Work Text:
Jungwon had a plan. A simple one. Step one: Come back home for summer. Step two: Chill, catch up with old friends, and absolutely not think about college stress. Step three: Maybe, just maybe, check in on Nishimura Riki and make sure the idiot hadn’t flunked out of school yet.
What he didn’t plan for—what no one in their right mind could’ve planned for—was stepping out of his mom’s car, stretching after the long drive, and immediately locking eyes with his childhood best friend.
Who currently had his tongue down some omega girl’s throat.
Jungwon froze.
For a full five seconds, his brain simply refused to process the scene in front of him. His childhood memories decided to betray him all at once, flashing before his eyes like a cruel, dramatic movie montage.
Riki at six years old, following him around like a duckling.
Riki at ten, clinging to Jungwon’s back after scraping his knee.
Riki at thirteen, all limbs and bad decisions, stuffing candy into Jungwon’s bag so he’d get scolded instead.
And now—Riki at eighteen. Nearly a whole head taller than Jungwon. Hands gripping some girl’s waist like he actually knew what he was doing.
Jungwon physically cringed. His shoulders tensed, his face scrunched, and his entire soul rejected the sight before him.
No. Absolutely not. This wasn’t happening.
“Oh my god,” he muttered to himself, still rooted to the spot. “I leave for one year and suddenly he’s the main character in a bad teen drama?”
The girl giggled. Riki murmured something low in her ear. Jungwon wanted to un-hear it. He didn’t even hear it, but he wanted it erased from existence anyway.
Then, as if the universe hadn’t already tormented him enough today, Riki finally noticed him.
He pulled away from the girl (who looked entirely too into him, by the way—seriously, what happened to the Riki who got flustered when a teacher called on him in class?), blinked once, then twice, and broke into the cockiest grin Jungwon had ever seen in his life.
“Well, well,” Riki drawled, voice deeper than Jungwon remembered. “If it isn’t my favorite college nerd.”
Jungwon stared at him. At his stupid smug face. At his height. At the sheer audacity of whatever this situation was.
Then, because he was a mature, responsible adult who totally had control over his emotions, he said the first thing that came to mind:
“What the actual hell.”
Oh, and just to make things worse?
Riki smelled different.
Jungwon didn't even process it at first, too busy recovering from the shock of that scene, but it hit him all at once—the distinct scent that wasn’t there last summer.
Riki had presented.
And he was an alpha.
Jungwon barely had a second to process the horrifying reality of Riki being an alpha before he was suddenly airborne.
One moment, Riki was grinning at him like an idiot. The next, Jungwon was yanked forward and crushed into a chest that was a lot more solid than he remembered.
“What the—Riki!” Jungwon wheezed, his feet briefly lifting off the ground.
Riki, who was still holding onto him like some overexcited puppy, only laughed. “You’re back!”
Jungwon’s arms were awkwardly trapped between them, his face smushed against Riki’s shoulder. He could feel the rumble of Riki’s laughter in his chest, and wow, since when did the brat get this strong? It was unfair.
“You’re—choking—me,” Jungwon managed, pushing at him.
Riki finally let go, but his hands lingered a little too long on Jungwon’s shoulders, like he wasn’t quite ready to put distance between them yet. His grin was impossibly bright, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You didn’t tell me you were coming today.”
“Yeah, well,” Jungwon huffed, adjusting his shirt like he wasn’t just manhandled. “I was planning on a peaceful homecoming. Not—” He gestured vaguely behind Riki. “Whatever that was.”
Riki followed his gaze to the omega girl still standing there, arms crossed, looking incredibly unamused.
“We were supposed to go on a date,” she said, voice dripping with irritation.
Jungwon blinked. “Oh. Uh—”
“Yeah, we’re not doing that anymore,” Riki cut in smoothly, waving her off like she was a minor inconvenience. “You should go.”
The omega gaped. “Are you serious?”
Jungwon’s own jaw dropped a little. “Are you serious?” he echoed, staring at Riki like he’d grown two heads.
Riki, completely unfazed, just shrugged. “Hyung’s back.”
That was it. That was his explanation.
Jungwon could practically feel the omega’s glare burning holes into him, but before he could even attempt to defend himself, she scoffed, flipped her hair over her shoulder, and stormed off.
Riki barely spared her a glance before turning back to Jungwon, still grinning like nothing had happened.
Jungwon exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Riki, what the hell.”
“What?” Riki said innocently. “I can’t prioritize my favorite hyung?”
Jungwon gave him a long, hard look. “Do you even like her?”
Riki tilted his head, considering. “She’s pretty.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Riki only smirked. “Aw, hyung. Are you worried about me?”
Jungwon decided he wasn’t getting into this right now. Instead, he turned on his heel and headed toward his house. “C’mon, kid. You’re helping me with my bags.”
“I'm not a kid,” Riki muttered, but he followed anyway.
*
Inside, Jungwon sighed as he finally dropped his duffel bag in the living room. Before he could do anything else, though, Riki took the opportunity to tackle him onto the couch, laughing as Jungwon let out a startled yelp.
“Oh my god—get off me!” Jungwon yelled, struggling under the weight of eighteen whole years of stupid.
Riki only sprawled out more, as if trying to take up as much space as possible. “Missed me, right?”
Jungwon groaned. “I liked you better when you were shorter.”
With one last burst of strength, he shoved Riki off, sending the younger tumbling onto the floor with a thud.
“Rude,” Riki grumbled, rubbing his arm.
Jungwon snorted before reaching over and ruffling Riki’s hair, messing it up in the most obnoxious way possible. “So, tell me, kid. What’s been going on while I was gone?”
Riki clicked his tongue. “I said I'm not a kid.”
Jungwon only smirked, fingers still combing lazily through Riki’s hair. “Yeah, yeah. Just answer the question.”
Riki huffed, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he let himself lean slightly into Jungwon’s touch—just for a second.
“…Nothing much,” he said after a pause, his voice quieter now. “Same old.”
Jungwon hummed, clearly unconvinced. But for now, he let it slide.
***
Jungwon woke up late the next morning, stretching lazily before wandering into the kitchen in search of food. His mom had already gone to work, leaving behind a note about dinner and a fridge full of neatly packed side dishes. He rubbed his eyes, still groggy, before remembering—
Right.
He was back home. And Riki was… an alpha now.
The thought made him pause, lingering by the counter with a glass of water in hand. Seeing Riki again after a year was weird. Not in a bad way, necessarily. Just—different. Jungwon wasn’t used to him being that tall. Or that confident. Or that… physically affectionate.
He shook his head. Whatever. He’d get used to it.
For now, he had a simple goal: hangin gout with his childhood friendas if nothing's changed.
Jungwon grabbed his phone, opening their chat.
Jungwon: Kid, what you up to today?
The response was immediate.
Riki: I'm not a kid
Riki: also working
Jungwon frowned.
Jungwon: …Working?
Jungwon: Like, an actual job??
Riki: no, a fake one
Riki: yes, a real job
Riki: at the convenience store by our bus stop
Jungwon blinked at his screen, processing that information.
Riki. Working. A part-time job.
The same Riki who used to whine about doing his homework. The same Riki who once faked a fever to get out of music class. The same Riki who, at fifteen, claimed he would never “sell his soul to capitalism” when Jungwon suggested he start saving money.
Jungwon squinted.
Jungwon: …Who are you and what have you done with Nishimura Riki?
Riki: lol shut up
Riki: i got bills to pay
Jungwon snorted.
Jungwon: what bills. you still live with your parents
Riki: gotta fund my dating life somehow
Jungwon rolled his eyes so hard it almost hurt.
Jungwon: yeah, about that
Jungwon: remind me to talk some sense into you later
Riki: sounds fake but ok
Riki: i have a shift in 30 mins btw, so if you wanna hang out, too bad
Jungwon deflated slightly. He’d been looking forward to catching up properly, but… Well, he couldn’t exactly fault Riki for being busy.
Still, something about it sat heavy in his chest.
He hadn’t even known Riki had a job.
What else had he missed?
One year. That’s all it had been. Just one year away at college, buried in exams and assignments and trying to prove himself. And somehow, in that short time, Riki had gotten a job, grown half a foot, and apparently become someone who casually made out with omegas in public.
Jungwon sighed, rolling his phone between his hands.
He used to know everything about Riki. What snacks he liked. What stupid things he wanted for his birthday. What random songs were stuck in his head. Now, there were gaps. Pieces of Riki’s life he hadn’t been around to see.
He didn’t like that.
Jungwon sat up, newly determined.
Fine. If Riki was busy, he’d just have to meet him where he was.
Jungwon: got it. see you at work
Riki: …what
Riki: no
Riki: don’t do that
Riki: don’t come to my job
Jungwon: too late. leaving now
Riki: JUNGWON NO
Jungwon grinned as he grabbed his keys.
Catching up was long overdue.
***
Jungwon wasn’t sure how to process all this new information.
He had set out to catch up with Riki, expecting the usual updates—maybe some complaints about school, some dumb stories about their friends, a few teasing jabs back and forth. Instead, he was hit with a series of revelations that made him question if he had even known Riki at all.
First, there was the whole alpha thing. Riki had presented barely a week before his finals, meaning he had to deal with all the biological chaos of his first rut and exams at the same time. How he had managed to survive that was beyond Jungwon.
Then there was the basketball captaincy. That one wasn’t as surprising—Riki had always been good at basketball, but Jungwon hadn’t expected him to actually lead a team.
And then, the real kicker: Riki was getting into Jungwon’s university.
Not through academics. Not through the studying that Jungwon had practically begged him to focus on before leaving. No. He was joining through a basketball scholarship.
Jungwon nearly choked on his ice cream when Riki said that last part.
"Wait, what?"
Riki, ever the picture of nonchalance, just licked his cone. "Yeah. Scholarship. Full ride."
Jungwon stared at him. "So let me get this straight. You—you—who whined every time I forced you to do math homework, who swore you'd never step foot in another classroom after high school, are going to college because of basketball?"
"Yup," Riki said, smacking his lips obnoxiously.
Jungwon dragged a hand down his face. "And what about studying? Did you—?"
Riki cut him off with a sharp, barking laugh. "Studying?"
Jungwon groaned. "Riki."
"Hyung, do you have any idea how easy life is when you're the school heartthrob?" Riki grinned and looked down at Jungwon like he had the whole world in his hands. "People want to do things for me."
As if on cue, the cashier—who Jungwon reached out to give his card—smiled sweetly at Riki and said, "It’s on the house."
Jungwon blinked.
She winked at Riki. Riki winked back.
Then he turned to Jungwon and wiggled his eyebrows. See?
Jungwon exhaled through his nose, eyes narrowing. "You disgust me."
"Aw, come on," Riki drawled, nudging him. "Admit it. You're a little proud of me."
Jungwon took a slow, deliberate bite of his ice cream. "No, I'm really not."
Riki only smirked, completely unfazed.
Jungwon hated that he had a point.
***
Jungwon drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, eyes locked on the convenience store entrance. The street was mostly deserted, save for the occasional distant hum of a passing car. He wasn’t impatient, per se—just wondering why Riki was taking so long to clock out.
Just as he was about to honk (not that he actually would, but still), the automatic doors slid open, and Riki stepped out. His work polo was slightly untucked, his hair a mess like he’d been running a hand through it all night, but what really caught Jungwon’s attention were the two steaming bowls of instant noodles in his hands.
Riki strolled up to the driver’s side window, barely sparing him a glance as he held out one of the bowls. “For you,” he said nonchalantly.
Jungwon blinked at him, then at the noodles, then back at him.
“What—why—” He narrowed his eyes. “You’re not eating that in my car.”
Riki scoffed. “I never said I was.”
Then, without another word, he jerked his chin toward the park behind them.
Jungwon let out a long sigh, unbuckling his seatbelt. “You’re lucky I’m nice,” he muttered, stepping out of the car.
“Yeah, yeah,” Riki drawled, already heading toward the park, noodles in hand. “Come on, hyung.”
The park was quiet, the only sound coming from the rustling leaves and the occasional distant bark of a dog. It was the same old playground they’d grown up with—nothing had really changed except for how much smaller everything looked now.
Jungwon took the swing, rocking back and forth lazily, while Riki settled into one of the merry-go-round cups, his long limbs awkwardly sprawled out.
"So," Jungwon started, slurping his noodles. "You gonna miss high school?"
Riki tilted his head, thinking. "Not really. Maybe my team."
"The basketball team?"
"Yeah. Spent years with those guys. Feels weird to leave." Riki spun himself slightly in the cup, staring up at the stars. "We had this inside joke—our center, Minho, swore he’d go pro. We’d bet on who’d actually make it first. Now we’re all going our separate ways."
Jungwon hummed, watching him. "You’ll make new teammates."
"Yeah, but it won’t be the same," Riki muttered, swirling his chopsticks in the broth.
Jungwon didn’t know what to say to that. Riki always acted like nothing really got to him, but he could tell he was feeling it. Leaving behind something you love wasn’t easy.
"Well," Jungwon nudged his shoulder lightly. "At least I’ll be there."
Riki huffed. "Oh, great. Just what I wanted. My nagging hyung watching my every move."
Jungwon grinned. "You love it."
Riki just rolled his eyes and went back to eating.
After finishing their noodles, they moved to the seesaw. Or, well, Jungwon tried to.
Riki, being the giant that he was, had no trouble keeping Jungwon down on the lower end, his long legs stretched out effortlessly.
"Are you serious right now?" Jungwon deadpanned.
Riki smirked. "What’s wrong, hyung? Can’t lift me?"
"You’re literally doing this on purpose."
"Obviously."
Jungwon groaned. "You’re the worst."
Riki chuckled, but finally let Jungwon enjoy the seesaw, letting him rise and fall at his own pace. But that lasted about thirty seconds before he got bored.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Riki suddenly pushed off harder, sending Jungwon shooting into the air before slamming him back down.
Jungwon yelped. “Yah! What the—”
“Hold on, hyung!” Riki cackled, now going full speed, making the seesaw creak under their weight.
Jungwon gripped the handles tightly, but soon, his protests turned into laughter—real, unfiltered laughter. The kind that made his eyes crinkle and his stomach ache.
“This is so dumb,” Jungwon wheezed between laughs. “But—I’m so glad you’ve kept this childish side.”
Riki’s grin flickered for a fraction of a second. Then, still pushing off the ground, he spoke, almost too casually:
“You still see me as a kid, don’t you?”
Jungwon barely caught the shift in his tone. He let out an amused breath, still caught up in the adrenaline of the ride. “Well, you are a kid, aren’t you?” he teased.
Abruptly, Riki stopped.
Jungwon, still mid-rise, felt the sudden lack of momentum and nearly toppled forward. “What the—”
“Let’s leave,” Riki said, standing up. His voice was steady, but something about it felt… off.
Jungwon furrowed his brows. “Huh? Already?”
“It’s late.” Riki was already walking toward the car, his long strides making it impossible for Jungwon to catch up unless he jogged.
Jungwon sat there for a moment, seesaw still tilted in his favor, watching Riki’s retreating back.
***
"Hyung, I can tell you’re already regretting this," Riki drawled, watching as Jungwon fumbled with the safety bar of the ride.
"No, I’m not," Jungwon shot back, though his grip on the metal tightened when the ride operator did a final check and locked them in.
Riki smirked, lounging back like he wasn’t strapped into a machine that was about to spin them into oblivion. "Liar."
Jungwon glared at him, but any comeback died the second the ride lurched forward. The metal structure groaned, the seats lifting off the ground, tilting back—
And then they were spinning.
Jungwon’s scream got lost in the rush of wind.
Next to him, Riki threw his head back and laughed.
This was not how Jungwon thought the day would go.
The moment he saw the fair’s post on SNS earlier that day, he had gotten what he considered a brilliant idea. The whole thing had come together in minutes—he texted Riki, got a nonchalant "Sure, whatever" in response, and now here they were.
Jungwon wasn’t about to admit that part of his reasoning was to smooth over the awkwardness from the park. But mostly, this was about fun. This was about summer, and doing things that were slightly reckless and a little stupid because that’s what being young was about.
Also, he kind of just wanted to see if Riki still liked fairs as much as he used to.
Judging by the way Riki was grinning like a maniac as they stumbled off the ride, the answer was yes.
Jungwon, however, was less thrilled.
"That was awful," he groaned, holding his head.
Riki patted his back, barely winded. "You sounded like a dying cat."
Jungwon, still gripping the safety bar for dear life, turned to glare at him. "Excuse me?"
"You wailed," Riki said, grinning. "Like an overdramatic cat."
Jungwon scowled. "Excuse me. I was actually about to die!"
Riki only shrugged. But his grin widened. "Pussy."
Jungwon groaned, peeling himself off the ride with weak legs. "I fucking hate you, Nishimura Riki."
"Nah, you love me," Riki said, clapping him on the back a little too hard, making him stumble. "C’mon, let’s find you some food before you pass out."
*
Jungwon had two rules when it came to fairs:
- Rides should be approached with caution.
- Food was the main event.
So, naturally, the next stop was the food stalls.
"Here," Jungwon said, shoving a skewer of tteokkochi into Riki’s hands.
Riki raised a brow.
"Just take it, and don't tell my mom we took this ride," Jungwon said, biting into his own.
Riki hummed. "So it's a bribe."
Jungwon scowled. "Shut up and eat."
They wandered through the fair, their conversations bouncing between teasing and complaining about the heat. Jungwon felt lighter than he had in a while—maybe it was the bright lights, maybe it was the summer air, or maybe it was just the fact that Riki was the kind of person you couldn’t feel awkward around for too long.
Jungwon was in the middle of arguing about why churros were superior to candy apples when Riki suddenly stopped walking.
"Hold this," he said, shoving his drink into Jungwon’s hands.
Jungwon blinked. "What? Why—"
But Riki was already turning, cracking his knuckles, eyes locked onto something.
Jungwon followed his gaze.
And groaned.
The claw machine.
"Riki, no," Jungwon sighed.
"Riki, yes," Riki grinned, already feeding coins into the machine with the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas morning.
Jungwon shook his head, watching as Riki maneuvered the claw with far too much focus. He had seen this scene play out a thousand times before—Riki wasting money trying to win a dumb plushie, refusing to give up even when it was clearly rigged.
But then—
The claw actually grabbed something.
The older leaned in as a familiar yellow figure wobbled in the claw’s grasp.
Jungwon’s breath hitched. He stepped closer toward the machine, but not too close—he knew better than to break Riki’s concentration.
The claw wobbled. The prize teetered.
Hold—hold—
And then—
The plushie tumbled into the prize chute.
Pikachu.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then Riki turned, grinning as he pulled the toy out and held it up like some legendary artifact. "Tada!" he smirked as he held the toy toward the older smugly.
Jungwon took it, stared at it—then promptly whacked Riki in the head with it.
"Ow! What the fuck!"
"This was all thanks to my luck, never go over my words again" Jungwon said, lifting the plush like a trophy of his own.
Riki groaned, rubbing his head. "You’re so ungrateful."
Jungwon just grinned, hugging the Pikachu. And despite all his complaints, Riki couldn’t help but smile too.
***
"This is a bad idea," Jungwon muttered as the damp wooden planks of the deck creaked under his weight.
"No, you are a bad idea," Riki shot back, already pulling his shirt over his head. "Come on, hyung, live a little."
Jungwon was mid-eye-roll when his gaze snagged on Riki’s bare torso.
Oh.
Had the younger’s muscles always been that defined?
Jungwon blinked, his eyes involuntarily tracing over the sharp cut of Riki’s abs, the way moonlight cast subtle shadows over his lean frame. He knew Riki had been playing basketball nonstop, but somehow, it had never really registered like this before. His stomach twisted oddly, and before he could dwell on it, he ripped his gaze away.
Shoving the thought aside, the beta huffed, crossing his arms. "We just ate, Riki."
"And?" The younger grinned cheekily.
Jungwon stared at him, waiting for common sense to kick in.
It didn’t.
He let out a dramatic sigh. "And I’m not about to drown just because someone couldn’t control their intrusive thoughts and decided midnight swimming was a good idea—like we’re in some coming-of-age movie."
Riki scoffed and muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "You were cooler in high school."
Jungwon’s eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, a crumpled-up shirt smacked him in the face.
"Whatever, grandpa. I’m out!"
And with that, the younger gave a mock salute, turned on his heel, and took off.
Jungwon barely had time to process what was happening before Riki launched himself off the deck, disappearing into the waves with all the grace of a baby deer on ice. Water exploded around him, sending ripples across the dark surface.
Then—nothing.
The older's stomach twisted. The sound of the waves crashing against the dock did nothing to mask the uneasy pounding in his chest.
One second.
Two.
Three.
He was a finger swap away from calling 911 when Riki finally resurfaced, hair dripping, grinning like an absolute menace.
"HYUNG, YOU’RE SUCH A COWARD!" Riki yelled.
Jungwon’s eye twitched.
Oh, it’s on now.
He took a deep breath and jumped.
The moment he hit the water, a shock of cold shot up his spine. "What the hell, it’s freezing!"
Riki cackled. "Too late now!"
And then—splash!
Jungwon barely had time to react before he was completely drenched.
"RIKI!"
What followed was pure chaos.
Waves crashed, water flew in every direction, and Jungwon found himself in the middle of a war. The young alpha was ruthless, using his long arms and unfair strength to send wave after wave of water at the older. Jungwon, determined not to go down without a fight, tackled Riki outright, grabbing his shoulders and dragging them both under.
They resurfaced, breathless and laughing, water dripping down their faces.
When Jungwon looked up he found them closer than expected.
His breath hitched.
Moonlight reflected off the dark water, making Riki’s eyes gleam. They were no longer looking at him with mischief. They were deep and raw. Holding something Jungwon couldn’t quite place—it made his stomach twist.
Jungwon didn’t like it.
So he did the only reasonable thing.
He shoved Riki’s head back underwater.
Riki came up coughing, pushing his soaked hair out of his face. "You’re so dead." The younger growled.
Jungwon cackled and took off—except, he forgot one crucial detail.
Between the two of them, he was not the athlete.
The younger caught him with ease, gripping his waist and yanking him backward into the waves.
"YAH—"
Jungwon lunged for revenge, but Riki was already pulling himself up on the deck, laughing wildly as he snatched his clothes and bolted toward the beach.
Dripping, fuming, and still a little breathless, Jungwon took off after him.
Jungwon shivered violently as they trudged down the beach, his soaked clothes clinging to his skin. The summer night air wasn’t even that cold, but with no towels and their hair still dripping, he might turn into a popsicle any second.
Meanwhile, the young alpha beside him looked completely unaffected. Riki shook out his hair like a wet dog, then stretched lazily, like they’d just finished a casual evening jog instead of hurling themselves into freezing water like idiots.
Jungwon hugged his arms, teeth chattering. "Why are you not cold?"
Riki snorted. "Perks of being an alpha."
Jungwon rolled his eyes. "Of course it is."
"Not my fault I'm built stronger, hyung." The latter grinned before slinging an arm around Jungwon’s neck, flexing his bicep around him in a headlock and nearly choking him just to prove his point.
Jungwon cursed and jabbed an elbow straight into the taller boy’s stomach.
"OUCH—hyung!!"
"You might be taller and stronger now, but I’ll always be your hyung, brat." The brunette smirked, shaking off the moment as he stomped ahead, shivering harder. His only goal now was reaching the car as fast as possible and defrosting in its warmth.
But Riki recovered easily and caught up to him. Without warning, the young alpha threw his arms around Jungwon from behind, wrapping him in a sudden back hug.
"You know, hyung," Riki mused, voice dripping with amusement, "if you asked nicely, I would’ve shared my body heat. No need for all this fuss."
Then, whispering right by his ear, he added, "After all, nature gave this heat to alphas to share."
And before Jungwon could react, Riki ruffled his damp hair and strode ahead, whistling.
And if Jungwon’s heart was pounding a little harder and his ears burned a deeper shade of red—he pretended not to notice.
***
The next day, Jungwon was scrolling through his phone when Sunoo’s name lit up his screen.
Sunoo: I’m baaacckk!
Sunoo: Let’s get BBQ tonight.
Sunoo: Also, wtf do you mean Riki has a job???
Jungwon smirked, already picturing the omega’s dramatic reaction in person.
Jungwon: Okkay
Jungwon: You’ll see ;)
That evening, the three of them met at their usual BBQ spot, a cozy, familiar place filled with the sound of sizzling meat and clinking chopsticks. Sunoo was still in disbelief, staring at Riki like he was an exhibit at a museum.
"You. A part-timer. Are you kidding me?"
Riki barely glanced up as he reached for the lettuce. "You’re being dramatic."
Jungwon snorted. "He’s always dramatic."
Sunoo ignored them. "No, but seriously. What do you even do?"
The young alpha hummed, placing pork belly on the grill. "Stock shelves, work the register, charm customers—"
"Aha! So that’s why," the oldest interrupted enthusiastically. "I knew it. Bet half your customers are just there to see you."
The younger grinned. "Gotta fund my lifestyle somehow."
Jungwon snorted. "What lifestyle? You literally just hoard free food from admirers."
Riki wiggled his eyebrows at him. "And yet, here you are, benefitting from my hard work." Then he grabbed some of the extra side dishes their waitress had given them—on the house, of course—and shoved one straight into Jungwon’s mouth to shut him up.
Sunoo rolled his eyes at the two. "Anyway, at least you’re still an athlete. I might’ve passed out if you said you joined, like, the math club or something."
"Yeah, that’s Wonie's job," the younger quipped, throwing an arm behind the beta's chair.
The said boy gave him a flat look. "It’s hyung for you."
Sunoo grinned. "Speaking of school, Jungwon-ah, guess who’s throwing a party this weekend?"
Jungwon raised an eyebrow.
Sunoo’s grin widened. "The famous trio from high school—Jay, Jake, and Sunghoon!"
Jungwon’s jaw dropped. "No way!"
Riki rolled his eyes as his arm dropped from the beta’s chair. Even though he’d still been in middle school back then, there was no way he didn’t know who they were. Those three threw the wildest parties—the kind even the strictest students risked sneaking out for.
Sunoo nodded. "Yes way. The legends themselves. It’s happening at their place."
Jungwon grinned. "We have to go."
And of course—the most important part. Back in high school, Jungwon had the biggest, most ridiculous, heart-eyes crush on one of them. The fattest crush of his entire life, as he used to gush and say. It didn't help that Jay also found the younger cute and was very affectionate toward him.
Riki rolled his eyes at the memory, suddenly feeling his appetite disappear.
Sunoo, who seemed to sense exactly what was going through the alpha’s head, pointed his chopsticks at him. "And you, sir, are coming too."
Riki raised his hands in surrender. "Did I say I wasn’t?"
Sunoo clapped, smiling mischievously. "Good. It wouldn’t be fun without your stupid ass. Jungwon’s terrible at keeping up with my gossip—I need moral support."
Jungwon threw a napkin at him. "Hey!"
***
The party was in full swing by the time they arrived. Music pulsed through the house, the bass vibrating under their feet, and the air smelled of alcohol, cologne, and the faintest traces of omega-sweet pheromones.
Jungwon hadn’t partied like this in a while—not since the start of his finals. And that was a couple months ago. But something about being here, back with Riki and Sunoo, made it feel like old times again.
Now, a few drinks in, he was definitely feeling the effects.
“Hyung,” Riki drawled, one arm lazily draped over the back of the couch as he observed the older on the bar stool beside him, “you’re such a lightweight.”
Jungwon huffed, swaying slightly as he tried roll on the stool to glare at him. “Am not.”
Riki raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Oh, sure. You’re totally sitting upright now.”
Jungwon narrowed his eyes, determined to prove a point. He pushed off the chair—and immediately felt the world tilt. Before he could embarrass himself further, a firm grip steadied him.
Riki didn’t even look at him as he scoffed, adjusting his stance ever so slightly to let Jungwon lean against him if needed as he guided him to take sit on the couch instead. “Yeah. Not a lightweight my ass.”
Jungwon would’ve argued if Sunoo hadn’t appeared right then, balancing three freshly poured shots with a triumphant grin as he took the space on his other side. “Drinks are here~!”
Jungwon brightened immediately, reaching out. “Oh, nice—”
Riki could only watch, unimpressed, as Jungwon eagerly downed the shot without hesitation. His side-eye was practically a full-body judgment at this point.
Sunoo cackled. “Wonie, you trying to die tonight?”
Jungwon wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, feeling the warmth spread through his chest. He looked at Riki, who was still judging his poor life decisions. “What?” Jungwon challenged, his words a little looser, a little bolder. “You scared I’ll ruin your celebrity image or something?”
Riki snorted, arms crossing as he leaned back. “Nah. Just mentally preparing myself to drag your sorry ass home when you inevitably pass out.”
Just then, Sunoo nudged Jungwon’s side, cutting their banter short and nearly making him spill his next drink. “Oh my god, look over there.”
Jungwon turned to where Sunoo was pointing and immediately spotted Jay, lounging in a corner with some omega boy practically draped over him. Jay was laughing, his hand resting lightly on the omega’s waist, and something about the sight made Jungwon’s stomach twist.
Sunoo smirked. “Still hung up on him, huh?”
Jungwon sighed, gaze lingering on Jay for a second too long. “I mean… it never really went away.” He swirled the remaining liquid in his cup before taking a slow sip and wincing at the bitterness.
Riki stiffened beside him.
“Jay-hyung is just—he’s everything, you know? He’s confident, smart, kind… And I always thought maybe—” He huffed a small laugh, shaking his head. “No, I knew I never had a chance. But I still wished.”
Sunoo gave him a look. “Wonie... Seriously. You’re still on this?”
Jungwon exhaled. “Come on, Sunoo-hyung, you know how it is. No alpha would ever willingly choose a beta as a lifetime partner. Even if, hypothetically, Jay hyung and I ever got together, it wouldn’t last. Eventually, he’d leave for an omega, and I’d just be left there, more heartbroken than ever.”
Riki’s hold tightened around his plastic cup.
But the sound of the object crumbling under his grip went unnoticed to Jungwon.
“It’s not like I didn’t think about it in high school,” he continued, playing with the rim of his drink. “But it would’ve been embarrassing. His affection toward me was always just platonic, and everyone knew it. I was just the beta friend. And that’s fine. That’s how things are.”
“That’s not true,” Sunoo said firmly, before turning to Riki. “Back me up on this, Riki. You're an alpha now!”
Thought, Riki only hummed and nodded distantly when Sunoo called his name, but he barely heard the question. His fingers balled around the flimsy plastic, now completely destroyed in his fist. He needed to get out of there.
“I’m gonna get more drinks,” he muttered, not waiting for a response before slipping away into the crowd.
He reached the makeshift bar in the kitchen and poured himself a shot. He could feel the pairs of eyes following him when he downed his shot. He could still feel them when he down another. Then another.
The alcohol burned its way down, but it wasn’t enough to drown out Jungwon’s words.
"Jay-hyung is everything—"
Jungwon still liked Jay.
After all these times, Jungwon still liked Jay.
Riki should’ve known. Should’ve expected it. But for some reason, it still hit like a punch to the gut.
He exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the counter. He could feel his senses getting numb as the alcohol started to set in.
But then he got reminded of the way Jungwon saw his relationship. The way he spoke about alpha-beta relationships like they were doomed from the start. Believing no alpha would ever truly want a beta for life.
Was that how Jungwon saw him, too? That if Riki ever felt something for him, it wouldn’t matter? That it wouldn’t be real?
A bitter laugh left him.
Maybe he’d been an idiot all this time. Trying to prove himself. Trying to show Jungwon that he wasn’t a kid anymore.
What was the point?
His head felt hot, whether from the alcohol or his own frustration, he wasn’t sure. But he needed to get out of his own head.
So he did what knew best.
Pushing off the counter, he scanned the room, looking for something to smoke.
His eyes landed on a pretty omega standing by the stairs. She was watching him already, blowing her handmade joint as the smoke covered her flirtatious smirk
Double kill. Riki didn’t give it a second thought as he walked over, flashed a smirk, and leaned in to say something low in her ear like second nature. She laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and when he tilted his head toward the staircase, she followed.
Jungwon caught the sight just as he was about to refill his cup.
Through his slightly blurry, tipsy vision, he watched as Riki curled an arm around a girl, his lips brushing against hers as they disappeared up the stairs.
Jungwon blinked.
He felt his chest tightened, but he blamed the alcohol for it.
What did it matter, anyway?
With a sigh, he set his untouched drink down and turned toward the exit. He was done for the night.
***
The sand was cool beneath them, the salty night breeze ruffling Jungwon’s hair as he sat back on his palms, a cup of convenience store ramen nestled between his knees. The sky was painted in deep shades of orange and purple, the last bits of sunlight fading beyond the horizon. It was quiet, peaceful, the rhythmic sound of waves crashing filling the spaces between their lazy conversation.
Sunoo slurped his noodles noisily, sighing in satisfaction. “I swear, nothing beats instant ramen by the beach. Five-star restaurants could never.”
Jungwon huffed a laugh, shaking his head. “You say that like you’ve been to a five-star restaurant.”
Sunoo shot him a betrayed look. “Excuse you, I have class. I’ve been to that fancy steakhouse downtown.”
Riki snorted, tapping the ash off his cigarette. “Didn’t you cry when you saw the bill?”
“Okay, and? Who charges that much for a single piece of meat?” Sunoo waved his chopsticks dramatically. “Besides, you should be grateful. If I hadn’t wasted my entire paycheck, we wouldn’t know what real wagyu tastes like.”
Jungwon hummed, twirling his chopsticks through his broth. “You had, like, two bites before complaining it was too rich.”
Sunoo gasped, offended. “Who’s side are you even on?”
Jungwon laughed, the warm, easy atmosphere settling over him like a comfortable blanket. It had been a while since they’d done this—just sat around, doing nothing, eating cheap food, and talking about pointless things. He hadn’t realized how much he missed it.
Beside him, Riki took another slow drag of his cigarette, the tip burning red in the dimming light. He looked relaxed, long legs stretched out in front of him, gaze fixed on the ocean. He exhaled lazily, smoke curling into the air.
Jungwon nudged him with his foot. “That’s your fourth one tonight.”
The alpha arched a brow, unimpressed. “You counting?”
Jungwon wrinkled his nose. “I can smell it.”
Riki smirked. “Good thing you’re a beta then.”
Sunoo chuckled. “Yeah, imagine if Jungwon was an omega. He’d be so grumpy about scents.”
Jungwon rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. The thought of being hypersensitive to smells made his head hurt.
They were still bickering when a voice called out, cutting through their conversation.
“Riki-san~!”
They all turned at the sound of laughter, carried by the night breeze. A small group of girls was approaching, their hair still damp, the scent of ocean salt and expensive body wash trailing after them. They were all omegas—except for one beta—dressed in light summer clothes, designer duffel bags slung over their shoulders like they’d just come from an evening swim. They looked effortlessly at home under the warm glow of the streetlights, blending into the easy rhythm of the summer night.
Riki raised a hand in greeting, as the girls made their way over, immediately settling onto the sand beside the trio as if they’d been part of the group all along.
One of them plopped down next to Riki, while another slid herself between the alpha and Jungwon. The rest gathered around, though clearly gravitating toward where Riki was lounging.
Jungwon didn’t think much of it at first. He recognized a few faces from school—probably a year or two younger than him—but it wasn’t like they were people he knew well. Thought they were all friendly and chatty, and Sunoo, predictably, slotted himself right in, making everyone laugh as if he was born to socialize.
The beta stayed quiet, casually finishing the last of his ramen.
But it was hard not to notice the way the girl beside him kept leaning closer to Riki whenever she laughed, her shoulder brushing against his.
Or the way her lashes fluttered a little too deliberately when she asked for a lighter.
Cigarette perched between her lips, she leaned in, tilting her head slightly, eyes flicking up through her bangs. Riki didn’t even hesitate, flicking the lighter open with practiced ease. The flame flared to life, and the omega inhaled, the glow illuminating her face for a brief moment before she exhaled, smoke curling lazily into the night air.
Jungwon’s fingers tightened around his empty cup, his chest tightening along with it.
She was pretty—dark brown hair, those playful eyes that never seemed to settle in one spot for too long, a casual confidence that practically radiated off her. She was the type who was used to getting exactly what she wanted. And it was pretty obvious what she wanted now.
And Jungwon didn’t know why that fact bothered him.
He told himself it was just instinct. He was just looking out for Riki, making sure the younger didn’t get caught up in some omega’s tricks.
But who was he kidding? If anyone knew how to play these games, it was Riki. He was practically a master at it, and Jungwon had noticed that the moment he came back to town.
"Everyone wants a piece of this meat, hyung," Riki once said jokingly, laughing at Jungwon’s disgusted face afterward.
Only they both knew he wasn’t really joking.
Of course he did.
Riki was tall, good-looking, the basketball captain, and on top of it all—an alpha. He was the full package. The kind of guy people gravitated toward, whether it was for attention or something else entirely.
The voices around him became distant, as if they were a blur, and Jungwon found himself focusing on his hands, twirling his chopsticks as if looking away would somehow make the odd, uncomfortable feeling in his stomach disappear.
It didn’t.
He needed to leave.
“I should head home,” Jungwon said abruptly, pushing himself up from the sand and standing without waiting for much of a response.
Sunoo looked up, surprised. “Already?”
“Yeah, I have—” Jungwon hesitated for a second, scrambling for an excuse. “Stuff to do.” It was weak, but Sunoo didn’t press.
Riki, on the other hand, didn’t even blink. He simply glanced up from his conversation, blowing out a puff of smoke before muttering an “Alright.”
Jungwon hesitated.
For some reason, he’d expected Riki to at least say something. Maybe ask why he was leaving so early. Or tell him to stay a little longer. Hell, maybe even call out on his lame excuse. But instead, the younger just went right back to his conversation, turning away without a second thought.
It shouldn’t have annoyed him this much. It really shouldn’t have.
But it did.
***
Riki’s weird attitude toward Jungwon disappeared not long after the older confronted him about it. It was like flipping a switch—one day, he was distant and unreadable, and the next, he was back to his usual annoying self, throwing fries at Jungwon during dinner and draping himself over his shoulders like a 6’2 human scarf.
But the omegas? Yeah, they didn’t disappear.
After that time at the beach, they were everywhere Jungwon was. Like an infestation of very pretty, very clingy mosquitoes.
Every time Jungwon wanted to hang out with the younger alpha, some girl would magically appear out of nowhere, sliding into the seat next to Riki with a perfectly timed giggle. Or batting her lashes as she asked him the dumbest questions known to mankind—Oh my god, Riki, you’re so tall, how do you even breathe up there? (Through his nose, Seulgi, like a normal human being).
And somehow, somehow, they always ended up sitting with them for the rest of the night.
At first, Jungwon let it slide. Fine, whatever, Riki’s popular, that’s normal. But by the fifth time he found himself awkwardly third-wheeling some omega trying to whisper into Riki’s ear—seriously, why was she whispering? They were in a loud-ass burger joint, not some secret mafia meeting— he’d had enough.
So, naturally, he exploded.
Sunoo hummed, sipping his diet coke. “So?”
Jungwon’s eye twitched. “So?! What do you mean so? Did you not hear what I just said?”
“I did,” Sunoo said, nodding. “And I still don’t get why you’re this mad about it.”
Jungwon opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again.
Sunoo continued, smirking slightly. “I mean, yeah, you guys were always close, but it’s not like you were alone all the time. Back in school, there were always other people around. Riki’s always been like this.”
Jungwon scoffed. “Yeah, but it’s different now.”
“Is it?”
“Yes! Because—” He stopped.
Sunoo raised a brow, waiting.
Jungwon floundered. “Because—because it just is—”
“It’s not like you guys are on a date or something,” Sunoo said casually, popping a fry into his mouth.
And just like that, Jungwon’s brain short-circuited.
He sat there, frozen, his mind blank except for one single, horrifying realization:
He and Riki were not on a date.
Obviously. That was obvious.
He didn’t see Riki like that. He didn’t.
He still had a fat crush on Jay.
So why was he so bothered?
Sunoo squinted at him, chewing thoughtfully. “Dude, why do you look like you just realized your whole life has been a lie?”
Jungwon quickly grabbed his drink and took a sip, mostly to avoid answering.
***
By the time Jungwon realized he’d been avoiding Riki, he was already a full week into it.
At first, it wasn’t on purpose. Really, it wasn’t. Riki was busy with work, and Jungwon had… well, things.
Important things. Life things.
Things like helping his mom, and sleeping, and staring at his ceiling thinking about absolutely nothing in particular except maybe why do I feel like this and why does Riki being surrounded by omegas annoy me more than the existence of mosquitoes?
Normal thoughts. Totally normal.
So it wasn’t like he was deliberately avoiding the younger. They just hadn’t crossed paths much. Which was fine.
It was fine.
Then, after an entire week of not seeing the younger alpha except for a brief five-minute conversation when Riki dropped by to pick up something from his house, Jungwon realized two things:
• He kind of missed the idiot.
• He was mad that Riki wasn’t missing him back.
Which was so stupid. He was the one brushing off plans. He was the one saying he was busy. He was the one avoiding places he knew Riki would be at.
So why was he lying awake at night like some tragic main character, staring at his ceiling and feeling betrayed?
Whatever. He wasn’t going to think about it anymore.
The universe, however, had other plans.
*
That morning was supposed to be normal. It started off normal. Like any regular, peaceful summer day—warm sun, lazy scrolling on his phone, Sunoo sending him unhinged texts about some drama he was watching.
Jungwon figured it was as good a time as any to take his dog to the park for a walk. Clear his head. Get some fresh air. Definitely not think about his weird, complicated emotions.
It was all going fine.
Until he saw him.
Jay.
But Jay wasn’t alone.
He was with a boy—soft-looking, pretty, with the kind of delicate features that screamed omega. The kind that fit all the classic tropes. Doe eyes, gentle smile, posture that made it seem like he belonged perfectly tucked under someone’s arm.
Jay’s arm.
Jungwon froze, watching in horror as Jay leaned down, ever so slowly, and kissed him.
His dog tugged on the leash, trying to pull him forward, but Jungwon’s feet were cemented to the pavement.
One of Jay’s hands rested on the omega’s waist, fingers pressing into the fabric of his shirt like he needed to be touching him. The other curled around the boy’s jaw, thumb grazing his cheekbone so tenderly it almost hurt to look at.
Jungwon’s stomach twisted. A dull, sickening ache settled in his chest.
Because he had thought about this moment before. Imagined it. Fantasized—on the rare occasion he let himself believe he had a chance. And now, standing here, he was watching all those daydreams play out in real time—except he wasn’t in them.
And the worst part?
Jay was exactly how he’d always pictured him.
Romantic. Cliché. All warm smiles and sweet, effortless gestures, like he didn’t even have to think about them. So natural. So him.
His thumb brushed over the omega’s hand, absentminded but affectionate, like it was something he’d done a thousand times before. Like he had already built a world with this person—one Jungwon had no part in.
He should’ve turned around. Should’ve walked away. Saved himself from this slow-motion heartbreak.
Instead, he stayed. Paralyzed.
Stayed long enough for the ache in his chest to settle into something dull and suffocating. Stayed long enough to watch Jay laugh softly against the omega’s lips before kissing him again. Stayed until the moment was burned into his mind so completely that he knew he’d never be able to forget it.
And then—
“Jungwonie! Hi!”
Jungwon inhaled sharply. Brought back to the cruel reality of his life by the very voice of his problems.
His grip tightened around the leash.
After a long, excruciating second, he forced himself to swallow down the lump in his throat—forced his lips into something resembling a smile.
“…Hey.”
It barely came out. But Jay, being Jay, just smiled, oblivious. Because of course he didn’t know. Of course this was just a normal day for him.
Jungwon’s gaze flickered to their intertwined fingers. Just as quickly, he ripped his eyes away.
If he stayed any longer, he was going to be sick.
So he left.
Turned around with some half-mumbled excuse and walked away as fast as he could without outright sprinting.
By the time he made it home, he collapsed onto his bed, chest hollow, staring blankly at the ceiling.
For a solid hour, he just existed in his heartbreak.
Then, finally, he decided.
It was time. He was done. He was moving on.
So, naturally, he told Sunoo.
And, naturally, Sunoo’s brilliant solution was:
“Let’s go to a club and get drunk.”
***
That night, the club was loud, the music was thumping, and Jungwon was determined to have fun.
Or at least, that’s what he kept telling himself.
Sunoo was doing his part, dragging him onto the dance floor, singing along to whatever remix was playing, and—of course—trying to pair Jungwon up with literally anyone he deemed remotely attractive.
“Jungwon, please,” Sunoo whined, pressing against his side to be heard over the music. “Look at him. He’s so your type. He’s tall, he’s a beta, and he’s been eyeing you for the past ten minutes.”
Jungwon followed Sunoo’s not-so-subtle nod toward a guy standing by the bar. Sure enough, he was looking. And yeah, he was handsome—strong jawline, sharp nose, good shoulders. Objectively attractive and very similar to a certain someone Jungwon’s been ignoring.
He wasn’t sure if Sunoo had noticed. If he’d picked up on the fact that Jungwon wasn’t really into it tonight, that his heart just wasn’t in it. Maybe that’s why, for the first time in forever, Sunoo hadn’t brought up Riki.
Not once.
He hadn’t teased the beta about him, hadn’t pestered him with questions, hadn’t even mentioned his name. Which, for someone as nosy as Sunoo, was very unlike him.
Jungwon wasn’t sure if it was intentional. But either way, he was grateful.
Still, no matter how much he tried to lose himself in the music, the frustration lingered. Because somehow—somehow—on the one night he desperately needed to get wasted and forget about everything, his body had decided to betray him. He was already a few drinks in, but instead of getting pleasantly drunk like any normal person, he felt perfectly sober. As if his alcohol tolerance had chosen this night, of all nights, to skyrocket.
Jungwon scowled, tipping back another shot. Sunoo leaned in, whispering in his ear about how unfairly attractive the alpha at the bar was, but Jungwon wasn’t listening.
Because the second the club doors swung open, his eyes immediately found Riki.
He wasn’t sure if it was because of their lifelong friendship or if his brain was just hardwired to notice the younger first in any crowd—but either way, his gaze landed on him the moment he stepped in.
And just as quickly, Riki looked away. Like nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t just met Jungwon’s eyes across the room. Instead, he laughed at something his friend said—his teammate, Jungwon recognized distantly. Another ace from their school’s basketball team, another athletic, popular alpha. He had an arm slung lazily over Riki’s shoulder, his girlfriend pressed close beside him.
And then there was her.
A tall, pretty girl. Dressed in silver top that left nothing to imagination, long fingers curled around Riki’s arm like she belonged there. And Riki? He didn’t seem to mind. If anything, they looked comfortable—like this was normal for them.
Jungwon clenched his jaw and tore his eyes away.
And just like that, whatever progress he had made that night shattered.
Because of course.
Of course Riki was here. Of course this was how they ran into each other after days of avoiding one another. And of course—because the universe clearly had it out for him—he had to be wrapped around some ridiculously pretty girl.
And what pissed Jungwon off the most. Because it wasn’t the heartbreak he had spent all day trying to forget.
It was this.
The way Riki had just left with his friends like it was nothing. The way it was bothering him more than what happened earlier that day. The way the image of Riki’s hand on the small of that girl's back refused to leave his mind.
Jungwon exhaled slowly, setting his glass down a little too hard.
This day really couldn’t get any worse.
As Jungwon turned around to order another drink, his eyes betrayed him—swaying, almost on instinct, toward where the group of four had settled.
He half-expected to see them lounging at a table, joking, laughing, maybe clinking their glasses together.
Instead, he was met with the sight of Riki’s tongue shoved down that omega's throat.
Jungwon froze.
She was pinned against the wall, her arms wrapped around Riki's neck. Their hands wandering and exploring each other's bodies. The way they moved, the way they devoured each other—it was messy, desperate, the kind of scene that belonged in some trashy romance flick.
And for some inexplicable reason, Jungwon’s heart dropped.
His palms ran cold. His stomach twisted. It felt like someone had just stabbed him with a thousand tiny needles, each one sinking in deeper, lodging under his skin.
That was it. That was officially the last straw.
He needed to get out.
Jungwon looked around, searching for Sunoo, but the omega was nowhere to be seen—probably off making his night a success, unlike Jungwon’s complete disaster of one.
Good.
That meant no questions. No lectures. No sympathetic looks.
Without a second thought, he turned on his heel, shoving his way through the packed club, the stifling heat making his head pound even more. He just needed to leave. Get out before the weight in his chest suffocated him completely.
But in his haste, he collided—hard—into someone.
A bulky beta, with broad shoulders and a too-tight shirt that looked like it might rip if he flexed too hard. Jungwon barely registered the cold splash of liquid against his arm before he heard the sharp clatter of a glass hitting the floor.
"Hey! Watch it, motherfucker!"
Jungwon blinked at the guy's furious expression, his head spinning. The shots he’d downed in the last five minutes had apparently just decided to kick in, and now everything felt off. His stomach twisted, his skin felt too warm, and his eyes were stinging—for reasons he definitely didn’t want to acknowledge.
“Shit, sorry—” he muttered, trying to step past him.
But the beta grabbed his arm.
Jungwon barely had time to register the harsh yank before his back hit the pillar behind him.
Pain shot through his shoulder, but the dizziness drowned it out. The beta was in his face now, yelling something, but the music was too loud, and the ringing in Jungwon’s ears only made it worse. His legs felt unsteady, and his head swam as he tried to focus.
Then—
A low, warning growl.
The man stiffened, his grip loosening just slightly, and Jungwon blinked up—only to find someone standing between them.
Riki.
The taller boy had his fist curled into the beta’s collar, his posture tense, shoulders squared, and though Jungwon couldn't make out the exact words being said, whatever Riki snarled had the beta’s jaw clenching, his expression twisting in irritation before he finally let go.
With one last glare, he shoved alpha's hand off and stormed off with a snarl.
The second he was gone, Riki turned to Jungwon, brows pinched in concern. “Are you—”
Jungwon didn’t let him finish.
He pushed past him, brushing off whatever lingering dizziness still clung to his body.
“Jungwon—wait—”
A hand closed around his wrist. Warm, familiar.
Jungwon yanked his arm back.
“I’m fine,” he snapped, harsher than he meant to. His own voice sounded wrong to his ears. “I was going home anyway.”
Riki hesitated, his hand falling to his side, but his expression remained firm. “You shouldn’t go alone. Where's Sunoo-hyung? I’m coming with you.”
That—
That made something ugly twist in Jungwon’s stomach.
He didn’t even know why. Or maybe he did, but the words left his mouth before he could stop them.
“Fucking hell Riki, I said I’m fine. Go back to your omega or whatever.”
The second it was out, Jungwon regretted it.
Because Riki’s face changed.
The usual easy-going look was gone, replaced by something darker—confused, then irritated, before it settled into something unreadable.
For a moment, Riki looked like he wanted to say something. But then he bit it back, jaw clenching.
“Fine. Whatever.” His voice was sharp, almost cold. “At least take Sunoo with you.”
Jungwon huffed, already turning away.
“Stay here,” Riki continued, his tone laced with frustration. “I’ll go find him.”
Jungwon nodded, pretending to agree.
The second Riki disappeared into the crowd, he took his chance.
And left.
The moment he stepped into his room, the dam broke.
Face-first into the mattress, fists gripping the sheets—he sobbed.
It was ugly. Messy. The kind of crying that made his whole body shake, that left his throat raw, that turned the ache in his chest into something unbearable.
Because no matter how hard he tried, the image wouldn’t leave his head.
Riki. Hands on her waist. Pressed up against her like she was his.
It played on a loop, over and over, like a broken record in his already ruined mind.
Jungwon had always convinced himself that he and Jay were never meant to be—because no alpha would ever choose a beta as their lifelong partner. That was just how things were. He had accepted it.
And finally decided to move past that chapter.
But somehow, seeing Riki tonight had ruined everything.
And he hated that.
Hated himself for feeling this way. For the fact that he was more upset over his friend and his casual fling than he was over his crush and his boyfriend. It was stupid. And yet, he had let it ruin his entire night.
More than that, he had let his frustration slip—lashed out, let his words cut sharper than they should have. He had never talked to the younger like. Not even when he was shit drunk. The way he acted toward Riki was eating him alive.
Jungwon exhaled shakily, pressing his palms over his eyes.
He just wanted this day to be over.
***
"Jungwon, can you two stop with this childish game? It’s been a week—an entire week! Summer is literally ending in less than a month! What is wrong with you two and this ignoring bullshit? Come on, let’s just text Riki and say you’ve been busy or some crap, but now all is good."
Sunoo nudged Jungwon, who was currently on a five-day streak of bed-rotting since the club incident. That disastrous day and the multiple life-ruining realizations that followed.
The beta responded by dramatically rolling onto his side, burying himself deeper into his cocoon of self-pity. "Leave me alone, Sunoo-hyung. I wanna die in here."
Sunoo rolled his eyes. "Okay, now that’s a little much. And it's coming from me, so it says a lot."
He let Jungwon sulk in silence for a few seconds before his voice softened. "Wonnie… what’s really wrong? If it’s about what happened at the club, it’s fine. I explained to Riki that you were already in a sour mood. He said it’s okay, he didn’t take it to heart, so you don’t have to worry—"
"What?!"
Jungwon shot up so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash.
Sunoo blinked. "Uh… you don’t—?"
"No! Not that. You told Riki what?! You talked to him about Jay?"
"Yeah? Why?" Sunoo frowned. "It’s not like that was some huge secret. Riki already knew, apparently. He’s been courting that omega for a while now."
Ouch.
"Yeah… he just didn’t say anything ‘cause he didn’t want you to get upset—"
Ouch, again.
Silence.
Sunoo, for once in his life, actually let Jungwon sit with his emotions instead of making it worse. (Thanks, I guess.)
Then, after a moment, the omega sighed. "You know what, Jungwon? I think out of everyone, you understand Riki the least."
Jungwon’s head snapped up, frowning. "Where is that coming from?"
"You’ve obviously been ignoring him for a while now. Even before the club thing. I don’t know what happened between you two—"
"Nothing happened," Jungwon muttered.
"Exactly! That’s what Riki said, too! So at first, I thought maybe the kid did something dumb again, but honestly? You, his lifelong bestie or whatever, should know that Riki’s not the type to do something to hurt you on purpose. I think there’s just some massive misunderstanding here. And after cornering him the other day, I realized—you two really need to talk this shit out."
Jungwon groaned, rubbing his temples. A headache was already forming.
Sunoo had it all wrong. And looking at it now… yeah, he could see how confusing his actions must’ve been to Riki.
"...That’s not what’s going on," Jungwon admitted.
And then—for the next hour and half—he spilled everything.
The way his thoughts had started drifting into forbidden territory when he was with Riki. The way he got irrationally annoyed seeing the younger flirt with so many people. The hurt when Riki didn’t reach out first. The realization he’d been running from for way too long—that he liked Riki as more than a friend.
And, of course, the guilt that came with it. Because he didn’t want to ruin what they had, but at this point, he felt like he already had.
Sunoo stared at him, then let out a slow, dramatic sigh before pulling Jungwon into a hug. "Aw… Wonnie."
Jungwon, for the second time that day, blinked in confusion.
"You really don’t have to feel guilty, you know?" Sunoo said, patting his head like a child.
Jungwon scowled. "Why not?"
Sunoo pulled back, looking him dead in the eye. "Okay. I knew you were a little slow, but this? This is actually insane."
Jungwon frowned. "Huh?"
Sunoo scoffed. "Wonnie. Riki has liked you as more than a friend for forever. Or at least as long as I’ve known you two—which is forever."
Jungwon’s brain short-circuited. "What—"
"Yeah, I don’t know how you never noticed. It actually takes a lot to not see the signs. Like, they were right there—in your face! The way he treated you, the way he acted around you, the way he looked at you! How could you be so blind?"
Jungwon sat there, stunned into silence.
Sunoo, suddenly on a roll, started listing things off.
"Like, do you really think all those snacks Riki gave you in high school magically appeared in Riki’s locker from some random secret admirer? And wow, what a coincidence—Riki just happened to hate them all, and they were your exact favorite ones? Every. Single. Time?"
Jungwon blinked. "No way."
"Yes way," Sunoo deadpanned. "I literally saw him once buying them. And you just accepted them like an oblivious little idiot every time."
"Or how he used to skip lunch—Riki, of all people—just to lay with you on that old beanbag in the back of the library? So you could use him as a personal heater and nap because you ‘slept better that way’? Like there were no other options?"
Jungwon’s mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. But nothing came out.
***
FLASHBACK:
Jungwon barely had time to breathe, let alone eat. His schedule was packed to the brim—morning meetings, supervising events, running between classrooms to deliver paperwork, keeping track of deadlines, and making sure the student council didn’t completely fall apart without him. Lunch breaks weren’t really breaks anymore; they were just extra time to get more work done.
His stomach had long since learned to stay quiet about it.
Still, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t accept free food when offered.
A pack of snacks landed on his desk with a soft thud.
Jungwon blinked down at it, then looked up to find Riki settling onto a chair across from him, flipping it backward so he could lean against it with his arms draped over the top as he gave Jungwon a pointed look. "Eat."
Jungwon barely hesitated before grabbing the snack. His favorite brand, his favorite flavor. He tore it open, taking a huge bite as he glanced at Riki. "Where do you even get these? I never see you eating them."
Riki shrugged, chewing on the straw of his juice. "Dunno. Someone keeps leaving them in my locker."
Jungwon frowned. "Someone? Like a secret admirer?"
Riki grinned, wiggling his brows. "Guess so. Perks of being me."
Jungwon let out a soft laugh, shaking his head as he took another bite. "Must be nice."
Riki hummed, poking Jungwon’s cheek that bulged cutely with food, earning a groan from the older.
***
In the end, it wasn’t Jungwon who finally decided to put an end to this mess.
It was Riki.
In the form of a giant, shadowy silhouette appearing outside Jungwon’s window like some deranged horror movie villain.
Jungwon had just come up with yet another very reasonable excuse to avoid Riki. He had big plans for the night—wallow in his own self-pity, hide under the blankets, and cry to a sad, cringe-worthy drama on his laptop. Maybe eat some ice cream straight from the tub, maybe stare at the ceiling and let the weight of his feelings crush him into oblivion. You know, a productive night.
But just as the protagonist on-screen sobbed out a “But I loved you!”—BANG.
A loud knock against his window.
Jungwon froze.
Slowly, hesitantly, he turned his head.
And saw someone pressed up against the glass.
Jungwon screamed.
For a split second, he genuinely thought his soul left his body. Heart pounding, breath catching in his throat, his mind scrambled to figure out what in the ever-loving hell was happening. Because why was there a whole person outside his window at two in the morning?!
Oh. Oh. Wait. Not just any person.
"Riki?!" Jungwon’s voice cracked as his heart rate slowly—slowly—started returning to a semi-functional pace. He blinked rapidly, trying to process the absolute insanity in front of him.
The beta, still not over his near-death experience, scrambled off his bed and rushed to the window, wrenching it open, grabbing onto Riki’s hoodie, and yanking him inside. "What the actual fuck—"
"Shhh!" Riki hissed, covering the older's mouth and glancing toward the bedroom door. "Do you want to wake up the whole house?"
Jungwon gawked at him. "You were just about to fall to your death, and you're worried about the noise?!"
Riki rolled his eyes. "Well, I didn't."
Jungwon barely had time to recover from Riki’s ridiculous Mission: Break Into Jungwon’s Room at 2 A.M. before the young alpha straightened up, dusted himself off, and turned to him with crossed arms and an unimpressed look.
"Okay," Riki started, voice firm. "Enough bullshit. Why have you been avoiding me?"
Jungwon’s throat went dry. "I haven’t."
Riki’s eyes narrowed.
"I’ve been busy," Jungwon muttered, crossing his arms too, as if that would make him more convincing.
Riki scoffed. "Busy? With what? Rotting in bed for a week straight? Sunoo said you weren’t even responding to his texts, and we both know that’s a literal death wish."
Jungwon’s averted his eyes. Finding more interest in the fading blue paint on his wall. Seriously when did that happen? "I needed time to myself."
"For what?"
"For… self-reflection."
"Self-reflection," Riki repeated flatly. "Wow. That’s new. What exactly were you reflecting on?"
Jungwon panicked. "Jay! I was sad about Jay-hyung's relationship!"
Silence.
The moment the words left his mouth, Jungwon felt it. The shift in the air. The slight tension in Riki’s shoulders. And then—his scent. No longer its usual warm and teasing cinnamon scent. Now slightly sharp, slightly bitter.
Jungwon peeked at the younger, instantly regretting it when he saw the unimpressed look on Riki’s face.
"I—" He hesitated, scrambling for an excuse. "I saw him with his partner, and it made me sad. I moved on now.."
"Oh, really?" Riki’s jaw clenched. "And that somehow excuses you ignoring me?"
Jungwon opened his mouth, closed it, then groaned. "You don’t get it."
"Then make me get it," Riki pressed, stepping closer. "Because as far as I know, you saw Jay with someone else, got all heartbroken, and then decided I was the problem. That makes zero sense, Jungwon."
Jungwon swallowed, still unable to hold the other's eyes. When did keeping eye contact with Riki become such a hard task? "I—"
"Try again."
Riki’s voice was steady, but there was an edge to it—an unspoken don’t lie to me again.
Jungwon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I was confused, okay?"
Riki’s brow arched. "Confused about what?"
"Just—things."
"What things?"
Jungwon groaned. "Why are you like this?"
"Why are you like this?" Riki shot back. "Just tell me the fucking truth."
"I am telling you the truth!"
"No, you’re telling me everything but the truth." Riki took a step closer. "What the actual fuck happened, Jungwon!?"
Jungwon took a step back. "It doesn’t matter—"
"Why?" Another step forward.
Jungwon’s back hit the desk. "It’s stupid—"
"Why?" Riki’s voice was relentless, pushing, prying, demanding.
And suddenly, Jungwon snapped.
"Because I didn’t like seeing you with her, okay?!" His voice cracked, frustration spilling over.
Silence.
Jungwon’s own words echoed in his ears, and oh, shit, oh no—
"…What?"
Jungwon swallowed hard, suddenly wishing for the ground to open up and swallow him whole. The fact that Riki was standing so close, practically trapping him between himself and the table, didn't help the suffocating feeling creeping up his chest.
"Fuck, Riki, it's pointless. Just forget it—"
Jungwon moved to push at the taller’s chest and leave—escape—from the hellhole he’d just created for himself. But before he could, Riki’s hands shot out, trapping his own. "No! Hell no." Riki’s grip was firm, eyes burning with frustration. "You don't get to say that and then ask me to forget it! What did you mean, Jungwon?!"
Jungwon’s fists balled in the younger’s hold, frustration bubbling up again. You know what? Fuck it.
"Because alphas always choose omegas, and I don’t know why it even mattered to me, but it did! And it shouldn’t have! It’s none of my business! But for some fucked-up reason seeing you with that omega hurt more than seeing Jay and his partner, and I should’ve just—" His breath hitched. "I should’ve just kept my feelings in check and not let them ruin everything. But I already did. I fucked up everything, and I get it if you no longer want to see me—"
"Hyung,"
A pair of warm hands cupped his cheeks, silencing him mid-ramble.
Jungwon froze.
His wide eyes met Riki’s, and his breath caught in his throat.
Because Riki wasn’t angry. He wasn’t confused.
He looked—stupidly—happy.
His lips curled into the goofiest, most lovestruck grin Jungwon had ever seen.
And then, with all the softness in the world, Riki leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.
Jungwon’s brain short-circuited.
"Sunoo-hyung was right," Riki whispered again his skin. "You like me back."
Then, in true Riki fashion, he pulled Jungwon into a crushing hug, squeezing the life out of him. And even when Jungwon threatened to steal his signed basketball, Riki refused to let go.
There was still so much to talk about, so much to figure out—but with Riki’s arms wrapped tightly around him, holding him like he never planned to let go, Jungwon couldn't be more content.
***
FLASHBACK:
Jungwon sighed, staring at his phone as the time blinked mockingly at him.
10:24 PM.
He looked up at the still-packed library, then back at his notes. What was supposed to be a quick skim through reference books had turned into a full-on research black hole. Leaving before midnight? Yeah, not happening.
Then, his stomach growled—loudly.
A few people looked up. Jungwon immediately slumped against the desk, cheeks burning.
Great. As if he wasn’t suffering enough. He hadn’t even noticed how hungry he was until now, and of course, the café downstairs was already closed.
After debating whether he should just power through or risk starving to death, he grabbed his phone and, without thinking too much, fired off a text.
Jungwon: Riki-yah~
Jungwon: Your hyung is dying.
Jungwon: Buy me food?
He stared at the message for a second, then added:
Jungwon: I’ll pay you back.
Jungwon: Double.
Jungwon: Don’t be stingy.
Technically, he could order takeout, but in their tiny town, most places were either closing or didn’t deliver this late. Besides, their houses were just a couple of streets from the library. It’d be way faster for Riki to just grab something and drop it off.
His phone buzzed.
Riki: No.
Jungwon rolled his eyes.
Jungwon: Please?
Riki: No.
Then, a pause.
Riki: Just finished practice. Bother sb else.
Jungwon groaned, digging through his bag. Maybe he had an emergency granola bar? A protein cookie? Anything?
Nothing.
Even his pockets were useless. The betrayal. He was officially doomed.
His stomach twisted, but then his thoughts drifted to Riki. He’d been practicing this late? Right, they had a big game coming up. Jungwon really hoped they’d win. The younger worked too hard not to.
With a sigh, he decided he’d just finish this chapter and go home.
Or at least, that was the plan—until, twenty minutes later, a pizza box landed in front of him with a loud thud.
Jungwon blinked up in shock.
Riki stood there, scowling. “Here. Annoying piglet.” the younger muttered.
Jungwon slowly got up and picked the box, following as Riki stomped out of the library and into the main lobby, where they were actually allowed to eat. “I thought you wanted to go home?”
“I was,” Riki grumbled, dropping into a chair and immediately slumping against the table. “But the guys wanted pizza, so I went with them. Figured your sorry ass wouldn’t do anything about your meals, so I brought you my leftovers.”
Jungwon took a seat, raising a brow. “You? Sharing food? Are you dying?”
Riki just grunted, burying his face in his folded arms.
Jungwon took a second to study the younger’s hunched shoulders and exhausted posture. A small smile made it to his lips before reaching out and ruffling the boy's slightly damp hair. “Our Riki worked hard today, huh?” he whispered softly.
Riki only groaned, jerking away, never one for such affections. “I’m sweaty,” he mumbled, voice muffled.
Jungwon snickered as he opened the box—only to pause.
Inside was a full pepperoni pizza.
Which was funny because as much as Jungwon liked pepperoni, Riki hated it.