Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

APRIL 17, 2088 (CHANGBIN'S FOCUS.)

"...and as you know the trial is of six months, you and your assigned partner will live together during these six months and see if you're compatible. if your partner enters their mating cycle it is enforced you help them out and vice versa. if you are bitten and it was out of consent during the cycle then that will conclude your trial, if not, you will continue with the remaining time and file out if you'd mate or continue to the next."

changbin rolls his eyes, "yeah yeah. you don't have to remind me every time."

"i do, actually." minho, the agent in charge of changbin's trials, rolls his eyes in return. "because it's mandatory."

"don't you get tired?" changbin asks as he takes the folder minho hands him. 

"fuck yeah." minho sighs, "his name is kim seungmin, alpha. he's twenty-three."

"why the fuck are you giving me someone younger than me? and i thought i asked you to find me a beta."

minho glares at him, "it's not easy finding betas in an alpha and omega dominated system. the betas i found are either wrinkly or have baby skin, i'm not giving you a barely legal kid nor a person nearing death. suck it up, he's the best i could find."

"how?" changbin looks at the profile pictures offered. 

"he's gone through eight failed trials." minho leans back on his chair, "plus, he's the least threatening person i've found. i'm sure it'll work out."

"you said that last time." changbin looks up and glares at minho.

"i said it because i'm tired of seeing you go through this. you're twenty-five, changbin. it's rare to have people your age in the system."

"how rare." 

"you're like the third wonder of the system. first is someone at the age of early forty."

"i'm guessing thirties is second." 

"wrong. it's pregnant people." minho looks at what changbin is looking at, "what do you think?"

"he's not bad, handsome actually." changbin looks at the information, "he's a linguist?"

"boring?" 

"not really... just didn't think i'd see an alpha working with something that doesn't include heavy lifting or sitting in a chair ordering people what to do."

minho hums, "so?"

"i'll take it i guess, he doesn't look like a threat actually..." 

"great, i'll contact his agent." he sends a quick text to said person before talking to changbin again, "you have your things ready, right?"

"duh." changbin sighs, closing the folder and setting it on the desk. "i really don't wanna do this."

"suck it up." minho looks up, "he agreed. come on, they're at the lobby."

changbin whines, "fuck this. i don't wanna."

"stop whining, it doesn't get you anywhere but back here." minho gets up from his chair, "let's go." 

cursing, changbin gets his suitcase and bag before following him to the lobby. an elevator trip later and they're in the lobby, minho walks over to the agent in charge of seungmin. changbin quickly recognizes this person as minho's mate. 

"mr.bang, i assume this is seungmin?" minho plays it off, changbin remembers minho saying he doesn't bring personal matters to work. 

changbin didn't know minho had someone until he saw a framed picture on his desk. and the time minho was pregnant, the agent didn't even mention it until his stomach was too big. only when changbin was in shock did minho mention it. twins. they were twins. 

"hi," chan smiled. he's a handsome alpha, changbin is itching to ask for how minho and chan met. obviously through the system but agents go through a different system so changbin can't help but wonder. 

"this is changbin," minho introduces. 

"seungmin," chan says as he steps aside to reveal the stiff alpha. 

"well, you two can head out now, the driver is outside waiting." minho shoos changbin away with a pat to the butt. changbin glares at him before looking at seungmin. 

"good luck guys," chan says as he steals a glance at minho's outfit. 

the ride to their apartment is quiet, changbin scrolls through his phone the whole time while seungmin looks out the window. deep down, changbin is very nervous. 

APRIL 17, 2088 (SEUNGMIN'S FOCUS)

"here," chan hands him a folder. "i'm hoping this one catches your interest."

it's the seventh folder chan has handed him, seungmin feels kind of bad for being so unsure. he could have picked one at random but even he isn't sure about how he'd feel having to deal with someone he didn't have some interest in. he takes the folder, opening it and heading straight for the info. he doesn't really care how this person looks, that comes second to him. 

"well?" 

seungmin hesitates to look at chan. chan has been his agent the whole time, giving him recommendations and helping him figure some things out, like what hobbies he's into. seungmin knows chan gets a headache every time he changes his answers in the questionnaires and he's thankful chan keeps his grievances to himself most of the time. 

"he likes music..." 

"everyone likes music, seungmin." chan stifles his laugh, "come on now, look at it thoroughly, maybe look at what he looks like? i don't know, pin point something that piques your interest. from what you told me last time i tried to find as many omegas and betas that could interest you, that's the last file i have for you so think before turning it down."

seungmin sighs, flipping the page to look at the pictures provided. this is an omega, he's not surprised that he's pretty. however, there's a certain picture that makes seungmin flustered. the omega is ripped. as in-

"he likes to work out?"

"oh, yeah." chan scratches his head, "i wanted you to look at something out of your comfort zone... sorry."

seungmin closes the folder, "no it's ok... i'll give it a try..."

chan perks up, "eh? really?" he watches seungmin nod, "perfect! let me tell his agent."

"you're a little too exited," seungmin points out as he waits patiently. 

"his agent is my mate," chan spares him a glance as he sends the message, 

"ah," seungmin gives him a blank stare. 

only a moment passes before chan stands up. "ok, he agreed.let's go wait in the lobby."

seungmin sighs, getting his luggage before making his way to the lobby with chan. he's not quite sure how to feel knowing he'll be with an omega as muscular as chan himself, probably more. he's used to seeing small dainty omegas but really, he's interested on how this would go. it shouldn't go as badly as the last eight times but who knows. 

"mr.bang, i assume this is seungmin?" a sweet voice snaps him out of his thoughts. 

"hi." chan really can't conceal his happiness. 

"this is changbin," chan's mate says, presenting the omega seungmin is scared of seeing. 

he's stiff as a board when chan steps aside to introduce him, "seungmin."

"well, you two can head out now, the driver is outside waiting." minho shoos changbin away with a pat to the butt. changbin glares at him before looking at seungmin, who not once looks at the omega.

"good luck guys," chan says as he steals a glance at minho's outfit. 

the ride to their apartment is quiet, changbin scrolls through his phone the whole time while seungmin looks out the window. seungmin can't help but hope for the best this time. 

Chapter Text

"are you hungry?" changbin asks, startling seungmin as he tries to unlock the door to their apartment. 

when manages to unlock it he lets out a sigh of relief. instead of replying to changbin right away, he lets the omega get inside. only as changbin walks past him, dragging his luggage behind, does seungmin notice their height difference. he expected changbin to be a bit taller since he was so ripped, but the omega is the standard height for male omegas. he also catches a whiff of changbin's scent, honey. 

he almost laughs, this is not what he expected. guess he based off of look too much, he expected changbin to have a more masculine scent to him. he knows he shouldn't base things off of what he sees but he couldn't help it this time. 

"is there anything you have in mind? to eat?" seungmin finally answers, making changbin feel a bit irritated at the delayed response. 

"i was thinking pizza..." changbin looks around, it's a pretty apartment. 

apartments are provided by the system, however their luxury depends on the income of the beta or alpha. omegas? they're not allowed to work unless their partner lets them. the whole point of this system is for people to mate and increase populations. which is dumb in changbin's opinion. the point here is, seungmin's income must be lower than the other alpha's and betas changbin's been with. not that it's bad, this place looks comfy and less vast than the past ones he's been in.

"any specific kind?" seungmin asks as he closes the door. 

"uh," changbin thinks, "i'm fine with whatever as long as it has some meat on it."

as seungmin rolls his things into the living room he nods. 

"i'll go put my stuff in the room," changbin says as he watches seungmin fish out his phone. "i hope we get along."

seungmin looks up, finally locking eyes with changbin. he tries not to eye the omega up and down, he'll have time for that later, and nods. 

changbin frowns to himself as he pulls his things to their bedroom. this alpha sure is strange, he's not used to such silence. usually alphas are already barking orders, changbin expected seungmin to tell him to put away his things too but he didn't. changbin isn't sure if that's a good sign or a bad one. he tries not to focus on it as he takes in the bedroom, it looks cozy. he sits on the bed, sighing. 

by the time seungmin is done placing the order, he heads to the kitchen, he doesn't expect there to be any food, they have to go shopping tomorrow. there is, however, plates and cups as well as mugs. he likes to take his time and explore the places they put him in, gives him something to do. the living room is decently big too but the furniture hides that. he's surprised at how cozy he's already feeling. he looks at the bedroom door, wondering if the omega is done settling down by now. 

as if on cue, changbin walks out, one hand on his hip and the other scratching his head. seungmin stares this time, taking in the omega's stature and traits. he'll be lying if he says changbin isn't good looking. he has this strong physique but also this grace to him that seungmin can't help but gawk at. actually, seungmin's never felt so drawn to someone like this before. it's... weird. 

he stands up, taking his own belongings and strolls to the bedroom when changbin goes to the fridge. 

"there's nothing in it," he says as he goes inside the bedroom. 

changbin opens the fridge anyway, he knows there is nothing in it. the system only provides shelter and a few other necessities but not food. that if taken care by the couple, it's a way to make them spend time together. however, changbin likes looking at how much space is in the fridge, he's always liked storing things in special clear bins so that nothing spills because cleaning fridges are a pain. 

he looks over to the bedroom, seeing seungmin put away some clothes into the cabinets. he's scrawny, so unlike the other alphas and even some betas that changbin's been with. tall? yeah, but scrawny. changbin finds himself following seungmin's every move from the kitchen island. he's not sure how much time passes but it's long enough for the pizza to arrive. he jumps when the doorbell announces the delivery. 

"i'll get it," changbin says as he walks to the door. 

seungmin doesn't even reply, he follows changbin to the door because he doesn't want changbin to carry everything himself, he'll take the sodas. 

finally, they sit on the island after changbin brings out some plates. two pizza boxes, two sodas, and a order of cheese sticks. 

"do you have any plans for tomorrow?" changbin asks as he serves his own plate. he's not one to usually start conversations but seungmin is so quiet. 

"i work." seungmin replies flatly, not that he means it. 

"oh," changbin finds himself disappointed, he thought seungmin would have asked for a week off. "what time do you get out?"

”six. i get in at eight.”

“we could go grocery shopping when you come back.”

”you don't want to go by yourself while i’m out?” seungmin finally looks at him, he quirks a brow. 

changbin glares, “i don’t like collars.”

he’s ready for a snotty remark from the alpha. ready for the ‘you’re an omega, collars belong on your neck unless you want me to mark you’ bullshit. he’s ready to argue and tell seungmin he won’t stand any orders that work for other omegas. 

it never comes though. changbin is confused at the silence he receives. he watches seungmin slowly chew on his pizza, unfazed. 

by the time seungmin finally swallows, he replies. “that’s fine then.” he looks back at changbin, “we can go when i get back. i’ll have a week off after tomorrow, you can plan whatever you want us to do.” 

what? changbin leans back on his chair, only then he realizes he was ready to stand up if necessary. he only nods dumbly, watching seungmin go back to eating. 

“is…” changbin tries to sort out his thoughts, “is there anything you want to do?” 

seungmin sips from his cup, “not really, i’m more of an indoor person, sorry. i usually let the other party decide, i’m fine with almost anything.”

changbin stares at his plate, “oh. uh, is there anything you don’t want to do?” 

“anything that requires too much exercise?”

changbin snorts, startling himself and seungmin. he clears his throat, “got it.”

they eat in silence after that. changbin can’t help but steal glances at seungmin, trying to figure out if the alpha has anythjng up his sleeve. maybe he’s been nice for the show of it and then he’ll drop the bomb. it has to be that, there’s no way an alpha won’t at least try to order an omega around. 

everything seungmin does that evening confuses changbin even further. like the fact seungmin washed his own plate. changbin found himself standing awkwardly behind the alpha waiting to wash his own until seungmin took it from his hands and washed it too. 

everything seungmin did was the exact opposite of what changbin was used to. alphas  don’t stay quiet. they boast about something, anything, because they feel like they have to. but seungmin hasn’t done that! he’s just… there. 

“what side do you want?” 

“what?” changbin turns to seungmin, confused. 

seungmin is standing next to the bed, in pj’s. he stares at changbin for a second before he repeats himself, “what side do you want to sleep in.”

changbin looks at the bed, hands still on his cheeks as he was putting on night cream. seungmin is letting him pick? he groans, this is so weird! 

“uh, you choose, i don’t care which side.” he continues to apply his facial care while watching seungmin from the mirror. 

the alpha stares at the bed before shrugging, choosing the side that’s against the wall. he feels safer there. 

this confuses changbin, however. alphas usually leave the wall side to omegas and betas, it’s some sort of way to protect them even if they don’t want to. does seungmin not want him?

”we can switch sides if you want.” seungmin says when changbin finally nears the bed. 

changbin pauses, heart racing. what? why is he nervous? “no it’s fine…” he quickly gets inside the covers and faces away from seungmin. 

seungmin stares at the back of changbin’s head before nodding. “good night.”

”…good night.” 

“could you turn off the light?”

changbin looks at the night stand. he sighs, doing as asked. 

well, all in all, it wasn’t a bad day. 

Chapter Text

APRIL 18, 2088

when changbin wakes up, it’s late enough to where the sun rays are shining through the curtain and blinding him. he groans, shifting around until he no longer finds sleep. this leads him to sitting up, pondering his existence until he remembers his surroundings.

he turns around, expecting seungmin to be snoring away but the alpha is nowhere to be seen. did he leave already? is it past eight? he looks at the night stand, ready to grab his phone when he sees a note on it. he grabs the note instead. 

hi, i forgot to ask for you number. this is mine in case you need anything, i left my card there so you can order anything when you get hungry. XXX-XXXX-XXXX 

changbin looks at the night stand, spotting the blue card next to his phone. well, at least he won’t starve. they still have left overs from last night so he shouldn’t have to order food. he puts the card in the pocket of his phone case and walks to the restroom to freshen up for the day.

by the time he’s done and in a new set of clothes it’s ten. he’s not always up this early, it only happens the first few days of being with a partner since nerves get to him. 

he looks around the place, wondering what he should do. he could bother his friends to see how they’re doing but he’s not really in the mood to socialize. instead, he decides he’ll make a list of what they could and will buy later. after, he settles to watching tv (thankfully seungmin set up some apps that provide shows the night before) and eat. 

hopefully everything continues to go this smoothly.

it’s a bit past six when seungmin finally gets off of work. it’s around six thirty when he gets to the apartment. he’s greeted to the sight of changbin splayed on the couch, laughing at whatever is playing on the tv. 

the sight itself is amusing. seungmin says nothing as he takes his coat off and slips out of his shoes. 

“oh you’re back,” changbin hits pause on the controller and stands up. “want some pasta?”

”pasta?” seungmin questions, looking at changbin walk to the kitchen. 

“i ordered some like three hours ago.” 

seungmin hums, hanging his coat on the hanger. “that sounds nice, were you bored?”

”a bit, but i found an interesting show so not really.” 

changbin heats up the side plate he ordered, watching seungmin make his way to their bedroom. he barely catches a glimpse at seungmin’s attire, a purple sweatshirt and black jeans. it’s not something he expected, he’s used to seeing collard shirts and dress pants. he smiles to himself, seungmin looks nice in that. 

by the time seungmin finishes eating changbin is ready to go. he only changes out of his shorts into a pair of cargo pants, tank top still stuck to his upper body. it’s pretty hot outside so he doesn’t want to wear anything too heavy. he expected seungmin to tell him he’s not to go outside like that but the alpha simply picks up his keys and waits for changbin to catch up. 

for once, changbin is happy. seungmin isn’t like the others he’s been with. it feels like seungmin would let him be himself without an issue. 

shopping was decently fun, seungmin only held the list and scratched off whatever they add to the cart. it felt weird, not having a second voice telling you or questioning you what you get. 

“is there anything you want to add?” changbin asks as he peeks over at the list. 

“no, and that’s everything.”

changbin nods, “so… pay?”

”mhm.” 

that was the end of their shopping. when they got back to the apartment changbin began putting the groceries away. seungmin found himself sitting at the island, stealing glances of when changbin washed the fruits and veggies, when he made noises of frustration to put things at the top but was too shy to admit he couldn't reach (seungmin would step in, receiving a small thanks before going back to sit down) and when changbin hummed to himself, content that he finished. 

they were in silence, changbin not wanting to disturb seungmin with whatever it was he was doing on his laptop. at this point, changbin made his way to the couch, making himself comfortable and taking his phone out. now is when he decides to bother his friends. 

three bestfriends in a room

dwaekki

good night losers

yeonderella

eh?! so soon?! 

you haven't told us anything

about what's going on with

you and the new guy!!

soprano laugh

you're funny, come back here

dwaekki

oh so now ya'll text me

yeonderella

bitch we texted you yesterday

before you went to the agency

dwaekki

yeah yeah

he's ok ig a bit weird

soprano laugh

weird as in pervy weird

or what

details changbin.

dwaekki

no actually

he's just

idk he's actually really 

passive and not once 

has he made any move

on me

yeonderella

do you want him to-

dwaekki

no-

sadly enough i'm used to 

having them make moves

you know, but he's like

passive to the point

i don't know whether it's

good or bad

soprano laugh

ah it's that

idk bin it sounds

like a good thing

yeonderella

for now

soprano laugh

for now

dwaekki

i hate you two

yeonderella

love you with every

fiber in my being

by the way, i have news!

dwaekki

right, change topics

won't you

soprano laugh

what's the news

yeonderella

i'm pregnant

changbin chokes on his saliva. he sits up, trying to clear his throat. he sees seungmin stand up from his peripheral vision. 

"are you ok-"

"i'm fine-" changbin coughs and wheezes. 

soon enough he feels some pats on his back. he coughs a few more times until he's calm. he lets out a huge sigh and seungmin backs away. he can't even thank the alpha because suengmin is once more at the island. 

yeonderella

oh so you ignore me

soprano laugh

sorry i was just lost in the

thought of being an uncle

yeonderella

you think you'll

be part of the famliy?

soprano laugh

you wanna fight

dwaekki

how far along are you

yeonderella

look who came back

dwaekki

i was choking on my 

saliva

soprano laugh

r u sure it was saliva

dwaekki

what

soprano laugh

what

yeonderella

excuse me

i'm pregnant

soprano laugh

good 4 u

yeonderella

and to answer you

question my lovely

changbinnie

i'm four months along

soprano laugh

ND U TELL US NOW

yeonderella

BCUZ I FOUND

OUT TODAY YOU

IDIOT

dwaekki

can you two get

along for once

and congrats jun <3

yeonderella

thank you my

lovely changbinnie

you unlike someone

do not stress me out

stress is bad for

the baby

soprano laugh

ur mean

he texts with his friends a little while longer before he tells them good night. he's not exactly tired but seungmin closed his laptop and went to their bedroom ten minutes ago. he gets off the couch and goes there as well. seungmin's brushing his teeth in the bathroom as changbin looks for something to wear to bed. he settles for a random shirt and shorts. 

once seungmin leaves the restroom, he goes in to do his own thing. twenty minutes later he's out and ready for bed. he notices seungmin is awake, staring at the ceiling. 

"good night," he says as he nears the bed, hand ready to turn off the lamp.

seungmin turns to him, "good night-" he pauses, looking at the shirt changbin's wearing. 

changbin notices, halting hiw movements. "what?"

"is that my shirt?" 

is it? changbin doesn't remember what drawer he got it from, he just knows he grabbed something. now that he thinks of it, the shirt is a bit bigger than what he owns. 

"oh shit-"

seungmin hums, "it's fine," he turns over, getting comfy. "what's mine is yours."

and changbin has never felt so mesmerized in his life.

Chapter Text

APRIL 19, 2088

seungmin isn't sure how to feel right now. he just woke up so grogginess is understandable but the way he's jittery with the fact changbin's hand is wrapped around his pinky is not. when he woke up he was laying on his back and was suddenly aware to the unfamiliar weight in his hand. a simple head turn and he met changbin's sleeping figure, his face mushed against the pillow, sleeping soundly. it was a cute sight, seungmin actually took a moment to take in more of changbin's features. 

"seungmin,  it's ok." chan soothed him when he was in his office for the fourth time, "not every trial is successful, you know this. i've gone thorugh six until i found my mate. there's no shame in turning someone down when you feel no connection. you shouldn't feel bad for wanting to find someone that makes you feel exited, happy and i don't know, anything you think is right." 

seungmin was quiet, not replying at all. 

chan continued, "trust me, one day you'll find someone who makes you want them without meaning to. someone you find yourself liking. trust the process, ok?"

maybe he should trust it now. he looks away from changbin, staring up at the ceiling. who knows how long he dazed off but it was long enough for changbin to finally wake up. he relaxes as soon as he feels changbin's hand leave his. 

"good morning," changbin says, rubbing his eyes with his fists. 

"good morning." 

they lay in bed for a while, neither speaking, engulfed in a nice silence. it doesn't last long though, changbin's phone starts ringing only a minute later. the omega sighs, sitting up and picking up his device from the night stand. 

"what."  

"don't what me, where's my good morning." 

"good morning," changbin gets out of bed, making his way to the restroom to wash up. 

"that's better. so how are things going?"

"uh," changbin closes the door behind him, "good, i guess."

"plans for today?"

"uh," changbin splashes his face with water before replying, "not sure."

"changbin, is he communicating with you?"

"he's... awkward. in a good way? he told me to plan everything... i didn't do that cus i wanted to wing things but i don't know if he has plans to get out of bed right now."

he hears minho sigh. "expected much. chan said seungmin was a bit antisocial."

"a bit?" changbin snorts, "it's not that bad though."

"well, i'll call for another update. not sure when but hopefully not any time soon."

"lovely." changbin rolls his eyes as he pats down his face with a towel. "bye."

when he finally gets out of the bathroom, seungmin is sitting on the edge of the bed and talking on the phone. it must be chan since seungmin looked uncomfortable as soon as changbin made his appearance. he hears seungmin say a goodbye as he walks out of the bedroom. 

changbin isn't sure what he's supposed to do, he was hoping they could eat breakfast somewhere and have a nice day out but he remembers seungmin mentioning he's an indoor person. he sighs to himself, leaning against the kitchen counter. what should he make for breakfast?

his thoughts are broken when seungmin pops out from the bedroom. 

"...do you feel like cooking? or... do you want to go out?" 

perfect!

changbin grinned, "i was hoping we could go out. are you up for it?" 

"yeah." it's not true but changbin ignores the stiffness and announces he'll go change. 

seungmin has nice things. changbin noticed that. he also notices how seungmin doesn't boast about what he has. the amount of times changbin's heard "like my car?" and then they go on and on about what the car's model is, how much is cost, the things they had to go through to get the car. it's tiring. right now though, changbin has never felt so at peace with this silence as they drive. the only time seungmin said anything was when they were buckling up and that was just to tell changbin he knows a good place for breakfast. 

as nice as the quietness is, changbin can't stand it longer than five minutes. mostly because he feels the need to talk to seungmin. which never happened before when it comes to a partner. 

"how was your day yesterday?" lame attempt but you have to start off somewhere. 

seungmin keeps his eyes on the road, "it was fine. i'm amazed they didn't ask me to stay late."

"they usually do?" 

"sort of." 

changbin hums, "what do you do? i know you're a linguist but i don't know what... what you do... if that makes sense."

seungmin smiles. he fucking smiles. changbin can't believe he caught that. holy fuck, he's internally freaking out at seungmin's smile. how can he not?! he's used to seeing that lost puppy like face all the time and this? this is a fucking win. 

"do you know what linguistics is?"

"uh... no?"

seungmin hums, "it's the study and analysis of a language. i'm a teacher. i teach english but with a degree in linguistics. i also tutor so that's when i have to stay late."

"so.. you're a teacher." 

"yes." 

"why'd you make it sound so complicated, you could have just said that." changbin smiles, eyeing seungmin. 

"i like complicated." 

they arrive at the café seungmin mentioned prior. as expected, seungmin quickly got out to open the door for changbin. as they walk past the windows of the cafe, changbin looks at his reflection. 

at first glance, he sees the height difference. he’s used to looking short next to an alpha but  it’s not just that. he sees seungmin looking as well, smiling. he turns to the alpha, who simply turns away as they reach the door. 

when they get inside, changbin takes a look around. he sees many omegas, most likely in friend groups, at tables. he also takes notice of the collars around their necks. he grimaces, how can they be ok with wearing those things? he knows why the collars exist- to protect unmated omegas from being assaulted when they’re out on their own without an alpha or beta figure with them.

it’s a small price changbin will never pay. 

“changbin?” seungmin snaps him out of his daze.

he turns to the alpha, giving him a questioning look. 

seungmin shifts awkwardly, “what do you want to get?”

changbin looks in front of him, they’re up next to order so he’s free to investigate the menu for a bit. either way he’s not sure what he wants, “uhm… is the funnel cake good?” 

“funnel cake?” seungmin looks at the menu, “it’s really good actually, is that what you want?”

”yeah and a order of french toast. could you ask for honey too?”

seungmin chuckles, how cute. changbin's scent is literally honey and he wants honey? 

“what about drink?”

changbin looks at him, “water.”

he orders just what the omega wants and for himself? a strawberry parfait, a side or granola yogurt with fruits and a bottle of water. he’s not one to eat sweets in the morning but spoiling himself doesn’t hurt, especially when he’s in such a good mood. 

as they finally sit down with their order, seungmin digs in. 

“so…” changbin picks at the funnel cake with his fork, “did chan call you?” 

ah. seungmin purses his lips, “yeah.”

”minho called me too,” changbin isn’t sure where he’s going with this. “he asked how things are going.”

seungmin feel’s parched. “ah.”

”i said it was going ok. you’re kind of the best partner i’ve been with so far.” 

he catches changbin blushing while pouring honey on the funnel cake. 

“i’m guessing that’s a good thing.”

”duh.” changbin finally takes a piece, bringing it to his mouth. “did chan ask you anything?”

seungmin takes a sip from his water bottle before answering, “same thing. i said it was going ok.”

”good ok or bad ok.” he can hear a faint worry in changbin’s voice.

”good ok.” he continues to eat his yogurt.

they’re in silence for a bit, a usual thing for them, until changbin speaks again.

”so what do you want to do after this?”

seungmin looks at him, unsure. “uhm, it’s up to you. i’m free for a whole week so anything you want we can do.” 

well hopefully sex isn’t included in the anything because as ashamed as seungmin is to admit this, his sex drive is pretty low. it’s hard for him to get turned on. that is one of the main reason his past partners get upset with him. 

“what do you usually do on your days off?” changbin asks. 

“stay home.”

changbin stares at him before laughing, “ok i fell into that one not going to lie.” 

seungmin smiles.

”is there anywhere your past partners took you that made you uncomfortable?”

”uh,” seungmin takes a moment to think. he’s never been asked something like this so anything that upset him he buried deep down. “discos, clubs, bars, ice skating and sport matches.”

changbin blinks, he didn’t expect a longish list.  “do you wanna take a short walk around the park? i’m not sure where i want us to go, i haven’t searched the area through google maps yet.” 

seungmin shrugs, “we can take a walk, i think there’s a park nearby.” 

“great,” changbin smiles, “so… is there anything you want to talk about?” 

“not really…” 

changbin grips the fork, “ah.”

the silence is awkward now. changbin eats glumly, his attempts weren’t for nothing but he doesn’t feel like he accomplished anything. seungmin takes notice of this, suddenly feeling bad for not being the social person everyone wants him to be. 

“uh,” seungmin fixes his posture, “is the funnel cake good?”

changbin hums, “it’s really good. same for the french toast but the funnel cake is better.” 

“when is your birthday?”

”august 11.”

“we could sign you up and when your birthday comes around you can order any one thing from the menu and get it for free.” 

changbin perks up at this, “really?” 

seungmin smiles, “really.” 

“can we do that right now?” 

seungmin chuckles at how exited changbin looks, “sure, as soon as we finish.”

”okay~.”

Chapter Text

“and when’s your birthday?” changbin asks as they walk out of the cafe.

”september eleven.”

changbin hums, watching seungmin take his keys out of his pocket. “you know, it’s a bit hard to fully hold a conversation when you don’t give me something to continue off on.”

seungmin turns to him, expression lost. “oh, i’m aware. sorry, i just… can’t.”

either way, changbin finds himself smiling. he finds the younger cute. 

“when were you put into the system?” changbin gets inside the car when seungmin opens the door for him.

when the alpha gets inside as well, he replies. “at the age of nineteen.” he takes a moment to continue, “you?”

”eighteen.” changbin sighs, buckling up. “minho said you’ve gone through eight trials,” he eyes seungmin’s expression as he continues, “if you feel like telling, why did they fail?”

as seungmin drives, he considers the question carefully. “i don’t know what i’m looking for, really… i’m not putting much effort either, if i’m being honest. it’s not that i don’t want to,” he panics a bit, glancing at changbin before focusing back on the road, “i just don’t know how to.”

still, he notices changbin’s soft and warm gaze at the second glance he spares. 

“you’re still an awkward kid,” changbin chuckles, “it’s understandable… am i the first that’s older than you?”

seungmin nods, “yeah.” 

changbin says nothing more, turning to face the window instead. seungmin looks at him once more, eyes glancing down at changbin’s fidgeting hands. 

they’re quiet the rest of the ride, not even the radio is playing. changbin doesn’t mind it though, he’s busy daydreaming while the alpha drives.

as soon as they get to the park, changbin gets out himself. 

the weather is lovely, changbin smiles to himself as he nears seungmin. 

“they’re playing baseball,” seungmin points out as they walk past the field. 

“you said you don’t like sports?” changbin questions. 

seungmin shakes his head, “i just don’t like being in big crowds, i used to play baseball as a kid." 

changbin gasps, "do you have pictures?!" 

"uh," seungmin is taken aback at how adorable changbin is being right now. "yeah... give me... a moment." he fishes out his phone, scrolling through his gallery to find the darn pictures as they walk side by side.  

"can we hold hands?" changbin asks, a bit shy since he's not sure if seungmin is comfortable with skinship. 

seungmin spares him a look. he deliberately considers if he's ready to hold changbin's hand, but his body moves on it's own and takes the omega's hand.he supposes he is, not like it mattered anymore. 

APRIL 22, 2088

to seungmin and changbin's relief, the wall of awkwardness they once had finally fell. they do have moments where they have nothing to say but they're peaceful. at some point they spark conversation so really, that issue is long gone. 

chan is surprised to hear this from seungmin, a bit too astonished at how well things are going with changbin. 

"so what are the plans for today?" chan asks after seungmin tells him how it's been going the past three days. 

seungmin hums, "we're going to a a museum this evening and then getting to a restaurant for dinner."

"romantic," chan grins, "well, enjoy your evening then. next check in will be in person a month from now. i'll call you to tell you the date but if i don't then check your emails."

"emails are better and you know that." seungmin says before saying goodbye and hanging up. 

he puts his phone in his pocket and makes his way to the living room, where he and changbin were previously watching movies in. 

their morning was quite energy draining. they had tried to make breakfast together, dancing around each other as each one had a specific task to do. seungmin was in charge of making coffee and setting up the table while changbin was in charge of cooking. 

at some point though, they somehow changed tasks. it was funny at first, only because they bickered a bit and challenged that they can switch and finish faster. 

this was because they woke up quite late and were starving. 

"wait, can't we just cook together?" changbin had asked as soon as he finished putting in water inside the coffee machine. 

and so they cooked together. 

this, however, took even longer because changbin started to get playful and seungmin felt bold and followed along. 

long story short, they made a mess with the rice and in their attempts to make fried eggs they had the heat way too high and the oil kept sparkling out. cleaning up was hard but they had fun and that's what mattered. 

plus, the food tasted good. 

by then though, it was around three so they chose to watch a few movies before heading out to the museum. 

"-yeah, yeah. i'll tell him when the time comes." changbin says as seungmin walks in. he spares him no mind though and bids minho goodbye. 

seungmin watches the older frown, typing on his phone before setting it aside. he debates speaking but when he sees the living room clock he speaks up over the matter at hand. 

"so... museum?" 

changbin gets a bit startled at his presence, then smiles. "oh, yeah. let me change."

seungmin goes to sit as changbin walks to their bedroom. he was changing when chan called, so he only had to wait for changbin to do the same. 

he sits there, hearing changbin hum softly while moving around. 

seungmin isn't someone who puts importance in things that do not convenience him or have anything to do with him. he pays no mind to business other than his. if he's included in some way, it will be faced on. if not, he won't question anything. 

he can be curious, every one is at some point, but even then he won't go looking for answers unless he has to. 

there's only been one exception to this and it's always been his students. only then would he ask how they're doing when he sees one or a few of them be in the dumps. 

seungmin is a man who's favorite phrase is "there is a solution to everything, whether it comes in the long term or short term."

even when it came to his past partners, he never bothered. yes, it was wrong of him to not spare a single care but when you feel no dire need to make questions then why bother. sure, he'll listen to you but he won't exactly give you a go on pouring your heart to him. 

if you trust him, great, he's honored. but fear the fact seungmin doesn't just listen to your problems, he solves them for you. 

his past partners hated that.

they never specified that they need to word vomit and vent things out, seungmin is a man of specifics. if you don't want a solution, tell him. again, he has no issue listening to you. the less he has to say the better. 

“-hand.” changbin’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. 

“hm? ah, yes.” seungmin he takes changbin’s extended hand. 

the older stares at him wide eyed before laughing. “no!” he slaps seungmin’s hand away, “i said i got paint on my hand!” 

seungmin blushes, looking at his own hand that is now equally tainted as changbin’s. “oh.”

changbin giggles, “eh, pay attention to me. you can’t take me out and not be here mentally.” he pouts playfully, looking around for a napkin or a restroom. 

“there’s a restroom nearby,” seungmin says. “uhm, just follow me.”

changbin nods, “and you aren’t going to ask how i got paint on my hand?”

”does it matter?” seungmin asks, confused. 

changbin pouts, “no…”

as soon as they find the restrooms they head towards the sinks. 

seungmin’s guess is that changbin had touched one of the repainted bollards on their way inside. there are many things the museum is repainting since they want to change color theme after decades, the bollards must have been the start. 

changbin dries his hands with a paper towel, pouting still. seungmin can only smile at his adorableness. 

"can we hold hands now?" he asks, getting a side eye from changbin. 

"no." 

"what-" 

seungmin's favorite phrase is "there is a solution to everything, whether it comes in the long term or short term." dinner was the solution to this tiny, petty but cute problem. 

Chapter Text

APRIL 26, 2088

"see you later," seungmin says as he closes the door. 

he can barely hear changbin's 'bye, bye' before he does so. 

the week off is finally over and seungmin is surprised at how upset he is about it. with his past partners, he's begged time to speed up so he can go back to work. this time, he's pouting to himself as he heads to work. for once, he could care less about his students' education and his paycheck. 

"mr.kim!" the freshmen grinned, happy to see their favorite, awkward teacher walk inside the classroom. 

normally, university teachers don't socialize much with the students, but seungmin is also young, so this is his way of socializing. 

"will you cancel class and tell us about your new partner?" a girl asks, grinning expectantly. 

"oh, oh! are they an omega or beta?" a boy asks. 

another boy presses, "i bet it's a beta, mr.kim prefers them more, right?" 

they all begin to argue amongst themselves over the non-existent information he has given over changbin. it brings a smile to his face. ok, his mood did get better now. 

"i haven't said anything and you're all arguing," seungmin laughs, leaning against his desk. he crosses his arms over his chest, humming, "if you guys do good on today's practice exam, i'll tell you about my new partner." 

"EXAM?!"

he laughs again at their rising panic. "it's practice, more like a review of what we covered before i left. i assume you all did the packet i assigned?"

they fall silent, a few nodding and the others avoiding eye contact. seungmin only chuckles. 

"do your best if you want some free time for thirty minutes. but first, a small warm-up, take your notebooks out." 

it didn't take them long do finish the darn practice exam. this class is his shortest class, it's his advanced one. they're with him for an hour and a half while his other classes last two hours. he's not someone who makes things hard, he may be strict and straightforward but he's here for a check and they're here because whatever major they took requires a foreign language and english is highly demanded. 

he's not surprised at the high percentages he sees as they finish up one by one, silently proud that they're doing better than before. he takes about twenty minutes to put in grades, wanting them to have their grades up to date as often as possible, before indulging into their curiosity. 

his business is for him only but these students always manage to pry it out from him. he never says more than he's supposed to, giving them just enough to leave him alone. in part, he thinks they earn his small information. 

"he's an omega." he watches them gawk at this. "and he's older than me by two years." a few gasp. 

"GUYS HE'S SMILING."

"IS THIS HAPPENING? WILL THIS ONE BE THE ONE?"

seungmin does his best to purse his lips into a fine line but he fails tremendously. 

"what does he like?"

"uh, exercise and horror movies." seungmin nods to himself.

"ok, what do you like about him?" 

seungmin eyes them before answering, "his small habits." 

"details, mr.kim." a boy says in english, making seungmin snort. 

"i'll give you two," he shakes his head, smiling freely. "when he sees food, he does a small dance or yells happily. the other is that he does this thing where he tries to size you up when he wants to set his point across, he only does it when we playfight though." 

the girl from the beginning of class cooed, "awe. he sounds fun sized."

"why would you say it like that?" a boy grimaced. 

"mr.kim," another girl speaks, "you mentioned last time that if failed because they weren't being understanding and such. is there anything different about your current partner that stands out compared to the past ones?"

"what is this? a report?" seungmin rolls his eyes, "class dismissed." 

"eh?! no fair!"

"mr.kim~!" 

they all pouted, complaining that they didn't want to go but packing up despite their complaints. seungmin knew them well, they were satisfied and extremely happy that class ended fifteen minutes early. 

just as he sits down to go over what he’ll teach his next class, changbin’s caller ID shows up on his phone screen. 

speak of the devil. 

“good morning,” seungmin says cautiously.

“hi,” there’s shuffling in the background, “sorry, are you busy?” 

“no, is something wrong?" 

"no, just wanted to ask something." he's silent, letting changbin continue. "you know that guest room? down the hall?"

seungmin hums, "we have only one guest room, of course i know."

"oh, well duh," changbin laughs awkwardly, "anyway i wanted to know if i could turn it into a mini gym?" 

"a mini gym?" seungmin repeats. "i don't see why not... and by the way you called me without asking once i got home, i'm guessing you already have the equipment in a cart online?"

changbin chokes, "y-yes." 

seungmin laughs, "that's fine, you'll be ok then?"

"well, yeah... are you tutoring today?"

"no, i'll be home by six thirty."

"oh, ok. well, see ya."

seungmin hums before hanging up. he tries not to think of a sweaty, exhausted changbin after a heavy work out. he really doesn't need that thought right now. 

"early dismissal?" a voice takes his attention, he turns to the owner with an uninterested gaze. 

"what is it, felix." 

"i can't check in on you?" the older pouts, making his way to seungmin. "you haven't answered my texts." 

"i'm a busy man."

felix scoffs, "busy? you do anything to avoid your partners, is this one that different you blatantly ignore me for a week?" 

seungmin nods, "yes, actually."

"eh?!" felix gawks before grinning, "in that case you're forgiven"

felix is a mated omega. he found the love of his life on the first trial (seungmin is actually jealous about that) and was allowed to work on what he loves- dance. 

"hyunjin misses you, by the way, he said he wants to hang out when you get the chance, even if it's for lunch."

felix is a ballet instructor, his mate is a model. they're both elegant with their movements and have this beauty that seungmin can't comprehend. seungmin himself has no idea how he even befriended felix.

well, more like felix befriended him, not the other way around, because now that he looks back at the blurry memory he remembers how majority of the staff excluded felix just because he was a foreigner and an omega. it was mostly the foreigner part. 

since seungmin never bothered with anything, felix must have found him easy to talk to. he recalls the omega greeting him every day and every chance he got, joining him for lunch with a shy excuse that it was a coincidence they have the same schedule and getting exited whenever seungmin gave short replies. 

once they became attached to the hip, felix presented hyunjin- the most dramatic person seungmin has ever come across. not only is hyunjin a beautiful beta, he's passionate about what he does and equally passionate for felix. as extra as hyunjin can be, he controls situations very well. it's entertaining to see him switch personalities, seungmin suggested he take acting as a side hustle. 

"uh, i'm available next week." seungmin says after looking at his planner. "on thursday, lunch will be easier."

felix nods, "perfect, i'll let him know so he can put that in his schedule." 

seungmin only hums, watching felix jump off from his desk. when did he get on it? 

"see you around then, minnie!"

"mhm."

APRIL 29, 2088

"do you want to join me for lunch?" seungmin asks randomly, making changbin look at him questioningly. 

changbin is still in bed, drowsy and watching seungmin get dressed for work. normally, they'd bark at him to make breakfast or help put their stupid tie on, but seungmin's never done that once so far and changbin feels so at peace at that. 

"i know you don't like wearing collars so maybe, if you're comfortable, i can send a friend to pick you up and drop you off..."

"uh," changbin tries to process this in the early hours of the morning, furrowing his brows. "what time?" 

seungmin smiles, "around twelve thirty, he'd pick you up at twelve. you can think about it, if you decide yes then text me before twelve."

"ok," changbin watches seungmin pick up his bag from the chair that was across the room.

deep down, amidst his drowsiness, changbin hopes seungmin kisses him goodbye. it's something changbin always yearns. he dreams of a day a partner genuinely loves him and vice versa. 

"bye," seungmin says, sparing him a glance before walking out. 

"bye," changbin stares at the ceiling now, sighing as he hears the front door open and close. 

Chapter Text

having loomed around the apartment long enough, changbin decides he'll take seungmin's offer. he's not sure how he'd act with this friend of seungmin's but he really hopes the guy isn't a douche. 

he takes a while to find something to wear, unsure if he was feeling cutesy or sexy. he laughs to himself as he looks in the mirror, since when did he care what he looked like for an alpha?

he jolts when the doorbell rings, announcing that the friend had arrived to pick him up. he checks his phone, seeing a message from an unknown number. 

before he opens the door he peeks though the peep hole, the alpha looks similar enough to the picture seungmin sent him earlier. 

"hi! changbin?" the alpha asks, he's adorable. 

changbin smiles awkwardly, "yeah. you're jisung?"

"the one and only," jisung grins, "well, let's go. are you ready?"

with a nod, they leave the complex. 

when they arrive to the university, changbin is relieved. jisung isn’t a douche but he’s introverted. he makes corny jokes and changbin could only laugh awkwardly at them. he appreciates jisung’s efforts though and he’s sure that if the opportunity was given they’d get along well. 

he also learned that jisung is soon to be mated. changbin found himself smiling when jisung answered the question of having someone, it was a moment where jisung seemed lovestruck.

”we’ll pass the cafeteria, it’s faster that way.” jisung announces as he guides changbin.

"mr.kim is the best," he hears, "let us out early after telling us about his partner."

"and technically gave us one thing to do all class," another piped in, "his class is the easiest of all my classes and my favorite."

"ok but if he didn't let us out like he did i would have died from starvation, i skipped breakfast because i was running late."

changbin glances over his shoulder, looking at the trio of students talking happily while eating. he's curious, wondering who this mr.kim is. it couldn't possibly be seungmin, the alpha doesn't seem like the type to talk about his personal life. heck, changbin barely knows seungmin's birthday and that he played baseball. seungmin dodges personal questions like the plague.

"but the way he talked about his partner was so cute!" he wants to hear more but he has to stay close to jisung. 

he sighs to himself, pouting at the thought of being showed off like that. if he and seungmin were to mate, would seungmin do that? show him off? changbin hates the thought of being looked at like a prize but something tells him that seungmin doing it would be like an accomplishment. 

“and here we are!” jisung gestures to the classroom, “he’s probably in there, just walk inside.”

“oh, ok,” changbin anxiously looks at jisung before looking at the door. “thanks, by the way. and congrats on being soon to be mated.”

jisung snorts, “hopefully i can say the same one day.” he bows his head a bit, “see ya!”

changbin feels something at the pit of his stomach. he really would like to be told that soon. 

“seungmin?” he asks, pushing the door slightly. 

“oh, hey, i heard you two outside,” seungmin was already by the door. he smiles, making changbin’s heart race, “ready? there’s a really good restaurant nearby. i already made the reservation.” 

changbin is taken aback at this, nodding. “oh, yeah! not like i can reject.”

seungmin tilts his head, “well, you can. i’m not taking you anywhere you’re uncomfortable. same way you did the same.”

changbin says nothing, walking next to seungmin in silence. he’s not exactly feeling his best today, it might be because his heat will hit in a week’s time. 

he blinks, looking over at seungmin. that’s right, he has to tell the alpha about that. 

he gasps to himself, no wonder he’s craving intimacy. 

“something wrong?” seungmin asks as they arrive to his car. 

changbin shakes his head, “no, why?” 

“you look worried…” seungmin opens the door for him, changbin gets inside and buckles up.

”i do?” changbin shakes his head again, “i don’t want to talk about it yet.”

seungmin wants to press, he feels the need to. instead, he ignites the engine and drives them to the restaurant he made a reservation for.

APRIL 30 , 2088

“hey, seungmin?” changbin asks. 

they’re both laying in bed. it’s a saturday, meaning seungmin is off despite having a few things to do on his computer regarding work. 

“yes?”

”uh, you know how cycles are crucial to spend together?”

”yeah.”

”when is your rut?” 

seungmin swallows, “uh, in june… when’s your heat…”

changbin nods, dreading his own response. “this upcoming thursday…”

”what?” 

changbin bites his lip, “i didn’t want to say because i hate talking about cycles… i’m sorry.”

“don’t apologize,” seungmin turns to him, “i’m like that too…” he watches how changbin turns to him as well, smiling a bit. 

“it lasts five day though, just so you know.” changbin averts his eyes again.

seungmin hums, nodding. he takes a moment to find some courage and take changbin’s hand in his, rubbing the knuckles gently. 

“you say that like it’s a disappointment.” he points out, not noticing how changbin tenses. 

“well…” changbin debates whether to continue but he goes fuck it. something tells him seungmin is different. “most omegas have a heat for seven days… so most alphas get disappointed when i say mine only lasts five days.”

seungmin makes a face, “that’s pretty stupid though…”

”yeah well… alphas are stupid.”

”wholeheartedly agree.”

changbin laughs at that, looking at seungmin again. they’re in silence for a bit longer, staring at each other until they get hungry. 

unknown to them, they have this tension that anyone would see. can’t they just kiss already?

Chapter Text

MAY 4, 2088

people say changbin is crazy when they see him work out. he hears an ear-load of things. always has always will.

omegas shouldn’t be buff.

omegas shouldn’t talk back.

omegas shouldn’t ignore an order.

omegas should have pups as soon as possible. ESPECIALLY if they’re still under the age of 30.  

omegas this omegas that. well sorry not sorry, society. seo changbin doesn’t follow stereotypes.

why mention all of this, however? because changbin is currently working out in his little gym room during his pre-heat.

“he’s a fucking threat.” is all hyunjin says, earning a slap to the arm from felix. “don’t get him mad, seungmin. he could send you to the fifth dimension.”

seungmin rolls his eyes but both his friends felt warmth at the small smile in the corner of seungmin’s lips. they could see this changbin really is different. 

“he told you he’s doing that right now?” felix asks, a but worried that this changbin is working his body in such a delicate state. 

”yeah, i called him before coming here.”

they had to move the lunch date to today since seungmin managed to clear his schedule, same for hyunjin. although hyunjin always does as he pleases so his schedule change didn’t require much effort.

"so, tomorrow you'll help with his heat." hyunjin pressed.

"please," seungmin begs slightly, "i don't want to talk about that."

"well, seungmin," felix cuts his husband off before the other could utter another word, "you will at least ask him what makes him comfortable?”

”why wouldn’t i?” seungmin rolls his eyes, “it’s not my first time. i asked him for a list of snacks and meals he likes so i’ll get those on my way to the apartment.”

hyunjin hums, “well, good luck then.”

”want me to go with you?” felix asks, giddy to help his friend. 

“uh, sure,” seungmin smiles. 

felix then proceeds to ask for the list. nd they discuss away while hyunjin looks at both of them with hearts in his eyes. 

“see you!” felix says, waving his friend goodbye after seungmin drops him off at his house. 

seungming sighs to himself, sending changbin a quick text when he’s at a red light. 

bunny ; 

ok

drive safe :)

it doesn’t take more than ten minutes for seungmin to get to the apartment. he’s slightly nervous as he walks up the stairs and carries the bags. 

“hi,” changbin greets him with a smile. 

but also a pretty sight. 

seungmin quickly averts his eyes when he sees the sweat drip down changbin’s collar and soak up his tank top. the shorter is also wearing shorts that reach mid thigh, seungmin takes a deep breath to calm himself. 

he sets the bags on the kitchen isle, letting changbin rummage through them as he gets himself a glass of water. he takes notice of a pot on the stove, peeking into it. 

“it’s just back bone soup,” changbin says while happily taking out the things seungmin brought him. 

he’s extremely pleased that seungmin didn’t bring unnecessary things. (like the many times his past partners brought toys he’s not into or snacks that make his stomach upset during his heat. 

oh! and one time changbin remembers a partner bringing a bottle of heat extenders (pills that make an omega feel and act like they’re in heat for a few days) that pissed changbin off greatly.)

”you ok?” seungmin asks when he sees changbin frown while holding something.

the omega blinks, brought out of a trance. “ah? oh yeah, sorry. do you want anything?” he asks while putting the empty bags in a drawer. 

“no i’m fine, is everything i brought what you asked for? i can always go back before the store closes.”

changbin smiles, feeling his face flush with a light hue. “no everything is perfect, my heat usually starts at midnight so you should rest until then…” 

seungmin hums, pouring himself a bowl of soup. “it’s barely seven, a three out sleep will be ok.”

”alright then, i’ll put these in the room.” changbin says, grabbing a large container to put the things seungmin brought in order to make a one way trip. 

the alpha watches adoringly how changbin walks away and returns in a few minutes. changbin has this waddle every now and then that seungmin can’t help but find adorable. 

“i’m going to take a shower,” changbin announces from the door to their bedroom. 

seungmin only hums in acknowledgement. 

the rest of their evening is spent playing a guessing game. it was funny to hear changbin call out random names of objects in frustration  when he didn’t get it right the first three times. he almost forgot changbin was about to be in heat until they headed to bed with a score of 8:6. 

“hey min?” 

seungmin froze. toothbrush in hand as well as inside his mouth. changbin was sitting on the bed, he had finished getting ready a while ago. 

the nickname gave seungmin butterflies. 

“yeah?” he spits out the paste in his mouth and rinses out with water. 

“are you sure you wanna help with my heat?” changbin asks, watching seungmin rinse the bristles of his toothbrush.

seungmin clears his throat, “do you not want me to?” he looks over at the omega, “you can always say no and i can sleep on the couch.” 

changbin perks up at that. he looks like he considers it before shaking his head. “no… but… if you want that then you can…” 

it’s a nice offer, seungmin always considered it but omegas don’t take denial for heat easily. it can make them depressed for a while and seungmin doesn’t like the thought of a sad changbin. 

“i’ll help you,” seungmin leaves the bathroom, “i want that if you want that.” 

they both lay down on the bed, finding a nice comfort between them. 

changbin is staring at seungmin’s side profile, the alpha staring at the ceiling. when seungmin turns to him, he smiles. 

“i want that.”

Chapter Text

seungmin woke up when he felt a weigh on his left side. he tensed up when he saw changbin’s pouty face. 

“minnie, it hurts.” 

his heart raced at how whiny the omega sounded. he’s never felt so panicked, so exited, so nervous. it was a good type of nervous, something he didn’t experience with any other partner. 

he grunts, technically displeased with how groggy he feels. “give me a minute,” he feels changbin sit up to give him space. 

the alpha gets out of bed, splashing his face with water to get rid of sleepiness. he takes a deep breath, giving himself a small pep talk before walking back to the bed. 

the system arranges trials so that they align with either cycles. whether it’s close to the omegas’ or the alphas’, couples usually have a two week grace before they have to share intimacy. 

“tell me if anything upsets you,” seungmin says as he hovers over changbin, their clothes long gone. 

they have the lamp on their bedside on, seungmin takes in all of changbin’s beautiful details. he’s awestruck at how defined the omegas’ abs are, how plump his chest is and his collarbone has a beautiful dip to them. 

changbin’s eyes are dazed, mouth parted slightly and his face and shoulders are flushed with a pretty red. 

he’s working three fingers inside changbin after he gets consent. the omega trembles slightly under him, his shaft oozing pre-cum that pools on his stomach. 

he makes sure changbin is stretched enough before taking his fingers out. seungmin swallows at the strings of slick between his fingers. 

changbin smells heavenly. a sweet honey that is boiling and emitting a tempting smell. 

“will you knot me?” changbin asks, shy. 

“of course,” seungmin wipes the slick off his fingers on the bed sheets. he needs to focus. 

he’s surprised (extremely) at how hard he himself is. he gives himself a few lazy pumps before pushing inside changbin. 

the omega smiles lazily at the sensation of being filled. he wraps his arms around seungmin, his fingers running through seungmin’s hair. 

“i want to kiss you.” changbin says, voicing out his desires.

seungmin smiles, “me too.” 

he’s pulled into a kiss, both of them smiling and giggling. it feels great, especially because changbin is technically sane throughout everything. 

changbin makes the prettiest noises as seungmin thrusts into him. their fingers are intertwined, pinned over changbin's head. seungmin's in his own world, intoxicated with the omega's scent and enjoying every piece of changbin. 

the way changbin's sweat glistens over his muscles is the very turn on seungmin needed in his life. he can't help but ravish the omega's skin like he's a meal seungmin has been starved of. 

"s-seungmin," changbin whines, writhing under him. "close, close." 

the alpha paints one more hickey on changbin's nipple before focusing more on his omega's orgasm. he drives into changbin hard, feeling his own knot start to inflate. 

changbin whines at the stretch, shoving seungmin's hands away to hug the alpha's neck and pull him closer. he's drawn to his warmth, to his scent, needing just that to send him over the edge. 

seungmin grunts as he himself locks with changbin's rim, more entertained with the light kisses changbin peppers his neck with. it tickles a bit but he's happy with the attention changbin gives him. plus, the omega looks even smaller caged under him. 

actually, that fact alone could make him pop another knot. 

"happy," changbin mumbles softly and seungmin can tell the omega is close to falling asleep. 

after the five days of changbin in heat, seungmin learns that changbin is very clingy. not that isn't already, but it makes seungmin realize that changbin's been holding back. it upsets him, because that must mean seungmin doesn't seem very approachable. 

changbin also has a large appetite during heat. seungmin counted four times that he had to ask felix to bring him more snacks and boxed meals. lucky for him felix is a great cook. 

"good morning," changbin's voice is the first thing he wakes up to. 

seungmin's exhausted and in need of a shower. not that he didn't take one last night but he feels the need for another one. 

but he feels changbin's hand rub circles on his lower back and he sighs happily at that. 

"want a massage?" changbin asks, curious and teasingly. 

seungmin squints at him, "are you not tired?" 

changbin shakes his head, "i woke up an hour ago to shower, you were extremely knocked out. didn't hear me slip and fall, no nothing." 

"what-"

"i'm joking." changbin laughed at the panic and regret in seungmin's face, "so, massage?" 

seungmin sighs, "if you're up-"

"it's a yes or no question, seungmin." 

the alpha blinks at the tone changbin uses, he swallows. "yes." 

changbin excuses himself for a minute and comes back with a bottle of oil. seungmin is amused at this. 

"so that's why you asked for that," seungmin mumbles to himself.

but changbin catches that. "i don't give every partner a massage, just so you know." he pours some oil on seungmin's back and he watches the alpha shiver. "it's like a reward, you know how rewards work, right?"

"i do." seungmin trails off, liking the way changbin's fingers dissolve all the knots on his body. 

they're in silence, sort of. neither speak but changbin hums a tune to himself as he massages seungmin's back. 

"what time is it?" seungmin asks after a while, he almost falls asleep. 

changbin dries and cleans his hands with a towel before checking his phone. "uuh, twelve." 

they're both surprised at this. and then their stomach's cry. 

"wanna go out?" seungmin asks, sitting up and feeling very light. 

changbin nods, smiling. 

they spend their afternoon at the shopping center. first they stopped at a nice chinese restaurant. then they went window shopping for an hour until they decided to enter a lego store. 

they came back to the apartment with a box of lego flowers. 

"and they're done," seungmin said happily while putting them in a vase. 

changbin laughed at how adorable the alpha looked. "took you what, three hours?" he said while chopping up vegetables. 

"but they're done!" seungmin grinned, making jazz hands to the vase that now sat in the middle of the kitchen isle. 

"i can see that," changbin dumped the vegetables on the pan, "good job." 

"thank you." seungmin propped an elbow on the surface, resting his cheek on the palm of his hand to watch changbin. 

he had offered to help but changbin said "since you said the flowers are for me, i'll make the meal" and so when changbin set his plate in front of him, he pulled the omega in for a kiss. 

changbin giggled, running his hands through seungmin's hair as the alpha pulled him into his lap amidst their kissing session. 

"hey, changbin?" 

"hm?" changbin looked down at him adoringly, his heart doing flips inside his rib cage. 

"i think i like you." 

they stare at each other before laughing. 

"why are you laughing?!" seungmin asks. 

"you're laughing too!" changbin argues, hugging his neck. "and i think i like you too." 

seungmin hums, smiling. "i hope we can make it past the six months."

"technically we have five left," changbin sighs, "but yes, i hope so too." 

and seungmin pulls him in for another kiss. 

Chapter Text

MAY 20, 2088

”no.” 

felix whined, “what do you mean no!?”

seungmin rolls his eyes, “i mean no, felix. no you cannot go to my apartment and meet my partner.”

”i did it before!” felix argued, “why are you against this!?”

“before,” seungmin said, “i didn’t like them. i like changbin, i’m not going to have you test him with your weird tasks and questions.” 

felix whines again. 

“plus,” seungmin continues, “we’re barely a month in. ask me again in three months.”

”fiine,” felix groans, pouting.

they’re silent for a while. felix watches seungmin grade essays and the alpha works silently. 

“why are you hiding in here again?” seungmin asks as he finishes grading the last essay. 

felix makes a small noise that sounds like a whine, “because old mr.ye keeps walking past my class like he’s waiting for me to be free or something.” 

“ah, the creep.” 

“yes, the creep.” felix sighs, “walk me to-?“

”sure.” 

felix grins, “i love you!” he throws himself over seungmin, the alpha sighing.  

the rest of seungmin’s day was pretty boring. 

when he got home, changbin was talking on the phone. honestly, seungmin likes seeing changbin pace around and smile. he likes hearing changbin laugh. 

however, his own smile disappeared when changbin asked him something as soon as he finished his call. 

“a baby shower?” seungmin grimaces. 

changbin nods, “yeah, yeonjun said he wanted to throw one and invited us.” 

“changbin, i don’t know anyone there.” seungmin frowns.

"well, yeah but you know me. just for a bit, yeah? i want to at least give him a present." changbin's pouting, knowing damn well seungmin will give in. 

"i... i supposed.. when is it?"

"two weeks from now, on saturday."

seungmin nods, not pleased with the thought of going to a place where he knows no one. even worse, the home of changbin's best friend, chances are this yeonjun guy would eye him cautiously and figure out if he's a good fit for changbin. 

"i promise we won't be there for long," changbin says with a small smile. 

but seungmin feels bad for limiting how long changbin can celebrate and important thing. 

MAY 27, 2088 (SEUNGMIN'S FOCUS)

"are you ready?" changbin asks from the living room. 

today they're going to the agency. they had scheduled a meeting, just like minho and chan said, for a check up. 

"yeah, are we eating afterwards?"

seungmin just got off work, so necessarily he didn’t have to change but since they planned on eating out he wanted to dress more formal. 

the alpha wore leather pants secured by a belt, pink button up shirt with long sleeves and black combat boots. 

changbin on the other hand, wore a pinkish-purple hoodie that had a heart on it, black jeans and white shoes. 

their choices made them look like they were strangers. 

while changbin chose being comfortable, seungmin chose to look professional.

which is why seungmin questioned if they’re still going out to eat. changbin looks like he just wants to get this over with and then come home to sleep. he's the type of person that believes clothes reflect your personality or mood. 

"yeah, why? did you change your mind?" changbin stands up, nearing the alpha. 

seungmin shakes his head, "no, just making sure. ready?"

"yup." 

the drive is tense. seungmin is fixated on what changbin would say about him. would it be good things? bad? obviously both but would there be more bad things than good?

even as they walk inside the building, neither say a word. well, they do but it's when seungmin drops changbin off at minho's office. a simple "see you in an hour" and seungmin only replies with "see you".

"seungmin!" chan exclaims when the said alpha opens the door. 

"in the building," seungmin jokes half heartedly before closing the door and sitting on the chair. 

chan smiles, "so, a bit over a month now but no biggy. how are things going? has he had his heat?"

"like two weeks ago." 

"right, how were things before his heat?"

seungmin thinks, "i think they were good. decently good. i had actual conversations with him, played lots of games, watched lots of movies and tried to take him out a lot. he doesn't like wearing collars so he's indoors all the time, i do my best to find excuses to take him out." 

chan is noting down anything that seems positive. he rarely jots down the negative. "ok, and how about now? after his heat?" 

"uh," seungmin shrugs, "it's a lot better. i really like him, he said he likes me too. i just hope things don't go bad..." 

"so, you're telling me you're interested in him?" chan raises a brow, hopeful and expectant. 

"yeah." 

"that's perfect, you still have lots of time left. i'm sure you know the next check up won't be until two months from now."

"i also know i can come by if i need something," seungmin grumbles, having memorized the things chan says.

chan grins, "correct." he flips to a new page. "now, name two things you like about changbin."

the trick questions are what seungmin hates. he wants questions to be direct, to make you answer what they're looking for. 

"his hugs." seungmin blushes a bit at the thought, "they're warm. really warm. they feel nice." he watches chan scribble, "and his laugh. it's loud but you can't be mad at it." 

"and one thing you don't like? or something you want him to work or improve on?"

seungmin thinks hard for this one, "i want him to improve on his actions. he's really daring. and not the good kind." 

there has been many instances where seungmin had to take a deep breath to not freak at how unbothered changbin is at his own actions. when seungmin says changbin is impulsive, he doesn't mean the typical "oh my gosh this is so cute! i'm buying it" type of impulsive. he means the emotional impulsive. 

and sure, buying things cus you think it's cute or cool or gives you three seconds of serotonin can be classified as emotional impulse, but changbin rarely does that. what he does do, is decide on something and drag seungmin along. 

three days ago, changbin asked to go to the water park. it was a bit uncomfortable for seungmin, he believes water parks are for kids and he hadn't taken clothes for himself like changbin did. but the older shoved him into one of the stations and hugged him only for the two to get wet. and sure, changbin had secretly brought clothes for seungmin, but he didn't ask seungmin if he was ok with any of it. 

not that it mattered because changbin kissed him silly and gave him pouty lips until seungmin accepted the apology. 

there was another instance, seungmin thinks it was a few days after changbin's heat, when he took changbin to a restaurant. 

it turned out that the restaurant was having some sort of challenge for the customers. something about finishing a certain meal in under thirty minutes. seungmin hadn't even started to give his order when changbin cut him off to announce that the two of them will take on the challenge. 

the two of them. them. seungmin and changbin. 

seungmin's amazed he didn't get explosive diarrhea. that went for the two of them. 

"but you haven't talked to him about it, have you?" chan questioned after twenty minutes of hearing seunmin.

"well, no."

chan hums, sighing through his nose. "well if something about him bothers you, you need to tell him. i'm certain you know communication is-"

"a big part of a relationship, i know. we're going out for dinner after this so... i'll bring it up. definitely."

the agent puts a checkmark next to "dedicated to resolving/facing issues". he's only checked two boxes so far, the one previously mentioned and "strong intentions."

they spend the rest of the hour (what's left of it) talking about what seungmin's goals and future yearnings are with and for changbin. once the hour is up, chan gives seungmin some minor advice before dismissing him and wishing him luck. 

seungmin loses himself in his thoughts as he waits for changbin in a bench outside of minho's office. he bounces his leg nervously, hoping that things either stay the same or get better from now. 

because;, as much as he wants to dismiss it, his feelings for changbin are more serious than he expected.

Chapter Text

MAY 27, 2088 (CHANGBIN FOCUS)

”sup,” he drops his weight on the comfy chair, watching minho raise a brow. 

“hi, how’s it going?” 

“good?”

minho scribbles, changbin groans. 

“it’s going too good, he’s… really nice and attentive. not once has he insulted me or bossed me around. he’s fun to be with but… i just…”

”i’m not a therapist but it sounds like you're paranoid, which is normal due to all the shit you’ve been through.”

”gee thanks.”

”you’re not welcome,” minho purses his lips, “how was he during your heat?” 

“really good… super gentle… actually fed me …”

minho stares at the younger for a little too long before continuing, “name two things you like about him.”

changbin doesn’t hesitate to reply, “his quietness and his dedication.”

”dedication to what?” 

“mm, work and me. he takes me out for his lunch breaks and he’s trying to start conversations more. actually, a week ago he started googling questions, isn’t that cute?”

minho hums, “very. two things you dislike?”

changbin thinks a bit for this one, “uh… that he doesn’t go out of his comfort zone a lot and… mm… his lack of expression. he could show a little more smiles.” 

“huh…” minho finishes scribbling before continuing. “and how do you feel about him? you said you feel like something bad will happen but aside from that?”

”uh… i mean, he said he really liked me. i said i like him too because he’s actually super nice and fun to be with. i just… i guess i’m used to them being hypocrites? normally after this check up they start acting like they do, so… i guess i’m nervous about that. i really don’t want him to turn out to be a total shit head.”

”and if he does?”

”i’ll be really sad? he makes me happy, and it’s not forced or anything. it feels so genuine, so nice that i’m scared.” 

“scared he’ll burst that bubble.”

”yeah.”

minho sighs, “well, if he doesn't turn out to be a dick, what do you hope to do with him?"

"same as any other omega? be happy? have a family?" changbin shrugs, "my only focus right now is what will happen after this... we're supposed to go out to eat but really, the nerves are making me nauseous." 

"ah," minho smiles, "i'm sure you'll be fine. i trust that you're in good hands... for real." 

changbin only hums, watching the older check things off on a sheet of paper he's more than familiar with. he bounces his leg nervously, eyes glancing at the clock that sits on minho's desk. even as he continues to answer more questions, his mind is fixed on scenarios that could happen in the next hour, next week, next month. 

mentally, he's begging the universe that the charming, awkward and lovely kim seungmin doesn't have another version of himself. one that is what he really is. 

"and you're done." minho says, watching changbin gnaw at his bottom lip. "call me if anything happens." he reminds, as always. 

changbin only nods, sighing before getting up. 

he's frozen when he sees seungmin sitting on the bench outside of minho's office. the alpha has his eyes closed, head resting against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and humming softly to himself. changbin recognizes the song too- asap by stayc. 

"hi," changbin sits next to seungmin, nervous. 

"oh," seungmin jolts, eyes wide like a deer in headlights. "so... ready to go home?"

"i thought we were going to go eat..."

seungmin nods, "oh, right... i just... you looked tired at the apartment and you smell anxious so... i thought you'd prefer to rest."

"you don't get to decide for me, seungmin." changbin scoffed, making this a bigger deal than what it actually is. (which is none but his nerves are making him say things he doesn't mean).

"right, sorry..." seungmin sat up, hands messing with one another. "so... ready?'

"yeah."

(FOCUS ON BOTH)

and the ride is so awkward. actually, no. it's tense. 

it’s 8:30 when they get to the dinner, neither saying a word even as they wait for the waiter to attend them. 

“here is the menu, i’ll give you a minute to go over it before coming back. is that fine?”

seungmin nods, “yes that’s fine.” he reads over the pamphlet he was handed before glancing at changbin. “what are you getting?”

”for drink? a lemonade…” changbin hides his face behind the menu. 

seungmin nods, glancing back at his menu. “how did it go?” 

changbin is silent for a while. it’s more than a couple seconds and seungmin furrows his brows at the omega’s silence. does changbin not want to talk about it? is so, seungmin can’t help but think negatively. 

“it was alright,” changbin finally says, “he asked more questions than usual. you?”

“oh,” seungmin nods, staring at the brown of changbin’s hair since the omega’s face was hidden. “i’d say the same. did he tell you to… talk about what you dislike about me?”

“do you want to know?” changbin blushes, not from butterflies or anything but because he doesn’t want to have this conversation.

“well… i want to work on it. i don’t want to make you upset with something you don’t tell me about.”

changbin can hear the sincerity in seungmin’s voice. he can tell the alpha is being honest, and even worse, seungmin smells nervous. which means the alpha is also scared. 

“i just… it’s not exactly bad. we’re still getting to know each other so, obviously there’s still a lot of stuff we both have to work on.” changbin reasons, “you’ve been really great so far so there aren’t really any complaint’s… because i know you’re working on the flaws i see without me telling you…”

seungmin nods again, “can i know what they are?” 

changbin sighs, “uh… you could work on getting out of your comfort zone. really, you’re a creature of habit. it’s a bit boring to even see…” 

“oh… what habits-“

“just… like… for ordering? you never try anything off the menu that’s not the usual and you even said that. you don’t take even the smallest risks and it ruins the experience for lots of things.”

”can you give an example-?”

”remember when we went to the amusement park? you didn’t want to get splashed with water by the ride.”

”we didn’t have spare clothes.”

”and? it would have been funny.” 

it’s funny how changbin is saying all this while glaring at the menu. it’s like he’s not even talking to seungmin. there’s a literal divider between them. 

“you could live a little…” changbin says, “that’s all…”

”ah, i see.” seungmin purses his lips. 

the waiter walks in just in time to jot down their drinks. she even asked if they were ready to order and changbin said yes, which made seungmin panic since he hadn’t exactly looks at the menu that well. 

“i’ll get what he’s getting,” he ends up saying, handing the menu. 

changbin seems surprised at this and really, seungmin feels relieved to finally see the omega’s face. 

“by the way…” seungmin starts, unsure if he should say what he wants to say. “i… i… what did you order?”

changbin gives him a bewildered look before laughing awkwardly. “seriously?” he smiles, “promise it will be great, don’t worry about it.”

in the end, seungmin couldn’t say what he wanted. mostly because he’d sound just like changbin said- boring. 

he doesn’t think he’s boring, just someone who lays low and doesn’t go out of his comfort … zone. 

seungmin frowns to himself, swirling the ice in his cup as they wait for the bill. changbin’s talking about something, seungmin isn’t sure what but he heard something about pets. 

“-don’t you think?” changbin said while showing him a picture of a hedgehog. 

seungmin glances at it, nodding. “very cute,” he even throws a smile, hoping it looks genuine enough. 

it must have because changbin smiles as well. really, seungmin loves changbin’s smile. it’s just like his hugs; warm. 

after they get the bill and he pays, they walk to the car again. 

“hey, seungmin?” changbin says as they’re seated in the car. 

“hm?” he hasn’t started the car yet. they're just sitting there. 

“i’m sorry if i hurt your feelings… or ever done something that makes you uncomfortable… i know i’m not… perfect. at all.” changbin isn’t looking at him, he’s looking outside his window, away from seungmin. 

“you do realize there is no such thing as perfect, right? it’s just a construct of what we believe is ideal.”

changbin turns to him, making a face. 

seungmin finds himself laughing a bit. “i mean that it’s fine, don’t worry about it. you haven’t hurt my feelings.” 

“you’d let me know if i do?”

”of course,” seungmin reaches out and takes changbin’s hand in his. “and i hope you do the same.” 

“yeah…” changbin blushes softly at seungmin’s smile. “can i kiss you?” 

seungmin blinks. he’s surprised at both the daringness of changbin and the butterflies in his stomach. 

“of course.” 

but really, neither could come up with a scenario where they wouldn’t be with each other. deep down, something tells them this is right. that this is how they’re meant to be. 

Chapter Text

he tries to push seungmin’s hand away, his breathy whines resonating in the alpha’s ears. 

“n-no, seungmin wait-“ he hug’s seungmin’s neck, body trembling with pleasure. “s-seungmin-“

the alpha let’s out a breathy laugh, “i know you can do it, come on, come again baby.” 

changbin sobs, his thighs squeezing together while seungmin’s fingers go in and out of his hole at a brutal pace. a second orgasm is bubbling at the pit of his stomach and his body complains in the position they’re in. 

he’s never had sex in a car and apparently neither has seungmin but it doesn’t even feel like it. 

they’re hauled up on the backseat, the leather pooling some of their sweat. the windows are probably foggy and fucking hell, they’re sweating like crazy. 

“fuck, fuck-!” changbin tenses up as he comes a second time, sobbing at seungmin’s continuous actions.  “m-min, min no more-!” 

the alpha swallows his cries by kissing him. seungmin pulls his fingers out of changbin, placing his hand on the omega’s hip to change his position just a bit. 

“condom,” changbin reminds, athough it sounds more like babbling since he’s beyond cloud nine. 

seungmin pulls away from the kiss and grunts to take a condom out of his wallet. he honestly never bothered to carry one around but hyunjin forced the habit on him. he’s actually glad he listened to the beta. 

he gives changbin a few moments to get down from his post orgasm high while he rolls the condom on. he watches changbin’s chest rise and fall and takes in changbin’s peaceful expression. 

the alpha leans in to plant a kiss on changbin’s scent gland, making the omega jolt in pleasure. 

“ready?” 

changbin hums, “yeah.” 

the ride back home was… absolutely silent. it was a bit funny to seungmin how changbin fell asleep in the backseat and how he himself drove like they had done absolutely nothing. 

before he got out of the drivers seat, he turned around to look at changbin. 

the omega was snoring softly, lips pouting and making seungmin was to kiss them. 

“why don’t you take a picture?” changbin says out of nowhere, startling seungmin. 

“i-“

changbin laughed, rubbing the sleep away from his eyes. “stared so long i woke up.”

seungmin blushed, the turning around to unbuckle and get out. his heart hammered in his chest as he walked over to changbin’s side, opening the door for him. 

“can you walk?” seungmin asks quietly, glancing around. 

the omega nods, taking seungmin’s hand to get out. “i can, but i’ll look like i’m drunk.”

seungmin’s ears burn a dark red when changbin whines softly. acting like he didn’t hear it, he nods. “straight to sleep?”

”absolutely.” changbin smiles, “i’m exhausted.”

MAY 30, 2088

“you look a little too happy,” hyunjin says, eyeing him suspiciously.

his mate, felix, nods enthusiastically. it’s apparent on seungmin- happiness, radiance. they’ve never seen seungmin look happy, at least not to this extent. 

“what?” seungmin makes a face, a small smile still playing on his lips. 

“i’m guessing your weekend was good,” felix states like he was there. 

hyunjin hums, “did you have sex-“

”why would you assume that?” seungmin rolls his eyes, actually suppressing a smile and turning it into a scowl. 

“i don’t know,” hyunjin swirls his iced americano around in his glass, “maybe because there’s a hickey on your scent gland?” 

and with the way felix eyes the area, seungmin’s face flushes before slapping a hand over it. 

“SO YOU DID!” hyunjin gasped. 

felix laughed, “he lied but you should have known that.” 

seungmin groaned, “i hate you two.” 

“hate can turn into love,” felix teases. 

“i really want to meet this changbin though,” hyunjin says while sipping from his drink. 

felix gasps, nodding. “me too, minnie when can we?”

”how about not any time soon?”

the two rolled their eyes at his topic swerve. 

“what is he doing today? clearly being bored at home, you should have invited him to eat lunch-“ hyunjin was cut off. 

“he’s out with a friend today.”

”and do you know said friend?” felix questioned, suddenly serious. 

it’s not unheard of to experience infidelity. despite being in the system, some people may already have someone- unrequited love you could say. it’s very common, especially when kids are out of high school, turning eighteen or nineteen. 

dating is normal, duh, but it becomes a problem when the couple isn’t sure if they want to get mated so soon. the system asks newbies to the system if they’re in a relationship with someone. 

if they lie, the system won’t dig into it just to verify. it turns into a game of hide & seek. 

“some guy named yeonjun,” seungmin says casually, “he’s an omega.”

felix blinks, “is… yeonjun? is he pregnant?”

”oh, yeah.”

the omega gasps, happpy. “i know him! we’re friends!! seungminnnnn, let me meet changbinn,” he grabs the alpha’s hand and squeezes it a little too hard. 

seungmin pulls his hand away, “absolutely not. didn’t you say you pranked that guy’s mate? is that the one?”

felix giggles, “ah, soobin. yeah, the way he tried to dodge an angry yeonjun was hilarious.”

hyunjin sighs, “the thing is this though, if he’s hanging out with yeonjun, who’s an omega, wouldn’t changbin need a collar? is soobin with them?”

the couple watches seungmin’s expression go blank. 

“i think?” seungmin shrugs, “i trust changbin and no, felix.” he glares at the omega, “changbin definitely isn’t in a relationship with someone else.”

felix huffs, “i’m just being cautious.” he looks away, pouting until he grins. “oi, it’s yeonjun.” he grabs hyunjin’s hand, squeezing it to get his attention. 

the beta looks over, trying to spot the said omega. 

seungmin does the same, a small panic rising from his chest. his fear is that felix would make changbin want to get away from seungmin. felix isn’t a dick, he knows limits, but seungmin always lets fear take over when it comes to his pranks.

while seungmin isn’t delicate to them, he never knows is someone else is. and if changbin ends up feeling hurt, seungmin doesn’t even know…

”STOP LOOK AT HOW TINY HE LOOKS. IS THAT CHANGBIN?” hyunjin chokes in his drink when he sees a very tiny person among the familiar couple. 

“stop yelling!” felix hisses, grinning at the sight. “wait, minnie isn’t that your sweater?” 

seungmin, who’s been staring at changbin, glances down to eye his outfit. 

indeed, changbin is wearing his sweater. 

“yeah,” he smiles. 

Chapter Text

“do not call him over,” seungmin threatens with a glare. 

felix sighs, “i won’t, i won’t.”

"no but yeonjun is coming over here," hyunjin points out, making both min and lix look at him in horror. 

immediately after he said that, a hand is slammed onto the middle of their table, making them jolt. "so you're kim seungmin," a snotty like voice says. 

seungmin turns to the omega, taken aback by the glare. "um-"

"silence." 

seungmin purses his lips in a fine line, uncomfortable with how yeonjun's eyes seem to eye him up and down. if he overthinks, he might swear he heard yeonjun's nose sniff the air. this lasted a total of eight seconds before the pregnant omega is gently pulled back. 

"i'm so sorry about him!" soobin, seungmin knows as yeonjun's alpha, offers them, but mostly seungmin, an apologetic expression. 

"hi minnie." and there was changbin, in all his glory. collarbone exposed because the sweater was a bit baggy on him, a silver chain resting around his neck with matching dangling earrings. 

he was also carrying a tray of food. 

"you're changbin!" felix took no hesitation to take in the omega that seungmin is simping for. "i'm seungmin's best friend, felix, this is my mate, hyunjin."

changbin bowed, "nice to meet you." 

while felix wasn't really sure what to expect about this changbin, he's pleased to say the omega is absolutely stunning and compliments seungmin very well. even without much to go off on, he can tell changbin is a bright, bubbly and calm person; which pairs up nicely with seungmin's calm, random, stoic, sharp-witted and slightly bubbly personality. 

and he dare say changbin is more than stunning. he's quite sexy, he can't help but eye the omega up and down. 

but his action didn't seem very admiring to changbin. the omega felt his heart drop when those feline like eyes grazed over his being. he dare say it reminded him of minho. in short, changbin felt like felix was disapproving his existence already. 

"well, we have to get back to the university," seungmin stands up, not sparing anyone a glance. "nice to meet you," he says, aiming those words to yeonjun and soobin. "see you later," he says to changbin, barely giving the omega a smile. 

"oh, yeah." changbin barely gives one back, knowing very well that seungmin is upset. "i'm sorry about that," he tries. 

"don't worry about," seungmin's smile is more real this time and changbin takes it as a win. 

"see you around," felix pats yeonjun's arm before snaking around to stand next to changbin. "i hope to see you again, changbin." 

the older nodded, smiling nervously. "yeah..." 

changbin watches felix drag his mate along. hyunjin, changbin remembers, gives him an apologetic smile before matching up with felix's rather fast pace. 

"i like him," yeonjun says after his complete silence. 

"what?" changbin baffles, "you say that now? he's probably overthinking right now!"

"well i was trying to assess the situation," yeonjun sat down on one of the chairs while soobin, poor, kind, soobin, cleaned up the table. "and he didn't lash out or anything at you for me invading his space, instead he calmly excused himself."

"he works, jun," both soobin and changbin state while sitting down. 

the pregnant omega rolls his eyes, "point is, he seems like a good guy. kind of reminds me of soobin." he smiles at his mate, who look at him confused.

"whatever," changbin huffs, taking his own drink and meal. 

everything is off. changbin knew this way before seungmin arrived home. 

the alpha had walked in with take-out but he seemed bothered. he gave short responses to anything changbin said and changbin almost let the negative thoughts get the best of him. 

the last thing changbin wants is for seungmin to turn out to be a jerk. 

but changbin knows, better than anyone, that everyone tends to be a jerk every now and then. so when he tried to talk about the situation that had happened that afternoon, seungmin grew frustrated. 

why? because it’s the same yeonjun that will have a baby shower which changbin made him agree to attend. and yeonjun managed to make seungmin uncomfortable and insecure.

"-and you're just going to go with him and his mate? wooyoung's an alpha, right? won't his mate get jealous that he has to present as a familiar for you?" seaungmin argues, not knowing a thing. 

changbin shakes his head, doing his best to not make the situation fly through the roof. "absolutely not, i know his mates and they're just as down to be my familiars if needed be." upon seeing seungmin's slightly bewildered expression, he elaborates. "wooyoung is mated to two betas."

"what?" 

"i know, i was confused on how that worked too," changbin jokes halfheartedly. "but they're mated. that's all. so if you don't want to go with me, they'll take me." 

seungmin is quiet for a few moments, staring at changbin before sighing. “no, i’ll go with you…”

changbin frowned, “but if you go can you at least not look so upset? yeonjun didn’t mean to invade your space like that, he’s not like that, i promise. please forgive him.”

”just… it’s fine, changbin. if you say so then i’m fine.”

the alpha collected their trash and walked away to dump it in the can. changbin sat there quietly, watching him. 

“but… min… if it bothers you then we can stay home…” 

seungmin sighs once more, “i said it’s fine, changbin. don’t worry about it.”

and changbin drops it. at the very least, he hopes seungmin feels better about the ordeal when the time comes. 

JUNE 03, 2088

seungmin's most hated conversations are about cycles. he really wishes the system didn't enforce them to share it with their partner and despite how chan's told him he can always talk to his partner about not going through with it, seungmin also fears that conversation. 

he's sitting there in the living room, thinking deeply about how exactly he'll bring up his cycle. changbin's showering. 

earlier that day, during his lunch break, he had talked to felix about it. well, actually, felix talked to him about it. seungmin was so focused on not thinking about it that if felix hadn't reminded him, then he'd had waited last minute to so do.

"but isn't your rut on sunday?" felix asks, concerned. 

"no? i start pre-rut sunday, it starts monday so i'll be gone monday through wednesday."

felix hums, "and have you told changbin?"

seungmin shakes his head, "no... i was going to yesterday but he got sick so he was in bed all day."

"sick?"

"stomach flu." 

"ah," felix sighs, "well... do you want him to help you?" 

and seungmin had obviously said-

"what's wrong?" changbin asks as he plops down next to the alpha, his hands rubbing the towel over his hair to dry it up. "you... smell upset," changbin says when seungmin turns to him. 

seungmin purses his lips in a thin line, thinking as he looks away from changbin. "my rut starts monday."

changbin's cheeks flare, "monday?" 

"but, changbin... i... i don't want you to help me..." seungmin grips he pillow he's been hugging. 

"oh." 

seungmin's not sure if changbin sounded disappointed or surprised and he's too scared to face the omega to figure it out from his expression.

it's really silent for a while. so silent that the you can hear the fridge running. it's slowly driving seungmin into insanity until he feels changbin lean into him, cheek pressed against his shoulder and his honey scent doing the job of calming him down. 

"that's fine," changbin says softly, "if that's what you want." 

"but you'll..."

"sleep on the couch? i don't mind. how long is your rut?"

"three days." 

changbin blinks, surprised. "oh." 

"yeah, so just like your cycle is short, so is mine." 

changbin giggles softly, "you know where my clothes are." 

"eh-" seungmin blushes, turning to face changbin who's grinning. 

he's caught off guard when the omega kisses him. it's soft and seungmin swears he's swallows happiness instead of oxygen between their pauses in their make-out session.

but fuck. seungmin  is really falling deep for seo changbin. 

Chapter Text

JUNE 04, 2088

"and what's in here?" seungmin questioned as he picked up the present they'll (changbin wrote that it's from both of them) give yeonjun. 

changbin finishes putting lip balm on before answering, "uh, a dress and some headbands, they'll be having a girl."

seungmin hums, "how cute."

"right?"

and changbin's grin is so wide it almost hurts seungmin.he can see changbin's excitement from the topic of babies. if they make it past the six months, seungmin wonders, will they have a baby off the bat? 

the mere thought of changbin carrying a pup makes his heart swell with yearning, with desire. the omega is so beautiful, seungmin can’t imagine how ethereal he’d look as a mother. 

“we’ll stay for just a bit and then we come back,” changbin reminds.

it makes seungmin’s heart sink. wouldn’t he be the one to say that instead? changbin is saying exactly what he wants and seungmin hasn’t even said anything regarding time. 

he notices how changbin’s expression is slightly darkened and it makes him feel bad the whole ride. 

to say he’s dreading entering the house the mated couple have is exactly correct. seungmin kept focusing on how many cars were in the park way. and it’s a big parkway. 

the couple is rich and seungmin wishes changbin told him that. not that it made much of a difference but he would have liked knowing. 

“how’d you meet him?” seungmin asks as they walk up to the front door. 

“high school,” changbin says blatantly while pressing the doorbell. 

the door is swung open by soobin, who smiles adorably at them. “hi, glad you could make it.”

”NO. CHEDDAR. CHEESE. CHEESE!” they hear someone yell as they walk inside the enormous living room.

“MAC AND CHEESE.” they hear someone else yell.

seungmin is dumbfounded to see felix and hyunjin on opposite ends of the living room. while hyunjin is wearing headphones, felix is trying to make his mate say the word hyunjin has to say. 

“oh isn’t that felix?” changbin asks as he hands yeonjun the present. 

“oh my baby made it!” yeonjun hugs him, almost making changbin disappear from the height difference. “ah, seungmin,” yeonjun stares at the alpha, who’s wide eyed. “i’m sorry about what happened a few days ago.” 

“it’s fine,” seungmin offers a polite smile. 

“OH, seungmin!” felix exasperates. 

“SEUNGMIN?” hyunjin yells. 

“time up!” someone else yells, gently taking the headphones from hyunjin. 

“love of my life,” felix says, running up to hyunjin and cupping up his face. hyunjin looks expectant, a small smile on his face at the attention felix gives him. “you suck at this game.” felix shoves him away, making hyunjin express heart break. 

seungmin finds himself laughing. 

“i wanna play with min!” felix yells while taking the headphones. 

“that’s wooyoung,” changbin points to the person felix took the headphones from. 

yeonjun hummed, “will you play, seungmin?”

the alpha’s first reaction is to look at changbin, who’s grinning expectantly. it feels like he has no choice to do so, might as well give changbin an entertaining short time. 

“i don’t see why not,” he says before wooyoung comes over and drags him to a random x taped to the floor. 

“you know the rules?” wooyoung asks, but seungmin is stunned at this man’s beauty. 

“yeah,” he says, dumbly. 

changbin, seungmin learns, is friends with very beautiful people. 

four minutes. four minutes of stressing about felix not getting a single word. 

“NO. ICK.” he repeats, pressed that felix has gotten not even close to any of the words. 

“CHICK!?” 

“PASS.” 

wooyoung flips to the next one. brownie.

seungmin desperately hopes felix gets this one, he just has to. “WHAT YOU MAKE LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY.” 

felix’s eyes glance around to think. “DANCE?” 

“YOU EAT IT AND YOU SHARE IT!”

”BROWNIE?!” 

“time’s up!” wooyoung snorts, “didn’t you say hyunjin sucked at this game? you got one right and he got three.” 

felix pouts, “it’s seungmin’s fault.”

”i will punch you.” seungmin threatens. 

changbin laughs. he’s sitting by the wall with hyunjin, eating popcorn from a bowl. originally he was watching yeosang, san and soobin play a card game but it was entertaining to see seungmin and felix. 

“how long have they known each other?” changbin asks hyunjin.

the beta turns to him with doe eyes, “three years i think, i’ve known seungmin for two.” 

changbin hums, focusing back on the three playing a card game when san began to whine. 

a few minutes later, yeonjun sparks another game for all of them to play. there was a ton of snacks provided as well, seungmin opted for the hot cheetos. 

in the end, they ended up staying longer than expected but seungmin ended up not minding. changbin looked more than happy to he with his friends, plus, seungmin had hyunjin and felix. it worked out better than he imagined. 

“i’ll be right there,” changbin tells seungmin when it’s their time to leave.

seungmin hummed, bidding yeonjun and soobin goodbye as he follows hyunjin and felix. 

“what’s wrong?” yeonjun whispers with concern when seungmin is out of range. 

soobin excuses himself to start cleaning up.

”i was just… he starts his rut on monday… and he said he doesn’t want help…” 

yeonjun frowns, “i thought you two were fine when it came to that. i mean, he helped you out on your heat and then the two of you started having sex every now and then, why would rut be different?”

changbin shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck. “i don’t know… i want to ask him but i feel like that would make him uncomfortable.”

”you could try to ease it in somehow… or wait until he’s ready. he’ll technically be the first alpha you’ve been with that you won’t help out.” yeonjun pets changbin’s head like a mother does to their child, “either way something tells me it’s just him being insecure or something, nothing to do with you. just wait it out.”

”ok… i was just sort of upset he doesn’t want me to help but… it’s only for a short time so… hopefully it works out.”

”i’m sure it will.”

changbin hugs his friend goodbye before walking over to seungmin, who was talking with hyunjin. felix was already inside the car, on the verge of falling asleep. 

“oh, ready?” seungmin fixes his posture when the omega nears them. 

“mhm,” changbin smiles gently, “it was good to see you hyunjin,” the beta smiles while he turns to feix who’s now pressed against the window. “bye felix.”

seungmin takes changbin’s hand, waving goodbye to his friends with his free one before walking to his own car. changbin is too tired to acknowledge the blush on his face. 

it’s around 8:39 PM, changbin isn’t exactly sleepy around this time but their evening was energy draining. 

from what changbin remembered, seungmin was going to enter his pre-rut soon, tomorrow, specifically. yet, while seungmin drove them home, the alpha had his hand perched on changbin's thigh. he's never done that before, which made changbin a bit nervous and giddy. 

and when they got home, finished getting changed and were now in bed; seungmin didn't stop being touchy. 

"did your pre-rut start already?" changbin asks suddenly when seungmin started scenting his neck. 

"why would you think that?"

"unless you plan on having sex with me, you never scent me." 

seungmin hums, "and if i wanted to scent you? would that be a problem?"

changbin shakes his head, "no... i'm just... i'm just saying..." he sighs gently, "can i... will you ever tell me why you don't want me to help you during your rut?"

at his question, seungmin gets off of changbin. the alpha is sitting up, staring at him with slightly wide eyes. there's a small frown on his lips too, almost like a pout that changbin finds it adorable. 

"i'm not saying now, i respect your space, minnie. i simply think it would be nice for me to know at some point, you know? i want this work... i... if they ask me right now to finalize this i'd gladly do it. i think you're what i've been looking for, what i've been needing, but for this work we have to confide in each other... even if we get hurt in the end... i want us to have at least tried..." 

"why would it end?" seungmin asks. 

changbin, for the first time since he's been with the alpha, remembers that their tiny age gap is not just that. seungmin is 23, changbin is 25. technically, seungmin is still just a kid that has entered adulthood while changbin is already about to be in his late 20's. 

for the first time, changbin sees how naive seungmin is. 

"seungmin," changbin sits up, placing a hand on seungmin's. "i want to love you." he locks eyes with the alpha, "do you want to love me?" 

"yeah."

"then we have to make this work. i want to get to know you and i want you to get to know me. not just my personality, my dislikes and likes, but what i've been through. i'm not someone who confides in alpha's that well, i want to confide in you. if you let me, you have to do the same." he kisses him, gentle and warm. "i won't help you in your rut, i'm fine with that, but know that the relationship is of two and in anything you want help in, i'm here for it."

seungmin's expression changes just a bit, "i know..." he looks away, "just... give me a while... i want this to work but... i'm..." he gnaws on his inner cheek, "i'll tell you later than sooner... i'm glad you understand..." 

changbin uses his free hand to cup the side of seungmin's face, "of course." he gently guides the alpha to face him again, "anything for you."

they kiss one more time before they share the night, their fingers intertwined. their hearts yearning. 

Chapter Text

JUNE 05, 2088 

seungmin was scared of going feral on changbin, so they decided to be separated the second morning rose on sunday. 

changbin made sure he changed before leaving, leaving the shirt he slept in and a few others on the bed for seungmin. the alpha was still sleeping while changbin got to work. 

the omega made sure he stocked up the mini fridge in their bedroom with fruit cups, yogurts and some mini water bottles. the big bottles he put on the nightstand, he counted ten and he hopes that's more than enough. it's 8:30 when he starts making a breakfast box for seungmin. 

seungmin had bought lunchables (which changbin found adorable and hilarious) to eat during his rut. while it's not exactly all that healthy, changbin won't judge. people during cycles need comfort foods the most, so changbin made sure he left the mini fridge packed with lunchables and set the breakfast box ge had made on the night stand with a note. 

before he closed the door for zero entrance, he made sure he had everything right. he hums to himself as he checks the bags of groceries seungmin has bought a few days ago, noticing a few bags of hot cheetos. he smiles to himself, rushing back inside the bedroom to set them on the nightstand as well. 

"bin?" seungmin grunts, making changbin gasp. 

"i left some stuff for you, nothing is missing! bye!" he rushes out, slamming the door shut before leaning against it, giggling to himself at how fluffy seungmin's hair was and how adorable the alpha looked. 

lucky for them the apartment had a guest bathroom, so changbin didn't have to worry about anything. he even packed a backpack with some clothes to change in and out of, he's just as settled at seungmin is. 

he pats his pockets to get his phone, except it's not there. he panics, looking around until he sees it sitting on the kitchen isle. he lets out a sigh of relief, making sure he also had his charger (which he does) before looking for something to eat.

just as he sits down, he gets an incoming call from wooyoung. as he starts his meal, he answers the call. 

"oi, oi~!" wooyoung yells, "good morning sunshine, how are you?"

"why are you so energetic at," changbin glances at the time, "nine thirty in the morning."

"your alpha is in rut right? you'll be bored? wanna hang with me and my boos tomorrow?" 

changbin considers it. 

normally he'd joke about being a fourth wheel but he never really felt like that with them. the three of them always make changbin forget they're dating until they start making out. 

"i don't see why not." 

he had asked seungmin the night before if there would be any issues if his friends took him out. seungmin said there was no issue with that as long as he came back before 9 pm. 

"cool! does twelve sound fine? we could get lunch somewhere then wing it from there," wooyoung asks. 

"sounds perfect," changbin smiled. 

"cool cool, see you tomorrow then. call me if you need anything."

they bid each other goodbye and changbin finishes his meal before settling down on the couch. he turns the tv on, putting whatever he finds interesting (he settles for some psychological movie) and sips on a juice pouch. 

he ends up falling asleep mid way the movie. he must have been out for a long time because when he wakes up it's on a blank screen. the movie was of two hours. 

his phone dings as he turns off the tv. he groggily looks at it before picking it up.

minnie

hi :)

me

hi minnie  <3

have you eaten already?

his message is left on read for a minute before seungmin's caller id appears on the top of his screen. he giggles as he answers the call. 

"hi minnie," he hugs a pillow as he lays in the couch. 

"hi," seungmin sounds out of exhausted. "have you eaten yet?" 

"breakfast yes, lunch no." changbin hums, "did you eat what i left for you?"

"i did, thank you. it was really good," seungmin sighs, "i really miss seeing your face though."

"maybe if you ask nicely i could send a selfie."

seungmin laughs, "i have to ask for that?"

"yes you do," changbin giggles, "and the fee i you giving one back."

"hmm," seungmin smiles, "that's a fair fee."

changbin giggles even more before getting a bit serious, “ah right, i’m going out with wooyoung and his two mates. that’s fine right?”

”i said it was fine, yes.” there’s shuffling from seungmin’s end, “and what was with the note you gave me?”

”eh? what about it?” changbin was confused, “i honestly forgot what i wrote, please enlighten me.”

seungmin laughed, “enlighten you?” he hums happily, “you didn’t write much, you doodled two stick figures, a really tall one and a really short one and you wrote at the top, ‘with you through telepathy’ which i found funny.”

”oh laugh even harder because the short one is you,” changbin spat, making seungmin laugh hard just as he said. 

they talked on the phone for about an hour until seungmin felt sleepy again. changbin’s amazed to know the alpha is a sleeper during his cycle, he didn’t know much about seungmin so he’s happy to learn more. 

plus, he likes this experience. 

changbin ends up texting yeonjun, having a fun catch up with the other. two hours pass by and he spent it texting his friend and watching a show. 

while he cried at the death of his favorite character, the doorbell rung. he’s suddenly confused, wondering who it could possibly be. 

as far as changbin is concerned, no one on his side knows about the apartment’s location. he doubts seungmin has told anyone too, because as he said, seungmin is a very reserved man. 

he checks his phone just in case and he sees a message from seungmin. 

minnie

don’t panic

i just ordered you a little

something :)

changbin makes a face as he walks over to the front door. 

“hi, seo changbin?” the man at the door asks as he holds two things in his arms. 

changbin nods slowly, eyeing the flower vase and a delivery box. “yes, that’s me.”

the man smiles, “then this is for you.”

”thanks…” changbin feels his heart skip a beat as he takes the items. 

“money heist?” the man suddenly asks, making changbin grow puzzled. 

“i’m sorry?”

”money heist,” he repeats, nudging his head at the tv in the living room. “the show?”

changbin laughs, “oh! yeah!”

”a roller coaster of emotions, hm?” the man smiles before sighing, “alright, well, have a nice day.”

”oh, you too!” changbin closes the door with his foot before walking to the kitchen isle very slowly. 

he focuses on the flowers first, his fingers touching the petals of the flowers gently, smiling at their beauty. he's not sure what all these flowers are, they're not your simple roses and leaves- they're colorful and give changbin the impression of a art piece. there's a note stuck to the side of the vase, changbin notices it as he turns the vase around to look at the other flowers. 

taking the page between his fingers, he glances at the bedroom door. he smiles to himself, looking back at the note and reading over the words. he's amused to see teeny drawings next to each sentence. 

the note is describing each flower. 

gladolious -  strength & determination

pink carnations - apology 

amaryllis -  curiosity & timidity

red chrysantheum - passion

changbin stares at the vase once more, sighing dreamily. he quickly takes his phone out of his pocket to take pictures of both the flowers and the note, sending them to wooyoung and yeonjun on the group chat. he's giddy to share this present, his scent is probably cloying but thankfully it's just him. 

three best friends in a room

sopranolaugh

that's gay

yeonderella

i believe that's the point

but those flowers are so prettyy

i'm jealous

fuck you

dwaekki

i will politely decline the fucking

sopranolaugh

are we going to talk about the

apology one? did he do

something bad?

dwaekki

no? i think he just feels bad

for excluding me during his rut

sopranolaugh

i'm sorry what

yeonderella

but it went well? he explained?

dwaekki

no :(

but he said he'll tell me soon

as long as he tells me i'm fine

sex outside of cycles feels way

better anyway...

sopranolaugh

i mean

you're not wrong

he texts with them as he eats whatever it is seungmin ordered for him. he makes sure he thanks the alpha before digging in though, he's well mannered after all.

the rest of his day is spent watching the same show and texting his friends as well as seungmin. before settling down for bed he sends seungmin a selfie, as half promised earlier in the day. 

me

good night minnie

minnie

changbin laughed softly before plugging in his phone to charge. he got comfy on the bed, happy that it's a sleeper sofa. he hugs his pillow and lets the warmth of his blanket envelope him in a nice, warm comfiness.

Chapter Text

JUNE 11, 2088

while seungmin's rut only lasted three days, changbin felt like it was eternity. he's never been good at being alone, he knows his clinginess can be a bit too much but thankfully everyone he grows close to understands. 

what meant the most to changbin was that despite seungmin being in his rut, the alpha still sent him good morning and good night messages as well as ordering him dinner or lunch. 

it was thursday, the day seungmin's rut broke. 

changbin wad a bit concerned that the alpha hadn't gotten out of the bedroom or even texted him. none of the messages changbin sent were read. he even tried calling him, even knocked on the door to ask if he's eaten or if he's alright but nothing. 

just as changbin gave up for the day and continued the new show he started watching, the bedroom door opened. 

the omega jumped, startled at the sudden noise. his heart raced with excitement and yearning, eyes curiously watching the door. 

"have you eaten dinner yet?" seungmin asked as he walked out of the bedroom and came into view. 

changbin shook his head, eyeing the alpha cautiously. he could tell seungmin was a bit... off. that's normal though, everyone is a hit different after their cycles but it goes away after a while. 

since the alpha hasn't turned to him, changbin spoke. "no i haven't... i wasn't really going to eat anything though, i didn't feel like cooking."

seungmin hums, walking over to the fridge and opening it to see what it could offer. 

"hey, changbin?" seungmin asks, still facing the fridge. 

the omega had left the couch, show long forgotten. seungmin could feel changbin standing behind him from the kitchen isle (which was probably just five feet away from him). 

"yeah?" 

as always, changbin's voice is soft when their atmosphere is tense. seungmin missed that; changbin's voice. changbin's scent. changbin in general. 

"you know how i said i wanted you to give me time??" 

"yeah."

"what if... i go bit by bit..."

the omega processes it for a moment, "you mean like open up little by little?" 

"yeah..." 

seungmin tenses up when he feels arms snake around his waist and a body press against his back. changbin's honey scent is heavenly, making him relax. 

"of course," changbin smiles, "why wouldn't it be?" 

they end up finding the perfect amount of ingredients to make something for dinner. changbin couldn't stop glancing at seungmin every now and then, his heart content that the alpha is with him again. 

but...

"do you smell that?" changbin asked when they finished dinner. 

seungmin, who was anxious the whole time since he left the bedroom, swallowed. "what do you smell?"

changbin turns to him, furrowing his brows. "like... a strawberry scent... i don't know it's just... it's a bit sour? we haven't gone shopping so we definitely don't have any sort of fruit..." he sniffs the air again, "do you not smell it?"

"do you hate it?" seungmin asks, his heart beating in his ears.

"huh?" changbin's face morphed into confusion.

"do you hate the strawberry scent?"

changbin stares at seungmin, more confused than before. why would he question it? is changbin imagining things? but how can he imagine a scent?? 

"uh, no? i just..." he looks around before sniffing his own shirt, "i don't know where it's coming from, that's all... and it's definitely not m-"

"it's me." seungmin sweats nervously when changbin looks at him again, "that's... that's my scent... my real scent... i-it's probably sour cus i'm panicking." 

changbin stares at the alpha again, processing this new information. "i'm sorry, your real scent?" he makes a face, "was... what?" he walks closer to seungmin, slow and gentle to not make the alpha panic even more. 

he sniffs the alpha, confirming the fact that it is indeed seungmin. he takes a step back, not connecting dots yet. 

"i've been suppressing my scent... changbin... do you hate it?" 

the omega shakes his head, "no, no why would i?" he scrubs his face with his hands, sighing. "no wonder i never understood what your scent was, have you been using perfumes?" 

"y-yeah..."

changbin hums. he walks a lot closer to seungmin, removing his hands from his face and wrapping his arms around seungmin's torso. this helps him get closer to seungmin's collar and he sniffs the alpha a bit more. 

"i really like it," changbin scents the alpha, "i really, really like it. please stop using perfumes, they'll cause a rash on the long run." 

it's true, perfumes are made for betas. while they could he used for omegas of alphas without a scent, it's not very recommended to those that have one. perfumes can clog up the scent gland and, like changbin said, cause a rash on the long run. 

"ok," seungmin melted into changbin's arms, enjoying the omega's warmth. "i will..." 

"so you exposing your teal scent is part of the baby steps?" changbin asks as he drowns in the sweet strawberry scent. 

it's no longer sour. in fact, it reminds changbin of-

"strawberry milk."

"what?" 

"you smell like strawberry milk, minnie." changbin sniffed him again, humming happily. 

seungmin hums, "good to know..." he ruffles changbin's hair, "and yes this is part of the baby steps..." 

changbin nods, "can we cuddle?" he looks up at the alpha, big doe eyes peeking under his bangs. 

the alpha stares at him, mesmerized, before nodding. "of course." 

JUNE 17, 2088

seungmin was exited to see his sister after months. he's texted her every now and then but since she already has a family and they both have busy lives, their communication is limited. 

"hanyeol!" he calls out when he sees the female beta look around with frustration. 

she turns to him, glowing with happiness when she sees him. "seungmin! look at you! you look great!" she hugs him tightly when she gets within arms reach, "i missed you, loser."

"missed you too, granny."

she gasps, offended at his remark. she slaps his back, making him choke, before letting go. "i'm barely thirty and i look like i'm twenty."

"sure," he laugh as he dodges another attack. 

their plan was to catch up during lunch. it was close to the university, which was convenient for seungmin. 

"so, what's got you all happy?" she asks once they get their drinks. 

seungmin fidgets, "well before that i... want to know about-"

"they still hate you." she says rather coldly, which is good. 

seungmin knew this. he's been knowing this. every time he's asked it's gotten more colder. more brutal. 

"you know this," she says softly, "no matter what you do, no matter who you'll mate, they'll still he disgusted."

"that kind of hurts," he pouts as he sips from his drink. 

hanyeol sighs, "i know... eric wishes you the best of luck though. he hopes, just like me, that you find a loving mate that will make up for the lack of love mom and dad gave you. my love isn't enough and we both know that."

seungmin hums, "i know..." he looks at her, "and i actually... i think i found the one..." 

she perks up at this, both serious and curious. "is that so?"

"mhm," seungmin fishes out his phone to show her a picture of changbin. "he's an omega. he's also two years older than me..." 

his sister takes his phone, inspecting the picture closely. "he's adorable..." she says softly, "and really pretty." she looks at seungmin, "what's he like?" 

at some point she regretted asking because seungmin's chews her ear off about this omega. yet, she didn't have the heart to stop him. her brother had a huge grin the whole time he spoke. he's never done this before so... 

"have you shared your rut with him?" she cuts him off. 

seungmin's expression morphs into sadness and guilt. "no..."

another sigh leaves her, "well, thats fine. i assume he was accepting?" 

"yeah," seungmin smiles a bit, "he really was... he... he said he likes my scent."

"oh," she's surprised, "so you... thats really great. thats a big step."

when their time was up, she could only hope for the best. seungmin's only been like this once, this is the second time. except compared to last time, his happiness is far more radiating. 

she hugs him tightly before parting, hoping dearly that changbin is meant for seungmin.

Chapter Text

JUNE 29, 2088

it's not a very important day but seungmin felt like doing something. 

"i can invite anyone?" changbin asked, surprised seungmin is making plans for something. 

the alpha nods, "mhm, anyone."

"what's the max?"

"uh, three?" 

changbin hummed, thinking. "where are we going?" 

"a festival." 

the omega perks up, "a festival?"

"mhm, a music festival. it lasts two days. it's on monday and on teusday but i want us to go monday... do you want to?"

"wait are you talking about noeasy music festival??" 

seungmin nods slowly, a smile slowly creeping its way to his face when he sees changbin's excitement. 

the omega is suddenly at his side, hugging his arma and  bouncing with excitement. "you're serious??"

"yes," seungmin chuckles, not complaining about the sudden affection. "you can invite-"

"i don't want to invite anyone." changbin says suddenly, "i just want it to be the two of us." 

and seungmin's heart soared. 

"are you ready?" he asked the omega while he picked up his keys. 

it's currently 7 PM, the festival starts around 9:30 but the drive is pretty far. plus, seungmin wants to get an early start since the food stands are up and running at 8:30 PM (so the flier says). 

"yes yes," changbin comes out looking cute and sexy as always. 

the omega is wearing a white bucket hat with a white shirt and pink, baggy cargo pants. seungmin is similar in a way, except he's wearing shorts not pants. in a way, they're matching. 

"let's go," changbin says while kissing him.

seungmin grins. because shit. he really is in love.

loserracha

puppymin

isn't he pretty

tallblondeandgorgeous

you're so in love it makes me sick

puppylix

shut up

let him be in love

puppymin

you act like you don't talk

about felix like this

you act like i'm not

SSICK OF YOU BEING IN LOVE

YOU TWO ARE NASTY AND FREAKY

I HATE YOU BOTH

puppylix

you went from attacking jinnie

to attacking me too

and after i defended you

how dare you

he rolls his eyes before turning his phone off. he hugs the omega from behind, resting his chin on changbin's shoulder. changbin hums happily, eyes still focused on the stage. 

they're not exactly at the front but they're close enough to get a good view. 

when the festival ends, it's around 1 AM. changbin was extremely tired and so was seungmin. that didn't stop them from wanting to have some fun. soft, slow sex never hurt anyone. 

"you looked really cute today," seungmin says as he kisses changbin's neck.

the omega hums, grinding his hips down on seungmin's girth. he's slightly needy but he knows seungmin will give him just what we wants. 

"thank you," he breathes out as seungmin comes up to nibble at his bottom lip. 

changbin moans, hands clawing at the sheets underneath him when seungmin picked up his pace just enough. the alpha smiled, kissing changbin's bruised lips softly.

"our next meeting is next month," changbin reminds, his voice cracking from the pleasure surging through his body.

"yeah," seungmin twitches as he feels his knot start to form. 

"that means we have- fuck," changbjn throws his head back, "we-we'll be halfway the six months."

"yeah," seungmin stills when his knot pops. he's gasping for breath, more interested on how changbin's hands cup up his face and bring him in for another warm session of kisses. 

the omega let's seungmin jerk him off to orgasm. he let's out a small squeak when he releases in the alpha's hand. 

"we'll make it," seungmin says after a few moments of heavy silence. "to and beyond the six months..." 

"yeah," changbin swallows a gulp of air, his body feeling hot. "we will."

JULY  27, 2088

today was their second meeting with their agents. their atmosphere wasn't as tense as their first, instead, they were quite exited to tell their agents about what they've been up to (excluding the sex part because why do their agents need details). 

except they both came out of their respective offices scolded for not opening up about the important matters - their insecurities and their past experiences. 

apparently that's effective to strengthen their trust. their relationship. 

they had gone out to eat, both pouting at what their agents have told them. 

of course they wanted to open up, why wouldn't they? they both felt like they're meant to be. they're both yearning for the finalization of their trials to give an immediate yes. 

but they both know they have to open up. 

the issue is that they're scared. scared to be seen differently. scared to have the other use their insecurities against them. to use something against them. 

mostly seungmin. the alpha couldn't help but fidget the whole time, debating whether he's taken enough steps to dump everything on changbin. meanwhile, changbin simply hopes that if and when he opens up seungmin won't see him as a fragile piece that will break again. the last thing he wants is pity or anything similar.

"so," seungmin starts as they get comfortable in bed long after getting home from dinner. "are you... tired, tired?

changbin looks at him curiously before shaking his head, "you want to talk?"

"yeah... i... i wanna know if you're ok with hearing me out... i want to tell you now..."

"this isn't because chan scolded you, right? you can take your time, minnie. we still have three months left." 

seungmin makes a noise of uncertainty, "well yeah but he made me realize i trust you enough to open up now... i want to, really. if you're fine with it i want to tell you now..."

changbin smiles warmly at the alpha, "of course. i'm glad you trust me." he scoots a bit closer to seungmin as he sits up to lean against the bed board. "you can start whenever you want." he says softly, making seungmin's heart flutter. 

"o-ok..."

Chapter Text

"i was born into a beta family..." seungmin starts, a bit skeptical to actually say anything. "so when i presented as an alpha everyone was really mean about it..."

"mean?" changbin questions, grazing his thumb over seungmin's knuckles.

"yeah... they're the type of people that base everything on stereotypes... and that makes them really sexist..." seungmin stares off into the darkness, "they were pretty mad when i presented and when i did even the smallest accidents like spilling my drink they'd call me a dumb mutt or simply use my orientation in their insults.

when we'd have family reunions everyone looked at me like i was some abomination. they'd ask personal questions like what i do during my rut and when i got too overwhelmed and excused myself to take a break, even if it's to the restroom, they'd talk behind my back and say i'm a stuck up or snotty. basically anything that the textbooks say about alphas, you know?

and then when it came to my cycle my parents would force to take suppressants despite the doctor saying that i can only take them when i'm twenty or older if i wanted to, you know, because suppressants can damage your body or your cycle. technically what they did was illegal but whatever... what's done is done..."

"and it damaged your cycle..." changbin said softly, smelling the sour strawberry scent that seungmin emits.

the alpha nods, "yeah... and they absolutely hated my scent... even during hot days i'd wear thick layers of clothes, that would make me overheat my body and i'd get really sick... i didn't think my scent was bad, it's strawberry, how is that bad? but i guess they hated that even though was i was alpha, despite everything they believe an alpha is, my scent only proved that i wasn't like any other alpha.

when i got into the system, i had to go off suppressants and not mention them or else my parents would get in trouble. i've only experienced rut once and that was during a summer before my senior year of high school, my parents went to visit their family the whole summer so i was curious... it was really bad... everything hurt. i felt angry the whole time... or more like i was angry i couldn't get relief from both the stupid heat and raging sex drive. it scared me and i didn't go off the suppressants again until... well until i got in the system..."

changbin nodded, "and how did your first partner take it?"

seungmin was silent for a few moments. "she was really shy so we didn't share our cycles at all, it was pretty nice actually... but turns out we just didn't have that strong of a desire for each other. she was more like a friend than anything... plus, we weren't exactly interested in our opposite sex, she was attracted to women i was attracted to men. i still talk to her every now and then..."

"and where is she now?"

"in greece," seungmin smiles, "she has three pups and a really pretty mate."

silence drowns them once more. this time, changbin scoots closer to the alpha, hugging his arm for reassurance. he hopes his scent helps as well, focusing just a bit to make sure he doesn't overwhelm seungmin.

only a few moments pass until seungmin continues.

"technically the system lets us use suppressants but they don't recommend it, you'd have to find them yourself and it's pretty hard to find them. i didn't want to ask my parents about where they would get the stock from, i don't want to know anything about them really... but i asked my sister and she got mad... but mad because i wanted to keep hiding my second gender... she ended up giving me some advice and i tried my best to do some research on how to handle ruts...

my second partner was a girl too, i was too scared to tell chan i wanted a guy. she was... how do i put this... she was a beta... since betas don't have a cycle like we do i thought she'd be fine with not sharing my rut. turns out i was wrong and she told me she'd help me figure stuff out for my rut. my dumbass believed her. she was really mean, used all my insecurities and embarrassed me in front of her friends.

i didn't even want to meet her friends but it was the fourth month so i kind of needed to give more things a try. one of them was an omega and that one constantly joked about how bad of an alpha i might he in bed. my partner at that time would confirm and just... i didn't like it... at all... i really hated it..."

he continues on to tell changbin about similar experiences he's had with the next partners he's been put with. each one saying he's equally disappointing for an alpha and how guilt tripping seungmin came like second nature to them.

the whole time, changbin couldn't help but get mad at how poorly those people treated seungmin. sure, omegas get treated worse, but changbin's always been curious and aware that alpha's can also be equally mistreated. he's not comparing his tragic past to seungmin's but he still can't help but wonder how the alpha will see him when it's his turn to open up.

"minnie..." changbin starts when seungmin finishes. "thank you for opening up."

the alpha smiles, leaning in to kiss him. "thank you for being trust worthy."

changbin's cheeks flushed, "i'm glad you trust me." he gnawed at his bottom lip, "can i trust you in return?"

"of course."

the omega stared at the alpha, heart beating in his ears. "seungmin... i just... hope your view of me doesn't turn any different... just like you don't want my pity and just like i don't give you any, i hope you do the same."

the alpha frowned, "well, yeah..."

this time, seungmin's hand squeezed changbin's. the older took a deep breath before thinking of a starting point.

"my... experience hasn't been all that pretty... ever since i was in high school i liked to be fit and feel comfortable with myself not with what people think i should look like... naturally, i never fit into the expectations that society built for omegas. my past partners have been shitty for lack of words.

i've been with twenty, seungmin. each one was just being a hypocrite until they thought i trusted them enough to get ordered around. each one of them insulted me the same, hurt me the same and most of them forced me end the trails before the six months were up."

changbin swallows thickly, "but only one of them, seungmin, left me scars. he was an alpha, really charming... really honest... since day one he never told a lie... but... he... he was what people would say the worst of all if i were to give a detail of each partner i've had." he turns to seungmin, "he put me through so much that i... i really don't even know how i'm here right now... maybe because of minho? and my friends? but... he broke me so bad that the rest of my partners after him were practically nothing."

seungmin furrows his brows, noting how changbin's scent sours a tad bit. "will you tell me what he did that was... worse than the others?"

the omega looks away, his scent spiking. "yeah... i just hope you're... i hope you can stand my heavy detailing."

"try me." seungmin rests his head on changbin's shoulder, "just like you listened, i'll listen. no matter what."

changbin smiled, closing his eyes to take in seungmin's strawberry scent. "ok..."

Chapter Text

JULY 30, 2088

"i can't believe the nerve some of these bitches have!" yeonjun yells, angry.

seungmin raised a brow, confused on what his partner and the pregnant omega were talking about when he arrived at the table with their meals. felix joined them soon enough, carrying their drinks.

the four of them ended up hanging out out of impulse. yeonjun was bored at home since soobin was working, felix was the same.

while yeonjun asked changbin if he was free, felix asked seungmin. the two decided it was best to have a mini hang out because those never hurt anyone.

"about?" felix asked as he sat down next to yeonjun.

"yeonjun went to soobin's hometown for a week and he came back yesterday. apparently some old couples judged soobin for mating a male omega." changbin summarized as he grabbed his drink.

"the twenty first century is about to end and people still think like that?" seungmin makes a face of annoyance as he hands changbin his princess meal.

"you actually asked for that?" yeonjun draws away from the topic to pout, "awe i didn't know they still sold those."

"i can get you one," felix offered as he sipped from his drink.

yeonjun waved him off, "maybe to go, not right now. that hamburger is calling me more than the princess meal." he returned to the previous topic while unwrapping his hamburger, "but yeah, even soobin's grandparents agreed. the hypocrisy i tell you."

"but soobin's parents agreed too or no?" felix questioned.

"they looked tempted as fuck to agree or at least make some comments but what will they gain from that aside their only son distancing himself as well as their future grandchildren."

"i still don't understand how people don't accept male omegas, their percentage has grown increasingly in the last two decades." seungmin took a bite out of his spicy chicken wing. "they're almost as equal in population as female omegas."

the three omegas nodded, simultaneously agreeing.

"it's worse when you're a foreigner," felix sighs, picking up a fry. "but either way all classifications suffer in some way or another."

"yeah it'd be shitty to say only omegas suffer." changbin hummed, "but we do suffer the most. society is still sexist despite how many decades have passed."

"it's worse now since betas are shrinking in population," felix comments as he hands yeonjun a fry when he noticed the omega glancing at his. "oh off topic but will you guys be willing to come with me on a trip?"

"trip?" they question.

"yeah, hyunjin is having a commercial session down in jeju for four days. he wants to stay for a week though so that we can go sight seeing."

yeounjun pouts, "i would be down but i made plans with soobin and some other friends."

felix nods, understanding. "that's fine, what about you two?"

changbin glances at seungmin, who did the same. "mm, depends on what minnie says."

"i don't see why not," seungmin shrugs, "we haven't been going out that much either so, sure."

felix lightened up, "jisung and jeongin will be there too, we wanted it to be a group thing. is that fine?"

"definitely, when is the trip?"

"in three days."

seungmin chokes, "what?"

"oh," changbin laughs, "not like we were doing anything anyway. short notice but that's fine, right?"

"yeah," seungmin sighed, "are we meeting at your place?"

felix nods, "yeah, i'll text you the time and stuff later."

they changed topics and continued to finish their meals. afterwards they went shopping, mostly window shopping while eating ice cream or popcorn, before dropping yeonjun and felix off to their respective houses.

after getting home, changbin started to laundry while seungmin put away the things they had purchased at the shopping center. there was music playing in the background the whole time, a playlist seungmin had made for changbin. (which changbin almost cried at when seungmin mentioned it with a happy puppy like expression. it's fair to say he gave seungmin butterfly kisses instead of tears).

"did felix ever tell you what time we have to go to his house?" changbin asked.

seungmin nodded, "he said before ten in the morning. the flight is at twelve."

"flight?" changbin asked, "i thought we were going by car..."

"i thought so too," seungmin smiled while kissing changbin's pouty lips. "we'll pack the day before, he said to bring more light clothes since it'll be pretty hot."

"alright then..." changbin smiled, "do you want to watch a movie?"

seungmin nodded, "do we still have snacks?"

"mhm, in the closet."

AUGUST  9 , 2088

"I'M TIRED!" changbin yelled as he dropped himself on the bed.

they had just gotten back from the airport and the trip. a whole week of changbin getting to know jisung and jeongin and learning more and more about hyunjin and felix. (changbin was more than surprised to see that jisung's mate is also an alpha. his mind? blown.)

seungmin chuckles as he drops next to changbin as well, "me too." he pulls out his phone to text felix.

me
send me the pics??

felix
of course my dear seungmin

the ones where only changbin
appears or all the ones i have?

me
yes

felix
lol give me a minute

and that's it cus
you hit me whenever
you saw me take picture
of either of you

me
and there's still one more

felix
idk what ur
taking about

me
felix.

felix
not the period 😭
ok ok give me a minute
☹️ i didn't wanna give it

"did felix send those?" changbin asked when he peeked over seungmin's shoulder to see the alpha downloading certain pictures.

"mhm," he handed changbin his phone, you can look through them."

the omega scrolled through them before humming, "that was fun."

"i'm glad it was," seungmin smiled. "your birthday is on the eleventh, right?"

"oh, yeah." changbin handed the alpha his phone back. "why?"

"what do you want to do?"

"honestly?"

seungmin nods, "honestly."

"i want us to go out for breakfast, then go to the museum, i heard they'll have an exhibit about i don't know what, then come home watch movies or something then order dinner and then have sex."

seungmin stared at the omega, who seemed quite serious, for a few seconds before breaking into a blush. "ah... alright then. i like the sound of that."

changbin giggled, "me too."

Chapter Text

AUGUST 15, 2088

changbin's pre heat hit the day school started back up again. seungmin argued with the omega about helping him and putting in the notice but then changbin said he wanted to spend it alone.

for a moment, seungmin thought changbin said it as payback for not letting him help him in his rut, but the omega said it softly and with the reasoning of seungmin needing to be there for the start of the school year. which made sense, he didn't want to give a bad impression of a lazy teacher, seungmin is anything but that.

so the first day, seungmin was absolutely bored. he's gotten used to bothering changbin or the omega doing it.

bunny
are you home yet?

me
yeah, just looking for something
to eat.

bunny
how was your day?

me
pretty stressful, lots of kids
kept asking for directions
like i know the place 💀

bunny
you don't?

me
no i do but for the thrill of it
i gave wrong directions 😇

bunny
that's so mean!
seungmin!
do it again

the alpha busted out laughing. he spent the next few hours texting with the omega until the other said he was tired.

bunny
good night minnie <3

me
adorable  <3
good night

bunny
ahaja 💕💕💕

AUGUST 20, 2088

felix was invited to the apartment. it was changbin's idea because turns out felix gave changbin his number during their trip and now they're the best of friends. not that seungmin minds, he's happy to see his best friend get along with the love of his life.

"you two only have two months left, right?" felix asks suddenly as they're making brownies.

"oh, yes." changbin nods, feeling something in the pit of his stomach at the mention of their remaining months for the trial.

felix hums, eyeing seungmin who's doing something on his computer. "has he said anything?"

changbin shakes his head as he takes a brownie from the last batch they've made, "no... his birthday is also coming up... but not even that..."

"he's like that a lot," felix grunts, "but oh well. do you have something you want to do for his birthday?"

changbin blushes, "well... yes?"

felix stares at the other before grinning. "oh i see~" he got closer to him, "do you need anything? i could get it for you."

"um... r-rope..." he blushes furiously, "and... lingerie... i never bought any before so... i don't..."

"oh baby," felix grins wider. he fishes his phone out of his pocket, "look, i buy my stuff from this website, you look for anything that catches your eye and screenshot it so we can go over them once you're done."

changbin's still bearing a pretty blush as he takes felix's phone when the other shoves it into his hands.  he sits on the chair, elbows propped on the kitchen island. while he's doing his searching, felix finishes up the last batch of brownies.

half an hour passes when changbin finishes. he hands felix his phone back, the omega inspects all ten garments that changbin had found interest in.

"mmm, the dark green is really pretty," felix comments when he gets to said lingerie. "with gloves? even prettier." he slides when he sees exactly what he just mentioned, "ok we're going with this one. seungmin do you have measuring tape??" he questions the alpha loud enough for him to hear.

"this is embarrassing," changbin mumbles as he looks away from felix's amused gaze.

"for?" seungmin questions when he looks up from his device.

"just say yes or no."

the alpha scratches his head, "uh, i think? check the drawer."

after checking each drawer in the kitchen and finally finding it, felix ushered changbin to the guest bathroom. they ignored seungmin's perplexed gaze and expression, especially felix.

"wouldn't it take a while for them to make it?" changbin asks, his ears still burning red after exposing himself to felix.

"money can get you many things, dear changbin." felix said, "and think of this as my belated birthday present, since neither of you mentioned it until i asked seungmin yesterday." he hums, "plus, i'm sure you'll get it before his birthday. i'll deliver it to my house and bring it to you so seungmin doesn't see it accidentally. i'll find you that rope too."

"m-maybe not the rope."

felix chuckled, "you sure~?"

changbin nods stiffly, "yeah..."

"ah alright~" felix giggles, pressing checkout on his phone. "this alone will give seungmin a heart attack though and with your body? eee."

"yah!"

SEPTEMBER 11, 2088

seungmin felt like something was off. changbin was fidgety, hesitant and overall very... nervous. the omega knows how to control his scent but seungmin could always pick up on the slight acidic scent of his honey.

"changbin," seungmin tries when the omega is picking out clothes to change into after his shower. "are you ok?"

the omega turns to him, playing it off. "what do you mean? of course i am."

the alpha squints, "well you just... look tense."

"mm, i'm not." changbin smiles, "are you showering after me?"

"yeah."

"ok~."

again, seungmin pouted at how dismissive changbin was. he sighed, thinking it's best to leave it be. after all, changbin always ends up telling him what's wrong eventually.

he's deep in thought the whole time, wondering if he's done anything to make changbin so nervous. he doesn't think so, he concludes as he gets out of the shower, after all they had fun the whole day. changbin didn't look nervous when they were out in the amusement park or in the restaurants, it started when they got... home.

seungmin's ears turned bright red and he almost choked on his toothbrush at the naughty thought that invaded his brain. there is no way, he thinks, changbin can be bold but not that bold. at least... at least he doesn't think so-

his breath is caught in his throat when he sees changbin sitting on the bed. he's smiling- smirking actually. his body is leaned back, chest beautifully exposed with a dark green see lace bra and a pretty panty to match it. there's also gloves on changbin's arm reaching up to a little bit above his elbows.

there, in all his glory, is changbin with a confident aura but a racing heart. much more, seungmin's mind goes blank when he sees the condom pack in between changbin's lips, his teeth gently biting down on it.

"fuck," seungmin breathes out. "changbin you look," he can't even move, "oh fuck you look fucking beautiful."

"hm?"

"fucking edible."

this time, changbin laughs, the condom pack dropping from his mouth to his stomach. "then come and devour me."

seungmin grins, already prying his shirt off as he finally walks over to the bed. "gladly."

Chapter Text

SEPTEMBER 13, 2088

"so," felix eyed seungmin a little too intensely while the alpha ate his lunch. "how did it go?"

"how did what go?" seungmin was genuinely confused.

the omega hummed, "oh i don't know, your birthday? did you like your present? no, i'm sure you loved it." he grinned at seungmin's growing blush, "loved him."

"felix i'm literally eating, shut up."

"i'm sure you ate him too-"

"we're on school grounds!" seungmin slaps a hand over felix's mouth as a student passes by his open door. "shut up! why would you need to know this information!?"

"i'm just messing with you," felix teases when seungmin removes his hand.

the alpha huffs, "and i thought you would have pranked him or something by now."

"hm? nah," felix waves a dismissive hand, "he's best friends with yeonjun, he's definitely a win for you. plus, i really like him. i think he's the one for you, unlike sookyung, something tells me changbin will definitely stay."

"we don't talk about him." seungmin grumbles at the name.

the omega rolls his eyes, "why? he's obviously not of importance anymore. you should literally just think of him as something that happened and wasn't meant to be, like when you don't get a toy at a claw machine."

"i mean, yeah..." seungmin plays around with his food, "but it's... i just... i guess i'm scared of it happening again. i know changbin won't turn me down but..."

"that's your fear," felix smiles, "but trust me. changbin loves you. he's done so much for you and you for him, he definitely won't turn you down when the time comes to give the last report."

"and if he does?"

"aren't you someone who doesn't worry about the if's?" felix chuckles softly at seungmin's pout, "trust me min, changbin will definitely stay. and if he doesn't, then i'm sure you'll eventually find someone who does. it just takes time."

seungmin can only sigh, changing topics on a whim and thankful that felix goes along with it.

before felix leaves for his class, he pats seungmin's head. "just one more month," he smiles warmly, "it'll be fine."

"i hope so..." is all seungmin says before felix bids him goodbye.

the rest of his day is mentally draining. seungmin was anxious to go to the apartment. after all, changbin is there, waiting.

he wonders if the omega does love him or at least sees him the way seungmin sees changbin. changbin is everything seungmin himself didn't know he needed. wanted.

"changbin?" seungmin questions as he walks inside the apartment.

normally the omega is either in the kitchen or on the couch. changbin is in neither.

"changbin?" he tries again, heading to the bedroom.

he's relieved to see the omega asleep on the bed. his cheeks are flushed and seungmin isn't sure what's wrong. the omega is sweating, almost like...

"sorry, i got a fever," changbin mumbles when seungmin hesitantly gets close to him.

"ah, alright. did you need medicine?" he asks.

changbin waves him off, "i'm fine, i already took some."

"so you're telling me that i can't kiss you."

the omega opens his eyes, staring at seungmin before laughing. "only if you want both of us to be in bed, sick."

"i'll take my chances."

changbin giggles softly when seungmin leans down to kiss him on the lips. he feels the alpha remove the towel from his forehead.

"i'll go change this," seungmin says softly, smiling.

"mk," changbin closes his eyes again, extremely tired and with a subtle headache. "seungmin," he says softly before the alpha steps away.

"hm?"

"you're worried, aren't you?"

the alpha stares at him, gripping the rag in his left and his bag in his right. "what are you talking about?"

changbin waves him off again, "never mind. sorry, i'm just..."

"just sleep, you need it." seungmin says softly, turning away from the bed to change the wet rag. "i'll be right back."

the omega sighs through his nose, mumbling a soft, "and i hope you always do."

SEPTEMBER 15, 2088

"changbin couldn't make it?" felix whines, pouting.

"i told you he's sick, but he wanted me to give you guys these." he said as he handed felix and jisung their birthday presents. two for each.

"awe he's so cute," jisung sighs, "i'll tell him thanks later."

"should we video call him?" felix asks, tempted.

"he's sick baby, he won't answer," hyunjin says while patting felix's head.

"what's this, like the third day he's sick?" jeongin asks.

seungmin nods, "we went to the doctor this morning because his fever won't go down. turns out it's stress..."

all four of them stare at him. "stress?"

seungmin nods again, "yeah..."

immediately, hyunjin changes topics. "anyway, let's cut the cake."

"what flavor is it?" jeongin asks as he follows the oldest.

jisung stays behind, watching the others follow hyunjin to the kitchen. "don't worry about it," he tells seungmin, "it'll be fine." he turns to smile at the other, "you'll be fine."

"felix said the same thing but-"

"there are not buts!" jisung frowns, "just know that it'll be fine."

SEPTEMBER 27, 2088

one more month.

they have one more month left until their trial comes to an end and they give their life long decision. seungmin has been feeling nauseous lately, which one would think should only happen on the final week but no.

changbin's fever lasted about a week, which was worrying but the older shrugged it off once he felt better. the cause of stress? same as seungmin. they have little no nothing left until their trials end.

it's upsetting how they keep trying to act normal. neither brings up the topic but neither is focused on the other. instead, they're avoiding each other like the plague.

"you two are idiots," jeongin says blatantly, munching on the pizza he had stuffed in his mouth.

"bae," jisung whined. he had told the younger not to say anything about the topic before coming over to eat dinner.

the idea was to spend time with the struggling couple in hopes they somehow lose tension. jisung had suggest dinner and a game, felix was in as he was lonely once more.

"what? i'm being deadass," jeongin grunted, pointing at the awkward couple that sat across them. "you two have been so quiet it's making jisung and felix cry."

felix choked, "me?"

"yes you," jeongin returned to the previous two, "everything was going perfect. what changed? i don't know is not a valid answer, if neither have a single reason then that only states my point."

seungmin fidgeted, wanting to glance at changbin but scared.

"we're just scared." changbin said softly, unwavering.

they fell silent.

this was another moment where seungmin grew far more aware about changbin's age. changbin was always more straightforward, more attentive to his emotions. seungmin isn't, as much as he tries, as awkward and stoic as he is, he can never remain as collected as changbin.

the older won't change if they fail. he'll do as he always does but continue to yearn for someone to have a family with. seungmin, however, always finds himself trying to change something in each trial. whether it's his communication skills or his interests.

changbin doesn't.

he's been in the system so many times, never would he change what he is because there's always hope that someone will love him like that. 7 years in the system does that, it teaches you harder than anything.

"i guess that makes sense," jisung plays with his food, "i mean, everyone gets scared at some point but..."

seungmin's the one that's scared. not changbin.

it goes unsaid. they know very well changbin said that to alleviate the tense alpha but seungmin feels foolish. foolish to have changbin feel invalidated in some type of way.

"i'm sorry," seungmin says suddenly.

he's so nauseous he can't even look at his meal. he's the issue here, he's holding everything back and if this continues he might end up losing changbin and he doesn't want that. changbin is now his everything.

he's never felt so exited to come home. he's never felt so driven. changbin has become something so special that it scares seungmin.

"oh, minnie," felix sounds heartbroken when seungmin begins to cry.

jisung sighs, "seungmin..."

"i'm sorry," seungmin sobs.

changbin hugs him, bringing him close enough to have his shirt get soaked with tears. he runs his fingers through seungmin's hair gently, letting the younger cry his eyes out. letting seungmin cling to him like a child.

everything will be fine. their hearts know it.

Chapter Text

SEPTEMBER 29, 2088

to say they’re back to normal would be an understatement. sure, they're not avoiding each other as before but there's something... that feels off. something that they think is missing. 

changbin thinks he has an idea on why he feels empty. he thinks that the only thing that’s missing is to get the love you normally get when and after mating. 

can you blame him? finally, after years, he feels like he’ll get what he’s been wishing for. does seungmin feel the same? of course he does, changbin gets that constant reminder. 

“your button,” changbin says softly.

seungmin turns to the omega while buckling up his belt. “hm?” he looks down, seeing how it’s exposing his collar a bit too much, he looks at changbin again and casually says, “come fix it for me?”

there’s a subtle tone of teasing, changbin can’t help but feel warm. 

he remembers when other alpha’s would demand that. seungmin is a constant reminder that he isn’t dealing with a stubborn, snotty and bossy alpha but a gentle, stoic and caring one. 

“what a baby, you can fix it yourself,” changbin humphs. 

seungmin gives him a teasing smirk, “you're right, i can.” he unbuttons the second one, “better?”

changbin stares at him before snorting, “seungmin yah, what will i do with you?” 

he gets out of bed, jokingly glaring at seungmin while smiling. 

“you can do lots of things with me,” seungmin says with a lower voice, watching changbin button him up. 

the omega’s face flushes a deep red. changbin shoves seungmin aside as soon as he finishes.    

“have a nice day at work,” changbin says, humming happily when seungmin grabs him by the waist, pulls him in and kisses his temple.

”call me if you need anything,” seungmin reminds. 

changbin nods, smiling. he opens his mouth to say something as seungmin gets his keys. he closes his mouth, crossing his arms over his chest in a form of hugging himself. he won’t say it. 

he doesn’t think he will any time soon. 

“bye,” he says softly, sighing when seungmin smiles and waves at him. 

one day, he thinks as he walks back to bed to crawl into it. one day. 

OCTOBER 10, 2088

“i wanna throw up.”

“you’re not pregnant are you?” 

changbin huffs, “no. i just… turns out it’s not one month we have left… we miscounted…”

”so… how long?”

”seven days.”

wooyoung chokes on his saliva, “SEVEN!?”

”YES SEVEN.” changbin whines, “i thought it was the twenty seven that we have our anniversaries but it’s the seventeen!!”

”changbin,” wooyoung groans, “does seungmin realize this too?!”

”yeah he’s the one that told me,” changbin runs a hand over his face, “do you know how fucked i feel!?”

”is he there with you?” wooyoung asks. 

the omega denies, “no he went out.”

”for?”

”for food. we ordered something and he went to pick it up,” changbin grumbles, “turns out chan told him to make his mind up in seven days and he asked why and then chan told him that.”

”seven…” wooyoung sighs, “and what? how is seungmin acting?”

”well we’re both a bit on edge knowing that the date is around the corner… literally…” changbin gnaws at his inner cheek, “i… i love him, wooyoung… i do i just… what if he doesn’t?” 

“i don’t know seungmin that well,” wooyoung argues, “so i can’t tell you anything, changbin. if he loves you then he’ll sign the papers. you sound and look so happy with him, he’s treated you like no other so in my opinion, i think he does…” 

there’s a long silence. wooyoung frowns when he hears a trembling sigh from changbin. 

“changbin what’s wrong?” 

the omega sniffles, “i’m just… i really do love him… i want him so, so much… so much that i want to go see you know who…”

wooyoung growls, “you still think of that bastard!? changbin are you insane!? ALL THAT SHIT HE DID TO YOU AND YOU THINK OF GOING TO HIM!?” 

“don’t yell at me!! you know my reasons! i-“

”UNLESS YOU’RE CERTAIN THAT SEUNGMIN LOVES YOU DON’T EVEN THINK OF HIM! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?”

”stop yelling!” changbin wipes his tears away when he hears the door open. “you have to understand me, i’ve done it before and i’ll do it again. except this time i’m sure… a-at least i think so-“

”you’re insane,” wooyoung grunts, “what if seungmin doesn’t love you?”

”you just said he-“

”well what if!?” 

“wooyoung-“

”if? why don’t you ask him? changbin… you going to that bastard thinking and believing that seungmin loves you and then realizing he doesn’t will hurt you. you’ll feel stupid, you’ll be embarrassed. can’t you find a way to be sure??” 

the omega shifts uncomfortably when he sees seungmin in the corner of his eye. “wooyoung… i… how would i even try that?”

the alpha sighs heavily, “i don’t really know but… i don’t want you to go to him. can’t you go after? when or if you mate seungmin?”

”i have to do it before that… i want to start that chapter knowing he’s left behind… this is the only way i can do that…”

“changbin…” 

“please understand that i hate the fact you still think of him.”

”you say that like i love him,” changbin scoffs, “it’s complicated for you and everyone else. just…”

”be on your side? be understanding?” wooyoung sighs once more, “as long as you don’t get hurt i won’t intervene and you know that.”

changbin hums in acknowledgment.

“and since seungmin knows about this guy, talk to him. tell him the part you left out AFTER you confirm that his feelings for you are the same you have for him. i’m sure he does…” 

“okay…” 

“and when you do, don’t go alone.”

”he’s not very nice,” changbin sighs, “he’ll make anyone uncomfortable.”

”i can handle him, i’ll go with-“

”no. i… i know who i’ll take. but…”

”still scared to ask, that’s understandable… just… try. okay? you’re right, it makes no sense to anyone but you… which is why it sounds insane and why we hate it. just be careful.”

”mhm… i’ll let you go then… bye.”

”bye.” 

he drops his phone on the couch, huffing. his heart is hammering its way up his throat and he feels uneasy when he smells sour strawberries. he turns to see seungmin walk into the bedroom and he frowns. 

is he supposed to say those three words and hope seungmin says them back? or does he wait? what if seungmin never says them? 

he groans, putting his hands over his face. he can feel a headache coming. everything is so confusing and complicated. 

“seungmin, are you eating?” he asks as he gets off the couch. 

he goes to the door’s frame, leaning against it to watch seungmin wash his face with water. 

the alpha grabs a towel and pats his face dry with it. when he turns to face changbin, he shakes his head. 

“i kind of lost my appetite.”

changbin eyes the alpha, still noting that his scent is souring by the second. as he locks eyes with seungmin, he frowns when the alpha looks away immediately. 

“have you been crying again?”

”again?” 

changbin nods, softly looking at seungmin when the turns to him alerted. “why have you been crying? you know you can tell me anything, minnie.”

"well sometimes it doesn't feel like it." 

the omega frowns furthermore, his heart sinking. they were fine just a while ago, what changed? 

"did something happen?" he walks over to him, hands gently touching seungmin's hips. "did i do something?" 

the alpha huffs, looking away. his eyes glass over, a sign that he's holding in tears. "i just..."

changbin waits patiently, hoping seungmin tells him what's wrong. he also hopes his scent calms seungmin down. 

"i love you," seungmin takes a sharp breath, "i... i just... i feel like you don't."

"what?" changbin panics, "what makes you think that?!"

"you were on the phone," seungmin tries, "you said something like 'you say that like i love him' and you looked uncomfortable when i walked in and then you said something about making anyone uncomfortable and-"

"oh minnie," changbin brings his hands up to seungmin's face, "i wasn't talking about you, baby. we told each other we were growing feelings, remember that? after we shared my heat?" seungmin nods. "and ever since then we've worked things out one way or another and our feelings have solidified. i love you too, seungmin, please understand that i wasn't talking about you."

"then- will you tell me who you were talking about?"

"i have to," changbin smiles a bit, "because i want you with me for the rest of my life, so i can't hide anything from you. you mean so much to me, minnie, i don't want to lose you."

the alpha stares at him for a moment before leaning in to kiss him softly. changbin smiles into the kiss, enjoying the change in scent of seungmin; he's calmer now. 

"would you believe me if i said i never believed in a forever?" seungmin asks when he breaks the kiss. 

changbin hums. running his fingers through seungmin's hair.

"but you make me believe it. you make me want it." seungmin smiles. 

"i'm glad," changbin grins, letting seungmin kiss him once more. 

"i love you," seungmin chants as he kisses down changbin's chin, neck and to his collar. he stops at some point to hug changbin closely, "i really do."

changbin giggles, "and i do too."  

Chapter Text

OCTOBER 15, 2088

something shifted in changbin's mood. seungmin can tell. he won't press for the time being, he'll wait to see if changbin mentions anything or comes to him.

"-what's wrong?" changbin asks, stopping the conversation they were having to voice out concern.

seungmin blinks, "hm? nothing, why?"

"you just look a bit sad," changbin places a hand over his, "are you sure it's nothing? seungmin we-"

"talked about it, i know. it's just... are you okay? you've been a bit on edge."

"i'm just nervous," changbin manages a smile. "i tried not to think about it but i'm going to be doing it tomorrow so, it's a bit nerve wrecking."

the alpha nods, "are sure you want to go alone?"

"i won't be alone, i'll take minho with me, hopefully. and if i go alone that's even better."

changbin watches how concern paints seungmin's face and infuses in his scent. he squeezes the alpha's hand, assuring him that he'll be fine. 

"you'll... wear a collar?" seungmin asks, hesitant. 

"yes," changbin grins, "so don't worry about me. i know you've never seen me with one and telling you i'll do this alone worries you but trust me, i know what i'm doing." 

once more, seungmin nods, "i do trust you but it doesn't stop me from worrying. you told me the reasons why you won't wear one so... i find it a bit hard to believe that you'll wear one."

the omega chuckles, "i know... but... i feel like i can do it again."

"even if you don't, you know i'm here."

changbin giggles, "i know."

”for anything you need and want.”

”yes, min.”

”because i love you.”

changbin flushes a faint red, his heart hammering in his chest at seungmin’s caring expression. “i know, i love you too.”

this feels great. receiving love and giving it back. it feels great. 

having seungmin? feels great.

changbin never thought he’d have something like this. well, he did but only in his dreams. 

even as seungmin’s lips are flush against his and his heart soars, he finds it a but hard to believe. he sure knows seungmin feels the same. 

and they’re both in love with this. 

OCTOBER 16, 2088

seungmin’s heart hammers in his chest as he waits in the car for changbin. 

the older had told him to wait there as he finished getting ready. they were extremely early to everything. while seungmin worked in two hours, it’d take a while to get to the agency building they attend. 

he’d arrive to work early but seungmin doesn’t mind, he’ll probably bother felix as he waits for his class to start. 

changbin with a collar. seungmin fidgets at the thought. it feels so wrong. in every sense. 

“min.” 

he jumps when changbin taps on the window of the passenger seat. he looks over at the omega with wide eyes, doing his best not to glance at the obvious thing around his neck. 

he focuses on changbin’s face. soft peach eyeshadow on his eyelids, a fading red tint on his small, plump lips. silver earrings dangling and complimenting his outfit. 

“min.” changbin calls again, pointing down at the door. “open it.”

seungmin makes a small noise that resembles an “ah” before unlocking the doors. 

the omega opens the door and gets in. they’re both silent for a while, neither moving to buckle up or do anything but release a simultaneous sigh. 

“thoughts?” changbin asks after their long pause. 

seungmin inhales heavily before sighing, “it feels so wrong.” he laughs awkwardly, “but in a way, it…” he turns to changbin, allowing his eyes to set on the black leather around the omega’s neck. “yeah it feels weird.”

changbin laughs. he feels happy for some reason. “well get familiar with it, i might use it every now and then.”

”i don’t think i will,” seungmin sighs, starting the engine. “you let minho know?”

”absolutely, i told him last night and i reminded him when i finished doing my make up. he said he’s already at his office.”

”this early?” seungmin shakes his head, concerned at the early hours. 

“his shift starts at four actually-“

”oh god-“

they ease into a conversation about who knows what. it’s calming to both of them, the elephant in the car is carefully ignored. 

they have two more traffic lights to pass until they get to the building. changbin carefully listens to what seungmin says with a smile. 

but his heart leaps up his throat when seungmin puts a hand on his lap, the other clearly holding the steering wheel. his eyes dart down to the alpha’s hand, his own inches away from it as they were resting on his lap. 

he feels his face get hot. should he make contact? or stay stiff? 

he glances at seungmin, who starts laughing while continuing on with what he’s saying. changbin isn’t paying attention anymore, really, but he laughs a bit while glancing down at seungmin’s hand again. 

it’s tempting. and changbin learned to give into temptation when it came to seungmin. 

he puts his hand over seungmin’s, thumb grazing over the knuckles. he’s probably sweating from nerves but it doesn’t matter. he’s more happy than anything. 

the alpha paused for a moment to glance at changbin. his own heart hammers in his chest.  

they fall into a comfortable silence the rest of the way. 

“i really don’t know how to feel,” seungmin says once he parks at the front of the building to drop changbin off. 

“i’ll be fine,” changbin assures as he unbuckles. “i don’t know if i’ll be home by the time you get out of work but i’ll text you either way.”

seungmin nods, “be safe…”

changbin smiles, leaning over to kiss the alpha. “love you, see you later.” 

“love you too…” seungmin smiles a bit as changbin gets out of the car. 

he watches the omega walk inside the building before driving off. he sighs heavily, hoping for only the best. 

OCTOBER 16, 2088 6:30 AM (CHANGBIN’S POV)

changbin tries to calm himself down. he’s running everything through his head. 

if he doesn’t accept i just go looking for myself, he thinks as he makes his way through the lobby, busses already started running, the last bus should run before 1 am so i have all day and technically all night. although that might kill seungmin…

he walks up to the reception desk, “i’m here for lee minho.” he tells the lady. 

she smiles and nods, hitting the buzzer to call the agent. 

changbin messed with his bag, please, please agree minho… 

Chapter Text

"ok, send him up here." minho puts the phone down once he accepted to see changbin. 

something feels off though, he's not sure what. as he waits for the omega to come, he sends chan a quick text. 

channie

what are you talking

about? 

me

i'm just  asking you to

tell me how it goes

with seungmin

channie

no i know

but you make it sound

like seungmin is in

my office right now

me

is he not?

channie

no

seungmin is at work right now

is changbin with you?

minho's hands grow cold. seungmin is at work? then how is changbin here? the omega has no alpha or beta family member that can take him places. the only way he can come here is if-

"hey." 

minho looks at the door, taking in exactly what he was worried about. changbin is wearing a collar. 

he tries to act normal, he can't freak out right now. 

"hey, take a seat." he watches changbin do so, "what's up?"

"i know what you're thinking." 

minho tilts his head, a natural pout appearing on his face. "what are you talking about?"

changbin glares at him, "you can hide your emotions well but i've been with you for like five years, i know when you're worried."

minho stares at him before shaking his head, "only you will tell me if you feel like it, i'm not prying anything out of you."

"but you want to."

this is not ok. changbin is too composed right now, which on any other occasion would be great, but not right now. minho can't help but eye the collar before meeting changbin's eyes. that too, changbin's eyes, they have a sad glimmer. 

"fine. what's going on? why are you wearing that? and don't give me the smart answer give me what you came here for."

changbin falters, "i want to see byungsik."

minho blinks. "what?"

"i need to see byungsik, minho. what facility is he in?" 

"i'm not taking you to that psycho." minho glares, concerned and angry that changbin is asking for suck a thing. 

"fine, i'll just go to every prison until i find him." he's about to stand up when minho stops him.

"why!? why do you want to see him!? changbin the whole reason he's in prison is to have him away from you!" minho doesn't understand, what is happening? why is changbin asking such an absurd thing!?

changbin sighs, "that's between me and him. you just need to tell me where he's at." 

"changbin-"

"i can't stand this collar, minho. you either tell me where he's at so i can get this over with or you deny and i spend however long to find him."

minho stares at the omega, worried, angry and defeated. he looks at his own hands, phone clutched between them, screen still open to his and chan's chat. 

channie

are you ok??

do you need me to 

go see you??

minho???

baby are you ok?

is changbin with you?

i have a meeting right

now but if you need

anything you know 

where my office is

me

i'm going out with

changbin for a bit

not sure how long it

will take but if i don't 

get home by 4 pm

i either text you i'll 

be late or you come 

find me

don't worry it's nothing

bad, just something i

have to clear up

i'll tell you about 

it later ok

with a sigh, minho stands up to collect his things. "i'll take you to him..."

changbin watches him. "thanks."

"he's in pohang, so we'll be out all day technically."

"pohang?" changbin frowns, "they moved him?" 

"huh?" minho is confused.

changbin's eyes widen a bit, "nothing, sorry."

the bus rides are long. the whole time they're silent. minho can't stay angry the whole three and a half hours but he can stay upset. the whole time changbin says not a word makes him question the reasoning behind this. 

it's not until they're nearing the prison grounds that he finally breaks the silence. "why do you want to see him?" 

"you'll be with me the whole time, you'll know soon enough." is all changbin says. 

minho watches the omega get up once the bus stops. he can't help but feel empty as he follows changbin. it's been three years since he last saw changbin wear a collar, the sight feels so wrong. 

"here for a visit?" a guard asks when they near the doors. 

minho nods, pulling out his badge from his bag. "i'm from the mating agency."

the guard eyes him, not so subtly, before nodding. "front desk." is all he says before granting them entrance. 

minho sighs, guiding changbin to the front desk. there's an old lady there, hair tied up in a bun. 

"may i help you?"

"we're here to visit."

"what's the prisoners name?"

minho takes a deep breath before uttering the name. "do byungsik."

she does some typing before getting back to him, "just you two?"

"yes." 

"wait is of thirty minutes, you'll have one hour with the prisoner." 

"thank you."

she stands up to guide them to a room. all three of them are silent as they pass inspection, offices and soon get to their destination m. 

"he'll be here shortly." she says as she walks to the door, "there will be a guard outside if you need anything."

minho smiles, nodding. he turns back to changbin when she leaves, surprised to see the omega sitting down  in front of the divider.

"no matter what is said or what happens please don't speak." changbin says, offending minho. "this is between me and him," he turns to the older, expression begging, "please don't interfere."

"ok..." minho grips his bag's strap. 

they're in silence just a bit longer until the door on the other side of the room opens. minho's heart races like he's the one facing byungsik in a few seconds. he glances at changbin, who wipes his hands on his jeans before going to pick up the phone. 

he's nervous. and compared to minho, changbin is probably struggling far more to stay composed. after all, changbin is about to talk to the man that submitted him into hell for six long months.

Chapter Text

"chan," seungmin says as soon as the older picks up, "is changbin still with minho?"

the older is quiet for a moment before replying, "i assume he's not home yet?"

"yeah, he sent me a text around three saying he should home soon but he's not here... "

"minho told me the same."

seungmin sighs, "do you... do you know what they're doing?"

chan sighs as well, "no idea. all i got was a 'i'll be out for a bit, i should be back at four if not come find me' and he didn't even drop his location so... i'm a bit worried."

seungmin says nothing, bouncing his leg nervously as he sits on the living room couch.

"do you want to come over? we can wait for them together, the kids are here too."

"uh," seungmin looks at the clock.

3:30 pm

"yeah, give me the address."

OCTOBER 16, 2088  11:07 AM

"changbin." byungsik says casually but with a hint of amusement as soon as he picks up the phone on his side. "what brings you here."

"i need to talk to you."

"willingly?" byungsik finally looks down at his neck, taking in the black leather collar. "ah, it's that time already?"

changbin nods, never breaking eye contact with the alpha. "i found him."

byungsik smiles, "did you now."

"yeah," he nods again, "he's really sweet, a bit awkward, super shy but can be really bold when he wants. i love him."

"i believe you this time."

"i didn't understand why you didn't the last time." changbin is no longer nervous anymore, a bit jittery, but he's calmer than what he was a few minutes ago. "but i want you to tell me."

"tell you why i didn't believe you?" byungsik continues when he sees changbin nod, "you were his omega at that time, what was his name? chanwoo?"

"yeah."

minho perks up at this. chanwoo? jung chanwoo?

"when a person is devoted and caring to their significant other, they're eyes show the emotions they hide. you came here that day saying you found the one, you had eyes of hatred. understandable, you despise me."

"despised. past tense."

byungsik stares at him before humming in amusement, "i'm glad to hear that." he shrugs and continues, "i was your fourth partner. after our trial i was sent to prison and a year and a half later you appeared. he must have been your seventh, correct?"

"eleventh, the last six didn't make it even two months in."

"yikes." he shakes his head, "well any who, you claimed chanwoo was the one blah blah blah but your eyes told me everything. they told me you were lying, his told me he were bored. he looked accomplished at every lie you said, he boasted it like he didn't hurt you."

"how'd you know that."

byungsik shrugged, "remind me what i did to you."

changbin is silent, not wanting to recall what happened the six months he spent with byungsik. "horrible things." he says.

byungsik laughs, "true. i tied you up and left you to starve for days, made you eat till you threw up and made you clean it up. sometime if i felt like it i'd make you lick it up. i made you lay in bed like a doll until you passed out more times than the last. and so many other things," he glances behind changbin, meeting minho's trembling eyes. "but we'll leave those details to ourselves, no one else could bear to even hear that."

"the point is, changbin," he looks at changbin again, taking in the delicate worried expression the omega held. "i engraved every single aspect of your body and mind into my soul. into my hands. any movement, any breath, any word you said, i knew it. i still do, so i believe you when you say you finally found him. chanwoo? chanwoo was everything you wanted to find. your voice, your eyes and your body told me so. even as you left, you told me everything was a lie you wanted both of us to believe."

"see," changbin leans in, "if you weren't a psycho i would say you sound charming right now."

byungsik laughs, "awe. i'm flattered."

changbin smiles, "this isn't going to be the last time i'm wearing this."

"i'm guessing it's the first time in years?"

"you're correct."

"tell me more about him."

"his name is seungmin."

minho perks up again. he's staring at the back of changbin's head.

"seungmin," byungsik repeats.

changbin nods, he's wearing this grin that byungsik can't help but adore. "you know what he told me the second night i was with him?" he paused to see byungsik give him a questioning look, "he said what's mine is yours."

"romantic."

"but he said it in the most unromantic scene ever, that was the first time he made me feel giddy. he's so funny, i lose track of time when we're together. we never stop teasing each other. i really, really like his voice. because i'm with him i think i can handle almost anything."

and changbin talks. he talks about every little detail he loves about seungmin. he talks and talks to byungsik like the older didn't abuse and torture him for months. he tells these things to byungsik like they're long time friends meeting for the first time in years at a café.

"changbin," byungsik cuts him off after thirty or so minutes.

"hm?"

byungsik smiles, "i'm happy for you."

changbin smiles, "hey, can you tell me one other reason you didn't believe me last time and why you believe me this time?"

"seungmin," byungsik sighs dreamily, like he's the one in love not changbin. "you make my ears bleed with how fond you are of him," he chuckles at changbin's perplexed expression, "that's another reason. you're in love. for real this time. last time you were here was with chanwoo, the only reason he was here is because you needed someone to be with you to go out. now, you're wearing a collar."

changbin's free hand unconsciously comes up to touch the collar.

"that collar, changbin, told me everything the moment i came in here." byungsik never stops smiling, "you came here with the intention of letting me know you found someone who, even if they're absent, makes you feel safe and loved. that is the difference."

there's a silence until byungsik talks again.

"don't cry," he taps the window two times, "even if they're tears of happiness, i have no right to see them."

and changbin can only cry harder.

"i'm a selfish person, changbin." byungsik shakes his head, "i wanted everything of you for myself. i wanted you at your worst, i wanted you at your best. i caused your worst. your best? your best i also wanted to see, that is why, on the day our trial came to an end and i sat there in the living room with you bleeding out, nearing death, i told you that you won't be free of me until you come find me and tell me you're over the trauma i put you through and found someone who makes you feel like you're on cloud nine."

"you're an ass," changbin says between sobs.

"i am." byungsik pulls his hands away, "you asked me that day, pale and cold, why you. do you remember what i said?"

changbin nods, sniffling.

"you're free to go." byungsik puts the phone up, watching changbin's expression.

the omega only smiles before mouthing out a thank you.

byungsik turns away before he sees it.

DECEMBER 12, 2085

"why you?" byungsik repeats as he stares at the door that grants entrance to the house.

he turns to changbin, watching the omega cough out blood and choke on it. he reaches out and rakes his fingers through changbin's sweat drenched hair.

"have you ever heard of unfair imprisonment?"

changbin can't reply, he's busy trying to breathe.

byungsik continues anyway, "it's when someone who has no  authority gives you unjust punishment for something you may or may have not deserved. i'm the authority in question and you are my prisoner. until i tell you you're free to go is when you'll really be free of me."

he pets changbin's hair, careful, "but byungsik," he mimics changbin's frail voice, "you'll be in jail. how come i'll be your prisoner?" he chuckles, "because, my dear changbin, the scars i leave you will chain you. unfair, huh? i apologize."

there is banging on their front door. byungsik smiles, petting changbin continuously. 

"this will get me a life sentence." he leans down, kissing changbin's bloody and cold lips.

more banging.

"but your sentence? it will be short. come tell me when it's over. that is what i ask, not for me."

the door is broken down.

"but for you."

Chapter Text

OCTOBER 15 , 2088 3:38 PM

the ride home was silent. neither said a word until they arrived back inside their city. 

"seungmin is at our house," minho says, dazed, "do you want to get something to eat before getting home?"

changbin turns away from the window to look at him, "can we order to go so we can all eat?" 

"sure, what do you want?" 

they won't talk about the earlier events. there is nothing to say, it was all concluded hours ago. 

and changbin can't wait to see seungmin again.

as they get off at their stop, minho notices changbin's wearing a smile. he vaguely wonders when changbin's smelled so peaceful. a subtle honey that draws minho in. the older settles to grabbing changbin's hand as they walk to a restaurant. 

the shorter is a bit taken aback but grins nonetheless. he giggles when minho begins to swing their hands back and forth. 

he can't wait for tomorrow.

"daddy!" 

two boys run up to minho when they walk inside the house. changbin smiles adoringly at the sight of minho squatting down to hug them and kiss them on their foreheads.  

he looks up to see seungmin and chan, standing in the living room. one thing is certain and it's that both alphas were relieved. 

"changbin, hi," chan grins as he walks up to the four. "these are our kids, jay and jake."

"they're very cute," changbin giggles, taking the waves the two boys give him.  

he feels a lot more at ease when seungmin appears next to him, taking the bag of food from his hands and kisses him on the forehead. "how did it go?"

changbin looks up at the alpha, eyeing every detail of his face. he feels his heart skip a beat at the smell of seungmin's strawberry scent. he only smiles when he feels seungmin's free hand caress his cheek. 

“it went perfectly fine,” changbin says before taking seungmin’s hand and putting the bag of food in it. 

the alpha hums. 

"shall we eat?" minho asks.

"yes," changbin grins, "i'm starving."

"me too." seungmin grins, following minho to the kitchen table. 

when they're finally home, both changbin and seungmin want to drop on the bed but they prioritize  their nightly routine first. 

the alpha is spitting out the toothpaste into the sink and rinses while changbin finishes looking for something to wear for the night. 

"hey, min?" the omega is on the other side of the door when seungmin opens it, "take it off?" changbin asks softly, eyes pleading and scent alluring. 

seungmin's cheeks flush a faint red, he stares at changbin with disbelief before nodding. he swallows, raising his hands to the leather. his fingers twitch at the feeling of the material, he still can't believe that it's real. 

he unstraps it from behind, finding comfort in changbin's sigh of relief when he removes the collar. he drops it to the floor, cupping changbin's face with both hands and leaning in to kiss him. 

the omega smiles into the kiss, arms wrapping around seungmin's waist. 

in no time, he's being pushed against the matress, giggling as seungmin kisses down his neck.  they go no further than that, arms settling around his waist instead. 

"tomorrow," changbin says, cuddling into seungmin. "what will we do tomorrow?"

seungmin smiles, "tomorrow we'll make it official and seal it." 

"tomorrow we'll make it official and seal it," changbin repeats, giggling. "i'm exited."

"me too." seungmin kisses changbin's forehead before shoving him away, "now go brush your teeth."

changbin whines but laughs afterwards. "yeah, yeah."

OCTOBER 16, 2088

"the appointment isn't until one," seungmin yawns, looking at his phone. 

changbin is laying next to him, humming. they're both laying on the bed still, having no energy to get up. seungmin called in saying he'll be absent, which was not really an issue. 

"want to go out to eat?" seungmin asks, "or do we order something?"

"i'd rather we order, i'm too lazy to get dressed right now." changbin scoots closer to seungmin, rolling over to hug his arm and throw a leg over the alpha's stomach. 

seungmin hums, opening the ordering app. 

changbin looks up at his future mate, smiling adoringly at how cute the alpha looks with his glasses and fluffy hair. 

"what?" seungmin smiles, a bit cocky, without sparing the omega a glance.

"what about what?" changbin questions, diverting his eyes to the phone screen. 

"you smell happy," seungmin chuckles, "a little too happy."

"eh, and you're not?" changbin huffs, grinning. "you stink with happiness." he takes off a hand off seungmin and pokes the alpha's side. "and nervous."

"correction, i'm exited," seungmin states bluntly.

changbin laughs, "awe, you're so cute minnie."

seungmin ignores the given, "food will be here in thirty, ima go shower." he says, setting his phone on the nightstand.  

"don't leave me," changbin whines, gripping the alpha's arm tightly.

"hm," seungmin stays still for a moment, giving in for a second before offering something. "what if we shower together?"

changbin thinks, unsure if he's up for seungmin's playfulness in the shower. he decides he could care less, after all he (almost) always gets an upper hand. 

"sure," changbin grins, letting go of the alpha. 

"mk, let's try to hurry before the food gets here."

"yeah yeah," changbin happily follows the alpha.

Chapter Text

"and sign here."

the mated agents watched the soon to be mates as they signed the papers. they watched fondly, happy that yet another trial has come to an end. 

"perfect," chan smiled as they handed back the forms, "here is your certificate, you're free to have a mating ceremony or not have one at all, but if you do please invite us."

"you act like we won't see each other again," changbin hums, watching minho's awfully happy expression. 

"it's up to you," minho shrugs, unable to suppress his smile. 

"i know where you live." seungmin stated blatantly, making everyone laugh. 

"of course we'll invite you to the mating ceremony." changbin sighs, "we were talking about it earlier during breakfast."

"already?" chan sighs dreamily, "can't wait then."

"you're free to leave now," minho smiles wider, "we'll stay in touch."

changbin stands up, smiling. "right."

"well, see you around then." 

as soon as changbin and seungmin left the office, chan squealed out of happiness. he clung to his mate, shaking him happily.

minho only giggled. 

the two, now, couple made their stop at felix and hyunjin's, exited to tell the couple the news. to their surprise, jeongin and jisung were there.

"shit, should we come another time?" seungmin asks as changbin waves awkwardly but happily at the alpha couple. 

"no, no!" felix waves his hands and shakes his head in denial. "please sit! actually, i'm happy you two came! not like i never am but this saves us lots of time!"

"for?" changbin sits down next to jisung, seungmin following suit.

the four sit patiently and curiously on the couch. they watch how hyunjin adjusts a camera and felix rushes to take two envelopes from the beta’s free hand. 

"here! open them!" he hands it to the separate couples, "one for each couple."

jisung hums, taking it and waiting for changbin to open it first before doing so. they all glance at what's inside, intrigued by what it could be. 

"a picture," seungmin states as changbin pulls out a-

"no way!" jisung screams, "you're pregnant!?" 

felix grins, nodding happily. he laughs when jisung shoves the picture and envelope to jeongin, running to hug the freckled omega. 

"congrats felix," jeongin smiles, looking at what else is inside the envelope.

"so these are invitations to your baby shower?" seungmin asks when changbin hands him the picture and invite. 

"yeah," hyunjin walks up to felix's side. 

"this is really cute," changbin gawks at the invite design, "it's two weeks from now?"

"yup!" felix grins, leaning into his mate as soon as jisung runs back to jeongin. 

"well, congrats," seungmin smiles, looking at the expecting couple. "hopefully we're next."

changbin slaps the alpha's arm, laughing awkwardly. "this is about them, hush."

"we don't mind," hyunjin laughs, wincing at how loud and painful the slap looked. it didn't help that seungmin hissed, smiling through the pain while rubbing the spot. 

"speaking of which," jeongin mentions, "wasn't today the last day for you two?"

felix gasps, "that's right! what time is your appointment?"

changbin smiles, "you see, about that..."

seungmin looked away, not looking too happy. the mood shifted in the four, concerned.

"has your decision... changed?" jisung asked, furrowing his brows. 

as seungmin seemed unwilling to explain, they all looked to changbin. the omega had a sour expression, making them frown. 

"bin? what happened?" felix asked, worried. 

there's no way they decided to go separate ways. felix wasn't going to allow that. if he had to do some sorcery or witchcraft to get them to stay together then so be it! (he's joking... he thinks...)

"i'm afraid to tell you all i'm stuck with him for the rest of my life. there was no other way," he says with a sigh, "it had to be this way."

the pause, the words sinking slowly as their brains decipher that the tone changbin used was only to mess with them. the news was good.

"WHY ARE YOU TWO PLAYING WITH ME!" felix sobs, "i seriously thought the worst of the worst!" he whines, "and i mean it! for a moment i thought you two were separating!"

jisung nods, "yeah!"

"and that i had to do some witchcraft to get you two together again!"

"yeah!" jisung pauses, "wait no." he shakes his head.

changbin and seungmin burst into laughter. 

jeongin chuckles, "well, two good news. interesting."

"would you two like to add to the score?" hyunjin teased.

jisung raises his hand, nodding. 

"eh? we have one?" jeongin questioned, genuinely curious.

"aside from the ceremony taking place in a week, as you know, that's old news. but i have something good to say," jisung says calmly, making everyone raise a brow. he grins, "I GOT SOME GOOD DICK LAST NIGHT!"

"jisung!" jeongin yells, blushing and shoving his lover off his lap. 

changbin wheezes, "i suppose that's good, he's in high spirits."

"same dick for the rest of my life," jisung beams proudly, "i will forever be in high spirits. 

"jisung..." jeongin groans, face in his hands. 

everyone laughs adoringly at the couple. 

"in any case, lots of good things to come in the next few months," hyunjin recaps. "mating ceremony," he points at jeonsung, "baby shower," he gestures felix, "and hopefully the other mating ceremony." he grins at seungbin.

"not any time soon but yes," changbin smiles. 

"well," felix claps his hands happily, "are you guys down to go out to eat?"

"definitely!"

"cheers to our futures!" hyunjin says, raising his glass.

"cheers!" everyone clinks their cups together, grinning.

seungmin places a hand on changbin's thigh as they down the drink. the omega turns to him as he sets his empty glass down on the table.

they share a smile.

just as they share their lives. 

changbin places his hand on top of seungmin's, beaming the rest of the night.

Chapter Text

JANUARY 20, 2089

the last few months had been eventful indeed. changbin smiles at the memory of jisung and jeongin's ceremony as he stares at the picture the shorter alpha sent him.

felix's baby shower had also been very fun and he dare say he's equally exited of the pup to come. 

speaking of pup, yeonjun's pup seriously gives changbin baby fever. felix only adds on to it. while yeonjun had the baby a while ago, he'd only recently began to see the pup often.

actually, changbin is pretty upset that everyone he knows seems to have pups already (or at least expecting one) be because wooyoung said yeosang is pregnant. the baby shower will be in a few months.

deep down he reasons that it's still too soon for him and seungmin to have pups. plus, he also wants to enjoy seungmin to the best he can before dividing his attention and dedicating his time and love to a pup as well. 

he can tell seungmin thinks the same, why else had they silently agreed to wait? 

at least changbin is happy with the fact seungmin wants him to be the mother to their pups. 

another thing, he's suppressed his desires and thoughts for a pup with the ceremony arrangements. the invited had been given out a week ago and now they're simply waiting for the day. 

revising over the details is something he has to do often until the last moment, which he doesn't mind. he's over the moon with the decorations he and minho picked and the venue is courtesy of hyunjin and felix. 

"you should have added a dress code," hyunjin says as they share a meal. 

"nah, why would i? i don't care as long as it looks like something," changbin smiles. 

hyunjin hums, "are your parents attending?"

changbin nods, "yup! so is my sister, i'm pretty exited to see them again."

"you haven't seen them since you married seungmin?" hyunjin blinks, surprised.

"nope," the omega shakes his head, "but i called them, have been every now and then." 

they continue their meal in silence for a few moments. while their respective mates were not around, it was chosen to be that way. changbin wanted to talk with hyunjin over something more specific. more sensitive. 

"seungmin had told you about his relationship with his parents, right?" 

hyunjin glances at him, swallowing his salad. "yeah, why?"

"i just... feel weird with just inviting my parents. i kind of wanted to invite his as well... the probability of them not attending would still be low even if they get an invite but at least we had tried, you know?"

the beta sighs through his nose and he messes with the croissant in his bowl. "what i say isn't exactly how seungmin would be but it would be sort of. i have the same relationship with my parents... sort of? they hate felix... since he's a foreigner and all. they were never happy about him being my mate, still aren't but they attended our ceremony. i was pretty happy but they still treated felix badly. sure, they love and adore me but when it came to felix, it's like he was just a spec of dust in the air. i see it unfair that they can love me and hate my mate, you know? i think seungmin wouldn't be happy inviting his parents when they treated him so badly. i think he imagines the worst for his mate."

changbin pouts, "i mean, i guess... i can bear certain things and phrases, i don't get shaken so easily but i'd still like to try..."

"is his sister going?"

"yeah, she definitely is. and her family."

"then why not leave it at that?" 

changbin sighs, "because when i asked min if we should invite his parents, he looked thoughtful. he considered it and he looked like he was about to accept until he changed last minute... i feel like deep down he wants to... but he's scared."

hyunjin hums, "i figured... i mean, i was pretty scared to invite my parents to the baby shower... and it's been like two years or so since they've been around felix? i've always hated their behavior around him, so maybe seungmin hates their behavior and prefers not to expose you to that. you know?"

changbin pouts, humming in understanding. 

"but if you want to invite them make sure you do it with him..."

"no, i know..." 

hyunjin finally eats the croissant, "look, just talk to him. i promise there's no harm in that."

"i suppose."

"anyway, let's keep shopping," hyunjin raises his hand for the bill. "we definitely need to get seungmin something he'll use."

"he's pretty picky actually," changbin snorts, smiling.

"oh i know." hyunjin smiles back. 

when changbin gets back home, he immediately takes off his collar. he sighs happily, making his way to the kitchen when he hears movement in there. to his amusement, seungmin is putting away dishes.

"minnie, i'm home," he announces, setting the things on the table before running to hug the alpha from behind. 

"no shit," seungmin smiles, closing the cabinet. "did you eat?"

"yeah, i brought some snacks though," changbin let's go of seungmin so he can pull out the boxes of muffins and other pastries. "by the way, we haven't gone to get the rings."

"i thought we were doing that tomorrow," seungmin says.

"eh? when did we agree on that?" changbin furrows his brows.

"just now," seungmin grins, making changbin rolls his eyes.

"funny, but i guess that's okay," changbin smiles, taking the second bag with him to the bedroom. 

he makes sure he hides the present he bought seungmin in his drawer. he acts like he's hiding nothing when the alpha walks in. 

"felix told me he's going to take you to get the outfits tomorrow in the evening," he says as he puts his phone to charge.

"mm, yeah we're doing that," changbin changes into something more comfortable, making sure he puts his collar and previous clothes away. "hey, min," he starts as he sits down on the bed. "do you... do you really not want to invite your parents?"

the alpha looks at him blankly, almost lost before moving to sit next to him. "uh," he pauses momentarily, "why the question."

changbin shrugs, "just... you looked like you thought about it when i asked the first time... it doesn't hurt to try, you know..."

seungmin huffs softly, nodding. "i know... i just... don't know if i'm exactly ready to see them. i guess i'm just scared they'll ruin the big day."

"you'd have every right to kick them out if they cause a scene, you know."

"mm, true..." seungmin sighs, "well, i mean... i guess you're right... no harm in trying... i still care for them, despite everything they did and said. i just don't think i can love them again, you know?"

changbin nods, leaning onto the alpha's shoulder as the other speaks.

"i asked my sister if it was a good idea and she said it's up to me. i just... don't want to do it alone."

"and who said i'll let you go alone?" changbin huffed. 

seungmin chuckles, grinning. "eh, fair enough." he tilts his head and rests it on changbin's. "we can go the day after tomorrow... the sooner the better..."

"if you're certain this is what you want, then alright."

"yeah... i mean... as long as they're not hostile to you, then it will be okay."

changbin smiles sadly, saying nothing further.

JANUARY 22, 2089

deep breaths are what seungmin has been taking the second they got inside the car. 

he still remembers his way home, how could he not. his hands were sweating so much he was scared the steering wheel would slip from his grasp and cause an accident. thankfully his nerves where making him grip the wheel in fear like his life depended on it. (which it did and so did changbin's.)

"we'll be okay," changbin says softly when they pull into the driveway. "calm down... if they don't open the door to us, it's not the end of the world. if they turn the invitation down, it's okay."

"and if they start to insult us?"

"both you and i have had our fair shares of that, it's not the end of the world."

seungmin smiles weakly, nodding. 

he takes a deeper breath before exiting the car with changbin. his hart is hammering in his chest and he's certain his scent is spiking. 

when changbin takes his free hand in his, he relaxes a bit. he's thankful changbin is the one that knocks and rings the doorbell. the last being for extra measure. 

it's a painful moment. seungmin might pass out if they actually open the door. he doesn't want changbin to experience hostility so early in the day. (it's actually twelve but they woke up at ten). he doesn't want changbin to see him snap but if it comes to it he won't hold back and-

"seungmin," the door opens, revealing a woman with an amused expression. "what brings you here?"

"h-hi," he stammers, clearing his throat when he feels changbin squeeze his hand reassuringly, "uh, this- this is for you and dad. it's an invitation to our ceremony." he hands out the invite, cursing when his hand trembles.

"ceremony?" the woman glances at changbin, as if the shorter wasn't standing there since the beginning. "ah, you're mating ceremony. i'm guessing this is him? changbin, if i'm correct?"

changbin smiles a bit, "yes, nice to meet you, mrs.kim."

seungmin feels dumbfounded when she smiles back. he feels... lost. confused. and slightly happy.

"why don't you come in? your father is in the living room, let's talk there." she pauses, "or are you in a rush?"

"no!" he blushes, "we'll go in..."

changbin says nothing, hoping seungmin gets over his nerves. 

"then come inside."

the house is just how seungmin remembers it. deep down he misses it, but when he comes face to face with his father, he feels a bit intimidated. changbin must have been too because the omega squeezed his hand for both of them. 

"seungmin?" his father sat up, "who's this?" he asks when the two sit across from them on the couch made for two. "actually, what brings you here?"

"seungmin is getting mated," his mother says, sitting next to him. "can you believe it? that's his omega."

that sounded like it should hurt, seungmin thinks. 

"mmm," the man eyes changbin, who offers a polite smile. "you know... we heard you were holding a ceremony. not from your sister, some friends that work at the university."

"ah," seungmin awkwardly nods. 

"he gave us an invite," his mom says, holding out the card that she accepted when they walked in. 

the man glances down at it before looking at seungmin. "you do realize we don't really want anything to do with you, correct? much less your mate."

seungmin grips changbin's hand, his eye twitching. 

changbin's breath hitches when he feels it, it's a bit painful but it's nothing he can't handle. he's here for and with seungmin. 

"but it seems you still consider us so we will do our part and attend your ceremony," the man nods, accepting. "because you did your part as a son and we'll do our part as your parents."

it's something. seungmin will take it. 

"thank you," he mumbles. 

and they leave without a word.

Chapter Text

JANUARY 30 , 2089

it's finally the day. 

changbin and seungmin woke up in order to eat breakfast and enjoy their early morning (around 8:30 to 11:30) before separating for the rest of the day until evening comes. 

while seungmin was out with hyunjin, chan and the alpha couple, changbin was with felix, minho and yeonjun. 

(CHANGBIN'S FOCUS)

"he gave you this?" yeonjun eyes the gold ring that changbin showed off.

"mhm, he gave it to me before dropping me off," changbin grins, the tips of his ears a soft red when yeonjun eyes him.

"how cute! are you wearing this for the ceremony?" felix asks.

"i think so, it's super pretty." changbin looks at yeonjun, hoping he gets an opinion.

yeonjun hums, "i'm sure he gave it to you for that exact reason. plus, it would go well with your outfit."

changbin grins, "you think so?"

"duh," yeonjun smiles, "anyway, felix when is the stylist coming?" 

"jongho? he said he'll be here at two." felix looks at the clock, "we have plenty of time left to go over the event."

"still reserved?"

"yup."

"food for one hundred people?" 

"yep."

changbin zones out as his friends continue revisions. he wonders if everything will go as well as he dreams. there's excitement and anxiety. 

"oi," minho calls out, dragging in a rack. "the outfits arrived." 

felix squealed, "binnie, come on!"

the older hums, getting up to follow.

"we'll be at the venue at four, right?" minho asks as he watches them look at what he brought in. 

"the goal is four," changbin chuckles. "we kind of wanted to be early, but everyone will start to arrive at five or so."

"mm," minho hands changbin yellow flower, "the lady at the store said someone requested her to give that to you."

"awe," changbin grins, "he's so sweet."

"and corny."

"hush."

"now i'm doubting if this looks good on me," yeonjun's voice reaches changbin's ears. 

the two turn to felix and yeonjun, who are holding out the matching outfits and looking in the mirror. while changbin will be wearing something different, minho, felix and yeonjun decided to match. the outfits consisted of a white turtle neck with black dress pants that had gold embroidery on the back and front pockets. it was simple and fancy. 

"eh, you're tall and curvy, you look fine." changbin huffs, raising a brow. 

yeonjun hums, pouting a bit. "i suppose."

while minho and felix converse on their own, changbin spends a few minutes to remind yeonjun that pregnancy postpartum weight is not bad and he doesn't look ugly. because "soobin would love you either way and you know that". and "yeah, you're right, how can he not love me. i'm hot." and changbin holds back his eye roll.

by the time jongho comes by, changbin's nerves are starting to settle further. music was merely a distraction from his emotions as jongho did their makeup. 

when the clock strikes four thirty, they were rushing out felix's house.

"collar?" minho yells, making sure everyone has the item around their necks. he touches his own despite knowing it's on.

"i hate these things," changbin murmurs as he straps his on. "and in pre-heat it feels suffocating."

mating ceremonies between and alpha and omega typically require the omega to be in pre-heat. the alpha could be in pre-rut but normally alpha's are territorial or extremely unsocial and uncomfortable during pre-rut. changbin wanted to be on his pre-heat for their ceremony and they decided to use a rut inducing medicine for seungmin to use later that night. 

yet, changbin is regretting being in pre-heat for the ceremony since the collar has to be on the whole night despite seungmin being there. 

"well bear with it," minho huffs, closing the car door once everyone is inside. "it's for our safety as long as there's no alpha or beta around."

"i know, i know," changbin grunts, tugging at the leather. 

(SEUNGMIN'S FOCUS)

"your parents are coming?" hyunjin is both shocked and concerned. 

seungmin nods, "me and changbin went to give them the invite a few days ago."

"eh?" hyunjin frowns, "how did it go? did they treat you okay? how did they treat changbin?"

"not much to say, they kind of blew us off? sort of? i mean, my mom seemed a bit happy to see me. my dad was a bit contradicting." seungmin shrugs, "i doubt they'll make a scene of sorts but as long as changbin doesn't get hurt i don't care."

hyunjin sighs softly, "well... i'm sure the ceremony will go well. you just focus on the fact changbin and you have a night to enjoy and celebrate."

"i'm trying," seungmin manages a small smile. 

"man, i just know changbin is going to to look amazing," jisung sighs dreamily, "felix gave a few details of their outfits and i can't wait!"

"will you two exchange vows?" chan asks, sitting down after he and the alpha couple came back to the living room after going over a few details. 

"nah, we're keeping the thing short and simple, changbin thinks vows are private and intimate and i agree." 

"i thought you'd be in pre-rut," jeongin comments.

seungmin shakes his head, "but changbin is in pre-heat..."

they all tease him, enjoying how he turns beet red and barks out nasty remarks. they're adoring how happy seungmin is. for sure, they hope the happiness doesn't disappear. 

when the time to get dressed arrives, they're scrambling around. 

"ready?" chan asks when they're clumsily getting inside the limo. 

"sure," seungmin smiles. 

the ceremony was starting off well. most of the people invited had already arrived and changbin and seungmin were still in different sections of the building. the couple didn't see each other until chan confirmed that enough people have arrived for them to start. 

it was a smooth process. jitters here and there but knowing that this was just the start of their new chapter, they could only grin and await.

"i pronounce you alpha and omega, you may now kiss your mate." 

seungmin grins shyly, cupping up changbin's face to deliver a soft and warm kiss on changbin's lips. the omega giggles when they pull apart and they both blush at the cheers and claps from their public. 

"congratulations," chan hugs them both when they get down from the altar. 

"thank," changbin grins, accepting minho's hug when the older alpha let's them go. 

"now go dread the fact you invited people because now you'll spend almost an hour greeting and chatting with them," minho says an excuse to see them later. 

seungmin snorts, taking changbin's hand as they go do just that. it was really draining but they won't deny that they were having fun seeing familiar faces and being congratulated. 

dread seungmin did because he had forgotten he invited his ex-students, who he's proud to say graduated with the best scores, that kept complimenting changbin and exposing how much of a simp he is when he talks about the omega. he supposes seeing changbin blush and get shy (yet smug at some point) was worth it. 

meeting changbin's parents weren't as nerve wrecking as when they went to give them the ceremony invite. seungmin found warmth in them and mrs.seo is an absolute sweetheart. 

everything was fine and lax until it came to greet seungmin's family. yes, his sister was sweet and embarrassing but it was halfway chatting with her that seungmin realized he hasn't seen his parents. he wanted to ask but when he was about to pull her aside to do so, his parents appeared out of nowhere. and late. 

they didn't even say much, simply greeted and handed seungmin an envelope before sitting down at his sister's table and indulging with their grandchildren.

it wasn’t upsetting. not at all. 

“hungry?” changbin asks when everything is finally settled down. 

seungmin hums, nodding. “a bit.”

“share a plate with me?” 

“sure,” seungmin chuckles when changbin beams at his acceptance.

seungmin stares at the letter before crumbling it up. he wants to cry out of anger but he takes a few deep breathes when he hears changbin come out of the restroom. 

"i think my heat's starting," changbin whines, "i thought it'd take a little longer."

seungmin throws the balled paper into the trash can before turning to smile at changbin. "you make it sound like that's bad."

changbin blushes, averting his eyes as he dries his hair with the towel. "it's not... but you're going to bite me, min, i'm nervous."

"and exited," seungmin inhales deeply, teasing changbin about his scent. 

"yah!" changbin throws the towel at him, hitting him in the face. 

"comfortable?" seungmin asks, brushing changbin's sweat damp locks out of his eyes.

the omega is laying on top of him, momentarily satiated with a knot inside him. seungmin did his best to stay in a compromising position, where the pillows act as a wall and hoist him up enough for changbin to rest on top of him without discomfort. 

it's currently two in the morning. while the ceremony was draining, with both of them in their cycle's it's like their previous exhaustion evaporated. 

"mm, very comfortable," changbin sighs happily, nuzzling his nose against seungmin's scent gland. "but not content."

"mm?" seungmin looks at him questioningly, "is something missing?"

"alpha bit me but i want to bite alpha," changbin pouts, making puppy eyes at his alpha. 

seungmin blinks, unsure if his wolf is happy with that. "i'm not stopping you," seungmin chuckles, "just wait for the next wave to hit, hm?"

"really?" changbin smiles, his eyes sparkling. 

"mm, really," seungmin grins, kissing his omega. 

"water," changbin mumbles after the kiss, reaching over and looking for a bottle of water under a pillow. 

they finish the bottle amongst the both of them. (while seungmin denied the bottle at first, changbin doesn't take no for an answer.) then the next wave hit and changbin wastes no time to bite down in the juncture between seungmin's neck and shoulder while he grinds down on the alpha. his teeth rip the skin, causing seungmin to hiss.

seungmin whines, hands gripping changbin's thighs where his blunt nails dig into the soft flesh, while his mate licks over the wound. changbin hums happily, sitting back to admire the red, throbbing wound. there's a metallic taste in his mouth after licking the blood away but the wound is no longer bleeding, which is a good sign.

"now we match!" changbin nods proudly. 

"w-was it this painful when i bit you?" seungmin heaves, still not softening his grip. 

changbin laughs, "here, let me distract you, alpha~" 

seungmin relaxes when changbin peppers his face with kisses. he's a bit content with the distraction, rutting his hips up into changbin. when changbin starts whining softly, they enter another frenzy. 

the alpha slams into him, pain from his bite long forgotten. a loud gasp escaped the omega— happily awaiting another knot from his alpha. he pulls out to the tip before pushing back in again, earning a loud whimper from the omega when both a gush of slick and seungmin's cum from their previous round elicits a lewd sound.

seungmin set a hard and fast rhythm, relishing the frantic hiccups that changbin lets out as his growing knot stretched open the omega's walls.

changbin's thighs tremble beside seungmin's hips. the alpha takes his hand, intertwining their fingers before pressing it next to changbin's head. changbin is so beautiful that seungmin can't help but want to mark and praise. 

he definitely doesn't let anything stop him. after all, this is his mate. 

a/n because idk how to link things in the notes ; 

while neither of these are fancy or elegant. in this fic, the couple wear their most expensive pieces of cloths and jewelry to their ceremony.

seungmin - inclusion of red , which is worn for luck, stability and passion. they want the best for and with their omega, so even a speck of red would be significant.

 changbin - inclusion of yellow, which is worn for pride, happiness and longevity. it's also considered a color of flame, which defined the omegas as torches so they could bring light and warmth to their new home(s).