Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Dad, c’mon.”

Thame woke to Po’s voice, which the omega was trying to keep quiet and low. He stirred in the recliner and blinked against the harsh light streaming through the slightly open hospital window. Turning his head, he found Po running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“Don’t- You can’t kill him all the way from Greece.” Po huffed and started massaging the bridge of his nose. “I’m okay- believe me, I’m okay now. Please don’t cut your vacation short for this. Mae Lia will be very disappointed.”

Thame got up and stretched. When he opened his eyes fully, Po was looking at him with a gentle smile.

‘Morning’. The omega mouthed, almost ignoring whatever was being said on the other end of the call.

“Morning.” Thame whispered as he approached him.

The alpha leaned down and pressed a kiss to Po’s forehead.

“Okay?” He asked when he pulled away, looking at Po’s slightly puffy, sleep-tousled face.

Po nodded reassuringly and turned his attention back to the phone.

“Yeah- I can hear her crying. Let me talk to her.”

Po sighed and nodded at Thame when the alpha pointed toward the bathroom.

Thame took care of his business and washed his face after brushing his teeth with the toiletries provided.

The VIP room was totally worth it.

“Okay, stay safe and make sure to enjoy your time away.”

Thame heard the words as he walked back into the room.

“Yeah, I will- I’ll keep you updated.” Po was sitting up now. “Love you too. Bye-bye.”

Po placed his phone face-down on the bed.

“My dad. Clealy, my mom called him.” Po informed him when Thame came back into view. “He’s kind of doing a world tour with his wife right now.”

“He must be losing his mind being away from you.” Thame commented as he sat on the bed in front of Po.

“Yeah.” Po smiled down at his hands. “I’m lucky to have them.” He looked up at Thame. “But I really don’t want him to come back right now. He hasn’t had an extended vacation in five years.”

The omega reached up and absently fixed Thame’s bedhead.

“I don’t think he cares much about that right now. You’re his only son.”

Thame took Po’s hand in his own and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

“I-I know.” Po’s breath hitched, his face flushing at the gesture. “I’ll have to keep calling him to make sure he doesn’t come back yet.”

“Good idea.” Thame said distractedly as he leaned in closer until his face was only inches away from Po’s.

Po jerked back just as their lips were about to touch.

“Want to get cleaned up first.” Po admitted embarrassingly when Thame pouted at him.

“Okay.”

The alpha still sulked as he helped Po to his feet.

“I’m going to get the guys to pack a bag with some clothes and other stuff.” He said conversationally, taking Po’s hand and placing his other hand on the omega’s back for support.

It wasn’t really necessary, but Thame wanted to keep touching Po.

“You need anything specific? Like snacks or-”

Thame stopped talking when he noticed Po frozen in front of the mirror.

The omega’s face had gone blank, his eyes roaming over his reflection.

Thame’s confusion cleared when he noticed the bruises scattered across Po’s face.

It had completely slipped his mind. He’d been looking at Po since yesterday, so he’d grown used to the bruises. But for Po, seeing them for the first time like this must have been a shock.

Thame watched Po gulp before pursing his lips tightly and looking away. The omega tried his hardest not to glance at the mirror again as he turned to the alpha and offered him a weak smile.

“I think I can manage it.” He said.

“Um, okay. Are you sure?” Thame asked hesitantly.

He was kind of lost. He had no idea how to approach this situation. He wanted to know what was going through Po’s mind right now so he could fix it.

“Yeah-”

Po nodded jerkily and started fiddling with his hands.

“Okay.” Thame breathed out and placed his hands on his hips. “I’ll be right outside. Yell for me if you need anything, okay?”

After the omega nodded, Thame leaned in and pressed a kiss to the side of his head.

Thame took the opportunity to call Jun.

“Yo.” Thame greeted after Jun picked up.

“Hey, how are you guys doing?” Jun’s voice was a little raspy, indicating he'd just woken up.

“Doing good.” Thame said as he straightened Po’s bed and adjusted his recliner. “Hey, can you bring me some of my clothes? Just a few shirts, sweatpants, and hoodies.”

“Sure, can do.”

There was some rustling on the other end.

“Think he’s gonna stay for a few more days?”

“No. The doctor said they kept him overnight as a precaution. He might be discharged this evening after his check-up.” Thame explained.

“So why so many clothes?”

“I just want him to get out of the hospital gown and maybe make a nest to make him feel more comfortable for the time being.” Thame scratched the back of his head. “Which reminds me, there’s a black hoodie on my bed. Make sure you grab that one.”

“Got it.”

“Think that will help me him? Now I’m second-guessing myself.” The alpha sighed and slumped into the recliner. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“I think it’s a good idea, if he doesn’t like it, he’ll tell you.” Jun said around a yawn. “You thinking about anything else?”

“P’Po didn’t really like the hospital food yesterday, so maybe bring some congee on your way here. And some snacks.”

“Okie dokie.”

“Thame.” Po’s voice sounds from the bathroom.

“Coming!” Thame stood in a hurry. “Bye.” Without waiting for a response, Thame threw his phone on the recliner and ran to the bathroom.

“Can I come in?” Thame asked with his hand on the knob.

“No- can you get another gown? This one fell on the shower floor.”

“Sure, baby.”

---------

“He injured his ankle so badly that he couldn’t even walk home.”

Po’s eyes were closed, his head resting on Thame’s chest on the hospital bed.

After freshening up, the omega had tiredly laid down. His ribs still ached, and his head was still throbbing. That trip to the bathroom had taken a lot out of him, and now he just wanted to rest for a bit.

A few nurses came and went after checking up on him. They informed him that Doctor Kippi would see him in an hour, after breakfast.

He wasn’t looking forward to that.

There was a faint chemical, acidic taste to the food here.

“He cried all night and then woke up with eyes the size of golf balls the next morning.”

Thame’s gentle voice was pleasant to listen to.

The alpha had noticed how bored Po looked lying in bed since he wasn't allowed to use his phone much. He had sat beside him at first, but eventually Po had encouraged him to lie down too. Since then, Thame had been recalling anecdotes from MARS’ debut days to entertain him.

“Poor Nano.” Po supplied.

“Yeah. Dancing is like breathing to him. So, when he had to sit on the side and only sing while we performed, it was basically torture.” Thame’s hand rubbed Po’s side rhythmically. “But a week later, he was-”

A knock sounded at the door.

Po expected breakfast to arrive, so he was a little taken aback when Jun poked his head inside.

“Can I come in?” Jun asked, his eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of them.

Thame turned to Po and raised his brows in question.

“S-sure.”

Po made to pull away from Thame so the alpha could get up.

“How are you doing, Phi?” Jun asked gently as he stood by the door with several bags in his hands.

“Good.” Po offered him a tight smile.

“Sorry to hear what happened yesterday.”

Jun glanced down at the floor, and Po noticed how his knuckles had gone white around the bag handles.

“Me too.”

Po tried his best not to tense at Jun’s alpha scent. After what happened, he has been having a weird reaction to alpha pheromone.

With the expected of Thame, of course.

He knew he was safe with Jun, but his body automatically interpreted alpha scent as danger.

“Come on in.”

Po let out a shaky breath and tried to relax.

Jun nodded, handed the bags to Thame, and sat in the chair beside the bed.

“What are those?”

Po pointed at the bags Thame was inspecting, partly to distract himself.

“Some clothes and food.” Thame grinned and brandished a clear plastic bag containing congee.

Po mirrored his smile at the sight, his pheromones shifting from guarded to something soft and sunny.

“Thank you.” Po said to Jun.

The alpha simply shook his head.

“There’s a takeout bowl in there.” Jun informed him when Thame started staring at the congee with a confused pout, apparently realizing Po wouldn't be able to eat directly from the plastic bag.

“Genius.” Thame mumbled.

Jun snorted as Thame began transferring the congee into the bowl for Po.

“So,” Po said to Jun, drawing his attention. “How’s it going with Oner? Thame told me he’s taking a few days off. Is that even possible?”

Before they went to sleep last night, Thame had told him he would be taking a few days off. He'd already informed management and was apparently open to discussing what they would tell the public today.

“They’re brainstorming ideas as we speak.” Jun replied dryly.

“How’s Miss Pemika?” Po asked hesitantly. He’d been trying not to think about his headstrong alpha boss.

Jun pulled an exaggerated expression before dramatically lolling his head back.

“She’s an absolute nightmare right now. We had to postpone a few group photoshoots, interviews, and appearances, so it’s been pretty busy at the company since yesterday.” He explained.

“Oh.” Po’s mood visibly dampened.

“I’m so sorry. I’m causing trouble for everyone because of this.”

The omega raised a hand and frustratedly ran it through his hair.

“Phi, don’t apologize for that.” Thame scolded gently as he rolled the overbed table into place. He set the bowl of congee down before adjusting the table’s height until it was just right for Po.

“Yeah, don’t worry about that in the slightest.” Jun assured him. “The guys are way more concerned about you than anything else.”

“Eat.” Thame held out a spoonful of congee to Po.

“Have some with me.” Po smiled up at him and scooted over, making room for the alpha on the bed.

“Which reminds me.” Jun’s eyes narrowed at the two of them as Thame settled beside Po and picked up the spoon again. “Are you dating?” he asked without hesitation.

Po’s breath hitched, his eyes widening at the question.

Thame froze too, the spoonful of congee suspended halfway between the bowl and Po’s mouth.

The omega looked between the two alphas, unsure how to answer.

‘Does Thame want to keep us a secret?’

Though, at this point, it would hardly be a secret. Not with the way Thame had been acting. Staying with him overnight. Caring for him the way an alpha cared for his omega.

Po wasn’t stupid.

He knew their affection was obvious.

“Um... yeah.” Thame finally answered.

He brought the spoon closer to Po’s mouth.

“Eat.” He whispered gently, his eyes reassuring. Then he turned to Jun. “It’s a new development.”

The other alpha stared at them with a troubled expression, as though the answer had caught him off guard.

“That’s...” He looked away. “Good.” He nodded once.

It was Thame’s turn to narrow his eyes at Jun.

“Yeah,” Thame said, keeping his gaze fixed on the other alpha while continuing to feed Po. “It is.” His voice had gone quiet but calculating.

“You should eat too.” Po pointed out when Thame continued feeding him without taking a bite himself. “Jun? Have you had breakfast yet?”

Jun snapped his head toward them and quickly shook it.

“No- um, no. This one had me running errands before I even woke up properly.” He avoided looking at either of them as he stood from his chair. “I should get going.” He said before finally meeting their eyes. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Okay.” Thame nodded gratefully, though there was still a guarded edge to his voice. “Thanks for stopping by. Tell the guys we might be back this evening.”

“Okay.” Jun nodded goodbye to Po before heading out.

“Come back? Where?” Po asked after the door closed behind him.

“Well, we’re going to the dorm after you get discharged.” Thame informed him as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Oh, really?” Po raised a brow at him.

“Unless you want to go back to your place.” Thame glanced at him through his lashes while taking a spoonful of congee for himself. “Whatever makes you feel comfortable.”

“Oh.”

Po had completely forgotten about that.

Eventually, he would have to go back.

Now, whenever he would think about his entryway, the shoe rack, or his kitchen, he would think of Earn.

He would think about how terrified he had been. How he had been beaten so brutally in the one place that was supposed to be safe.

Earn had a tendency to poison everything he touched.

‘Am I poisoned forever as well?’ His mind unhelpfully supplied.

The thought made his stomach twist.

Earn had touched him and eternally marked him.

Even now, Po could still remember the feeling of those hands on him, could still hear his sneering voice.

Would that ever go away? Or would he always carry a piece of Earn with him?

He hated that possibility. Hated him! Hated himself for-

“-Phi? P’Po?” Thame’s voice broke through his thoughts.

When the alpha gently touched his shoulder, Po unconsciously flinched.

Thame’s eyes widened slightly, and he immediately pulled himself back.

“You okay?” he asked cautiously.

“Um- yeah.”

Po shook his head and offered Thame a shaky smile.

The alpha looked like he wanted to press further, but the door opened and a dietary aide entered with a cart.

The man glanced at the congee already on the table and frowned in confusion before handing over the breakfast tray anyway.

Thame got up to accept it and placed it beside the overbed table.

“Thank you.” He smiled gratefully at the tired-looking staff member.

After the door closed, Thame bent down and sniffed the rice porridge provided by the hospital before grimacing slightly.

“You can have the toast and fruit from here.”

He transferred the small containers onto the table.

“I won't be able to finish all this.” Po pointed out. “Help me.”

A low chuckle escaped Thame as he moved the untouched hospital porridge onto a nearby chair.

The pair spent the next little while eating and chatting about mundane things. Po could tell Thame was making a conscious effort to steer every conversation away from yesterday.

He appreciated him so much.

After clearing away the dishes, Thame turned his attention back to the bags Jun had brought.

“You wanna change out of the hospital gown?”

He held up a pair of sweatpants, a t-shirt, and a black hoodie.

“Oh.”

Po examined the clothes before warmth flooded his face.

Thame's clothes.

Clothes infused with his musky cedar scent.

That black hoodie Thame him when he went through that drop.

“Yeah.” Po smiled shyly at him through his lashes.

Thame quickly hid his smug smile and moved to help him toward the bathroom.

A knock interrupted them and the door opened to reveal Doctor Kippi.

“Hello.” She smiled at the pair before stepping inside. “I hope I'm not interrupting.”

“Oh.” Po looked at Thame before carefully making his way back toward the bed. “No, please.”

“P'Po was just about to change out of the hospital gown.” Thame explained.

Doctor Kippi's brows furrowed slightly as she approached.

“Is it not allowed?” Po asked hesitantly.

“The gowns help reduce infection risks and make examinations easier.” She explained. “But let me check your head wound first.”

She slowly extended her hands, making sure Po could see exactly what she was doing. Doctor Kippi carefully moved aside some of his hair to inspect the bandaged area on his scalp.

Doctor Kippi asked a series of questions about his symptoms, checking for dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and headaches. Po admitted that he felt a little dizzy when standing but hadn't experienced any significant nausea or vision problems. After a brief hesitation, he acknowledged having a headache and rated the pain at around four out of ten.

She nodded and made a note on her tablet.

“That's expected. Head injuries can take some time to settle.”

She gently pressed around the edges of the wound, casing Po to wince.

“Sorry.” She murmured. “Any increased pain there?”

“Just tender.”

“Good.”

Then, she directed her attention to his ribs.

“I'm going to loosen the top of your gown so I can take a look at your ribs and midsection, alright?”

Po took a breath in and hesitated for a moment before he did she asked for.

The ugly bruises stretching across his side were impossible to miss.

Thame's jaw immediately tightened.

Doctor Kippi gently pressed around the injured area.

Po sucked in a sharp breath.

“Sorry.” She said again. “I know that's uncomfortable.”

“No broken ribs?” Thame asked immediately, concern dripping from his voice.

The doctor shook her head.

“Your scans were clear. Severe bruising and inflammation, but no fractures.”

The alpha visibly relaxed.

“That's good.” Po said softly, his eyes avoiding the others in the room.

“It is.” Doctor Kippi straightened.

“From what I'm seeing, your neurological examination is stable, your wound looks clean, and your injuries are healing as expected.”

Po blinked.

“So I can go home today?”

“Assuming nothing changes during the day, yes.” The doctor's smile returned. “And yes, you can change out of the gown after Nurse Gee redresses your wound.”

“Thank you.” Po let out a relieved breath.

----------

“Oh.” Thame’s eyes trailed over Po’s body as the omega stepped out of the bathroom wearing his clothes.

“The sweatpants are a little short.” Po admitted, blushing under Thame’s gaze. “But the hoodie fits.”

Yeah...

The sweatpants were a little short. Po’s ankles were scandalously exposed.

But... His omega covered in his scent was doing something to Thame.

The alpha inside him rumbled with satisfaction and clawed at the surface, pleased to see Po wrapped in something that belonged to him.

Unbeknownst to him, he was just standing there with his mouth slightly agape.

Po nervously fidgeted with the sleeves of the hoodie, his face growing redder by the second as Thame’s eyes continued to track over him.

“Thame.” Po whined and looked away.

“Uh?” Thame finally snapped out of whatever haze he'd fallen into. “Looks good, baby.” He walked over and took Po’s hands in his. “Smells good too.” Thame rose onto his tiptoes and leaned closer, closing his eyes. He breathed in deeply.

His cedar scent clung to the fabric, mixing with Po’s fresh sea scent in a way that made something warm settle in his chest.

The alpha let out a content hum before opening his eyes again.

Po was still blushing. He looked so cute, all nervous and out of breath.

His gaze drifted to the bruise near the corner of Po’s mouth.

The purplish-red bruise made his heart ache. Thame leaned forward and pressed a light kiss beside it.

When Po didn’t pull away, he tilted his head and kissed him properly.

The kiss was brief, more affectionate than anything else, but Po immediately melted into it. His fingers tightened around Thame’s hands and his scent softened. The alpha made sure to be gentle and slow with him. It was an honor to have Po the way he wanted, so he wasn't going to mess this up by showing his raw, passionate side, which could be rough.

Thame pulled lightly at Po’s lower lip and gently swiped his tongue over it. He tilted his head and pressed further in until his nose brushed against Po’s cheek, deepening the kiss. One of his hands found its way to Po’s waist, which he made sure to cup carefully since he knew Po was still tender there.

They kissed until they were both out of breath.

When they pulled apart, Po was smiling.

A shy, pleased smile which made Thame feel like he'd won something.