Chapter Text
Disgusting. A disgrace to humanity.
Jeonghan sneered as he saw the source of the rowdiness, annoyed because of course he should have guessed who.
It was a group of (mostly) alphas who rode around on motorcycles, with their stupid matching leather jackets acting like they were some sort of gang.
Some students on campus had dubbed them 'the greasers'.
More like a club of losers, if anything.
Of course they were in the campus diner, seated in the booth closest to the corner, talking loudly and messing around.
A nuisance.
Jeonghan had wanted to grab a quick milkshake, maybe sit down and work on his essay due next week, but now he hesitated.
The scents in here were oppressive, reeking of alpha and leather and gas. It was not a place for someone like Jeonghan.
But.
He deserved a milkshake and he couldn’t let these degenerates ruin his happy little celebration of the wonderful day he had been having. He ignored them as best as he could, ordered a vanilla shake and sat in an empty booth furthest away from the rowdy gang, placing the jacket he was holding down carefully next to him. Grabbed his pencil case out of his bag and some sheets of paper, reading through the first draft of his essay.
Quietly sipped his milkshake as he edited and fixed errors, but every so often his concentration broke whenever a loud laugh or a half yell would sound from the loud bastards.
God, how did these lowlifes even manage to get into college? Some of them he had gone to high school with, he had been so sure they would either be in a ditch drugged out somewhere by now, but no.
They were here, studying, going to lectures.
A place meant for decent, law abiding citizens and yet.
He huffed to himself, glanced up to look at them.
At the group of people who haunted him wherever he went, ruining his good mood and being a dark cloud on his sunny days.
Shook in surprise as someone was staring back at him.
The only omega at the table.
The most disgusting degenerate of them all and the omega who had taken everything from Jeonghan.
Hong Joshua.
He was everything an omega shouldn’t be. A disgrace to their gender, really.
And to think Jeonghan had been kind to him once, back when he was the new kid in high school. If only he had known what he knew now, he could have stopped the avalanche of disasters.
Hong Joshua was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Joshua was smirking, leaning back, an arm slumped over the alpha next to him. He was dressed like a harlot, wearing a flannel shirt with several buttons undone.
Showing skin like some porn magazine whore.
His neck was bared, scent glands bruised from what Jeonghan logistically knew were hickeys.
For an omega to be this scandalous? To be a slut in public and show off all his goods-
Disgusting.
People like him were the reason why the world was currently panicking about the sanctity of omegas, how everyone knew there were almost no good omegas left who would mind the home and raise the children right. Their world was falling apart and it was all because of omegas like him, who thought they could spread their legs before mating.
Who treated their alphas with no respect.
Joshua looked amused, eyes sparkling as he held Jeonghan’s gaze, slowly moved the arm slumped over the shoulder and pressed the inner side of his wrist against the alpha’s throat.
The exposed wrist, just casually dragging it along the alpha’s scent gland.
This was nauseating. To commit such an act of intimacy in public. Even a motion picture, which was all make believe, would get a PG-15 rating if such an act was shown.
And here Hong Joshua was not only showing off skin, with his neck bare and the sleeves of his shirt pulled up to show off his arms, he was also publicly scenting an alpha.
Disgusting.
Yet Jeonghan couldn’t tear his eyes away, watching as the alpha next to Joshua shuddered and tilted his neck to give better access. It was a submissive act, completely unalphalike and part of the sexually deviant nature of Joshua and his boyfriend.
Joshua’s gaze held steady, even as he wrapped his fingers around the bared neck, kept the wrist against the glands, but Jeonghan was now focused on the alpha.
Watching the soft smile of a completely bitched alpha.
Choi Seungcheol hadn’t used to be this pathetic, a total doormat. Acting more omega than the actual omega next to him.
No, Seungcheol had used to be the perfect alpha. Maybe a little soft, but Jeonghan had never seen his softness as weakness. He was gentle, kind, and acted all the ways expected of an alpha.
He couldn’t look at them any longer, went back to staring down at his essay, but his head was swirling with thoughts and painful memories.
Growing up, Jeonghan had always thought the sweet dimpled alpha next door would be his future mate. They had talked about it in whispers while Jeonghan’s etiquette teacher was in the bathroom, giggling as they planned how they wanted their house to be like, how many kids they would have. When they were old enough they had even began an official courtship, with Seungcheol giving Jeonghan little gifts now and then.
At sixteen, Jeonghan had had his whole life planned, could not wait until he was of age and their parents would give their official blessings for their mating.
But in the middle of the second last year of High School an omega had transferred to their class. A quiet and shy omega. A little on the skinny side, a body which seemed gangly, like he had yet to grow into it. Jeonghan had taken pity of him, had pulled him into the warmth which was his group of friends, but this had been Jeonghan’s undoing.
He had ignored it at first, the way Joshua and Seungcheol would often sit together and talk as the months went by. Becoming fast friends, and sure, they say alphas and omegas can’t be friends, but Seungcheol had always been loyal and he would never betray Jeonghan.
But then, Seungcheol changed. He started speaking about things which were insane, about ‘omega rights’ and quiet mentions to Jeonghan about how stifling it must be to only be expected to be houseomegas. Things Seungcheol had never even questioned before and it wasn’t hard for Jeonghan to put two and two together.
He had confronted Joshua.
Joshua who dressed a little scandalously, sure, but still within school rules. Joshua who wasn’t afraid to disagree with an alpha during discussions in class, but omegas with a little bite could be attractive to some.
Jeonghan had excused the behaviour for nearly a year, but had finally seen Joshua for what he was; One of those home wrecking omegas who believed child rearing and housework was inferior, who wanted a country full of alpha-hating omegas.
There had been a loud shouting match, some of their friends awkwardly witnessing it.
The topic had been Seungcheol.
(“He is miserable, Jeonghan! If you stopped having your heads in the clouds constantly, living in your domestic bliss fantasy, then maybe you would notice how fucking miserable he is,” Joshua had a few angry tears running down his cheeks, his usually refreshing scent tinged with sheer anger. “Do you know how cruel his parents are? How they’re constantly berating him for being too sensitive? How his father once punched him because he cried while watching a movie?”
“They just want what they think is the best for him.” But even to Jeonghan it sounded meek and dismissive, not even a proper excuse. “They’re the adults, they know-“ A stinging pain, cheek burning.
Joshua had slapped him. A weak slap, but it hurt.
“You’re part of his misery too. He worries you won’t love him if he’s not the picture perfect alpha you’ve created in your head. He’s terrified to disappoint you, because sometimes you say the vilest fucking shit about how you think alphas should be like. You don’t give a fuck about the actual Seungcheol, because you’ve never asked him what he wants. It’s always about your wants or his parents’ wants. You’re a terrible person, Yoon Jeonghan. He deserves better than you.”
Jeonghan was speechless, clutching his throbbing cheek as tears fell without his permission. Joshua just continued glaring at him, then he walked out and the pain only deepened when all of the witnessing friends followed him out, casting looks of disappointment in Jeonghan’s direction.)
The next day, no one had talked to him.
Not even Seungcheol.
His world had shattered, and his heart had broken while he watched the alpha he loved chatting away with the omega whom was once the shy new kid Jeonghan had thought he needed to help and protect.
Now, with Jeonghan out of the picture Joshua and Seungcheol had befriended the outcasts at their school, and well, the result was clear.
They stooped low, became pathetic. Drank hard alcohol while underage and probably even did drugs, ruining their brains and bodies. Jeonghan had even heard how Seungcheol got disowned by his parents, was apparently living with Joshua now, in some small off campus apartment while doing part time jobs on top of their college classes.
An unmated alpha and an unmated omega living together?
Yeah, the world was coming apart at the seams.
Another loud laughter, one so distinctly Seungcheol.
It was getting hard to breathe, this diner was too thick with scents and apparently the air-conditioning was not working optimally.
Plus, Jeonghan could not work under these conditions. Annoyed he packed his stuff and pushed the half empty glass away, clutching the jacket next to him.
The jacket.
Jeonghan’s heart fluttered again.
The reason for his impromptu celebratory milkshake.
After months of short conversations and coy looks, the alpha Jeonghan had been wanting was finally ready to take the next step.
To begin an official courtship while making sure everyone knew he was unavailable. They were going steady.
Jeonghan squealed quietly to himself and pressed his face into the jacket, inhaled the distinct spices of the alpha’s scent.
A lovely scent, domineering and strong. A scent which made heads turn. A scent which demanded respect.
A perfect alpha, who came from a good family and was set to take over his father’s company. An alpha who was the captain of the basketball team.
An alpha who understood the importance of traditions.
Jeonghan held the garment away from his face, a green and white letterman jacket with the college logo in the front and a name and a number on the back.
With a small giggle he put it on, drowning a little in it since the owner was taller and broader, but the material was soft, warm, and smelled insanely good. It made him feel almost scent drunk, to be so fully surrounded by an alpha like this, but he managed to keep his wits about him and got up from the booth.
The short heels of his shoes clicking against the floor as he walked with his head held up high, shoulders squared. He would take the long way back to the dorm, make sure as many people as possible saw the jacket and its significance.
By this time tomorrow, everyone would know Jeonghan was being courted.
Yet, as he reached for the diner’s door a raspy voice called his name.
“Hannie, wait!”
Jeonghan grimaced, but turned around and schooled his face to be neutral. Watched with disinterest as a tall alpha in a black leather jacket ran up to him, black hair styled up.
“What?”
Mingyu was focused on the jacket, hand reaching out. “Who-“ Jeonghan stepped away from the big hand, eyeing it in disdain. Pain flashed in Mingyu’s eyes and his arm fell. “Hannie, I just want to know who is courting my brother. Please.”
“It’s none of your business, Mingyu.” They had been close once, years ago, before Mingyu had betrayed Jeonghan by siding with Joshua and Seungcheol.
Sometimes, whenever the bitterness was at its strongest, Jeonghan wished their parents had disowned Mingyu, but they only saw it as him being a typical alpha, claiming it was in an alpha’s nature to rebel in their younger years.
“As your alpha, it kind of is. I promised mom I’d look out for you.”
Jeonghan had had to wait a year before he could attend college, only being allowed to go when his brother did. Meaning they were in the same year, despite Mingyu being younger. Jeonghan understood why, he just hated being around Mingyu.
“A bit hypocritical, isn’t it. You’re fine hanging out with whore omegas, but I can’t even wear a simple jacket without you claiming alpha status over me.”
A couple of years ago, Jeonghan would have been proud and happy to see how protective and proper alpha Mingyu was acting, but with everything in their past, it only felt like mockery.
Mingyu looked defeated, messing up his perfectly gelled hair with his hand. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. I just want to be sure it’s someone decent.”
Jeonghan scoffed. “I’m a better judge of characters than you, little brother. I don’t care for your opinion.” He turned around, knowingly giving Mingyu a view of the letters and numbers on the back.
Minhyuk.
12.
Jeonghan slammed the door shut, held his bag tighter, and tried to not let his mood sour.
-
“It’s Minhyuk. The basketball captain.”
Joshua watched quietly as Mingyu returned to their booth with angry stomps and gritted teeth. Smelled as the alpha next to him got agitated at the news. Joshua rubbed his wrist against the glands comfortingly, hoping to calm his boyfriend before he spiralled.
“We can’t let that happen, right?” Seungcheol’s voice was a near growl, even as his body relaxed against Joshua’s. “We have all heard the rumours about him.”
Unsurprising rumours, really. It’s what Joshua expected of any conventionally attractive alpha from a powerful family.
“Isn’t this Jeonghan’s choice?” Joshua said calmly. “Minhyuk is definitely the type of alpha Jeonghan wants to be the perfect little houseomega to."
Joshua regretted it as soon as he said it, his boyfriend tensing next to him and Mingyu looking ready to burst in anger.
“I’m not opposed to punching an omega, Joshua.”
“And I would deserve it,” Joshua immediately relented. “I don’t know why I said that when I know how dark the rumours about him are. Sorry, big guy.”
Mingyu instantly deflated, and his smile was thankfully genuine. “It’s okay. But be careful with your words, I know Jeonghan isn't the greatest of people, but no one deserves a piece of shit like that guy."
"Yeah, I agree. Jeonghan is many things and I have my grievances with him, but I'd never wish that on him, you know. I care for him too.” Joshua assured gently, happy to feel Seungcheol relaxing again.
“I doubt Minhyuk would treat Jeonghan like that though.” It was Wonwoo, speaking quietly. His glasses slightly askew from having been busy looking down in the book he had been quietly reading. “He hasn’t given his jacket away before, so he probably has serious intentions. Jeonghan is a prime omega whom half the alphas on campus would love to have as their mate. He will probably court him properly.”
Joshua tried to not let it show how the term 'prime omega' bothered him. Like Jeonghan was a piece of meat in the grocery store aisle.
“Yes!” Soonyoung agreed, sucking loudly from his strawberry milkshake. “Maybe he’ll treat him right.”
“Isn’t it gross though.” The last one sitting around the table, Hansol, spoke with a bored look. “If the rumours are true… Like, I don’t think I’d ever let my sister be with a guy like that, even if he treated her well.”
Mingyu growled and Joshua wrinkled his nose at the agitated smell. God, sometimes he hated how most of his friends were alphas because he had never really found alpha smells all that enticing.
(Aside from Seungcheol’s.
Seungcheol smelled like spiced cherries and it was addicting.)
“He’s naive too,” Seungcheol said quietly, arms crossed, voice shaking ever so slightly. Mingyu opened his mouth as if to protest, but did not get the chance to. “You know what I mean, Gyu. Jeonghan might walk with his head high and he can be such an asshole-“ A warning glare from Mingyu. “And he is so goal driven and confident it’s easy to forget how rose tinted his worldview is.”
Mingyu looked even worse for wear. “I know. I’ll talk to my parents. If I get them to tell him he’s bad, he’ll listen. He would never be with someone they haven’t approved of. He would never go against them,” the last sentence was spoken with bitterness dripping from every word.
Joshua felt for the guy, he really did, especially knowing how Mingyu despised his parents for the way they had raised them both. How he blamed them for the way Jeonghan was. In some ways, he even blamed them for how estranged the siblings had become.
It obviously hurt Mingyu to have his only sibling pretend he didn’t exist despite attending the same college. Joshua remembered how close they had been, how protective Mingyu would be of his older brother.
How the two would often cuddle and talk, while smiling and laughing.
The guilt was still simmering deep below, a reminder that Joshua had been the instigator. He honestly felt bad about how it all had played out, but then he looked at how much happier Seungcheol was now and how much healthier he was and it made all of it worth it.
Plus, it had been Mingyu’s own choice for staying as friends, Joshua had not purposefully taken everyone away from Jeonghan.
Jeonghan himself had driven them away, by being utterly blind and spewing the shit he had been fed to believe.
Joshua sighed and tapped his boyfriend on the check. Seungcheol turned to him, flashing his dimpled smile and his big, pretty eyes. “Wanna go home?”
“Yeah."
They said good bye, walking over to the motorcycle they shared.
“Can you drive?” Seungcheol asked. “I’m feeling a little out of it.”
Joshua had noticed. “Of course, baby,” he leaned and smacked his lips on one dimple. “I love having you cling onto me.”
Seungcheol rolled his eyes as he put his helmet on, fastening it with a loud click. “Come on, let’s go home.”
-
“I’m sorry,” Seungcheol had said as soon as they entered their small one bedroom apartment. “And thank you for holding me back.”
“Of course.” Joshua had gripped Seungcheol hard, forcing him to sit still when they saw Jeonghan leaving the diner with a big jacket on his dainty body. Joshua had felt the anger under his fingertips, smelled the betrayal on Seungcheol.
“I still think of him as my omega.”
“I know,” Joshua helped Seungcheol with his jacket, hanging it up neatly. “You grew up together, with promises of being one another’s. It’s only natural.”
“How are you so understanding?” There was a whine in his tone. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Yes you do,” Joshua gently guided Seungcheol to the bedroom and onto the bed, pulling him in close and kissing his forehead before he bared his neck for Seungcheol to bury his face in. “I don’t mind that you still love him. That you still see him as yours. I know you love me too, that’s all that matters.” Joshua talked with a sweet tone, relieved as the upset scent slowly washed away. “And it’s not like you’re the only one. You know I had the biggest crush on him in high school.”
“Mm,” Seungcheol hummed, giggling softly. Lips tickling Joshua’s glands, eliciting a shudder from Joshua. “You hid it well.”
“I had to. He would have freaked out if he knew an omega was in love with him.”
It had been easy to fall for Jeonghan. He had been so sweet at first, so welcoming and supportive. Uptight and traditional, yes, but mostly everyone were and Jeonghan did not seem to mind that Joshua was a little different.
Then shit hit the fan and now Jeonghan had gotten ten times worse than he used to be. Now it was hard to understand how he had ever been in love with Jeonghan, but sometimes he could still see traces of the Jeonghan he loved whenever he saw Jeonghan with his two omega friends on campus.
Jeonghan was obviously fond of them, maybe even a little protective. It reminded Joshua of when Jeonghan used to smile easily, of a time where Jeonghan was still reasonable.
Joshua had genuinely been glad to see Jeonghan having friends again. The guilt had been eating him away to see Jeonghan alone at the end of high school, only ever approached by sleazy alphas. He had always thought Jeonghan would easily befriend a bunch of omegas with a similar mindset after the fallout, but Jeonghan had no one during the remaining last year of high school. Had been alone the first few months of college too.
Even the other traditionalistic omegas here shunned Jeonghan, because of him having a brother who was part of the social outcasts.
But then Jeonghan got himself two friends and he had smiled a little more again.
It warmed Joshua’s heart to see it, having missed how sweet Jeonghan’s pretty face looked when he was smiling.
Joshua laughed quietly to himself; he definitely had a thing for pretty people with pretty smiles.
Like the wide grin Seungcheol was sporting was dangerously heart fluttering.
“Cheollie, let’s play,” he murmured, teasingly grinding their crotches.
“Oh, you wanna engage in pre-mating sex?” Seungcheol smiled even wider, his eyes shining brighter than the stars. “How scandalous.”
“Oh shut it,” Joshua cupped Seungcheol’s face.
“Make me.”
Oh so cheesy, but Joshua dove in, intending to kiss his boyfriend until his head was empty.
-
“Seok, your button is undone,” Jeonghan chastised, gently grabbing Seokmin’s hand and buttoning it for him, making sure the wrist was properly hidden under the fabric. “You don’t want rumours to be spread about you being easy, do you?”
“No,” Seokmin was blushing, his eyes cast downwards onto the cobblestone path.
“You need to be more mindful of your clothing. What would you do if not for me?”
“Uh, have foul rumours be spread about me?”
“Exactly.” Jeonghan reached up to adjust the collar on Seokmin’s dress too, making sure it sat right. Seokmin was such a sweet little omega, always blushing and cute and all too naive. A mess, yes, as he often arrived to their meeting spot in the lobby of the dorm looking like he had stumbled out of bed in a hurry, but he was an adorable mess and Jeonghan secretly enjoyed getting him presentable every morning.
“Come on, class is starting soon.” Seungkwan’s voice was impatient, his words sharp. “I don’t think anyone would have noticed that Seokkie’s button was undone, honestly.”
“You don’t know that,” Jeonghan shot back, but understood Seungkwan’s hurry. The professor had no patience for tardy students. “And I’m not risking anyone thinking badly of him. It would be hard for him to find a decent alpha if there are rumours.”
Seokmin was quiet, his hand in Jeonghan's as he was tugged after the two talking omegas.
“Not everything is about finding an alpha,” Seungkwan mumbled. He sounded annoyed, his words full of hidden weight and it made anxiety tighten around Jeonghan’s heart like a vice.
“But finding a good alpha is-“
“Not now, Jeonghan, we don’t have time for this.”
Jeonghan closed his mouth, the anxiety still heavy in his chest.
-
After classes, Jeonghan had sat outside with his two friends for an hour, basking in the sun and chatting about their upcoming essays. It had been a pleasant day.
Until he got back to the omega dorms and he had been informed there had been a call while he was out.
A call which made him see red as soon as he placed the phone back in the receiver.
“What the hell, Mingyu?” Jeonghan was seething, every fibre of him shaking in barely contained anger. It had only grown as he tore through the alpha dorm building, uncaring of the surprised yells.
Had slammed open the dorm room he knew Mingyu resided in.
“Hannie? You shouldn’t be here, it’s not-“
“I was just on a call with mom and dad,” Jeonghan hissed, slamming the door shut behind him. “And they said you had worries about Minhyuk. What the fuck kind of lies did you tell them?”
“Only the things I’ve heard,” Mingyu stood in the middle of the room, trying to step closer but Jeonghan held a hand up in warning. “I was hoping they would see my side, but they only care that he’s from a rich family, but he’s really bad news, Hannie. The shit the people are say-“
“It’s only words from floozy omegas who were too embarrassed to admit they spread their legs too easily.”
Jeonghan had no naive notions of Minhyuk being a virgin, it was understandable that an alpha needed to play around before settling down. It was an alpha's right.
“We both know that’s not right. You’re better than this. Don’t say shit like that, Hannie."
Jeonghan balked, fists tightening at the raw emotions in Mingyu’s voice. Could practically feel the disgust roll off of Mingyu in waves, could smell the worry and tinge of panic. It was almost too much. It made his heart twist so painfully he was surprised it didn’t stop beating entirely.
“He’s been nothing but a gentleman,” Jeonghan could not bear to look Mingyu in the eyes; not when he begged with such desperation. There was a time Jeonghan would have done anything Mingyu asked of him. A time Jeonghan would have trusted his little brother’s judgement, but that was in the past. “Mom and dad were excited. I hadn’t told them about him yet, but they gave their approval today. They will probably contact his parents soon too,” Jeonghan finally had enough courage to meet Mingyu’s eyes. Felt a sick sense of glee at the utter despair on his face. “If they agree, we will probably mate soon, since he’s graduating this semester. I’ll drop out of college as soon as we do.”
And finally soon Jeonghan would be working on getting a family of his own. He was already older than he wished, had always wanted to have his first kid by the age of twenty, yet now he was 22 and still unmated.
“Don’t. Don’t do this. You deserve better than him, Hannie.” Mingyu was trying to reach out, looking like he wanted to pull Jeonghan into a tight hug, but Jeonghan was stepping away, hand on the door handle.
“You don’t have the rights to tell me anything,” Jeonghan said coldly. “And stop calling me Hannie. We may be related by blood, but you chose pieces of trash over me and lost your privileges as my brother.” It was cruel. A step too far and Jeonghan instantly regretted it.
But maybe it was better this way. He left with a lump in his throat and eyes blurry with tears, stumbling ever so slightly as he walked down the hall. Ignored the odd looks he was getting, dodged a few alphas who tried to get his attention. Even had to skilfully pull out of someone grabbing his elbow. It was Jeonghan’s own fault, going into a space meant for alphas only and for forgetting to put on Minhyuk's jacket when he flew out of the omega dorm building’s office after the call. Was wearing a long sleeved, thin turtle neck hugging his upper body too tightly.
Rumours would spread, rumours he deserved for being so thoughtless and stupid.
“Jeonghan? What are you doing here?”
All of Jeonghan instantly relaxed, knowing no more alphas would approach him now. “Oh, Minhyuk.” He wiped his eyes quickly, painting a brilliant smile on his lips. “I was visiting my brother.”
There was a deep frown on Minhyuk’s face, worried creases on his forehead. He approached Jeonghan with soothing pheromones, a gentle arm wrapping around the small waist.
“This is no place for a sweet treat like yourself, Jeonghan. There are alphas here who don’t know how to behave around pretty little things."
Minhyuk was so caring and kind! Jeonghan had really lucked out, being courted by the best alpha on campus.
“I know, but what I had to tell my brother was important,” Jeonghan’s cheeks were burning from the compliments, his body warm from the way he was held softly. Minhyuk always knew what to say and it made Jeonghan’s heart soar. “I wasn’t thinking. Oh, it’s so unseemly of me to be here.”
“It’s okay, I’ll guide you out safely.”
Yeah.
Jeonghan smiled up at the handsome alpha.
Mingyu was definitely a bad judge of character. Minhyuk was gentle and lovely, it would be a privilege to mate with him. Minhyuk small talked down the last flight of stairs, holding Jeonghan firmly. It was an almost too short walk, in Jeonghan’s opinion. Too soon they were stepping out of the heavy doors of the alpha dorm building.
“Here we are, safely outside from rowdy alphas,” Minhyuk chuckled, stepping away to stand directly in front of Jeonghan.
“Thank you, my knight, for guiding me,” Jeonghan giggled, fluttering his eyelashes a little extra. Was one step away from twirling his hair, but he had pulled it back into a small ponytail today.
“Anytime,” Minhyuk dramatically bowed, grabbing Jeonghan’s and turning it palm up, brazenly planting a kiss right where the sleeve started. An intimate act, one which had Jeonghan swooning because it was so close to the gland on the wrist. His heart pounding, heat curling in his stomach, and he could feel his panties getting wet.
God, he hoped Minhyuk couldn’t smell that. It was only a compliment, really, to be able to get an omega to drop slick. A natural reaction, but could sometimes be quite embarrassing.
“Jeonghan.”
“Yes?” Jeonghan tried to seem normal, tried to act like he couldn’t feel himself being wet between his thighs. Oh shoot, Minhyuk could definitely smell it, standing so close.
Yet being a perfect gentleman, Minhyuk did not react or point it out.
“There’s a party at the end of the month. Nothing dangerous or scandalous, I promise. Just a gathering for a night of fun. I would love for you to come with me.”
“Oh.” Jeonghan was grateful Minhyuk wasn’t mentioning the stink of slick, but he hadn’t expected this. “Okay, sure. As long as you stay beside me all night, protecting me.”
“I will do my best as your knight, my sweet.” He kissed the same place again and Jeonghan had to pull his hand back this time, all too embarrassed as he dropped even more slick.
“Thanks. Um- I have to go. Let’s talk about the party tomorrow.”
He walked back to his dorm hastily, luckily not meeting any alphas on this way. Threw himself into his dorm bed and whimpered into the pillow.
God, he would need a bath and something to scrub his mind clean with.
-
Even years later, Seungcheol still felt awkward around crying alphas. It was stupid and he hated himself for it, especially as someone who cried fairly often himself, but he had always been told alphas don’t cry.
So, whenever he saw a crying alpha be would freeze up and feel disgust, because this was not appropriate behaviour from an alpha.
But then he would hear a soft voice reminding him it was okay. A voice suspiciously similar to Joshua’s. The awkwardness and disgust would then dissipate, making room for sympathy and empathy.
“Hey, Gyu. What’s wrong?” Seungcheol pulled the tall alpha into a hug, allowed him to cry into his shoulder.
Joshua had quietly gotten up from the couch as he saw the two alphas embracing, opening and closing cupboards as he prepared something in the small kitchen area.
“I made it worse,” Mingyu hiccuped, voice breaking. “They’re going to mate at the end of the semester and then I’m really gonna lose my brother forever.”
Seungcheol froze, a growl building deep in his throat.
Jeonghan was mating someone else. Was being taken from him when he was still Seungcheol’s. Seungcheol may be a failure of an alpha, someone deemed pathetic by societal standards, but whenever it came to the topic of Jeonghan, he became painfully stereotypical.
And yet.
This wasn’t about Seungcheol, as much as the news ached, this was about the heartbroken best friend in his arms.
“You can still visit him?” He tried.
“No. No he told me that he doesn’t want me as a brother. He hates me because- because-“
Mingyu cried for a long time that evening, completely broken and terrified. A fear which gripped the two alphas sitting there, as they all felt the sense of Jeonghan slipping between their fingers.
“Is there nothing we can do?” Seungcheol asked, holding the cup of tea tightly. “It’s one thing for Jeonghan to be mated, but to him?”
Seungcheol wouldn’t handle Jeonghan mating anyone, honestly, but it would have helped if he knew the alpha was decent.
“Would there be anything we could dig up which would convince your parents?” Joshua asked.
Mingyu was using his sleeve to wipe the snot away. “I doubt it. They're blinded by how rich his family is."
“But it won't hurt to try, right?” Joshua said, his soft gaze on Mingyu, but hand grasping for Seungcheol’s.
“Yeah,” Mingyu sniffled. "I can ask around, see if I find anything."
-
“How romantic!” Seokmin was squealing, rolling around on Jeonghan’s dorm bed. “And intimate!”
“More like embarrassing,” Jeonghan groaned, laying back on the floor. “I was drenched through my panties. Slick running down my thighs.”
“It’s normal,” Seungkwan sounded bored. “There’s no need to be embarrassed. During my pre-heat I’m constantly having slick down my thighs, because those slick pads are fucking useless.”
Jeonghan wrinkled his nose, contemplating scolding Seungkwan for swearing, but opted against it.
“Ugh, don’t talk about pre-heat,” Seokmin sat up. “I’m in it now and I’m constantly in nesting mood.”
“Need nesting buddies?” Jeonghan offered, knowing how much it had helped during Seokmin’s previous heat. Together the three had built a nest and cuddled in it until curfew every evening for nearly a week. An experience Jeonghan would love to have again.
“No need! I’m calmer this cycle.”
“You’re lucky, I get so grumpy during my pre-heat.”
“We’re familiar,” Jeonghan drawled, thinking about the time Seungkwan got pissed because Jeonghan accidentally broke Seungkwan’s pencil. Seungkwan had refused to speak with him for an entire day.
“What about your pre-heats, Hannie?” Seokmin asked. “I feel like yours isn’t noticeable.”
“Nah, he has a tell,” Seungkwan argued. “He gets a little more clingy.”
“Bingo,” Jeonghan giggled, turning his head to look at the omega next to him on the floor. Seungkwan was on his back too, eyes staring at the ceiling. “I feel lonely easily, during my pre-heat.”
“Hey, Jeonghan?” Seungkwan met his eyes.
“Yeah?”
“Are you sure about Minhyuk?” Distaste could be heard in Seungkwan’s voice, but Seungkwan seemed to dislike most alphas. Especially Minhyuk. Always going quiet whenever Jeonghan spoke about their exchanges over the past months. “I’ve heard rumours.”
“Rumours?” Seokmin piped up. “What rumours?”
“Nothing,” Jeonghan snapped, his chipper mood ruined. “Just some omegas spreading lies because they feel embarrassed about being loose.”
“Oh,” Seokmin breathed out, voice weak.
But Jeonghan was watching Seungkwan, saw how his lips pursed and eyes narrowed.
“I guess,” he mumbled, sitting up abruptly. “I have to go. Promised to meet with a classmate to go over our project.”
He was gone within a minute, not looking Jeonghan’s way.
“Strange,” Seokmin commented.
“Yeah.”
The rock in Jeonghan’s stomach felt even heavier today.
-
They were at the diner, enjoying a late dinner, when Hansol dropped a bomb of them.
“So, I overheard some of the basketball jocks talking,” Hansol said as he casually stole another one of Mingyu’s fries. Seungcheol had been diligently guarding his own plate from Hansol, while Mingyu didn't seem to notice how half of his plate had already disappeared. “They were making a bet, about whether Minhyuk would get to fuck the ‘prude omega’ or not at the party this weekend.”
Mingyu instantly reacted, slamming his hand on the table and growling loudly.
For Seungcheol the news got him to freeze, a thickness in his throat.
“Jeonghan would never,” Joshua said simply.
“Yeah, I figured. But it has to be about him, right?” Hansol grabbed three more fries.
“Seems I was wrong,” Wonwoo shrugged. “He might treat Jeonghan like that after all.”
An odd and unusual silence fell between them all as they all let the implication sink in. Wonwoo, Hansol, and Soonyoung had never known Jeonghan personally.
Soonyoung cleared his throat, looking around the table. “Guess we’re attending a party?”
“Yeah,” Seungcheol successfully blocked his plate from Hansol’s seeking hands. His voice sounded distant to his own ears. “We just have to make sure Jeonghan isn’t left alone with that bastard.” He would break down doors if he had to.
Was not scared of getting into fights either.
There was no fucking way he was letting that asshole touch his omega.
“Baby, you’re doing that little alpha growling of yours,” Joshua whispered into his ears, the table loud and rowdy again aside from Mingyu who looked deep in thought.
“Oh,” Seungcheol blushed, shivering as a kiss was placed on his gland; such an intimate act and definitely not public appropriate, but no one around this table cared. “I just-uh-“
“Possessive over Jeonghan. I know. I could smell it.”
“Sorry.”
“No,” Joshua sighed. “Tired of you apologising for your feelings. It’s okay. So stop that.”
Seungcheol leaned into the embrace, facing Joshua and pulling him into a small make out session, needing to taste his boyfriend and he couldn’t care less about the audience.
Joshua’s mouth tasted like banana milkshake, his lips and tongue cold. A frosty, delicious kiss and Seungcheol wanted more, but didn’t forget where he was. Their reputations were already in shambles, but he tried not to add more onto it.
“God,” Joshua looked a little dazed, licking his bruised lips. “I definitely won’t oppose to more kisses like that.”
“I would.”
“Shut up, Hansol,” Seungcheol glared. Then he looked down and- “Seriously, Sol? All of my fries?”
“You snooze you lose.”
“I’ll order more, baby,” Joshua whispered before Seungcheol got sulky. “I wanna spoil you after that lovely kiss, so it’s my treat.”
“If I kiss you again, will you throw in a burger?”
“Don’t push it.”
-
Seokmin and Seungkwan had been sweet darlings, helping him choose the right outfit. It had to be casual, but not everyday casual. It had to be enticing, but in an appropriate way. Jeonghan usually chose pastel colours, as strong colours were associated with looser omegas, but he had let Seokmin convince him to wear the dress he had hidden in the back of his closet.
A dress Jeonghan had bought in a moment of weakness. Red. Blood red. A colour of temptation and passion.
A colour Seungcheol had always said was his favourite.
It was why he had it hidden in the back, because he had been thinking of Seungcheol when he bought it.
But.
It was time he redefined the meaning of the dress. It was a pretty thing, with appropriate length on the sleeves and his neck would be properly hidden as the collar was high and tight. The risqué parts were the dress being a little shorter than he used to, would showcase his legs as it only went down below his knees.
And the waist.
Jeonghan usually did wear outfits which showed his small waist, a guilty pleasure of his, but this would be the first time a dress would hug his entire figure. Show his waist, his hips, the shape of his thighs.
He was nervous.
“You look great, Hannie!” Seokmin encouraged, side hugging Jeonghan tight as they stared into the full length mirror. “You look classy. Sexy, but appropriate. He will want to ask to mate immediately when he sees you like this.”
“That’s what I worry about,” Seungkwan mumbled from where he was seated on the desk chair, his mood had been standoffish the entire day.
Frankly, Jeonghan was growing tired of it.
“Seriously, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been tight lipped and sour all day."
“I just worry, Jeonghan,” Seungkwan had sat up straight, his posture stiff and eyes sharp. “The rumours-“
“They don’t matter! I won’t get myself in a situation like that. I’m not some dumb omega whore.” He was getting real tired of people thinking he was going to spread his legs before mating. He was not a floozy and it really felt like people were telling him he was. He was not going to be dazzled by sweet talk and empty promises. He was staying a virgin until the day of his mating, as was proper of an omega.
“The world isn’t that black and white, Jeonghan!” Seungkwan was getting agitated, his citrusy scent putrid and sour. Seokmin’s scent was not peaches and sunshine any more either, his worry thick as he watched the two friends.
“I don’t have time for this,” Jeonghan grumbled. “Maybe I should change, since Seungkwan thinks I look like a slut.”
It was like the fight left Seungkwan in an instant and he slumped down with a tired look on his face. “What you wear doesn't matter,” he mumbled. “But you do look pretty, Jeonghan. Hell, you look amazing. You should wear it.”
Seungkwan was behaving oddly, and the worry was eating at Jeonghan, but he meant it when he said he didn’t have time.
“Oh, maybe we should pair it with some red lipstick?” Seokmin sounded excited, distracting from the tension as he pulled out a tube from his makeup box.
“Red lipstick is for prostitutes,” Jeonghan replied immediately, frowning as he looked at the object in Seokmin’s thin fingers. “Why would you have that?”
“Um,” Seokmin balked, eyes widening and they darted around nervously. “For theatre, you know the board hasn’t given much money to our club so we have to get our own stuff sometimes.”
Ah.
Of course. Seokmin was skilled on stage, had the most beautiful voice when he sang. It always felt like a shame that he only got the smaller roles, but it would be a scandal to let an omega have a bigger role than an alpha. It would be degrading for the alpha club members.
If the theatre club had more money, maybe they could push for an all omega production one day, where Seokmin got to shine and own the stage as he deserved, but Jeonghan sadly doubted it.
“Just make sure no one sees you have it, Seok. You know what will people say.”
“Yeah, um, of course.”
Seungkwan scoffed in the back, but remained quiet and Jeonghan decided to ignore him.
“Some soft pink lip gloss wouldn’t be bad though.”
“Oh! I have one that’s perfect for your skin tone!” The excitement was back in Seokmin’s voice and the tension dissipated.
“Thank you, Seokkie. Be quick though, Minhyuk is coming to the parking lot in five and I can’t keep him waiting.”
“Oh, okay!”
-
“Your beauty is insane, Yoon Jeonghan,” Minhyuk whistled appreciatively, standing by his car looking as handsome as ever, his smile pearly white.
“You clean up well too,” Jeonghan complimented back. Just a nice blue shirt and some khaki pants, but his face was so gorgeous he would make anything look like something out of a fashion magazine. Giggled loudly when Minhyuk grasped his hand and kissed it.
“Ready, sweet thing?”
“Of course, my prince.”
Like the gentle alpha he was, he opened the passenger door to the light blue car and helped Jeonghan inside.
Even reached in to make sure the security belt was fastened. It made Jeonghan dizzy, the scent overwhelming. It was calling to him, his heart fluttering because in a few months this would be his alpha.
Oh, how lovely.
The house was only minutes away by car, a beautiful, big mansion. Looked like the ones from the books Jeonghan had idolised as a child, back when he wished he had been born a princess and would live in a castle.
“Pretty, right? It’s my friend’s place,” Minhyuk held out his arm. “I want to have a place like this. A beautiful home with a beautiful omega. My dad’s business has been booming lately, so it’s only a matter of time.”
Jeonghan was mesmerised, cheeks flushing at the thought of living in a place like this. The grandeur of it all. He knew Minhyuk’s family was well off, more than his own, but for Minhyuk to have friends like this? Maybe he was more well off than Jeonghan realised. No wonder his parents had been so excited and proud when they had called him.
“It would be the dream,” Jeonghan whispered. “Lead me inside," he held up his hand, waited for Minhyuk to grab it.
“Of course, sweet thing.”
The party was as classy as Minhyuk had promised. People were seated, enjoying small talk as they drank wine and champagne. Familiar faces, mostly.
“Are you a wine or champagne type of guy?”
“Uh, wine. Red.”
“Mm, it matches your pretty dress. Red wine for the omega in red,” he teased.
The first few hours were lovely, even if Jeonghan was horrified and disgusted when he saw a certain group of people also attending. They had cleaned up pretty well, but they still stuck out like sore thumbs with their insistence on wearing those stupid jackets.
“Everyone is welcome,” Minhyuk had explained when he saw Jeonghan’s scowl. “My friend wanted it to be an event for anyone attending our college. I didn’t think they would come here, but as long as they behave, we can’t kick them out.”
Jeonghan’s lips were pursed as he drank from his glass, glaring as he saw Mingyu looking straight towards them.
“It’s fine. They won’t ruin our night. Let’s enjoy ourselves, Minhyuk,” he leaned into the arm slung across his shoulder, feeling risqué being so close and intimate with an alpha.
And Jeonghan was right, they did not ruin his night.
-
“What do you mean you lost visual?” Mingyu was aggravated, grabbing Soonyoung by the jacket as he growled into his face, the alpha anger flaring and it stank.
“Dude, calm down,” Hansol was beside them, hand on Mingyu’s elbow.
“I swear I was keeping an eye on them, but I lost them in the crowd when the large group of latecomers arrived.”
Joshua felt a headache coming, a bad taste building in his mouth. “Maybe Seungcheol knows something?” He was the only one not in the corner they had claimed. “Let’s spread out, hopefully Seungcheol has visual.”
The five quickly dispersed, with Joshua following his gut feeling as he walked through the crowd. The party had been quiet and dull when they arrived, but with the amount of liquor flowing things were bound to change. Loud music was playing, bodies gyrating. People who usually sneered towards Joshua around campus were engaging in body rubbing dances which would definitely cause hysteria among their parents if they knew.
Hypocrites.
He slipped past them, making his way up the stairs to the many bedrooms. It was an off limits place, but everyone was too busy to see Joshua sneaking past.
Joshua was not the only one there.
“Shua?”
“Cheol!” Joshua rushed down the long hallway. “Why are you here?”
“I saw them head up here. I’ve been trying to figure out which room they went inside of, but there’s so many scents and my nose isn’t the greatest.”
Joshua nodded, inhaled sharply; he had memorised Minhyuk’s scent just for tonight. The alpha was constantly pumping his pheromones out, trying to show off his dominance or some shit, but at least it made it easy to track him when they were in an empty space like this.
Picked it up immediately, grasping Seungcheol’s soft hand as he pulled him down the hall in front of a closed door.
“Here.” A huge part of Joshua wanted to push open the door, because prissy Jeonghan in a room alone with an alpha sounded wrong on all accounts. Especially when it was an alpha who already had quite a terrible reputation. Sure, there was a chance they were just talking.
Maybe it was innocent, despite it all.
(But Joshua doubted it).
Seungcheol leaned in, pressed his ear against the wall, but it was unnecessary.
Not when another scent made itself known, a scent Joshua hadn't properly smelled since high school, before they fell out. It was usually a sweet, gentle scent but instead what hit them was a thick rotten smell. There was no doubt in mind who it belonged to.
Especially not when they heard “please, I told you no”, in a tone choked with tears.
The door was locked, but it held no chance against an enraged alpha. The door flew open and for a moment the couple stood there in shock, watching the two frozen people inside.
The always prim and proper Jeonghan with tears down his flushed face, the buttons of his dress open all the way down to his collarbone, his dainty neck exposed. His thin wrists were held by large hands, making it impossible for him to fight as the alpha had his face pressed into Jeonghan’s neck.
It was Joshua who reacted first, tearing into the room and grabbing the tall alpha, pushing him so hard against the wall a picture frame fell down and shattered.
“What the fuck are you doing, you freak omega?” The alpha was growling, struggling against the grip and trying to break free, but Joshua had training. He had muscles and knowledge of techniques, knew how to lock someone in place so they couldn’t escape.
“I’m considering snapping your neck,” Joshua sounded calm as he spoke, even if every cell within him was on fire. “But going to prison because of you wouldn’t be worth it.”
The alpha scowled, face red with anger and teeth on display. “You think I’m scared of you? Do you know who my father is? I can easily destroy you and your family’s lives.”
“You should be.” Joshua had his forearm pressed against the jugular and was slowly adding more pressure. “I have half a mind to beat you to a bloody pulp and tell everyone how you let an omega kick your ass. No amount of threats from your daddy will be able to get people to stop laughing at you.”
It was satisfying to watch the realisation dawn in the piece of shit’s eyes, feel the way his fight left him as he knew what Joshua was saying was true. Minhyuk would be the ridicule of the entire campus if word got out he lost against an omega, even if it was ‘the freak omega’. “Fuck you.” The alpha reluctantly bared his throat in defeat, signalling his submission.
Oh, how Joshua wanted to beat him, make him beg for his miserable life, but anything that happened in here would reflect badly onto Jeonghan and he had already fucked enough with his life.
“I better not hear you spread a single word about Jeonghan either. Or else I will tell everyone how easily you submitted to me once I threatened to kick your ass. Now fuck off.” He backed up a few steps, kept his eyes on the alpha as he walked out of the room in a mix of anger and shame.
Only allowed the rage to die down as he turned to look at the terrified smelling omega.
It broke his heart to see the way Jeonghan was shaking in Seungcheol’s arms, the two seated on the floor. Jeonghan had his face pressed into Seungcheol’s neck, an effective way to calm down a terrified omega and Seungcheol’s face looked haunted, even as he whispered soothing words and was buttoning the dress with shaking, clumsy fingers.
Jeonghan’s sobs were loud. Soul wrenching.
The anger swelled up again and Joshua wished he didn’t have to let the bastard go, wishing the world was a fairer place.
“Cheol,” Joshua stepped closer, sitting down next to the pair. “You’re getting him scent drunk. Remember, he has never scented a non-family alpha before.”
It was scandalous, something Jeonghan was adamant in not doing. Even when Seungcheol and Jeonghan were in a courtship, with plans of mating as soon as they turned legal, he still hadn’t let any scenting happen. Jeonghan was old school, even more so than the average. No one else would have batted an eye at them sharing innocent scenting sessions.
Seungcheol was gone to the world, frantically trying to hold the upset omega as tight as he could, seeming close to tears himself as he despaired.
“Seungcheol,” Joshua said firmly and finally the alpha looked at him with eyes full of unshed tears. “You’re getting him scent drunk,” he repeated.
“Shit,” he cursed. “But I can’t just let him go either.”
“I’ll take him,” Joshua promised. “An omega’s scent might help better too. You go find Mingyu.”
The omega whined loudly and he sat up, showing his puffy eyes and splotchy cheeks. Even crying, Yoon Jeonghan was infuriatingly beautiful. “Mingyu?”
“Yes, I’ll get your brother, okay?” Seungcheol cupped a cheek for a short moment, wiping away a few tears before he nearly ran out of the room, his upset scent lingering.
Joshua was going to offer a hug, but he hadn’t managed to get a word out before he had a lap full of Jeonghan. Joshua tightened his arms around the frail body, allowing Jeonghan to brush his soft lips against his gland. Intimate, but not unheard of between omegas. Seen as a platonic, sweet act, and encouraged between unmated omegas who felt lonely.
Joshua bared his neck more, gave better access as he subtly rubbed his wrist over Jeonghan’s clothes, trying to erase the scent of the bastard alpha the best he could. Hoped Jeonghan would still find his scent calming, something he had used to do back when they were friends.
“Shua.”
Joshua’s heart fluttered. It had been so long since he had heard Jeonghan call him that.
“Yes?”
“Can you- It feels like my neck is throbbing. I need you to check for me.”
Ice shot through his veins, vision nearly going white. Had they been too late? Had he been trying to claim Jeonghan?
“Of course.”
Jeonghan sat up, his shoulders raised high and his face nearly neutral. He almost looked like his snooty self, if not for the mess of tears and the puffy face.
Deftly Joshua unbuttoned the upper part of the dress, revealing the dainty neck, the red marks, and a shallow bite.
The bastard had really done a number on his neck, even without the intent of mating. To do something like this on a traditional and proud omega like Jeonghan?
No one deserved to have their values and principles be stepped over like this.
“Nothing that will last,” Joshua promised, quickly buttoning the dress again before the visible marks would feed the volcano waiting to erupt inside him.
“Good,” Jeonghan wiped his eyes, but new ones were falling and his momentarily lucid moment seemed to dissipate. “Thank-“
“Hannie!”
In came a panicking giant of an alpha, scooping Jeonghan into his arms in a bridal carry. “Gyu,” Jeonghan was sobbing again, throwing his arms around Mingyu’s neck and hiding his face.
“I’m so sorry, Hannie. I’m-“
“Let’s go,” it was Wonwoo, holding the keys to the car. The only one with a car among them, though he usually took the bike, but today they agreed the car was a must, just in case. “You and your brother can crash at mine and Soonie’s place, Mingyu.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
The three disappeared, leaving only Seungcheol, Joshua, and Hansol in the still horribly smelling room; the lingering smell of a scared omega would not filter out easily. Meant to be unpleasant and a rough reminder, budding research suggesting it developed thousands of years ago to make alphas treat omegas better, as the scent was so off putting it was hard to stay in the vicinity without feeling sick. A defence mechanism, of sorts, though this was forbidden research, because it suggests the omega biology rebelling against the belief of an omega always having to submit to the will of their alpha.
“Let’s leave too,” Joshua urged, his eyes fully on his boyfriend, they needed to get away from this room and the haunting scent.
Seungcheol looked distraught, his shoulders high and fists balled. It looked like he was about to fall apart, like one touch would have him shattering into a thousand pieces.
Joshua gently placed his arm around Seungcheol’s waist, gave Hansol a small nod as a signal that it was okay for him to leave ahead of them.
Seungcheol leaned into his embrace, eyes fluttering close.
“Let’s go home, baby,” Joshua whispered.
“Just- Shua I- We failed. I failed. If my nose was better, like a proper alpha-“
“Shush. Don’t say shit like that,” Joshua pulled Seungcheol hard against his body, letting him sink his nose into his glands. “We did the best we could. Jeonghan is okay. Mingyu is taking care of him.”
“He has never been scented by a non-family alpha before, Shua,” Seungcheol’s hands were shaking where they clutched Joshua’s back. “You know how important that was to him and that bastard took it.”
“I know. I know,” Joshua wanted to cry too, felt the hot tears down his neck, but he had to keep it together for Seungcheol’s sake. “But he’ll live. He’s safe now. We helped him.” Joshua kissed his temple, holding him as tight as he could as he tried to pour all the love he felt for him into his pheromones.
Time passed slowly as they stood there, still smelling the aftermath of Jeonghan. Still needing to get out of this room.
“You know what the worst part is?” Seungcheol said, his sniffles turning fewer and further between as minutes trickled by. “A part of me is burning in anger because someone else scented him before I did.” The shame was to be felt. “When I had him in my arms, his neck exposed- I have never seen his neck since we turned teens and- I just got so angry. Jeonghan was meant to be mine and I failed him. I left him and yet I still think of him this way and it’s so confusing and-“
“Cheol, love. Baby, you’re spiralling.”
Seungcheol stopped, breathed in deeply, and stepped away, wiping his face by pulling his t-shirt up to his face. “I know leaving was the right thing for me, I’m happier now, I know. But sometimes I wonder if maybe we could have done it differently.”
Joshua’s breath got caught in his own throat and he had to look away from the wide, honest eyes. “Me too, Cheol. We did the best we could and we can’t dwell on what ifs and has beens. Come on, let’s go home.”
-
Jeonghan had spent the whole night being cradled protectively by his brother, sobbing until his voice failed him and his tears dried out.
A whole night of Mingyu whispering comforting words and apologising for not being a better brother.
But now, sitting here in an unknown apartment, in someone’s else’s bed as his brother slumbered beside him, Jeonghan had to put himself back together.
Nothing would change.
It couldn’t.
Jeonghan had to shake it off and move on. No one would want a tainted omega, and especially not one who acted whiny and righteous. It was just a scenting session! Most peers did it, so there was a chance he was still desirable. Jeonghan just had to act like nothing had happened.
It was for the best.
The door opened, a smiley man sticking his head through the crack. “Oh great, you’re awake! Want breakfast?”
Soonyoung, if Jeonghan remembered correctly. He was part of the delinquents back in high school. Someone Jeonghan had never exchanged a single word with before, but he had always thought he was the dumb one of their group.
(Yet even he had gotten into college.
Seemed they accepted just anyone in here. It hadn’t been Jeonghan’s first choice, but this was where Mingyu wanted to go so Jeonghan had no say in it.)
“Ugh, Soonie, you’re too fucking loud,” Mingyu sat up, wiping sleep out of his eyes.
Jeonghan huffed, looking between his barely awake brother and the smiley alpha. “I want to go back to my dorm.”
“Now?” Mingyu checked his watch. “Let’s eat-“
“No.”
Soonyoung wisely backed out and the door closed.
“But we have to talk about-“
“I said no,” Jeonghan jumped out of the bed. “If you won’t drive me back to my dorm then I will walk.”
“Hannie, don’t be ridiculous. We have to talk and figure out what to do with that bastard.”
“We’re not doing anything,” Jeonghan stated.
“But- You can’t mate him.”
“Of course I can.”
“You can’t be serious? He-“
Jeonghan finally found his shoes and picked them up. “I’m leaving.” He opened the door, walked into a small living room where an alpha with glasses was sitting. Jeonghan ignored him, eyes sweeping the room for-
There it was, the exit.
“Wait- No. Hannie! Wonwoo, let me borrow your car.”
-
Mingyu stayed quiet during the ride, looking ready to cry as Jeonghan got out of the car. Mingyu followed him, stayed beside him until they reached the omega dorm entrance, but Jeonghan ignored him the entire way. Only said a quick goodbye before he left Mingyu alone outside.
It was all a blur, the walk from the entrance to his dorm room on the second floor. Even as he entered he mechanically undressed, taking the red dress off until he was standing there in his underwear.
Held the piece of clothing in his arms, glaring at it with disgust. In a sudden burst of anger he ripped his drawer open and pulled out his scissors, crying as he tried to cut the dress to pieces. But they were normal scissors and the fabric was resilient, so he couldn’t even do that right.
Angrily yelled and threw the clothing and the scissors across the floor, wrapping his arms around his legs and cried to himself.
It was all his fault.
-
“You’re not serious?”
“I am.”
They were in Seungcheol and Joshua’s apartment, the whole gang. It had been a long night for the couple and Seungcheol was still wracked with guilt, blaming himself for the misery Jeonghan was in.
“And your parents?” Hansol asked. “They can’t be fine with this?”
“They don’t care,” Mingyu was openly crying, Seungcheol watching him from across the table. Soonyoung was hugging him tight, while Hansol was patting him on the back. “I called and said that Minhyuk had scented Jeonghan against his will and they said it doesn’t matter, they’re becoming mates so that’s to be expected. They don’t care about Jeonghan at all.”
Seungcheol wasn’t surprised. His own parents had always been similar to Jeonghan’s. He knew how they thought and operated. Jeonghan was a tool, a bargaining chip and nothing more.
Minhyuk’s family had a lot of money.
A desirable family to be mated into, it’s all they could hope for for their omega child.
Jeonghan knew this too. Mingyu still had hope when it came to their parents, but Jeonghan knew better about what they expected of him. Seungcheol remembered when they were kids, when Mingyu would run around being allowed to be his age, Jeonghan was often stuck doing omega etiquette classes. It had annoyed Seungcheol, how Jeonghan was always so busy. So to get more time with him, even if to just sit next to him, Seungcheol had demanded to join too. Had spewed something about ‘protecting’ his omega and their parents had been amused and endeared.
Jeonghan had been so happy then, and had warned it would be boring, but at least they could sit together and talk whenever the teacher needed a break.
And god, the classes were horribly boring, but Seungcheol had appreciated them later in life, because he had seen the things omegas had been taught from a disturbingly young age.
Understood why Jeonghan was the way he was.
Understood why he would not say anything, even after last night.
He knew Joshua understood why too; saw the lack of surprise.
There was nothing they could do and it was absolutely fucking infuriating.
“Can’t we make him pay?” Soonyoung asked. “Slash his tires? I don’t know. Something?”
“Does it matter?” Joshua sounded emotionless. “He’s a rich man. Slashed tires wouldn’t be anything but a minor inconvenience. There’s no point.”
“There’s also the risk it could get back to Jeonghan somehow,” Mingyu mumbled. “I’m not taking that chance.”
The atmosphere in the living room remained gloomy.
-
Maybe his brain was distracting him, but after his outburst on Saturday morning, his mind had been plagued by thoughts which would make his mother extremely disappointed.
He wondered if it was because he had already broken one of his principles. They do say scenting is a slippery slope and Jeonghan scented a non-family alpha for the first time ever.
It was like his mind thought it was okay to sin and he couldn’t forget Seungcheol’s smell. Swore he smelled it every time he inhaled despite the thorough bath he had taken.
Was plagued all day, all night, until he snapped when writhing on the bed with soaked underwear on Sunday afternoon, his fingers pressing between his puffy folds. His small omega cock hard, his hole begging to be filled.
God, he was acting like a whore, fingering himself as he thought about Seungcheol’s warm embrace, his lovely scent, his fingers-
God.
The thick fingers.
It’s what got to him the most, how Seungcheol had looked as he buttoned Jeonghan’s dress close; his expression focused and soft, his fingers clumsy, but determined. He was giving Jeonghan his dignity back, acting like a sweet, proper alpha with manners and it was this that got him wet.
Made him tease his cock with his own slick using one hand, while the other was knuckle deep in his own pussy as he bit down on the blanket to muffle his moans.
It was shameful to be this wanton outside of heat. In heat it was biology, simply reminding you of your duties, but touching himself outside of his heat and cumming over his own fingers while thinking about a taken alpha?
Yeah, Jeonghan was falling into deviancy. One scenting session was enough to reduce him to this and he hated himself.
Was becoming like those he preached against.
All because he let an alpha scent him, and then scented another alpha just minutes later like a shameless whore.
-
Mondays were always a dreary affair, but Jeonghan’s mood was worse than usual. He had left the dorm with fear in his heart, but forced himself to keep up the act.
He was admittedly terrified.
Scared if anyone knew what had happened. Would find out what harlot Jeonghan was and then he would never get a mate. Minhyuk would surely not want him, not after the threats from Joshua.
Why would he want someone affiliated with delinquents?
Jeonghan had ruined it with the best chance he had at a perfect life, all because he wouldn’t let his future alpha have a taste.
Jeonghan’s mom had called him through the omega dorm office Saturday morning. His mother had said, in the quietest voice, that it was important to give his future mate a little taste, so his interest wouldn’t fade. A little bit of scenting and possibly some kisses wouldn’t hurt anyone and Jeonghan had possibly fucked it all up by refusing his alpha what he deserved.
If only his mom had told him this before! He would have been a better omega. But maybe he could still salvage it, which was why he went out to find Minhyuk after his last lecture of the day, hoping to apologise for everything.
Seeing it was Monday it meant there was basketball practice, which made things way easier than having to run around campus asking for him. It would have made him look needy, but he had been willing to do it if it meant finding Minhyuk, of course. What mattered was getting to apologise to him and also thank him for not telling anyone what had happened.
Jeonghan stood outside the wardrobe for an hour, trying to think of what to say, wanting to know what words would showcase his remorse the best way. He had to convey that he was still a worthy omega.
“Jeonghan!”
All of Jeonghan’s body seized up as he heard the voice, not expecting Minhyuk to be the first one out of the wardrobe. He thought he would have a warning, a small heads up.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” Minhyuk’s smile, which had always seemed so handsome and sweet, now looked like one of those cardboard cutouts of models they had at the beauty shops. “I wanted to talk to you this weekend, but you never stepped out of your dorm.”
“Oh, yeah, I- Had an essay I had to finish,” Jeonghan was standing straight against the wall, breathing a hitch as Minhyuk caged him in.
“Always so hardworking,” Minhyuk cooed, his voice meant to be sweet but Jeonghan felt nauseated. “But ah, I digress." His expression turned serious. "Jeonghan, I want to apologise.”
“You- you do?” This was surprising, the guilt in Minhyuk’s eyes felt unburdening.
“Yes, I lost control,” Minhyuk was speaking quietly, as more and more alphas exited the locker room and disappeared down the hall. Some of them gave them inquisitive looks as they passed, others wore obscene smirks. “I’m sure you understand, we alphas have a baser need and you were so tempting! I couldn’t help it. That dress… The colour? It was like you were asking for it and I just lost it.”
“I- Uh-“
“You must have known the effect it would have, right? To show your curves so brazenly,” Minhyuk sighed, seeming tired and almost disappointed.
“I worried, yes,” Jeonghan answered meekly. Minhyuk was right. He had been asking for it. He shouldn’t have let Seungkwan and Seokmin convince him it was an appropriate dress, those two were still naive and inexperienced in the world of alphas. It was his own fault for letting himself be swept away.
“You’ll forgive me, right?” Minhyuk was pouting, his big hand cupping Jeonghan’s cheek. “Please tell me you forgive me, I will never lose control again. I’ll keep my hands and lips to myself until the day we mate.”
“Of course I forgive you,” Jeonghan’s breathing was short. “You’ve done nothing wrong. You can’t help that I was tempting you like that.”
“Oh thank god,” Minhyuk breathed out in relief. “I was afraid I had lost the prettiest omega on campus because I was a fool.”
“No. Never. I- I wanted to thank you, for not telling everyone about the shameful way I behaved.”
“I forgot my manners,” Minhyuk answered. “I’m glad those freaks stepped in before I went too far, your scent was so delicious I lost myself. Though,” he frowned. “I am a little upset at how you let that alpha hold you. The shameless way you scented him.”
“I-“
“But it’s okay,” Minhyuk was back to smiling, his teeth so perfectly white and Jeonghan was getting dizzy. “We both made mistakes that night, so let’s forget it.” He paused, forehead creased. “Unless those guys will be a problem?”
“Not at all. They- I hate them.”
“You do? I don’t think they hate you,” Minhyuk’s mood was sour again. “They probably dream about you, even that freakish omega. I can’t blame them. You’re perfect. God, I need to kiss you.” And he did, leaning the rest of the distance between them to plant a peck onto Jeonghan’s lips. It was innocent. Short. Appropriate. “I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you,” Minhyuk sighed, stealing another as Jeonghan stood there like a statue. “But you’re not wearing my jacket today. Why?”
It was a little dizzying, Jeonghan could not quite keep up between the kisses and the rapid way Minhyuk was speaking. His head felt like wool, his eyes blinking slowly as he processed the question.
Jeonghan had been wearing it everyday at campus ever since Minhyuk gave it to him, but today Jeonghan had left it where it had been neatly folded since Friday afternoon.
“I was unsure if-“
“Oh, you’re such a precious sweet little thing. One little fight and you’re afraid we’re over?” He growled in amusement and then what had been small pecks was now a harsh kiss, the hand sliding to hold Jeonghan firmly by the back of the head as he forced his tongue in deep.
Jeonghan had never been kissed like this before, had never had someone’s tongue licking the inside of his mouth. Was all too inexperienced, so he just stood there, unresponsive and confused as Minhyuk growled into the kiss and pressed him harder against the wall.
A part of Jeonghan wanted to push Minhyuk away, knowing they were in public and anyone could see, but he also remembered his mom’s words.
(“Give him a tease, baby. Just give him a little bit and endure.”)
Jeonghan closed his eyes and let the alpha take.
Anything to make sure the mating went as planned.
Reminded himself of his lifelong dreams of living in a big house, with a perfect alpha and their many children.
He just had to endure. This was for his future. For his dream. Minhyuk was the perfect alpha and there was nothing wrong in letting him have a sample of his future omega.
Jeonghan could take this.
He had to.
He stood there, trying to fight the urge to push the alpha away. Tried to not cry, his body trembling in the firm hold.
Pretended he wasn't relieved when a voice echoed in the empty hall.
“Oh! Jeonghan! Mingyu has been looking for you.”
Minhyuk parted away like he was burned, a rising anger in his scent which disappeared as soon as it had come, his lips now pulled into a neutral smile.
It was Soonyoung, standing there with flushed cheeks and wearing that stupid leather jacket. “Sorry to interrupt you love birds!” He was chipper, voice playful.
“It’s fine,” Minhyuk was chuckling. “I should be heading to my dorm anyways.” He leaned in again, planting another brief kiss on Jeonghan’s throbbing lips. “Your brother is looking for you, you shouldn’t keep him waiting. He won’t be one of your alphas for long, so you should indulge him when he calls.”
A week ago, Jeonghan would have thought the remark was heart fluttering, but now it felt ominous.
Every omega had an alpha who acted like their legal guardian, when unmated it was a family member. It was mainly his father and he still had the final say, but Mingyu also had some authority since their father was far away. Jeonghan had only been allowed to go to college in another town if Mingyu did, because Jeonghan needed to have an alpha looking after him.
It was a bond too, one his father could wield if Jeonghan ever rebelled. Could force him to submit, though Jeonghan never acted out so it had never been used on him. Some foolish omegas had broken the bond, because as taboo as it was to acknowledge it, an omega who did not trust nor love their father (or whichever family alpha was the authority) would not have a working bond between them. Jeonghan never understood those omegas, because an alpha guardian was a protection every omega needed and the alpha guardian always knew best.
Jeonghan trusted his father's decisions.
But after this semester, the only alpha Jeonghan will be answering to will be Minhyuk, his mate.
It should be romantic, but-
No, Jeonghan was thinking too much. Had to be a good omega. Good omegas don’t think, they only do (as they’re told).
“Yeah,” Jeonghan was finally moving again, plastering the widest smile he could manage. “I should.”
“Let’s have lunch together tomorrow, sweet thing. My treat.”
“Of course.”
Minhyuk took one more kiss before he walked away, nodding to Soonyoung in a curt greeting. Jeonghan watched him disappear, following his every step before he rounded the corner.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.” Jeonghan stumbled after Soonyoung, nearly tripping over his own feet and he surely looked like a fool, yet the alpha just gave him a kind and patient look. It was a quiet walk out of the gym building, Jeonghan wondering why his brother was looking for him when they had operated by a perfect system for nearly two years now;
Mingyu leaves Jeonghan alone, Jeonghan pretends Mingyu doesn’t exist.
Sure, Jeonghan had spent a whole night crying in Mingyu’s arms and for a moment they were like brothers again, as close as they had been back before Jeonghan lost his future, but it was just one weak moment and nothing more.
Soonyoung led him outside, sitting down on a table, placing his bag onto it. Jeonghan quietly sat down opposite, watching as the alpha pulled out a big sandwich. “Oh, want some?” He offered, tearing it in two and holding one half out to Jeonghan.
“No thanks.”
“Oh okay.”
Soonyoung ate loudly. Had no class as he bit into the sandwich and chewed. His cheeks looked big, like a hamster, and his eyes disappeared as he smiled while eating.
Never had Jeonghan seen anyone this happy just by eating a sandwich.
“When is Mingyu coming?”
“He’s not coming,” some crumbs came flying as he spoke and Jeonghan gagged a little.
“Gross, swallow before you speak,” Jeonghan chastised, almost tempted to reach out and brush off the crumbs on his lips, like he was a mother scolding his son. “And what do you mean Mingyu isn’t coming? You said he was looking for me.”
Soonyoung chewed, looking at Jeonghan straight as he did. Chewed for a very long time because he really took way bigger bites than necessary. After several annoying moments, he finally swallowed. “I thought it was obvious I lied?
Jeonghan was stumped. “Why would you lie? Why do you think I would have sat down with you if I knew you lied?”
“I thought maybe you just wanted to hang out,” he shrugged. “And you looked scared. Just thought you’d want an excuse to get away.”
Jeonghan didn’t know what to say about the last bit. Had he looked scared? Was he scared? He should have looked elated, happy his future mate wasn’t leaving him.
“Why would I ever want to hang out with you?” Jeonghan deflected.
“Why not? I’m a cool guy.”
“You can’t even eat without making a mess,” there was mayonnaise on his cheek and Jeonghan couldn’t take it any more. He pulled out a handkerchief from the little pocket on his chest, leaning over the table and grabbing Soonyoung’s chin, dabbing his cheek.
“Damn, you’re making me miss my mom,” Soonyoung giggled. “Want to be her replacement?”
“You’re annoying,” Jeonghan swatted him with the handkerchief before straightening up again. Soonyoung just giggled again, looking rather sweet and lovely for an alpha. Maybe it was his shortness, even Jeonghan was taller than him, but there was something disarming about him despite being an alpha.
“Thank you, by the way,” Jeonghan said quietly as he stuffed the handkerchief back into his breast pocket, because he could not deny the relief flooding him as he got an excuse to escape Minhyuk's insistent lips.
“No sweat.” Soonyoung took another bite, cheeks bunching up again and Jeonghan hated how endeared he felt.
Maybe not everyone of those leather wearing dorks were as horrible as he thought. Sure, Soonyoung was not really what an alpha should be, but there was probably some omega out there who would love what he had to offer.
“But, if you really want to repay me, maybe you could introduce me to that pretty friend of yours? Seungkwan? He's so sex-"
“Don’t even think about finishing that word.”
Soonyoung guffawed, more food flying out of his mouth. “You really are like a mama bear. Seungcheol’s right, you really do have a cute side.”
Seungcheol. Jeonghan’s face grew red while flashes of his weekend surfaced, the way he had cummed with a muffled moan while he imagined Seungcheol’s knot stretching his pussy wide. He had to distract himself fast before he dropped slick in front of this strange little alpha who would probably blabber about it to Seungcheol after.
Blabber…
Shit.
“Don’t tell Mingyu," Jeonghan whispered hastily. "About what you saw. Please.”
This got Soonyoung to put his sandwich down, his gaze turning serious. “Why not?”
“Because I told you to. It’s none of his business, nor is it your business.”
Soonyoung hummed. “You know, for an omega who is supposedly super traditionalist and believes in being subservient to alphas, you sure feel comfortable telling me what I should do and shouldn’t do.” There was a glint in his eyes, one which got Jeonghan’s breath to hitch ever so slightly, his instincts telling him to yield, but it was only briefly. So short he wondered if he had imagined it and his wits returned as quickly as they had disappeared.
“I’d have to see you as an alpha first.”
“Damn." Soonyoung was loudly laughing again. “You’re kinda funny, you know. We should hang out more.”
Was this alpha some sort of masochist? Did he enjoy being insulted?
“I’d rather watch paint dry.”
“I’d watch it with you then. Oh!” He grinned. “Next time you have to let me treat you to something though, you keep rejecting my food offers and it hurts my pride.”
He was a stubborn one, but still so oddly endearing. Jeonghan felt himself ease. “Learn some table manners and maybe I will.”
“Okay, deal!”
Jeonghan had a feeling he was seeing this strange little alpha again.
-
It had been a couple of weeks since the party and life was back into a normalcy which Joshua found unsettling. The gang was the same as always. Jeonghan was his snooty self, wearing that ugly letterman jacket wherever he went, a stark reminder of the world they lived in. Joshua hated how he understood why Jeonghan was pretending like nothing. As much as he loved his friends, they were alphas. Even Mingyu was confused, wondering how Jeonghan could do this to himself.
It was because alphas had never felt the weight of being limited. They would never understand how narrow life was for anyone born as an omega. It was only recently omegas got allowed into college and even then they only had three options; nursing, teaching, or homemaking. Two of them lead to real jobs, the third was just meant for those omegas who used college as a place to find a mate.
Joshua had had to choose, had fallen on teaching, honestly mildly influenced by how he had heard Jeonghan was interested in nursing.
(This was before he knew Jeonghan had had to wait a year for Mingyu to graduate.)
No way he could endure sitting in lectures with the omega who was the epitome of Joshua’s worst nightmares.
What Jeonghan represented was everything Joshua never wanted to be.
He did not want to be a houseomega nor someone who was proud to be a servant to their alpha. He had no desire to ever let an alpha knock him up. Yeah, he wanted kids, but he didn’t want to carry them. The thought alone had his breathing come in rapidly, fear punching him in the stomach with a spiked glow.
What he wanted aligned more with what was expected of an alpha, but there was no room for an omega to lead such life. As soon as he was born, his life had already been sorted into a small box for him to fit into, just because of the O on his birth certificate.
The alphas had expectations to fit into too of course and anyone who didn’t align with what made an alpha an alpha would face ridicule from family and peers, but even then they had more room to squirm in. They had options.
Omegas rarely had the luxury of options.
Either you fit into the perfect little squares designed for you or you’ll fall outside and forever be shunned.
Joshua had tried. He really had. He had rebelled in small ways, acceptable ways, shown as much skin as he could within school regulations, and had dared to argue against alphas’ opinions.
Just little things, to get him through the day.
But meeting Seungcheol had made him braver. Had helped him realise they were killing themselves to be people who they weren’t. Had made him feel enough courage to push boundaries and try to chase for the reality he actually wanted.
He still wasn’t there, there was only so much he could do within the tight confines of society, but whenever he was with his friends, he at the very least knew he could talk freely and dress the way he wanted without anyone of them judging him.
It was about small freedoms, while trying to push for more.
But often there was no way out of the box you were already trapped in, like Jeonghan with Minhyuk.
Jeonghan was doing his best to survive, in a situation he could never win.
There was no way out except for him to commit social suicide, which could potentially mean an even worse outcome than the one he was heading towards now.
So Joshua perfectly understood why Jeonghan acted like nothing had happened, giggling on Minhyuk’s arm and playing the perfect omega.
But he still felt anger and disgust whenever he had to see them, remembering all too well the scent of a terrified Jeonghan and the marks on the frail neck.
“Okay but seriously, I don’t think there’s a way to save you." Mingyu huffed loudly. “How hard is it to do as I tell you?”
Joshua's focus returne to the world around him, looking at the two bickering alphas.
“I’m trying!” Soonyoung was just as frustrated. “But it’s hard to remember that I can’t talk with my mouth open! It’s never been a problem before so it’s hard to unlearn.”
“Never been a problem?” Seungcheol held Joshua’s hand, his thumb rubbing the skin affectionately. “I tell you every time how fucking gross it is because you spit that shit everywhere.”
“Yeah well, I don’t care for your opinion.” Soonyoung tutted.
They were in Joshua and Seungcheol’s apartment, hanging out on a friday night. Just relaxing and having a few glasses of beer or wine after a stressful week. It was Joshua’s favourite type of evenings, enjoying the camaraderie.
“Why have you been so interested in table manners lately, Kwon Soonyoung?” Joshua leaned closer in interest, eyes firmly on the man sitting across him. “Trying to impress someone? Some prim and proper omega perhaps?” It was meant as a joke, especially knowing the relationship between Wonwoo and Soonyoung, but the short alpha lit up.
“Damn, how did you guess?”
Somewhere to Joshua’s right he heard Wonwoo snort.
“Wait, who?” Joshua was intrigued now.
“Well, I was chatting with Mingyu’s brother the other day and he promised he’d hang out with me if I learned how to eat properly.”
Seungcheol tensed next to Joshua and Mingyu’s eyes narrowed.
“Why were you hanging out with my brother?”
“It just happened that way. Sat and chatted a little, I asked if we could hang out again and he gave me that condition!”
Joshua raised an eyebrow. “Prissy, snooty little Jeonghan and you? Chatting? And he didn’t insult you?”
“Well, he did! Lots!" Soonyoung wiped some sauce from his lips. “He even said he doesn’t see me as an alpha, which hurt my pride a little, but like, he kept chastising me about my eating habits and scolding me like a strict mom. I don’t know, it was kind of hot.”
Soon two alphas were standing, shoulders tense, gazes heavy.
Soonyoung was unbothered, licking his fingers clean. “What part of ‘he doesn’t see me as an alpha’ didn’t click? Chill, I’m not making a pass at him. I’m just saying he’s hot.”
“I would like you to not say anything about my brother being hot, thank you.”
“Don’t even think about Jeonghan in that way,” Seungcheol added with a growl.
“Jeez, an overprotective brother and a possessive ex. You guys getting your panties in a twist over me calling Jeonghan hot when Jeonghan is busy sucking face with Minyuck or whatever."
The two alphas backed down and Joshua threw his arm over Seungcheol’s shoulder, thumbing his upper arm soothingly.
“Gross, Soonie,” Seungcheol grumbled. “Jeonghan would never suck face.”
“He wouldn’t? Why?" Soonyoung tilted his head, looking admittedly adorable. "Another omega rule?”
“A kiss leads to temptation,” Joshua supplied with a bored tone. “So yeah, it's discouraged to kiss before your mating. Even if most of our generation does not care for that rule any more.”
“Ah, I didn’t- Oh! Hansol! You’re late.”
Hansol had arrived without any of them knowing, was standing there with a white plastic bag full of beer. “Sorry, had to help my dad at the shop with an important client.”
“No sweat." Joshua moved closer to Seungcheol, making room for Hansol to drop down next to him. They didn’t have enough furniture to sit on, so they instead used the floor whenever the gang visited. Just pushed stuff out of the way and then they would have plenty of space.
Hansol pulled out a can, opened it and took a big swig. “Fuck, that felt good.”
“Long day?” Mingyu asked.
“Longer than you would imagine." He placed the can down on the floor. “I have to tell you guys what I overheard from the jocks today.”
“Smoking in the locker room again?” Wonwoo snickered, taking one of the beers from the open plastic bag.
“It’s the best place to smoke, those preppy alphas are ever gonna rat each other out as long as they think it’s one of them.”
Honestly, Hansol really could be smart like that, Joshua was often very impressed by his logic.
“But yeah, I heard some really vile shit today. About your brother.”
Instantly the mood soured, as it tended to do whenever Jeonghan was brought up. Gone were the times when his name was only brought up to laugh at his uptightness, with Mingyu warning people with harmless threats.
“From Minhyuk himself.”
“What was it?” Mingyu asked quietly.
Hansol hesitated. “I’m not going to go into details, but Minhyuk was talking about how excited he was to have Jeonghan as his ‘knotsleeve’ and personal ‘cumbucket’ and shit like that after the mating. Talked about how fun it would be to break him and mould him into the perfect omega, because according to Minhyuk Jeonghan was a little too prim and proper for his taste.”
Joshua wasn’t surprised. Expected as much. Had heard worse shit spoken directly to him from alphas who thought Joshua was just an omega needing ‘a proper alpha’ to correct him. Of course Minhyuk was one of those.
Of course Minhyuk had to remind Joshua how even the omegas who played by all the rules, did as told, and who genuinely looked forward to being a houseomega still weren’t good enough in the eyes of these entitled assholes.
“I’m going to kill him,” Mingyu declared.
Soonyoung stood up, his face which was usually aligned with laugh lines now tight and angry. “Holy fuck, I’ll help.”
“There has to be something we can do? Would warning Jeonghan help?” Wonwoo asked earnestly, his hand grabbing Soonyoung’s and trying to pull him back down on the floor.
“Jeonghan already knows.” Joshua rolled his eyes, squeezed Seungcheol’s hand in hopes of calming down the storm he could sense brewing next to him. “I know you think he is naive and sure, he sees the world in binary, but he isn’t stupid. He knows what life awaits him and knows there’s no way out.”
“There’s always a way out,” Mingyu argued.
Frustration and anger welled inside Joshua, but he kept his face blank. “Sure, but the way out might be worse. You don’t get to choose that for him. Your parents won’t do anything, Minhyuk clearly does not want to end the courtship, and Jeonghan has no safe way to get out of this without his reputation taking a major hit. Those are the facts.”
He could feel the way Seungcheol was panicking quietly next to him, definitely spiralling into guilt. “Excuse us for a moment," Joshua said.
He pulled his boyfriend into the bedroom, leaving four stunned alphas to ponder over his words as he helped Seungcheol through a panic attack as best as he could.
(“It’s all my fault. I would have treated him right but I-“
“No. That’s not how it works. We don’t dwell over what ifs and has beens. We only deal with now. You can’t blame yourself.”)
-
Minhyuk had been true to his words, he treated Jeonghan with gentleness and respect, but it wasn’t the same. Something was wrong with Jeonghan; ever since he had scented Seungcheol he kept getting random bursts of wetness. Ended up touching himself at night, dreaming of an alpha who was once his.
If Jeonghan had to commit such sinful acts outside of heat, it should at the very least be fantasies of his future mate, but the only alpha on his mind was Seungcheol and Seungcheol’s spiced cherry scent.
Shameful.
He didn’t dare to speak of it to anybody, knowing how horrible he must sound. Maybe they wouldn’t judge, but Jeonghan felt he had a responsibility towards Seokmin and Seungkwan. Not only was he the oldest, he also felt he had to protect them. They didn’t have a family alpha close by, to watch over them. Their families were hours away and Jeonghan felt he had to take over for the lack of alphas in their lives.
Sure, Jeonghan was just a weak omega, but someone had to do the task. Someone had to be protective over his sweet darlings and he couldn’t trust anyone else here.
It was for these reasons he tried to never show a single flaw to them, needed to appear as a perfect role model they could emulate.
And one day they would find kind, well off alphas who would treat them right. Until then it was up to Jeonghan to take care of them.
Would protect them from anything and anyone.
Except, he never realised they also needed protection from him.
Not until it was too late.
A stark, brutal realisation when he stood there, knowing he might have lost Seungkwan forever.
What had started as a normal day had gone south fast, all because Jeonghan was too nosy for his own good.
-
Seungkwan had come over to ask for help on the quiz they had next week. They were just going to run through some answers, but when Seungkwan had gone to the toilet something had slipped out of his little bag.
A piece of paper.
Without thinking Jeonghan had picked it up, glanced over it when the words stuck out like a neon coloured sign.
‘Fighting for an omegan future’.
Panic struck like a vice, squeezing him tight as he read the full sheet with shaking hands.
A secret meeting outside of campus grounds, open for any omega who ‘wished for a more equal campus life’.
It hurt to know those homewreckers had sunk their claws into his precious Seungkwan.
Because everyone knew anyone claiming 'equal rights' just wanted to shame houseomegas and create an alphaless world. It was all a sham and they had seduced his precious Seungkwan.
It hurt to feel like everything was happening all over again.
“Shit.”
Jeonghan looked up, saw the fear in Seungkwan’s face, the door closing with a click behind him.
“Really, Kwannie? Tell me you’re not going.”
Seungkwan said nothing.
“Tell me you’ve never been to one.”
More silence.
“Fuck!” Jeonghan rarely swore out loud, seeing the way Seungkwan jumped in surprise. “How could you? These homewreckers-“
“Stop.” Seungkwan's voice nearly didn’t carry, but Jeonghan heard him.
“You can’t be siding with them? How? They want us all to dress like tramps and abandon our homes! They look down on houseomegas! They think child rearing is a joke, they-“
“Shut up for once in your life, Yoon Jeonghan!”
Jeonghan was stunned, taking a step back at the force of Seungkwan’s anger, the citrus so sour it hurt his nose and his mouth closed forcefully, a sensation travelling through which reminded him of an alpha’s spoken demand.
Submit.
To an omega? Preposterous!
And yet.
Not a word.
Just waited for Seungkwan to talk.
“You're always the one prattling about your beliefs about the world and constantly preaching, but now it's your turn to listen!" Seungkwan's teeth were gritted, his scent flooding every crevice of Jeonghan's being. "You see life in black and white instead of the gradient scale it is! You may enjoy your cushy life and dream of a future where your primary work is house and family, but I’m hungry for more. I don’t want to bet my entire fucking life on finding an alpha who treats me well, when chances are I’d be stuck with someone who doesn’t even see me as a human.” Seungkwan’s voice was rising in octaves, emotions raw as it fogged the room. Jeonghan could barely breathe.
“You may be happy, Jeonghan. You may be living the dream life you’ve always wanted and that’s perfectly fine! But not everyone wants that. Some of us want options! Failsafes! Some of us want to be able to lead a life without needing an alpha in our life to approve of everything. I want to be able to be independent!” Seungkwan looked at Jeonghan expectantly, arms folded as if he was shielding himself, shoulders squared and his lips in a thin line.
Defensive.
Yet waiting for a response.
Jeonghan scrambled for words.
“You can be happy, Seungkwan,” Jeonghan insisted, but his voice was weak and his words were empty. “You just need a good alpha and some kids and-“
“You think I wanna raise kids in this world?” Seungkwan’s laugh was without humour. “Knowing that if my child is an omega I’ve doomed them to suffer? Or perhaps raising my alpha child as best as I can, but I may still have to see them become my worst nightmare? This world is sick, Jeonghan, people are suffering, but you think that just because you can be happy this way, it must mean everyone else can too. Newsflash, but people are different. Omegas don’t all want the same thing, not everyone is built for a life at home.”
It hurt to see Seungkwan cry, and it hurt even more to see hatred in his eyes.
“You’re so fucking judgemental, Jeonghan. You spend so much time insulting others, acting like you’re the one sitting with the definitive answers, but you’re just a product of society. An enforcer of toxic norms. You’re so caught up in yourself and ‘how to be a perfect omega’ that you never notice how much you hurt me and Seokmin.”
“I-“ Jeonghan's chest hurt. His body enveloped in ice.
And Seungkwan-
Seungkwan looked heart broken, even if livid in anger. “Whenever Seokmin is excited you kill it with a quip of yours, like the lipstick thing! You constantly talk shit about omegas who are different from you, so both he and I are afraid of telling you anything you might judge us for. I love you, Jeonghan, I genuinely do, because sometimes I can see such a sweet person under all that judging bullshit, but most of the time you are an energy sucking vampire. It’s hard to be with someone you have to filter your words around. You’ve made me think and feel like my wants and wishes for more are shameful.”
“I-I-" Jeonghan stammered, panic gripping him tight.
“That’s why I go there. To these meetings.” Seungkwan wiped his tears with the sleeves of his casual wear. “They’re so kind and accepting there, they make me feel good about myself. They listen to me, instead of telling me how I should act.”
Jeonghan couldn’t speak, just stood there like a fool staring. He couldn’t even breathe. Felt his lungs burning, screaming at him to inhale.
“Of course you have nothing to say." Seungkwan's laugh was devoid of warmth. "All you know is to regurgitate the lies you’ve been brainwashed to believe.”
The door slammed and Jeonghan fell to the floor, heaving for breath as he felt something within him break.
-
Twice now.
Twice he has pushed away the people he loved the most, and this time he knew he couldn’t blame anyone but himself.
He had nothing left, aside from an alpha who made his skin crawl and a future which made his blood freeze to ice in fear.
Maybe it was what he deserved, a life of misery. Because he had once had it all and if he wasn’t so self centred and smug, he might be living happily right now.
God.
He needed air.