Chapter Text
i.
It had begun very discreetly, and Sanghyeok hadn’t even known that he had fallen into Hyukkyu’s web. The 2023 Season Opening had caused whispers of excitement; the precedence of being able to see players of different teams coming together for Event Matches had been heavily anticipated, and even Sanghyeok had been rather endeared by it. He hadn’t participated in many of the light-hearted and playful competitions in a hot minute.
It had also admittedly been rather nice to sit down and interact with his Other Half, as the public had liked to call Hyukkyu—the Sun and the Moon; the Unkillable and the Unbreakable; Mapo’s Rabadon’s Deathcap and Mapo’s Bloodthirster. It had been a tad bit awkward, as they hadn’t talked to each other much outside of their stray congratulations towards the other party and their Facebook messages long ago.
But the small smile that had become so connected to Hyukkyu’s demeanor had made something akin to a glimmer of hope sparkle in Sanghyeok. Perhaps it hadn’t been too late to reconnect; to become friends again. Sanghyeok hadn’t even realized that in the midst of talking with the ADC, he had slowly let out his scent.
Hyukkyu had sniffed the air and had blinked owlishly when he had realized where the smell had been coming from. Internally, he had been raving, but he had kept the calm exterior he had been known for.
It had been intoxicating; so sweet and alluring.
(Why hadn’t he been on scent suppressors? Had he had no scent patches on? Sanghyeok had been theirs—not the public’s.)
He had wanted Sanghyeok—he had been sure his mates would agree.
ii.
The Season Opening had brought about many changes, and one of them had included interacting with another member of DRX, Beryl. Sanghyeok had come to realize that the support had spoken in a discreetly funny manner, even when he had been giving constructive criticism; he couldn’t help the small smile that had appeared on his face as Dohyeon had quietly listened to the man’s feedback.
“What do you think, Sanghyeok-hyung?” Beryl had suddenly asked him.
Sanghyeok had blinked, humming, before nodding. “I think that draft sounds good. And by the way, thank you.”
“Ye? For what?”
He had chuckled. “It’s nice having another…older player lead the group.”
“Ah, yeah, I get it,” Beryl had responded in understanding.
The staff had then opened their door and had told them it had been time to leave for the third and last match.
“Fighting!” Sanghyeok had encouraged, to which they had responded in kind reciprocation.
He hadn’t known what had pushed him to do so that day, but he had remembered patting Beryl on the back and smiling brightly. “Good luck, and let’s win, yeah?”
Beryl had grinned back. “Of course.”
They hadn’t won, but hey, at least Sanghyeok had made a new friend!
They had become friends on Discord and League, and whenever Sanghyeok had seen him in the same lobby, he had always pinged him or emoted if on the opposite side. It had been fun.
Geonhee had still remembered the way that Sanghyeok-hyung’s scent had permeated the waiting room after they had won the second game… he had remembered just how sweet it had been—Hyukkyu-hyung had been right. They had needed him. Especially after spotting random staff and players glancing at him after sniffing the air…
iii.
Pyosik’s first proper interaction with Faker had been in a public restaurant. The waiters had apologetically asked Changhyeon if he would be okay with sitting at a random table, other spaces being at full capacity. Naturally, Changhyeon had had no real issue with this, so he had just told them it had been fine with a kind smile. They had looked relieved as they had led him to the seat. He had sat down, picked up the menu, and glanced at the person in front of him. Narrowing his eyes, he had taken a moment to figure out just exactly why this person had felt so familiar, when it had suddenly clicked.
“Ah! Sanghyeok-hyung?” He had whispered conspiratorially. “I didn’t expect to see you here!”
Sanghyeok had awkwardly laughed. “Uh, surprise? I could say the same about you, Pyosik-ssi…”
“Ey! No need to be so formal! Just Changhyeon is fine!”
“Uh… okay then. Well, anyways, since you’re here, my treat. What do you want to order?”
Changhyeon had mulled it over, staring carefully at the menu. “It’s my first time here… what would you recommend, hyung?”
“Well, I’d say their doenjang-jjigae is pretty good. If you’re a kimchi-jjigae person though, then you’ll be fine ordering that too. Their eel dishes are solid. Honestly, there’s nothing that’s exactly bad here, so I think you’ll like it all. You’re a foodie, no?”
“Ah… yeah, I’d say so,” Changhyeon had giggled. “You seem like one, too, hyung.”
Sanghyeok had seemed to be much more comfortable than a few minutes ago. “Ah, to an extent, but I think you’re more well-informed than me.”
Changhyeon had been very unabashed when it had come to letting his scent out in public; he had known how to control it properly despite how emotional he could get, and so, testing the waters, he had let out his sweet and tart scent of lemongrass, lime, and orange, letting it waft around the two of them. Sanghyeok had stared at him curiously, nose scrunching up, sniffing, before it had relaxed and he had let it just happen. Sanghyeok hadn’t said anything, just giving him a small smile. A small discreet scent of caramel and apple had hit Changhyeon, and Changhyeon had internally cheered.
Sanghyeok-hyung…
They had had a chance!
iv.
Seonghoon was a very calm and respectful individual, he’d like to think so, at least…but Jesus Christ, the way that Sanghyeok kept purposely letting his dizzyingly sweet scent run rampant while around him, god, he wanted to drag Sanghyeok away. But that wouldn’t be dignified of him nor would the mid laner’s team approve of that.
Instead, he hovered around the older male, his mates following suit.
The sight of DRX ‘22 trailing Faker around was certainly something for the history books, but the pack couldn’t care less; Seonghoon included. Despite Faker-hyung being older than him, he still felt the need to pamper and spoil the other player. He would bring bottles of water to him, exchange exercise and stretching tips and tricks, and when he noticed the older’s tired disposition, he’d lead him to the couches of the waiting room, and nuzzle his neck, scent marking him.
The Unkillable Demon King, T1’s Mid Laner—their Franchise Star…whatever the other players and public called him, nothing changed the fact that they were the ones that were courting Lee Sanghyeok himself; the only ones whose interest had been reciprocated… They were the first ones who Faker didn’t outright reject, and that was enough for them to stake their claim; scare away others that thought they had a chance.
The amusing part of it all, was that Sanghyeok would lightly scold them but always seemed to be softly smiling, as if he liked them being so…possessive; like he relished in the knowledge that they would do anything for him and his approval…
v.
Geonwoo was left loudly sighing and pouting whenever he had been around Sanghyeok, only to have their private hugging sessions interrupted by some outsider. Geonwoo sniffed and became more clingy and Sanghyeok chuckled softly, continuing to read his book, gently patting Geonwoo on the head, letting out his sweet scent. Geonwoo huffed and let his sweet and tart scent of peppermint and coffee entangle itself with Sanghyeok-hyung’s saccharine’s one.
Geonwoo knew he probably looked particularly spoiled and pouty, but Sanghyeok-hyung didn’t have a problem with it, so he let himself go; acted out to his heart’s content. He continued to affectionately, if not a bit shyly, scent his hyung’s wrist. It was distinct yet subtle. Sanghyeok hummed in contentment and gently nipped Geonwoo’s earlobe without warning. Geonwoo flushed as the elder mid laner gave him a knowing smile.
vi.
Juhan was the last to really make any sort of move on Sanghyeok, and for good reason. He thought ‘who am I to approach such a figure?’ Thankfully, Sanghyeok hadn’t seemed to care too much—in fact it was quite the opposite. He took well to Juhan’s shy attempts at conversations. The man would give him a polite, but genuine smile. Juhan knew he probably looked like a complete mess in front of the veteran, but he tried his best!
Sanghyeok seemed to appreciate it nonetheless, humoring him and responding warmly. Juhan’s soft voice had endeared Sanghyeok and the older male gave him a casual side hug. Juhan’s face immediately bursted into flames and Sanghyeok caught it, letting out a boisterous chuckle and ruffling Juhan’s hair affectionately.