Work Text:
Minho forgets the essence of the conversation with Jisung exactly at the moment when the teacher turns on the first slide of the presentation. The huge caption in all caps blinds him in the dark lecture hall.
'Omegas and Their Historical Concepts.'
Only God knows how he ended up here. And the university website, which crashed at the most inopportune but predictable moment: during course selection. It's not to say this is the worst option of all he could have gotten. In the end, Changbin had to take socio-cultural characteristics of something Minho didn't even want to know about, and poor Jeongin got a nitpicking professor who doesn't give exemption from the final exam even to the best students.
"The tentative order of lectures and course content can be seen on the slide," a pleasant woman in her forties monotonously announces. She's wearing a strict skirt but a nice, soft lemon-colored sweater. "But I recommend you familiarize yourself with more detailed information on the website. We will have several individual assignments and group projects."
That's just what he needed.
And sitting here, in the spacious auditorium number three hundred and fifteen, staring at the giant letters projected onto the whiteboard, Minho starts to doubt who really drew the short straw — him, barely ready to dive into socially ingrained stereotypes, or Jeongin with the grumpy old man.
Minho doesn't mind omegas, after all, he is an omega himself. But it's one thing to come to terms with his role, and another to listen to lectures about it for half a year. Employment statistics and the glass ceiling, examples of revolutionary changes and significant progress, representation in the media… Thanks to the professor for the progressive view, otherwise, he would have had to write essays about reproductive functions and the domestic hearth, and that he definitely couldn't bear. Minho is already tired of his grandmother's pleased mutterings about how wonderful he is: cooks so well, smart, cute — surely in high demand among alphas. Minho would prefer to be in high demand among HR managers during employment.
He involuntarily grimaces. Out of spite, he wants to wind himself up even more, though nothing prompts it and, probably, it's all due to an extra portion of morning coffee and five hours of sleep, but by the end of the first class, fate is kinder to Minho than he could have expected.
For the project work, Minho is paired with Hwang Hyunjin.
The very one Changbin often chats about, Jisung never stops talking about, and who is known by both the senior and junior students, and even Minho. The star of the university, a Kdrama heartthrob, the crush of the students, the teachers' favorite, and the sweetheart of the student council, almost surpassing Chan, who graduated last year, in popularity.
"Hi!" he smells like something reminiscent of peaches, smiles just with the corners of his lips, and even that is so convincing and friendly that Minho simply can't sulk and grumble about having to work in a group. "I'm Hyunjin."
"Minho."
Hyunjin doesn't seem either reserved or shy, but he is very careful in how he sits down next to Minho and chooses his words. It's charming on his part, though Minho hopes he isn't the reason for such excessive delicacy. Jisung often jokes about how unapproachable and tsundere Minho seems at first glance.
He has no desire to scare off the person he will have to work on the project with for the next few months. Especially when Hyunjin is the most popular omega on campus.
"Did you like the lecture?" Minho gently inquires to break the awkwardness, although this is usually unlike him — Changbin spent two weeks trying to get a few extra words out of him.
At the same moment, Hyunjin asks about something else:
"Do you mind taking a topic from the second module?"
Minho smiles as Hyunjin presses his lips together to hold back a laugh. Even despite the tight tank top and the loosely unbuttoned shirt, with that expression on his face, he looks more cute than sexy.
"I don't mind. We can take any topic you want."
Minho doesn't admit that he was only half-listening — probably for the best. Later, he learns that Hyunjin is a year younger (so he becomes not Minho, but hyung) and chose this elective himself. It's not surprising, but Minho has to swallow all complaints about course distribution and promise that he will do his part of the assignment without delay.
For some reason, when Minho leaves the auditorium, the course doesn't seem so bad. He doesn't want to think that it's all because of Hyunjin — cute and undeniably handsome, of course.
***
The idea to invite him to a party occurs to Minho only two weeks later. They are sitting next to each other in class when Hyunjin suddenly offers him a snack bar.
"Thank you," Minho politely declines but can't hide his smile.
Usually, he doesn't like working in pairs or in teams, especially with strangers whose intellectual abilities are highly likely to be questioned once they open their mouths.
But Hyunjin is one of those diligent students who types everything into his laptop, clicks away at the keyboard, and takes photos of the slides. Working on the project with him is pleasant. He asks the right questions, offers good ideas, and shows the initiative that Minho lacks. But besides the necessary minimum, Hyunjin sends him funny cat pictures, asks about other subjects, and now also offers snack bars. Hyunjin is always friendly with him, and his scent, filling the space around them, seems calming: now Minho knows for sure that Hyunjin smells like cinnamon and peaches.
And now Minho is at the stage where it's impossible to hide the affection that awakens in him with every new meeting and conversation.
"Would it be good to add more statistics here?" Hyunjin frowns as they sit in the campus coffee shop — a suggestion from Minho to discuss the project. "And we can compare the figures with last year's."
It's obvious, of course, but Minho somehow wants to praise him.
"Yes, let's do that, great," he hesitates and decides to switch to something different from Hyunjin's profile.
A sip of the cold coffee tastes strange, and Hyunjin looks up from his laptop screen, apparently hearing the displeased sound.
"Has it cooled down? Do you want me to order something else? We'll be here for a while."
Minho waves it off.
"Forget it. Better tell me, what are you doing this weekend?"
Hyunjin blinks.
Today he's wearing an oversized gray hoodie, a branded cap, and black jeans. He looks very long, awkward, and even a bit ridiculous, and this amuses Minho. He suddenly thinks that the sleeves of his sweaters would be too short for Hyunjin.
"Not doing anything. Why?" Hyunjin finally replies.
"Do you want to come to a party with my friends? They rent an apartment and sometimes have small gatherings."
Recently, Jeongin gave him a hard time about never bringing his friends to their place — "your reclusive university life won't do you any good, hyung." Minho didn't mention that Jeongin himself has been in a relationship since high school and doesn't bring anyone new to these parties either (out of the kindness of his heart).
"Will there be a lot of people?" Hyunjin makes a face.
"If you don't want to go, you can say no," Minho says hastily.
To be honest, he started thinking about inviting Hyunjin even before today's class and snack bar. The sudden idea came last weekend when he found himself on the couch in Chan and Changbin's apartment, actively texting Hyunjin about anything but classes. Instead of talking to any of his friends, Minho was almost giggling while Hyunjin talked about his day and an alpha who tried to hit on him while waiting in line for coffee. Minho thought that it would be easier if they were together at that moment.
Minho often thought about this, which was rather shameful for an omega who should be concerned with finding an alpha.
"No, no," Hyunjin protests actively, snapping Minho out of his thoughts. "I just don't like crowds of strangers."
Minho notices that the sleeves of Hyunjin's hoodie are too long and amusingly flap in the air as he waves his hands.
"Don't worry," he gently grabs them to prevent Hyunjin from knocking over the coffee cups. "Hyung will take care of you."
It's embarrassing for both of them. Hyunjin blushes immediately, and Minho laughs loudly, ignoring the turned heads of the other customers.
***
The party is in full swing when Hyunjin finds Minho on the couch.
"Hyung?"
His hair is styled, and his eyes are slightly lined. Minho could swear Jeongin does the same when he's in a good mood.
"Hey there, Hyunjin-ah!" Minho pats the empty spot next to him — Jisung had just stepped away five minutes ago. Well, he's in for a surprise when he returns. "I thought you wouldn't come."
"I arrived on time, but Chanbin caught me at the entrance."
"Oh right, Changbin-ah. You're in the same class?"
"Yeah, he often wants to work in pairs," Hyunjin mumbles thoughtfully. Minho likes watching his white T-shirt glow under the fluorescent lights.
"Not surprising," he says. "It's nice to work in a pair with you."
Hyunjin snorts. His thoughtfulness is replaced by a smile that suits him very well.
"Do you think that's the only reason?"
"Not sure," Minho shrugs, making an entirely uninterested face to play along. "Do you think there's something else?"
Hyunjin giggles, and Minho feels his knee shaking slightly.
They sit there, chatting about everything and nothing at all, until Jisung comes back.
"Does Minho really have friends besides me?" he frowns, eyeing Hyunjin and towering over both of them.
Minho knows that once, long ago, about two years ago, Jisung liked Hyunjin, and now he's expertly giving him a look that questions Hyunjin's very existence.
"Hey, kid," Minho snorts and weakly kicks him. "For you, I'm hyung."
"That’s in the past," Jisung grumbles, feigning offense, but still hands him a can of beer. "Now you've got someone else," he nods at a confused Hyunjin who is snuggling up to Minho’s side, "to call you hyung."
Actually, Hyunjin is allowed to call him Minho because they don’t have a significant age difference and their relationship is a bit different — what kind exactly, Minho hasn't decided yet — but Jisung has a point.
"Go complain to Channie-hyung or Changbin, they’ll definitely comfort you."
"Now that’s just rude!"
Watching their banter, Hyunjin finally realizes they're mostly joking and laughs. Minho watches closely as Hyunjin’s hair falls back, his mouth opens, and his eyes turn into crescents. He seems criminally beautiful to Minho, and it’s not just the alcohol hitting him.
Hyunjin effortlessly fits into the party, into this dimly lit space, into the bass of the music and — oh, wow — into Minho’s hands. For some reason, Minho only now realizes that one of them has been resting on the back of the couch for a while, and the tips of his fingers have been casually brushing Hyunjin’s T-shirt. He doesn’t want to move it at all, and Minho stays in that position for another hour until he has to change locations to spend time with someone else besides his new friend.
***
Talking with Hyunjin feels so easy, as if they’ve known each other for years and understand almost everything about one another. Minho gradually starts to trust him, seeking out meetings and cherishing any sign of attention.
This trust was built like a brick house — first, the foundation was laid during their first meeting in the omega course, then, brick by brick, the walls were built from conversations, walks to the coffee shop, and quiet work in the library; then glass windows appeared in these walls, allowing one to see the world as the other does; and the roof, made of awkward hugs, handshakes, and pats on the back, carefully protects the house from the weather.
Minho still doesn’t know what word to use to describe what’s happening between them. It feels like friendship, but somehow it’s not the same as with Jisung, Jeongin, or even Chan. Minho feels a tenderness towards Hyunjin, experiencing a tight feeling in his chest every time Hyunjin smiles, looks him straight in the eyes, or simply talks — it’s similar to how Minho feels after watching TikToks about cute cats.
Nevertheless, even if Minho can’t name it with a precise word, he’s sure they are close. So it’s not surprising that Hyunjin is increasingly going to parties with Minho and his friends.
"Hyunjin-ah!" Jisung pats his back as they enter the apartment. "I bought you a beer."
Minho raises his eyebrows, glancing from Jisung to Hyunjin and back. Apparently, Hyunjin easily gets along with everyone, even with Han Jisung. Maybe Minho isn’t so special after all.
"Didn’t forget to greet your hyung?" Minho takes off his sneakers and glares at Jisung, who immediately apologizes, bows awkwardly, and retreats towards the kitchen.
"Don’t be so hard on him, hyung," Hyunjin giggles. "Jisung gets distracted easily, you know that."
Of course, Minho knows, he’s known Jisung practically since they were in diapers.
They peek into the kitchen, where they greet Chan, who is slicing fruits, while Jisung pretends to be busy with something useful. Minho grabs a bottle of soju from the bar and heads to the living room, nodding to everyone present.
Hyunjin trails behind him, and Minho doesn’t even need to look back to know that it’s his footsteps he hears.
Settling on a narrow couch, Minho opens the bottle of soju and drinks straight from it. Sitting next to him, Hyunjin manages to start a conversation with Jeongin, and Minho hears the end of a sentence:
"…it’s fine, but I’m a little sad that I’ll miss next week."
Minho frowns and sharply turns his head — Hyunjin hadn’t mentioned missing any classes.
"I figured as much," Jeongin replies. "Your scent has intensified."
Slowly inhaling through his nose, Minho tries to distinguish cinnamon and peach among the multitude of scents. The realization hits him hard — Hyunjin's scent has indeed intensified, but Minho spent so much time with him that he didn't even notice.
An intensified scent meant only one thing.
"Already?" Hyunjin frowns. "The heat is supposed to start in four days."
Minho takes two more gulps of soju, not understanding why his hands start trembling.
"You smell very sweet, Hyunjin," Seungmin assures, appearing from behind Jeongin. "But that’s purely in a friendly way, don’t get me wrong! I’m taken."
Thank goodness.
Minho would have completely lost it if, on top of all the new information, an alpha Seungmin started hitting on Hyunjin.
But apparently, today, the gods turn away from Lee Minho because the next thing he hears is a loud:
"And how do you plan to spend your heat?" Jeongin sits on the armrest of the couch next to Hyunjin. "Do you have an alpha?"
"I… usually go through it alone," Hyunjin mumbles. "I take blockers, stay at home, and try not to die."
"That sounds awful," Seungmin frowns. "Are you sure you don't need help? I think Bang Chan…"
Minho chokes on his soju and starts coughing. Hyunjin has to pat him on the back, and meanwhile, Seungmin continues, "Bang Chan wouldn’t mind helping, you know? He's a good alpha and would be happy to take care of you."
Hyunjin tactfully declines.
Minho finishes the bottle to the very bottom. He thinks that Chan would be a good choice — he is experienced and unbelievably handsome. Chan's scent is not the most usual, but quite attractive — roses and tanned leather, like in the interior of a new car.
Chan would make a good alpha for Hyunjin, something Minho could never become — because he is, damn it, an omega.
***
Going to university without Hyunjin is, at the very least, boring and, at most, nerve-wracking.
Of course, Minho is not alone. He has someone to spend lunch with or a break after the second class on Wednesday. He has someone to discuss schedule changes and the rising price of puddings in the cafeteria with.
But somehow, without Hyunjin, everything feels different. More empty. Uninteresting.
Minho is slowly coming to understand what his attachment to Hyunjin truly means. There is a simple reason why his friendship with Hyunjin is different from his friendships with others. It's the reason why he is gentle and careful, why he feels comfortable and at ease talking to him.
What Minho feels for Hyunjin is called by the simple word 'crush,' but he has confidently ignored it all this time. In a society where it's customary for an omega to have a relationship with an alpha, or at the very least with a beta, no one expects an omega to pay attention to another omega. Minho hadn't thought about this before — there were only standard couples around, capable of conceiving a child; books and movies were about them, and even his own friends practiced only this type of relationship — except for Jisung the beta, for whom neither first nor secondary gender matters.
Being in love with another omega deep down feels somewhat shameful, although Minho understands with his mind that this is not the case at all.
He has no idea how Hyunjin would react to this type of relationship. Now is definitely not the time for this conversation — Minho is sitting here at university, waiting for the next lecture to start, while Hyunjin is going through a heat at his apartment.
They have talked little since that party. Hyunjin has been preparing for the week-long break from studies, and Minho has been trying to offer his help from time to time: not the kind an alpha could provide, but at least to supply Hyunjin with water and food.
Hyunjin brushed it off, saying it wasn't his first time going through heat alone. But Minho continued to worry and wrote to him every day, reminding him to eat.
Minho locks phone and leans his forehead against the cool wall. If only he had the chance to figure out everything happening in his heart and soul — everything would become much easier.
A short vibration signals a new message.
Three dots appear and disappear, and Minho stares at the screen for a good five minutes. Maybe he texted at the wrong time? Or maybe Hyunjin is simply annoyed with his care?
Hyunjin’s reply turns out to be brief:
Minho blinks several times, staring at the message. What could Hyunjin mean?
Minho gasps for air, just like a fish thrown onto the shore.
Minho swallows the accumulated saliva in his mouth and bolts from his spot. He runs through the hallway and bursts into the omega restroom. Felix, standing by the sink, flinches and gives him a worried look but says nothing.
Once at the sink, Minho turns on the cold water full blast and splashes it right onto his face. He leaves his hands under the stream of water until fingertips start to tingle. Then he looks at himself in the mirror — the shirt is wet around the collar, hair is disheveled, and gaze is close to madness.
Minho tries to steady his breathing while reaching for the paper towels hanging on the wall. Eventually, Felix helps by pulling one out and patting the water off Minho's face.
Five minutes pass before Minho walks back into the hallway, sits down on one of the benches near the gym, and finds the strength to reply to the message.
Hyunjin doesn't reply to him then or the next day.
***
The next few days pass in a haze. Minho doesn't even notice when a new week begins and Hyunjin returns to university.
They no longer cross paths in the hallways (Minho uses detours and moves in short bursts) and don't eat lunch together (Minho brings food from home in plastic containers). Hyunjin hasn't texted him anything, and Minho couldn't gather his thoughts to initiate a conversation.
Jisung looked at him suspiciously when Minho refused to go to lunch together, and Felix whispered, asking if everything was okay. To his credit, no one in their group found out about the incident in the restroom.
But there is something inevitable in their university life, and that is the course on omegas and their historical concepts.
Minho enters the classroom and immediately sees Hyunjin at their usual spot — the desk where they have attended dozens of lectures.
"Hi?" Minho says uncertainly as he sits down.
"Hi, hyung," Hyunjin responds, unusually shy, looking away. "How... how are you?"
The level of awkwardness exceeds all imaginable limits, and Minho is somewhat relieved when the lecturer enters the room and starts the class. He opens the document with his notes and writes down the lecture topic, glancing at Hyunjin in the dim light of the classroom. Hyunjin is typing intently, biting his lower lip, with a lock of hair resting on his forehead.
Minho shakes his head and secretly takes out phone to send a message.
Hyunjin gets distracted from his notes and finally meets Minho's gaze. Almost immediately, he gasps and turns away but still types a response.
Minho gets completely distracted from the lecture and looks questioningly at Hyunjin, who, however, is not eager to turn back towards him. Muttering something displeased, Minho reaches under the table and lightly pinches Hyunjin's thigh.
Hyunjin taps his finger on the table a couple of times to get attention — just to show how he rolls his eyes.
Now Hyunjin pinches his thigh, frowning cutely as if to ask, "Are you serious?"
Minho confidently nods.
Somewhere in the background, the lecturer is talking about the representation of omegas in ancient Greek literature, but Minho is already imagining how nice it would be to kiss Hyunjin on his soft lips and feel his scent right on him. He hopes that cinnamon and peaches will blend well with his own vanilla and lemon.