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Soobin had many skills.
He could calculate a trajectory using orbital mechanics, balance a complex chemical equation blindfolded, and name every constellation in the northern hemisphere.
But flirting?
Confidence?
Walking down a hallway like he wasn’t trying to disappear into the floor tiles?
Absolutely not.
Which is why, one breezy Thursday afternoon, Yeonjun plopped down beside Soobin in the cafeteria, narrowed his eyes dramatically, and announced:
“We need to fix you.”
Soobin choked on his rice.
“Wha—what? Fix me??”
Yeonjun popped a grape in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. “Yeah. Don't get me wrong, bun. You're perfect. You’re too cute. There's absolutely no reason for you to keep acting like a background character in your own anime.”
Soobin blinked. “I—I’m not a background—?”
“You are one emergency glasses push away from vanishing into thin air,” Yeonjun declared. “And that’s a crime. Because you’re smart, tall, your jawline could cut glass, and you smell like cinnamon when you're nervous. Which, honestly, is all the time.”
Soobin’s face was steadily going redder. “How do you even—?”
Yeonjun leaned in, lips curled in a mischievous smile. “I’m an omega. I notice things.”
Soobin covered his face with his hands. “Please don’t notice me anymore.”
Yeonjun cackled. “Too late. I already bought the notebook. Operation: Alpha Confidence is a GO.”
•••
Day 1: The Walk Test
They were walking side by side through the hallway when Yeonjun suddenly stopped, grabbed Soobin’s wrist, and yanked him back like they were in a teen drama.
“Okay. Walk toward me,” Yeonjun said, taking a few steps back.
Soobin blinked. “Walk toward you?”
“Yeah. Like you’re confident. Like you’re the alpha. Not a sleep-deprived giraffe.”
Soobin frowned. “I am not a—”
“Walk.”
Soobin started walking.
Halfway through, he tripped over absolutely nothing, his bag strap slid off his shoulder, and his glasses slipped halfway down his nose.
Yeonjun stared, mouth twitching.
“You know what,” he said slowly, “we’ll call that progress. You didn’t fall on your face this time.”
“Yay?” Soobin mumbled, fixing his glasses.
Yeonjun patted his shoulder proudly. “You’re like an anime protagonist in episode one. You’ve got potential.”
•••
Day 3: Confidence Phrases
“Repeat after me,” Yeonjun said, pointing a pen at Soobin like it was a sword. “I am confident.”
Soobin stared. “…I am confident.”
“I am strong.”
“I am strong…”
“I am 6’1” of study-crushing, omega-heart-stealing alpha realness!”
Soobin made a noise. “Yeonjun, I’m not saying—”
“Say it!”
Soobin flushed. “…I am six foot one of… study-crushing, omega-heart-stealing alpha… realness.”
Yeonjun clapped. “YES! That’s the energy. Now do it in a deeper voice.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Coward.”
•••
Day 6: The Hoodie Incident
Yeonjun showed up to school in Soobin’s hoodie again.
Soobin nearly walked into a trash can.
Yeonjun twirled dramatically in front of his locker. “Do I look cute?”
“You always look cute,” Soobin blurted—and then froze.
Yeonjun paused.
Turned.
Grinned like a cat who just caught a mouse.
“You’re getting bolder,” he said softly.
Soobin blinked. “I—”
“I like it,” Yeonjun added, biting his lip.
Soobin short-circuited.
•••
Day 10: The Turning Point
They were sitting on the bleachers after school. The sun was low, and their shadows stretched long over the track field.
Yeonjun leaned against Soobin’s shoulder, tired from cheer practice, sipping on Soobin’s extra juice box like it belonged to him.
“You’ve been doing better, you know,” he said. “Walking taller. Smiling more. Making eye contact.”
Soobin chuckled. “Only because you keep scolding me.”
Yeonjun looked up at him. “No. It’s because you’re finally seeing what I’ve been seeing all along.”
Soobin’s smile faded into something softer. “What have you been seeing?”
Yeonjun tapped his chest with one finger. “An alpha who makes me feel safe. Who listens. Who doesn’t need to bark or growl to be strong. And also? You’re hot when you do that thing with your pen during exams.”
“I—what—”
“And when you push up your sleeves when you’re about to solve an equation.”
Soobin covered his face. “Please stop.”
Yeonjun giggled and leaned into him. “Just saying. Don’t wait for someone to give you permission to feel confident. You’re already enough. You just need to believe it.”
Soobin looked at him.
Then gently, quietly, he took Yeonjun’s hand in his.
Yeonjun blinked.
“You believe in me that much?” Soobin asked, voice low.
Yeonjun squeezed his hand.
“I’ve always had ever since you told me my answer was ‘impressively logical’ instead of ‘cute.’” He paused. “Though I wouldn’t mind hearing that one too.”
Soobin laughed, forehead resting lightly against Yeonjun’s.
“…You’re cute.”
Yeonjun beamed.
“See? Confident alpha behavior unlocked. Now praise me more.”