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Baekhyun had never particularly stood out. He went to lecture, kept a steady GPA and kept to himself. He didn’t experience the dorm life, seeing as he lived in a college town. No one really invited him out either.
That was until his third year.
Baekhyun, like most twenty year olds, felt burned out too fast, too quickly. He had grown weary of his reclusive lifestyle, especially since it felt like everyone else was partying and hooking up.
Not that Baekhyun specifically… wanted that but he felt it was time to live a little.
It took courage, much more than he thought it would, to insert himself into a conversation between three students; Kim Jongin, Kim Jongdae and Oh Sehun. Usually the loudest and most vibrant of people. Baekhyun was soon swept up his feet by devious, friendly smiles and promises of a fun night at some frat party.
____
“So that’s what you look like without your hoodie!” Jongdae calls out, wrapping an arm around Baekhyun’s shoulders.
Baekhyun feels his face grow warm, his shoulders pressed together. He decided to forgo his usual jeans and hoodie combination for loose, wide legged pants, an oversized pastel sweater with some rings his sister gifted him a while back.
“Let’s go, losers!” Sehun yells from the passenger seat of a rather beat up car.
Baekhyun slides into the passenger door along with Jongdae on his side. Sehun mumbles something while fiddling with the radio. Jongin greets him half-heartedly before revving up the engine.
The speakers start to blast off some old punk rock music that surprised Baekhyun but found himself liking. Maybe he’ll ask for the station later.
Jongin is surprisingly a good driver but Baekhyun did see him occasionally sipping from a beer can. He didn’t say anything but kept a close eye on how many times Jongin drinks. The three chat amongst themselves (how they can hear each other over the blasting music is beyond him) until Sehun rolls down the window and lights a cigarette.
“Ugh put that out!” Jongdae whines. “I hate the smell of smoke.”
“Yeah Sehun, I don’t want Kyungsoo smelling that shit on me,” Jongin yells. “He’s too sensitive.”
Sehun lowers the volume and snorts. “Jongin shut up, Kyungsoo literally does pot every week.”
“That’s different, dumbass.”
Sehun rolls his eyes and takes a quick inhale from the cigarette. He aims the smoke out the window before flicking the stick outside. “You owe me one.”
The music goes up again. Baekhyun keeps his gaze outside of the passenger window. While he never would have said anything, he’s glad Sehun put out the cigarette. He can’t stand the smell, too many memories of his mom.
Because Baekhyun thought the party would be from a frat of their own university, he expected a short car ride. But after ten minutes, he realizes that they were going further into town.
He leans towards Jongdae, “Where's the party at?”
Jongdae turns to him with sparkling eyes. “On wolf territory.”
____
The second Jongin pulls up to the party Baekhyun feels out of place. But he really has no choice but to go along with it; he’s already here.
The inside of the one-story home is what anyone would expect from a frat party; crowds of people talking or drinking adamantly, all types of alcohol being offered and drunk. The lights are dim and the music is loud.
Baekhyun notices, however, that the atmosphere is tangent to something. As if everyone is very much aware of themselves. He takes a moment to observe everyone, brown eyes taking in a fury of movement.
There are those who act… normal, and there are those who seem sensitive to everything and everyone; occasional deep breaths, constantly looking around, recognizant of the existence of everyone else.
They must be wolves, Baekhyun thinks to himself. He makes a mental note to avoid them. He has nothing against the Moon People, they have done so much for society and are generally known to be kind and generous. But he knows how sensitive and territorial they can be.
Baekhyun just wants to make it through this night. He already feels uncomfortable. It’s not because of anything particular, he’s just so used to a different setting.
“—he literally said he was by the tv— oh!” Jongin’s voice rises above the noise. He smiles and waves his arm. “Kyungsoo! Babe!”
Baekhyun watches as the crowd seems to part for who could only be Kyungsoo— well built, black hair and heart shaped lips stretched into a lazy smile.
“Was the drive okay?” Kyungsoo asks Jongin but doesn’t seem to care for an answer because he reaches up and brings the other down for a kiss. The drink in his hand spills a little.
Sehun rolls his eyes and walks into the crowd. Jongdae turns to Baekhyun and yells, “I would introduce you but, well I’m pretty sure they’re gonna find a room. They haven’t seen each other in a week and Kyungsoo is an alpha.” Jongdae shrugs. “You know how it is. Let's get something to drink.”
Baekhyun doesn’t know. He’s never had a boyfriend much less one who was an alpha.
Noticing Jongdae moving at a surprisingly fast speed, Baekhyun tries to follow quickly, keeping his arms pressed to his side and trying to keep to himself. But in an attempt to avoid a girl who threw her head back while laughing, he bumps into someone.
“Oh— sorry!” Baekhyun says, taking a step back.
His eyes catch on the silhouette before him; a broad back and wide strong shoulders covered in a football jersey that read Park above 61 . Baekhyun’s heart stumbles as the person, the man, turns around within the dim light and electric atmosphere.
Baekhyun’s heart does its final pirouette when he looks up and catches the dark, fierce gaze of the most handsome man he has ever seen. His wide, brown eyes are eager to take everything in, jumping from feature to feature in a desperate need to know this person; to forever engrave the rugged line of a nose, the rising of cheek bones, the blooming of plush lips.
A few seconds into this initial entrancement, Baekhyun realizes that the dark gaze is studying him as well.
A blush begins to bloom on his cheeks, a mixture of embarrassment and being overwhelmed. The student breaks eye contact immediately, what the hell has gotten into him?!
“Excuse me…” Baekhyun mumbles, trying to step to the side. But the man, the true reincarnation of Eros, steps aside as well, effectively blocking him.
Refusing to look up, Baekhyun steps to the other side of the man but is once again blocked. Flustered, the brunette opens his mouth to say something when a large hand is suddenly reaching for his wrist.
Baekhyun is being pulled through the crowd within a flurry of a second. When his brain registers what is happening, he attempts to pull his hand away. Because the grip on him is surprisingly gentle, he is able to get loose.
But then the tall, handsome man makes a deep sound, a growl almost before snatching Baekhyun’s wrist once more. The poor brunette can do nothing but allow himself to be dragged through the party; for even though the long, thick fingers on his wrist are gentle in their touch, he doesn’t want to invoke another deep, exasperated growl.
He is led to a room in the house. The football player pushes the door rather forcefully, rattling it on its hinge. He takes three steps in before stopping suddenly. Baekhyun nearly crashes his nose against the muscular back, wrist still held.
“Get out.” The man says into the room, his voice on edge yet so devastatingly deep.
Wide, brown irises catch sudden movement as a pair rushes out of the room. Baekhyun bites his bottom lip as the man closes the door.
“Um—” Baekhyun tries to say but then the other turns, pinning him underneath the dark desperate gaze again.
“Are you in heat?” The man asks, letting go of Baekhyun's wrist and placing his palms against the door on the side of the smaller’s head. The action causes them to be closer.
“What?” Baekhyun asks, his head forlorn of any thoughts other than the feeling of hard, cool wood against his back and the chaotic flickering within the strangers eyes.
“You aren’t an omega?”
“No!”
The taller continues to gaze at him, the chaos in his eyes settling into a tender shade. “So you’re human? Shit, I must have scared you. Sorry it’s just—” He inhales shakily. “You smell so good . Fuck, you’re so pretty.”
Everything about this is so weird to Baekhyun, and while some things are making slight sense, that doesn’t change the fact that he is pinned in between the muscular arms of a total stranger!
“I’m Chanyeol.” The man quips, leaning in slightly. “What’s your name, puppy?”
Baekhyun gawks at him but he forces himself to say, “Could back off a little? You’re really close…”
“Right, right, sorry.” Chanyeol murmurs, bringing his arms to his side but still standing rather close. The proximity isn't something Baekhyun wants to let go of, so he says nothing.
“I’m Baekhyun.” The brunette says rather shyly, still somewhat confused.
“Baekhyun.” Chanyeol murmurs, his voice catching onto a puncture within the depth of his tone.
The other blushes heavily, unused to having his name being said so tenderly. The moment suddenly feels heavy, burdened by something substantial but Baekhyun can’t put his finger on it.
There is a moment of silence before Baekhyun clears his throat and looks away. He doesn’t quite know what to do. He doesn’t feel like asking Chanyeol for the reason of being dragged in the room. Something tells him it’s very substantial.
“Should…” Baekhyun looks up at Chanyeol from underneath his eyelashes. “...we get back to the party?”
The football player blinks. He swallows, his Adam's apple moving and his eyes flickering further down. The gaze lingers for a moment at that certain place just below the nose, and Baekhyun feels heat rising within him for some reason.
“Chanyeol?” Baekhyun prompts softly.
A distorted gaze locks onto the brunette once more. “Of course.” Chanyeol exhales rather shakily. “Whatever you want. Always.”
Baekhyun’s heart unexpectedly folds within itself with those words.
____
Baekhyun feels Chanyeol’s stare on his back as he serves himself some punch (though it probably contains more alcohol than the fruity drink).
After the encounter inside the room, the human at first chalked it up as some sort of misunderstanding that has to do with wolf instincts. But then he noticed that Chanyeol kept following him as he made his way through the crowds of people. Baekhyun isn’t really weirded out, just very confused.
Baekhyun tentatively takes a sip and grimaces, resisting the urge to spit out the drink. Yep, that’s pure alcohol.
The red solo cup is snatched from his hand and Baekhyun once again looks up to a handsomely sculpted face and a fiery gaze.
“Try this.” Chanyeol murmurs, handing over a chilled bottle of a light yellow liquid.
Baekhyun accepts it, only because it's still sealed and the label says it has strawberry concentrate. He twists the lip and takes a small sip.
“Mmm!” The human exclaims when a sweet taste spills into his mouth. Alcohol is still the main factor but it’s more bearable. Baekhyun turns to Chanyeol and smiles. “Thank you.”
The Alpha does that thing he had done earlier in the room; he looks fixedly at Baekhyun, his eyes a shade of darkness that resembles reverence. As though he has seen something moving, like a fresh sunrise.
Baekhyun takes another sip, wondering how to go about this. It seems like he’s going to be trailed after all night; might as well make small talk.
“So, you’re a wolf?”
Chanyeol immediately stands straighter, pushing his broad shoulders back. “I’m an Alpha.”
The human smiles encouragingly. “That’s nice.”
“I’m one of the strongest in my pack, only second to Head Alpha.” Chanyeol says, his words heavy with some hidden meaning.
But because Baekhyun isn’t really versed in Moon People culture and customs, he just widens his smile. “That’s very impressive.”
Something Baekhyun said must have pleased Chanyeol because the alpha positively beams. It’s a boyish sight of dimples seeping into smooth skin. How unfair it is, for this person to be so handsome.
“You play football?” Baekhyun asks, taking another sip. He tries not to stare too much at the broad silhouette before him.
“Yeah, division one.”
The brunette doesn’t know what that means but decides to keep the conversation flowing. Even though they’re basically shouting over the music, something is edging Baekhyun on to keep talking, to keep this man's attention as long as possible. It’s already a wonder someone like Chanyeol is speaking to someone like him .
“What position are you?” Not like Baekhyun can tell the difference anyway.
Chanyeol’s gaze flickers a little. “Linebacker.”
Not quite knowing how to respond, the brunette bites the inside of his cheek. He’s desperate to be likable. He wants Chanyeol to… enjoy his company, to prefer him above anyone else in this party. Baekhyun wants to continue having the Alpha’s attention on him; he wants Chanyeol to ache for him.
The human takes a sip, looking away in what he hopes is a nonchalant way. Has he developed a crush? So quickly? Baekhyun can’t even remember the last time he had a crush on someone.
“I can try to play quarterback if you want.” Chanyeol tells him suddenly.
Baekhyun looks confused. Why… would he want that?
“If that’s more impressive to you.” Chanyeol finishes. He seems to be waiting with baited breath, eager to hear the other speak.
“Um… I don’t see why you would ask me that.” Baekhyun admits, laughing nervously.
The Alpha blinks. “Because you’re my imprint. I want to do my best for you.”
The bottle in Baekhyun’s hand slips from his grip. Suddenly, Chanyeol is catching it, impossibly quick. His body towers over Baekhyun as he begins to fret over the human after placing the bottle on the counter behind them.
“You okay?” Chanyeol asks with wide eyes and hands on the other’s arms.
“What are you doing? ” Baekhyun stutters, his brain frantically trying to understand what Chanyeol said— imprint .
Chanyeol whines in the back of his throat and the sound causes the hair on Baekhyun’s arms to stand up. “I got worried— Am I gripping too hard?” And he removes his hands from the human quickly, shoving them in his jean pockets. “I’m sorry.”
Chanyeol looks like a kicked puppy and the sight nearly unravels Baekhyun. But he doesn’t unravel, instead he asks, rather harshly, “Is this a joke? Are you fucking with me because I bumped into you?!”
“No, no, no, I would never— god I could never hurt you, Baekhyun.” Chanyeol reaches towards the human’s face but Baekhyun unconsciously flinches. The molten hurt in the Alpha’s eyes is enough to weaken Baekhyun.
“Can I explain? Please?” Chanyeol says, over the rising noise of the music, the smell of pot and alcohol.
“What’s going on here?” A voice yells over at them.
Baekhyun turns around to see who it is when suddenly, Chanyeol is stepping in front of him. Stunned, the human has no choice but to go on his tip-toes to try to look over the silhouette of broad shoulders.
He manages to catch a glimpse of the top of Sehun’s head.
“Hey, don’t I know you from somewhere?” Sehun calls out. “You’re Chanyeol right? Kyungsoo’s roommate? What are you doing to Baekhyun?”
“We’re just talking.” Chanyeol answers gruffly.
Sehun frowns, taking a step forward. “Baek, you know this guy? He’s not bothering you?”
Baekhyun tries to side step Chanyeol but the football player stretches his arm out, ropes of strength preventing him from moving further.
“He’s my friend,” the human hisses.
Chanyeol doesn’t look down at Baekhyun. He continues to look at Sehun with suspicious eyes and a tense outline to his big body.
The human is at a loss of what to do. He thinks about what Chanyeol had called him; my imprint. If the Alpha was really messing with him, he wouldn’t take it this far right?
Sehun’s eyes skip between Chanyeol and Baekhyun, taking in everything before him. Something must have clicked because Sehun laughs and says, “Jongdae is gonna love this,” before walking away.
Baekhyun stares after the other in disbelief.
Chanyeol’s arm lowers back to his side as he turns around. He’s close, enough to breathe Baekhyun in.
“Can we talk, please?” The Alpha pleads. “I’ll explain everything.”
____
They end up in the same room as before. The music outside is a murky background to Baekhyun’s shock.
“So—” The human swallows. “You’re bound to me.”
Chanyeol nods, sitting on the edge of the bed with his hands on his knees. He looks nervous, so different from Baekhyun’s initial impression.
“Forever?”
Dark brown eyes clash with a lighter version of the shade. “Does that scare you? I won’t—” Chanyeol clenches his jaw, running a hand through his dark hair. “I won’t force anything on you, I can understand if you don’t… want anything but could you, I don’t know, give me a chance? I’ll take care of you, puppy, I promise.”
Baekhyun hesitates, a natural reaction he would think to such a sudden happening. He goes through all the possibilities, the Alpha’s behavior thus far, his words— the way Baekhyun’s heart just won’t stop pounding.
And then he looks at Chanyeol, his gaze the shade of shy, warm honey and tells him, “Okay.”
Chanyeol smiles, a rising relief and deep, boyish dimples.
____
“It’s getting pretty late, puppy. Don’t you have school in the morning?”
The human sighs, pressing deeper into the mattress. After accepting Chanyeol, the two of them settled on the bed, a sliver of distance between them. They talked about everything, the Alpha even got Baekhyun to laugh, breaking down his walls.
“I do,” Baekhyun pouts. He turns to look at Chanyeol, already finding the Alpha’s stormy gaze on him. “I’ll go find Sehun and Jongdae.”
“I can take you back if you want.” Chanyeol offers softly. “I’d hate to be apart from you so soon.”
“It’s too out of your way.” The human says. He bites his bottom lip. “I want… to think a little too. About us.”
“Right, of course. I can give you space. Whatever you need, Baekhyun.”
Baekhyun doesn’t know why he’s blushing. “You want to... maybe set up a date?”
If Chanyeol had been in his wolf form, his tail would have been moving uncontrollably.
____
It’s around 3 AM when Baekhyun managed to get Sehun and Jongdae in the car. Jongin had left the party long ago, entrusting the keys to Sehun who in turn gave them to Baekhyun. Or rather, the brunette had to fish through the taller’s pockets for them.
The two smelled of alcohol and sweat but were thankfully coherent enough to dump themselves into the back seat. The driver role fell upon Baekhyun which he was a little annoyed about but knew that out of the three of them, he’s the only one sober.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you back?” Chanyeol frowned, following the human to the car. The party behind him is still going strong.
“I’ll be fine.” Baekhyun tells him. He fiddles with his fingers. “I’ll get going then. See you.”
“Baekhyun, wait.” Chanyeol steps behind him, so close that when the human turns innocently, his nose nearly catches on hard pecs.
“I need your scent.” The Alpha says with a voice that caves within its own deepness. “I need to add your scent to my nest, I’ll go insane if I don’t.”
The romantic agony in Chanyeol’s voice— as if he’ll die, as if Baekhyun is holding his withering soul.
“What do I need to do?” The human asks tentatively.
“I can wear your sweater and you can wear my jersey.”
Not thinking much of it, Baekhyun slips out of his fluffy sweater, shivering when the cold hits his bare arms. He hands it over to Chanyeol who has already stripped himself of his football jersey.
The human stares at Chanyeol’s arms for a moment, feeling lightheaded.
Chanyeol checks the tag, grins, then slips on the sweater. It’s a little tight around his shoulders but it's an overall good look. Baekhyun has the feeling that the Alpha would look like a model even in a paper bag.
Chanyeol looks down at the brunette, proud and boyish. “Now everyone will know I belong to you.”
Baekhyun’s heart stutters, it collapses as he tentatively reaches up, places his hands on the collar of the sweater and pulls Chanyeol down.
Just before their lips meet, the Alpha murmurs, “Are you sure? ”
Baekhyun doesn’t answer, going on his tiptoes to suffocate the gap between them and sweetly kisses Chanyeol underneath the midsummer night sky.