Work Text:
When he was a child, Baek Cheon had thought that he would like to be an alpha like his father and brother.
Back then he didn't know much about the implications, but even as a child he could see the inherent disdain directed towards omegas in everyday interactions, either within the gates of the sect or in the surrounding cities.
Little habits that had been formed during preadolescence such as finding small places to curl up when feeling down, his willingness to lead others in a less domineering but rather understanding way and even his preference for milder scents were important if unwanted clues as to what was afoot.
Years later he presented himself as an omega, the final stone that crowned the mountain of disappointments that his father had accumulated on him, giving him the necessary motivation to flee his home sect. In the sect of Mount Hua at least he wouldn't be mocked for his secondary sex, if the rumors about the sect leader being an omega were true, then he wouldn't have masters who would be contemptuous in their teachings, nor would he feel the eyes of pity that followed him wherever he went.
Mount Hua was bathed in warm hues, lights danced around the edges as the sun crept toward the horizon to set. The wood creaked pleasantly, bringing with it the smell of oak that had lingered for generations, steeped in history. And the spring breeze brought with it some plum blossoms that caught his eye, finally marking his fate irrevocably.
It might have been another sect, but his doubts were blown away in an instant.
The warm welcome from the sect elders pleasantly surprised him, secretly vowing never to forget the kindness he had received, even with the difficulties that were to come.
Baek Cheon had not only been received as an ordinary disciple, he was even the pride in the eyes of the elders and later named the head of his generation's disciples. It was an honor that he could hardly have received in any other sect, he knows for sure, so he embraces his role with determination.
"Being an omega doesn't mean you'll be weak or lack the ability to be a good leader," was the explanation offered when Hyeon Jong named him main disciple. "We in the Mount Hua Sect know this better than anyone, with the Plum Blossom Sword Saint being an omega but still one of the best swordsmen in the world."
Baek Cheon had listened in wonder at the part of the story that was hardly known outside of the famous swordsman's own sect, perhaps because it was a secret or deliberate omission. He had assumed, like most of the population, that this was an alpha like any other legend recognized for his martial prowess.
At the time he wondered: how many other famous martial artists were actually omega? Many, surely. So Baek Cheon had nothing to envy, and no reason to be left behind in comparison, so he would have to become strong enough to protect his lesser martial brothers.
The first time he met Cheong Myeong, when he was just someone who caught his eye in the city under the foothills of the mountain, he didn't pay much attention to it. The scent of plum blossoms that had caught his attention turned ripe like a wine put to age. He was probably very upset.
It was rather after he had returned to his sect, with the sect leader himself expressing his favoritism openly under a dismissive response and a welcome banquet that ended in failure when he knew.
He knew how much he hated this person, a small third class disciple with a terrible personality who was proving to be a typical alpha, once again stealing Baek Cheon's privileges without even caring.
He almost snarls at his martial brothers, clenching his fists to keep from baring his fangs like some rude dog, completely unseemly for his position. The mocking smile he received in return only made him angrier, as if he knew what Baek Cheon was thinking and gloated over his suffering.
Later, the same little disciple brandishes a sword, pointing at him. Cheong Myeong's scent had become a bit lighter, like a breath of fresh air. With a smile, he said:
"I'll just beat you, so try to learn something from here, okay?"
It was terribly irritating, everything was going according to his plans, as if Baek Cheon had been dancing on the palm of his hand all this time. What he witnessed was talent at its finest, with prowess expressed through the techniques he had been searching for but seemed so impossible to achieve. And he was in turn the person who had repeatedly benefited Mount Hua during his absence.
For the first time, Baek Cheon was willing to bow his head, asking for someone else's guidance, only to be coldly rebuffed. Cheong Myeong knew as well as he did that this show of commitment was not subservience, let alone surrender. and perhaps it was the lack of reflection that made the other refuse without considering it.
Baek Cheon honestly didn't know. He couldn't understand this person in the slightest.
It had been years since hell had descended on the young disciples of Mount Hua, where the devil himself forced them into slavery through indiscreet threats of vigilance.
It was a day like any other when Baek Cheon woke up feeling too tired, more than the usual muscle burn that he had begun to think might be permanent. His face flushed red from the fever that invaded his body, forcing him to reconsider getting out of bed or just getting some more sleep despite the potential threat of punishment for skipping morning practice.
It was the faint floral scent in his room that he had gradually become accustomed to in his dreams that finally compelled him to move. Gosh, he was so immersed in training that he'd completely missed his typical heat cues, chalking it up to exhaustion.
With an effort he got to his feet, forcing himself to take the things he would need to seclude himself during the time he was indisposed, nearly shuffling towards the sect leader's residence to report his absence, and then hastening towards the caves to curl up over the prearranged nest with a piteous wail.
The seclusion time was different than usual, Baek Cheon thought somewhere in the back of his mind. As if the need had meekly settled, casting aside the despair now that some unknown need had been fulfilled.
He didn't dare attribute it to there being an alpha youth leading Mount Hua while watching over them, nor did he want to consider that someone like Cheong Myeong could bring the feeling of tranquility and security.
No, that would be absurd.
It's not like Cheong Myeong made a distinction between Mount Hua's disciples based on their sex or their secondary sex. Hell had a tendency to be equally horrible to all of its inhabitants, so it wasn't that kind of discrimination. It was more the subtle protection when you noticed someone was unaware of danger, so you kept a closer watch just in case.
The Mount Hua disciples had noticed how attentive Cheong Myeong became as the soft floral aroma thickened like a ripe fruit. Strangers who got close enough, simply existing in the same room, were met with a piercing glare that had a hint of murderous intent.
Baek Cheon became especially aware of this personality change, irritated by how often Cheong Myeong would come into his personal space to sniff him and then rubbing his glands so that the scent of plums washed over him.
It was the kind of act that a omega would use with their cubs to bring them comfort. Or more rarely between two omega members of the same pack who were trying to protect themselves. However, Cheong Myeong was an alpha, so this kind of act was more associated with dominance and possessiveness.
'Are you so concerned about other alphas approaching your pack?' Baek Cheon thought irritably. 'Wouldn't you like to piss on me at once?'
Then he mentally slapped himself.
Thinking of things like that was practically begging to happen when it came to Cheong Myeong.
"No, that bastard!" Cheong Myeong had scrambled to his feet, raising a fist in the air. "Do you think you can do whatever you please? I'm going to show you what a real beating is, I won't be satisfied until you're crawling on your knees!"
The Mount Hua disciples had tried to stop him with varying degrees of failure, before finally dropping their desperate gazes on Baek Cheon. As the head of the second class disciples, he sighed inwardly, stepping forward to do his duty.
"Cheong Myeong-ah, the sect leader asked us not to specifically cause trouble at this event."
Unconsciously, Baek Cheon began to emit a soft calming aroma with a subtle undertone of worry and anguish. Cheong Myeong grimaced, turning his head in discontent, his fists clenching and unclenching.
"For now we still have preparations to make, couldn't you wait a bit longer until the elders return...?"
Finally, Cheong Myeong slumped his shoulders listlessly, sniffing unconsciously.
"Only this once, since sasuk looks so pitiful."
Behind Baek Cheon and Cheong Myeong, the disciples exchanged wide-eyed glances, conveying an evil plan without words.
"After all, is it because he is an omega?" Jo Geol wondered out loud, once she made sure Baek Cheon wasn't around to hear him. "Does he like Baek Cheon sasuk or something?"
“I don't think Cheong Myeong has that kind of interest,” Yoon Jong replied, bowing his head. "Also, isn't that the case with the sect leader and Soso as well?"
"But the sect leader is the sect leader. Besides, Soso is Soso."
For some reason, they knew that regardless of the subgenre, these two people would still be an exception.
Yoon Jong let out a resigned sigh. “That is also true…”
At that moment, Tang Soso intervened. "Isn't it because he's an alpha protecting the pack? He even does that weird thing…"
The disciples knew immediately what strange habit the young omega was referring to, even though Cheong Myeong was not without its mysteries. One that had baffled and comforted them in equal measure, one that few were willing to admit that they had searched diligently for an opportunity to welcome it back.
Cheong Myeong liked to take the unsuspecting wrists of Mount Hua disciples to gently rub their wrists, leaving the scent of plum blossom on them like puppies. As if it were marking its cubs, warning in a subtle subtone that whoever dared to harm them would suffer the consequences, almost a label written on the smell of sweet plum, thick and a little violent.
Hye Yeon made a strangled sound, looking at his wrist sadly. "No, actually, it has never done that to me..."
The disciples agreed to ignore Hye Yeon in silence, just a pat from Yoon Jong to reassure him.
Then Jo Geol continued:
"However, it's annoying if that's the case. I can understand him being the pack leader, being what he is, but he completely treats us like puppies!"
Yu Iseol pointed at Jo Geol. "That is."
"¿Uh?"
“I see! That's why it's like this…” Yoon Jong snapped his fingers. "He treats us like puppies, right? So presumably he does the same with sasuk."
"But why doesn't he react the same way to Yu Iseol?"
Yoon Jong shook his head.
"For starters, the scent of sago is almost imperceptible, whereas I'm a beta myself," he explained. "Geol-ah, you're usually rather cheerful or just curse Cheong Myeong."
"It's because sasuk makes those puppy dog eyes, isn't it?" Tang Soso nodded in understanding. "I even feel bad for sasuk when he's worried."
Yoon Jong nodded, watching as the disciples' eyes lit up in varying degrees of understanding.
Jo Geol adds. "So anyone could calm down Cheong Myeong if he's not sasuk?"
Yoon Jong shudders. "Don't tell Sasuke."
“Amitabha,” Hye Yeon murmured sadly. "But I'm also an omega..."
The disciples once again ignored him, averting their gazes in pity.
Cheong Myeong was more likely to push Hye Yeon to the side of the road to continue with his usual mess.
The next time Choeng Myeong stood up furiously, exuding the fragrance of plum blossom wine mixed with something thick like blood, a decision was made.
Yu Iseol crept closer, resting the palm of her hand on Baek Cheon's back as she swept up his legs with her other arm, bringing his weight comfortably onto her arms at height.
Baek Cheon gave Yu Iseol a puzzled look, and even Cheong Myeong stopped for a second to take in the strange scene. In that second, Yu Iseol deposited Baek Cheon onto Cheong Myeong's lap.
“Smell,” Yu Iseol commanded earnestly as Cheong Myeong's arms unconsciously wrapped around a stiff Baek Cheon. A bead of sweat ran down Yu Iseol's stoic face, as if entrusted with an important mission.
Cheong Myeong obeyed, taken aback, however there was nothing unusual. The floral scent was soft but deep, as if he had stepped into a field of flowers in spring. Cheong Myeong unconsciously rubbed his nose over Baek Cheon's neck, noting that the plum scent had faded since he last had the chance to lavish attention on him.
Yu Iseol took a taciturn step back. Tang Soso applauded her silently. Yoon Jong didn't dare move. Jo Geol let out a content sigh. And Hye Yeon uttered a prayer without words.
It had worked.
Or at least partially, because after a while, Cheong Myeong stood up a bit calmer, though without changing his plans to cause a political incident.
Baek Cheon only quietly withdrew, glaring at the treacherous disciples who would soon undergo an insufferable amount of training.
Cheong Myeong's new training method will seem like a walk in the country compared to what he plans to do.