Chapter Text
It's a glorious day and a very important one at that for two omega best friends Yoon Jeonghan and Jeon Wonwoo.
Today was the day when the results of all of their hard work and effort will finally be paid off. Both of them simply couldn't hide the huge smiles on their faces as they guide their team members to prepare for their organization's biggest event—a benefit fair for their fellow omegas. It was a feat to celebrate all omegas in their university, a message to everyone who dares to come in their way, and an advocacy to fight for all omegas' rights. This was their organization's vision and Jeonghan and Wonwoo played a big part in making all of this come true.
After all, the two of them were the newly elected President and Vice President of the organization.
Jeonghan and Wonwoo's passion for this dated back to when they were in high school. By then, both of them had already presented as omegas and were aware of how omegas were treated in the world. It didn't help that they got living proof of it every time they interacted with their alpha classmates. The two found themselves immediately steering clear of those alphas, not liking how they acted. It also didn't help that some of their classmates from all kinds of genders looked at them strangely for not reacting too well whenever an alpha approached them. It was just not Jeonghan and Wonwoo's cup of tea. They just couldn't see the point of it all and they couldn't see how those obnoxious alphas were capable of taking care of their omegas.
It was clear that the two shared the same sentiments so it wasn't a surprise when Jeonghan approached Wonwoo one day and they decided to be friends. From then on, they became inseparable and often protected each other from those alphas they always avoided.
This continued until they stepped foot in university where everything was on a much larger scale. If the alphas back in high school were bad, the alphas in college were worse. Jeonghan and Wonwoo could not even count on their fingers how many times they encountered alphas on their worst behavior. That was why they only interacted with fellow omegas and with betas. With them, Jeonghan and Wonwoo felt safe. They also didn't feel discriminated against when people heard about their aversion toward alphas.
In fact, they were accepted for it. Hence, the organization that they were now a part of. Jeonghan and Wonwoo joined the organization back in freshman year and they have been members of it ever since, effectively championing omega's rights and fighting for them strongly. With their utmost dedication to the cause, Jeonghan and Wonwoo—now, seniors—had been given the arduous task of leading the organization. This was a role they wholeheartedly accepted. This was a responsibility they took with no hesitations.
The task was simple: Jeonghan and Wonwoo must live with the responsibility to fight for omegas' rights.
But the two best friends, who have witnessed time and time again the alphas and their improper behavior, added one more responsibility to the list.
The two of them swore to never, ever have a relationship with an alpha. It was an oath they took between the two of them and they had been living on it ever since. It had certainly made their lives peaceful, only talking to omegas or dating betas.
Alphas? Just a big, fat no.
"Have you heard from Minghao yet?" Wonwoo asked Jeonghan after instructing a sophomore to start setting up the registration booth already. "He said he's going to come and support us."
"Oh, yeah. He's coming. Even asked me for two extra tickets. He must be bringing those friends of his," Jeonghan answered. "I would have really loved Minghao to join us here on the team."
Wonwoo heard the hope in Jeonghan's voice and he understood why. Minghao was one of the kindest omegas they know. It was such a shame he wasn't a part of the cause. He would have made such a great successor to Jeonghan once he graduated.
"You know he can't," Wonwoo reminded him. "He's dating an alpha, remember? And he knows we're gonna smack him in the head for it."
Wonwoo smiled slightly when he sees Jeonghan visibly shudder at the thought of dating an alpha.
"God, I just really hope Minghao's alpha is treating him well, or else," Jeonghan trailed off with that death glare of his. Wonwoo clapped him on the back.
"I hope so, too, but we have to go, Mr. President. We're letting the crowd enter in five minutes."
At that statement, Jeonghan became startled and grabbed Wonwoo by the arm so they could start welcoming their guests.
—
"You, two! Hurry up!" Xu Minghao exclaimed at his two companions. "Are you guys dragging your feet or something? Come on, we're late. The president's going to kill me."
Minghao didn't know if the two men he was with were making him laugh or making him feel irritated. They were late for the whole fair but here were Choi Seungcheol and Kim Mingyu and they were ogling at the whole event happening in front of their eyes. It was their first time attending this, which totally made sense since they were alphas and they were not exactly the event's target market. Minghao knew they are fascinated as this was something they had not seen before. Well, maybe Minghao made the right decision to bring them with him.
Seungcheol and Mingyu had always been the two people who were capable of protecting and loving any person they would meet, regardless of their second gender. This meant that there was a huge possibility that Jeonghan and Wonwoo would be able to tolerate them as much. But since Minghao was running late, Jeonghan might take it against these two alphas and he didn't know what he was going to do with that.
"Minghao! This is amazing!" Mingyu said when he catches up with the speed-walking Minghao. "You should've brought me here sooner. Everyone's just interacting so nicely."
"I know. Hurry up. Where's Seungcheol?"
The two of them turned to find Seungcheol just trailing behind and taking everything in with a small smile on his face.
"Seungcheol!" Mingyu called him over. Seungcheol turned at the sound of Mingyu's voice and walked over to them.
Minghao addressed them with a serious look. "Okay, we're going to meet with the president and vice president of the organization. They're my good friends but remember what we've talked about?"
Seungcheol furrowed his eyebrows at that. "They don't exactly like alphas so we have to be on our best behavior."
"Right, and?"
"Tone it down with the pheromones. Especially me. I get too excited easily," Mingyu added sheepishly.
Minghao nodded in approval. "Okay, very good. Let's go."
They walked towards the spot Jeonghan mentioned they should meet up in. Minghao instructed the two alphas to keep their eyes peeled for Jeonghan and Wonwoo. He showed them a picture earlier. (A photo to which Mingyu smiled and Seungcheol raised an eyebrow in interest).
As much as they tried to find the two omegas, it seemed as if Jeonghan spotted them first. Because when Minghao finally found him and met his eyes, Jeonghan already had a scrutinizing look on his face and Wonwoo looked serious as ever beside him. Minghao knew that Jeonghan can already see and feel who he's with. He raised a hand to wave, an innocent look on his face.
Seungcheol tugged at Minghao's arm.
"I don't think the blond one would like to meet with us. Maybe we should just go," Seungcheol suggested.
"What? No, we're already here. I want to meet them!" Mingyu whined to which Seungcheol glared at him.
Minghao stared at the two pairs alternately and before Seungcheol could even protest, he grabbed both him and Mingyu in the arm and pulled them towards the two omegas. He wasn't exactly a match for these two in terms of strength but this would do. Mingyu didn't care and was just walking happily with him. It's Seungcheol who needed coaxing.
When they reached the two omegas, the three friends were met with Jeonghan's judging gaze. Then, he only looked at Minghao.
"You're late, Hao," Jeonghan said. From his peripheral vision, Minghao saw Seungcheol react to the voice. Minghao wanted to smirk.
"Sorry, these two decided to be babies. I had to pick them up," Minghao replied and earned one eyebrow raise each from Jeonghan and Wonwoo. "Anyway, this is Choi Seungcheol and Kim Mingyu. They're friends with my boyfriend so technically, I'm friends with them, too. Seungcheol, Mingyu, this is Yoon Jeonghan and Jeon Wonwoo, the heads of the organization."
No one moved and there was suddenly a staring contest going on. Jeonghan had a steady glare in his eyes as he looked at the two alphas. Seungcheol matched the blond omega with a stare it made Jeonghan look back at him. Minghao saw Jeonghan's eyes slightly widen before he dropped Seungcheol's gaze. He tilted his head as if something was going on that he cannot explain.
On the other hand, Mingyu couldn't seem to stand still as he looked at all of his companions and Minghao knew that he was dying to speak so he could start befriending the two omegas. He was too excited again and Minghao can almost catch a whiff of his pheromones. Minghao looked at the two omegas to see if they have noticed but the look on Wonwoo's face was what got his attention. Wonwoo's brows were furrowed as he gazed at Mingyu, his eyes following the alpha's movements. He straightened his glasses and lightly scratched his nose. When Mingyu couldn't stand the silence going on and started to speak, Wonwoo became startled and looked away.
"Hi, I'm Mingyu," he introduced himself and stepped forward while holding a hand out cautiously. "Nice to meet you."
Then, he smiled so brightly it earned another eyebrow raise from Jeonghan and caught Wonwoo off guard. Minghao wanted to burst out laughing because he knew no one can resist Mingyu when he's got his Mr. Congeniality smile on, not even these two hard-headed omegas. He saw Jeonghan look at Mingyu's hand before muttering a "hi" and shaking it, to which Mingyu smiled brightly again. Then, he held out his hand to Wonwoo whose brows were now more furrowed since Mingyu's smiling at him. His eyes were moving as he shook Mingyu's hand and he withdrew his hand way too quickly. Mingyu didn't seem to mind though because he turned to Seungcheol as if he was expecting him to do the same but Seungcheol was stubborn.
He only smiled slightly and nodded as a greeting.
Minghao could almost hear Jeonghan scoff.
Mingyu started assessing the situation again and then proceeded to drape his arm over Seungcheol.
"Really nice meeting you, Jeonghan and Wonwoo, and thank you for hosting this event," Mingyu tried to say to placate everyone. "I think me and my friend are going to get some drinks and enjoy more of the fair. Um, yeah. We will see you later."
Then, Mingyu dragged Seungcheol away towards the drinks station because he was completely sure that Jeonghan or Seungcheol might take out their claws any minute now and lash at each other. He gave them one dazzling smile before he whisked Seungcheol away.
"That went well," Minghao commented, looking at the irritated Jeonghan and the stricken Wonwoo. "I swear, you two. They're the sweetest alphas I know. Aside from my boyfriend, of course. Seungcheol and Mingyu actually support omegas' rights, too. That's why they're here."
Jeonghan scoffed completely.
"Really? I'll have to see that for myself," he started talking and both Minghao and Wonwoo know that he's going to complain. "Well, I don't like that Mingyu guy. He's too smiley and he's making starry eyes at Wonwoo."
Wonwoo's eyes widened, a slight flush blooming at his cheeks. "Was he? I didn't see."
"Yes, he was! Don't come near him, Wonwoo. Don't let that smile fool you," Jeonghan ranted. "And I don't like that Seungcheol guy either. He's too...it looks like he doesn't give a fuck! At least Mingyu said hello!"
Minghao stared at Jeonghan with an amused look on his face. This wasn't the reaction he was expecting. It's quite interesting. Wonwoo, on the other hand, was blinking at Jeonghan before he stared in the direction where Mingyu and Seungcheol went. Then, he looked at the hand that he used to greet Mingyu.
"I don't like that Mingyu guy, too," Wonwoo said, his voice surprisingly soft. His nose scrunched up for a bit. "His scent. It's annoying me. I don't like it. I don't like him."
At that statement, Wonwoo's mouth turned into a pout and then his whole expression morphed into what Minghao could only explain as that of an angry cat.
Minghao shook his head. "Oh my god, you two are in trouble."
"What?"
"Why?"
Minghao just laughed and went between his two friends and looped their arms together. He wouldn't tell Jeonghan and Wonwoo that their scents had a slight change to them when they met the two alphas. He never smelled it on them before but Minghao was pretty sure that the scent he picked up on was what interest and attraction smelled like.
The two omegas were oblivious. Minghao will let them figure it out themselves.
—
True to his word, Mingyu really did come back with Seungcheol in tow. He had a huge smile on his face again as he greeted Jeonghan and Wonwoo. Seungcheol, on the other hand, was sipping on a drink. He nodded at Wonwoo. He nodded at Jeonghan, too, but his stare lingered until Jeonghan had to look away. Again.
Seriously, what was up with him?
Jeonghan was also surprised to note that when the two alphas came back, Wonwoo silently moved to his other side so he could be far from them. He looked at him to ask if he was okay but Wonwoo only shook his head. Maybe Mingyu's scent really did annoy him. He was pouting again, his nose scrunching. Jeonghan, despite himself, tried to scent the air as well to see what bothered Wonwoo but he didn't really understand what was up with Mingyu's scent. It was just okay. What Jeonghan got instead was a good amount of what he believed was Seungcheol's scent. It was faint.
But he smelled nice.
Jeonghan cleared his head to shake his thoughts away. He couldn't believe he just liked an alpha's scent. There was no way in hell.
Seungcheol and Mingyu didn't stay on their side for too long because they also chose to roam around for a bit. Minghao told Jeonghan the two alphas kept on going back to the information booths to get to know more about the organization and its fight for omega's rights. Jeonghan hoped that's really the case.
The fair was almost at its end and the two alphas hadn't come back yet. That's probably for the best. Jeonghan also shouldn't think that much about them.
"Jeonghan! Wonwoo!" someone called for their names. A beta was running towards them, panting heavily. "Finally found you, guys. There's a...shit, I ran too hard..."
"Calm down first. What's going on? Why are you running?"
"There's an alpha making a mess at the east side of the venue," the beta finally let out. Jeonghan froze. "He's taunting everyone there."
The next thing Jeonghan knew was that they were running, too. He, Wonwoo, and Minghao followed the beta toward the commotion. Jeonghan couldn't help but feel worried about the people that alpha was pestering right now. He also couldn't help but think of the two alphas they were with earlier who were now both mysteriously missing. He didn't want to say it but what if the one causing a scene was one of them? Like Choi Seungcheol who never even bothered to raise his hand in greeting. What if he just came here for the sake of his friendship with Minghao? What if he was just really here to intimidate the omegas? What if he didn't really believe in omega's rights?
Then, that just proved Jeonghan's perception on alphas again.
Jeonghan found himself running faster, determined to finally stop the alpha that was ruining their event. He could already see the small crowd forming in front of them. He ran toward it and reached the circle. He pushed his way in. He heard the alpha booming in his loud voice about how all of the things happening at this benefit fair were just a piece of trash. He heard him say that all of this was just bullshit that Jeonghan and Wonwoo created to discriminate against alphas. That wasn't Seungcheol's voice. It wasn't even Mingyu's. Jeonghan tried to steady his emotions. He was not going to cry while facing that son of a bitch.
But someone had already stepped in before he could even do so.
"What the hell did you just say?"
That was Seungcheol and he sounded angry.
"I said the omegas who run this shit are fucking cowards who hide behind this stupid organization just because they want to hate on alphas who possibly do not even want them," the alpha said with scorn. He was even laughing as if he was making a joke.
His laughing earned him a slap from Jeonghan who could not take it anymore. It surprised both Seungcheol and the other alpha.
"You son of a bitch!" the alpha raged and raised his hand as if he was about to hit Jeonghan, the omega had no choice but to close his eyes and brace for impact.
But what he felt instead was an arm pushing him back and a presence standing in front of him. Seungcheol was holding the alpha's arm back. There's that scent again but this time, it it was much stronger and Jeonghan gasped because the pheromones were directed at him. Seungcheol wanted him to calm down and tell him that he's protected.
"Are you honestly going to hit a student organization president? He's an innocent person at that and you're just going to hit him?" Seungcheol spoke to the alpha in a chilling voice, it's enough to send goosebumps all over Jeonghan's body. He heard Wonwoo and Minghao take a sharp intake of breath, too. "Are you out of your fucking mind?"
"Innocent?" the other alpha exclaimed. "He's the one who hit me first!"
The alpha made a move again but Mingyu also stepped in and planted a hand on his shoulder. "Back off."
"What is up with the two of you? That omega is fucking crazy for preaching about their rights and disgracing alphas. Didn't you hear his opening speech earlier?" the alpha ranted. "And what the hell, man? You're supposed to be on my side here! Aren't you an alpha, too? Why are you siding with that? He's just an omega!"
Jeonghan's mouth dropped open. What did he even do to this alpha for him to say things like that?
"Seungcheol," Mingyu called for his friend cautiously and that's when Jeonghan noticed that Seungcheol was shaking with anger, too. His eyes were drilling holes into the other alpha.
"Mingyu, clear everyone out," Seungcheol suddenly said. His voice was shaking, too. God, he was so angry. "Keep them away from here."
Jeonghan, for some reason, found his voice. "Choi Seungcheol, don't—"
At the sound of him speaking, Seungcheol turned to face him. "You should have known that people like him are going to come here and be like this."
"What?" Is he mad at him, too?
Seungcheol looked away and addressed Mingyu again.
"Mingyu, please just get them out of here."
"Oh, god," Mingyu muttered before turning to the three omegas. "Please follow me."
Jeonghan wouldn't move until Wonwoo held his wrist. "Jeonghan, he's right. It's dangerous for us. We have to go. Let Seungcheol deal with that dipshit."
He finally let Mingyu take them away from that spot. Wonwoo also urged the other omegas to follow them. Once they were on the other side of the venue, Mingyu told them to just stay there and informed Minghao that he will message him once everything is alright. He gave them a small smile again before running towards where they came from, probably to aid Seungcheol in whatever it was that they're going to do to keep the intruder out.
It was probably ten minutes later when Minghao got the message from Mingyu and all of the omegas breathed a sigh of relief. At that point, Jeonghan put on the leader hat again and instructed his teammates to start calling it a night and clear out the venue gradually. He tried to put away in his mind the image of that alpha and Seungcheol for a while. Minghao also parted ways with them after they have cleaned up the venue since his boyfriend, Junhui, already came to fetch him. The others started leaving one by one, too. It's just Jeonghan and Wonwoo left.
"You okay?" Wonwoo asked him.
"I'm fine. You?"
"I'm not gonna lie. It scared me for a bit."
Jeonghan gave Wonwoo an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Wonwoo."
"No, it's not your fault," Wonwoo smiled at him. "Let's just go back to the dorms."
Jeonghan agreed and the two omegas finally walked out of the venue.
Only to find that Mingyu and Seungcheol were still there.
"What are you two still doing here?" Jeonghan asked.
Mingyu gave a small wave. Jeonghan felt Wonwoo stepping away again. "We have to make sure that that lunatic of an alpha is not going to come back and pester you."
"We can take care of ourselves," Wonwoo said from behind Jeonghan, taking him by surprise.
Mingyu looked helplessly at Wonwoo with what Jeonghan could only describe as puppy eyes. Wonwoo pouted again. "We know that Wonwoo, but—"
"Minghao told us you'll just be hailing a cab to get home. That's why we will call one for you," Seungcheol took over the conversation.
Jeonghan only shook his head "You don't have to do that. We don't need your help."
Seungcheol didn't say anything. He was just looking at Jeonghan again like he was searching his face for any signs of discomfort after what happened earlier. Then, he turned around to call for a taxi without asking for the omega's permission anymore.
"Oh, for god's sake," Jeonghan exclaimed.
"Please let us," Mingyu said. "This is just our way of making sure the two of you will make it home safe after everything that happened."
"Thank you," Wonwoo suddenly said and Jeonghan knew he's defeated. He just looked at Mingyu's surprised expression because of Wonwoo's words that were addressed to him.
Mingyu directed a smile to Wonwoo, who fidgets and looks away quickly again.
"Cab is here," Seungcheol announced.
Wonwoo nodded and bowed at the two alphas, muttering a small thank you to Seungcheol as well, before sprinting towards the cab. He left Jeonghan there while he's debating on whether he should address Seungcheol or not.
He looked up at Seungcheol. The alpha was already looking at him.
"Thank you," Jeonghan said.
"It's the least we could do," Seungcheol said. Jeonghan watched him scratch his neck shyly and he immediately knew what he's about to say. "I'm sorry, too, for snapping at you a bit earlier."
Jeonghan just nodded because he didn't know what to say anymore. Seungcheol let him go but not before offering a small smile of peace. The omega almost stopped in his tracks because of that. When Jeonghan had entered the cab and it was finally speeding away, that's when he sighed.
"He's bugging me. I still don't like him," he declared to Wonwoo.
"But they technically saved us..." Wonwoo trailed off.
"I don't care. I still feel off."
And Jeonghan didn't know why he felt that way or if that was really the emotion taking over him right now. Maybe he'd rather not want to find out.
—
After making sure that the two omegas were now safely on their way home, Seungcheol breathed out a huge sigh of relief. He tried to calm himself and bury the image of that alpha saying those words to spite Jeonghan and Wonwoo's organization. He couldn't get the image of Jeonghan's face out of his head—how his whole expression turned into a mask of shock, fear, and despair after being put down like that. He hated that he had to feel that way, that an alpha made him feel that way.
Seungcheol knew he could never blame Jeonghan and his aversion toward alphas if this was how they always act around him. Seungcheol hoped there will never come a time when Jeonghan would feel that way because of him.
"Let's walk home," Mingyu interrupted his thoughts.
Seungcheol nodded and followed his friend who was walking quite ahead of him. He could see Mingyu collecting his own thoughts inside of his head.
"You know, you didn't have to get mad like that," Mingyu said again. "You scared them."
"I was mad at the alpha, not at them," Seungcheol almost defended himself. He knew Mingyu was right, though. He could be scary at times when he liked to be but he had to do that to keep the alpha away.
"Hmm," Mingyu almost sounded amused. "So, that's why you got that look again."
"What?"
Mingyu turned around to face him, a playful look in his eyes. He was suddenly smiling at Seungcheol.
"You got that overprotective look on your face again," Mingyu said cheekily, grinning at him. "Crazy, actually, 'cause I only get to see that once in a while."
That made Seungcheol roll his eyes so Mingyu laughed at him and turned to walk again. "I don't have that look on my face, Mingyu."
"Whatever you say, Seungcheol," Mingyu teased him. "You're like that because he's pretty, isn't he?"
"What?"
"Yoon Jeonghan. He's pretty, isn't he? Just perfect for your type."
At Mingyu's mention of the omega's name, Seungcheol felt himself stop walking. He glared at Mingyu's back and the next thing he knew, a small growl unintentionally came out of his chest. Mingyu stopped in his tracks, too.
"It's not just because he's pretty," Seungcheol muttered. "And don't you go on saying things like that—"
"Okay, hyung. Don't worry. Don't come at me," Mingyu surrendered quickly. His job of teasing Seungcheol was done if he was suddenly reacting like that. He wanted to laugh and run away for his life at the same time. "You know it's not him for me. Besides, I got my eyes on someone else."
Seungcheol leveled him with a stare and the taller alpha gestured for him to calm down. Good to hear that, Seungcheol thought to himself. He urged Mingyu to walk again, which the latter happily obliged.
Seungcheol went back to what he said—that Yoon Jeonghan wasn't just a pretty face that made him turn his protective mode on.
It was the sudden urge inside of him when he saw how Jeonghan reacted to what the alpha said. It was when he saw Jeonghan feel down at the thought of another alpha proving how much he hated them. It was when he felt that he needed to make Jeonghan see that not all alphas are like that.
Seungcheol wanted to protect him from it all in the hopes that he may never feel that way about alphas again. He wanted to be the one to take care of him. He wanted to be the one doing that for him.
That's the reason why.