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“Hyung, it’s pink!”
It was almost time for Seungcheol to get home and Jeonghan’s domestic sensibilities were on high alert since the calendar confirmed it was nearing that time for his mate. But just because your alpha was entering pre-rut did not mean that your friends and their never ending crises didn’t require a rational (often irrational) take. Really, everyone just called him to complain about something or someone.
Yesterday, it had been Mingyu calling and asking if he thought the note Wonwoo left on the mirror that morning was a genuine reminder to ‘pick up dinner on the way home’ or a passive aggressive snipe that the alpha wasn’t a good provider. “I mean, you’d be providing him dinner so I guess both can be true,” Jeonghan had told him with a giggle. Mingyu had almost cried.
Over lunch the day before, Minghao had whined about how Jun didn’t love him because he didn’t rub his arm ‘like he does every morning’ when he had left that day. “And what were you doing?” Jeonghan asked, knowing damn well that Jun was likely otherwise distracted by his flexible omega. Minghao had blushed and Jeonghan had playfully called him a little minx.
Today, it was Seungkwan who had texted Jeonghan five minutes ago that he had an emergency that he could not talk to anyone else about. ‘can i call now plz!!!!!!!!!!’
The younger omega was practically in tears. He chewed on his bottom lip, trying to quell the panic attack that was flooding his body. He was vibrating with insecurity on the other end of the video call.
Jeonghan was confused to say the least. “What’s pink? What’s wrong?”
Seungkwan leaned closer to the camera, whispering, “Is Cheol hyung there?”
“Not yet.”
“And no one else can hear me?”
Jeonghan sighed. “Seungkwan, I’m the only one here.”
The red flush in Seungkwan’s cheeks increased. “So, we haven’t talked in a while because, well you know, Hansol was rutting.”
The older omega hummed, attention mostly on dinner prep.
“Well, something happened that has never happened before and I don’t know- I’m confused and I don’t know who else to ask because like I said, this has never happened and you know I can’t call my mother because she still makes that frowny face when because she doesn’t like that we aren’t mated but we’re living together. Like that matters in this day and age. I’m an adult. I know he’s the one and it doesn’t really matter what she-”
“You’re losing the plot, babe.”
Seungkwan had lost the flush of discomfort and was edging on angry. “Sorry! Anyway… okay, this was a relatively quick rut compared to his last. Only lasted two days. The first day I noticed like a pink color on the sheets.”
“What?” Jeonghan asked, admittedly finally paying attention.
“Yeah, like from activities-”
“His activities or yours?”
“Mine. But at the time, I didn’t know.” The embarrassed flush was back. “I thought maybe he was a little rough, you know, maybe it was blood.” Jeonghan’s eyes widened and Seungkwan waved his hand, “It wasn’t! That’s not the problem and it’s not what happened! Ugh, I’m making this sound so bad and it’s not even the point!”
“Kindly find it,” Jeonghan tried to joke airily, though concern was layered in his tone.
“On the second day, I was more active.”
“Seungkwan, can you please stop acting like we need to censor this conversation! You had lots of sex for two days and on day two…”
“Hyung! Okay, fine! The second day was extra wet and I realized it was me. It was coming from me! And it was pink!!”
“Your slick was pink?” Jeonghan stopped stirring the soup he had been tending to, fully engaged now in Seungkwan’s problem. “Like a little tint?”
Seungkwan shook his head fast. “No, like neon.” He huffed a sad whimper. “It looks like I squirted highlighter fluid. And Sol,” he ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends, clearly stressed. “He’s like, ‘cool new trick, babe.’”
“Ayy!” Jeonghan clicked his tongue, “Sweets, that sounds like not good.”
The younger omega whined, “I’m mortified. I didn’t know that could happen! Has this ever happened to you?”
Jeonghan scoffed, almost offended. “No. I’m healthy and clear, thank you.”
“I’m healthy!” Seungkwan protested, side-eyeing the camera. His lip curled at the jab. “I am very healthy, Yoon Jeonghan.”
Jeonghan raised his hands in innocence. “Sorry!” He moved the tablet to the kitchen island and began to chop veggies, determined to finish dinner and help his friend. “Did you try any new food? Or new meds? I know Shua had an issue with production when he switched from daily to quarterly blockers. He was Sahara dry one day and Niagara Falls the next. Do you remember that?” Jeonghan cackled, remembering his best friend’s misfortune and the Niagara-episode that some nagging part of his brain was telling him he was really not supposed to talk about ever again, or else.
“No?” Seungkwan made a negative sound, still pouting. “I don’t have that problem. Production is fine. I make my own heat blocker. It’s organic and vegan!” His tone was superior.
Jeonghan blinked, tilting head to look closer at his chestnut haired friend. “I’m sorry, you what?”
“I make my own,” Seungkwan repeated. “I found the recipe on Pinterest. I’ve been taking it for like three months. It’s worked so good. No annoying mood changes and minimal downtime.”
Jeonghan set down his knife and turned to Seungkwan, grimacing at the younger’s serious face. “Kwannie, sweet pea, if you were here, I’d be holding your hand while I say this: you can’t just make heat blocker at home. And it shouldn't be vegan - it literally needs to have chemicals to block your heat.”
“Chemicals are bad for you, Jeonghan!” Seungkwan protested.
“And you’re leaking like a glowstick, Boo Seungkwan,” Jeonghan shot back.
“Hyung!”
Jeonghan rubbed his temples. For the umpteenth time trying to make sense of the things his friends did. “Go make an appointment to see your doctor and stop making your own heat blocker.”
Seungkwan pouted. “Fine. Are you going to brunch on Sunday?”
Jeonghan shook his head. “Probably not. Cheol’s due and you know how that goes.” He smirked a dirty smile at his young friend. He bit the tip of his index finger, thinking about it, “I probably won't be able to walk.”
“Gross!! But that does sound like fun,” Seungkwan laughed - not feeling better about what happened but that he had aired it out to his go-to therapist. His expression turned thoughtful. “Hey, what heat blocker do you use?”
Jeonghan smiled his angelic, fake, smile. “Who said I use any?”
“Seriously?"
The elder's shoulder raised in a non-committal shrug.
Seungkwan's jaw dropped. "Wait, are you two trying to-”
The sound of the passcode being entered at the door drew Jeonghan's attention. “Saved by the Alpha,” he laughed. “Gotta go!”
“Yah, Yoon Jeonghan, answer me!”
Jeonghan stuck his tongue out at Seungkwan and ended the video call.
“Babe, I'm home! I feel like my soul was sucked out of my body today.” Seungcheol appeared at the door to the kitchen, loosening his tie and throwing his blazer on the couch behind him.
“As long as I'm the only one sucking it out your-”
Seungcheol covered the distance between them in two strides and wrapped one arm around Jeonghan from the back. His other hand drew the younger’s chin toward him for a deep, wet kiss. “Are you offering?”
“Maybe later! Now, go wash up so we can eat dinner,” Jeonghan giggled, pushing his mate’s face away from him.
“I’d rather eat you.”
Jeonghan blushed prettily. “Go!”
“Fine,” Seungcheol pouted, even as he slapped his mate’s ass on the way out. He was already walking down the hall toward the bedroom when he turned around, calling to Jeonghan, “Oh, and I have a funny story to tell you. Apparently, Hansol found glow in the dark lube on Coupang. Chaos ensued.”
His chuckle carried back to Jeonghan who practically launched his body over the kitchen island. “What?!”