Chapter Text
“Come on, you haven’t left your place in ages!” Nat exclaims, impatient.
“Didn't you know? I’m going for the world record.” Nunew answers, unbothered.
Nunew, 24 years old, currently on his 34th day of not leaving his apartment. He likes to play it cool, but really, he’s terrified of leaving these four walls.
He broke up with his boyfriend two months ago. If you can even call him that. Bank was an alpha he met at his part-time job at the library. Came in daily while Nunew worked there, but never to borrow a book. Never to study. No, he came there for Nunew. The shy omega boy, ex-librarian behind the counter.
In the beginning, Nunew didn’t mind his presence. The library was mostly quiet, sometimes slow, and rather tedious. It was nice to have someone to talk to once in a while, as he always worked alone.
It started simple, just getting to know each other. Bank said that he was next in line to take over his father’s company. He told Nunew how he spent his free time partying or playing golf. Opposite of Nunew’s interests, but again, the company was… nice.
Bank did most of the talking; many days would go by where Nunew only said a handful of words before the alpha had to leave.
It was around a month after their first encounter that things started escalating.
“So, are you seeing anyone?” Bank asked, leaning over the counter with a small smirk on his face.
“No, I’m not.” Nunew answered. Currently registering returns, not even looking up at Bank.
“Oh, really? A pretty omega like you is single? That’s surprising.” Bank said with a chuckle.
“No one has just piqued my interest yet, I guess.” Nunew replied, still going through the returns. Missing how Bank’s expression faltered for a moment.
“What about me?” Bank asked, a smirk back on his face. “You know I would treat you well. Once I take over my dad’s company, all you’d have to do is stay home with our kids.”
That made Nunew look up. “Our kids? What are you even talking about, P’?” The omega asked, letting out an uncomfortable chuckle.
Ever since that day, Bank got bolder.
“So when we mate, you gotta lose the blonde hair, it’s not natural. People are gonna think I let my omega go just because we’re mated.”
“You got a cat? I guess that’s fine for now, but you can’t bring him when we move in together.”
“Look, I know you’re an omega, but you’re still a guy, you can't wear a pink cardigan.”
“You weren’t here yesterday, were you sick? I could've taken care of you. Why don’t you give me your address so you won’t be alone next time?”
“Why don’t you wear scent patches? I don’t want anyone else smelling your scent.”
“My friend’s omega asked if she could get a car. Can you believe that? What would a mated omega need her own car for? She should learn her place. Luckily, I won’t have that problem with you, right?”
“Don’t worry, once you get pregnant, I’ll treat you like a prince. My brother has 7 kids, so we need at least 8. You’ll never be bored staying home with them!”
“I talked to my dad, once we mate, he’s gonna buy us a house. What do you think about next Thursday? My rut is getting close.”
“Happy anniversary! Here, I brought you 58 roses, one for every day we’ve known each other!”
What Bank didn’t know was that Nunew put in his two-week notice the second Bank ignored his first rejection. The day after their “anniversary”, Nunew officially quit his part-time job at the library.
So no, Bank isn’t technically his ex-boyfriend, as Nunew never said yes to that, but to Bank, they were more than boyfriends.
Ever since, Nunew has spent all his time in his apartment. He never actually told Bank where he lives, so this is his only safe space. He’s terrified of running into him if he steps outside for just a second.
He’s been ordering food every day, just spending his days playing games, reading books, and watching TV. He’s lucky his main income doesn't require him to go outside.
Back to the current situation, Nat has truly no idea what’s up with his friend. Nunew never told anyone about Bank. Didn’t want them to worry. It was his problem to handle. He knew all his friends would beat the shit out of Bank if they knew, but Nunew didn’t want them to get hurt.
“Please just come with me, Max is already parked outside. P’Jj, P’Net, P’Namping, P’Keng, and P’Ohm will meet us at the café. This new cat café just opened, and I know you’ll love it! ” Nat exclaims, looking at Nunew with pleading eyes.
Well, I guess I will be safe if that many people are around me. Nunew ponders.
“Fine, I’ll go, just this once.”
—----------------
30 minutes later, they’re all seated at the cat café, a cute white kitten is snoozing in Nunew’s lap, and he finds himself smiling for the first time in what feels like forever.
“Oh, I forgot to mention, two of my friends from work will be joining us. I’ll go outside to meet them.” Max says, getting up from his seat to walk to the parking lot.
“Do you know them, Nat?” Namping asks, looking towards where Max walked off.
“I met them once or twice when I went to eat lunch with P’Max. They’re P’Poppy and P’Zee. P’Poppy is very funny. He sometimes keeps me company if P’Max is in a meeting when I arrive.” Nat says, sipping on the chocolate milkshake he ordered.
Just then, Max returns with two guys following behind. “Guys, this is Poppy and P’Zee. Poppy is P’Zee’s assistant, and P’Zee is my boss at SUPER SUN.” He says, gesturing to each of them.
They all wai-ed at them in greeting before all three of them took their seats. Max takes his previous seat next to Nat. Poppy sat down next to Max, and Zee took the last free seat between Poppy and Nunew.
Max then continues introductions, of course, starting with the omega next to him. “So, Poppy, P’Zee, this is Nat, my boyfriend. That’s Keng and Namping, Net and Jj, the other couples in our group, and that’s Ohm and Nunew.” They all gave a wai when their name was called.
“So, Khun Zee, is P’Max a good employee?” Keng asks teasingly, his arm around Namping.
“Well, he’s not too bad, I guess,” Zee says.
“Hey!” Max protests.
Zee chuckles. “Just kidding, he’s a good worker. Even if he gets easily distracted, the second Nat enters the building.”
“Well, once you get a boyfriend, you won’t be any different,” Max says, sticking his tongue out at Zee.
“Yeah, like that will ever happen.” Poppy teases. “P’Zee is married to his work. He knows more about hex colors than anyone will ever bother listening to.”
“Excuse you, you’re also single.” Zee points out as the waitress comes over with the drink he ordered, an Americano. “Thank you.” Zee says before pointing at Poppy. “Don’t think I forgot the disaster with your ex-girlfriend.”
“Oh, what’s the tea?” Ohm asks, intrigued.
“It’s my fault, really. The first thing she asked me at our first date was if I got SUPER SUN discounts.” Poppy says, shaking his head.
“...And you still took her on a second date?” Net asks.
“Listen, she was very pretty. Although she would come to my office and stare through the window at P’Zee while I was talking to her, I almost told her that P’Zee doesn’t have a single straight bone in his body.”
The whole table starts laughing while Nunew chokes on his drink.
Zee turns to look at him. “You okay there?” he asks.
Nunew just gives him a thumbs up, trying to cough as discreetly as possible.
Zee takes a napkin and hands it over to Nunew.
“Damn, would you also give me a napkin if I was choking, baby?” Max asks Nat, smirking at Zee.
“I’d film it first, maybe after that.” Nat teases.
Nunew finally stops coughing and croaks out a “Thank you.”
Zee turns to him and just gives him a small smile. Cute.
The omega quickly turns away, looking down at his drink for the rest of their time at the café. The kitten in his lap long gone.
—--------------
An hour later, Keng had already driven off to take Namping, Ohm, Net, and Jj home. Poppy drove off alone, Zee telling him that he’ll get Max to drive him home.
He’s currently standing at the sidewalk with Nunew while Max and Nat take care of the bill, insisting it was their treat.
Nunew looks around, suddenly a lot more anxious without his friends around. He tries his best to control his scent, but apparently, he was unsuccessful.
“You okay?” Zee asks, noting the change in Nunew’s scent.
“Y-yeah, fine.” Nunew replies, looking down at the ground.
Zee opens his mouth to say something, but gets interrupted by the café door opening. Max and Nat walking out.
“You guys ready to go?” Max asks, getting his car keys from his pocket.
Zee and Nunew both nod, and they all start walking towards the parking lot, Nunew getting into the backseat like a person in a rush, Zee walking around the car and getting into the backseat behind the passenger seat.
After everyone is seated and has fastened their seatbelts, Max starts the car and begins driving down the road. “I’ll drop you off first since it’s the closest, Nunew.”
Nunew hums in reply, fidgeting with his hands in his lap.
As they pull up to Nunew’s apartment block, he quickly gets out of the car, thanking them before closing the door and rushing to enter the building.
Strange. Zee thinks.
—---------
As they pull up to Zee’s apartment block, he waits a bit, considering whether he should say something.
“So, what does Nunew do?” he ultimately settles on.
“He sings!” Nat exclaims with excitement. “He used to work at the library, but I heard he quit recently. I don't know why, though,” he ponders. “Why?”
“Ah, I was just curious. Seemed like he was in a rush, so I figured he had some work or schoolwork due.“ Zee says. “Anyway, this was fun. I would love to hang out with you all again.” he says, getting out of the car.
—---------
Nunew quickly unlocks his door and steps into his apartment, locking it behind him before leaning against it, letting out a breath.
He feels movement at his feet and looks down. His cat, July, is purring and rubbing himself against his legs. Nunew sighs before leaning down to pet him, then walking into his kitchen.
He opens a can of wet food, accidentally cutting his finger on the sharp edge.
“Fuck.” He curses as blood slowly runs down his hand. He quickly grabs a kitchen towel and presses against the wound. A little bit of blood got into the wet food, so he decides to just throw it away and grabs a wet food pouch instead. Using his teeth and two fingers to open it before pouring it onto a plate for July.
He walks over to July’s designated eating spot and places the plate on a little stand before walking over to the sink to rinse the wound. Luckily, the bleeding stopped pretty quickly.
Walking towards the bathroom for a Band-Aid, he hears his phone vibrate on the table.
He turns around to check it.
@zeepruk requested to follow you on Instagram.
—--------------
Zee enters his apartment and lies down on the couch. He got up pretty early today for work, and it's now almost evening.
He retrieves his phone from his pocket and sees a notification from Max.
@mmaxmax: I saw how you looked at him, so I figured I might help you. Here’s his Insta: @new_cwr. Thank me later ;)
Zee rolls his eyes. Max has been trying to end his single life for a while now. Even mentioned Nunew to him a handful of times. Acting like he knows his type at all.
He’s not wrong, though. Nunew’s gorgeous and of course, Zee is interested in him, but that doesn’t mean Nunew is interested in him.
He seemed rather shy at the café, avoiding his eyes, and Zee swears he saw him blush at one point.
Outside was a different story, though. His nice vanilla macaron scent had an anxious hint to it.
I wonder if it was because of me. Zee wonders.
Even in the car, his scent seemed… off. More controlled than the slip-up at the sidewalk, enough that Zee doubts that either Max or Nat noticed.
Zee clicks onto Nunew’s profile. Private.
“Makes sense, he didn’t seem like the type to share too much about himself.” Zee thinks out loud.
He still decides to send him a follow request, and lets Nunew decide for himself if he wants to accept it. Before getting up from the couch to get started on dinner.
He opens his fridge to look at his options and decides that a simple fried rice will be enough for tonight.
After getting all the ingredients out, he turns on YouTube on his TV, putting on a random song under recommended and leaving auto-play on.
—------------
Across the city, Nunew just ordered groceries with GrabMart. The only meal he can cook without starting a fire is instant ramen. He’s not in the mood, though, after hurting his hand.
He decided to ignore Zee’s follow request for now. He took a peek at his profile, and it’s mostly SUPER SUN related with new pieces and fabric samples. He has a story too, but Nunew chooses to ignore that in case Zee sees he viewed it.
The follow count on Zee’s profile also makes Nunew nervous. Sure, he gets that he’s a famous designer, an unofficial celebrity if you will. So why does he want to follow Nunew? He hasn’t posted anything in a while. The last twenty posts were of July, before that, some random pictures of singing equipment or song lyrics. If you were to scroll very far down, you could find some singing videos of him.
Nunew doesn’t even know why he still has them there. They were recorded before he started his YouTube channel. He was more confident back then, and realized he found great comfort in singing. He would even perform at bars, having only his face covered, and now he can’t even leave his own apartment without freaking out.
He hasn’t uploaded to YouTube in over two months since the whole Bank situation. Paranoid that a new video could come on Bank’s recommended, and he would somehow find his apartment by looking at the background in his videos.
He even considered deleting his channel, but he would then lose his only source of income.
How did my life get to this point?
—------
Back at Zee’s apartment, he’s just finished his fried rice and put it on a plate. Music is still going in the background while he winds down with the calm and soothing songs.
He walks to the fridge to get a drink for dinner when the song changes. Paying it no mind, he takes out a bottle of white wine. Then the singer starts singing, making him almost drop the bottle.
That voice…
No way.