Archive of Our Own

Jooyeon was exactly 93% sure that if he had to sit through one more slow-motion, romantic forehead touch in this damn show, his alpha instincts would revolt and he’d start chewing on the remote like a feral golden retriever.

It was only the second day of the New Year, but the living room felt warm… too warm, in his opinion. In fact, his black hoodie was already discarded somewhere behind him and he was seriously considering yanking off his pajama pants next. The dorm’s central heating system was doing the absolute most, valiantly pumping out heat in defiance of the January cold still clinging to the outside world. Just beyond the frosted windows, a pale layer of snow blanketed the ground, remnants of last week’s storm now settled into a crunchy, icy crust that glittered under the late morning sun.

Inside, though, the world felt soft and safe. The scene before him was a patchwork of comfort; thick, knit blankets draped across the mismatched furniture, mellow lighting from the fairy lights strung lazily along the ceiling and the faint scent of a vanilla candle wafting from the coffee table. The TV screen flickered with the latest K-drama his packmate suckered them into watching, something about childhood friends-to-lovers and a medically-inaccurate coma.

“Ugh, why are they just staring at each other like that?!” Jooyeon groaned, sprawled dramatically across the communal couch like a man on the brink of death. “They’ve been standing in the rain for eight whole minutes... EIGHT, hyung! That’s not romance, that’s asking to get hypothermia!”

Seungmin, the only beta of their pack and thus blessed with the patience of an exhausted kindergarten teacher, didn’t even flinch.

“Shhh, this is the best part!” he said, eyes glued to the screen and a small smirk tugging at his lips. “The slow-mo blink is coming. Watch her, she’s gonna blink like she’s seen the face of God.”

“I am watching, that’s the problem,” the younger male muttered, kicking his socked feet restlessly. “We could be watching literally anything else right now! Reality TV, sci-fi... that one documentary about the haunted toaster that eats souls.”

“You suggested Attack on Titan again and I said no. I’m not emotionally prepared to see large people eat small people for 25 episodes in a row.”

“What? That’s character development!”

“No, that's trauma with extra steps.”

To their left sat their two eldest packmates, who were completely unbothered by the bickering from where they were cocooned together on a tiny chaise lounge clearly built for one-and-a-half people at best. Gunil, their pack leader and noted seat-stealer, had an arm wrapped lazily around Jungsu, who was nestled under a fleece blanket with his laptop propped on both their knees. From the device, the sounds of aggressive ramen slurping and enthusiastic kimchi crunching played at a low volume.

“...Why’s that guy eating with chopsticks in one hand and a ladle in the other?” Jooyeon asked, becoming momentarily distracted as he leaned over to peek at their screen.

“He’s got big slurp energy,” Jungsu replied serenely, not looking up.

“Technique, precision... He’s a mukbang master. Respect the craft,” Gunil nodded sagely, agreeing with his younger mate.

On the other end of the room, Hyeongjun was lounging on a large bean bag, flipping through a comic and sipping something violently neon from a cup that read “World’s #1 Omega (According to Me!)” in a sparkly, hot pink font (obviously a Christmas gift from Jooyeon).

“You’re just mad because the main lead reminds you of how you embarrassed yourself in front of a certain omega at last week’s holiday party,” he said helpfully, not glancing up either.

Seungmin nearly choked on his own laughter while the youngest man bolted upright, scandalized.

“It was a tactical retreat!” he yelled, ears burning up beneath his long, blonde mane.

“It was a face-plant into the snack table,” Hyeongjun corrected him.

“To be fair, the samgak-kimbap survived! Barely, but I saw it with my own eyes,” Gunil raised his hand without looking away from the mukbang continuing to play.

“Aish, this pack is cursed!” Jooyeon groaned, flopping back against the couch in defeat.

“Hey, don’t be bitter because you lost to a tub of honey butter chips,” Seungmin said with a grin.

“Mood,” Jungsu nodded in solemn agreement just as the mukbang host let out an intense “mmmm!” sound in delight.

At this, Jooyeon just stared at the ceiling. He was surrounded by weirdos, ones who thought this was peak bonding time and dragged him into their cozy chaos with no intention of letting him leave.

Honestly, he kinda loved them for it. Even if Seungmin’s taste in K-dramas was objectively felonious.

His eyes were now closed, limbs comfortably sprawled, and he was seconds from mentally escaping into his personal anime-themed happy place when all of a sudden, they heard a click and the faint sound of a door closing echoing from down the hallway. Then, stepping out of the shadowy hallway like some kind of sleepy morning mirage was their final omega packmate.

Jiseok apparently just emerged from wherever he was hiding since breakfast time, looking as if he wandered out of his bedroom and accidentally into a toothpaste commercial. His black hair was barely visible from under his snug, beige knit beanie, a few dark strands poking out in charming chaos around his forehead. He lifted his arms in a lazy stretch that revealed a sliver of skin above his sweatpants waistband and let out a quiet yawn that sounded suspiciously like a puppy sighing.

“Morning,” he mumbled, voice still husky with sleep as he padded into the living room like he didn’t just casually derail Jooyeon’s entire brain function.

Meanwhile, the latter just stared, unmoving and unbreathing while potentially ascending into a separate spiritual plane of attraction.

To set the record straight, it wasn’t like Jooyeon meant for Jiseok to completely sweep him off his feet at first sight. He didn’t walk into their first year of college thinking, “Hey, I’d love to emotionally implode over the softest, most frustratingly oblivious omega I’ve ever met!”. No, that part came later.

They met in their orientation group, both bleary-eyed and exhausted from moving into their freshman dorms the day before. Jiseok (who had short, lilac hair back then) offered him a piece of gum and a shy smile after Jooyeon (then a brunette with a singular, rainbow streak that rested above his forehead) accidentally called their OL “eomma,” and that was pretty much it. From that moment on, he was a goner.

Everything after that happened naturally; Jiseok eventually introduced Jooyeon to the rest of his future pack and before he knew it, they all clicked into place like puzzle pieces that were waiting for each other. However, even as his bonds with the others grew stronger over the years, it was Jiseok he always found himself turning toward first.

They became best friends, that much was undeniable. Between late-night convenience store ramyeon runs, study sessions that turned into doom-scrolling spirals, and Jiseok stealing his clothes and acting like it was no big deal, Jooyeon knew every one of his micro-expressions like they were his own. The way Jiseok leaned into him when he was cold, trusted him when he was scared, teased him like they had 500 more years of life ahead of them instead of just a few decades…

Somewhere along the line, the fondness shifted and sharpened. Jooyeon realized he already fell for him harder than he thought possible, but he kept it folded neatly in the back pocket of his heart like a secret love letter he’d never mail because… what if Jiseok didn’t feel the same way? What if confessing ruined everything they already had?

Thus, Jooyeon swallowed it down and kept being his best friend, the alpha who showed up when it mattered even if every casual touch secretly made his heart stutter in his chest. Now, years later, they were still here, living together and sharing the same space, laughter and everyday chaos. And just like right now, he was still completely wrecked every time Jiseok walked into the room.

“Uh… Joo?” Hyeongjun’s whispered voice sliced through his haze like a buzzsaw through a bag of marshmallows beside him. “You good?”

“I’m- yeah! Y-yep, normal! Functioning. Hey, Jiseokie!” the younger greeted his best friend, causing the red-haired male to raise an eyebrow.

“Hey, Yeonie,” Jiseok blinked sleepily at the room, tugging on the zipper of his puffer jacket and gaze sweeping the group like a gentle breeze, lingering nowhere long enough to notice Jooyeon slowly dying in his seat. “Anyway, I’m heading out for a bit!”

“Where to? It’s, like, -10°C outside,” Seungmin shifted.

“The indoor pool,” Jiseok said simply, like that was the most logical thing anyone could say on a frigid January morning. “Thought I’d get in a swim before it gets crowded.”

“Aish, Jiseok-ah, you’re going to catch a cold going out in this weather!” Jungsu, now halfway through peeling a hallabong on the chaise, let out a dramatic gasp. “Did you even eat anything today? Have you warmed up properly? Do you have thick enough underwear on?”

“Hyung, it’s heated. I’m gonna be fine! I’ve survived worse,” Jiseok rolled his eyes at the luna.

“You’re an omega, not a snow plow,” the elder muttered. “At least eat something on the way then.”

He tossed him the rest of the fruit despite the younger’s dismissal, the aroma of it mixing well with that of the candle and Jungsu’s natural scent of vetiver, rainwater and white tea (which was quite potent at that moment from being nuzzled up to his mate, whose own scent smelled of musk, cedarwood and black pepper).

“Thanks, appa,” Jiseok joked with a grin as he stuffed it into his coat pocket.

Meanwhile, Jooyeon was still staring, mouth slightly open and brain buffering at 2% battery. He internally scolded himself to say something cool, “Anything!” his conscience screamed at him.

“Um, h-have a, uh… watery- swim! I mean, good swim. Pool, swimming. You.”

The entire room went silent for half a beat, feeling very much like they all just watched the poor alpha suffer a stroke.

“Wow, you’re drowning and you’re not even in the pool,” Hyeongjun muttered, turning a page in his comic and making Jooyeon slap a throw pillow over his face in shame.

“Thanks, everyone! I’ll be back in a couple hours,” Jiseok, to his credit, smiled brightly like the youngest didn’t just short-circuit in real time. “Don’t let Minnie here make you watch another sad romance while I’m gone!”

“HEY, I HEARD THAT!” Seungmin yelled as the elder ravenette pulled on his scarf and slipped out the door.

Then, the front door echoed like the ending of a scene in a movie. Once they were all sure he was gone, Jooyeon flopped backward with a loud groan.

“I need to move out…,” he whined into the cushion.

“You need a lifeguard,” Gunil jested.

“You need therapy,” Seungmin added.

“You need to ask him out already!” Jungsu scoffed, not looking up from his phone.

The youngest let out a strangled noise that could only be described as the sound of an alpha in deep, dumb love with his packmate.

“That man is going to be the death of me before I can even try!” he groaned, at last peeling the pillow away from his face.

“That’s a bit much, even for you,” Seungmin said, though the smirk in his voice said he was fully enjoying this.

“No, but honestly, what’s the issue? Just court him,” Jungsu pressed.

“Wait… huh? You mean you’re not kidding?” Jooyeon flailed upright like he was electrocuted.

“Don’t act so surprised,” Hyeongjun chimed in from his plushy throne. “You look at him like he’s the sun.”

“Okay, but you’re all completely insane, you know that?” the youngest sputtered, cheeks flaring up in betrayal.

“They’re not wrong though,” Gunil, the calmer, wiser of the two alphas, leaned forward slightly, finally pausing his YouTube video.

“Oh my God, you too, hyung?! I thought we were cool like that!”

“Look,” the eldest said, gesturing like this was a TED Talk. “Courting doesn’t have to be elaborate. It’s just showing intent with consistency, respect and timing.”

“...That sounds like the steps to making tea,” Jooyeon squinted.

“That too,” Gunil shrugged, gazing at his mate. “Whatever, it worked for me.”

Jungsu just gave him a soft, starry-eyed look from under his lashes, practically glowing as he leaned his head against his shoulder.

“Ah, I still remember it like it was yesterday,” he giggled, interlacing their fingers. “He brought me tteokbokki on the third day we met and told me my eyes reminded him of moonlight!”

“Ew,” Seungmin muttered bluntly.

“Gross,” Hyeongjun and Jooyeon added in unison.

“And yet, we’ve been mated for five years, have the best-smelling bedroom in the dorm and a joint bank account! Your move,” Gunil smiled at them smugly.

“Okay, but we all live here,” Seungmin reminded him, standing up with his arms crossed. “Some of us don’t need to hear your wet kisses at one in the morning.”

“Yes, and? I heard they’re hydrating,” Jungsu retorted sweetly.

“Alright, nope. I’m out!” Hyeongjun, now fully over them, closed his comic and stood up. “You both are horny and I’m still cold. I’m going back to my room before Gunil-hyung goes off about matching towels again.”

He then padded off down the hall with utmost serenity before nearly slamming his door behind him. Once he was out of earshot, Jooyeon gave Seungmin an odd look.

“Right, but why are you acting disgusted by these two lovebirds, hyung?” the younger blonde cocked his head in confusion. “You’ve been making heart eyes at Hyeongjunnie since our sophomore year. When are you gonna make a move, too?”

“WHA- E-excuse me?! N-NO, I-!” Seungmin tripped over absolutely nothing and nearly fell onto the hard floor. “THAT- That is completely irrelevant to this discussion!”

“...So not a denial?” Jooyeon smirked in victory.

“Stop that. We’re talking about you, lover boy,” the elder cleared his throat so hard he probably dislodged a lung.

“Right. Jooyeon, you should seriously consider looking up the traditional rules of courting,” Gunil nodded like a proud professor. “Some omegas still appreciate that effort. I mean, Jiseok’s a little old-fashioned in his own way!”

“Like emotionally mysterious and infuriatingly gentle?” Jooyeon mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Exactly,” Jungsu said. “You don’t have to declare your undying love with fireworks. Just show him, make it clear.”

“Like how?”

“Well, you can start by not having a full system reboot every time he yawns,” Seungmin offered with a chuckle.

“We’ll give you some space,” Gunil said, standing and stretching. “Do some research! I agree with Seungminnie, maybe figure out how to speak without melting into a puddle next time he smiles at you.”

“Good luck, Joo!” Jungsu added, standing as well and latching onto his mate’s arm. “In the meantime, jagiya, come bathe with me. I want to use that eucalyptus body wash today.”

“Good God, please don’t tell me this means you’re planning to have sex in our shared shower again! I’m BEGGING,” Seungmin groaned so hard it sounded like a death rattle as they started walking away.

“No promises!” the eldest brunette called out in a sing-song voice as they all wandered toward the hall.

And just like that, the living room emptied out.

The flickering K-drama on screen had long faded into end credits. Jooyeon sat on the couch in the middle of the bedlam his pack left behind and exhaled. The quiet felt heavier now, still warm and safe, but noiseless. All Jooyeon could think about was the way Jiseok looked back at him before leaving…

Perhaps his packmates were right. Maybe it was time to try, even if he had no idea where to begin.

The silence of the now-barren space stretched long and weird, the kind that made him painfully aware of his own breathing. Still shell-shocked and emotionally whiplashed, Jooyeon peeled himself off the couch like a phoenix rising from the ashes of humiliation. He grabbed his hoodie from where it laid on the ground, shoved his feet into his slippers and trudged down the hallway toward his room with all the energy of a medieval knight returning from battle.

Once inside the slightly-messy sanctuary of his bedroom, he shut the panel behind him and let out a long, suffering sigh. The soft hum of his computer’s sleep mode filled the room like a lullaby. He plopped down at his desk chair, flicked on his monitor and blinked as the glow lit up his face.

“Okay,” he whispered to himself. “Let’s do this, I guess.”

Immediately, he opened up Google Chrome and hesitated, then typed: “how to court an omega.”

Enter. Instantly, a bold, pink-tinted header appeared at the top of the page:

“How to Court the Omega of Your Dreams in Five Easy Steps”

Jooyeon blinked.

The site it came from looked like it was designed in the late 2000s, complete with cursive header text, floral borders and a mascot character of a winking cartoon heart holding a bouquet.

“Kill me…,” he muttered under his breath.

Still, his mouse hovered over the link. It was the first result and Google rarely lied to him when it came to restaurant reviews or film rankings, so he begrudgingly clicked on it. The article loaded with a cheerful “ding!” and greeted him with a tower of bold, black text that read:

“In an age where haste oft takes precedence over harmony, the venerable art of courtship (particularly when directed toward an omega of exceptional quality) demands both propriety and grace. Whether one is an alpha of storied lineage or a beta of humble repute, the following five steps, steeped in tradition and earnest intention, shall serve as your guide upon the delicate path of romantic pursuit.”

“Oh no,” Jooyeon whispered, dragging a hand down his face.

Yet, as he scrolled past the dividers and cheesy font choices, he found himself reading the list anyway, his expression a blend of secondhand cringe and reluctant hope. It was obnoxiously outdated, possibly written by someone who got their dating advice from TV romance B-plots, but still…

“Five easy steps, huh?” he whispered.

He sat back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, and stared at the ceiling. The winter wind tapped gently against his window and somehow, Jooyeon couldn’t help but smile a little.

Yeah, it was embarrassing and wildly outside his comfort zone, but if it meant finally doing something about the way his heart tripped every time his best friend glanced at him…

Then step one, here he came.

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Step I: Present Thyself with Honour and Intent
“The initial overture must be approached with dignity, not flamboyance. Dress as one who respects both himself and the object of his admiration. Speak plainly, yet with eloquence, and allow no ambiguity to cloud your motives. A sincere declaration of interest, properly timed and modestly delivered, shall distinguish thee from those of frivolous purpose.”

The following Saturday, Jooyeon stood in front of his bedroom mirror wearing the sort of serious expression typically reserved for life-altering decisions, not simply getting ready for the day.

“This is it,” he muttered, rolling his shoulders like he was about to march into war.

He interpreted the first step of the article as “look hot and act confident,” two things that didn’t come naturally to someone whose entire wardrobe consisted of distressed band T-shirts, baggy jeans, and one button-up shirt he strictly wore to funerals and job interviews…

Which is how he found himself standing outside Seungmin’s door, knocking like he was asking for a kidney rather than fashion help. The elder beta opened it with the suspicious enthusiasm of someone who was waiting for this exact moment his entire life.

“Yes?” he asked, smiling like a predator spotting a wounded deer.

“I need you to… help me not look like myself,” Jooyeon cleared his throat awkwardly, suddenly finding the floor very interesting.

“Come again?”

“I wanna impress Jiseok!” Jooyeon practically sobbed, rubbing the back of his neck. “And according to step one of my research, I have to look and act like an alpha, so-”

“Oh, FINALLY!” Seungmin made an honest-to-God squealing noise. “About time you grew a pair!”

“Wait, what do you-”

“Get in here, you tragic wolf!” the elder yanked him into the room like he was on a mission. “We are doing this right.”

Thus began Jooyeon’s reluctant transformation montage. Over the course of the next couple hours, the floor of Seungmin’s room looked like a fashion magazine exploded. Jooyeon tried on a grand total of 17 outfits, three hats and, disturbingly, one mesh shirt that Seungmin swore “could work if we layered it, trust the vision.” That being said, the alpha was positively pooped.

“Ugh… Is this what suffering looks like?” the younger groaned from where he was half-dressed in a silky, wine-colored shirt that refused to button properly over his chest. “I feel like I’m in a boy group whose concept is ‘tax fraud.’”

“That’s progress! You’ve gone from ‘possibly homeless’ to ‘fashion menace’ in under 90 minutes,” Seungmin said brightly, fixing his collar.

“Hyung,” Jooyeon said, staring down at his own pants, “...These are leather.”

“Correct. And they’re doing things for your thighs, thank you very much.”

“Does Jiseokie even like leather?”

“Jooyeon, I hate to have to be the one to admit this to you, but… genetically speaking, you’re kind of a whole snack,” Seungmin stopped mid-accessorizing, raising an eyebrow at him. “You’ve already been blessed with a great jawline, nose, eyebrows, hair… I could honestly put you in a trash bag and Jiseok would likely still swoon. Now stand still, I’m adding rings!”

Time forged onward and by the time he was done, Jooyeon looked… well, like someone who didn’t just walk out of an E-Mart clearance bin. His hair was styled, his shirt was tucked with intention and his pants fit in ways that probably violated several omega-protection laws. He even smelled good, courtesy of Seungmin’s cologne that was labeled something ridiculous like “Mystic Storm.”

“Alright,” Seungmin said, taking a step back. “You’re officially presentable- No, better than that! You’re a walking thirst trap.”

Jooyeon stared at his upgraded image in the mirror, unconvinced. The final ensemble, hand-picked (and borderline forced upon him) by Seungmin, was a calculated masterpiece of cool confidence. His top clung slightly to his shoulders and arms, the top two buttons deliberately left undone to show a tasteful amount of collarbone and a hint of his scent gland, serving just enough allure to make the omega's knees weak. The sleeves were rolled up just past his forearms, where his veins were visible, and a thin silver chain peeked out subtly from under the collar. His pants hugged his thighs like they were custom-tailored by thirsty gods and his feet donned polished, black combat boots, the kind that made his legs look yards longer than they already were. For jewelry, he had on a couple of silver rings on his right hand (a chunky one on his index finger, a thinner one on his pinky) and a minimalist black leather bracelet.

His blonde hair was styled into soft waves that looked “accidentally perfect,” the result of Seungmin’s extremely non-accidental 10 minutes with a blow dryer and texturizing spray.

“...Jiseokie’s gonna laugh at me.”

“No, he’s gonna want to climb you like a tree,” the beta debated.

“He’s five centimeters shorter than me.”

“Exactly! Look, if Jiseok doesn’t try to imprint on you the second he sees you, I will eat my own fanny pack.”

“Hyung, you don’t even own a fanny pack.”

“I will buy one and then eat it! That’s how sure I am.”

Jooyeon knew his packmate was only trying to encourage him, but that was half the battle. The alpha first had to figure out how to walk out into the dorm and approach Jiseok without tripping over his own confidence. Seungmin shoved him gently forward into the open living room like a proud pageant mom watching their child strut onto the catwalk. Taking a deep breath, the younger man made it all the way to the middle of the room before realizing how eerily quiet the dorm was.

After a couple of minutes of silence, he came to an unfortunate realization: Jiseok was nowhere in sight. The only one there was Gunil, emerging from their pantry with a massive bag of beef jerky in hand.

“What the hell?” Jooyeon moaned like a toddler throwing a tantrum. “Where is he?!”

“Whoa, Jooyeon?” Gunil stopped mid-bite, glanced back and did a double-take. “Wow, you look great! What’s all this for, are you serving on a jury today or something?”

“So close, he’s finally courting Jiseok like we told him to,” Seungmin beamed with pride.

“Bold move, love that for you!” the eldest complimented, leaning his muscled arms on the kitchen island. “Unfortunately, he’s not here. He went grocery shopping with Jungsu and Hyeongjun, I think? Something about finding a very specific kind of oat milk.”

Upon hearing this, Jooyeon’s face fell like a sad soufflé. In return, Gunil must’ve picked up on this and was quick to reassure him.

“But they’ll be back soon!” he said with a shrug, already halfway out of the kitchen and toward his room. “They only left, like, 20 minutes ago. He’ll probably walk in just in time for you to accidentally knock over a lamp or something.”

“AIGO, but I was ready! I had momentum, hyung!” Jooyeon groaned softly.

“All great alphas must wait for their moment,” Seungmin patted him on the shoulder with great solemnity. “Your moment is just coming after oat milk.”

“You’ve got this, Romeo!” Gunil raised his curved hand like a toast as he disappeared into his room.

“And don’t slouch, we all love your shoulders,” Seungmin, with one final fluff of the younger’s hair, vanished down the hall as well.

Jooyeon then stood alone in the living room, dressed to kill and waiting for his omega like an actor mid-commercial break. He glanced at the clock on the wall, figuring he had plenty of time before the others arrived home.

“Hmmph… Well, if Seungmin-hyung won’t watch Attack on Titan with me, I guess I’ll just have to stream it solo,” he reasoned, sighing as he flopped down onto the couch, using the remote to turn their flatscreen on and open up Crunchyroll.

He only hoped Jiseok wouldn’t notice how his leather pants squeaked whenever he sat down, let alone made any type of sudden movement, but for now, he would enjoy catching up with one of his favorite series, becoming lost to the sands of time as each episode flew by on the screen…

…

…..

……….

……………

………

…..

…

“-yeonie? Jooyeon, hey! Time to wake up, sleepyhead.”

The alpha, exhausted from waiting on the couch for what felt like centuries, finally succumbed to sleep. His head lolled to the side, legs tangled up in a blanket that probably started out neat, but became a disorganized mess. His new outfit was now slightly wrinkled from too many failed attempts at sitting up with dignity.

The face that greeted him was none other than Jiseok, standing over him with a soft smile and eyes twinkling as he gently placed a hand on his shoulder. Startled, Jooyeon jolted upright, eyes wide and blinking rapidly. His face was now a flaming beacon of embarrassment, heart pounding like a drum in his chest. His brain, utterly incapable of basic function, decided it was the perfect time to go into overdrive.

“Oh! Uh… yeah! Y-yeah, I was just, uh, taking a power nap. A very... alpha nap. Y’know, maintaining strength and stamina for- uh… important things,” he stammered, trying to sound smooth while his hair was still disheveled from his earlier makeover session.

As he adjusted his position, he couldn’t help but notice how close Jiseok’s face was to his and his omega’s eyes were not just looking at him, but looking him all over, eyes taking in the full extent of his outfit. The elder’s gaze slowly drifted from Jooyeon’s eyes down to the button-down shirt (which Jooyeon was now acutely aware was still clingy in all the wrong ways) and then to his pants, which, while very much not the kind of thing he would normally wear, fit him very well. Jiseok blinked and then, very slowly, smiled.

“Wow,” he said softly. “You look... really good. Like, really really good!”

“U-uh, thanks! I, uh, was- uh, Seungmin-hyung helped me pick this out,” Jooyeon’s face turned an even darker shade of red, if that was even possible.

“Well, we all know Seungmin’s got great taste,” Jiseok, still smiling, reached down and ruffled the younger’s hair. “Looks like you’re trying to impress someone.”

“I- what? No- well, I mean not trying but-”

Just as Jooyeon’s brain was going into full meltdown mode, the door burst open, saving him from further indignity.

“JISEOK-AH!” Jungsu’s voice echoed from the entryway, paper bags in each of his arms. “Don’t just stand there, help us with the rest of the groceries!”

“Ugh, why is it always me?!” the younger omega’s shoulders sagged in defeat as he raised himself back up, moving away from Jooyeon.

Seeing another opportunity to impress Jiseok, before he could turn away, the alpha’s hand shot out like a desperate lightning bolt.

“Wait! Don’t, I’ll help with the bags,” he blurted out, then winced internally. “I’ll totally do it, you can relax here! You’ve been out all day and deserve to chill.”

“Oh, really? Well, thanks, Joo, that’s sweet of you,” Jiseok, clearly taken aback by the sudden offer, blinked and smiled softly.

“No problem!” Jooyeon couldn’t stop himself from beaming like a total dork.

Jiseok then sank back into the cushions, leaving his suitor to scramble into the kitchen after his hyungs. Meanwhile, Jooyeon successfully made several trips back and forth, hauling grocery bags inside with the enthusiasm of someone who was given the world’s hardest test. He was a little out of breath, but by the end of it, he felt victorious. He tossed the last of the bags onto the counter and after Jungsu and Hyeongjun disappeared into their rooms, he was left standing in the living room and waiting for Jiseok’s verdict. With a tired sigh, the elder stretched out on the couch, eyes half-lidded.

“What a day, I think I could use a movie night.”

“...Yeah? I mean, we could- uh, if you want to,” Jooyeon’s heart did a weird flip, nodding eagerly.

“I’m really not in the mood to go out. What do you think about staying in?” Jiseok suggested. “We could watch something, just the two of us.”

“Yeah! Yeah, of course. I’ll go- I’ll grab the popcorn,” Jooyeon practically sprinted to the microwave, trying not to look like he was overdoing it.

As he basically chucked a bag of popcorn into the microwave, the reality of the situation started to hit him… He was about to spend time alone with Jiseok, in this ridiculous outfit, on a cozy couch watching a movie together. His brain felt like it was fizzling again. Minutes later, Jooyeon returned with the bowl, plopping it down between them with a nervous smile.

“Alright, ready for some action-comedy? Or just comedy? I’m open to whatever,” he offered.

“I’m good with action-comedy as long as I’m fed,” Jiseok grinned and scooted over on the couch, patting the space beside him.

Jooyeon, trying his best to seem cool, nodded as he joined him, then tried not to squeak when his best friend casually leaned against him, their shoulders touching. As the movie began, the younger’s heart was practically thudding in his chest. He realized how much the scene felt like a date, his mind spiraling out of control. Meanwhile, Jiseok, nestled comfortably by his side, glanced up at him with that sleepy, half-smiling look that made Jooyeon’s entire world stop.

“This is just what I needed. Thanks, Yeonie,” he murmured, his voice drowsy.

“Anytime,” the blonde smiled softly, trying his best to keep it together.

As they settled into the movie, he found himself entirely content, ignoring the fact that his palms were sweating and his skeleton was about to jump out of his skin.

This was fine, totally fine.

_____________________________

Step II: Learn the Omega’s Ways and Wishes
“To court is not to conquer, but to comprehend. Observe with discretion and inquire with sensitivity. Know the Omega’s likes, aversions and aspirations. Demonstrating a genuine effort to understand their world (be it through literature, cuisine or other custom) is a gift more precious than any jewel.”

After their movie night, Jooyeon was feeling optimistic… at least that’s what he kept telling himself as he stared at the acoustic guitar in his hands like it was a live grenade.

Since one of Jiseok's “ways” was to enjoy tunes from his favorite band, Green Day, Jooyeon decided to master the art of serenading, specifically with their ballad “Last Night on Earth.” It was the perfect mix of romantic and rebellious, and Jiseok, ever the soft-hearted omega, was obsessed with the acclaimed punk band.

"How hard can it be? It’s just a couple of chords, some strumming and a few tortured, soulful lyrics,” the alpha figured.

He was very, VERY wrong.

Jooyeon already knew how to play the guitar, learning the basics back in high school, but over the years, he neglected it for more important things. This time, it was different. This was for Jiseok. He needed to step it up, as it wasn’t enough to just strum the chords exactly like the original recording… He needed to immerse himself in the music and make it swoon-worthy.

That’s where his ever-talented hyung Gunil came in. The elder alpha, after all, was the one who spent years strumming out riffs at Berklee, the legendary American music school, like it was his second home. The next afternoon, Jooyeon was sitting in their pack leader’s room, guitar in hand, ready for their first real session. As he strummed the opening chords to the song, he found himself immediately frustrated.

Strum, strum, strum.

He was playing it right (technically, anyway), but it just didn’t feel right. The strumming was stiff, the notes kind of off and worst of all, it sounded like he was playing it for a group of confused birds instead of a romantic serenade for his omega-to-be.

“Aish!” he groaned, slumping over the instrument. “This is impossible! I’m supposed to impress Jiseokie, not traumatize him.”

“You sound like you're trying to summon the apocalypse, not serenade someone,” Gunil looked up from his phone. “What’s going on?”

“I can play it, but… I dunno,” Jooyeon sighed. “It’s just flat. I need it to be romantic, not awkward.”

“Ah, that’s the problem. You’re thinking about it too much,” Gunil clicked his tongue, stretching and pulling himself up from his bed where he was lazily lounging. “You want to feel it, not just play the notes like a robot.”

“Okay, how do I do that then?”

“Let me show you,” the brunette smirked and walked over to him, taking the guitar from the younger male. “First thing you need to do is stop thinking you’re playing for a performance. You’re not, it’s just Jiseok-ah. You’ve gotta get into that headspace.”

Jooyeon blinked, feeling a slight shift in his chest at the idea of playing for Jiseok specifically. It wasn’t just about getting the song right, but about the emotions and intensity.

“Alright,” the younger alpha said, a little more determined, “So how do I make it my own?”

“Let the guitar speak. Try again, but this time relax. You know the song, so feel it in your chest, your soul, your-”

“Hyung, just get to the point,” Jooyeon interrupted him, trying not to sound too impatient, though the idea of singing to the love of his life made him a little dizzy.

“Okay, play it again. Let the strumming be softer, more flowing like you’re holding someone, not just strumming at a string. You want the notes to glide and when you hit the chorus? THAT’S when you pour everything into it, that’s your moment!”

The blonde nodded, adjusted his grip on the guitar and began again, focusing on letting his movements be gentler. He took a deep breath, feeling the words and the music this time, not just mechanically plucking at the strings. Gunil watched him closely, nodding approvingly as the music took on a warmer, smoother sound.

“Better,” he said with a satisfied nod. “Now, about your voice-”

“Wait, what about my voice?” Jooyeon froze mid-strum.

“We all know you can sing, but you don’t want to come off like you’re just shouting the lyrics at him,” Gunil clarified. “You want it to be more heartfelt, like you’re telling him how you feel, not just performing. It’s intimate. Think of it like you’re sharing a secret with him, not trying to impress the whole room.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Jooyeon gave a reluctant smile. “It’s just hard for me to dial it back, y’know? I’m used to going big when I sing. This quiet, gentle stuff is new territory for me.”

“That’s the problem with being an alpha with a big voice. You have to learn to hold back when it counts,” the other man chuckled.

Jooyeon took a deep breath and gave the song another go. This time, he slowed down everything, keeping it light and airy, letting the notes linger longer than he did before. He tried to focus on how Jiseok’s smile made his heart race, how he always looked at him with that trusting gaze…

“My beatin' heart belongs to you, I walked for miles 'til I found you...”

His voice (which allowed his satoori to slip out) was still powerful, but it was less forceful and more controlled. He didn’t push the notes, but instead let the words come out gently, almost whispering them. Gunil leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly as he listened. After a few more lines, he raised his hand.

“Okay, stop.”

“W-what? What’d I do wrong?” Jooyeon immediately froze, tension in his shoulders.

“Nothing, that was better! You’ve got the feel now,” the elder gave him a satisfied nod. “Just keep going with that vibe and you’ll have it in no time.”

“Oh, thank God, so I don’t sound like a truck running over a box of dynamite sticks anymore?” Jooyeon let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

Gunil snorted, alleviating some of the tension in the room. His pack leader’s jovial reaction made him feel like maybe he wasn’t as in over his head about this as he thought…

Two nights later, Jooyeon found himself alone in his bedroom, the guitar in hand as he quietly rehearsed for the millionth time. There was a big difference from the first time he played the song. His voice held more sincerity and for the first time, he could almost see the omega in front of him, listening and smiling ear to ear.

Jooyeon inhaled deeply, glancing up at the clear crescent moon outside of his window, and decided this was the night he was going to serenade Jiseok. Therefore, in a burst of alpha determination (and deeply buried romantic anxiety), he stomped out of his quarters and down the hallway with absolutely zero chill, coming to a pause in front of the omega’s door. He took a moment to compose himself, back straight, head high and heart pounding like a gong in his chest.

With all the delicate grace he could muster, he knocked lightly on the door and pushed it open.

“Hey, Jiseokie, I-!”

He stopped, whatever speech he mentally rehearsed having evaporated instantly.

There, curled under a mountain of blankets, lay Jiseok, pale as moonlight with a damp towel flopped pitifully across his forehead. His eyes fluttered open, heavy-lidded and glassy, and his cheeks were flushed. It wasn’t in the cute, bashful way Jooyeon often fantasized about, but in a worryingly feverish way. At his side was Hyeongjun, carefully blowing on a spoonful of steaming samgyetang, brows furrowed in intense caretaker concentration.

“Ah, hey, Jooyeonie,” Jiseok croaked weakly, his voice barely above a whisper as he offered a half-hearted smile that somehow still managed to make Jooyeon’s knees a little wobbly.

“Oh, thank God, reinforcements are here,” the younger omega looked up, clearly surprised to see him there, but relieved.

“What’s- …What happened?” the alpha blinked, still holding the guitar like it was a shield.

“He’s sick, duh,” Hyeongjun said bluntly, gesturing toward the sad, bundled omega like he was presenting an exhibit. “Fever, chills, probably caught the bubonic plague or something. I dunno, Jungsu-hyung and I have taken turns babysitting him all day. So far, I’ve managed to feed him four spoonfuls of soup, brewed two teas and changed this towel six times.”

“Oh. Oh no, Jiseok-ah…”

“I’m fine, really! I didn’t wanna worry you, Joo, it’s just a little virus. I’ll be okay,” Jiseok groaned softly and waved a limp hand.

“You’re not fine!” Jungsu, who suddenly emerged from the dark hallway behind Jooyeon, snapped in full mom-mode, pushing past the lanky alpha into the room. “You tried to put your socks in the freezer earlier and told me it was ‘because your toes felt too hot.’ This is from all that swimming you’ve been doing recently, what’d I tell you? I knew this would happen!”

The sickly male could only roll his eyes at that before aggressively snorting back some more boogers, making Hyeongjun contort his face in disgust.

“Anyway, now that you’re here, Jooyeon-ah, Junnie and I are heading out to the convenience store down the block to pick up some more yuja tea,” the luna continued. “Do you want us to get you anything while we’re there?”

“Oh, um, n-no. I’m good, thanks, hyung!” the youngest replied, not expecting this turn of events.

“Cool, now let’s go before I lose the last two functioning cells in my brain. Be right back, Jiseokie!” Hyeongjun bid them goodbye and patted Jooyeon’s shoulder with the solemn gravity of a man passing a torch as they disappeared back into the hallway.

The remaining alpha turned back to look at Jiseok, who blinked at him blearily from beneath his comforter. The towel on his face started to slide sideways, so Jooyeon stepped forward instinctively and gently fixed it, his fingers brushing across his warm skin.

“Sorry,” the omega murmured, trying to smile. “You came here for something?”

The blonde hesitated, glancing down at the guitar still in his hands. The moment he was building up to for days wasn’t happening the way he anticipated it would while Jiseok was wrapped up like a pathetic burrito, drunk off cough syrup and despair.

“I... I was just coming to check on you,” Jooyeon lied smoothly, sitting at the edge of the bed and setting the guitar down beside him. “Heard you weren’t feeling great.”

“You’re too kind,” Jiseok gave him a grateful, sleepy look, making the other man blush furiously.

“Um, want me to help? I can feed you in Junnie’s place,” he offered the omega, reaching for the soup bowl.

“Only if you promise not to make airplane noises like Gunil-hyung does.”

“Trust me, you’ll never have to worry about that,” Jooyeon giggled, smirking as he scooped up a spoonful. “Now open up!”

The omega swallowed the liquid down appreciatively after taking a hearty sip of the soup from the alpha’s steady hand. Once he took a few more bites, out of nowhere, a thought popped into Jooyeon’s head, one that he felt might still salvage his plans. After all, he figured the best thing he could do for Jiseok while they waited for Jungsu and Hyeongjun to return was to keep him entertained.

“...Hey, Jiseok, so I actually learned a new song recently,” he smiled softly. “Would you like me to play it for you?”

Jiseok blinked slowly, as if the thought of hearing music was the most relaxing thing he could imagine. Despite his fever, there was a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Sure, that sounds nice.”

Jooyeon’s heart fluttered as he set his fingers on the strings, adjusting them gently. As his fingers picked out the opening chords, he felt a little tremor of nervousness rush through him. This was his only chance to get it right, just like he and Gunil talked about in rehearsal. As the melodic notes filled the room, he couldn't help but glance at Jiseok. The omega was watching him quietly, his dark eyes half-lidded in that languid, sleepy way the alpha found utterly mesmerizing.

Jooyeon cleared his throat and began to sing, his earlier nerves giving way to the comfort of the song. As the words flowed out of him, he finally understood what it meant to sing with intention for someone.

“I text a postcard sent to you, did it go through? Sendin' all my love to you…,” he sang, flowing with the rhythm like a gentle breeze.

He couldn’t help but peek at his crush again, his heart thumping louder in his chest. The omega had his eyes closed now, almost as if he were surrendering to the sound, letting it surround him. Jooyeon was surprised at how easily he got lost in the music himself. Every lyric felt like it was reaching out, trying to bridge the distance between them, even if just for this moment.

“...I'm here to honour you. If I lose everything in the fire, did I ever make it through?”

The song swirled in the air, filling the room with its quiet intimacy. He poured everything he could into the melody and lyrics. His breath quickened as he came closer to the end and when he hit the final note, he let the last chord resonate before gently lowering his hands.

For a long moment, there was silence and Jooyeon held his breath, unsure of what to expect. Just then, Jiseok’s eyes slowly opened, looking up at his beloved best friend. There was an oddly mysterious smile, one the younger man couldn't quite read. The elder shifted, propping himself up on one arm as his voice, still tired, but filled with warmth, drifted out of his sore throat.

“You did well, Yeonie. I love that song, y’know.”

“Y-Yeah, I know,” Jooyeon’s eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat.

Hearing Jiseok say it so openly made the whole thing feel worth it. Jiseok then sighed softly, his eyes fluttering closed again.

“Thanks for playing it for me. That really... made me feel better.”

“Of course, I’m glad you liked it.”

“Man, I’m really sleepy now,” Jiseok, his voice dropping into a drowsy, teasing tone, added. “Do you think you could play me a lullaby? Just something to help me get some rest.”

Jooyeon blinked, his eyebrows arching slightly; a lullaby was definitely a new request, but seeing the omega’s flushed cheeks in a barely-conscious state, the younger’s heart couldn’t help but swell. The request was so Jiseok, genuine and the kind of thing only someone who truly trusted him would ask for.

“A lullaby, huh? Yeah, I can try that,” Jooyeon smiled softly, the weight of everything in the room easing away.

He cleared his throat and strummed some random chords, not really paying attention to the melody anymore, but just letting the music do its thing. He kept it a background hum; the sound wasn’t so much a lullaby as it was an unspoken promise that he was there and that he cared. For a long while, he played and played. Meanwhile, the omega’s breathing slowed down, his body sinking deeper into the blankets. Jooyeon’s fingers never faltered, continuing to strum in an almost trance-like state.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of playing, he watched as Jiseok’s breath evened out. He softened against the pillow, finally asleep. The alpha quietly strummed one last chord and then, without making a sound, he set his guitar aside. He couldn’t help but smile at the peaceful expression on his best friend’s face. He stayed there for a moment, his long fingers lightly brushing through the elder’s hair.

A sudden, spontaneous urge overcame him. Jooyeon paused, his breath stilling as he leaned over the bed. With careful precision, he pressed his fingers gently to his lips and then, ever so softly, brushed his fingers against Jiseok’s warm cheek, leaving a fleeting, almost indirect kiss. Before he could second-guess himself, he stepped back as he heard the unmistakable sound of the front door opening, signaling that their packmates were back.

The blonde swallowed hard, his chest tight, but his mind buzzing with the intimacy of the moment he just shared with the omega. He turned and quietly slipped out of the room, leaving Jiseok to rest and slipping back into the familiarity of the dorm, his mind already racing with thoughts of what might come next.

_____________________________

Step III: Offer Tokens Both Thoughtful and True
“Gifts should not be extravagant, but emblematic. A handwritten letter, a flower pressed between pages, or a book of mutual interest may do more to warm an Omega’s heart than gold or finery. Let each token bear the mark of your consideration, not the weight of your purse.”

Jiseok was now 48 hours post-fever and officially shed the aura of “melodramatic invalid” to return to his usual self: cute and obliviously radiant. Luckily, his sudden illness was short-lived, much to Jooyeon’s relief. He was standing by the front door of their dorm, slipping on his white platform Converse high-tops and checking his phone, while the younger male watched from the kitchen with the intensity of someone trying very hard to act normal.

“I'm going to meet Keum for lunch,” the omega called out as he wrestled with his pullover hoodie. "We're probably going to wander around afterwards until we run out of money or dignity, so don’t wait up for me."

"Sounds like a good time," the alpha replied, way too brightly. “Text me if you need a distraction or for me to call you an Uber home.”

"Why would I need a distraction?"

“I dunno! In case Keum tries to rope you into a cult or something. I’ve heard omegas are vulnerable to peer pressure when undercaffeinated.”

“You’re so weird,” Jiseok snorted, grabbing his tote bag. “Anyway, thanks again for helping to take care of me these past couple nights. You were, like, weirdly doting. I feel like I owe you a fruit basket or something.”

“PLEASE don’t, you know how much I hate anything from the produce aisle!”

“Bye, Jooyeonie.”

“Have fun, don’t get kidnapped!”

The door then shut and Jooyeon exhaled like he just emerged from the depths of the ocean. Now that Jiseok was out of sight, Operation Woo-mega™ was back on track.

"Alright, it’s game time," he muttered to himself, now pacing the living room like a maniac. "Jiseok likes things that are soft and sentimental, right? He cries at dumb commercials where dogs reunite with their owners. He also cried during Up in the first five minutes and then again during the credits, so this is my moment!"

Suddenly, he grabbed a ballpoint pen and started to brainstorm a list on the back of an old Chinese takeout menu.

Token Ideas:

● Gift card (Too obvious)

● A chick plush (Still in the running! Everyone loves baby chicks, especially Jiseok. He kinda looks like one, too…)

● Handwritten poem (NO. Last time you wrote a poem, he said it sounded like you stole lyrics from a sad indie band)

● Something hand-crafted

“Hmm… Okay, what about a hybrid of all of the above? A hand-crafted chick plush holding a gift card scribed with a handwritten poem on the back!” Jooyeon murmured. “With maybe a little heart stitched onto it where he won’t see it unless he’s really paying attention...”

He grinned, then froze.

“...But where the hell do I find a sewing kit?!”

“Joo, if you need a tailor, all you had to do was ask me, y’know.”

The alpha jumped about a yard in the air, spinning around like he was caught summoning a love spirit from beyond the veil.

“JUNGSU-HYUNG?! Don’t sneak up on people like that!”

The luna leaned against the doorway, arms crossed and mischievously sipping on his bubble tea.

“I didn’t sneak, you were just possessed by your own dumb thoughts. Also, you looked constipated.”

“Liar!”

“You absolutely did. If Jiseokie walked in just now, he’d think you were planning to murder someone or knit them a hat out of your own hair, which honestly sounds on-brand for you at this point.”

“I’m trying to figure out what kind of gift to give him,” Jooyeon sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “It has to be something meaningful.”

Jungsu just blinked at him, then slowly lowered his drink from his plush lips.

“Say what now?” he breathed in disbelief.

“What?”

“Aigo, don’t tell me you forgot until the last minute...”

“Forgot what, hyung?”

“You said you’re still thinking of what to get him as a gift, so why did you wait this long?”

“Long for WHAT?! Spell it out for me, hyung, because I’m clearly missing something big here!”

“...Jooyeon, what’s tomorrow?”

“Huh?” Jooyeon blinked back, confused. “Why the sudden interrogation, do I look like the Farmer's Almanac to you?”

“Just answer the question, you brat.”

Not understanding the shift in conversation, the alpha whipped his phone out nonetheless and opened up the calendar app to tomorrow's date.

“It’s January 14th, happy? So why is that-”

Suddenly, the realization of what date it would be hit him like a truck and he felt his insides burning up like a malfunctioning toaster. There was a silence so heavy it could’ve crushed all of mankind before a loud scream filled the entire dorm.

“AISH, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Jooyeon wailed as he collapsed onto the carpet beneath them. “I- Oh my GOD, how did I forget his BIRTHDAY is tomorrow?! That’s WAY too short notice! I was so focused on courting him and then he got sick and the- THE BABY CHICK PLUSH, HYUNG! WHAT AM I GONNA-”

“Wow, you forgot your bestie’s birthday while actively planning a romantic campaign? That’s honestly poetic,” Jungsu full-on laughed now.

“I’m a DISASTER, a disgrace to all alphas. I deserve to be exiled- NO, worse: I deserve to be friend-zoned, permanently.”

“Stop being melodramatic. You’re so lucky I’m also off from work today and a generous, nurturing soul with good taste,” Jungsu rolled his eyes and gave him a fond little smack on the back. “C’mon, let’s hit the mall. I’ll help you pick out something nice and birthday-tier meaningful, not just ‘here’s a plush I made at 2AM and possibly cried on.’”

“You’re a gift yourself, hyung, an actual saint!” Jooyeon clutched his hands together like Jungsu just descended from the heavens.

“I know,” the elder said modestly. “Now get your shoes on, you lovesick fiend.”

They rushed out the door, Jooyeon halfway tripping over himself in his urgency, while Jungsu mentally told himself he wouldn’t let him buy Jiseok a Build-a-Bear and call it “symbolic.”

Half an hour later, they arrived in front of the automatic doors to the mall, which whooshed open as Jooyeon charged in like a soldier storming Normandy (only with less strategy and more panic).

“Okay!” he commanded, eyes darting around crazily. “We just need something meaningful, thoughtful and unique! Something that screams, ‘I think about you when I’m brushing my teeth and also might highkey be in love with you.’”

“Right, totally,” Jungsu sauntered in behind him. “We’ll just pop into Subtle Romantic Confession Depot and grab one off the shelf.”

“I’m spiraling,” the younger hissed. “This is a spiral, hyung. Can you see me spiraling right now?”

“I’m aware-”

“Oh my God, LOOK!”

They barely made it past the food court before Jooyeon skidded to a halt in front of a toy store display. It was a children’s chemistry set with bright cartoon beakers and a sticker that read “Make Your Own Slime and Learn About pH!”.

“Jiseok adores science!” Jooyeon said with the wild, unblinking focus of a man about to make a terrible life choice. “Don’t you think he would love this, hyung?”

“He’s turning 23 years old, not eight, Joo,” Jungsu groaned, physically dragging him backward by the collar. “If you give him that, I’m telling everyone at your future wedding that you proposed to him with a glitter volcano.”

“It came with cool safety goggles though…,” Jooyeon sulked while letting himself be steered away, his eyes lingering on the kit.

“You know what would actually be meaningful?” Jungsu ignored him. “What if you made him a gift basket full of small things he likes? That way, you don’t have to worry about finding the perfect present because it’ll have everything included.”

“Since when did you become Yoda?” the alpha looked at him, stunned by his wisdom.

“Last week, after I finished the first two seasons of The Mandalorian with Gunilie-hyung and cried into my cucumber face mask. Now come on, we’ve got work to do!”

Three more hours flew by in no time and soon, Jooyeon burst through the dorm front door like the wind, arms overloaded with Jiseok’s birthday gift materials.

“I need tape, ribbon! My dignity!” he yelled out into space.

“You lost that ages ago,” Jungsu called from the foyer.

Jooyeon made a mad dash toward his room, nearly body-checking Seungmin in the process, who just stepped out of the bathroom.

“AGH, what the-!”

“OH MY GOD, I’M SORRY, SEUNGMIN-HYUNG! GIFT EMERGENCY, OUTTA MY WAY-!”

By the time the beta realized what just happened, Jooyeon was already gone, slamming his bedroom door behind him, clearly on a very tight deadline. Inside, he dumped his haul on his bed and stared at it like it was a high-stakes puzzle.

“Okay,” he breathed. “This is fine, this is good. I can do this, I’m an alpha! I lift things and suppress emotions like it’s my job, so I can make a simple gift basket, right?”

He began assembling everything like he was constructing a bomb, hands shaking as he tried to word the message that would go inside without sounding like a stalker. Meanwhile, Jungsu peeked into the hallway and called out to him casually.

“Hey, Jooyeonie? Clock’s ticking. Your boy's ETA is, like, 10 minutes if you don’t want him seeing what you’re up to.”

“Don’t say ‘your boy’ like that!” the younger man shouted back, knocking over a roll of cellophane in the process. “Can’t you see I’m under pressure?”

“You’re always under pressure!” Seungmin hollered from where he sat out on the couch. “It’s your entire personality.”

Ignoring him, Jooyeon spent the rest of the late afternoon perfecting his gift’s presentation, doing his best to not even cross paths with Jiseok once he came home as to not give away his intentions.

Fast forward to the next morning. Sunlight filtered lazily into the dorm through the half-closed blinds and the kitchen was alive with gentle chaos. Hyeongjun stood at the stove flipping pancakes with terrifying grace while Gunil was stirring something suspiciously glittery into a smoothie “for vibes.” In the meantime, Jungsu was wearing a pink apron and barking instructions at Seungmin, who was trying to cut fruit into stars without maiming himself.

“No, no, no! Cut along the kiwi, Min, not through your emotional baggage,” he ordered, to which the beta appeared five seconds away from stabbing into his hyung instead.

That’s when Jooyeon stumbled out of his bedroom, hair an absolute mess and sleep shirt sliding off one shoulder with his eyes squinted like a cryptid.

“Mmmnnh,” he grunted, sniffing. “Smells good. What’re you- Oh, pancakes! Is that cinnamon? You guys are going hard this morning!”

Four heads turned to look at him, all four giving him the exact same look, one that silently shouted “you absolute himbo” at him.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Seungmin deadpanned.

“Uh, deodorant?” the youngest blinked, rubbing his eyes.

“No, you socially-inept ape,” Jungsu said sweetly. “Y’know, your G-I-F-T?”

There was a pause, a moment of pure stillness. Then, Jooyeon’s eyes widened like he just realized he was standing in front of a firing squad.

“OH, right!” he chirped, spinning on his heel and bolting back to his room with a strangled yelp.

Inside, he slammed the door shut behind him and nearly ripped his shirt off. Then, hair? Flattened with water and hope. Gift basket? Still there, triple-checked. He stared at it like it might run away.

“It’s okay, you got this!” he whispered to the basket like it was sentient. “You’re just plastic, you’ve done nothing wrong.”

Giving himself one last look, he darted back out into the hallway only to hear muffled movement from the other side of Jiseok’s bedroom door.

Time was running dangerously short.

“I’m ready!” Jooyeon hissed at his packmates, skidding to a halt by the kitchen counter with the gift in hand.

“Good luck, kiddo,” Gunil offered him a bendy straw in solidarity.

“Places, everyone! It’s time,” Jungsu grinned as everyone braced themselves for Jiseok’s grand entrance.

At last, the door to Jiseok’s bedroom creaked open. He emerged, still in his fuzzy morning sweater, hair tousled and blinking like a sleepy deer in a sunbeam.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” five voices yelled from the kitchen ahead of him, causing Jiseok to startle so hard he dropped his phone on the linoleum.

“Oh my God!” he laughed, hands flying up to his cheeks. “You scared me half to death, what the hell?”

“Surprise, Jiseokie!” Jungsu cooed, practically skipping over to loop their arms and lead him toward the kitchen island. “Birthday brunch, baby. We hope you like it!”

“Happy B-day, dude!” Gunil chimed in calmly, serving Jiseok a frozen beverage that resembled a pastel purple fairy potion.

Jiseok squinted at the drink, but took a cautious sip and immediately lit up.

“Wait, this is so good! What’s in this?”

“A little fruit, a little magic,” the eldest grinned mysteriously, doing jazz hands with glitter all over his fingertips.

“And, like, three grams of sugar per sip. Happy diabetes!” Seungmin added.

“You guys are so extra, I love it,” Jiseok grinned, utterly charmed, still holding his sparkly smoothie like it was a trophy.

Once the excitement in the room died down a little, mustering all of his courage, Jooyeon finally stepped forward to greet him.

“Hey,” he coughed, voice lower than usual. “Uh, happy birthday...”

“Thanks, Yeonie!” his best friend’s smile softened.

Then, the alpha thrust the basket at him with the same energy as someone offering a cursed artifact.

“I got you some stuff. It’s, um, kind of a mix of things,” he explained. “There’s some of those jelly pouches you like, peach and grape flavored. And that fantasy novel series you’ve been eyeing? Y’know, the one with the dystopian empire and weird plot structure?”

“You remembered that?”

“Yeah, I got you the first volume on paperback,” Jooyeon nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Also threw in a Youngpoong gift card so you can grab the sequel or, like, more highlighters you don’t need.”

The omega laughed, already touched.

“There’s also, uh…,” the younger male paused, face reddening. “A chick plushie keychain, it reminded me of you. And finally… there’s a guitar pedal in there. The new one you kept looking at online, but wouldn’t buy because you’re a humble artist or whatever.”

Jiseok froze with his mouth open, but no sound came out.

“U-um, is it too much?” Jooyeon blurted. “Aigo, it is, isn’t it? I- I can take it back! I kept all of the receipts, so you don’t-”

However, instead of harsh words, he was presented with Jiseok hugging him. Not just any hug, but an arms-wrapped-around-the-middle, face-buried-in-his-scent-gland hug.

“...Thank you, Joo. Really,” Jiseok mumbled against his neck. “This is the sweetest birthday gift I’ve ever gotten.”

Jooyeon continued to not breathe, or blink or move for that matter. Behind them, the rest of their pack was working super hard to contain their laughter. Finally, Jiseok pulled back with that soft little laugh that always made Jooyeon’s heart tilt sideways, bringing him back to reality.

“Uh, well, um, good! I- I’m happy you like it!”

Mercifully, Seungmin brought Jiseok over to the dining room table to be served the rest of his breakfast, placing the bowl of star-shaped kiwi in front of him as Hyeongjun carried over a plate of fresh, hot pancakes. As they all began to sit down, Jungsu (feeling slightly more impish than the others), leaned over to whisper into Jooyeon’s ear.

“Someone’s in looooove.”

“Shut up or you’re going in that smoothie blender next,” Jooyeon muttered back as the elder male snickered at him.

With their whole pack now gathered around the table, their lively conversation bounced easily between them as they dug in, chatting about the rest of Jiseok’s birthday plans. Jooyeon nodded along, but barely absorbed their exchange of words. His brain was still somewhere back in hug territory, where Jiseok had wrapped around him like a vine. He stared at his pancakes like they might offer answers, but received none. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Seungmin glancing yet again at Hyeongjun across the table. It wasn’t subtle and his look had a softness to it, tinged with exasperated fondness.

Jooyeon clocked it immediately, but didn’t say a word. After all, who was he to talk when he’d be mentally replaying that 10-second hug for at least the next 24 hours?

_____________________________

Step IV: Prove Thy Constancy in Word and Deed
“Fidelity of character is the highest virtue in a suitor. Let your actions be steady, your words be sure. The Omega must see that your interest is not a fleeting flame, but a hearth capable of enduring every season. Praise sparingly and promise rarely, but keep both with unwavering resolve.”

Rain pattered against the window like a persistent toddler trying to get attention from a disinterested cat. Jooyeon laid on his bed on a dreary Tuesday evening, staring at the article on his phone screen like it was mocking him.

“Aigo, why did the author write this like a Shakespearean ghost?” he muttered, his free hand coming up to drag down his face.

He wondered what “constancy in word and deed” meant, his expression slowly descending into philosophical despair the longer he thought about it. He couldn’t decide if the article was referring to a poem, love contract or blood oath. For a brief moment, Jooyeon considered writing his best friend a letter with “Thou art the moon to my tides” in calligraphy, but immediately gagged and threw that idea into his mental dumpster.

The alpha was mid-headache and halfway through searching for “grand gestures that don’t come off as unhinged” when his phone rang, Jiseok’s number flashing across the screen. Thus, Jooyeon sat up like someone tasered him lovingly.

“Hey!” he answered after the second ring, attempting to sound casual.

“Hey,” Jiseok replied, voice soft and slightly distracted. “I’m just heading out of work now… Do you maybe wanna meet me?”

“Like, right now?”

“Yeah, I dunno. It’s- I just…want to see you, if that’s okay.”

There was a moment of silence while Jooyeon's brain blacked out and restarted on nothing but serotonin.

“Say less!” he said, already halfway down the hallway to yank on his raincoat. “I’ll be there in five minutes, 10 if the bus is rude.”

As he dashed down the stairs to their dorm’s building, he nearly kicked over the neighbor’s extremely judgmental ficus. The wind flipped his hood off and he growled at the sky like it was personally trying to ruin his romantic arc. Despite the weather, his squelchy shoes and the undeniable fact that his carefully-styled hair was now a sad mop of betrayal, Jooyeon grinned at the thought of his omega best friend calling for his rescue.

As promised, just over five minutes later, his bus hissed to a stop and Jooyeon was already halfway out the door before it fully opened, narrowly avoiding death on the slick pavement. He tugged his raincoat tighter as he jogged the last few feet toward the glass-fronted office building where Jiseok worked.

Instantly, he saw him standing alone under the narrow entrance awning, his posture curled inward like he was trying to shrink into himself. His head was bowed, eyes fixed on the wet concrete as if it offended him. His messenger bag hung loosely from one shoulder and the hem of his pants was just starting to soak from the puddles pooling at his feet. Jooyeon’s sprint slowed as he approached, heart tugging at the sight.

“Hey, you!” he called gently, hoping to coax a smile or at least that squinty eye-crinkle thing Jiseok did when he was pretending he wasn’t waiting.

The omega looked up at the sound of his voice and Jooyeon’s chest squeezed. His eyes were red, not just tired, but glassy and rimmed with frustration.

“...What’s wrong?” the alpha asked, slowing to a stop just in front of him.

That was all it took; Jiseok’s bottom lip wobbled and a strangled little breath left him before he broke down entirely, shoulders shaking and face crumpling as tears streamed down his cheeks without warning.

“Oh, no, no! Come here,” Jooyeon blurted, instantly moving in.

He stepped under the awning without hesitation, despite the cold dampness of his sleeves and the rain still dripping off his hood. He wrapped his arms tightly around Jiseok, pulling him close and tucking his chin over the top of his head. Protective instincts kicked in like a switch was flipped. He released a warm, grounding wave of pheromones, scenting the space between them with the deep, earthy calm of his presence. Jiseok’s breath hitched and then slowed; almost instantly, the tension in his frame began to melt, like snow thawing in the sun. His scent, typically a mix of lemon zest, basil and ambergris, curled into Jooyeon's own deeper aroma of cinnamon, cherry and leather like he was returning home. He sagged into the embrace, his fists clenching lightly on Jooyeon’s coat.

“I just- It was awful, Joo!” he choked out. “Everything went wrong. First, I broke the copier, then I got chewed out for a mistake that wasn’t even mine and spilled coffee on one report I actually did finish… Finally, I missed the earlier bus because someone took my umbrella by mistake, which is when I called you, and I just- I… I wanna get out of here, but I didn't wanna leave alone. I’m sorry.”

“Ji, I’m sorry,” Jooyeon murmured into Jiseok’s hair, tightening his arms around him. “That sucks. All of it, but you’re out now. It’s over, you made it through.”

“Barely,” Jiseok sniffled.

“Well,” the younger said, voice gentler now. “...You don’t have to think about any of that anymore. It’s done. You get to go home, take a hot shower and eat something warm, and tomorrow’s a brand new day. A totally un-ruined one.”

“You make it sound so simple,” Jiseok puffed a soft, wet laugh against the other man’s chest.

“That’s because I’m very wise,” Jooyeon deadpanned, making Jiseok let out a true laugh then, quiet, but real.

He pulled back just slightly, just enough to look up at Jooyeon with watery eyes and a crooked smile.

“Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

And there it was, that sentence. Jooyeon’s heart did a wild flip in his chest.

“I mean,” Jiseok continued, eyes softer now. “You didn’t have to come all the way out here in the rain, I feel bad making you do this for me.”

“Of course I did!” Jooyeon’s hand found the back of his neck, thumb stroking gently as he spoke low and honest. “You call, I answer. Simple as that.”

Jiseok’s lashes fluttered and he leaned back into him again, just resting there for a moment as he stood safe and still in the circle of his arms. However, the moment was interrupted as the shorter of the two men stiffened in Jooyeon’s arms, emitting a loud gurgle from deep within him.

"...Was that your stomach or an off-brand earthquake?" the alpha teased, peering down.

“Aish, betrayed by my own body. Unbelievable,” Jiseok groaned and pressed his forehead against his friend’s chest in defeat.

Jooyeon burst into laughter, shoulders shaking. The omega started laughing, too, muffled against his coat, the tension finally cracked apart like a shell and leaving something soft and light behind.

“Clearly we need to fix that!” the taller male said once he could breathe again. “C’mon, dinner’s on me tonight.”

“Really?” Jiseok pulled back just enough to look at him, practically sparkling up at him.

“Yeah, of course. You apparently had the worst day in history, so you deserve good food. Maybe a fried thing... possibly two fried things.”

“You sure? Because I will take advantage of this, I have a list.”

“As you should.”

Jiseok looked like he was about to respond, but then glanced at the street behind Jooyeon and frowned.

“Wait, did you bring an umbrella?” he asked pensively.

Jooyeon paused. Slowly, he turned to look at the steady wall of rain pouring down just past the edge of the awning before turning back to Jiseok.

“Uh… no,” he winced.

“That’s okay, it’s my fault for not telling you to bring one before you left home,” Jiseok immediately started rifling through his bag. “I have a folder I can sacrifice. Or- Wait, this company tote bag is waterproof-ish-”

“Hey, wait…,” Jooyeon said, cutting him off and making the omega quirk an eyebrow up at him in confusion.

The alpha quickly shrugged off his raincoat, which was already damp from his sprint from the bus, and without warning, swung it up and over Jiseok’s head like a makeshift tent.

“Jooyeon! What’re you-? You’ll get soaked!”

“I’m an alpha, Jiseok. I’m genetically engineered to withstand dampness,” his friend smirked, casually ignoring how the rain was already peppering his sweater.

“That’s not how biology works.”

“Says you. Besides,” Jooyeon added, gently tugging the coat down a little over Jiseok’s ears. “You were sick not that long ago, I’m not risking round two just because some idiot stole your umbrella.”

Jiseok opened his mouth to protest again, but stopped when he caught the look on Jooyeon’s face. It was that same quiet, unwavering warmth that carried him through every tough day for as long as they knew each other. He gave in with a sigh, though he was definitely smirking.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“And yet you continue to keep me around,” Jooyeon returned, very pleased with himself.

They stepped out into the rain, the coat draped like a tiny shared shelter between them. Jiseok leaned a little closer so Jooyeon could block more of the wind, and the younger didn’t even pretend to mind, his defensive instincts overshadowing his nerves.

“So, where to?” he asked.

“That little place with the dumplings and the free pickled radish. You know the one,” Jiseok tilted his head toward the next block.

“Ohhh, that place!” Jooyeon said with reverence. “They know how to make even a battered mushroom feel loved… not that I’d eat one anyway.”

They walked side by side, pressed close under their shared rain armor and the city’s lights glittering through the curtain of rain like little stars. Even though Jooyeon’s clothes were starting to cling to his arms and his socks were definitely soaked, he felt impossibly warm. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, Step Four of the courting article gave him a thumbs-up and a gold star.

Two hours, one shared plate of dumplings and three cups of hot tea later, the pair of friends finally pushed open the front door to their dorm, the scent of warm cotton, lemongrass cleaning spray and other familiar smells washing over them like a welcome-home hug.

Jooyeon still looked like a slightly damp forest animal, but he was grinning ear to ear, absolutely glowing from the inside out even if he didn’t sound like it.

"Ugh, I am 50 percent joy, 50 percent mildew," he muttered.

“You could’ve let me get wet, too, y’know,” Jiseok said for maybe the fourth time since dinner, completely ignoring that the alpha would’ve launched himself into oncoming traffic before letting that happen.

“You’re lucky I won’t make you wear that raincoat like a ceremonial robe until summer!” Jooyeon shot him a mock-glare.

They padded through the hall toward the laundry room, where the scent of dryer sheets grew stronger with every step. Sure enough, the hum of machines and the quiet rustle of folding greeted them as they walked in. Inside, Jungsu and Hyeongjun were seated cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by stacks of neatly folded T-shirts and towels, dutifully sorting the pack’s laundry with the intensity of seasoned warriors. Jungsu looked up first and immediately blinked at Jooyeon like he was some swamp creature.

“Joo, why do you look like someone wrung you out like a dish sponge?”

“I told him not to be a hero!” Jiseok said before Jooyeon could respond, stepping past him to grab a towel from a basket. “But nooooo, alpha instincts and all that.”

“I’m fine, hyung, but thanks for your concern,” Jooyeon peeled off his sweater and made a dramatic splat on the floor with it.

“Where were you guys?” Hyeongjun asked, folding a pair of socks into a perfect roll.

“Out to dinner,” Jiseok said simply, wrapping the towel around his own head with practiced grace before tossing another one at Jooyeon’s chest. “He came to meet me after work. I had a horrible day and he took me to my favorite place.”

He looked over at Jooyeon then, eyes full of gratitude, voice softer now.

“I meant what I said earlier. I really don’t know what I’d do without you, Yeonie.”

Jooyeon, still toweling off his hair, froze slightly, then beamed. Not just smiled, beamed like the sun rose directly behind his eyeballs. He mumbled something that might’ve been “anytime” or possibly “I would fight the rain for you,” but it was hard to tell with the towel over his face. The other two just watched the whole exchange in silence, visibly holding back smirks.

“Well, I’m gonna change before I become a mold ecosystem,” the alpha finally said, recovering. “Let’s go, Jiseokie! I shouldn’t go to bed in wet socks or else you’ll have to call me an ambulance.”

Jiseok rolled his eyes fondly and followed him out, waving lazily at the other two omegas as they disappeared down the hall. The laundry room was quiet for a beat before their conversation resumed.

“...So, do you think they’ll figure themselves out before or after Jooyeon writes ‘marry me’ in tealight candles on our balcony?” Hyeongjun deadpanned.

“Hard to say,” Jungsu snorted, folding a towel with the calm precision of someone who long gave up trying to intervene in slow-burn alpha-omega dramatics. “Jooyeon seems like a ‘fire hazard in the name of love’ kind of guy.”

“They’re exhausting,” the younger redhead sighed. “I wish they’d just elope already, their pheromones are potent. I can barely smell my own usual stink of cotton and earl grey while they’re around.”

“Mmh, people can be slow when it’s their own feelings,” Jungsu hummed, stacking another towel.

“Tragic.”

“It’s frustrating to watch sometimes…,” the elder added, tone wistful.

“Exactly! Like, what’s taking them so long to mark each other?” Hyeongjun didn’t quite catch the shift in tone at first. “Jooyeon’s courting him, isn’t he? They’re basically fated.”

“Mmhmm,” Jungsu said. “Funny how that works. Sometimes someone’s right in front of you, bringing you drinks and charging your phone and saving you a good seat on the couch... and you still don’t realize how crazy about you they are.”

“...Wait… we’re still talking about Jooyeon and Jiseok, right?”

Jungsu just offered a mild, almost innocent smile as he stood, tucking the last towel into a neat pile.

“You’re smart, Junnie. I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually!”

“Hyung?” Hyeongjun sat up straighter. “Figure what out- HEY, where are you going?!”

“Don’t strain yourself thinking about it,” the elder omega gave him a single pat on the head on his way past.

“Okay, b-but what does that-!”

However, Jungsu was already gone, vanishing into the hallway with his usual serene grace, leaving the younger man sitting alone in the laundry room with a growing stack of theories and absolutely no clue which one to believe.

“…He wasn’t implying what I think he was, was he?” Hyeongjun asked seemingly to the dryer, which, as usual, offered only a wise and rhythmic hum in return.

“That wasn’t an answer!” he then scowled into a pair of socks, which he noticed belonged to, coincidentally, the very same beta who just crossed his mind.

His nose hovered above them and he swore he could still faintly smell Seungmin’s sandalwood and vanilla orchid scent on them if he concentrated hard enough, unable to stop the way his ears turned pink at the thought of him.

_____________________________

Step V: Seek Not to Possess, But to Cherish
“Lastly, remember: to court the Omega of your dreams is not to win a prize, but to invite a partner into life’s great dance. Respect their agency, voice and freedom. A bond formed in mutual regard and unfeigned affection shall outlast all lesser unions born of vanity or haste.”

It was now Saturday morning again and Jooyeon’s hair was sticking up on one side (he definitely slept on it wrong), his phone open to the last line of the courting tutorial he was following religiously for the last couple of weeks.

“What the hell does this last step even mean!?” Jooyeon groaned, tossing his phone onto the coffee table with the dramatic flair of a soap opera lead. “I’ve done everything I can think of so far to romance him! I already listened to him talk about amplifiers for two hours straight and I bought him that weird tea he likes that smells like old books… I even learned how to do home repair! I FIXED HIS DESK CHAIR!”

“The one he broke trying to drift like a Mario Kart?” Hyeongjun commented from their couch, not even looking up from his Nintendo Switch.

“Yes, it was split down the middle! I had to weld and reinforce it. I saved that chair’s life and you know what he said? ‘Oh, thanks, Jooyeonie! I was just gonna duct tape it.’ DUCT. TAPE.”

“Maybe ‘cherish’ means something deeper,” Gunil stated from across the room as he sipped his coffee like a wise alpha elder who saw this coming from three mating seasons ago. “Like, valuing his presence and being emotionally available.”

“I am emotionally available!” Jooyeon protested. “I cried during that sad animal cruelty video he sent me!”

“Everyone cries during that video,” Jungsu muttered. “Sarah McLachlan has a real knack for pulling at heartstrings, plus that kitten had one eye.”

“Have you tried writing him a song?” Seungmin piped up, bouncing where he sat cross-legged on the floor. “That worked for Gunil. Right, hyung?”

“I wrote him a ballad called ‘You’re the Full Moon, but I’d Howl at You Anyway,’” the elder alpha recalled from his conservatory days.

“It was unreasonably romantic,” Jungsu blushed.

“I can’t write a ballad! I already tried serenading him and that was a headache in itself, I don’t even know if Jiseok knows I’m courting him!” the youngest wailed.

The room then fell into dead silence. Seungmin stopped mid-sip of his smoothie, eyes wide in horror as his straw slurped air. Hyeongjun’s game console hit his lap with a soft thunk, his hands frozen in mid-button-press, while Gunil slowly lowered his mug like it turned radioactive. Jungsu’s face contorted into something between shock, pity and secondhand embarrassment so intense it radiated heat.

“...What?” Jooyeon blinked at them all, anxiety rising. “Why are you looking at me like I just said I eat drywall?”

“You… you don’t know if he knows?” Gunil started carefully, like he was trying not to spook a very dumb, but very earnest squirrel.

“I- …No? I’ve been showing it, doing stuff for him! Why? Is something wrong?” the younger alpha asked confusedly.

“That’s friend behavior, Joo,” Seungmin said flatly, rubbing his temples. “It’s peak ‘just bro things.’ You’re deep in untagged Tumblr territory right now.”

“I’m still not getting what you’re saying,” Jooyeon cocked his head.

“Jooyeon... Did you ask Jiseok-ah if you could court him?” Jungsu blinked.

“…You’re supposed to ask?” Jooyeon sat up slowly, eyes wide.

Seungmin smacked his forehead while Gunil closed his eyes like he was experiencing spiritual disappointment. Hyeongjun nearly screamed into an adjacent pillow as Jungsu let out an actual bark of disbelief.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN I’M SUPPOSED TO ASK?!” the youngest flailed.

“Good Lord, you’re a dope,” Seungmin groaned. “Was that article you found online not proof enough that courting is supposed to be a formal event?”

“Is that common knowledge?! That you’re supposed to ask permission to court an omega?” Jooyeon asked incredulously, his eyes starting to twitch.

“Literally everyone knows that,” Hyeongjun said as all four of their heads nodded slowly, like a very tragic chorus. “We get taught this stuff as soon as we hit puberty. ‘Omegas should always respect an alpha’s space, carry a backup scent cloth and wait to be asked.’”

“There's a whole checklist,” Jungsu added, arms crossed sternly in disappointment. “It’s in every single sociology book.”

“Annnnnd now you understand why Yeonie almost failed that course when we were in college!” Seungmin revealed.

“Oh my GOD,” Jooyeon muttered, rubbing his face. “I’m a failure, a romantic failure. A rom-fail-com... I’m gonna go live in the woods and knit regret scarves until I die!”

At that exact moment, the front door opened. Jiseok stepped in, a tote bag full of toiletries in one hand and a curious look on his face.

“Hey, guys! What’re you all yelling about? I could hear you from outside… and what’s a ‘regret scarf’?”

The youngest male froze as everyone else looked at him, then he promptly tripped over Seungmin’s foot sticking out and fell backwards onto the bean bag.

“…Uh, Jooyeonie?” Jiseok said, raising a brow. “You good?”

“Well, this seems like our cue to leave!” Gunil instructed cheerfully, clapping his hands together as he and Jungsu walked toward the hallway. “Boys, shall we?”

The rest of their pack reacted like middle schoolers being dismissed for recess. Hyeongjun giggled, doing a little shoulder dance.

“I give him five minutes before he faints…,” Seungmin whispered to him as they fled the room.

Jooyeon wanted to yell at them, but he was a statue, too overwhelmed to actually stop them in their tracks. His limbs refused to move and his mouth was drier than a desert. One by one, they filed out of the space, the doors to their bedrooms clicking shut behind them with suspicious speed.

Then, it was just Jooyeon and Jiseok. The sound of the little bell on the omega’s tote bag jingled as he walked over to the alpha, crouching down next to where Jooyeon was now seated.

“Hey,” Jiseok said softly, looking down at him with concern. “You seem tense, what’s really going on? Did I walk into something heavy?”

Jooyeon stared up at him, heart thundering. There was no escape, but he licked his lips and forced a crooked smile.

“I… was just, y’know… having a minor-to-severe emotional collapse.”

“Because?” Jiseok tilted his head, that soft, knowing smile forming.

“Because,” Jooyeon looked away from him, gulping. “...If I tell you what I’m feeling and it’s not what you want to hear, then everything between us might change. I don’t think I could survive that.”

There was a pause where he thought maybe he could escape if he crawled away fast enough, but then…

There were two warm hands sliding into his own. Jiseok squeezed them, firm and steady.

“Nothing you say could break our bond, Jooyeonie. Nothing, okay? So please, you don’t have to hide from me. I’ll always listen, always be here for you.”

Jooyeon’s chest clenched. He wanted to believe that more than anything. He took a breath and opened his mouth, but immediately felt himself about to chicken out. His tongue stuttered, the words caught in his throat and just shy of forming into a confession. However, at that moment, something unexpected happened.

He smelled it… a shift.

The faintest trace in the air of Jiseok’s scent, already so familiar, was turning sweeter. It was like fresh-squeezed lemonade and morning dew and something that made Jooyeon’s alpha instincts snap awake in recognition. When he looked back into Jiseok’s face, those big eyes were watching him closely, shining with hope.

Jooyeon realized, in that breathless second, that maybe he hadn’t been courting into the void. Instead, perhaps he was just slow to see what was there all along. He could feel his soul shouting “don’t back out now, you idiot” at him.

He squeezed Jiseok’s hands tighter, breathing deeply before pushing out the words in one big rush.

“Okay, then here it is. I… I-I love you, Jiseok-ah,” he finally admitted, feeling the weight of the words settle between them.

His pulse was wild in his chest and he wanted to run away, but he couldn’t. Not now, so he shut his eyes and kept going.

“I’ve been hopelessly in love with you for so long. Not just as my best friend, but more than that. I want more than that,” he confessed, still not looking at him. “And God, I’m so scared of you not feeling the same way, but I have to say it…”

He forced himself to keep going because this was the moment; he couldn’t keep pretending he wasn’t about to fall apart in front of Jiseok.

“You were the one who taught me what it meant to care for someone, to protect them, to... want them in a way I never knew I could feel. All the while, I thought I could keep it to myself, but then our packmates noticed,” Jooyeon let out a small, nervous laugh, shaking his head as he rubbed the back of his neck. “They all knew and they encouraged me to do this courtship thing. I had to research how to even do it. I spent weeks reading about omega courting rituals and I- Uh, yeah, I’ve done all this stuff for you recently hoping you’d get it and I thought it was obvious, but I guess I still wasn't being obvious enough.”

He let out a breath and laughed again, trying to mask the nervous edge in his voice.

“...And honestly? I was terrified the whole time that if I told you, it would ruin everything between us or that I’d just screw it up like everything else, but here I am.”

At last, despite his fear, he raised his eyes to meet Jiseok’s. The confession hung in the air and the silence that followed was almost unbearable. His heart raced, his hands were trembling and his whole body felt like it was on fire, waiting for the omega’s response.

Jooyeon braced himself for rejection. He was ready for it, even though every instinct in his body screamed against it, but then…

For the first time in their years of friendship, Jooyeon saw something new on Jiseok’s face. It was delicate, a radiant light that bloomed across his features like the first rays of sunlight breaking through dark clouds. His eyes shone brighter than the alpha had ever seen and that familiar warmth was now tinged with something more hopeful.

Jiseok’s smile felt like a secret between them, a shared understanding Jooyeon never expected to witness. The elder leaned in, his hands still holding his own as he softly whispered.

“Jooyeon, I… you have NO idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”

“W-What?” Jooyeon’s breath hitched in disbelief.

“I love you, too,” Jiseok admitted, his voice steady and full of affection. “I’ve loved you for years, Jooyeonie. I never thought you’d feel the same, I thought I was the only one.”

Jooyeon stared at him, still processing. His heart was beating so loudly in his chest, he could hear it in his ears. He felt lightheaded like the world around him was spinning and he had to clutch onto Jiseok’s hands to keep himself from floating away. The reality of it hit him all at once.

“I can't believe this,” he gasped. “But I'm so relieved, Jiseokie, oh my God! I- Wait, but…”

“What is it, Yeonie?”

“Well, did you have any idea that I was trying to court you? Like, at all?”

“I dunno, perhaps a little? It's hard to say, but I was definitely hoping,” Jiseok chewed his lip, trying not to laugh. “I thought maybe, especially after you kinda went insane for my birthday gift-”

“Jelly and plushie keychains scream romance!”

“But I couldn’t be sure! You also once snail-mailed me a photo of a lizard wearing a bowtie with no context, so I gave you the benefit of the doubt.”

“That lizard could've been me expressing deep affection, for all you know,” Jooyeon looked wounded.

“I figured… Well, at least now I do.”

“Well, then I’m saying it again! This time officially,” Jooyeon puffed his chest out like a very smug, very fluffy rooster. “...I’m deeply in love with you, Kwak Jiseok, and I would be honored to keep courting you properly, only this time with less confusion and more kissing.”

“I accept,” Jiseok’s grin widened, his hands leaving the other man’s to crawl up to the back of his neck. “But let’s not be too formal about it! I think we’re due for our own brand of weirdness.”

Jooyeon looked deeply moved, then launched himself at Jiseok with too many emotions and not enough coordination. They went tumbling onto the living room floor in a flurry of limbs and exactly one very startled nearby houseplant. The alpha immediately buried his face under his omega's jaw, peppering his scent gland with soft, ticklish kisses.

“You smell like smugness and my dreams coming true,” he teased Jiseok, who wheezed with laughter, trying to squirm away and failing.

“You’re crazy- Stop marking me like I’m a tree!”

“My tree!” Jooyeon corrected him, already planning his next five extremely unconventional courting gestures.

They eventually stilled, chests heaving from laughter, love and a whole lot of giddy tackling. Jooyeon blinked down at Jiseok, who was splayed beneath him with hair tousled, cheeks flushed and the faintest pout to his plump lips.

"God," the alpha breathed, voice hushed with something almost reverent. "You're so pretty, it's criminal."

Before Jiseok could roll his orbs (or maybe agree, he hadn’t decided yet), Jooyeon gently lifted them upright, bracing on one arm. He brought the back of his hand to the omega's forehead, brushing a wayward strand of hair off his face with surprising tenderness. His hand lingered, slowly turning to cradle Jiseok’s cheek.

The elder blinked up at him, eyes dreamy and glassy, like Jooyeon pulled the moon down from the sky just to admire him under better lighting. His smile was a little crooked now.

“You’re looking at me like I invented air,” Jiseok whispered.

“You are like air to me,” Jooyeon whispered back, equally smitten and clearly running on at least 80% unfiltered emotion.

Then, with gentle care that contrasted deeply with their chaotic wrestling five seconds ago, Jooyeon slid his arms under Jiseok’s back and guided him into a seated position, practically settling him in his lap. Their legs tangled together like it was always this way, like they just slotted into the right spot and were too spellbound to question it. The room was still for a moment, just the soft hush of breathing and the distant hum of the refrigerator.

“Jiseokie… Can I please kiss you?” Jooyeon swallowed, thumb stroking a lazy arc along Jiseok’s cheek.

The elder didn’t say anything.

He didn’t have to, instead surging forward and closing the space between them in an instant, one hand gripping Jooyeon’s T-shirt while the other cupped the back of his head. Their lips met with a fire that had clearly been simmering too long, tasting like promises. The alpha let out a soft sound into their kiss, arms locking tight around Jiseok’s waist as he pulled him impossibly closer. Their bodies pressed together and hearts pounded in rhythm. Then, their scents bloomed like someone smashed a bottle of fruit wine in the middle of the room, sweet, heady and overwhelming. Notes of citrus, drupes, and something warm and earthy wrapped around each other. It filled the space like incense, dizzying and comforting all at once.

“You’re gonna stink up our entire dorm with your love,” Jiseok pulled away slightly, smiling against Jooyeon’s mouth.

“Good, then it makes sense to keep me here since I can't let the public suffer from my stench.”

“Oh, nooooo,” the omega said dramatically, already leaning in for one more round. “Whatever shall I do?”

“You’re doomed, obviously,” Jooyeon answered, finishing his response with another kiss.

He made a mental note to post a comment thanking the anonymous author of that courting article at a later time, not when he was busy entirely losing his heart to his future mate finally in his arms.

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"OW, Gunil-hyung, your foot’s on my hand!"

“Oh, just deal with it, Seungmin-ah! You’re lucky I’m not stepping on your face."

“Would you guys can it?! I can barely hear them through the door over your bickering.”

“Sorry, Jungsu-hyung.”

"Be still, my poor heart, I can’t believe this is finally happening for them. Our pups are so cute, Gunilie!”

“Yeah, this took them WAY too long.”

“You said it, Hyeongjunnie.”

“Glad you agree with him, Seungmin-ah… After all, it may be your turn next!”

“HUH?! What’s that supposed to mean, hyung?”

“Wait, what’s even happening right now?”

“Dunno, Junnie! Why don’t you ask your favorite beta who’s currently draped over your back?”

“Yeah, you two should probably figure that out before Jooyeon lends you his leftover stash of love trinkets!”

“HYUNG, WHY YOU-!”

And with that, nothing but chaotic joy continued to flood every corner of their humble dorm.

“In conclusion, let the wise suitor heed these time-honored tenets with care. For though the world may spin ever faster, the heart remains a creature of timeless rhythms. To court with honour is to love with purpose.”