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ROSES ARE PRETTY, BUT NOONA IS PRETTIER
The afternoon sun filters through the leaves of the big old gingko tree in the backyard of the Choi household.
Little Taehyun, seven years old and brimming with boundless curiosity, kicks his soccer ball with focused energy. His dark hair sticks to his sweaty forehead in messy strands and his cheeks are flushed pink from running laps around the makeshift goalposts made of old garden chairs. He doesn't mind the heat or the dirt on his knees because he likes how alive everything feels when he's moving.
Taehyun hasn't presented yet like most kids his age haven't. His scent is still neutral clean like crisp air and playground dust with no hint of alpha fierceness, omega sweetness or beta steadiness. He has little knowledge about all these things because in his home, everyone is an alpha.
Mom is a no-nonsense alpha who commands the house like a battlefield. Dad is a broad shouldered alpha who always carries Taehyun on his shoulders when they go to the park.
Big brother Soobin is an alpha too and gentle in a way that makes Taehyun feel safe, but still unmistakably dominant with his deep voice. To him, Soobin isn’t just his big brother, he’s a real life superhero who's tall enough to reach anything, strong enough to carry the world and caring enough to make Taehyun feel like the most important person alive.
Little Taehyun decides he wants to be an alpha too like his hyung when he grows up.
And omegas, from what Taehyun has seen on TV or heard from kids at school, are fragile. They cry easily, need constant care, go into those weird 'heats' that make alphas act stupid and always want gifts and attention. He especially dislikes girl omegas. They bat their lashes and alphas buy them flowers and candy and everything. It's annoying.
Taehyun thinks alphas should be strong and independent and should not be running around pampering someone who can't even open a pickle jar without help.
Boy omegas might be a little different, maybe, but Taehyun isn't convinced. An omega is an omega after all.
So when Soobin mentions over breakfast one Saturday that he's bringing his boyfriend home for lunch, Taehyun perks up while still shoveling cereal into his mouth.
Soobin has a boyfriend. Taehyun has heard the name Beomgyu a hundred times by now. Soobin says it casually like it's part of everyday talk. "Beomgyu thought the new dinosaur movie was awesome," or "Beomgyu sent me this funny cat video. You'd like it," or "Beomgyu wants to try baking those cookies you love sometime." Taehyun likes hearing about him. It makes Soobin smile in a way that makes his eyes crinkle like he's eating his favorite ice cream flavor.
"He's an omega," Soobin adds today as he licks jam off his thumb.
Taehyun pauses with his spoon halfway to his mouth. "The one who likes cats and BTS?"
Soobin chuckles. "Yeah. That one."
Taehyun pauses mid bite with the spoon hovering and milk dripping back into the bowl. His dark eyes flick up to Soobin's face searching for the joke.
"A girl omega?" he asks, because in Taehyun's mind, that's the only kind that really counts as typical omega trouble.
Soobin smiles. "No. A boy omega."
"Boy omegas are still omegas," he mutters stabbing at a floating marshmallow with unnecessary force and losing all the previous enthusiasm of meeting Soobin's boyfriend. "Probably acts like a girl anyway. All soft and needing stuff."
Dad lowers his newspaper just enough to peek over the top, one eyebrow raised in amusement. Mom sighs softly but there's a smile tugging at her mouth.
"Be nice, Taehyun-ah," she says gently. "Soobin's excited to introduce him. Beomgyu's important to your brother."
Taehyun shrugs but inside something twists. Soobin talks about Beomgyu so much more than he talks about anyone else. If Beomgyu is coming here to their house, that means Taehyun will have to see what all the fuss is about because he was a logical boy.
He doesn't really plan to be mean. He just plans to ignore the omega or maybe watch from the corner crossing his arms ready to prove that alphas (future alphas, at least) don't get impressed by pretty scents or soft voices or whatever it is omegas do to make people act silly.
On the day that Beomgyu will come, Taehyun kicks the soccer ball one more time, harder than before. It slams into the fence with a satisfying crack. When the doorbell rings later, he'll be ready. He'll be strong and he'll be unimpressed.
But when the doorbell rings that morning and Soobin opens the door, everything changes in the biggest quietest way.
Beomgyu stands there holding a pink bakery box. Her eyes are big and pretty like boba tea and her lashes are long and dark. She's wearing a baby pink sweater that looks impossibly soft and the sleeves are so long and fluffy that they cover half her hands. A gentle scent drifts in like a tasty vanilla icecream and something flowery like Mr Yeonjun's roses. It feels so welcoming like the house just got cozier.
Taehyun stares from the living room doorway, soccer ball forgotten under his arm.
Soobin pulls Beomgyu inside with a grin. "This is Taehyun. Taehyun-ah, meet Beomgyu hyung."
Beomgyu crouches immediately pulling her knees together and the sweater pools around her wrists. Her smile is small and bright.
"Hi, Taehyunnie, I'm Beomgyu," her voice is so deep and melodic like a lullaby. "Soobin hyung talks about you all the time. He says you're the best soccer player he knows."
Taehyun's cheeks heat up. He shuffles forward. Up close, Beomgyu is even prettier. Her hair falls in pretty waves up to her shoulder and her lashes flutter when she blinks.
Taehyun's face goes hot. He shoves his hands deeper into his pockets. "You're a girl," he observes.
Beomgyu blinks in surprise. Then she laughs and it sounds like little bells.
"I'm a boy, Taehyunnie. So you can just call me hyung, okay?"
"No." Taehyun frowns. "You're too pretty to be a boy. You're a noona."
Soobin's eyebrows shoot up. Mom hides a smile behind her hand. Dad coughs into his fist.
Beomgyu just tilts her head making her hair slide over one shoulder like silk.
"Noona, huh?" She doesn't sound mad. "Okay. You can call me noona if you want."
Taehyun nods once in satisfaction. Problem solved.
Lunch is torture. Not because the food is bad—Mom made bulgogi and japchae and everyone compliments it—but because Taehyun can't stop watching Beomgyu.
Beomgyu noona sits next to Soobin, close enough that their thighs touch under the table. Every time Soobin reaches over to tuck a strand of hair behind Beomgyu's ear or brush his thumb over Beomgyu's knuckles, Taehyun's stomach twists in a weird way.
Beomgyu eats neatly in small bites laughing at Dad's jokes and complimenting Mom's cooking with genuine awe in her voice. When she talks, her hands move expressively making little gestures that make the sleeves of her sweater flop around. Taehyun thinks it's the cutest thing he's ever seen.
After lunch, Soobin suggests they all go outside to the playground in the backyard.
Taehyun's best friends Hyuka and Rosie are already there. Little Hyuka is short for Huening Kai and he has wild curls and endless energy. Little Rosie is probably short for something Taehyun never remembers but she's always with her pigtails and fearless grin. They've been playing tag since noon.
When Beomgyu steps out onto the grass in her white sneakers, Hyuka and Rosie halts in wonder.
"Hi!" Beomgyu waves, smiling that same warm smile.
Hyuka's cheeks turn bright red. He stammers, "H-hi hyung."
Rosie clutches her jump rope. "You're really pretty. Are you a princess?"
Beomgyu giggles. "Thank you! You two are adorable. But I'm just Beomgyu. Or noona, I guess, if Taehyunnie says so."
Taehyun glares at his friends. "She's my noona. Not yours."
Hyuka and Rosie exchange looks then blush harder.
"Want to play something together?" Beomgyu comes to the rescue.
They decide to play freeze tag. Soobin is it first because he's the biggest alpha around and can catch everyone easily. Beomgyu joins in kicking off her sneakers to run barefoot on the grass with graceful steps, pink sweater flapping and laughing when Soobin almost grabs her.
Taehyun watches every move. Beomgyu's scent gets stronger when she's excited. It becomes sweeter wrapping around Taehyun like a hug he didn't ask for but really wants.
And Rosie is acting weird now. Normally loud and crazy, she suddenly listens when Beomgyu says anything. "Rosie, catch!" Beomgyu tosses the soccer ball and Rosie catches it perfectly, then just stands there holding it acting all shy with her cheeks flaming.
Hyuka keeps inching closer to Beomgyu. "Hyung— uh, Beomgyu noona, can you please show me the spin again?" Even though he knows it already!
Taehyun pouts so hard his lip trembles. Why are they stealing his noona?
Soobin finally tags Beomgyu. The omega lets out a cute squeak and flops dramatically onto the grass. "You caught me, alpha~"
Soobin grins and drops down to pin her playfully pulling the omega's wrists above Beomgyu's head. "All mine," making Beomgyu squirm and giggle.
Taehyun's heart squeezes painfully. He stomps over.
"Noona! It's my turn to be it!"
Soobin looks up amusedly. "Alright, little man. You're it."
Taehyun ignores Soobin. He stares at Beomgyu who sits up brushing grass off her sleeves.
"You're gonna chase us, Taehyunnie?" Beomgyu asks.
Taehyun nods fiercely adding, "And I'm also going to be an alpha when I grow up," as an after thought.
"Okay then, my little alpha it is," Beomgyu gives him a pretty smile.
Later they sit in a circle on the grass. Soobin sits behind Beomgyu putting his arms around her waist and his chin on her shoulder.
Beomgyu pulls out the bakery box. Hyuka and Rosie get cookies too but she hands Taehyun the biggest chocolate cookie first. "Saved this one for you," she says quietly. Taehyun takes it like treasure.
Hyuka and Rosie munch happily on their own cookies but Taehyun can feel their eyes on him too. He doesn’t care. This cookie, this smile, this little circle on the grass—it all feels like his.
Beomgyu reaches over and brushes a stray crumb from Taehyun’s cheek with her thumb.
Taehyun’s heart does that funny flip again. He ducks his head but the smile he can’t hide stretches so wide it hurts a little.
When it's finally time to leave, Beomgyu stands and brushes grass from her jeans.
"Time for me to go," she tells Soobin. "Early class tomorrow."
Soobin pouts. "Stay longer?"
Beomgyu kisses his cheek. "Next time, promise."
Then she turns to Taehyun who's sitting with cookie crumbs on his shirt staring at his shoes, obviously pouting like his brother.
Beomgyu crouches. "Thanks for playing with me today, Taehyunnie. It was the best."
Taehyun mumbles, "Yeah."
Beomgyu then leans in and presses the lightest kiss to Taehyun's forehead. "See you soon, my little alpha."
Taehyun's whole face explodes in heat.
Beomgyu waves to Hyuka and Rosie who wave back frantically blushing like maniacs then lets Soobin walk her to the gate. Beomgyu looks back once smiling right at Taehyun. Taehyun lifts a tiny hand in a wave.
When they're gone, Hyuka whispers, "Beomgyu hyu— noona is so cool."
Rosie nods. "And really nice. I like her so much. She's so pretty!"
Taehyun glares. "She's my noona," he says in a small but stubborn voice. "Only mine."
That night after the house quiets and the backyard playground falls dark under the moon, Taehyun lies in bed staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars stuck to his ceiling. He hugs his stuffed kitty tight against his chest and whispers into the dark.
“Come back soon, noona,” he wishes, “Please come back tomorrow. I want to see you again.”
The wish settles into his dreams like a silent prayer.
Two weeks later on a rainy Thursday afternoon, the doorbell rings.
Taehyun is in the living room building a Lego castle with a special tower just for noona to stand in when Mom calls from the hallway.
“Taehyun-ah! Beomgyu’s here!”
Taehyun’s head snaps up so fast the Lego piece in his hand clatters to the floor. He scrambles to his feet and races to the door just as Soobin is ushering Beomgyu inside, both of them shaking rain from their hair and laughing about something.
Beomgyu is wearing a lavender hoodie this time and her cheeks are pink from the cold. Her hair is tied back in a loose ponytail that makes her look even more beautiful like the pretty angel from his favorite storybook.
She carries a small duffel bag over one shoulder and the same pink bakery box from last time in her other hand.
Taehyun stops dead in the hallway. Beomgyu spots him immediately and her whole face lights up.
“Taehyunnie!”
Taehyun doesn’t even try to play it cool. He launches forward and throws his arms around Beomgyu’s waist burying his face in the damp hoodie. He really missed noona.
“You came back,” his voice was excited and wobbly with happiness.
Beomgyu laughs softly and hugs him back securing one arm around Taehyun’s shoulders careful not to drop the bakery box.
“I did. Surprise.”
Soobin sets the duffel down and explains while ruffling Taehyun’s hair.
“Beomgyu’s apartment building has a burst pipe and the whole floor is flooded. It’ll take at least a week to fix. He was going to take the train back to stay with his parents, but Mom and Dad insisted he come here instead.”
“Family takes care of family,” Mom says giving a quick hug to Beomgyu. “No sense sending him all the way to Daegu when we have a perfectly good guest room.”
Beomgyu smiles down at Taehyun brushing a damp strand of hair from the boy’s forehead.
“So looks like I’m staying for a while again. Is that okay with you, Taehyunnie?”
Taehyun pulls back just enough to look up and says seriously, "It’s the best! I missed you! But you're my noona so you can sleep in my room if you want."
Soobin snorts from behind. "Nice try, squirt. Guest room."
Beomgyu laughs in that melodic voice he missed so much and pats Taehyun's head. "We'll have lots of time together though. And I missed my favorite alpha too."
Taehyun’s heart swells so big he thinks it might pop right out of his chest. He grabs Beomgyu’s free hand wrapping his small fingers tight around noona’s and tugs her toward the living room.
“Come see my Lego castle! I made a tower for you!”
Behind them, Soobin exchanges an amused look with his mother.
“Guess I’m sharing again,” he says pretending to sigh.
Mom pats his arm. “You’ll survive.”
The first evening sets the tone. The three of them are in the living room after dinner watching TV playing some idol performance rerun. Beomgyu sits cross legged on the floor sorting through her phone playlist.
"I can't wait for BTS comeback," she says absently humming along to a song. "Their music always makes me happy."
Taehyun's ears perk up like a puppy hearing a treat bag. He runs to his room and comes back after sometime with a notebook he scribbled furiously (with Hyuka's reluctant help via video call).
"Noona! Listen!"
"I'm listening," Beomgyu replies with genuine interest.
Taehyun clears his throat dramatically.
"V is born December 30. Jin is December 4. Suga is March 9. J-Hope is February 18. RM is September 12. Jimin is October 13. Jungkook is September 1."
He beams proudly.
Beomgyu gasps theatrically putting her hands over her heart. "Taehyunnie! You learned all that today?"
Taehyun nods so hard his hair flops. "I know everything now. Because you like them."
Beomgyu pulls him into a warm hug. Taehyun freezes then melts and buries his face in the huge hoodie that was probably his brother's.
"You're the sweetest alpha I've ever met," Beomgyu says.
Taehyun decides right then that he will learn everything noona likes. Forever.
The next day, Beomgyu mentions in passing while helping Mom chop vegetables. "I really like cats. They're so independent but cuddly when they want to be."
Taehyun disappears to his room. An hour later he marches back into the kitchen puffing his tiny chest.
"Noona! I know eleven cat facts!"
Beomgyu turns wiping his hands on a towel. "Eleven? Wow. Tell me!"
Taehyun holds up fingers, counting dramatically.
"One: Cats have nine lives!"
"Two: Cats can see in the dark better than people!"
"Three: Cats always land on their feet even if you drop them from a plane!"
(Beomgyu bites his lip to hide a smile.)
"Four: Cats invented the internet!"
(Five through ten are increasingly wild. They're something about cats being aliens, cats controlling the moon, cats having secret jobs as spies, etc).
"Eleven: All cats are secretly ninjas!"
Beomgyu claps delightedly after each one even to the ridiculous ones. "Those are amazing facts, Taehyunnie. You're a cat expert now."
Taehyun glows. Soobin watches from the doorway shaking his head fondly.
"You're enabling him."
Beomgyu winks (tries to). "Good. He deserves to be enabled."
Jealousy also creeps in slowly but surely.
Every time Soobin drapes an arm around Beomgyu's shoulders while they're watching TV, Taehyun's face crumples into the tiniest pout. He scoots closer on the couch glaring at the arm like it's a personal enemy.
One evening, Soobin leans in to press a soft kiss to Beomgyu's temple. Taehyun makes a small wounded noise. Beomgyu notices immediately. "What's wrong, Taehyunnie?"
Taehyun crosses his arms. "You always sit next to Soobin hyung."
Soobin raises an eyebrow. "He's my boyfriend, buddy."
Taehyun's lip wobbles. "But... but I'm here too."
Beomgyu pats the spot right beside her. "Come here."
Taehyun dives in immediately wedging himself exactly between them like a determined little barrier. He sits straight crossing his arms and staring ahead as if guarding treasure.
Soobin sighs dramatically. "I'm being replaced."
Beomgyu laughs and wraps one arm around Taehyun's shoulders stretching it to reach loosely around Soobin. "There's room for both my favorite alphas."
Taehyun relaxes a fraction but keeps one small hand possessively on Beomgyu's sleeve.
The bodyguard phase hits full force.
Beomgyu carries a tiny 200 ml water bottle around which was pink in color with a cute cat sticker. One afternoon while they're in the backyard kicking a ball, Beomgyu sets it down. Taehyun swoops in like a hawk.
"I'll carry it for you, noona!"
He hefts the bottle with both hands grunting dramatically as if it's a boulder. Squaring his shoulders and making a serious face, he marches beside Beomgyu like a tiny knight.
Noona seems perfectly delighted. "Thank you, my strong protector. I feel so safe now."
When they go back inside, Beomgyu accidentally steps toward a stray Lego brick on the floor.
Taehyun gasps. "Noona! Don't step on that Lego! It hurts A LOT!" He throws himself forward flanking his arms out and blocking the path like he's stopping traffic.
Beomgyu stops then crouches. "You're right. Thank you for saving my feet."
The breaking point comes on day five. It's late afternoon and Taehyun is supposed to be napping but sneaks downstairs for a snack. He rounds the corner into the hallway and stops in horror.
Soobin has Beomgyu pressed gently against the wall near the stairs cupping Beomgyu's cheek with one hand and the other on her waist. They're kissing! Noona's eyes are closed like she's in a happy dream.
Taehyun's brain short circuits. He sort of knows about kisses. Mom and Dad kiss. Soobin kisses noona sometimes. But this one looks... different.
And suddenly, in Taehyun's seven year old logic where babies come from kisses (because that's what older kids teased him with once and he never questioned it), panic floods in.
Noona is going to have a baby. A baby means noona will be busy. A baby means noona might not play tags or save cookies or call him strong anymore. A baby means noona won't need him.
His lip trembles and his eyes begin to fill with tears. Then he bursts into loud sobs.
Beomgyu startles pulling away from Soobin. "Taehyunnie?!"
Taehyun stands there balling his fists and tears streaming down his face. "You're gonna have a baby!" he wails. "Because you kissed! And now you'll have a baby and you won't like me anymore!"
Soobin chokes on air. Beomgyu rushes forward dropping to her knees and pulling Taehyun into her arms without hesitation.
"Oh, honey, no no, that's not how it works."
Taehyun clings burying his face in Beomgyu's hoodie sobbing harder. "But-But kisses make babies! And you're an omega! And hyung's an alpha! And—"
Beomgyu rocks him gently stroking his hair. "Sweetheart, listen. Kisses don't make babies. Not just kisses. It takes a lot more and grown up stuff. You're not getting a niece or nephew anytime soon, okay?"
Taehyun sniffles peeking up with red eyes. "Really?"
"Yes, really." Beomgyu gives him a comforting forehead kiss. "And even if someday, way, way in the future there is a baby, you'll still be my favorite little alpha. Always."
Taehyun hiccups. "Promise?"
"Promise." Beomgyu holds up her pinky and Taehyun hooks his small one around it.
Soobin kneels too looking sheepish. "Sorry, buddy. Didn't mean to scare you."
Taehyun glares wetly at him. "You kiss her too much."
Soobin laughs despite himself. "Noted."
The drawing happens on day six. Beomgyu is napping on the couch after helping Dad with yard work. Her hair is fanned out and her big hoodie makes her look like a sleepy kitten. Taehyun sneaks to the craft table and starts to draw carefully. A big circle face with long lashes and pink cheeks that is clearly Beomgyu noona. Next to her, a smaller boy with dark hair and a big smile (him!) holding noona's hand tightly. In the far corner, a suspiciously tiny frowning Soobin is drawn with arms crossed.
Taehyun adds hearts around their linked hands and a big sun smiling down. When Beomgyu wakes up, Taehyun shoves the paper at her shyly.
"For you."
Beomgyu unfolds it. Her eyes go wide then soft. "Is this us?"
Taehyun nods. "And... him." He jerks a thumb toward Soobin in the kitchen.
Beomgyu traces the linked hands with a gentle finger. "It's beautiful, Taehyunnie. I'm going to keep it forever." She tapes it carefully to the fridge later right at eye level so everyone can see.
Soobin spots it and laughs. "I'm tiny!"
Taehyun shrugs, "You are when you're with noona," clearly still upset with yesterday's kissing episode.
The last day of Beomgyu's week long stay has finally come. Everyone is still sleepy from a late movie night the evening before. Mom is brewing coffee, Dad reads the newspaper at the table and Soobin is diligently making toasts at the kitchen countertop. Beomgyu's beautiful hair is slightly messy from sleep and she wears a cream sweater that looks very pretty on her. She helps Mom set out breakfast plates.
Taehyun has been plotting since yesterday. He woke up extra early sneaking out the back door in his pajamas and bare feet. The neighbor's rose bush that Mom always says are 'too pretty to pick' has been tempting him all week. Today he decides it's worth the risk. With careful little fingers, he snaps off the five prettiest roses he can reach (thorns prick his thumb, but he doesn't even flinch!).
He wraps the stems in a slightly crumpled paper towel from his pocket, ties it with a blue shoelace he pulled from his sneaker and hides the makeshift bouquet behind his back as he tiptoes back inside. His heart is beating so loud he thinks everyone can hear it.
Beomgyu notices him first pausing mid-reach for the jam. "Taehyunnie? You're up early. Did you go outside?"
Taehyun nods proudly though his cheeks are already flaming. He shuffles forward until he's standing right in front of Beomgyu rocking on his heels. The kitchen goes suspiciously quiet. They can clearly see the bouquet of roses that the little boy is trying to hide. Mom glances over with a knowing smile, Dad lowers his paper just enough to peek and Soobin looks up from his bread with raised eyebrows.
Taehyun takes a deep, shaky breath.
"Noona," his voice is small but determined. He pulls the bouquet from behind his back with both hands holding it out like an offering. The roses are a little droopy from the quick adventure. The petals are slightly crushed but they're vivid red against the white paper towel and blue lace. "I... I picked these for you."
Beomgyu sets down the plate and crouches slowly to Taehyun's level, hands clasped in front of her like she's receiving the most precious gift.
"For me?" Beomgyu whispers in a voice full of wonder.
Taehyun nods vigorously. He swallows nervously rehearsing the line he's practiced in the mirror five times (and whispered to his stuffed kitty another ten).
"Roses are pretty," he says seriously, "but noona is prettier. Way prettier. Like a million times prettier."
The kitchen erupts in fond laughter. Mom covers her mouth, Dad chuckles low, Soobin groans dramatically and hides his face in his hands ("I'm being outdone by a seven year old").
Beomgyu doesn't laugh. Her expression melts into something unbearably tender. Her long lashes flutter as her eyes get shiny.
"Taehyunnie..." She reaches out to cup Taehyun's small face with both hands brushing her thumbs over his warm cheeks. "That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me."
Taehyun's courage surges. He steps closer still holding the roses between them.
"So noona, will you marry me?" The words tumble out fast yet earnest accompanied by a little squeak at the end. "When I'm big? Like really big? Like Soobin big?"
Beomgyu blinks then gives a bright delighted laugh. She takes the bouquet carefully and cradles it against her chest as if it's made of glass. The red roses look perfect against her cream sweater.
"Oh, my brave little alpha," Beomgyu says affectionately. She leans in and presses a gentle kiss to Taehyun's forehead. "When you're all grown up and ready, we'll talk about it, okay? But right now, you're already my favorite person in the whole world."
Taehyun smiles so wide his cheeks hurt. He bounces on his toes.
"Really?"
"Really."
Beomgyu, still holding the roses, pulls Taehyun into a warm hug. Taehyun buries his face in Beomgyu's sweater inhaling sweet roses and vanilla and home. Beomgyu's arms wrap around him securely with one hand stroking the back of his head.
Soobin clears his throat pretending to be offended. "Hey. I thought I was your favorite."
Beomgyu glances over Taehyun's head, eyes twinkling. "Well, Taehyun is a tough competition."
Taehyun peeks up at Soobin with a smug little grin. "See? Noona likes me best."
Soobin rolls his eyes but smiles anyway. "Yeah, yeah. You win this round, squirt."
Mom finally steps in while wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Those roses are beautiful, Taehyun-ah. But next time, ask before you pick from Mr Yeonjun's bush. He might chase you with his broom."
Taehyun winces. "Sorry..."
Beomgyu laughs again and boops Taehyun's nose. She carefully places the bouquet in a small glass of water on the windowsill right where the sunlight hits. The red petals glow like tiny flames.
The rest of breakfast is chaotic in the best way. Taehyun sits glued to Beomgyu's side, occasionally reaching over to touch the roses as if to make sure they're real. Beomgyu keeps one arm loosely around Taehyun's shoulders feeding him bites of toast when Taehyun gets too distracted staring.
When it's finally time for Beomgyu to leave with her suitcase by the door and Soobin loading it into the car, Taehyun clings to Beomgyu's leg.
"You'll come back soon?" he asks for the hundredth time.
Beomgyu kneels down one last time. "Every weekend if I can. But in the meantime, you can send me pictures of your drawings or tell me new cat facts or remind me how pretty I am compared to roses."
Taehyun nods fiercely. "Every day."
Beomgyu pulls him into another hug whispering against his hair, "Thank you for making this week the best one ever, my little knight."
As Beomgyu stands and waves from the doorway, three roses still clutched gently in one hand, Taehyun watches the car pull away.
His chest feels so full like it might burst with happiness and also a tiny bit of sadness.
Noona is leaving.
But the two roses on the windowsill are proof that noona knows how Taehyun feels. And someday, when Taehyun is big and strong like an alpha should be, he'll give noona even prettier things. And maybe, just maybe, noona will say yes.
For now though, Taehyun runs back inside, grabs some crayons and starts drawing. He draws Beomgyu noona with roses in her hair and Soobin finally in normal size. He draws himself a little taller than Soobin this time and they are all under a big heart shaped sun. No tiny Soobin in the corner anymore.
Little Taehyun is in the middle holding the hands of his two most favorite people in the world.
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