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It all started the day Hanbin got home early from the cafe.
The building they lived in was quite upscale, courtesy of the company that managed Jiwoong’s very lucrative acting career, with 2-3 large units per floor. It was built for housing packs. In the case of larger groups living in the city, there were entire floors on the top levels that could function as pack houses.
Hanbin’s pack was not that large, thus they got a unit on the lower floor with four bedrooms, three baths and a wide, open plan living space. The unit across the hallway had been empty when they had moved in.
Not anymore, Hanbin thought as he watched movers stream in and out of the door, carrying big boxes and elaborate pieces of furniture. While his alpha’s first instinct was to bristle and make sure none of these strangers went near their apartment, the movers seemed to be non-descript, probably using blockers to conceal their designation.
Their service must have been expensive. While scent blockers were highly effective, they were also frowned upon for daily use because of its tendency to numb the sense of smell of the user. Sprays and patches were gentler and more popular for daily use, although while not numbing, they tended to wear off after a while. Only high-end services, such as moving companies for packs who would pay extra to make sure a stranger’s scent doesn’t stick to their personal items or new home, used blockers on an employee-wide scale. They were also quite common in the entertainment industry, according to Jiwoong.
Still, Hanbin gets why a pack with extra cash to spend might want that. When they had moved in, it had taken a few days for the scents of the movers and other utility workmen that were hired to stop lingering. While it wasn’t necessarily bad, there was a sense of wrongness that Hanbin had felt whenever he caught a whiff of it on the walls. Jiwoong wasn’t any better and Matthew had nested furiously until their apartment finally smelled just like the pack.
Hanbin watches them for another few seconds before unlocking the front door and stepping into his pack’s apartment. It was quiet. Gunwook was probably still at school. Taerae mentioned having a gig and Jiwoong was filming a new drama series. Which meant-
“Oh hyung!” Matthew bounces up to him, dressed in loose sweats and a t-shirt.
“Hi Seokmae-yah,” Hanbin greets, accepting a hug from the omega.
It had just been him and Matthew when the pack started. He had been fresh out of college, working at his mother’s cafe while Matthew finished up his degree. They had been friends for a long time, and packmates seemed like the natural next step. Their parents were sure that they’d end up mating after Matthew graduated but the omega had met Jiwoong and the rest was history.
Taerae and Gunwook came along soon after, albeit unexpectedly and before Hanbin knew it, they were all moving in together, into an actual packhouse.
“Did you see? Someone’s moving into the apartment across the hall.”
“Ehhh? When? I haven’t left the house. I woke up and all of you were gone and Jiwoon-hyung texted and said you’d come back early to go to the gym with me.”
Hanbin pauses, bending over to sniff at Matthew's hair. The faintest scent of pre-heat reaches his nose. Ah. So that’s why the other alpha had asked him to accompany Matthew to the gym.
“Maybe you should wear a patch?” He suggests tentatively.
“Ahh hyung, it’s really not that bad. And besides, I’m not due for another week and a half.”
Well, it was worth a try. And Hanbin knows perfectly well that Matthew was capable of handling any unwanted attention if that ever happened.
“Wah Jiwoon-hyung told you to do this right? Seriously, I can go to the gym by myself if I wanted to.” Matthew pouts, crossing his arms over his chest. If Jiwoong was here, Hanbin was sure the other alpha would just swoon and then start doing aegyo as an apology.
“You definitely can Seokmae-yah.” Hanbin reassures him. “But I was supposed to close the cafe early and go work-out today anyway. My body’s out of shape.”
“Eyyy, don’t play with me hyung. You? Out of shape? No way.”
Hanbin laughs, making his way to his room. “Let’s just say I need to take care of my body too. Have you got your workout bag ready?”
Matthew nods, pointing at the duffle bag by the sofa. “There are snacks and smoothies in the fridge, I’ll get them ready while you go change, hyung.”
The two get ready. As they walk out the door, Hanbin notices that the movers are gone and the hallway is once again empty. Now however, there’s definitely a light coming from the bottom of the door.
“Must be exciting to have neighbours. I hope they’re nice.” Matthew chirps, staring keenly at the unit across the hallway.
“I was hoping to run into them when we walked out.” Hanbin says. “I really wonder what kind of pack moved in?”
“Don’t worry, hyung.” Matthew pats his shoulder. “I’m sure we’ll get to meet them eventually.”
__________________________________________
Eventually apparently means about a few days later when Hanbin gets into the elevator. There’s a boy who goes in after, scent still straddling between the blank, somewhat milky scent of a pup and a hint of something else. But that’s not the first thing that Hanbin notices. It’s that the boy is completely covered in someone else’s scent, smothered by something floral, notes of jasmine and rose. It almost reminds Hanbin of how his own mother used to scent him thoroughly anytime before he’d left their house, up until the day he had fully presented.
The second thing Hanbin notices is that the boy doesn’t try to press a button after Hanbin’s pressed the level for his own pack’s apartment. Oh.
“Are you perhaps from the pack that moved in across the hallway?” The poor boy startles, looking at him with wide eyes as if he didn’t expect the alpha to make conversation.
“Ah…uh…yes.” The pup manages as the elevator doors open. Hanbin steps out. The boy follows.
“I’m Sung Hanbin, it’s nice to formally meet you.” He introduces himself, bowing slightly, the boy blanching and bowing lower.
“Uh, K-Jang Gyuvin, nice to meet you too.”
While Hanbin would love to chat more, his pack is expecting him for dinner. Speaking of-
“I hope to see you around more, Gyuvin-ssi. My pack would be happy to welcome yours for dinner sometime so we can get to know each other.”
“Oh…uh…thank you, I- I’ll let them know, Hanbin-ssi.”
With one last wave, Hanbin turns to unlock the front door, the pup having scampered down the hallway, keys jingling. A door opens and the alpha is assaulted by more of that strangely alluring floral scent. Before Hanbin can turn around, the door is already clicking shut and he twists his own open.
“I ran into one of our new neighbours in the elevator.” Hanbin says during dinner. “He was a pup, about Gunwookie’s age maybe, a little skittish.”
“Oh, I think I ran into him this morning, hyung,” Gunwook chimes in. “I think we go to the same school. He was wearing the uniform and waiting for the elevator. He said his name was Yujin and he was really shy. I was going to ask if he wanted to take the bus together but he didn’t get off at the lobby? Actually, I don’t know why he was going to the carpark level.”
“Maybe he drives to school?” Matthew suggests before swatting at Jiwoong as the alpha holds out a spoonful at him, insisting that he could feed himself. The omega is beginning to smell more like pre-heat and they all know Jiwoong’s tendency to baby his mate the closer he gets to his cycle.
“I don’t think so?” Gunwook muses. “I was introduced to all the new students in my year level and he wasn’t there so he must be younger. Actually he did look younger, and he smelled really smothered, like how my Eomma used to do with me before.”
A beat of silence. While most pups fully presented at the age of 20, Gunwook had presented as an alpha unusually early just after his 18th birthday. It was one of the main reasons that the teenager was living with the pack instead of at home. But that’s a story for another time.
“We can smother you if you want, Gunwook-ah.” Taerae said, reaching over to ruffle the younger’s hair, the baby alpha immediately relaxing.
“Must be more than one pup in that pack then.” Hanbin noted. “The one I met introduced himself as Gyuvin and he wasn’t wearing a uniform either.”
“We should send them a housewarming gift.” Matthew suggests. “Invite them over so we can meet all of them.”
“Maybe after your heat, Mattchu-yah.” Jiwoong counters quietly, playing with his mate’s hair.
“Jiwoong-hyung’s right, Seokmae-yah.” Hanbin concurs. “We all get a little edgy about letting anyone into the house when you’re this close. Better to meet after and prevent any fight that we could have avoided.”
“Hmmm fine.” Matthew relents, leaning into his mate’s touch.
They finish dinner, resolving to reach out to the other pack once the omega’s heat is over. Hanbin goes to sleep, dreaming about the floral scent that had wafted down the hall when the pup had opened the door.
__________________________________________
“Were either of the pups you’ve seen blond?” Taerae asks after they sit down to rewatch La La Land with Gunwook because their maknae is absolutely obsessed with the movie.
Matthew’s heat had started just before the weekend so he and Jiwoong were currently holed up in their room. Hanbin’s so glad that all their bedrooms are completely sound and scent-proof, perks of living in an expensive building, he guesses.
“No, Gyuvin-ssi had brown hair.” Hanbin responds. Gunwook shakes his head as well, completely absorbed in the film.
“I saw him for a second when I got off the elevator.” the beta tells them. “You were right about that scent thing, he was completely smothered, it's very flowery.”
Hanbin thinks about that scent a lot, for some reason. His alpha seems to like it a lot, almost seeking it out every time he passes by the other unit on his way to and from the elevator. He hasn’t run into any of the pups after meeting Gyuvin either. Maybe he had scared the younger boy. While Hanbin didn’t think of himself as a particularly intimidating alpha, he’s been told that he has a very strong presence, almost overwhelming sometimes.
“If they all smell the same, they must be siblings.” Taerae guesses. “Or maybe the same guardian? Maybe a pack omega? Beta? Alpha?”
It was instinctual for one or both of a pup’s birth parents to scent them before they presented. It acted as a deterrent to others, broadcasting the fact that the pup was protected and well-cared for by their family pack. In the case of larger packs, the role could fall on one of the primary leaders to thoroughly scent each unpresented pack member. Aside from that, it was also a source of comfort for the pup, acting as a security blanket until they matured and started to produce their own scent.
“I guess we’ll know for sure once we meet them properly.” Hanbin concludes. “Maybe think of sending that housewarming gift although Matthew will definitely throw a fit if he doesn’t get to arrange it himself.”
Traditionally, it was the pack omega who reached out when two packs were to meet. While this definitely wasn’t a hard and fast rule, Matthew took his role as the sole omega of their pack very seriously.
As if on cue, Jiwoong emerges from the room, shirtless, dishevelled, neck marked thoroughly by what Hanbin knew was Matthew’s tendency to bite when his cycle hit particularly hard.
“He’s asleep and we need more water.” Jiwoong says in lieu of an explanation.
Gunwook pauses the movie, staring at the eldest alpha, nose wrinkling.
“You stink, hyung” their baby alpha remarks in the most comically, polite manner. “It’s interrupting my movie.”
“Our poor maknae.” Jiwoong chuckles fondly, trudging over to their refrigerator and retrieving a few large bottles of water that they keep exactly for these occasions.
To their own pack, the scent of an omega in heat was not necessarily unpleasant. Rather it triggered the urge to provide and protect with them being in their most vulnerable state. Omegas in heat only smelled appealing to people they instinctively found attractive, in most cases, their mate or who they saw as a potential mate. Most likely, Gunwook was smelling the combination of sweat and other bodily fluids that stuck to Jiwoong and were magnified by the heat pheromones, which Hanbin admitted was not the prettiest smell.
“How’s Matthew doing?” Taerae asks Jiwoong softly. “Has he been eating?”
“Eating very well and very grateful for the time you take to leave out food for us, Taerae-yah.” Jiwoong answers, smiling at the beta. “Now excuse me before my mate wakes up and throws a fit because I’m not in bed with him. Goodnight Taerae-yah, Hanbinie, Gunwookie.”
The alpha promptly disappears back into their bedroom with the water. Gunwook resumes the movie. They lapse into comfortable silence.
“You should look into dating again, Hanbin-hyung.” Taerae says all of a sudden. “You can’t spend all of your time at the cafe or worrying about us. At least try going out with one of those omegas who leave you their number when they tip you.”
It’s not that Hanbin doesn’t want to date. He had dated in college. Most of those relationships didn’t work out especially when they were bothered by how close he was to Matthew. It was an easy choice. He always knew that Matthew and him were closer than most friends which is why they became packmates. But most people saw an unmated alpha and an unmated omega and made assumptions. Then, he had graduated, Matthew started dating Jiwoong, Gunwook and Taerae joined them, and before Hanbin knew it, they were registering as a pack with him as the leader. There were papers to sign, a new place to move to and his parents retiring and leaving him to take over the cafe. Since then, dating just wasn’t a priority.
“You should look into that beta who definitely wants to take you out.” Hanbin fires back instead. “What was his name? Jun? Junho?”
“Junhyeon and I are just friends.” Taerae’s cheeks are bright red. “He’s not interested in me that way.”
“...Sure” Hanbin is definitely convinced. 100%
“Hyungs shhh…” Gunwook hisses. “This is the best part.”
They dutifully stay quiet as the main actors start singing. That night, Hanbin dreams of dancing on the streets, a piano playing and the smell of flowers lingering in the background.
__________________________________________
Hanbin finally meets him two weeks after he saw movers at the apartment across the hallway, 10 days after getting into the elevator with one of the pups who live there and 1 day before Matthew’s heat ends.
When he opens the door to leave the apartment, he realises that there is someone standing at the other end of the hall. The floral scent is so strong that he can pick out its individual notes, rose and jasmine, sweet bergamot and some other flower he can’t name, creamy custard and honey.
The omega is gorgeous. Classically beautiful features, a beauty mark under his eye, almost doll-like. He’s unreal in a way that Jiwoong’s model friends emulate, crafted in a way that the human eye perceives as perfect. A certain kind of luxury exudes from him. Perfectly styled hair, delicate earrings dangling from his prominently shaped ears, a silky black blouse, unbuttoned artfully to create a deep V baring porcelain like skin and just enough collarbone. The sleeves of the blouse taper around his forearms, fanning out around his wrists, elegant hands holding onto a slim black purse. The black pants are embroidered by delicate pink and green floral detailings, high cut and cinching around a tiny waist. White high heels make him even more statuesque, legs extending a mile long. Everything about him seems expensive.
Briefly, Hanbin remembers he should probably say something. Introduce himself, ask for the omega’s name, possibly ask after the pups that seem to be scented heavily by him if that isn’t too invasive. But before he can do anything, the omega simply nods his head in greeting and slips through the door, his scent still lingering in the hallway.
Hanbin is left there, feeling like an absolute idiot. His alpha is rearing, riled up by the encounter. God, his scent definitely spiked and the omega, or anyone with a working nose, should have smelled it. He almost wants to turn around, walk back into the apartment, take a cold shower to bring him back to his senses and maybe soak in his own embarrassment for the rest of the day. But he can’t do that. He was supposed to leave a while ago.
As if on cue, the elevator opens and Gunwook gets off, the younger alpha pausing when he sees him.
“Hyung? Aren’t you supposed to be at your dance class by now?”
__________________________________________
Hanbin does not talk about his encounter with the omega across the hallway.
He doesn’t need to. One of them (probably Matthew) will notice that he’s slightly out of it and ask what’s wrong. They know him too well.
When he comes home, Taerae and Matthew are putting together a gift basket. There’s fruit, the packaged expensive kind that Hanbin sees in the grocery, a bottle of liquor, an assortment of Gunwook’s favourite snacks that are probably for all the pups they’ve been running into and a succulent because plants are always a nice touch. There’s a note card with Matthew’s handwriting on it, probably welcoming them, introducing their pack and its members and inviting the other pack over.
“Hanbin-hyung!” Matthew says, beaming. Jiwoong makes a little cooing noise that Hanbin catches because yes the other alpha is just sitting on the couch watching them with a look so fond that Hanbin’s heart squeezes a little. God he loves his pack. “What do you think?”
“Very nice, Seokmae-yah” He compliments because the basket is impressive and very much a worthy gift to the beautiful omega who lives next door.
No, Hanbin scolds his alpha for the slip-up, it’s a gift to the pack, not a courting gift. Images of the omega’s tiny waist and pretty collarbones flash before his eyes.
“Hanbin-ah?” The alpha comes back online and realises all three of them are staring at him, Jiwoong and Taerae with concern and Matthew with vague suspicion. He scents the air. Yep, his scent just spiked like a freshly presented pup. Dammit. He needs to calm the fuck down.
It doesn’t help that the next day, there’s a fancy looking gift box on their coffee table smelling faintly of flowers and bergamot. Matthew’s definitely bouncier than usual today as well, apparently having finally met one of the neighbours.
“He said his name is Jang Hao and he’s really pretty and it’s just him and his three pups and they’re happy to come to dinner this weekend and I feel like they’ll get along well with Gunwookie and-“
The omega continues to talk a mile per minute, Jiwoong hanging onto every word. Meanwhile Hanbin is still stuck on-
Jang Hao. That’s the name of the pretty, possibly single omega who looks quite young for having three almost grown pups. Maybe he’s their guardian? Pack omega? Hanbin’s alpha approves. An omega who can scent his pups so well will definitely be a good mother to their future- okay this is getting ridiculous. Hanbin really needs to stop. Get a hold of himself.
“Are you alright, Hanbin-hyung?” Taerae asks, ever soft and concerned.
“I’m fine.” He manages. “Just a little tired.”
Matthew finally calls him out on his shit that night, practically barging into his room and making himself comfortable, not that Hanbin minds.
“Ok talk. What’s up? You’ve been weird lately. Taerae-yah’s been concerned. And you know how sensitive Gunwookie can be.”
Under the weight of the pack omega’s expectant stare, Hanbin considers his words.
“Have you ever…”
“Have I ever what?”
“Have you ever scented someone that makes your omega go crazy? Like some complete stranger just smells so good you kind of like think about it all the time? Like you want to take a fucking bath in their scent or something? It’s strange, I don’t know Seokmae-yah.”
Once someone presented and developed their own scent, they tended to become very particular about other scents. Aside from their packmates, the majority of people would either smell just fine to them or repelling if their instincts sensed something off with that particular person. Scents were a heavily studied phenomenon in the way they guided the world.
Matthew’s face goes from confusion to understanding.
“Oh yeah definitely, when I met Jiwoon-hyung, I wanted to fucking bury myself in his scent, like turn it into a blanket and wrap myself in it if I could. Do they not teach that in schools here in Korea? When someone smells particularly good to you, it means-”
The omega’s eyes widen and he smacks Hanbin on the shoulder.
“Oh my god hyung, is your alpha attracted to the omega who lives next door?”
[And roll credits…]
[...just joking, we haven’t even gotten to the part that everyone’s waiting for]
Hanbin rubs the back of his neck sheepishly at Matthew’s absolute enthusiasm.
“I mean…I guess? I ran into him the other day and he’s um…”
Pretty lips, a beauty mark under his eye, elegant hands and cute ears.
“Well he’s very attractive.”
“Wahhh hyung’s got a crush.” Matthew seems almost too amazed. Should Hanbin feel insulted? The omega pats at his shoulder.
“Don’t worry hyung, I, too, thought that Jiwoon-hyung was the sexiest man alive and my omega wanted to climb him like a fucking tree.”
Okay, Hanbin didn’t need to know that even if the omega had completely lost his mind after that fateful meeting and rambled to Hanbin the whole night after. Huh, maybe that’s why any memory of that’s been deleted from his brain.
“Which is why I mated him obviously. Now I get to climb him like a tree anytime I want.”
“That’s very nice, Seokmae-yah.” Hanbin says weakly, trying to erase that image as it flashed before his eyes.
“Lame, hyung.” Matthew jeered playfully. “Just wait till you start courting him and then I’m going to hear all about how pretty he is and how much you want to-”
That’s it. Hanbin slaps a hand against the omega’s mouth, effectively muffling what he’s about to say next. Matthew continues to look at him with wide eyes and decides to lick his palm. Hanbin rips his hand away fast.
“Ugh, that’s dirty Seokmae-yah.”
“That isn’t what Jiwoon-hyung said to me last night.”
As if he was summoned by the repeated mentions of his name and Hanbin’s own prayer to let his suffering end, the alpha appears at the door, peering at them placidly.
“Are you done? Can I have my mate back now?”
“Please just take him hyung.” Hanbin blurts out, not caring if he sounds more desperate than he needs to be. Jiwoong, bless his soul, literally hauls his mate up and princess carries him out.
“I’m so excited for the dinner now!” Matthew tells his mate brightly as the door shuts behind them.
Yep. So exciting. Hanbin can’t wait. (Stop lying to yourself, his alpha snorts at him.)
__________________________________________
And before they all know it, it’s the weekend and the neighbours should be coming in an hour. Well, they literally need to walk across the hallway and knock on the other door.
Matthew is wearing a skirt. Matthew never wears a skirt. Hanbin doesn’t even remember the omega owning a skirt. Okay no, maybe he’ll have a little sundress moment during the warmer months and he definitely has some of this in his closet but it’s winter and it’s been tracksuits and pants and oversized sweaters.
“I need to make a good impression,” the omega insists when he walks out and Gunwook literally stops what he’s doing and rubs his eyes to make sure he’s seeing it right. Taerae just smiles and compliments him because the beta is an angel. Jiwoong looks almost too calm but Hanbin catches him staring at his mate when he thinks Matthew isn’t looking.
Honestly, it’s like a Victorian alpha seeing their omega’s ankles for the first time.
They’ve all dressed up a little more formally than they would when they’re at home. Taerae’s pulled up a lace and knit blouse that Hanbin’s only ever seen him wear a few times before. Jiwoong is wearing one of the outfits he’s taken home from a photoshoot and Gunwook’s sporting a sweater over a button-down. Meanwhile, Hanbin’s got on a cardigan and one of the nicer shirts that he usually wears when he’s at the cafe.
Dinner’s being kept warm on the stovetop and in the oven, a hearty stew and roast meat that’s perfect for the winter. The table’s been set and the cold side dishes laid out. Matthew’s still buzzing around, making little adjustments and adding small details. Omega instincts, Hanbin guesses. His Appa had been the same.
Exactly an hour passes and there’s a knock on the door.
Before Hanbin has time to think, Matthew’s making a beeline for the door, Jiwoong slowly trailing behind him.
He opens it and there stands the pretty omega (his name is Jang Hao, Hanbin chides himself) with the three pups standing behind him.
He’s as equally elegant as the last time, wearing a full length sweater dress, tiny waist cinched in by a belt, his calves peeking out through the side slits. The pup’s flanking him are equally well-dressed, one of them even wearing what looks like a suit over his turtleneck. Together, they actually looked like they stepped off the cover of a magazine or a chaebol drama scene. All of them were also quite tall even if the omega wasn’t wearing heels.
Said omega bows to Matthew.
“Thank you for inviting us into your home.”
“Thank you so much for coming.” Matthew says warmly ushering them in. “I’m Matthew, this is my mate, Jiwoong.” Huh, so the omega could pronounce his mate’s name properly if he really wanted to.
Taerae and Gunwook introduce themselves respectively. Hanbin prepares his most charming smile and turns to them.
“I’m Sung Hanbin, the pack alpha, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to our home. I really look forward to us getting to know each other better.”
Somewhere from behind him, Hanbin hears Matthew stifle a soft snort. The omega doesn’t seem to notice, dipping his head in greeting.
“My name is Zhang Hao and these are my pups, Ricky, Gyuvin and Yujin.” Hanbin notes how the omega pronounces his own name, speaking with a pleasant accent and the foreign name of the pup that their pack hasn’t encountered much.
Matthew seemed to have taken note too, asking careful questions as they sat down. On Matthew’s insistence, Hanbin’s at the head of table, the omega sitting across Zhang Hao, with Jiwoong, Taerae and Gunwook on one side and the other omega’s pups sitting on the other side.
“Ricky and I moved from China about two years ago.” Zhang Hao says once they’ve all started eating. Hanbin noticed how the other omega took the time to check on each pup and ask if they wanted more food. “But I came here on exchange during university, that’s how I met Gyuvinie and Yujinie. I was their tutor.”
“You were more than that,” Gyuvin chimes in suddenly, Hanbin surprised by his insistence compared to the shy brunette he met at the elevator. “Hao-hyung always took care of us well.”
The other pups nod in agreement. Zhang Hao tilts his chin down, delicately spooning more meat and stew onto his rice.
“I try my best.” He finally admits.
“Yes, my last name is listed as Jang for all of mine and the pup’s pack records and papers here in Korea.” The omega says later when it comes up. “But it’s originally pronounced Zhang. Either is okay with me.”
The conversation carries on. Zhang Hao seems to warm up to Matthew, both omegas having moved to Korea from foreign countries. Gunwook managed to get Yujin talking about school while Jiwoong and Taerae seemed to have respectively engaged with Ricky and Gyuvin.
Apparently Zhang Hao worked as a private music tutor. Ricky and Gyuvin were both preparing to enter university next semester and Yujin had just started at Gunwook’s highschool. While they seem to skirt around the details of how they became a pack or why they moved, they seemed perfectly happy to talk about anything else. While Hanbin was curious, he understood that details like that could be sensitive especially with both Taerae and Gunwook having joined their own pack through less than ideal circumstances.
“Oh you used to dance? Hanbin-hyung takes dance classes sometimes.” He hears Matthew say and suddenly both omegas are looking at him.
“Ah, yes. There’s a nearby studio I go to when I have free time.” Hanbin says lamely, throwing glances at Matthew who decided to switch over to join his mate’s conversation with Ricky. Apparently the blond had lived in the US for a couple of years and seemed a little more comfortable conversing in English rather than Korean.
“Oh, it’s fine. I’m not that good. Matthew tells me that you used to dance professionally when you were in college. I just have a friend back in China who used to drag me to his dance classes.” Zhang Hao seems equally flustered.
Hanbin frowns a little, his alpha disliking how the omega seemed to put himself down.
“They do offer beginner classes if you’re more comfortable at that level. And they teach a lot of different kinds of dance so I’m sure you could find something you like. I promise all the teachers are very nice, I’ve worked with some of them before, all of them are professionally trained. Even if you aren’t so confident, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying dancing.”
The omega’s quiet for a moment and Hanbin almost worries that he’s stepped over a line.
“Thank you, Hanbin-ssi. I didn’t expect you to be so passionate about this.” Zhang Hao’s eyes dart over to the pups before asking. “The classes, they’re for everyone? It’s just that the kids used to dance before we all- and I was just wondering if they might be able to take a class or-”
“Yes, they’re very much welcome, definitely Zhang Hao-ssi.” Hanbin reassures him. The alpha thinks for a moment before offering. “I’d be happy to come with all of you if you’d like to check it out. I can recommend teachers for them so you won’t worry that they’re well taken care of.”
Zhang Hao’s face is unreadable and Hanbin hastily adds. “Of course, only if you’re comfortable with it. I’ll be happy to just let them know that I recommended it to you and one of the teachers there would be happy to show you around.”
“That’s very kind, Hanbin-ssi.” The omega replies and Hanbin’s alpha jumps happily at the praise. “I- we’d really appreciate it, thank you so much.”
He bows slightly and Hanbin hurriedly bows back.
“It’s really no problem, I’m always happy to help anyone who is passionate about dance. Really, just let me know when you’re all available and I can make time to go with you.”
The omega looks like he's about to say more when something else catches his attention.
“Quanrui, just because you’re allowed to drink in China doesn’t mean you can do it here.” The blond stops dead from where he’s about to take a sip from the glass Jiwoong poured for him.
“You too, Gyuvin-ah. Put the glass down. And I swear if you gave any to Yujin-”
“I didn’t.” The aforementioned guilty brunette protests. “He didn’t, hyung.” The maknae pup defends quietly.
“Come on, Ricky-ah and I are 19.”
“You’re 19 this year. Last time I checked, neither of you have had your birthdays yet so no, Hyung will buy you a drink after you turn 19. Now please apologise to our hosts.”
Both pups set their glasses down and say their sorrys. Jiwoong has the decency to look sheepish about instigating the whole situation.
“I’m really sorry, Zhang Hao-ssi, I really was the one who offered them drinks because they said they were adults already.
“No, I’m very sorry, Jiwoong-ssi. They really should know better.” The omega says, looking deeply flustered by the whole incident.
“Please, it’s really alright, Hao-hyung.” Matthew chimes in, surprising Hanbin with his casual address of the other omega. He didn’t know they had gotten that comfortable so quickly.
“Hanbin and I used to get scolded by his parents for drinking when we were their age too.”
Okay, Hanbin doesn’t know if he wanted Zhang Hao to know that he did the same things the omega was now scolding his pups for.
“Like I said before, please don’t worry about it at all.” He says maybe a little more manically reassuring than needed before Matthew said anything else about what they did as pups. “It’s really no problem.”
Taerae saves them all by offering to bring out dessert. All the pups including Gunwook perk up at the mention of sweets. The beta really is an angel.
“It’s REally no proBLEM.” Matthew clowns him later once the omega and his pack left, thanking them profusely for the meal and promising to host them sometime next week.
Gunwook was apparently successful in getting all the pups’ numbers and SNS accounts. Their maknae chatting with Taerae about how he and Yujin plan to head to school and go back together on some days. All of the pack’s numbers are also safely saved in his phone with the reassurance that they can contact them for anything they might need help with.
“It really isn’t, Seokmae.” Hanbin says evenly.
“Ehh, I know Hanbin-hyung. You’ve always been like, disgustingly helpful. But you know, can you at least turn up the charm for an omega you’re actually interested in, don’t look at me like that Hyung, I saw you subtly sniffing his direction when you thought no one was looking. Well jokes on you, hyung, I’m always watching. Always.”
Okay, maybe Matthew got a little too tipsy from dinner. He exchanges glances with Jiwoong, much to Matthew’s displeasure.
“Yaaa, you need to stop doing that. Just stop it. Stop.”
He smacks a palm at his mate’s chest, the actor having the audacity to look at him innocently.
“Doing what, Mattchu?”
“That weird freaky alpha telepathy thing that you and Hanbin-hyung do when you’re judging me.”
“I’m not judging-”
“Ha- nice try, babe. May I remind you that I mated you and I can smell when you’re lying? And by the way, how dare you lie to me? You? The father of my future pups? No one wants a liar as a father, you-”
Yep Matthew was definitely a little too tipsy. Maybe he overdid it.
“Alpha up, Sung Hanbin!” Matthew hollers as his mate strongarms him into their room. “Court the damn omega! Woo him! Do something!”
The door shuts, leaving Hanbin with Taerae and Gunwook.
To his credit, the beta offers Hanbin a smile before adding his own two cents.
“You know when we talked about looking into dating again, Hanbin-hyung? I think this is the part where you need to actually look up, see the good things that are in front of you.”
And before Hanbin can say anything, he adds. “Oh, and for the record, Junhyeon asked if I wanted to go to this new restaurant with him. And you know what? I think I said yes.”
The beta’s door shuts.
Now it’s just Hanbin and Gunwook, the maknae shrugging as he finishes washing the rest of the dishes.
“Fighting, hyung.”
__________________________________________
Surprisingly, after the dinner, Hanbin begins to see a lot more of the other pack. And little by little, they seem to be more comfortable around him.
Gyuvin, at least, warmed up to him instantly after he had run into the brunette while taking a few sample pastries home from the cafe that they planned to include in their summer menu. Food seemed to be the way to the pup’s heart and before he knew it, Hanbin started keeping snacks on him in case he happened to encounter the younger.
He’s walked into their apartment a few times to see Yujin seated at the dining table with Gunwook, notebooks and laptops open, the maknae alpha explaining a lesson or two to the younger pup.
Out of the three pups, Ricky seemed to be the most elusive but Jiwoong mentioned chatting with him over Katalk, the blond apparently interested in doing work in the entertainment industry in the future.
As for Zhang Hao, while Hanbin has run into him several times or greeted him when the omega came knocking to check if one of the pups happened to be at theirs, nothing would beat-
“Oh, hello Hanbin-ssi.”
“Hao-ssi!” Hanbin greets him, smiling brightly and desperately hoping that-
“Oh Hanbinie! Is this a friend of yours?”
Because the omega happens upon his cafe the day that his Eomma decides to drop by. The universe just loves him.
“Ah, Eomma, this is Hao-ssi, his pack is the one that moved across the hallway from us recently.” Hanbin makes the necessary introductions.
“Hao-ssi, this is my Eomma, she’s just visiting while she’s in the city.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Eomonim.” The omega bows as best as he can with a violin case over his shoulder.
“Oh my, polite and pretty, Hanbinie must be lucky to have you as a neighbour.”
Hanbin does not like that tone in his Eomma’s voice.
“I’m very thankful to him.” Zhang Hao says politely. Oh Hanbin does not like how his alpha is reacting either. “He’s made us feel very welcome.”
“Can I get you anything, Hao-ssi?” Hanbin says before his Eomma can say anything else.
The omega orders a tea latte and chats amicably with his Eomma about the student he’s having a violin lesson with today. When he tries to pay, Hanbin’s Eomma insists it’s on the house, even pressing a cookie or two into the omega’s hand as a snack for him and his student.
“If you let that one get away, Hanbin-ah, I’ll be very disappointed.” She says once the omega’s thanked them profusely and left the cafe.
“Eomma…” Hanbin protests weakly.
“Don’t Eomma me Sung Hanbin, you were looking at him the same way your Appa said I used to look at him before we started dating. I bet he smells different to you, your Appa was the same for me.”
“I don’t think he’s interested in me.”
“Please, you’re my son and you’re very good-looking and very kind and very thoughtful and your Appa and I are very proud of you. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”
“Eomma I’m-” Now Hanbin’s embarrassed again.
“Seriously, he looked like a model. I’m going to have very pretty grandpups, tall ones too.”
“Eomma!”
__________________________________________
That’s not the last time the Zhang pack visits his cafe. Only a few days later on one of his slower afternoon shifts does the door jingle open and three familiar heads stumble in one after the other. Tousled brunette followed by carefully styled blond with Yujin’s neatly cut black hair trailing behind them.
“Hi hyung!” Gyuvin greets him. He’s successfully won the pup over with snacks and enthusiastic conversations about games.
The two others are still a little timid, bowing and greeting him politely.
“What can I get for you?” He says cheerily, picking up a cup and a pen, expecting them to get something to go since they were clearly dressed up to go somewhere.
“Do you have a crush on Hao-hyung?” Hanbin nearly drops the cup.
“Excuse me?” He’s almost convinced he misheard the younger boy.
“Do you have a crush on Hao-hyung?” Gyuvin repeats himself because no, Hanbin definitely did not mishear him.
“Uh…”
“You’re making him uncomfortable, hyung.” Yujin says softly, tugging at the elder’s sleeve.
“I told you he doesn’t have one, Gyuvin-ah.” Ricky sighs, the blond almost exasperated.
“I do.”
Hanbin can’t believe he’s confessing his feelings to pups. God, Hanbin can’t believe he’s confessing his feelings to the pups of the omega that he’s harbouring said feelings for.
“Ha! I win, Ricky! I told you so!” The brunette crows and now Hanbin’s very confused.
Ricky looks mildly disgruntled. Hanbin's not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
“They had a bet.” Yujin says helpfully. “Ricky-hyung didn’t think you liked Hao-hyung but Gyuvin-hyung and Gunwook-hyung said you did.”
Ah, Gunwook, of course. Hanbin will be having words with the baby alpha when he gets home.
“Two hot chocolates and two tea lattes please, hyung.” Gyuvin chirps politely because they’re all still very well-mannered pups. “And if the muffin thing is the same as the one you let me try last week, can I get that too please? Ricky’s paying!”
Hanbin lets the blond pay in line with the conditions with the bet. If he was a little nicer, he would have let Ricky off the hook. Maybe. But now his feelings are out in the open and even he’s not sure what to do with them.
“Why do you like Hao-ge?” Ricky asks him as the blond watches him prepare their orders.
“Ah…it’s a little embarrassing.”
When the pup doesn’t let up staring, Hanbin relents.
“I admire him very much. He’s so talented and he takes such good care of you and he’s so impressive, moving to a foreign country and doing so well. We haven’t talked much but he’s a good friend to Matthew and I’m really thankful to him because Seo- Matthew doesn’t have too many friends who are similar to him, who can relate on a deeper level.”
Silence. Hanbin winces before adding.
“And your Hao-hyung, he’s very attractive.”
Ricky doesn’t falter.
“So why do you like him?”
For a pup, Hanbin’s surprised by his perceptiveness. But he understands that this is someone who cared for the omega really deeply.
“I ran into him a few days before the dinner. I’m not sure if he told you but I opened the door and saw him and my alpha just knew? Like there’s something so familiar about him, something that kind of attracts my alpha to him, almost if we’ve known each other in a past life or something. And I know that sounds really silly but it’s the only way I can explain it.”
Ricky’s silent as he takes the drinks and pastries. And then-
“It’s not silly. Hao-ge said the same thing after he met you.”
Hanbin’s mind is completely blank, a million things and absolutely nothing running through his head. His alpha rearing.
Ricky gives him a small smile before he walks out to join Gyuvin and Yujin.
“Good luck, Hanbin-hyung.”
The door jingles once more and clicks shut.
__________________________________________
The apartment across the hallway is almost an exact mirror of theirs in layout. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms and an open plan living space. The similarity ends there. While they had agreed on a modern aesthetic, the furnishings of this apartment seemed to be antique, done in an oriental style that Hanbin’s sure he’s only seen in museums. Everything’s well made, the imposingly large dining table, the plush cushions of the seats, the soft carpets under their feet.
“Your apartment’s so nice, Hao-hyung.” Matthew chirps to the other omega the moment he walks in. “It's very you.”
And indeed, Zhang Hao’s scent seems to permeate every inch and corner of the room, rose and jasmine and bergamot seeping into Hanbin’s brain and reducing it to mush. His alpha is almost dazed, he sits down mechanically as they start to eat.
It’s a lot livelier than the dinner at their place, back when the other pack had been so cautious. Gunwook’s somehow been roped into a debate between Yujin and Gyuvin. Ricky and Jiwoong are chatting quietly. Matthew and Taerae have busied themselves with helping distribute all the dishes to everyone.
“Would you like some tangsuyuk, Hanbin-ssi?”
He’s brought out of his own head by the source of his distress, offering the dish to him.
“Ah yes please,” He said, fingers brushing over the omega’s own as he takes the dish. Before he can stop himself, he directs the question back at the omega.
“Would you like some as well, Hao-ssi?”
The omega pauses, looking a little flustered before nodding.
Before Hanbin’s brain can catch up, he’s already placing meat into Zhang Hao’s bowl before turning to put some into his own. The small gasp that the omega makes promptly brings him back.
It’s one of the oldest traditions in their part of the world. A gesture of affection from parents to their young pups, grown pups to their aged parents, those who are mated and those who are courting. To put food on the other’s plate before taking some for yourself. It’s a promise. A promise to take care of the other, for better or for worse.
And Hanbin just did that. For Zhang Hao. Who he isn’t even courting.
Hanbin desperately looks around the table to check if anyone else happened to see. While their packmates seem to be absorbed in their own conversations, Hanbin catches Matthew’s eyes, the omega smiling at him knowingly.
He’s doomed. He’s never going to hear the end of it.
Luckily for him, Hanbin manages to get through the rest of dinner without any major hiccups. Sure, he can’t look Zhang Hao in the eye. And maybe Matthew keeps kicking him under the table. But nothing explodes. Ricky and Gyuvin get scolded for trying to sneak Gunwook some of the watered down liquor they’re allowed to have for this celebration. But aside from that, the pups are generally well behaved.
It’s after, when Matthew ropes Jiwoong and Taerae into joining the pups in whatever game they’re playing, that they’re left alone. The omega even has the audacity to shoot Hanbin another look, gesturing wildly before walking over to the other side of the room.
Hanbin pretends he didn’t see it, busying himself with helping Zhang Hao stack up the dishes in the sink, getting a pair of gloves on and scrubbing.
They work in comfortable silence. And then-
“The pups told me that they visited your cafe.” Hanbin’s blood runs cold. Zhang Hao seems unfazed, continuing on.
“I’ve always told them not to interfere with things like this but well, Gyuvin never backs down when Ricky bets with him and Yujin will go along with them because he wins either way.” The omega smiles fondly, glancing back at the pups who seemed completely absorbed in whatever game Matthew is teaching them.
“I’m not a very forward person honestly and I don’t think I would have approached you on my own. I don’t expect a lot because it isn’t just me anymore, even if some of them will be adults soon, these pups are part of my life now and I can’t be with someone who expects me to choose between them and the kids.”
“You don’t need to choose.” Hanbin blurts out. “I promise that you won’t ever need to choose. I understand how special they are to you. Honestly, they're becoming special to me too.”
Silence. Then-
“Ask the question, Hanbin-ssi.”
The alpha nearly drops the plate he’s holding, reaching over and taking the omega’s soapy rubber gloved hands in his own.
“Will- May I court you Hao-ssi?”
The omega smiles at him and it’s beautiful.
“Yes you may, Hanbin-ssi.”
Hanbin’s smiling back, smiling so much he feels the corners of his mouth ache a little.
“Ohmygod.”
“Fucking finally”
“Congratulations hyung!”
“Good job, Hanbin-ah.”
“Did you see how he almost dropped Hao-hyung’s Mom’s heirloom china plate?”
“Damn, if that was me, I wouldn’t be alive.”
“If that was me, I’d cry.”
The alpha and omega both whip around to see their respective packs who have clearly been watching the whole thing unfold.
Zhang Hao sighs, looking ready to scold his pups again.
“I love them, I really do, but honestly? Sometimes I wish they didn’t exist.”
Hanbin nods, not liking how smug Matthew looked.
“I understand that so much.”
“Hyungs, saranghae?” Yujin suddenly says, clearly having been pushed to the front by the other pups.
Hanbin feels a headache coming. Zhang Hao squeezes his hand and he suddenly realises how ridiculous they must look, elbow length gloves still covered in dish soap. But it’ll be fine. It’s alright. Because Hanbin’s in love with the omega next door. And apparently, the omega next door is in love with him too.
[now roll credits for real]
Lil character notes:
Designations: Hanbin (A), Zhang Hao (O), Jiwoong (A), Matthew (O), Taerae (B), Gunwook (A), Ricky, Gyuvin, Yujin (all unpresented)
Ages: Hyungs are all slightly aged up, Jiwoong (late 20s), Zhang Hao, Hanbin, Matthew, Taerae (mid 20s). Gunwook, Ricky, Gyuvin and Yujin, same age as canon.
Scents: Zhang Hao’s scent (rose, jasmine, bergamot, ylang-ylang) is based on the Milk Baobab products that he uses. I’ve based other member’s scents on perfumes they are known to wear but that just didn’t come up when I wrote the fic