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From the moment Jiwoong met Yujin on Boys Planet, something in him had instinctibely taken the boy under his wings.
Not his fault okay? First, he is an omega. Second, he has a plethora of cute kids around the age of his younger brother running around, he cant help but see them as his pups!! Third, he wishes Yujin was just a bit smaller so he could fit in his arms and Jiwoong could hide him away from the world!! Okay maybe, Jiwoong does see Yujin as a baby but only cause Yujin is his baby. Whatever.
Jiwoong rarely let his guard down around others, but Yujin brought out a side of him that was deeply protective and nurturing. Nine years his junior and still unpresented, Yujin’s playful energy and wide-eyed curiosity seemed to trigger every omega instinct Jiwoong had. It didn't bother him in the slightest, he felt giggly just looking at the younger and he couldn't help but coo every time the younger would pout, like during their song selection and Jiwoong couldn't help but console him and nuzzle his head over Yujin's, he definitely noted the red ears of the younger and found it so cute!
It had started innocently enough. During the show, Yujin would tug on Jiwoong’s sleeve during rehearsals, seeking comfort when overwhelmed. Jiwoong, who was typically reserved and cautious, found himself letting Yujin do things no one else could. Yujin often nuzzled against Jiwoong’s neck, breathing in his calming scent, leaving behind faint traces of his own unpresented scent in return. Jiwoong didn’t mind the neutral, noteless scent clinging to him, It was comforting, almost grounding.
Of course, there was Ricky, the younger alpha trainee who seemed to think Jiwoong’s Do Not Disturb signs were optional. Ricky would barge into Jiwoong’s room unannounced, flopping onto his bed with zero regard for boundaries. Despite Jiwoong’s exasperated protests, Ricky always found a way to worm his way into his space, draping an arm around him or nuzzling against his shoulder. Jiwoong would roll his eyes, but the warmth of Ricky’s presence somehow made it hard to stay annoyed.
Most of the time, Ricky’s would press his nose against Jiwoong’s collar, inhaling deeply as if to reclaim his space on Jiwoong’s scent. The soft brush of Ricky’s nose would send a shiver down Jiwoong’s spine, his resolve crumbling further when he felt the gentle press of lips against his nape.
“Yah, stop that!” Jiwoong would sputter, swatting at Ricky’s arm with little force. But Ricky’s laughter, low and smug, only made Jiwoong’s face heat up further.
Jiwoong wanted to scold him, to set firm boundaries, but he was so tired most of the time. Instead, he let Ricky linger, brushing off his antics with an exasperated sigh. Some nights, when sleep tugged at Jiwoong’s eyelids, he could barely muster the energy to respond, his protests fading into a quiet grumble. And sometimes he would hear the younger say that little shit really made sure hyung reeks of his stupid scent huh as Ricky would press in further as if to dissipate Yujin's scent.
Don’t call my baby that Jiwoong would think absently but by the time the thought fully registered, Jiwoong was already half-asleep, his exhaustion winning over any instinct to argue.
Jiwoong didn’t mind the scenting Afterall, in fact, he encouraged it
When Yujin shyly asked if he could help Jiwoong with his nest, during his first heat since the show started, Jiwoong let him, even though his nest was a deeply personal space.
The younger boy’s presence there felt right, natural, as though Yujin belonged. Hanbin and Taerae, the other two omegas Jiwoong allowed in his nest, would whine when Yujin barged in and claimed the spot right next to Jiwoong, nuzzling in the eldest omega's chest who would laugh and smell Yujin's hair. They’d proceed to bicker over the coveted space on Jiwoong’s back, much to his amusement. Jiwoong, his head heady with the mingled scents of his omegas and his baby, would giggle at their antics, breathe deeply, and mumble something about ‘his pack’ on repeat. He never really noticed his own words, but Hanbin made sure to tease him mercilessly about it after his heat ended. Taerae, on the other hand, had laughed himself to tears when Jiwoong, in his retaliation, let Matthew nuzzle into his nest and ignored Hanbin for what Hanbin dramatically claimed was half a day. (‘It was two hours,’ Hao had clarified later, laughing. ‘Hyung's too whipped for any of us to last even twelve hours.’)
After their debut as Zerobaseone, nothing changed.
If anything, Jiwoong became even more protective of Yujin. Jiwoong’s instincts were deeply tied to caring for those he considered his, and Yujin had become his precious. He was always making sure Yujin had everything he needed, pampering him in subtle ways. Sometimes he didn't even do it consciously like he let Yujin borrow his books without hesitation, offering them with a soft smile while for others he would at least do pros and cons of how they would come back before eventually succumbing anyway and even allowed him to braid his hair, a sign of their closeness and the trust Jiwoong placed in him. The act of curling up beside Yujin in their shared dorm bed, letting the younger find comfort in him after long days, became a quiet routine for the two.
He even gave Yujin his spare credit card and solo apartment spare key, just in case. Yeah its fine. It's Yujin and Jiwoong's belonging and after all, Yujin is Jiwoong's. He had ignored Gunwook's whining what about Gunwookie when he saw Jiwoong handing them to Yujin. Maybe in a year or maybe never, Jiwoong had a feeling Gunwook would never shut up about it if Jiwoong gave it to him.
Yujin’s scent clung to Jiwoong’s clothes long after they were apart. Jiwoong didn’t just tolerate it; he cherished it, savoring the way it lingered in his personal space as a reminder of his bond with the younger. The younger brought out a fierce protectiveness in Jiwoong, a need to ensure that Yujin always felt safe, loved, and taken care of. It was Jiwoong’s way of expressing the depth of his affection without words, a constant reassurance that Yujin had a place beside him, no matter what.
The other members quickly picked up on the dynamic between Jiwoong and Yujin. The way Jiwoong doted on him, always making sure Yujin was fed and comfortable, seemed to border on the possessive, especially when Jiwoong would fuss over the younger with such tenderness. The others teased Jiwoong about spoiling Yujin, often joking about how much he seemed to cater to his every need, but it was obvious to them all that Jiwoong’s actions were driven by a deep, almost protective affection.
One night, after a long day packed with schedules and rehearsals, the members decided to have a sleepover in the living room. Blankets and pillows were dragged out from every corner, creating a chaotic nest on the floor. Jiwoong’s own nest, was now partially relocated to the center of the pile. Yujin had immediately made himself cozy against Jiwoong’s side, curling up like a content little pup. Without hesitation, Jiwoong instinctively wrapped an arm around him. He nuzzled Yujin’s hair, as if making sure his scent settled over the younger, claiming him in the most subtle of ways. Yujin sighed contentedly, burrowing deeper into Jiwoong’s embrace, his breathing evening out as he drifted into sleep.
And then from his right, Hanbin- of course it was his closest omega who would tease him- propped up on his elbow, couldn’t help but watch the scene unfold with a small, amused smirk on his face. “Hyung,” he whispered, his voice a mixture of teasing and disbelief. “It must be hard becoming a parent at 25.”
Jiwoong blinked, a bit confused at first. “What?”
Before Jiwoong could process the words, the room exploded into laughter and chatter. Ricky, sprawled across the floor near Hao and Matthew, burst out laughing at Hanbin’s remark. Hao sat up, his grin sly and mischievous. “It’s true,” he said, clearly enjoying the moment. “You coddle Yujin so much, it’s like you gave birth to him.”
Matthew raised his hand dramatically, pointing at Jiwoong, “Jiwoon hyung, the doting omega dad! Raising his pup while the rest of us watch in envy!”
Jiwoong flushed a deep red, glancing down at Yujin, who was still peacefully asleep, his face tucked into Jiwoong’s side. “He’s not my…” Jiwoong began, but his words faltered, the protest feeling weak even to him. Deep down, he knew the truth, Yujin was his to protect, his to care for. He did treat Yujin like his baby, his precious pup, and it wasn’t something he could easily deny.
“It’s the instincts,” Gunwook said, his deep voice cutting through the teasing. “You’re an omega, and Yujin’s, well, he’s yours. That’s why you’re so soft on him.”
Hao’s smirk widened. “Yeah, but what about the rest of us?” His gaze lingered on Jiwoong, as if daring him to say something in response. The playful tension in the air only deepened when Ricky elbowed him sharply, muttering something under his breath.
Matthew raised a hand again, clearly enjoying the attention he was getting. “Uh, I’m pretty sure Jiwoon hyung doesn’t see us as his ‘pups.’” He shuddered dramatically, making everyone laugh. “That’s just wrong.”
"Yeah I am so not incest or whatever" Hanbin muttered behind him, pulling a disgusted face like he just imagined it. Jiwoong chose to ignore him.
“Exactly,” Taerae added, his voice a little more hesitant as he flushed a deep red. “We’re definitely not pups. But....” He trailed off for a moment, before glancing at Jiwoong with a shy laugh. “I wouldn’t mind if Jiwoong hyung paid more attention to me.”
The teasing only continued to grow, their voices becoming a mix of playfulness and a subtle, unspoken longing. Each member, despite the joking, had their own private feeling about Jiwoong. But no one dared to make a move. Maybe later, currently the dynamics between them was as good as they wanted. (Ignore Ricky's constant staring at Jiwoong while he is busy with practice or Hanbin looking at the the oldest like he is a star or Gunwook making sure to plaster himself over his back) The space between them, however, was thick with unspoken affection.
“Shh!” Jiwoong hissed, his finger quickly pressing to his lips as he pointed at Yujin, whose body had shifted slightly in his sleep. Instinctively, Jiwoong adjusted his hold, his hand moving gently to stroke Yujin’s hair in soothing motions. The room fell silent, the teasing momentarily forgotten as they watched Jiwoong. The atmosphere in the room shifted, and for a brief moment, no one dared to speak.
The members exchanged knowing looks. They all finally settled back into their makeshift beds, the teasing moment quieting down, though amused smiles lingered on their faces.
Jiwoong leaned back against his pillow, his hand still absently stroking Yujin’s hair. He felt a deep warmth in his chest, surrounded by his pack of his own making. Despite their teasing, there was something comforting about being here, in this moment, with Yujin curled up beside him. Jiwoong couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace, even if he didn't know that it wasn’t the peace everyone else was looking for.
Just as Jiwoong thought the teasing had passed, Gyuvin, who had been half-asleep on the edge of the pile, suddenly spoke up, his voice muffled by his pillow. “Wait,” he muttered, his words slurring slightly. “If Jiwoong hyung is Yujin’s dad, doesn’t that make me and Jiwoong hyung married? Since Yujin is my son too?”
The room stayed silent except maybe Taerae snorting at that and Ricky playfully smacking Gyuvin over the head with a pillow.
“I’m just saying...” Gyuvin started, clearly not ready to back down from his half-asleep logic, but Jiwoong quickly shot him a glare that was more fond than stern. He turned his gaze back down to Yujin, who had once again snuggled closer to him in his sleep. Jiwoong shook his head, a small, affectionate smile on his lips.
“Enough,” Jiwoong whispered, his voice low but firm. “You’re going to wake him up.”
The teasing finally began to die down, though playful smiles still lingered on their faces. Jiwoong settled back into the comfort of the pillow, his hand never leaving Yujin’s hair.
So what if Jiwoong thought of Yujin as his baby? It's fine, one or two kids lining up in his life wont empty his pockets.