what they were. Whatever they were.

“…Friends,” Daehyun muttered, smirking like he’d won something.

But then she turned to Daehyun and the temperature dropped three degrees.

“Daehyun.”

He straightened. “Hi, Ms. Park.”

“I won’t ask how are you here, but you look really worried,” she said, voice softening. “Gyu will be okay. The people from the tv station called me, they said he tripped and unfortunately hit his head.”

Soobin exhaled, long and shaky.

Daehyun visibly sagged in relief, running a hand over his face. “Can I see him?”

But Beomgyu’s mom just shook her head.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know you two aren’t on the best of terms. I don’t think he’ll want to see you right now.”

Daehyun flinched like she’d slapped him.

“But—”

“You should go,” she added gently.

She turned to Soobin, her voice warmer. “If you’d like to see him, I can ask the nurse. He might like that.”

Soobin opened his mouth, then closed it again. He thought of Beomgyu’s expression the last time he saw him—distant, guarded, tired. Would he really want to wake up and see Soobin of all people? After everything?

“No,” he said eventually. “He wouldn’t want that either.”

She nodded. “Alright. I’ll tell him you two were here, then.”

And then she was gone, disappearing through the doors with a nurse.

Leaving them alone in the waiting room.

They both sank back into their chairs.

Relief bloomed in his chest—hot, dizzying. Beomgyu was okay.

But beneath that, a hollowness lingered. He’d never felt so far away from someone he cared about.

Daehyun didn’t speak. Neither did he.

They just sat there.

Quiet. Still. Waiting.

Daehyun didn’t speak. Neither did Soobin.

The hum of the fluorescent lights above seemed louder in the stillness, buzzing against the low thump of Soobin’s pulse.

Next to him, Daehyun shifted in the plastic chair. Cleared his throat. “You should talk to Minji,” he said suddenly.

Soobin blinked. “What?”

“She’s… not doing great. I mean, physically she’s fine, but—” Daehyun hesitated, as if weighing whether to keep going. “She needs a friend I guess”.

Soobin stared straight ahead, his jaw tight.

He hadn’t thought about Minji. Not once. Not since her breakdown a few weeks ago. And realizing it—realizing that she hadn’t even crossed his mind—sat heavy in his stomach.

“Don’t give her advice again, thought”, Daehyun said.

Soobin opened his mouth to say something cutting — but stopped. The first thing that came to mind wasn’t her smirk when she’d been cruel to Beomgyu. It wasn’t the way she’d flaunted the pregnancy like a weapon.

It was her in the hallway, eyes wild and glassy, ranting about how Daehyun still hadn’t left Beomgyu. How she felt like a dirty secret. Like she was nothing more than an inconvenience he was too cowardly to claim.

He swallowed, the words slipping out before he could stop them. “I didn’t mean for her to get the wrong idea. About… getting pregnant. I never—” He exhaled sharply. “I just thought I was being clever, but it was—”

“Manipulative?” Daehyun supplied, his voice cutting through like a blade.

Soobin flinched. “You don’t get it” He broke off, scrubbing a hand over his face.

“What?”

“She was losing it over you not ending things with Beomgyu. Keeping her a secret. I’ve never seen someone seethe like that. And every time she started talking shit about him—” His voice sharpened. “—it pissed me off. She doesn’t get to talk about him like that.”

Daehyun’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t jump to defend himself.

“She hated that he existed in your life,” Soobin went on. “And you? You just kept both of them dangling like they were… what? Placeholders? It was brutal to watch.”

For the first time, Daehyun looked rattled. His gaze dropped to his hands, fingers knotting together. “I’m not really on speaking terms with her anymore,” he admitted, voice low. “We… don’t talk. I just call to make sure she and the baby are fine.”

“She’s pregnant, Daehyun. You should… treat her better. Or at least stop letting her take all the hits for you.”

Daehyun let out a bitter exhale, almost a laugh. “I hate that you have to be the one to tell me this.”

Soobin smirked faintly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, well… we’re both shitty people.”

For a moment, the corner of Daehyun’s mouth twitched like he might agree — but instead, he just stared at the floor, as if something heavy was settling in his chest.

Then—

“He broke up with me,” he said suddenly, voice tired, almost dazed. “That day Minji passed out… he ended it all.”

Soobin didn’t look at him. Just stared straight ahead at the rows of waiting room chairs, at the linoleum floor, at nothing. The words didn’t come as a shock. Not anymore. They felt like the final piece in a puzzle he’d already half-finished in his head.

“Oh,” he said quietly.

“I didn’t want to give you the satisfaction,” Daehyun muttered. “But I guess it’s inevitable. I lost.”

Soobin’s lips pressed into a line. His jaw ached from holding in all the things he could’ve said—wanted to say.

“It wasn’t a competition,” he said, the bitterness slipping through despite his effort. “He’s not something you win.”

“I know,” Daehyun muttered. “It’s just… we were never the break-up type, you know? No matter how bad it got, we always found our way back. I really thought we would this time too.”

Soobin swallowed hard. Because he didn’t want to imagine what their relationship was like, about how deep their bond went.

“You were right,” Daehyun said. “I was being delusional. Once Beomgyu makes up his mind, it’s over. You’re not changing it.”

There was something almost affectionate in the way he said it. Like he admired it. Like he missed it already.

“Why are you telling me this?” Soobin asked, even though he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer.

“I don’t know,” Daehyun sighed. “I still kinda hate you. But… you’re the only person who really knows what it’s like to lose him.”

Had he already lost him?

Had Beomgyu closed that door completely?

“I guess I can understand,” Soobin murmured. “Still… you’re lucky.”

Daehyun turned toward him. “Why?”

“You got to be with him. For a long time.”

Daehyun was quiet for a beat. Then, softly, “And now he probably hates me.”

“He doesn’t,” Soobin said quickly, instinctively. “He probably doesn’t even hate Minji.”

Daehyun let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “That’s what makes it worse. He’s always been too good for me. For—most people, honestly.”

Soobin smiled faintly. His chest ached. “So much empathy packed into that tiny body. I bet he’s already planning to bake cookies for the crew as an apology.”

“He’s gonna be mortified,” Daehyun snorted. “Probably write an apology email with bullet points and an appendix.”

“He’ll contemplate quitting,” Soobin said with a soft huff of laughter. “Seriously consider it. Like—disappear completely and start a new life as a baker.”

“With a dramatic farewell email full of weird metaphors and passive-aggressive footnotes.”

They both laughed. And it was real, if a little strained. Shared affection, shared grief.

“That sounds like him,” Soobin said, fondness bleeding through his voice.

Daehyun’s smile lingered—but then he tilted his head. “You know… he’s really scary when he’s mad.”

Soobin stilled. Oh, he’d seen it too.

That time in his car, when Beomgyu had laughed—not cruelly, not even loudly—but with something bitter and broken behind his smile. It was worse than yelling. That quiet, exhausted laugh.

Soobin had known at that moment: Beomgyu was done with pretending. And maybe, with him.

“Yeah,” Soobin muttered. “I know.”

Daehyun grinned, eyes gleaming a little. “Last semester, he got paired with this guy. Lazy as hell. Never showed up to group meetings. Had excuses every time. Said the universe was against him or something.”

Soobin leaned in a little despite himself. “Beomgyu must’ve loved that.”

“At first, he tried being patient. Offered help. Gave second chances. But one day, he just snapped—like, in public. Cornered the guy in the cafeteria and gave him this polite, smiling monologue about how he was a dead weight, a weak-willed disappointment, and an embarrassment to group work as a concept.”

Soobin’s lips curled.

“That’s worse,” he said.

“He told him, and I quoted, ‘You’re not fooling anyone. Your excuses don’t hide the fact that you’re terrified of being average. But here’s the thing: you are. And that’s not anyone’s fault but yours’. All while smiling.”

“Shit”.

“Dude started crying halfway through,” Daehyun laughed. “Beomgyu handed him tissues and told him he had until noon to finish the slides or he’d be kicked out of the group.”

Soobin let out a short, surprised laugh. “He really is terrifying.”

“People think he’s all soft edges and giggles,” Daehyun said, “but nah. He’s got fire in him.”

“Must be nice when you’re not the one on the receiving end,” Soobin muttered.

Daehyun smirked. “Yeah…”

They both went quiet again after that. But this time, it wasn’t heavy. Just still.

“Soobin, I know I said I lost but I don’t I can give up just like that”, Daehyun said.

“You should, but I can’t do anything to stop you”, Soobin answered.

And he really couldn’t, even if he wanted to. He had to let them figure things out on their own.

Beomgyu was strong. Smart. Empathetic. Terrifying when crossed.

He’d be okay. He’d figured things out.

But Soobin couldn’t help the ache in his chest. Because he wasn’t sure if he was going to be part of that “okay” anymore.

And that hurt more than anything.

x-o-x

Beomgyu blinked up at the blurry ceiling, the faint beeping of a monitor mixing with the sterile, too-clean scent of the hospital. His head felt heavy, as if someone had stuffed it with cotton. Soft light filtered in through half-drawn curtains, and for a moment, he didn’t know if it was morning or afternoon.

“Beomgyu?”

That voice—he knew it instantly. Warm, steady, familiar in the way a favorite childhood lullaby was. His head turned toward it, and there she was—his mom—sitting beside his bed. Her arms were crossed like she was trying to look stern, but her eyes betrayed her, full of relief and worry.

“You’re finally awake,” she muttered, leaning forward to brush his bangs off his forehead with gentle fingers. “You scared the hell out of everyone.”

The tight knot in his chest loosened. For days, he’d been walking around with the weight of Soobin’s lingering touches, Daehyun’s clipped words, Minji’s shadow… all of it pressing down on him. And now, suddenly, all he could feel was her hand smoothing his hair. Her presence was like warm light spilling into a dark room.

He tried to sit up a little, but his body protested, and he groaned. His voice came out hoarse. “What… happened?”

“Someone bumped into you, you tripped, hit your head.” Her tone was matter-of-fact until she added, “The hit wasn’t that strong, but you passed out because you’re dehydrated and malnourished.” She didn’t even try to hide the judgment.

He winced, cheeks heating. “I don’t think the doctor said I’m malnourished…”

“You really are your father’s son,” she muttered under her breath. Normally, that comparison would sting. But right now, it just made his throat tighten for an entirely different reason—because she was here, teasing him like she always did when he’d been caught skipping meals or forgetting to sleep.

She smiled then, warm and real. And God, he hadn’t realized until now how much he’d been holding his breath these past weeks.

“You’re so red already,” she teased, laughing softly.

“Mom,” he groaned, leaning into her like he was ten again and had just scraped his knee. She smelled like fabric softener and faint coffee—home in the purest sense of the word. The kind of scent that made all the noise in his head dim for a while. “I can’t go back there. I don’t think this work thing is for me.”

She chuckled, patting his arm. “Sorry, honey, that’s just how real life works.”

“Can you go there and quit for me?” he mumbled, half serious, half clinging to the comfort of being babied.

Her laugh was louder this time. “Gyu, you’re not in school anymore. I can’t go talk to your PE teacher about you feeling too embarrassed to play volleyball because the ball hit you in the face.”

He groaned again, pressing his face into her shoulder. “Mom, you can’t abandon me like this.”

“I’d never abandon you,” she said, ruffling his hair the way she always did when he was sick. “But you’ll survive. I’m more worried about your boy problems.”

He froze. “…I told you I broke up with Daehyun, so don’t worry.”

“I know. But I think he’s not the only boy causing you problems, hmm?” she said with that knowing tone that made his stomach drop.

Oh, God. How does she know?!

“Did Yeonjun tell you something?” he asked, already planning his best friend’s funeral.

“I saw an interesting thing in the waiting room…”

“Mom! Stop being cryptic!”

She chuckled, smoothing his hair again. “Daehyun and Soobin were about to rip each other’s eyes out in the waiting room. The nurse told me they were fighting about who’s your boyfriend.”

Beomgyu instantly regretted waking up. Out of all the people in the world, two out of the three most complicated parts of his life had to be here? He’d gone out of his way to block them, avoid them, pretend they didn’t exist—and now they were apparently fighting like kids in a waiting room.

“Why are they here?! Please tell me they left already!” he panicked.

“I’m guessing Soobin wasn’t only a good friend,” she said, smirking.

“It’s… complicated,” he muttered, leaning harder into her like maybe he could sink into her and disappear. “I don’t want to talk about it yet.”

“Okay, honey.” She pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “I asked them to leave a while ago, so don’t stress about it.”

Relief washed over him so completely that his shoulders slumped. “Thank you—”

But before he could finish, the door swung open, and his father walked in.

He looked the same and different all at once. Slacks, a crisp dress shirt, his hair still a little messy like he’d run his hands through it too many times. In his hand, a small paper gift bag.

Beomgyu’s heart stilled.

“Hey,” his father said softly, almost tentative. “Mind if I come in?”

Beomgyu’s throat was dry. “Hi.”

Before he could process more, his mom clapped her hands together lightly. “Oh, I heard the coffee here is great! I’ll be right back.” She grabbed her purse in one fluid motion.

She squeezed his father’s shoulder as she passed, and then she was gone.

And now Beomgyu was alone—with the last cause of his problems.

The last time they’d talked had been that awkward, stilted phone call—where Beomgyu apologized for something he still wasn’t sure was his fault, then hung up before his dad could answer. He’d convinced himself it was mercy. Really, it was just fear.

Confrontation had never been his strong suit. Neither was it his dad’s. Like father, like son.

His father lowered himself into the chair at his bedside. He perched on the edge like he might bolt any second, knees bouncing restlessly, hands wringing together. The silence between them stretched thin, filled only by the hum of fluorescent lights. And then, held out the bag to him.

Beomgyu hesitated, but took it and peeked inside. His breath caught.

Honey biscuits. Banana milk. The off-brand gummy bears he’d sworn tasted better than the real ones. Even the cheap red bean mochi from that one tiny corner store near their old apartment.

“I… didn’t know they still made these,” Beomgyu whispered, his chest tight with memory.

“Had to go to three shops,” his dad said, rubbing the back of his neck. “But I remembered. You’d cry if I came home without banana milk.”

A tiny laugh escaped him. “I was five.”

“Yeah, but you’d stand by the door every single time I left for work, just to remind me.”

Beomgyu looked down. He remembered—clear as day. Standing in the doorway in pajamas, clutching a stuffed animal, watching his dad leave. Even on nights when his parents had fought. Even when his dad had smelled faintly of beer. Even when Beomgyu didn’t understand why happiness seemed to come and go in their house like the weather.

As a kid, he had loved his father without conditions—fully, joyfully. His dad had carried him on his shoulders at the night market, built paper lanterns from scratch, done ridiculous voices during bedtime stories until Beomgyu’s laughter turned to hiccups.

But somewhere in his teens, the weight started creeping in. The silences got heavier. The fights louder. The good moments shorter. And love started to feel like a stubborn knot in his chest—still there, but tangled up with blame. He could never put it on his mom. So, it went to his dad. And his dad just… let it.

By the time the divorce was finalized in Beomgyu’s first year of college, the anger had burned out. All that was left was space. Too much space.

His dad cleared his throat. “I’m sorry,” he said suddenly, voice trembling. “For not being the dad you needed.”

Beomgyu’s head jerked up, eyes stinging. Why now?

“I was selfish. I was angry. And I was scared,” he said. “But none of that excuses how I treated you—or your mom. I thought paying the bills and showing up physically was enough. But I wasn’t there when it really mattered.”

Beomgyu’s hands tightened around the bag, the paper crinkling under his grip. He’d been waiting years to hear this. But now, he didn’t know what to do with it.

He wanted to be angry—he had so many things he could say, so many ways he could press on the cracks in their history. But looking at his father now, hunched and worn, unable to meet his eyes for longer than a heartbeat… anger slipped through his fingers.

Instead, all he felt was that terrible, heavy softness in his chest.

Because this wasn’t the man who once seemed untouchable. This was someone smaller, someone weighed down by choices and regrets Beomgyu couldn’t untangle.

“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness,” his dad continued. “And I know I missed a thousand chances. But I want you to know I have always loved you, Beomgyu. Even when I didn’t know how to show it.”

Beomgyu’s vision blurred, tears slipping down his cheeks before he’d even registered them. Of course he was already crying.

What could he even say? I forgive you? That would be lying to himself and him.

“I think… I’ve resented you for years,” he admitted, voice shaky. “And I hate it. It feels ugly.”

His dad’s gaze softened, but he didn’t reach for him. “It’s okay, Gyu. That’s my fault. But I want us to work on it. If you’ll let me.”

Part of Beomgyu wanted to believe him, but the other part was terrified to.

Beomgyu shook his head helplessly. “How? Your wedding is today, and you’re here with me instead of… them. I just keep ruining things because I can’t control my feelings.”

His father smiled faintly. “You’ve always had big feelings, Gyu. Always. And that’s never been a flaw—it’s the best thing about you.”

Beomgyu blinked at him.

“Remember that class field trip in primary school? When your friend scraped his knee and the teachers told you to keep going, but you stayed with him the whole time until they came back? You missed the petting zoo entirely just to hold his hand and cried when he did.”

Beomgyu swallowed hard. He remembered.

“That’s you, Gyu,” his dad said softly. “You care so deeply, even when it hurts. You’ve always been that way. And I’m proud of you for it.”

Beomgyu couldn’t stop crying now. And when he finally looked up, he realized his dad’s tears matched his own.

“You’ve always been a crier, huh?” his father said. His hand was warm, trembling as it brushed the hair off Beomgyu’s forehead.

“I’m sorry,” Beomgyu choked.

“Don’t be.”

Silence stretched between them, heavy but not hopeless. Then his father said quietly, “And don’t worry about the wedding. I postponed it.”

Beomgyu’s breath caught. “What?”

“Yeah.” A shaky laugh escaped him.

Beomgyu stared at him, disbelief and guilt flooding his chest. “You… you can’t just—”

“I can,” his dad interrupted, steady now. “Because no ceremony, no party, no second chance at marriage will ever matter more to me than this. Than you. I won’t start a new chapter in my life knowing my son thinks he comes second.”

Beomgyu’s tears fell faster.

“I can’t fix the years we lost,” his dad said, voice thick. “But I don’t want to lose more.”

“I don’t know if I can forgive you yet,” Beomgyu whispered.

“That’s okay,” his dad said, finally reaching across the space between them. His hand hovered for a second, then rested gently over Beomgyu’s fist still clutching the crinkled bag. “We’ll start here. One step at a time.”

Beomgyu stared at their hands. His chest ached with everything unsaid. But for the first time in years, it didn’t feel impossible.

He nodded, just once, and whispered, “Okay.”

x-o-x

Me

Sooo

I’m in the hospital right now lol

Junnie

WHAT OMG

Tae

WHAT HAPPENED?

Junnie

DID SOMEONE RUN YOU OVER?

WAS IT MINJI?

Tae

SHUT UP

Me

Basically I was in the studio and someone pushed me and I tripped and I passed out bc I’m “malnourished” according to my mom

Junnie

Shitt

Did someone record your fall? I want to see it haha

Me

Fuck u

Junnie

<3

Tae

But you’re fine right?

Me

Just a minor concussion

The doctor said I could leave in a few hours

And my parents are here

Junnie

Emotional family reunion?

Me

There were some tears lol

BUT guess who was here too

Tae

Theres no way

Junnie

Noooooo how

Me

Yep

BOTH OF THEM WERE HERE

IN THE WAITING ROOM

Junnie

THOSE FUCKERSS

I SHOULD BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF THEM

Tae

BUT HOW?

Me

I’m still not sure and I don’t want to know really

Tae

Well at least they left

“Gyu,” his mom said, trying to get his attention. “Daehyun’s still here, it seems like he never left.”

His stomach turned. He almost said to tell him to go home, but his mom was looking at him like she was asking permission. Like this was his choice. And maybe, for the first time, Beomgyu realized it really was.

“…Fine,” he muttered, leaving his phone on his lap and pulling the blanket up to his chest like armor. “He can come in.”

A few minutes later, the door clicked again. Daehyun stepped in hesitantly, the fluorescent light making the shadows under his eyes look deeper. His smile tugged at his lips, careful and guilt-soaked.

“Hey,” he said softly, as if he were afraid to break something. “I—I just wanted to see if you’re okay. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

Beomgyu didn’t answer. He just stared at him, eyes heavy with exhaustion, waiting. He knew Daehyun didn’t just want to know if he was okay.

“What do you want?” Beomgyu asked at last, voice flat. He wasn’t in the mood to know how he was here or why Soobin of all people had been with him.

Daehyun shifted from foot to foot, fingers flexing uselessly at his sides. “I know I screwed everything up. I know I hurt you. But if you could just let me explain—”

Explain. God. That word again. Always an explanation, never an answer.

Something in Beomgyu snapped. Not with fire, but with exhaustion so sharp it felt like glass cutting his throat.

“Explain?” His throat ached, but he didn’t look away. “What is there to explain, Dae? You made your choice. You wanted an open relationship. You wanted someone else. And now you come in here acting like you’re the victim?”

Daehyun flinched, shoulders curling in like he’d been struck. “That’s not fair. I never—”

“No.” Beomgyu’s voice rose. “What’s not fair is you sitting out there for hours like a kicked puppy, waiting for me to comfort you when you’re the one who fucked up.”

The silence after was deafening, broken only by the IV drip by his bed. Daehyun opened his mouth—closed it again.

“I’m not expecting you to comfort me,” he finally managed, voice raw. “I just want to talk”

“I thought I was pretty clear when I broke up with you”, Beomgyu bit out.

Why is he still looking for me? Why can he just leave me alone and be happy out of my sight?

“So you think it’s that simple? Just—just end us like ripping off a bandage?” Daehyun’s voice cracked, desperate.

Beomgyu let out a humorless laugh. Easy. Nothing about this had been easy. Not watching Daehyun’s hands on Minji’s waist, not pretending the open relationship hadn’t gutted him, not swallowing the certainty that he wasn’t enough.

“What do you want from me?” Beomgyu cut in. “Please, tell me, I don’t understand you anymore”.

“I-I want you to…don’t leave, don’t disappear.”

“What?” Beomgyu snapped. “You want me to be your second omega? To sit front row while you have a baby with someone else? Are you out of your mind?”

“That’s not what I meant. But you’ve been avoiding me like I never mattered.”

Beomgyu’s chest constricted. Never mattered? He’d mattered too much, and that was the problem.

“What if it was me?” Beomgyu pushed suddenly, the words spilling out before he could stop them. “What if I had cheated? What if I’d let another alpha knock me up? You’d hate me. You’d curse me. You’d never look at me again.”

Daehyun’s head snapped up, panic flashing in his eyes. His voice came out too sharp, cracking under the weight of his own fear. “Are you—are you pregnant? Is it his? Is it Soobin’s?”

Beomgyu’s stomach dropped, but not from guilt. From the sheer absurdity. “No! God, Daehyun, do you even hear yourself?”

But Daehyun’s voice was already rising, frantic, defensive. “Because it wouldn’t surprise me! You looked happier with him. You— you got attached to him so fast, like I was just… just filling space until someone better came along—”

Beomgyu’s jaw tightened. For a second, the words stuck in his throat — not because he didn’t know what to say, but because a part of him still wanted to believe he was the problem. That maybe if he had been brighter, louder, easier to love, Daehyun wouldn’t have reached for someone else. But no. He knew better. He’d been knowing better. And yet Daehyun’s words still landed like proof of how little he understood him.

“Do you hear yourself right now? This—this is exactly the problem! You’re so fucking insecure that you convinced yourself the only way to keep me was by dragging me down with you. You pressure me into an open relationship and then you got mad when I actually took advantage of that.”

Daehyun’s jaw trembled, eyes glassy with words he couldn’t seem to form.

“That’s not true”

“Then tell me.” Beomgyu’s hands clenched in the blanket, nails digging into fabric. “Tell me, why did you do all of this? why did you…cheat on me?”

The silence that followed made the room feel like it was caving in. Beomgyu’s heart pounded, so loud he swore Daehyun could hear it. He wanted—needed—a reason. Something to make it make sense, to prove he hadn’t just been disposable.

“I-I just… I don’t know,” Daehyun whispered, but even that sounded like a shield — like he was too much of a coward to dig deeper.

Beomgyu wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, wanted to call Yeonjun so he could finally beat the shit out of Daehyun.

No reason. No explanation. Just emptiness. He almost wished Daehyun would say he was madly in love with Minji—that at least would’ve meant Beomgyu had lost to something, someone. Not to nothing at all.

Soobin’s voice echoed faintly in the back of his mind, the way he always told him he was beautiful, precious, worth more than the world. Maybe that was why he hadn’t let himself think too deeply about Daehyun and Minji before—because Soobin’s words had patched over the cracks. But now, lying here alone, the truth stung like salt in an open wound: Daehyun hadn’t needed a reason. He just hadn’t needed him.

“You know,” he said slowly, his voice shaking, “when I said yes to that whole open relationship thing—even though we both knew I didn’t want it—I thought I was pathetic.”

“Please, Gyu, don’t say that.”

“But you’re even worse,” Beomgyu snapped before he could think it over. His throat was tight with rage and grief. “You think cheating makes you stronger? You think it feeds your stupid alpha pride? No, Daehyun. It just proves how little respect you have for yourself. And how little you believed in us.”

The second the words left his mouth, Beomgyu wanted to apologize. His chest tightened, bile rising in his throat.

But he didn’t take it back.

“Please go.”

Daehyun didn’t move at first, staring at him like he was waiting for the punchline to a joke. But when Beomgyu turned his face toward the window, refusing to look back, Daehyun finally stumbled toward the door.

The click of it closing was the lightest sound in the world, and yet it left Beomgyu trembling. His hands fisted the blanket, knuckles white.

But for the first time in months, he didn’t feel small.

x-o-x

It was only a few days later, but it felt like weeks had passed. In just a few hours, he’d be watching his dad marry someone new.

For now, though, Beomgyu sat across from his mom in a quiet restaurant, poking at a plate of noodles while she flipped through the menu even though she’d already ordered. This was her way of giving him space — pretending to be distracted, waiting for him to speak first.

He’d already told her. Blurted it out as soon as the waiter left, like ripping off a bandage: Daehyun cheated on me and got that omega pregnant. The words still felt heavy in his mouth, sour on his tongue. But they were necessary because it seemed like his dad never told her that part.

Now he tried to act casual, twirling noodles around his chopsticks like this was any other lunch, but he could feel her eyes on him.

“You keep looking like you’ve done something wrong,” she said finally, voice calm but pointed.

Beomgyu’s head snapped up. “I’m not.”

“You are.” She leaned back, arms folding. “Don’t try to tell me otherwise. You’ve been embarrassed since you told me, like this somehow reflects on you. And it doesn’t.”

His throat burned. “I know.” He said it too fast, too defensive. Of course he knew. He’d told Daehyun straight to his face that it was his insecurity, not Beomgyu’s fault. Yeonjun and Taehyun had drilled the same thing into him.

But knowing and believing weren’t the same, and the gap between them felt like it might swallow him whole.

His mom didn’t buy his defense for a second. She tilted her head, a dry smile tugging at her mouth. “Beomgyu, I didn’t grow you inside me for ten months just so you could feel ashamed because of some alpha. What a waste of my time that would’ve been.”

His chopsticks clattered against the plate as he stared at her. “Mom!”

She laughed, unbothered, and sipped her tea. “What? It’s true. You think I carried you around, swollen and miserable, just for you to sit here acting like someone else’s mistakes are your shame to carry?”

The words lodged in his throat. He wanted to deny it, to brush her off, but she wasn’t wrong. He was embarrassed — embarrassed that Daehyun had betrayed him for nothing, embarrassed that people might think he hadn’t been enough.

As if sensing the spiral, she set her cup down with a quiet click. “Let me tell you something. Your dad… he wasn’t perfect, you know that. There were times when he doubted himself, when he pulled away from me because he thought he wasn’t providing enough, or wasn’t being the kind of partner I deserved.” She gave a little shrug. “But that was his insecurity, not mine. It wasn’t my job to carry it. And I never let him make it about me.”

Beomgyu swallowed hard. His chest tightened at the thought. He’d been doing the opposite — carrying Daehyun’s insecurities like they were his own, twisting them into proof that he’d failed somehow.

“And Daehyun?” his mom added, gentler now. “What he did says everything about him, and nothing about you.”

Beomgyu stared down at his plate, blinking quickly. He’d heard it before, over and over — from his friends, from himself even. But something about hearing it from her, so matter-of-fact, cut through all the noise.

It wasn’t him. It had never been him. For a moment, he almost let himself believe her fully. Almost.

And yet, because he was still him, a bitter little laugh slipped out. “I still… I still feel sorry for him. How sad is that?”

“Not sad,” his mom said softly. “That’s just your heart. Don’t let it be an excuse for him, but don’t hate yourself for it either.”

He sniffed and tried to hide it by slurping a noodle. “You’re too logical about this. It’s annoying.”

His mom smirked. “You’re just mad I’m right.” Then she leaned closer, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. “Besides… don’t you think his mother’s going to absolutely destroy him when she finds out? That woman terrifies me, and I’m not even her kid.”

Beomgyu blinked, startled — and then a laugh broke out of him, sharp and wet at the edges. He could practically see it: Mrs. Kim standing over Daehyun, arms crossed, voice sharp enough to cut glass.

“God,” he muttered, “he’s screwed.”

x-o-x

Beomgyu lingered outside the little restaurant, its windows glowing with warm light, soft music drifting through the glass. The string lights above the door hummed faintly, casting him in a halo that only made him feel more exposed. His hand tugged at the hem of his shirt for the tenth time, as if he could pull himself together through the fabric. He still wasn’t sure if he looked right for this. Too formal? Too casual? His reflection in the window wasn’t telling him anything useful.

The early-summer air pressed damp against his skin, heavy enough that it made his chest feel crowded. He rubbed absently at the faint itch on his arm where the IV had been taped only days ago. His body remembered weakness even if he wanted to forget.

His mom’s voice still echoed in his ears: “If you start feeling faint again, sit down. No heroics.” Beomgyu had rolled his eyes and muttered something sarcastic, but the truth was… it meant something. She wasn’t scolding or pitying him. Just worrying. Just loving him in the simple, consistent way she always had. And standing here now, about to walk into his father’s new beginning, that steadiness lingered in his chest like an anchor.

“Hey,” a voice broke in behind him.

Beomgyu turned and saw him.

Daehyun.

The alpha stood a few paces back, framed by the glow of the streetlamps. His grey slacks looked freshly pressed, his white shirt sleeves rolled neatly to the elbows. His hair was styled like he’d really tried, like he’d thought about this moment.

Beomgyu shoved his hands deep into his pockets, shoulders stiff. He thought he’d want to scream if he ever saw Daehyun again. But after the days of lying in bed, replaying everything, after the talk with his mom—he didn’t feel angry anymore. Just… tired.

“Why are you here?” His tone came out softer than he meant. Not accusing, just… flat.

Daehyun’s throat bobbed. His eyes flicked toward the restaurant, then back at him. “I figured you’d need backup.”

The words settled heavily inside him, like a stone dropping into calm water. Backup. Daehyun had always known when he was nervous, when the crowd felt too big, when he’d need a hand under the table just to ground him. Even now, he could read him that easily. Beomgyu hated it—hated and ached for it all at once.

Daehyun’s mouth tilted in something almost like a smile. “You’re doing better, right?”

Beomgyu straightened his shoulders, forcing a quick nod. “I’m fine.” The lie scraped his throat. After a beat, he added, testing, “My mom said Soobin was there too. At the hospital.”

A flicker of hesitation crossed Daehyun’s face, then he shrugged. “Yeah. We were both outside the studio.” No defensive edge, no bitterness at the name. Just… honesty.

Beomgyu lifted his brow, letting a teasing lilt into his voice even though his chest twisted. “Didn’t know you were that close. Why were you there together?”

“Guess we both wanted to talk to you,” Daehyun said simply, hands slipping into his own pockets.

“You didn’t fight, right?”

For the first time, Daehyun smirked, a glimpse of the boy Beomgyu used to know. “Nah. We’re best friends now.”

“Ah, my two least favorite people.”

“Shit, that hurts.”

Daehyun tilted his head toward the glowing doorway. “So… can I go in with you?”

His first instinct was to say no. To tell Daehyun to leave him the hell alone and stop making things harder. But then he saw the way Daehyun’s shoulders slumped, the way his shirt hung a little too big, and the fight drained out of him. It was easier to let him stay than to push him away — even if it meant complicating everything all over again.

“Okay”

Daehyun extended his hand—carelessly, like it was nothing. But Beomgyu’s breath snagged. For a second, he almost reached out. Almost let himself believe things hadn’t changed. Then he shoved the thought down, hard, and nodded instead.

Inside, the restaurant was small but warm, tables pressed close together, floral centerpieces catching the light. Beomgyu kept his gaze moving, flitting from one thing to another, trying not to get swallowed up by the feeling of walking in beside Daehyun.

Why didn’t he ask him to leave?

“Oh, look at you two,” a syrupy voice cooed behind him.

Beomgyu turned. One of his dad’s distant aunts—he couldn’t even remember her name—had a champagne glass in hand and a knowing gleam in her eye.

“You’re still together,” she said brightly. “Dear, you should lock this one up before he runs away.” She laughed at her own joke, sipping smugly.

Beomgyu’s throat went dry. Still together. The words dug under his ribs.

“Right,” he managed. And then he was moving, desperate to escape, his ears burning.

Already, regret churned in his stomach. What had he been thinking? Everyone knew about Daehyun. Everyone knew. And still, he’d asked him here. Maybe because the thought of doing this alone had felt unbearable. Maybe because some part of him still wanted… something.

He spotted a cluster of cousins by the buffet table—lifelines. Two younger ones he used to babysit, one older one who’d smuggled him his first beer at a barbecue. Familiar faces. Relief spread through him, loosening his chest.

Until one of them grinned and said, “Ah, you look so cute together!”

Beomgyu inhaled slowly. “We broke up.”

The silence was sharp and immediate.

“Oh,” one cousin said, wincing. “Sorry, I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay,” Beomgyu cut in, forcing a smile so they wouldn’t have to linger in the awkwardness. “He’s here as my… friend.”

They nodded quickly and shifted the subject, bless them. And Beomgyu let out a breath. He even laughed at some dumb joke about the cake, and for a moment, it felt almost normal—like he was back in those easier years, when family gatherings didn’t feel like walking through a minefield.

The ceremony began soon after. Jia walked down the aisle with a soft smile, her makeup understated but perfect, and his dad looked… different. Not younger. But brighter. Lighter.

Beomgyu didn’t cry. But he watched. Really watched. Watched the way his father looked at Jia—not like a dream he was chasing, not like a prize he’d earned. Just like she was real.

It reminded him of the wedding photo that used to sit in their old apartment—the one of his parents smiling at each other like the whole world fit in their gaze. He remembered staring at that photo as a kid, convinced love was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. That you either got it or lost it forever.

So what had happened? Was it time? Was it him? Was love just destined to fade?

But here his dad was, staring at someone else with that same raw, unshakable devotion. And here he was, catching Daehyun’s gaze beside him, feeling the ghost of a future they could have had pressing against him like a bruise.

If only.

Later, during the reception, his dad stood to speak. The speech was light and charming, filled with jokes that made the room laugh—until the very end, when his voice caught.

“I’m grateful for this chance,” he said, eyes flicking toward Beomgyu. “I’ll be better for the people I love.”

Beomgyu stared into his glass, watching the lemon slice sink slowly into the water. The words weren’t grand or poetic. They were just… real. And maybe that was why they hit so hard.

He slipped out to the balcony. The night was warm, the city lights bleeding into the sky and hiding most of the stars. Through the glass, he saw his dad laughing with Jia’s kids—Beomgyu’s new step-siblings. One tugged at his sleeve, and his dad bent low, listening with full attention.

Beomgyu’s chest ached.

He wasn’t sure he’d ever feel like he belonged in that picture. Maybe he never would. There would always be a before and after. A line drawn in the sand that couldn’t be erased.

But for the first time, he thought—maybe that was okay.

He didn’t need to belong everywhere. He didn’t need to rewrite the past, or force himself into a story that wasn’t his. He just needed to stop carrying it like a wound.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

x-o-x

After too many photos, too many questions about school, and enough gossip from his cousins to last him three lifetimes, Beomgyu finally slipped outside. The night air was cool against his overheated cheeks, the faint hum of cicadas just audible beneath the muffled laughter and clinking glasses spilling from the restaurant behind him. He sat on the curb with his knees pulled up, chin resting on them, breathing in the quiet.

Of course, it didn’t stay quiet for long. Footsteps approached, steady, familiar. He didn’t bother looking up.

“Hey,” Daehyun’s voice said. Low, careful, like he was afraid Beomgyu might bolt.

Beomgyu’s throat tightened. He’d known Daehyun would find him eventually — he always did. He’d hovered most of the evening anyway, drifting between conversations with cousins but never too far from Beomgyu’s orbit. Beomgyu had forced himself to keep his chin high each time someone asked about them, answering bluntly that they’d broken up. If he had to sit in this awkward limbo, then Daehyun could sit in it with him.

“Hi,” Beomgyu muttered, voice thinner than he meant.

“I knew you’d run off eventually.”

A huff escaped him, halfway between annoyance and a laugh. That was the problem with Daehyun — even now, he could still read him too easily.

When Beomgyu finally turned his head, it hit him like a punch. He felt as if he was seeing Daehyun for the first time in months. The same brown eyes, the same face he’d memorized a hundred times over, the same mint-tinged scent clinging to the night air. Familiar in the kind of way that hurt. Because familiarity wasn’t the same as belonging.

“You wanna get out of here for a bit?” Daehyun asked after a beat. His voice was casual, but his eyes weren’t. “I was thinking… McDonald’s.”

Beomgyu blinked, caught off guard. “Really?”

A smile tugged at Daehyun’s mouth, boyish, easy, and far too practiced at undoing him. “Just like old times.”

Something inside Beomgyu trembled, the faintest string pulled tight in his chest. He stood slowly, brushing his pants off, not trusting his voice. He didn’t say yes — but he didn’t say no either. And Daehyun knew that was enough.

The drive was quiet, the kind of silence that used to feel comfortable but now pressed a little too close. Beomgyu rolled the window halfway down, letting the cool air cut through Daehyun’s mint scent. Once, that smell meant safety. Once, it had wrapped around him like armor, proof that nothing could touch him as long as Daehyun was there. He didn’t know when that stopped being true.

Inside the booth, everything looked the same as it always had — the buzzing fluorescent lights, the tacky red seats, the half-melted soda cups sweating on the table. Daehyun pushed a greasy bag toward him like muscle memory.

“Remember when we came here every friday?” he said. “Like clockwork. Fries, nuggets. You always stole my sweet and sour sauce.”

Beomgyu’s lips twitched despite himself. “That’s because you hoarded them.”

Daehyun chuckled, easy and familiar. “You’d get sick and blame it on me.”

“You threw up in my laundry basket.”

“You still kissed me after.”

Beomgyu snorted, the laugh bubbling out before he could stop it. A real one. It landed in his chest warm, dangerous, achingly familiar. He hated how easy it still was, how quickly they could fall back into this rhythm. Like nothing had changed. Like everything hadn’t changed.

The fries tasted the same, but they didn’t hit the way they used to. Neither did the nuggets, or the soda, or even Daehyun’s smile. Maybe the problem wasn’t the food. Maybe it was him.

He glanced up, and Daehyun was already watching him. His eyes looked softer than Beomgyu remembered. Older, too. And tired. There was love in them, maybe. Or maybe just the ghost of it. Beomgyu wasn’t sure anymore.

Once, this look had been enough to make him feel whole. Now, it only reminded him how much had already slipped away.

x-o-x

In the car again, the silence pressed down heavier than before. Thicker. It felt like it had substance now, clinging to Beomgyu’s skin and sinking into his lungs until every breath stung. He leaned his forehead against the cool glass of the window; eyes fixed on the McDonald’s sign outside. The bright red letters flickered for a fraction of a second, then steadied again.

He didn’t expect Daehyun to speak. He didn’t want him to, not unless it was something worth shattering this silence for. But when the engine stayed off and Daehyun’s grip tightened and loosened on the steering wheel, Beomgyu knew it was coming.

“I… I know I fucked up.” Daehyun’s voice cracked, soft and uneven, like the words scraped his throat on the way out. His hands slipped from the wheel and fell into his lap, twisting together. “And I’m taking responsibility for it. I was immature. I put you—and her—through hell.”

Beomgyu didn’t move. His reflection in the glass looked almost detached, but his voice came sharp. “You can say her name, you know.”

Daehyun swallowed. “Right. Minji. But she and I… we’re not anything. Not really. Just connected because of the…baby.”

Beomgyu’s head snapped toward him, the suddenness startling even himself. “Dae, that’s not nothing. You’re going to be a father.”

The word father sat heavy in the car. Too grown-up for the boy Beomgyu used to kiss behind lecture halls. Too final for the man beside him now.

“I know,” Daehyun said quickly, desperation leaking into his tone. “I just meant… it’s only about that. She and I don’t have a relationship. Because I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop—” He broke off, sucked in a breath, then forced it all out in a rush. “—to stop thinking about you.”

The words tumbled out like they’d been waiting all night.

Beomgyu’s heart gave one violent thud before clenching like it wanted to split in two.

“What are you saying?” he asked, though part of him already knew.

Daehyun’s eyes found him then—red-rimmed, raw, searching. “I’m asking… if you can give me a second chance.”

The words hung there, impossible and heavy.

Beomgyu turned back to the window, watching the neon letters blink faintly as if they could answer for him. His body refused to react, like if he didn’t move, the question would vanish back into the air where it belonged.

But eventually, slowly, he faced the alpha.

Daehyun wasn’t smiling. His eyes were rimmed red, his face raw with something unguarded, and Beomgyu knew he meant it. He meant it.

And God, he wished he didn’t.

Something cracked open in his chest, sharp and slow. For one split second, his mind betrayed him — conjuring the future he used to dream about: their little apartment, laughter echoing between rooms, getting married, having his mark. The life they’d once promised.

But then, unbidden, another image flickered through. Soobin’s smile, soft and steady. The way his voice made space instead of crowding it. The warmth of his hand on his waist. A different kind of future. Or maybe no future at all. But a different kind of love.

The ache settled deeper.

“I can’t,” Beomgyu whispered.

Daehyun flinched, shoulders jerking as though the words themselves had struck him. His throat worked furiously as he fought the urge to cry.

“You know I can’t.”

Tears brimmed instantly in Daehyun’s eyes. He looked away, shame creasing his face as his mouth wobbled. Beomgyu hated how much that hurt.

“I thought… if I ruined it first,” Daehyun confessed, voice splintering, “then it wouldn’t hurt as much when you left.”

The car seemed to shrink around them.

For a heartbeat, his mind went back to a night a year ago. Dinner at Daehyun’s house. His father had made some sharp remarks about Daehyun’s grades, and Beomgyu, half-nervous, half-brave, had tried to speak up for him. He remembered the quick glance Daehyun gave him then — the warning smile, the shake of his head, the way he changed the subject instead of saying what he felt. Beomgyu had let it drop, telling himself it was nothing. But looking back now, he knew: that was the first time silence won between them. The first time words were swallowed instead of shared.

“I could see it, Gyu,” Daehyun went on, whispering now. “You weren’t happy anymore. You didn’t laugh the same. I didn’t know how to fix it. I panicked. And I did the worst thing I could possibly do. Because I’m dumb, because I was scared. Because I thought losing you on my own terms would hurt less.”

His breath hitched as he wiped at his eyes. “But it didn’t. It doesn’t. It’s worse. It’s so much worse.”

Now, with Daehyun’s voice breaking in the driver’s seat, it hit Beomgyu that this was the first time in a long time the alpha had actually let himself be seen.

He wished — more than anything — that it had come sooner. When it might’ve mattered. When there was still something left to save.

“I loved you,” Beomgyu said, voice snagging on the words. “So much. I thought you were the one for me. That we’d figure things out like we always did. But… we lost something, didn’t we?”

Daehyun nodded through his tears.

“We stopped talking. Stopped listening. I kept waiting for us to find our way back, but we never did.”

“I should’ve tried harder,” Daehyun choked. “I’m sorry”

Beomgyu’s eyes stung, but he didn’t cry. Not anymore. Not tonight. “I forgive you,” he said gently.

Daehyun’s sob caught in his throat. “Don’t. Don’t forgive me. You should hate me.”

Beomgyu shook his head. “I don’t. I really don’t.”

He really didn’t, he could never. Even now, he wanted to hug him and comfort him like he used to do when things were easy between them.

But he couldn’t, wouldn’t.

“But I can’t forget this, Dae. I can’t pretend it didn’t hurt.”

“I know…I just wish things were different.”

Daehyun was shaking now, hands pressed to his mouth like he could swallow the sound of his grief. Beomgyu reached out, just briefly, and squeezed his arm. A goodbye in a touch.

“I’m not ready for any of this, Gyu”, Daehyun whispered.

“Yeah. Me neither,” he murmured. His chest tightened as he said it. “But we have to end this. I don’t want to hate you. Ever.”

Daehyun’s eyes, swollen and wet, lifted to him. “Even now, you’re too good for me”

“Don’t say that”.

“It’s the truth,” Daehyun whispered, a faint smile breaking through. His hand lifted, tentative, and brushed Beomgyu’s cheek. “From the very first time we met—when you were late to your class because I asked you for help finding mine.”

Beomgyu huffed a shaky laugh, covering Daehyun’s hand with his own. “I just did it because you looked like a loser. You were literally in the wrong faculty building.”

Daehyun’s smile widened despite the tears. “I thought you were cute. I followed you all the way there just to see if I had a chance.”

They both laughed—soft, broken, but real.

“It worked,” Beomgyu admitted, and dropped his hand.

Daehyun’s voice lowered to a whisper. “I already miss you.”

Beomgyu nodded, the ache twisting but steady. “I know”, he took a long breath, “I miss you too.”

And it was true. God, it was true.

But not enough to stay.

Not enough to go back.

So, they sat in silence again. The air was thick with everything they had been, and everything they would never be again.

Beomgyu let himself feel it all — the ache, the warmth, the sorrow, the love. And then, finally, beneath it, something softer.

Something like peace.

x-o-x

The night air followed Beomgyu all the way to his mother’s doorstep, cool against his cheeks, clinging faintly to his shirt. He stood there for a second with his hand raised, staring at the worn wood of the door. He hadn’t been here in weeks — maybe months. Not because he didn’t want to, but because he didn’t know how to walk in without feeling like a shadow of himself.

Before he could second-guess it, he knocked.

The door swung open almost instantly, as if she’d been waiting for him. He didn’t tell her he was going back to their house after the wedding, but she probably already knew.

She always did.

“Honey,” his mom breathed, and before he could say anything, her arms were around him. Tight. Warm. The kind of hug that didn’t ask why he was here at this hour, that didn’t care about explanations. It just… held him.

That was all it took for his chest to break open. The tears came fast and ugly, but for the first time in months, they didn’t feel like they were clawing him apart. He wasn’t crying for Daehyun. He wasn’t crying because he’d been hurt again. He was crying because it was safe. Because here, he didn’t have to be okay.

His voice was shaky when he managed, “You’re not allowed to have more kids. Only me. I’m your baby forever.”

She leaned back just enough to see his face, her eyes glistening in the porch light. “Oh, trust me. One of you was enough trouble for a lifetime.”

He laughed through his tears, hiccuping. “Hey!”

“It’s true,” she said with a grin, brushing his hair from his face. “You were exhausting. But you were worth it.”

They went inside, and everything smelled faintly of fabric softener and the soup she must’ve made for dinner. He sank into the couch while she busied herself in the kitchen, pretending not to watch him like a hawk, the way moms do when they’re giving you space without actually leaving you alone.

Beomgyu leaned back, wiping his eyes. He wasn’t fixed. The hole in his chest was still there, raw and tender. But for the first time, he didn’t feel like he was standing in it — he was standing on the edge, looking forward.

He pulled out his phone.

The name on his blocked list stared at him, a quiet, stubborn presence. His thumb hesitated for only a second before sliding over the screen.

Unblock.

He wouldn’t admit this to anyone, but he spent the whole night reading and rereading Soobin’s texts.

x-o-x

The next morning, after a heavy breakfast and one more long talk about his love life, Beomgyu’s mom dropped him off at his apartment.

He padded quietly down the hall, head still foggy with thoughts, when he slowed.

Someone was standing at his door. The one person he’d been thinking about.

Soobin.

His hair was a little messy, like he’d walked too quickly against the wind. He wore an oversized hoodie, sleeves pulled over his palms, and in his hands was a small white bag from the pharmacy. He kept shifting it between his fingers, like he wasn’t sure if he should leave it there or knock.

Beomgyu stopped mid-step, blinking. So, it really had been him this whole time. The little bag of medicine that appeared at his door every day that week—it was Soobin.

Of course it was him.

Soobin turned at the sound of his footsteps, and froze. His eyes widened, caught off guard, like a kid discovered doing something bad.

“Oh—uh—” He straightened up quickly, the bag crinkling in his hand. “I was just… dropping this off. I know you weren’t feeling great last week, so I thought—” He cut himself short, grimacing, scratching at the back of his neck. “Wait, that sounded… creepy. I just meant… I saw what happened to you. Shit—that sounds even worse.” His words tripped over each other, fast and clumsy. “I swear, I wasn’t trying to, like, follow you or anything. I drove to the studio out of habit and ran into Daehyun, then the ambulance showed up and I—well, I went with him to the hospital, and then… yeah. I just wanted to help.”

His voice cracked on that last word. He kept staring at the floor, shoulders slightly hunched like he was bracing for rejection.

Beomgyu’s heart did a helpless somersault at the sight of Soobin fidgeting there, hoodie sleeves tugged nervously over his fists.

“Oh,” Beomgyu murmured, and he had to bite down on the edge of his lip to keep from smiling too obviously. “It’s okay.”

Soobin looked up then, eyes soft, searching his face. Slowly, he held the bag out between them. “It’s just some vitamins and painkillers. Nothing special, but… I thought it might help.”

Beomgyu’s fingers brushed his as he took it. The tiniest spark zipped up his arm at the touch, and he tucked the bag close to his chest, as if it were something far more precious than a box of supplements. “Thank you,” he said, quiet, almost shy.

Soobin shifted his weight, rocking back on his heels. “You don’t have to… I mean, it’s nothing. Really.” His mouth tugged into a small, nervous smile, the kind that threatened to unravel Beomgyu entirely.

They lingered there, caught in a silence that was both heavy and fragile. Beomgyu twisted the hem of the bag between his fingers. Soobin’s gaze flickered from the floor to Beomgyu’s face, then back down again, as if he couldn’t quite bring himself to hold it.

And for a moment, it felt like they might say something—something real, something that mattered.

Until a voice cut through the hallway.

“Beomgyu-yah!”

Beomgyu stiffened, turning just in time to see Daehyun’s mom hurrying toward them, her smile beaming like she’d just been told the best news of her life.

Oh no.

“These are such wonderful news! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she gushed, sweeping him into a hug, her gift bag bumping against his side.

Beomgyu’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Wonderful news?

“I was so excited, I brought this!” she announced, digging into the bag and pulling out—

A baby onesie.

Beomgyu nearly fainted on the spot. What was it with this family and babies?!

From the corner of his eye, he saw Soobin pale like all the blood had left his face.

“I—what—no?!” Beomgyu stammered, hands shooting up as if to physically block the implication. “No, no, no, I’m not—”

“I saw Daehyun’s bank statement,” she said breathlessly. “He paid for an obstetrician appointment.”

“Mrs. Kim, I’m not pregnant!”

Her eyes went wide. “You’re not?”

“No! Daehyun and I… we broke up.”

The words hung in the air, heavy. Her expression crumpled into shock. “What?! What did he do?!”

“It’s… complicated,” Beomgyu muttered, shifting uncomfortably. “But we’re on good terms, so it’s fine.”

“Oh,” she said at last, though doubt clouded her face. Then, her gaze slid toward Soobin, brows lifting pointedly.

“And who’s this?”

Soobin straightened immediately, bowing low. “Ah, I’m Choi Soobin. Nice to meet you. I’m Beomgyu’s… classmate.”

Beomgyu nearly groaned. “Okay, I’m going inside now.” He fumbled at the keypad, cheeks burning. “It was nice seeing you, Mrs. Kim. Please… maybe check on Daehyun. He could use some support.”

The lock beeped open. Before Beomgyu slipped inside, he caught Soobin out of the corner of his eye, biting back a laugh, his lips twitching in amusement—

And maybe, just maybe, looking a little pleased.

x-o-x

The little party was nothing wild—just Yeonjun’s too-loud playlist, Taehyun’s snarky commentary, and Aeri and Ning making fruity soju cocktails out of whatever was left in the fridge. They’d called it a “Congrats on dumping his ass,” and Yeonjun even insisted on giving a dramatic toast.

“To Beomgyu!” he cheered, raising his cup. “Finally free of men who don’t deserve him!”

They clinked glasses and laughed until their throats hurt. The night blurred with silly dares, cheap snacks, and the comfort of being surrounded by people who loved him without conditions.

By the time the clock ticked past three, the apartment had gone quiet. Aeri was curled up with Ning on the couch, Yeonjun and Taehyun knocked out in a messy pile of blankets on the floor. The lights were dimmed, music just a soft hum from someone’s forgotten playlist.

Beomgyu sat cross-legged on the rug, still nursing the last of his drink, his cheeks warm from alcohol and laughter. For once, the heavy ache inside his chest felt… lighter. Fragile, but real.

He stared at his phone lying face down beside him. His fingers hovered before he finally flipped it over, heart stuttering when he scrolled past the contact he unblocked yesterday.

My Soobinie <3.

He bit down on his lip, pulse rushing. He shouldn’t. It was late. He was tipsy. But—

Before he could talk himself out of it, he hit call.

The line barely rang before Soobin’s voice tumbled through, frantic and unsteady.

“Beomgyu? Oh god—wait—uh—hi. If this is about the medicine, I swear I wasn’t trying to annoy you or, like, sneak into your life or anything. I know it was weird, I just thought you needed it, and then I didn’t know how to stop without making it awkward, and—”

Beomgyu broke into laughter, the sound spilling out of him before he could stop it. He flopped onto his back, phone pressed to his ear, grinning at the ceiling.

“Soobin,” he teased, voice soft with amusement, “you really thought I unblocked you just to yell at you about vitamins?”

There was a pause on the line, then a groan. “I knew this sounded stupid.”

“It’s not stupid,” Beomgyu said, smiling into the dark. “It’s… cute. You’re cute.”

A sharp inhale. “W-What?”

Beomgyu smiled a little, closing his eyes. “You were so nervous earlier, standing in front of my door like you were about to commit a crime. And now you’re panicking over phone calls.” He let out another soft laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

On the other end, Soobin went quiet. Then, shyly: “…So, you aren’t mad about that?”

Beomgyu’s chest squeezed. “I wouldn’t be calling if I was.”

Silence stretched, thick and trembling, until Soobin whispered, “then… why are you calling?”

Beomgyu rolled onto his side, phone cradled close to his cheek, voice dropping softer than he meant it to. “I think we should meet. To talk. Just you and me.”

He could hear Soobin’s breath hitch, like the sound of hope catching in someone’s throat.

“You mean… tomorrow?” Soobin asked carefully.

“Tomorrow,” Beomgyu confirmed, smiling sleepily into the dark. “Don’t bring any medicine. Just bring yourself.”

For a moment, all he heard was the thud of his own heart. Then Soobin laughed—light, disbelieving, and so full of relief that it made Beomgyu’s chest ache in the best way.

“Okay,” Soobin murmured. “I’ll be there. I’ll go anywhere.”

“I’ll text you”, Beomgyu almost whispered.

For a moment neither of them spoke, both caught in the gravity of it, hearts loud in the quiet. Then Soobin’s voice came again, almost trembling, almost confessing:

“Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.”

When call ended, the warmth stayed, blooming in Beomgyu’s chest long after.

Chapter Text

When Beomgyu woke up that morning, he thought his only concern would be getting through the day and seeing Soobin later that night.

Obviously, nothing ever went the way he planned.

He was having a late breakfast with Yeonjun and Taehyun when the apartment buzzer went off.

Moments later, Yeonjun came back from the door, wide-eyed, hand clamped over his mouth. “Oh my God, Minji’s outside! I saw her on the intercom!”

Beomgyu nearly choked on his food. Taehyun froze mid-bite, then calmly started clearing the table. “She’s here for you, Gyu.”

“Want me to tell her to fuck off?” Yeonjun asked, planting his hands on his hips. “I can scare her off, you know.”

Beomgyu’s stomach turned. As much as part of him wanted Yeonjun to go through with it, another part—stubborn, too curious—knew he couldn’t hide forever.

“She’s pregnant,” Beomgyu muttered, draining the last of his juice in one gulp.

“And? A little intimidation never killed anyone.”

“You can’t beat up everyone who’s ever wronged Beomgyu,” Taehyun sighed, handing Yeonjun a dish rag on his way back from the kitchen.

“Excuse me?” Yeonjun’s jaw dropped, looking genuinely offended. “I wasn’t going to hit her! I was just gonna—” He cut himself off, grumbling as he started wiping crumbs off the table.

The buzzer went off again. And again. By the fourth ring, the sound reverberated through the apartment like a taunt.

“Gyu,” Taehyun said gently, “what do you want to do? She’s not leaving.”

“I can’t believe she has the audacity to show up here,” Yeonjun muttered, bristling.

“She really has no shame,” Taehyun added flatly.

Beomgyu rubbed his face. His pulse was hammering, but he already knew running wouldn’t solve anything. “I think I should just talk to her.”

“Great. Tell her to fuck off when you do,” Yeonjun said, giving him an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

“Scream if you need backup,” Taehyun added.

Beomgyu took a steadying breath, walked to the door, and opened it before the courage deserted him.

And there was Minji. He thought she’d be looking at him with a smirk on her face or even an angry scowl. But…

She looked drained. Her hair was pulled into a messy knot, dark circles hollowed beneath her eyes, and she was holding her stomach with one hand like the effort of standing upright was too much.

“Minji,” Beomgyu blurted, startled. “Are you—are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said quickly, too quickly.

His gaze flickered, involuntarily, to her barely-noticeable bump. He didn’t dare ask.

“The baby’s fine too. Don’t freak out.”

“That’s great!”, Beomgyu just nodded, “…why are you here?”

She inhaled slowly, like it cost her. “I’m not here to fight, if that’s what you’re thinking. I… I just want to talk.” Her eyes darted anywhere but him.

“Oh”

He took a looked at her again, she looked better than the last time he’d seen her—though that wasn’t saying much. The big backpack that slung on her shoulder dragged her posture down. She clutched at the strap like it was anchoring her.

“That looks heavy”, Beomgyu said.

“It’s just some equipment I need”, She explained.

That only made him step aside faster. “You look exhausted. We’ll talk inside.”

Her eyes widened in faint surprise, but she walked in.

He sat her down on the couch, heart hammering with unease, and excused himself under the pretense of getting her water.

The moment he stepped into the kitchen, he nearly screamed—Yeonjun and Taehyun were both perched at the doorway, very obviously eavesdropping.

“You let her in?!” Yeonjun whisper-yelled, clawing at his hair.

“I’m sorry! She looked horrible—I thought she was gonna faint on me again!” Beomgyu hissed, grabbing a glass and filling it.

“What does she want?” Taehyun asked, calmer but equally displeased.

“To talk. That’s what she said,” Beomgyu muttered, clutching the glass. “Just go to your rooms, I’ll make this quick.”

“Actually, I was about to do the dishes,” Yeonjun said innocently, already tugging on rubber gloves.

Beomgyu shot Taehyun a desperate look.

Taehyun only shrugged. “Someone has to supervise him.”

Beomgyu groaned. “Fine. But do not interfere.” He jabbed a finger at both of them and stalked off.

Back in the living room, he handed Minji the glass. She took it, and murmured a thanks.

She took a long gulp, then set it down. “I hate how nice you are,” she said flatly.

Beomgyu sat across from her slowly, studying her face. She looked so different from the sharp, put-together version of herself she usually showed the world. “It’s that what you came to say?

“No.” She went quiet for a beat, then sighed. “I’m sorry, Beomgyu. For everything.”

His mind blanked.

If Beomgyu had been asked to list the people least likely to ever apologize to him, Minji would’ve been at the very top. 

What the fuck?

“I was horrible to you. I twisted things, I—” She broke off, exhaling harshly. “I made you the enemy when you never were.”

Beomgyu shifted uncomfortably, fingers curling against his knees. He wasn’t sure what to say, because she was right—she had been awful to him—but hearing her admit it took some of the sting away. Just a little tiny bit.

“I don’t expect you to forgive me” Minji continued, her gaze flicking to him, then away again. “But I don’t want to be someone you resent for the rest of your life. I don’t… want to carry that into my baby’s life either.”

“I don’t hate you,” he said quickly, voice softer than he meant it to be. “I tried. But honestly? What would be the point? You already look miserable enough.”

Minji let out a weak, breathy laugh. “That hurt—but you’re right.”

For a moment they sat in silence, the air heavy between them.

Finally, her eyes flicked to his. “Daehyun was the first person who ever saw me as more than just an omega. I got addicted to that attention", Minji admitted sofly, "I wanted more, but… you were always his priority.”

Beomgyu’s chest clenched. If I had really been his priority, none of this would’ve happened.

“He kept saying he’d leave you, but he never did,” she whispered. “So I thought it was on me to end things for him. Which was stupid. I still feel embarrassed about the way I forced you to listen when I told you I was pregnant.”

Beomgyu took a bitter sort of satisfaction in seeing her ashamed. Did that mean he’d won? Or had they both just lost in different ways?

“Did you…” His voice came out hesitant. “Did you do it on purpose? Getting pregnant?”

She finished the last of her glass, and stayed still for a moment.

“I’m not sure. But when I realized I was pregnant, I thought it would finally be enough to make him choose me. Just me.” Her voice faltered. “But you were right. His reaction wasn’t what I wanted.”

I told you so sat bitter on his tongue. Too cruel.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

He looked at her, really looked, and something in him shifted.

She was an omega, like him. He knew what it was like, being reduced to soft skin and pheromones, to be wanted for the idea of what you could give rather than who you were. He had never lived it the way she had—never been tangled in it the way she was—but he understood enough to imagine the loneliness. To imagine how invisible she must have felt, how much it must have meant when Daehyun looked at her like she was worth holding onto.

Daehyun probably felt like a silver lining to her. A cruel one, but a glimmer nonetheless.

He didn’t excuse her actions, but he understood them in a way that unsettled him.

He swallowed hard.

The words left his mouth before he’d even thought them through. “I forgive you.”

And strangely, it was true. He felt lighter once it was said.

Minji blinked at him, eyes glassy, like she was waiting for him to take it back. But instead, she let out a long, shuddering breath.

“I can see why Soobin likes you so much,” she murmured, almost laughing. “You’re alike, you know.”

Beomgyu’s pulse spiked. “What do you mean?”

“Well, Soobin’s a good guy. He put up with me for months, even after telling me he didn’t want me near him.”

“But he said some pretty awful things to you,” Beomgyu pointed out carefully.

“He did. And I deserved it. I wouldn’t shut up about you.” She looked down, voice small. “And…you know, he might’ve told me some things but everything I did was my fault, not his”.

Beomgyu swallowed hard. “He still lied to me.”

She gave a tiny shrug. “Yeah. But… he called a few days ago, just to ask how I was. He’s nice—nice like you. I think you two should date.” Her voice had gone oddly timid, almost girlish, like a little sister nudging him toward his crush.

Beomgyu barked out a laugh, though his heart was hammering out of control.

“You know, without all the heavy makeup, you’re kind of adorable,” he teased.

“What the hell? I’ve been working on this sexy image for years. Don’t ruin it.” She scowled, then laughed with him.

For the first time, he understood why Daehyun had liked her. She wasn’t all bad. Twisted, selfish, yes—but not completely awful. Maybe he could see, in some too-empathetic corner of himself, why she’d done what she had.

“I also came because… I need advice,” she admitted.

Beomgyu raised a brow. “Advice?”

Minji rubbed her palms over her knees, restless. “The thing is… Daehyun’s family already knows. About me. About the baby.”

Beomgyu sat up straighter, his pulse kicking. “Oh”.

He knew this was bound to happen, especially after Daehyun’s mother’s visit yesterday. But he hadn’t expected it to be this soon.

“They know,” she repeated, quieter. “And I—I don’t think they like me very much. They think I’m—” she hesitated, swallowing hard, “a mistake. Someone taking advantage of him. And Daehyun, he’s… he’s not helping. He won’t let me in, not really. I keep wondering how to make them see me differently, how to make him see me differently, and I thought…” she trailed off, glancing at Beomgyu almost sheepishly. “You’d know. You were with him for years. You know how his family works. What they want to hear.”

Beomgyu blinked at her, floored. Of all the reasons he’d imagined she might come here, this hadn’t even been on the list. “Minji…” His voice cracked into a laugh of disbelief. “You want—what, strategy advice?”

Her eyes flickered defensively. “I just—thought you could help. Because you managed. You fit in with them.”

Beomgyu opened his mouth, then closed it, floundering. His hands went up in helplessness. “You can’t be serious.”

Before he could say more, a loud thump sounded from the kitchen. Both of them turned just in time to see Yeonjun and Taehyun stumble into view, clearly having been pressed up against the door.

“Oops,” Yeonjun said, unconvincing, as he straightened his shirt.

“We weren’t eavesdropping,” Taehyun added, deadpan, though his ears were pink.

Beomgyu groaned, covering his face. “Sorry, they’re my roommates.”

Minji blinked at them, startled, but before she could react, Yeonjun plopped onto the arm of the couch Beomgyu was sitting. “Did I just hear you say you want to win over Daehyun’s family?”

Minji crossed her arms, defensive. “Yes. Is that weird?”

“It’s tragic,” Yeonjun corrected.

“Pathetic,” Taehyun supplied.

“Unnecessary,” Beomgyu muttered from behind his hand.

Minji scowled. “Easy for you guys to say. You don’t understand—”

“We do understand,” Taehyun cut in, his voice calmer but firm. “We’re omegas too. We know exactly what it feels like to want to make yourself small and perfect so people won’t think you’re disposable.” His eyes softened a fraction. “But it never works. Not the way you think it will.”

Yeonjun nodded sagely. “Trying to impress that family after everything is impossible. Even if you get on their good side, they’ll just find something else to hate. You’ll never win that game.”

Beomgyu dropped his hands at that, watching Minji carefully. She looked… stunned, like no one had said it to her so plainly before.

Taehyun leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “You don’t need to twist yourself for them. You don’t need to beg for scraps. If Daehyun won’t step up, that’s on him. Not you.”

“And his family isn’t a prize,” Yeonjun added. “Daehyun sure as hell isn’t either. He’s a piece of shit.” He caught himself, then looked at Minji’s belly. “Uh—no offense, baby.”

Minji’s lip wobbled. She looked away quickly, blinking fast. “…You’re all so annoying,” she whispered, but her voice cracked.

“You should stop exhausting yourself for people who don’t want to meet you halfway”, Beomgyu said finally. “It’s not worth it”.

“And there are resources, if you’re not sure about—” Taehyun started.

“I am,” Minji cut him off. “I’ve decided. I’m keeping them.”

“Well, that’s amazing,” Yeonjun said sincerely. “Focus on that. You don’t need someone who doesn’t want to be there.”

“Ah, I’m fucked,” Minji muttered.

“It’s karma—” Yeonjun started, until Beomgyu clamped a hand over his mouth.

Minji actually laughed at the sight. “I can’t believe your friends are giving me advice.”

When she left later, she looked lighter, less miserable than when she’d arrived.

The three of them collapsed onto the couch.

“That was surreal,” Beomgyu said. “I can’t believe I just had a civil conversation with her.”

“Maybe the pregnancy hormones hit her,” Taehyun suggested. “Or maybe she’s finally realizing her mistakes.”

“Wow,” Beomgyu muttered.

“I’m still kinda bummed you didn’t fight her when she wasn’t pregnant,” Yeonjun said.

x-o-x

The café felt too quiet. Or maybe it only seemed that way because every sound, the scrape of a spoon against porcelain, the hiss of steaming milk, the chatter from a nearby table, was swallowed up by the awkward silence between them.

Beomgyu toyed with his paper straw. Soobin sat across from him, fingers locked tight around his cup like it was the only thing keeping him steady. They’d already tried the small talk, classes, friends, the project Beomgyu had been working on…but nothing stuck, every word fell flat.

Finally, Soobin exhaled, gaze flicking up to meet Beomgyu’s. “Do you remember finals last year?” His voice was low, nervous.

Beomgyu tilted his head. “I guess so.”

“You probably don’t remember this part. You were in your heat… delirious. You ran into me in the hallway. I carried you to the infirmary.”

“What?”

Beomgyu did remember that day. He remembered ignoring all the signs his heat was coming because he’d been desperate to finish a major project. He remembered feeling so miserable that he slipped away to the bathroom, trying to steady himself…and then someone helping him to the infirmary.

What he remembered most vividly, though, were the things he’d blurted out in front of that someone.

“That’s embarrassing,” Beomgyu groaned, covering his face with his hands. “I was saying all kinds of stupid things. Sorry you had to see that.”

“Don’t be,” Soobin said softly. “It made you more real. It made me… curious about you.”

“Curious about why I was such a loser?” Beomgyu joked, peeking at him through his fingers.

“No,” Soobin said quickly, shaking his head. “It made me want to get involved in things that weren’t mine. I wanted to tell you what I saw between Minji and Daehyun. But… I didn’t think you’d believe me.”

Beomgyu sighed, shoulders sinking. “I have to admit, I don’t think I would’ve.”

And wasn’t that the worst part? He was right. Back then, he would’ve chosen Daehyun every single time.

“Exactly,” Soobin muttered. “And then, when we actually got closer—when I thought I’d earned even a little of your trust—I panicked.”

“Panicked about what?”

Soobin’s hands tightened around his cup. “About losing you. About you not believing me. About you choosing him anyway. I was just protecting me. I couldn’t stand the thought of you not wanting me in your life.”

“You were selfish,” Beomgyu said flatly.

Soobin leaned forward, elbows pressing into the table, his voice cracking under the weight of his words. “I was. I still am. I lied because I was a coward. Because I didn’t want to give you a reason to leave me. And that makes me a shitty person, I know.” He let out a shaky breath, lips parting like he was trying to catch up to his own thoughts. “But the truth is, I’ve never—never—felt like this before. Not even close. I didn’t know I could. And it made me so stupid, Beomgyu. Completely, embarrassingly stupid. It made me greedy in ways I didn’t even know I could be. I thought if I held back the truth, I could keep you. But all I did was hurt you”.

Beomgyu stared at him, throat tight. Never felt like this before. The words should have been reassuring. Instead, they rattled around in his chest, echoing too loudly against a question he didn’t want to ask.

Why me?

Soobin laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “I’m not trying to excuse it. I just—fuck, I should’ve trusted you with everything, even if it meant you hated me. You deserved that. You still do.”

He trailed off, words collapsing into the quiet hum of the café.

Beomgyu didn’t know what to say back. His throat worked uselessly, mind blank. And before he could find something—anything—a voice cut through the silence.

“Beomgyu!”

Beomgyu turned in surprise at the sound of his name.

“Oh—Suho!” Relief hit him hard, like a sudden breath of fresh air. He sat up straighter, grateful for the interruption. Suho had graduated last year, but Beomgyu had met him through friends recently, a casual acquaintance.

Suho stopped beside their table. “I thought that was you. Aeri told me you’d be around here sometimes. Didn’t think I’d run into you so soon.”

“Yeah,” Beomgyu said, trying to match Suho’s easy tone. “Thanks again for agreeing to help for our project, by the way.”

“Of course,” Suho said warmly. “Anything for Aeri. She’s been hyping up this short film for weeks, so I figured I had to see it myself. Plus, it’ll be fun to get back behind the camera for something creative again.” He glanced at the cup in Beomgyu’s hands, then at the boy sitting across from him—

“Soobin! Oh my God, I haven’t seen you in ages!”

Beomgyu blinked, caught off guard. He glanced between them.

Right, Suho used to be a photography major.

Soobin shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly wishing the table would swallow him whole. “Uh—hi, Suho.”

Suho laughed under his breath, the sound fond. “I can’t believe you two know each other! I literally met Beomgyu a while ago!”

“So you were classmates…?” Beomgyu started, then trailed off as Suho shot him an amused look.

“Yeah,” Suho admitted easily, hands sliding into his pockets. “And we dated for, like, a few months. Worst mistake of my life”.

Soobin groaned quietly, lowering his face into his hand.

“I’m kidding!”, Suho grinned wider, clearly entertained by his embarrassment. “Don’t worry, I won’t spill your secrets.”

Soobin peeked at him from between his fingers, ears tinged pink. “It was nice seeing you, I hope it doesn’t happen again”

Beomgyu bit the inside of his cheek, fighting a laugh. The idea of a younger, even more awkward Soobin being someone’s boyfriend was strangely… endearing. And hilarious.

Suho chuckled, shaking his head. “Anyway—I’ll let you guys get back to it. I’ll see you soon, Beomgyu.”

“Yeah. See you,” Beomgyu said, still biting down laughter.

Suho waved and left, disappearing into the café crowd.

Beomgyu turned back to Soobin, who had both hands over his face like he was trying to disappear.

Beomgyu couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing. “So… worst mistake of his life, huh?”

Soobin groaned louder, slumping over the table. “I regret everything.”

“What did you do to him?”, Beomgyu asked.

“Why are you assuming I’m the guilty one?”

“You aren’t?”, Beomgyu gave him a look.

“For the record, I was a great boyfriend,” Soobin muttered defensively. “I just… had a hard time opening up.”

Beomgyu hummed. That didn’t sound like the Soobin he knew at all, the one that had just spilled all of his feelings on that very same table.

“This is the first time I’ve met one of your exes,” Beomgyu said lightly, though the words tasted strange in his mouth.

“And I hope it’s the last,” Soobin groaned. “Suho was pretty understanding compared to the others.”

“Oh, so you were a heartbreaker, huh?”, Beomgyu teased.

“Not exactly, but some of them ended up hating me when things didn’t work out, said I was too indifferent”, Soobin explained.

That didn’t sound like Soobin either.

So what’s different now?

Beomgyu’s curiosity slipped out before he could stop it. “And…how many are they? I mean, your exes”.

“Probably, like… seven? Shit, that’s a normal number, right? I’m not a fuckboy I swear” Soobin explained.

Beomgyu smiled, already amused.

“I didn’t even date them for that long. I mean, Suho was probably the one that lasted the longest”, Soobin continued rambling.

“And how long was that?”, Beomgyu asked.

“Like 6 months”, Soobin said.

“Guess we’re different in that department,” Beomgyu said. “My number is three exes. The longest was Daehyun. Three years.”

Beomgyu braced himself for Soobin’s reaction, but Soobin only nodded, quiet. Still, Beomgyu caught the flicker in his eyes. Not anger. Not judgment. Something tighter, something harder to name. Jealousy, maybe. Or the silent kind of competitiveness that made Beomgyu’s chest feel heavy.

“Oh, yeah, we're different” Soobin murmured. Then, hesitant: “Does it… bother you?”

Beomgyu looked at him. Soobin was actually nervous. He wanted to say something sharp, wanted to tease him again, but instead he softened. “It doesn’t matter.”

Soobin’s shoulders eased just a little, his lips twitching into relief. “Good.”

But it did matter, just not the way Soobin thought. It wasn’t the number that gnawed at him, or even the past itself. It was the question that wouldn’t leave him alone: what makes me different? Out of seven others, out of everyone Soobin had touched or tried to love, why him? What did he have that no one else did?

Soobin was still looking at him, waiting for something more. His eyes were soft, open in that way that made Beomgyu’s chest tighten, like he meant every word he’d said earlier.

The silence stretched again. Beomgyu’s iced coffee was gone, the sky outside shading toward dusk.

“Let’s get ice cream,” Beomgyu blurted, desperate for escape, for air, for something sweet to cover all the bitter.

Soobin’s head snapped up. “Yes!” Then he caught himself, clearing his throat. “I mean—yeah. Sure.”

x-o-x

The summer night was warm, cicadas humming in the trees, the air sweet with freshly cut grass. The park was nearly empty, just a couple of streetlamps casting pale gold light across the swings.

Beomgyu tossed his napkin into the bin and dropped onto a swing, his sneakers dragging lazy lines into the dirt. Soobin sat beside him, knees bent awkwardly, the seat too small for his height.

“I still can’t believe you were fighting with Daehyun in the waiting room,” Beomgyu said, tone a mix of teasing and genuine disbelief. “My mom wouldn’t stop talking about you.”

Soobin groaned, burying his face in his hands. “That wasn’t the best first impression.”

“Don’t worry.” Beomgyu grinned, remembering his mom’s words. “She said you were sweet. Actually said sweet. You’ve corrupted her.”

A short laugh escaped Soobin, ears tinting pink. “She seems cool.”

Beomgyu snorted. “Don’t fall under her spell. She used to be so strict with me—wouldn’t even let me sit on public benches because they were ‘too dirty.’ Or get on the seesaw. Said I’d get stuck.”

“Well, that does sound plausible.” Soobin’s mouth curved ruefully. “When I was six, I got stuck in a slide. Upside down.”

Beomgyu whipped his head toward him. “Upside down?!”

“Yep. My mom laughed her head off before pulling me out. My sister wouldn’t stop teasing me for weeks. I was so mortified I refused to go near that slide for years.”

The laugh burst out of Beomgyu before he could stop it—sharp, unguarded, too loud for the quiet night. “Your mom was a hero. I would’ve taken a photo, though.”

“Tragic, I know,” Soobin said with mock solemnity, dimples flashing. Then his smile softened into something quieter. “That was her, though. She’d laugh at me first, but she never left me stuck. Not once.”

Beomgyu’s grin faltered. There was something in Soobin’s voice—tender, reverent—that tugged at him.

“She sounds…really great,” Beomgyu said carefully.

“She was,” Soobin answered simply. Then, as if the dam cracked, more slipped out. “She used to team up with my sister just to make fun of me. My first haters and my biggest supporters.”

Beomgyu softened. “I guess that’s where Jimin gets it from.”

“Yeah.” A faint smile touched his lips. “My mom was a teacher. Noona swears she knew she wanted to be one, too, by the time she was five—just from tagging along to her classes.”

Beomgyu nodded, watching him. But he could tell Soobin wasn’t talking to him anymore. His gaze had gone distant, fixed on the empty slides across the park.

“Some of her old students still call me,” Soobin went on softly. “Just to check in. Or to tell me something reminded them of her. Sometimes it feels like she’s still…here. Other times it just makes me miss her more.”

The words hung between them, heavy and raw. Then Soobin blinked, as if startled by himself, and shook his head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to—uh—trauma dump all over you again.”

Beomgyu’s chest tightened. He wanted to say something clever, something to break the weight—but all he could manage was steady and low. “It’s okay. Really. Thank you for telling me.”

Soobin studied him, swing swaying gently. “You always do this.”

Beomgyu tilted his head. “Do what?”

“Get me to say things I don’t usually say.” Soobin gave a short, disbelieving laugh. “This isn’t me. I don’t talk like this. I don’t…open up like this.”

That wasn’t true. Not to him, at least. He’d never thought of Soobin as closed off—if anything, he’d always been struck by how easily Soobin teased, smiled, filled the air around him. When Suho had casually mentioned earlier something along those lines, Beomgyu thought it was just an ex exaggerating. But now… hearing Soobin admit it himself made his stomach twist.

“You don’t?” he asked carefully.

Soobin shook his head, eyes falling to the dirt. “I’ve always had this wall. Even when I liked someone—even when I was with them—I couldn’t give all of myself. I was already bracing for the ending, like I couldn’t afford to believe they’d stay.”

Beomgyu stayed quiet, watching him, listening.

“Suho used to say it felt like I was only halfway there,” Soobin admitted. “And he was right. With everyone before, too. It felt safer that way. People leave—sometimes by choice, sometimes not—and I…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “I guess I learned early not to get too used to things lasting.”

Beomgyu’s throat tightened. He didn’t need Soobin to spell it out. The father who left. The mother who didn’t get to stay. The kind of pain that carved itself into your bones and taught you to live expecting collapse.

“And yet…” Soobin’s voice dipped lower, almost fragile. “With you, I never hit that wall. I didn’t even realize it was gone until it scared the hell out of me.” He let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. “Part of me was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. For you to leave. Because that’s…what people do.”

The words settled heavily between them, like the still night air. Beomgyu’s fingers curled around the swing’s chains, the metal biting cool against his skin. Waiting for someone to leave—he knew that fear. It had haunted him, too, though his answer had always been the opposite of Soobin’s: hold on tighter, don’t let go.

He did that with Daehyun. He’d trusted blindly until it shattered beneath him. And now here he was again, heart stumbling at the sound of Soobin’s voice, wondering if he was setting himself up to be destroyed a second time.

Because what if he was just another temporary rush? What if, months from now, Soobin realized this was only obsession, or loneliness, or something flimsy that couldn’t last? Beomgyu wasn’t sure he could survive another Daehyun, another slow erosion of love he thought was permanent.

And worse—what if Soobin really did feel something new, something bigger. Beomgyu didn’t know if he could carry that without breaking it.

The thought pressed heavy against his ribs.

“I think I’m scared of that too,” Beomgyu admitted, voice barely more than a whisper. He wasn’t sure if he meant being left or leaving someone behind—or maybe both.

Soobin’s head turned at that, eyes catching the dim glow of the streetlamp. There was something raw there, something stripped back that Beomgyu wasn’t used to seeing. The Soobin he knew was confident, teasing, unflappable—he wasn’t supposed to look this breakable.

It jolted something in him. His mind flashed back to that night—his drunken spiral, the sharp sting of heartbreak, and Soobin’s hands steadying him even as his own voice trembled. Beomgyu had been too wrapped up in his misery to notice it then, but he remembered the desperation in Soobin’s eyes, the way his words—I love you—had cut through the fog. He’d brushed it off at the time, told himself it was the heat of the moment or pity. But now… maybe it hadn’t been. Maybe Soobin had meant it.

The thought lodged in his chest, unsettling and dangerous. Because if Soobin had been telling the truth, then what did that make the warmth creeping into Beomgyu’s own chest now? What did it mean that his heart was stuttering like this?

For a long moment neither of them spoke, the only sound the creak of the swings and the distant hum of cicadas. Beomgyu thought maybe that was it—that the conversation would fizzle out there, swallowed by the night.

But then Soobin’s voice returned, low and steady. “I know I’ve said it already,” he murmured, “but I need to say it again. I’m sorry. For everything. For hurting you. For being stupid enough to think I could protect you by keeping things from you.”

Beomgyu’s chest tightened. He swallowed, throat dry. “I know, Soobin,” he said quietly. His voice trembled, but the words came out firm.

Soobin’s gaze searched his face, cautious, pleading. “Do you think…” He hesitated, dragging in a slow breath before finishing, “there could still be a possibility for us?”

Yes. No. I don’t know.

“You lied to me,” Beomgyu said, the words heavy in his mouth. “Even if it wasn’t your intention, it felt like you decided what was best for me without even asking.”

Soobin nodded quickly, earnest. “You’re right. I was wrong. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you. Even if that means starting from scratch.”

That was where Beomgyu should stop. Should say no, or that he needed space. Deep down, he knew he couldn’t hand his heart over so easily again. He should protect himself, protect both of them.

But the way Soobin looked at him—open, vulnerable, so far from the confident mask Beomgyu was used to—made it hard to breathe. He wanted it. Wanted him.

He was so tired of the ache, so tired of wanting while telling himself he couldn’t have.

“Starting from scratch, huh?” he said finally, trying for lightness, though his voice shook.

“Yeah,” Soobin said quickly, a shy grin tugging at his lips. “If you’ll let me.”

Beomgyu hummed, pretending to think. “Maybe.”

Soobin’s smile widened, relief flashing across his face. “You mean it?”

“But don’t get ahead of yourself,” Beomgyu warned quickly, fingers tightening on the swing’s chain. “We’re not just… picking up where we left off. You’ve got a lot to prove.”

Soobin nodded eagerly, dimples flashing. “Then I’ll prove it. I’ll win you over properly this time. I’ll be like the-perfect-soon-to-be-or-might-not-be-boyfriend-or-just-a-really-close-friend-if-that’s-what-you-want.”

The determination in his voice made Beomgyu’s stomach flip. He laughed, trying to cover it. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” Soobin said, grinning wider now, “but I mean it. I’ll do whatever you want. Your personal slave.”

“Oh my god, shut up.”

Beomgyu let the laugh slip out anyway, warm and unguarded. For one fleeting moment, he let himself get swept up in the glow of Soobin’s excitement—ignoring the quiet part of himself that knew this wasn’t as simple as a fresh start.

He knew he was being reckless. Knew he was giving in too easily. But when Soobin looked at him like that, Beomgyu couldn’t bring himself to care.

x-o-x

The next few weeks were…eventful. Let’s just say that Soobin meant it when he’d said he was going to prove himself.

It started small. One night after a long rehearsal shoot, Beomgyu walked out of the building expecting a bus ride home. Instead, he found Soobin leaning against his car in the parking lot, earbuds in.

“Yay! We have a ride!” Yeonjun cheered, immediately climbing in.

“I’m so tired I don’t care that it’s him,” Taehyun muttered, following behind.

“How long have you been here?” Beomgyu asked, more suspicious than touched.

Soobin just grabbed his bag like it was the most natural thing in the world. “…Three and a half hours?”

“Three and—are you insane? I told you I didn’t know when I was going to finish!”

Soobin only grinned, opening the passenger door with a dramatic flourish. “Your ride awaits.”

The next morning, Beomgyu nearly tripped over an iced coffe sitting on their apartment doorstep. His favorite order, condensation beading on the lid, with a sticky note attached: Sorry if yesterday was too much. Please don’t block me.

Yeonjun found it and cackled so loudly the neighbors complained.

And it only escalated. Groceries started appearing (“just the essentials,” though always stocked with Beomgyu’s favorite snacks). Rides to campus almost every morning. Spontaneous repairs—Soobin once assembled the broken shelf Yeonjun had been ignoring for months, all while humming cheerfully like he lived there.

Even Taehyun’s laundry wasn’t safe.

Yeonjun, predictably, took advantage. “Soobin, my favorite simp,” he said one afternoon, arm around his shoulders. “Since you’re already groveling, think you could drive me to my hair appointment tomorrow? The place is thirty minutes away, and I just know you want to prove how loyal you are.”

To Beomgyu’s horror, Soobin agreed instantly. “Of course. Text me the time.”

Beomgyu whipped around. “Stop saying yes to him! You’re encouraging him!”

“Unbelievable,” Taehyun muttered.

And it didn’t stop there. Somehow, Soobin kept inserting himself deeper into Beomgyu’s orbit.

When Beomgyu had to lug a pile of props and supplies into a shooting location, Soobin tagged along to help. He was supposed to leave right after—but when Yeonjun complained about the missing lead actor for lighting tests, Soobin was the first to volunteer.

“I’m about the same height, right?” he said with a smirk. “And some people say I’ve got a face for film.”

Yeonjun didn’t hesitate. “Close enough. Works for the angles.”

“Wait, no, he has other things to do—” Beomgyu started, but Soobin was already stepping under the lights, standing obediently while the cinematographer adjusted things around him. He didn’t flinch when they made him shift positions over and over, didn’t complain when someone tugged at his shoulders to fix his posture. He just grinned every time Beomgyu glared at him, clearly enjoying himself far too much.

At one point, he helped drag a heavy lighting stand across the floor and scraped his hand against the metal edge.

“Ah—” Soobin hissed softly, shaking his hand.

Beomgyu’s head snapped around instantly. “What happened? Let me see.”

“It’s nothing,” Soobin said quickly, trying to hide it.

“Soobin.” Beomgyu’s voice dropped. He caught Soobin’s hand and pulled it closer. Just a scratch, but the sight of even a smear of red made Beomgyu’s stomach twist.

“You’re bleeding,” Beomgyu muttered, pressing a tissue into his palm.

“It’s barely a papercut.” Soobin tilted his head, watching him fuss. Then, with that infuriating grin: “But if it makes you feel better, you can kiss it.”

Beomgyu’s glare was sharp enough to kill, which only made Soobin laugh. A couple of crew members snickered in the background, clearly enjoying the show.

And then, because he apparently had no shame, Soobin leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to Beomgyu’s forehead.

“Sorry, couldn’t help myself,” he teased softly.

Beomgyu went scarlet on the spot. It wasn’t the first time, either—Soobin had been pulling that stunt more and more often lately, sneaking forehead kisses in when Beomgyu least expected it.

To say the least, it was driving Beomgyu a little crazy.

And that wasn’t even the end of it.

This time it was during their shared class, the professor had put on a documentary about Confucius, the classroom dim except for the glow of the projector. Most students were half-asleep or pretending to take notes.

Beomgyu was actually paying attention when a small box slid across his desk. He blinked down at it: his favorite pastry from the campus café.

He glanced sideways. Soobin sat there, chin in hand, smiling at him like they were the only two people in the room.

“I’m going to be fat by the end of the year if you keep bribing me with food.”

Soobin leaned closer, grinning. “It doesn’t matter, Confucius said virtue makes you beautiful, which explains you, obviously.”

At that exact moment, the video on the projector cut off mid-sentence. Silence fell over the classroom. And in that silence, Soobin’s words carried, clear as a bell.

The entire class burst out laughing. Someone actually clapped. Even the professor rubbed his forehead like he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.

Beomgyu wanted to sink into the floor. Heat rushed to his face—but his mouth still moved on reflex. “That’s not even what he said,” he hissed, ears burning.

Beomgyu buried his face in his hands. Soobin just leaned back, looking mortified for about two seconds before recovering with a smug tilt of his head.

“Well,” he said, voice carrying just enough, “either way, I meant it.”

By the time the cafeteria incident rolled around, Beomgyu thought he’d built some tolerance.

He was wrong.

They hadn’t even sat down yet when Yeonjun leaned toward Taehyun, smirking. “Bet you a coffee Soobin blurts out a love confession this time”.

Taehyun crossed his arms, unamused but interested. “I think he will definitely try to feed him with chopsticks”.

“Deal”.

Beomgyu groaned. “I can hear you.”

“And?” Yeonjun shot back.

At the table, Kai waved them over, Soobin already pulling a chair out for Beomgyu. “It’s packed today!” he said cheerfully.

The second Beomgyu set down his tray, Soobin swapped it out with a neatly packed container.

“I checked the menu this morning,” Soobin explained, all smug. “Knew you’d hate it.”

Inside: kimbap, mandu, honey-glazed sweet potatoes. All his favorites.

Beomgyu blinked. “…You made this?”

“You cooked?” Kai said, eyeing the food. “Be careful, that could be poisonous.”

“You’re supposed to be on my side,” Soobin shot back. Then his grin turned sly. “You’re just jealous you can’t step up your game”.

“We’re friends!”

Taehyun blinked, deadpan. “We’re friends.”

Yeonjun snorted so hard he nearly dropped his chopsticks.

Beomgyu, trying to ignore them, picked up a piece of mandu. “…This is actually good.”

Kai stole one, chewed, then froze. “Okay, wow. Where’d you buy this?”

“I didn’t buy it!” Soobin huffed. “I made it!”

And then—inevitably—Soobin picked up a piece of kimbap with his chopsticks, held it up to Beomgyu, and said softly, “Try this one, please”.

The cafeteria’s chatter seemed to fade all at once.

Beomgyu wanted to die on the spot. His face burned as he leaned forward despite himself, taking the bite.

Taehyun nudged Yeonjun under the table, voice low. “I want a vanilla latte”.

Beomgyu flushed to the neck, but his chest felt unbearably, dangerously full.

And still—still—it wasn’t the end.

One evening, Beomgyu came home much later than usual (and with a phone with no battery) to find Soobin sitting cross-legged on the hallway floor outside their apartment door, head tipped back against the wall, fast asleep. A takeout bag sat beside him, steam long gone cold.

Beomgyu’s first instinct was exasperation—Is he serious?—but then he noticed the way Soobin’s shoulders were slumped, exhaustion softening his face. And something inside him squeezed.

He should feel bad for letting this go on. And he did. But there was another part of him, quieter, guilty in its own way—that liked it. That liked knowing someone cared enough to humiliate himself like this.

And the problem was that he wasn’t sure he deserved it. Not after everything. Not when he wasn’t sure of his feelings. Was he really worth all this trouble? Soobin acted like he was.

His throat tightened. The thought made his chest ache. He feared how easy it would be to want this forever.

Beomgyu crouched down beside him, reaching out like he might wake him. But before he could, Soobin stirred, lashes fluttering. His gaze focused hazily on Beomgyu’s face.

And then he smiled.

“Am I in heaven?” he mumbled sleepily. “I can see an angel right in front of me.”

For a second, Beomgyu just blinked at him. And then, before he could stop himself, he burst out laughing—loud, startled, helpless. Soobin looked ridiculous, droopy-eyed and grinning, and somehow still managed to say things that left Beomgyu’s heart in his throat.

Maybe that was why he didn’t want to let go just yet. Because being with Soobin felt a little too good to give up.

x-o-x

My Soobinie <33

Omg they’re letting you take things from their storage?

Me

Yep

They feel bad I almost die here

My Soobinie <33

As they should!

You’ll need help taking those to your apartment?

Yes?

Ok don’t insist so much

I’ll be there

Me

?

I guess you can come

My Soobinie <33

It’s ok??

Really?

Me

Can you get here by 6?

My Soobinie <33

Yes!!

“So,” Minseo said, voice low but teasing, “are you gonna tell us or do we have to guess?”

Beomgyu blinked, looking up from his phone, “Tell you what?”

Jihoon swiveled in his chair with a grin. “That you and your boyfriend got back together. Don’t think we haven’t noticed.”

“What—” Beomgyu nearly choked. “No, we didn’t! He’s not my boyfriend”.

Jihoon tapped his chin. “Honestly, Seungmin never had a chance. You are too down bad for your no-boyfriend.”

“Yes!” Minseo cut in, laughing, “you literally glowed whenever you get a text! We can all see it.”

Heat climbed all the way up Beomgyu’s ears. He ducked his head, fiddling with his pen. “…I’ve just been sleeping more.”

“Sure,” Jihoon muttered, clearly unconvinced.

Minseo softened, though. “Well, whatever it is—you look better. Happier.”

Beomgyu forced a small smile. Happier. He wasn’t sure if it was happiness, not really. More like distraction, like letting Soobin orbit so closely around him left no room to drown in his own thoughts. Maybe that was good enough for now.

x-o-x

“Why do I feel like this is just an excuse for you to keep hoarding things?” Soobin asked, lugging a box of mismatched frames that Beomgyu had salvaged from the TV station’s storage room.

“It’s not hoarding, I told you. I actually need them for my shoot tomorrow,” Beomgyu replied, grinning when he uncovered a frame with a strange, almost lopsided oval shape. “See? Practical. I’m even putting my lamps to use.”

Soobin tipped his head toward the corner. “I saw you eyeing that one. Gonna sneak it into your little collection?”

“Shut it,” Beomgyu muttered, even though… yeah, he had been eyeing that lamp. The shade was glass. That didn’t count as hoarding—it was aesthetic.

He wanted to roll his eyes, but his chest ached instead. Because this—this playful rhythm, Soobin poking at his quirks while he defended them—this was how they used to be. Before the fight. Before Beomgyu decided they were “starting over.” Now it felt the same, except for the part where Soobin never brushed against him anymore, never casually reached out, never leaned close enough for his scent to blur Beomgyu’s thoughts. He told himself he didn’t miss it, that he was better off without it, that it could complicate things even more…but the silence it left behind was deafening.

“Well, I think—” Soobin started, but was cut off by the heavy groan of the storage door opening.

“Oh, hey, Beomgyu.”

Beomgyu turned, blinking at the sight of Seungmin pushing a cart piled with discarded props.

“Hey,” Beomgyu said, trying to smile through the sudden twist in his stomach.

“They gave you permission, huh?” Seungmin asked cheerfully.

“Yep. Almost dying at work finally paid off,” Beomgyu joked, though his voice was tight.

Seungmin chuckled, then his gaze slid past him. “Oh. Hi.” His grin dipped, then recovered—sharper now, more deliberate. “I’m Seungmin”.

Even with his back to him, Beomgyu could feel Soobin stiffen at the sight of the other alpha.

“Soobin. We’ve met before,” Soobin said, stepping up beside Beomgyu and giving Seungmin a polite nod.

Right. The bar. That night Beomgyu had spiraled into an identity crisis, let his coworker drag him to a random bar, and solved all his problems by—brilliantly—kissing him.

“Ah, right! Sorry, I was pretty drunk that night,” Seungmin said, scratching the back of his neck. “Anyway, I’ll be around for a few more hours. If you need help with anything, just text me.”

Friendly. Innocent. Or at least Beomgyu wanted to believe that. Everyone here already assumed Soobin was his boyfriend, so Seungmin probably thought that kiss had just been a one-off slip during a fight with said boyfriend—and that things were now patched up and stronger than ever.

Ugh. Beomgyu should never have kissed him.

“I’m enough help. Don’t worry,” Soobin replied, smiling in that way that looked friendly on the surface but was clearly forced.

Seungmin smirked, tipping his head. “Sure. Just offering. You know where to find me.” His gaze flicked once more to Beomgyu before he left.

Beomgyu could practically see the tension bleed out of Soobin’s shoulders the second the door shut.

“So. You don’t like him,” Beomgyu declared, standing on tiptoe to reach a frame stacked high on a shelf.

“No,” Soobin muttered, reaching up without effort to grab it for him. “He took you to a bar while you were drunk. That says enough.”

When he put it like that, yeah—Seungmin did sound like a creep.

Beomgyu turned the metal frame over in his hands, brushing the raised roses carved into it. He hesitated. Should he tell him? It was reckless to bring it up. But some petty part of him wanted to see that look in Soobin’s eyes again…the one that gave away how much Soobin still wanted him.

“It’s just awkward since that night,” he said casually, watching Soobin’s profile. “Because, you know…”

“What is it?” Soobin asked immediately, alarm flickering in his eyes.

Beomgyu kept his tone casual. “We kissed.”

The way Soobin froze made his chest tighten and his throat warm with laughter.

“What?!” Soobin’s voice shot up before he cleared his throat, trying to smooth it over. “I mean, uh… that’s… you like him, or…?” He was fumbling, trying too hard to look unaffected.

God, he was adorable. Beomgyu couldn’t help it—he laughed.

“Now you’re laughing at me,” Soobin muttered, though the tension was already melting from his shoulders.

“You trying to act all normal is just really funny,” Beomgyu admitted, smiling so wide his cheeks hurt.

And maybe this was dangerous. Because this was how they always had been—bickering, teasing, pushing buttons. It felt normal again. Too normal. Except Soobin still kept his hands to himself. Except there was still that gap.

“You’re beautiful when you laugh,” Soobin said suddenly, quietly—like the words slipped out without his permission.

Beomgyu froze, heat rushing to his face. He stepped closer, pressing his palms into Soobin’s cheeks until they squished. “And you’re cute when you’re jealous.”

“Am I that obvious?” Soobin asked, smiling helplessly. “Sorry. I know I have no right to feel like that.”

Beomgyu shrugged, leaning in just enough to whisper, “If it makes you feel better… the kiss was terrible.”

Soobin’s gaze flicked to his mouth, then back up, eyes darker now. “You’ve had better?”

“Maybe,” Beomgyu whispered, lips twitching.

And maybe he was lying to himself about not missing Soobin’s touch. Because standing this close, with Soobin’s breath brushing his skin, he realized what he missed wasn’t just the kisses. It was everything.

x-o-x

An hour later, the living room floor of Beomgyu’s apartment looked like a mess: frames laid out in neat rows, some drying under glossy coats of black and gold spray paint. The sharp, chemical tang of it still clung to the air despite the open windows.

“You’re sure about this?” Beomgyu asked, crouching over a frame with a thin brush. He was sketching delicate vines along the edges, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Call time is at seven. On a Saturday. You really want to give up your sleep for free labor?”

Soobin, sprawled comfortably on the floor beside him, tipped his head, watching. “I don’t care about that. I want to see it.”

Beomgyu blinked, brush pausing. “See what?”

“Your vision,” Soobin said simply. “You’ve been planning this shoot for weeks. I want to see how everything you designed—the props, these frames and even your dumb lamps—comes together on camera. And I want to see the part I get to play in it, even if it’s just as an extra.”

Beomgyu froze, heat creeping into his chest in a way that had nothing to do with embarrassment this time. No one ever said things like that to him. Not Daehyun. Not his classmates. No one.

“…Thanks,” he muttered, ducking his head quickly, hoping Soobin didn’t notice the way his ears had gone red.

But of course he noticed. Beomgyu could feel his gaze lingering as he bent back over the frame, brush moving in careful, practiced strokes.

“Wait,” Soobin blurted suddenly, leaning closer. “You’re just doing that freehand?”

“Yeah”, Beomgyu tilted the frame so he could see the curling petals climbing the border he’d been painting.

Soobin’s jaw actually dropped. “That’s insane. You make it look effortless.”

Beomgyu fought the urge to preen, trying to wave it off instead. “It’s a simple design.”

Soobin snatched the brush the second Beomgyu set it down. “Let me try.”

“Okay, but do it here”, Beomgyu said signaling to his sketchbook lying next to his feet.

The result was… not great. His “flower” looked more like a fried egg than anything.

Beomgyu clapped a hand over his mouth but still burst into laughter. “Wow. That’s actually tragic.”

Soobin held it up with exaggerated pride. “It’s abstract!”

“You’re just bad with your hands”, Beomgyu said.

And that was his mistake. Because Soobin’s grin turned slow, wicked. He leaned in, voice dropping just enough to curl heat into Beomgyu’s stomach. “Oh, I don’t think you’d say that if you remembered properly.”

 “Yah—” Beomgyu sputtered, shoving Soobin’s shoulder with the back of his hand. “You’re disgusting!”

Soobin’s grin faltered for a second, as if he’d only just realized how bold he’d been. He ducked his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, okay, maybe that came out… stronger than I meant.”

Beomgyu laughed, cheeks burning so hot it almost hurt. But the sound caught in his throat. Because the truth was, he did remember. Every place Soobin’s hands had known exactly where to press, where to linger. How strong and careful they’d been at once. How Beomgyu had come undone under them, how he’d wanted more, always more.

And now, sitting this close, watching Soobin’s fingers toy with the brush like they hadn’t just made his whole body flush.

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward, though. It was heavy, charged, like static filling the room. When Beomgyu finally dared to meet his gaze again, Soobin was already looking at him, eyes dark and searching, lips parted like he was caught between another joke and something else entirely.

Then Soobin shifted closer—slowly, cautiously—like he was giving Beomgyu every chance to pull away.

Beomgyu didn’t.

Their shoulders brushed and Beomgyu swore his heart was going to burst out of his chest. Soobin hesitated, almost embarrassed, before whispering, “Maybe I should go…”

“Don’t”, Beomgyu said, so close he could already feel the warmth coming from the alpha’s body. And he could feel his scent invading his nose.

Sandalwood wrapping all around him.

He hadn’t realized how much he missed it until now.

Fuck it.

Beomgyu closed his eyes and leaned in.

The kiss started tentative, a gentle press of lips testing boundaries, uncertain and unbearably careful. But the second Soobin leaned in, answering with a shaky exhale, the dam broke. Soobin deepened it, his hand rising to cup the back of Beomgyu’s neck, holding him close like he was afraid he’d vanish if he let go. Beomgyu clutched at his shirt, pulling him in harder, kissing back with the same pent-up want he’d been trying so hard to ignore.

It was messy, hungry, dizzying—and nothing tentative about it anymore.

Beomgyu gasped when Soobin’s hand slipped under the hem of his shirt, fingertips brushing his bare skin like a spark catching fire. His whole body jolted, the kiss turning fevered, teeth clashing a little as neither of them wanted to stop, to even breathe.

“Soobin—” his voice cracked, a warning and a plea tangled into one.

But Soobin only pulled him closer, murmuring against his lips, “Tell me to stop, and I will.”

Beomgyu didn’t. Couldn’t. Instead, he kissed him harder, nails catching on Soobin’s shoulder through his shirt.

God, he missed it. Missed him. The ache of it pressed against his ribs until he could hardly breathe.

Beomgyu barely remembered how they stumbled into his bedroom—just the slam of his back against the doorframe, Soobin’s mouth devouring his, and the clumsy shuffle down the hall until his knees hit the mattress. He fell back, breathless, his shirt rucked halfway up his chest, while Soobin followed him down, bracing above him with wide, frantic eyes.

“Hyung—” Beomgyu tried, but the word melted into a gasp when hot lips sealed against his throat. Soobin sucked hard enough to bruise, and Beomgyu’s fingers instinctively threaded into his hair, pulling him closer instead of pushing him off. His body betrayed him, arching, shuddering, because even if his head screamed slow down, his body burned for more.

“I missed you,” Soobin murmured, voice cracking, mouth wet as it dragged across Beomgyu’s collarbone. “Fuck, I missed you so much. Thought about you every night.” His hands roamed greedily, palming Beomgyu’s waist, sliding lower until his fingertips teased the hem of his pants.

Heat coiled low in Beomgyu’s stomach. He should tell him to stop. He should stop himself. Instead, he arched into the praise, shameless, because it felt too good, too dangerous, too much like being wanted in a way no one ever made him feel.

This isn’t fair.

But when Soobin kissed back up his neck, whispering “you’re so beautiful, Gyu, always so beautiful” in a voice raw with need, Beomgyu tilted his chin to give him more skin to kiss. He hated himself for it, hated how selfish it felt—and yet he couldn’t stop.

Clothes fell away piece by piece, clumsy with need. Beomgyu tugged Soobin’s t-shirt off and let it drop somewhere on the floor; Soobin’s fingers worked the button of Beomgyu’s jeans with shaking urgency, dragging them down until Beomgyu was bare. Skin met skin at last, hot and desperate, their chests sliding together slick with sweat, cocks brushing in a maddening drag that left Beomgyu shuddering.

Soobin’s fingers slipped to his pelvis, grazing sensitive skin. Beomgyu’s hips bucked before he could think.

“Please,” he whispered, too breathless to care what he was asking for.

Soobin groaned like the word undid him. His palm wrapped around Beomgyu’s cock, hot and clumsy, and Beomgyu’s whole body jolted, thighs trembling. He clutched at Soobin’s shoulders, trying not to sob from the sudden pleasure.

“So perfect,” Soobin babbled against his lips, pumping him with desperate strokes. “You don’t even know—fuck, you don’t even know what you do to me.”

Beomgyu bit down on a moan, guilt and heat tangling until his chest ached. He should have stopped him. He didn’t.

Soobin’s fingers slipped lower, pushing them between Beomgyu’s thighs, tentative.

“Tell me if it’s too much,” Soobin whispered. “I don’t want to rush you—”

“Don’t stop,” Beomgyu interrupted, voice breaking. His own desperation surprised him. He hooked a leg around Soobin’s hips, dragging him down until there was no space left. “Please, hyung. I want it.”

“Fuck”.

Soobin’s slick fingers pressed in, careful despite the tremor in his hands. He stretched Beomgyu slowly, easing him open. The stretch burned, sharp and dizzying, but the heat of it—God, it felt too good. Beomgyu buried his face against Soobin’s shoulder, whimpering as he rocked down onto the intrusion.

“That’s it,” Soobin breathed, kissing his temple, his cheek, his mouth again and again like he couldn’t stop. “Take me in, baby, open up for me.”

Beomgyu trembled, torn open in more ways than one. He wasn’t sure if it was lust or love or just selfish hunger, but he wanted Soobin deeper, wanted him filling every space he couldn’t name.

Soobin’s breath came ragged against his mouth as he kept working him open. “Been waiting—so long,” he mumbled, and his voice cracked like he was confessing more than just desire

By the time Soobin positioned himself, Beomgyu was trembling, thighs spread wide, chest heaving.

“Ready?” Soobin asked, voice hoarse, almost afraid. His forehead pressed to Beomgyu’s like he needed the contact to stay steady.

Beomgyu swallowed, nodding, whispering, “Please.”

Soobin pushed in—just the tip at first, and Beomgyu gasped at the burn, nails digging into Soobin’s shoulders. The stretch split him wide, hot and overwhelming, and he could feel Soobin’s chest shudder against his as he bottomed out, gasping raggedly into Beomgyu’s ear.

“So warm—so perfect,” Soobin murmured, kissing his cheek, his temple, his lips in quick, frantic presses. “Taking me so good already.”

Another inch slid in, and Beomgyu whimpered, his whole body clenching around the intrusion. Soobin held still, whispering against his skin, “Breathe, baby. Just breathe. You’re doing so well for me.” He kissed down his jaw, soft and relentless, his voice breaking with every word.

He eased in further, inch by inch, until Beomgyu felt stretched impossibly wide, every nerve ending aflame. The slow push was unbearable—too much, too good, too intimate.

“So fucking beautiful like this,” Soobin rambled, clinging tight, his words spilling as if he couldn’t hold them back. “Every bit of you—made for me, only for me. I missed you, baby, missed this—”

Beomgyu squeezed his eyes shut, overwhelmed. He couldn’t deny the way his body begged for more. He tilted his hips up, urging Soobin deeper.

When Soobin finally bottomed out, they both cried out—Beomgyu’s voice sharp, Soobin’s breaking into a desperate moan. He held Beomgyu like he’d fall apart without him, arms locked around his back, chest trembling against his.

“I’ll take care of you,” Soobin whispered raggedly, pressing frantic kisses to his mouth, but his desperation bled through with every thrust, every plea whispered against Beomgyu’s mouth. “Don’t leave me. Please. I—I love you.” The words fell raw, thoughtless—Soobin didn’t even seem to realize he’d said them.

But Beomgyu did. His body clenched around Soobin, betraying him, while his chest twisted painfully. He wanted to say it back. He wanted to mean it. But the words curdled in his throat, too heavy with doubt.

So, he kissed Soobin instead—hard, open, needy—like maybe that could be enough.

The thrusts grew rougher, harder, rattling through him until the mattress creaked. Every push knocked moans out of his throat, high and broken, and he clawed at Soobin’s shoulders like he needed him deeper, faster, more.

“You feel so good,” Soobin gasped, rutting helplessly. His words were frantic, unfiltered, spilling into Beomgyu’s mouth between kisses. “God, you’re gonna take my knot so well, aren’t you? Gonna let me lock us together, keep you full so you can’t forget who—”

Beomgyu moaned at the plea, the desperation in it making his cock twitch between them. He hated that he liked it, that the neediness sent shivers down his spine.

He should have been afraid.

Instead, he gasped, “Harder—Soobin, please—”

Soobin nearly broke, slamming into him with a guttural cry. His hand found Beomgyu’s cock, stroking fast and messy in rhythm with his thrusts. “Come for me, Gyu—please, I need it, need to see you—fuck, I need you so bad—”

The begging undid him. Beomgyu came with a strangled sob, spilling hot between them, his body clenching hard around Soobin.

Soobin’s thrusts grew erratic, rough. He buried himself to the hilt, grinding deep as his knot swelled thick, locking them together. The pressure made Beomgyu cry out, his body stretched around the bulge, overwhelmed and wrecked.

“Yes—yes, take it, baby, take my knot,” Soobin gasped, mouth feverish against his. “Fuck, I’m yours, only yours—”

Beomgyu moaned brokenly, the fullness almost unbearable, his body trembling with aftershocks.

Soobin came with a hoarse cry, spilling hot inside him, knot swelling harder, locking them tight. He clung to Beomgyu like he’d die if he let go, his lips pressed shakily against Beomgyu’s hairline, his cheek, his jaw, whispering broken fragments. “Let me be the only one. I’ll beg you every night if I have to. Please, baby—say you like me, say you want me like this”—Beomgyu’s body trembled with the truth he couldn’t admit out loud.

He did like him, he did want him. But he knew Soobin deserved more than that.

“…I do,” he whispered anyway.

For a long time, there was nothing but panting breaths, the sheets damp and clinging, Soobin still buried inside him like he couldn’t let go, clutching him so hard it hurt.

For a long moment, he felt safe.

But then the weight of it crashed down. His body was still trembling, thighs sore, skin sticky with sweat. He felt wanted. Loved. But his chest hollowed out with the question he couldn’t swallow—

Why did this feel…wrong, if he wanted it so badly?

x-o-x

They were still tangled beneath the covers, Beomgyu’s head pressed against Soobin’s chest, their legs a messy knot. His body should have been floating in afterglow, but his mind was a storm. He could still hear the words Soobin had let slip — I love you — like they were carved into his skin. He wasn’t sure he could say them back.

Would he mean it? Or was he just lonely, clinging to the first person who made him feel wanted?

“Did I fuck up again?” Soobin’s voice was low, hesitant, but steady against Beomgyu’s ear.

Beomgyu’s heart lurched. He wanted to say no, to tell him it was fine. But the words burned on his tongue, heavy with guilt. “Maybe we both did? I mean, it’s not like I didn’t enjoy it or anything, but…” He trailed off, squeezing his eyes shut. “I don’t want you to think things are back to normal again or that…”

God. He already sounded cruel. Like he was punishing Soobin for being wanted. For being exactly what Beomgyu kept running to.

“Yeah, I get it! I don’t think that at all,” Soobin rushed to reassure, even though Beomgyu could feel his chest tightening beneath his cheek. “Let’s just say this was a…” He stopped, like even he couldn’t name it.

“A slip?” Beomgyu whispered, hating the word as soon as it left his mouth. It wasn’t a mistake. He didn’t regret it. “I mean, not a mistake. But it won’t happen again until…” He faltered, because what did that even mean? Until he figured himself out? Until he stopped being afraid?

“Yeah. Yeah, until we fix things?” Soobin offered, too hopeful.

“Okay. That sounds good.” It didn’t, not really. But Beomgyu couldn’t bear to watch the light dim in Soobin’s eyes.

“Beomgyu—” Soobin started, and there was so much in the way he said his name, like he wanted to put everything he felt into those three syllables.

The door banged open.

“GYU. EMERGENCY.”

In an instant Soobin yanked the blanket higher, then reached blindly for his discarded shirt. He shoved it over Beomgyu’s shoulders, shielding him from sight before turning toward the door, eyes wide. “What the hell—knock!”

Yeonjun stood in the doorway, phone in hand, mid-rant. “The actor for the brother of the lead just bailed on tomorrow’s shoot, like literally vanished into thin air, and if we don’t—” He froze. Blinked. Then a slow grin stretched across his face.

“Oh. My. God.” His voice dropped into a delighted sing-song. “I won.”

“Hyung, don’t—”

Yeonjun pointed dramatically at the bed. “I told Tae it wouldn’t take longer than a month. Pay up, bitch!” He actually started typing into his phone like he couldn’t wait.

Soobin was red all the way to his ears, wrapping an arm even tighter around Beomgyu, half-covering him with his own body like Yeonjun might actually look. “Hyung, seriously—get out!”

“Oh relax,” Yeonjun drawled, strolling further into the room. “You think I haven’t seen him naked before? Nothing new here. Anyway, your little love affair aside—” he collapsed into Beomgyu’s desk chair, spinning in a slow circle. “Our project will die unless we find someone to fill in tonight.”

Beomgyu groaned, clutching Soobin’s shirt tighter around himself. “Can’t this wait five minutes?”

“Nope. Actually…” Yeonjun smirked, eyes glinting as he glanced at Soobin. “I had an idea”.

Soobin blinked, “and it has to do with me?”

“Yeah, you. You’re already going tomorrow and since you’ve been so helpful these days…can you be the replacement for the actor? I’m sure Beomgyu would be really grateful”.

“Junie! That’s too much, this isn’t like being an extra, this character actually has lines and—"

“I’ll do it.”

The words were quiet, almost buried under Beomgyu’s protests. He twisted in Soobin’s arms, staring at him in disbelief. “What?”

Soobin’s jaw was tight, but his hand was still fisted in the fabric at Beomgyu’s shoulder, protective even in this absurd moment. “If it helps, I’ll do it.” He glanced at Yeonjun, then back at Beomgyu. “I already said I wanted to see your vision come to life. If this is what it takes to make it happen… then yeah.”

Something inside Beomgyu gave way, a pressure he didn’t want to name. The way Soobin looked at him — steady, nervous, and so clearly his — was terrifying. Because it was the look of someone who loved him. Because it was the look he wanted. Because he wasn’t sure he deserved it.

Yeonjun whooped, shooting upright in the chair. “Yes! Crisis averted. God, I’m the best producer.”

“Or maybe you’re just shameless,” Beomgyu muttered.

Yeonjun winked. “Both can be true.” He pointed at Soobin. “Wardrobe call is at six a.m. sharp. Don’t be late, simp.”

Soobin opened his mouth, clearly about to argue the “simp” label, but Yeonjun was already walking out of the room, humming smugly under his breath.

Beomgyu let out a shaky laugh once the door clicked shut behind Yeonjun, his heart still racing from how quickly the mood had shifted. Soobin’s arms were still looped around him, protective and stubborn, as if Yeonjun might come barging back in at any second.

““I cannot believe you just agreed to that,” Beomgyu murmured, trying for teasing, but his voice came out softer than he meant.

Soobin kissed the side of his head, lingering there, soft and warm. “What can I say? I’m a simp for you.”

Beomgyu laughed, breathless. “You aren’t a simp… but thank you.”

Soobin’s arms tightened, his face burying in Beomgyu’s shoulder like he’d die if he let go. Warmth spread through Beomgyu’s chest, dangerous and addictive. He should say something. About earlier. About how he wasn’t sure if he could give Soobin what he wanted. About how afraid he was of rushing in blind just because it felt good.

But the words were stuck.

“Tomorrow will be fun,” Soobin murmured, almost like a promise.

For now, he just tugged the blanket higher over both of them and shut his eyes, pretending he couldn’t feel the weight of everything unspoken hanging between them.