Archive of Our Own

san can smell the signals of distress wafting over, and he immediately pinpoints the source- there seems to be a smaller boy being cornered by someone taller than him, body language seemingly uncomfortable and guarded. judging by the situation, the shorter guy is trying to fend him off, palms in front of him as if to put some distance between them, while the taller guy is just hanging over him at least a head taller, face twisted into a mix of what comes across as annoyance, anger. displeasure.

not even caring about their identities, san trusts his instincts and decides to defer the rest of his plans for the day at once. not much planned anyway. he jogs over just to look a bit more convincing, like he just got off the train. he moves over, tentative, and he confirms that this is the source of the smell. 

no, he does not have a saviour complex, and neither does he pick and choose to go out of his way to help- injustice and harassment is just never okay. san would’ve done the same if it was an alpha, someone bigger than him, a woman, a child. after all, he’s no stranger to chasing down an annoying snatch thief or two, those taking advantage of the elderly and disadvantaged. he doesn’t tolerate this kind of improper conduct.

his nose detects a spike in citrus, zest bubbling over to tangy, tart and sour. 

as he approaches, he can roughly hear something harshly said, along the lines of don’t understand, i’ve done everything for you- why are you still not accepting my calls? did you block me? messages? can’t you see how much i like yo-

“jagiya?” san softly says, tugging at the smaller man’s elbow, “i’m sorry for being late. is this man bothering you, baby?”

huh? since when did i have a boyfr- holy fucking shit. he’s… a dream… a wet dream… am i dreaming? is this-

san can sense the acrid scent turn down a notch at once, now mellowing down into what smelled more like orange blossoms. candied tangerine. 

god please help me, he’s so cute. the little cat keychain on his bag. his style is immaculate. his long hair looks so soft. his hands? oh god. he’s scared. he’s gripping his bag until his veins are popping-?

alpha acumen instinctively guides san to hold the smaller man’s hand, to which he’s greeted by a small squeeze. the stranger’s expression goes from wide eyes to a docile smile, chewing on his lip as he looks down at his shoes. double knotted laces. a cat drawn in white marker on the black converse platforms. everything about this man is so cute, from the crook of his nose to the beauty mark on his cheek to his chapped, bitten lips.

oh? a stranger? so handsome, and he smells good. alpha smells safe. oh my god, the damn glasses. but alpha. ugh, focus, wooyoung! but what if… he’s still a stranger? but so is daehyun..? should i trust him? but all men do is lie? alphas are just like dogs? like this fucker in front of me? can i even trust- okay, let’s just get rid of the bigger problem at hand first? but the hot alpha is also big? wait, but-

“j-jagi,” he eventually breathes out, trying to sort out his thoughts, “thank you for coming. t-thought you’d stood me up,” his eyes dart quickly between san and the angry stranger, and he swallows, holds tighter onto san’s hand. lesser of two evils.

san can smell it- the cute guy with wavy hair curled to his nape is an omega. something in him just feels the innate urge to protect, to safeguard. he’ll figure the rest out after the dangerous man is ejected from this situation.

okay, i need to release the nice pheromones. he looks so scared. nobody should feel like that. and from a stalker? that’s so awful. and oh my god he’s so cute. okay, pheromones, san. focus. it’s the nice smelling ones. the ones that smell like fresh laundry and hot chocolate and- oh my his eyes are so beautiful. focus, san!

“i’m sorry, baby. i woke up late. you know i’d never miss a date with you,” san gently says back, before cocking a brow and staring at the aggressor in the situation. the same man who’s now fuming and balling his fists, a bitter, rancid smell emanating from him. it’s nauseating, and wooyoung wrinkles his nose at the putrid odor.

“oh you sick fuck,” he growls, “i’ve been being all sweet to you, waiting for you to end work and texting and calling, but you blocked me? to fuck around with another man? is that how you repay my love, jung wooyoung?

oh. even his name is beautiful.

“i already told you i wasn’t interested,” the omega says back, gripping tighter onto san’s hand, and he feels some reassurance as san takes a step forward, subtly guiding wooyoung to stand behind him. even if it’s only by a footstep, wooyoung feels safe, subconsciously hiding part of his body behind san’s bigger form. “you just couldn’t take a no! i barely even know you, daehyun. i don’t even know how you got my number and why you’re always trying to follow me and where you’re even from-”

“wasted my fucking time,” daehyung snarls, “two timing, huh? had a fucking boyfriend all this while and played me for a fool? you think i wouldn’t dare teach both of you a lesson-!”

he raises a fist, all anger channeled into a punch, and wooyoung almost screams because oh god, either him or the handsome stranger was going to get hurt. but no sound comes out.

“careful there,” san says back, curt with the undertone of a growl, “you’re scaring my boyfriend, you bastard.”

it’s only then when wooyoung realises he’s screwed his eyes shut, and when they flutter open, he sees san’s other hand successfully blocking a fist mid-hurl, knuckles white at the sheer force offsetting the impending punch. lord. the muscles. the arm veins. he thinks he might faint, in a good way. standing before him lies the epitome of what an alpha should and shouldn’t be. a masterclass, honestly.

while wooyoung isn’t usually the kind to fall into the damsel in distress category- he can fend for himself just fine- he has to concede that human biology is inherently created in such a way where alphas tended to be stronger than betas and omegas. that’s just how social hierarchy was, the way the alpha classification would be able to put on muscle faster, less prone to getting sick, shorter refractory periods. naturally built to be apex predators, alphas across the board tended to be taller and sturdier in build, too. whereas on the other end of the spectrum, omegas were biologically built to be softer and smaller, likely to have more pain tolerance, features like child-bearing hips and more inclined to gain fat than muscle; more prone to heats and its medical side effects and so on.

of course, personalities and nurtured virtues could definitely help you to beat the odds or go against your genetic makeup, but generally these were the obvious stereotypes that he could think of at the top of his head.

san and daehyun are still in a staring match, with san retaining his cool, and daehyun close to staring holes into both of them when san releases his grip. “i’m going to call the police if you don’t drop it right now and leave my boyfriend alone,” san suavely says, and wooyoung feels his heart flutter as daehyun retracts his fist, spitting onto the ground. 

normally, he’d really hate this type of thing, being weak and asking for help, but this time- this time it felt like this big handsome alpha was sent to him from the universe to save him for a reason. 

“fuckin’ crazy,” daehyun continues with a string of curses and expletives, but ends up conceding defeat under san’s death glare. “better make sure i never see you again, jung wooyoung, or i’ll fuck you up-”

“i’ll fuck you up first before you get a chance to lay your eyes on wooyoung again.” san’s jaw is clenched, lips in a grim line, but hand still clasped with wooyoung’s, tightly. fingers interlocked, like they’re actual boyfriends. 

oh my god. he really just said that. this alpha that smells so fucking good seriously just said that.

wooyoung’s heart is beating so fast, like it’s about to come out of his mouth together with his breakfast. dear god. and the way this hot guy said his name? butterflies. 

raw. the type of alpha you have pup after pup with. until all the neighbours make noise complaints-

they stand in silence, watching as daehyun scampers off, kicking at the litter on the street to vent his anger, spewing more vulgarities. only when he disappears from their line of sight, does san jump from his spot, cool guy persona dissipating and now morphing into a flustered, blushy mess. san hastily pulls their hands apart, making wooyoung mourn the loss at once, before he starts vehemently apologising. almost bowing, gosh.

he’s so sexy oh my god. a hot nerd. a sweetheart. he’s sososo cute what the hell. i’m god’s favourite for sure, aren’t i? this has to be proof, right?

“i’m so sorry, wooyoung- you’re wooyoung, right? ah, where are my manners, could you be a hyung, by any chance? i’m san! i was born in ‘99. anyway, sorry about that, i was really worried about interfering with the… situation, because i really should be minding my business, but i just- hold on,” he pauses and squints as he takes off his glasses to wipe away some dust with the bottom of his shirt, and wooyoung flushes at the tease of toned caramel skin. 

fuck, he’s so cute what the fuck???

“sorry, what was i saying? oh yeah, i was worried it was some lover’s tiff, but then you smelled very uncomfortable? and the guy felt like a dangerous person, so i decided to step in and sorry for calling you all that… i didn’t know your name yet, and it felt natural to just… i don’t know, sorry. hope i didn’t offend your actual boyfriend..? or maybe girlfriend?” he looks so cute as he sheepishly rubs his neck in embarrassment, and wooyoung just wants to die.

“oh, um. yeah, i’m wooyoung. thank you, san- we’re the same age, so you’re good. no offence taken. and thank you, for stepping in. i swear, i was really afraid he would hit me or something, and we’re in a public place, and i didn’t want to draw attention to myself and there were obviously busybodies hovering but nobody would help and i barely know him-!” he pauses to take a breath, “i swear, i really- i don’t even know how he got my number, i’m just a humble secretary to my cute ceo, mister choi jongho- and this guy just kept waiting for me as i ended my work shift and trying to follow me around? calling me? but i didn’t really have any solid evidence, and when i tried to go to the police they said i was imagining things, and that i’m a guy, so why should i be afraid of prank calls, and would anyone be stalking me?” wooyoung lets out a sigh after the incessant babbling, “i mean, if he really hit me maybe i’d hit back? i don’t know. i should be fine at self defence, i guess. but i wouldn’t want anything on my record or whatever. i’m a good law abiding citizen!”

san chuckles at the last statement, smiling as wooyoung rambles. 

look at him go, he’s so cute. and this fucking country! not enough laws to protect omegas and women out there. stupid alphas sullying our subgender. outrageous behaviour that shouldn’t be tolerated-

“and um, i’m single, i don’t have a boyfriend,” wooyoung softly says, watching as san’s eyes widen, “please at least let me buy you coffee to say thank you!” wooyoung suddenly says, doing everything he can to hold in the garble of words bursting at the seams.

please be gay. can i please have your number, can i come over? please be single. can i cook for you? can i please suck your- 

“um, that is, if your… boyfriend? or girlfriend? is okay?”

“oh. i’ve never formally dated before.” 

oh fuck me. like actually. please.

“i mean, i only realised after..? that the person was asking me out? i genuinely thought we were going to study. or like just have dinner after lecture. guess i was a bit dense, but all’s good.” then san hastily adds in, “is it considered a date if only one person assumes it is?”

wooyoung makes a little hm, puffs his cheeks. “based on my opinion, a date should be consensual. we should both be aware it’s a date. if not, it’s not considered.”

he swears san’s cheeks are all rosy, but wooyoung figures they should probably sit down first. go somewhere where they have to order something apart from drinks, and then maybe wooyoung can at least drown in his warm, bergamot and rum scent and stare at him for another hour or so.

just in case they never meet again.

“so. um. i’m just… waiting for the right person? like, i think it’s not very nice to waste another person’s time and effort if you’re not romantically interested..? i just think it’s so mean and cruel to lead someone on and then hurt them, if you get what i mean?” san explains, the cafe relatively quiet for a weekend. there’s some pastries and strawberry cake on the table to be shared, and san’s making sure to do bite sized tasting so that he gets to talk to wooyoung longer. you know, manners and all, he can’t just leave mid-cake, right?

“i see,” wooyoung bites his tongue, stupidly sips at the water from the melted ice, americano long gone. his brain is just melted butter now- san’s so precious. but also, he probably must’ve broken a lot of hearts without knowing it. “that’s mighty kind of you.”

“but i, uh, i’ve kissed my roommate before?” san blinks at him, shy, “like we were both drunk and then we just kissed once. on the lips. but no tongue or anything- god, this is so embarrassing- i don’t know why i just said that. do i seem stupid in front of you, wooyoung? for some reason i always trip over my words when i see a cute person-”

“cute?” wooyoung echoes, feeling his face heat up, “you think i’m cute?” a tiny pause. “and no, i’d never think you’re stupid, san. you’re sweet.”

“i don’t think,” san scoffs, before showing his dimples when he smiles, “i know you’re cute.”

“you can’t go around saying things like that, san-ah,” wooyoung murmurs back, playing with his straw, “to a stranger. an unmated omega at that-”

“wooyoung,” san says sternly, brows furrowed, “you are cute. omega or not. don’t say such things.”

wooyoung swoons at the correction, swears he’s going to turn entirely into a puddle of goo by the end of the golden hour. san is so, so sweet in all the ways he’s dreamed of. not the kind of chauvinistic or arrogant alphas that he’s seen in abundance. definitely not one quick to anger like daehyun, but one that’s honest and sincere. self-assured, open to communication, listens keenly. observes with poise. 

oh, to be loved by san.

“you know, i went out on a date before. with some alpha on an app,” wooyoung softly says, “he looked a bit like you, you know, very masculine and friendly, typical alpha scent and all that- but he wasn’t very… kind at heart? that’s rare now… so it’s going to be society’s loss when you get mated! you’re like a man written by a woman, san. i don’t know how else to put it… you are a walking dream, i think.”

“well, good thing you’re wide awake and we’re having coffee and i’m unmated,” san quips, and wooyoung swears he winked at him, “how are you enjoying our date?”

“eh? d-date?”

“did you think i was lying? when i told daehyun to fuck off?” san raises a brow, and wooyoung swears to god he needs to stop doing that because his heart cannot handle it anymore. 

“oh. because you said you’d never miss a date with me.” wooyoung stares at him lamely, recalling their morning run-in. fate is just having so much fun with him today, it would be devastating to let san go.

“and a man of my word i am,” san says smoothly, but the pink of his cheeks doesn’t go unnoticed. “so. now that it’s consensual and we’re both aware- how are you enjoying our date so far, jagiya?”

the endearment makes wooyoung go so red, feels the warmth in his face spread to his ears, his neck. he smells a bit like neroli oil now, san finally realises, still stemming from orange blossom, but the bright sparkling top note, instead of its lush heart. sweet, honeyed, and somewhat metallic with green and spicy facets.

“a-are you flirting with me, san? because… because i think it’s working, and-” wooyoung quickly presses his cup against his cheek, feeling the ice immediately cool down his face. 

fuck. why’s the water dripping down his rosy cheeks and down his neck? it’s trickling down and pooling at his clavicles, damn it. his collarbones are so sexy? it looks like he’s in heat and sweating and glowing and- what the fuck? my god, i bet his slick tastes so fucking sweet, like mandarins-

he watches as san goes red at the sight, eyes softening when he sees how transparent of a person san is (just like wooyoung himself), ice melting in double time as he presses the cup harder against his cheeks. “-and i’d like to go on another date with you, if you’re keen?”

wooyoung’s heart is thumping like nobody’s business, and the silence is maddening. yeosang would be proud of him for shooting his shot, and yunho would probably be really excited for him, too. but now he just needs san to respond. ball’s in his court now. san already has him by the balls, frankly, but whatever.

“can i say something, wooyoung,” san starts, to which the latter can only manage back a small please, gesturing for san to proceed. “i know just moments ago, i told you that i don’t date, because i never really felt it was the right person, yes?” he stares at his diluted cup of coffee, then back at wooyoung’s bright eyes, “but i don’t know why i just felt so drawn to you, and your scent- at the subway station. i don’t even normally go by this route. i just… thought i’d try something different today, since my friends are always bugging me about how much of a routine guy i am, and here we are,” 

“dunno about routine,” wooyoung mumbles back, “i just know you’re hot shit.”

his candidness is enough to make san chuckle. “you really think i’m hot, huh. coming from you, angel face,”

“-and sexy. and handsome. and kind.” wooyoung adds for him, fanning his face, “look at what you’ve done to me at our first encounter.” then he feels a little playful, adding in, “you’ve got to take some responsibility, san-ah!”

“there, there, omega.” wooyoung almost purrs at his gentle gaze, his gentle tone, “now that you’ve started this, what would you like to do on our second date?”

so apparently they went on chatting about anything and everything under the sun, for hours. clicked. hit off, just like old friends. found out each other’s hometowns, their favourite foods, games, love for cats and photography, wanting to travel. almost like time flew by, until they got another round of coffees just to stay. more bread and rhubarb tart and apple pie. until they got chased out at closing time. undeniable chemistry.

“hey, wooyoung.” 

“yeah?”

san just shrugs off his coat, puts it over wooyoung’s shoulders. his warm, spicy scent drapes over wooyoung like a blanket, makes his heart flutter. “just in case, you know?”

despite wooyoung telling him it’s okay, your stop is in the complete opposite direction, san had insisted on taking the train with him to his stop. 

“actually. you know what. if you don’t mind, could i walk you home?”

“huh?” wooyoung stares at him, before both of them lock eyes and start to flush at the same time. “i-it’s really okay! i have your coat, and it’s not that late, only 7-ish, i can go back on my-”

“never know if weird people are lurking,” san frowns, “especially if this morning…”

“right,” wooyoung sighs, holding the coat closer to his body, “but it’s okay, this really smells like you so it’s gonna be alri-”

“please,” san looks at him, pouty, “at least allow me to walk you back as an alpha? the least i could do to say goodbye and thank you for an enjoyable day?”

as if wooyoung could say no to that face.

“if you’re not comfy that i’ll know your address, which is understandable, at least to the road opposite the property?”

“oh, san, you’re so…”

“if you’re uncomfortable, it’s fine too. just text me when you’re back?” the more san speaks, he fears he’s looking like a desperate loser. fortunately, wooyoung’s scent now smells like honeyed yuja. sugared citrus rind. sweet. this pleases his alpha greatly.

“it’s this way,” wooyoung points, and he sees san’s face brighten. “after you, little prince,” he gives a dramatic bow, making wooyoung laugh and smack him. his omega is really, really fond of san.

“i had a lovely time today,” wooyoung says, about to unlock the door, “i’m happy to have met you, san.”

he takes out his phone, playfully texts out i’ve reached home, jagi! and loves the way san gets all ruddy at the notification. at their little inside joke. he looks at wooyoung’s cat-like grin as he kicks off his shoes, pauses, before typing back, okay. sweet dreams, honey, and watches as his smile drops, turns into a cute little pout.

“that’s not fair,” wooyoung scolds his phone, “alpha’s being mean,”

“oh? then can i make it up to you by taking you out for lunch soon?”

“and what makes you think i’d say yes?” wooyoung bites on his tongue, not wanting to give away how big his yes is, “ah, that’s why you gave it to me? because i now have to meet you again to return your coat, is that it?”

“what! of course not,” san looks mildly offended as he shakes his head in a sulk, “you can take my coat and never return it, honestly. i swear something’s wrong with me today- but, well- for some reason it would be my pleasure, if you wanted to keep it? for whatever reason? what am i saying… i mean- nevermind. i hope that… doesn’t come across as borderline creepy or weird? gosh, this is what meeting a gorgeous omega does to you,” the remnants of his statement come out more as a falter, and he scans wooyoung’s face for any sign of stress- relieved when all there is, is a dreamy smile. wooyoung smells like him now, san’s scent mixing with his tangerines to smell like a warm glass of spiced mulled wine. with a hint of velvety cocoa.

it would be my pleasure to have my scent all over you, like a warm embrace.

“no, it’s sweet. you’re polite with good boundaries, and better intentions,” wooyoung says, aware that he’s literally back home, two of them separated by wooyoung’s front door, and he has all reason to return san’s coat now. “guess i have to wash it first before i return it? because i have to live up to my reputation as a gorgeous omega?” 

it’s a lie, he’s going to wear it everywhere and hope the scent never fades. maybe he might make an exception, take a non-washed ‘outside’ clothing to bed.

“nah, it’s yours now, wooyoung ssi. do whatever you want with it,” san only smiles, eyes like molten pools of salted caramel chocolate, “as long as you promise not to throw it away?”

“what the hell, san! of course i’m keeping it!” wooyoung shoots him a faux annoyed look, “it’s a lifesaving coat, you know.”

it would be my pleasure to have your scent all over me, like a warm embrace.

“glad to hear it,” san replies, without skipping a beat, “i better get going, then. have a good night, jagiya.”

is it too much to want to kiss him good night?

“good night, sannie.” wooyoung looks at him with the prettiest, poutiest little mouth, so, so kissable, “will you text me when you get home, jagiya?”

is it too much to want to ask for a good night kiss?

“if that’s what my omega wants,” san laughs, hoping his face doesn’t change in colour, “then i will.”

“seonghwa hyung,” san immediately calls, after he’s walked wooyoung to his doorstep, not even caring that his own house is in the opposite direction. even if the commute is another hour, who cares- it was worth it. “um. what do you wear on a first date? where do you take someone? how do i-”

he hears seonghwa scream on the end of the line, and hears something like a muffled distant sound, and figures he’s put on speaker. “hi, hongjoong hyung,” he says on instinct, since the two of them are inseparable. “what would you recommend i do on my first official date? where did you bring hwa hyung?”

“oh! i, uh- okay, bad idea to rope me in, this is our hwa’s forte, not mine. i could teach you to write a love song to serenade him, though. i fare better with that,”

“that would be nice. i think he’d like that,” san smiles at the thought, and seonghwa takes charge of the conversation, “where is this guy from, sannie? do we know him? how long have you been chatting for? is he cute?”

san sends over a candid photo he took of wooyoung drinking his coffee, cheeks flushed and long hair tucked behind his ears, “i just… met him this morning? at the subway station?”

“this morning?!”

“hey, san, what do you mean at the subway? by chance? so he’s a stranger-?”

“oh! i pretended to be his boyfriend because someone was harassing him,”

“what the hell?”

“yah, san-ah, what if this is a trap?”

“nah, i don’t think so… he genuinely looked scared, and his smell was going haywire, so i figured i’d step in to help and-”

“wait a minute. is this jung wooyoung?”

san pauses.

“what! how did you know that, hyung. how?!”

“this brat is-” hongjoong sighs, albeit fond, “the brat is known for playing hard to get, and he used to always be running into trouble. nothing bad, obviously, just cheeky in an endearing way.”

“oh! beware, san-ah, this is the one that bites!” seonghwa laughs, “oh sannie, you have a piece of work cut out for you. this is the infamous guy that bit hongjoong in varsity! all because hongjoong was being an idiot and didn’t know how to confess!”

“ah! the day that joongie hyung came with the big bouquet and made a scene in the dorms and then grumbled about the black cat that bit him!” then san halts, “no wonder. i’ve always wondered how come the bite marks looked more human than feline. so it was a cute guy, huh? your cupid?”

“i owe it to wooyoungie that we’re together, really,” seonghwa laughs, “only that feisty ball of chaos would dare to bite joong until he surrendered and got me a bigass bouquet to ask me out on campus in front of hardass professor kwon, mind you. because that prof had a bone to pick with us always staring at each other and passing notes in lecture,” seonghwa’s voice is fond now, hongjoong’s tiny rebuttals in the background, “youngie’s a cute guy. very loyal and charming. cooks well too, if you must know. meddlesome in a good way, talks a lot, but honest. will fight you to the death if you talk shit about someone he loves. a solid friend everyone needs in their lives.”

“you’ll like him, san. you’re his type. he’s the guy we wanted to matchmake you with, but you were a homebody stressing out over finals and graduating with a perfect gpa, so…”

“this was the guy?!” now it’s san’s turn to yell, smacking his forehead, “why didn’t you show me a photo! what the fu-!”

“you said no! and told us to leave you alone!” seonghwa whines, and san has to sigh and apologise. one could never be mad at seonghwa, that’s just how it is. “and before you ask why, different blocks… joongie and youngie are from the arts block, we’re in business, so it’s the opposite ends of campus.”

“so you’re telling me i could’ve been dating wooyoung for the past few years… but i just didn’t know?”

“i guess..?” hongjoong counteroffers, “damn, you’re making me feel bad. you know what, come over when you’re free. i’ll show you his kid photos if you’re intere-”

“can i come over now?”

“guys, i’ve met the love of my life, i swear to you-” he yells into the facetime the moment he sees san leave through the peephole, with yeosang and yunho asking him to hurry up and spill. was it the hunky alpha from the app? or the one who claimed he was a sugar daddy? the annoying finbro slash startup ceo? which one? where? how?

“uh, none of those, actually. he just saved me from a stalker, and i bought him a coffee, and he’s so sweet and walked me to my doorstep and-”

“what stalker!” yunho yells back, “what the fuck?”

“you’re dating your bodyguard?” yeosang asks, “and why the hell didn’t you tell us about a stalker?”

“i thought i could handle it, remember the weird calls i was getting? yeah, so i kinda found out who it was today? he confronted me at the subway station, and um, well, hot alpha man was there, so-” he goes to his gallery, sends a sneaky photo he took of his saviour as he continues yapping about the crazy encounter just this morning, “just see for yourself. he’s so handsome i can’t do this anymore. and maybe i’m delusional but he looked like he wanted to kiss me so bad? i should’ve-”

“yah, isn’t that choi san?” yunho suddenly says, “your saviour is choi san? the infamous guy who rejected everyone on campus? dude, woo, did you hit the lottery or what,”

“wait, that’s yunho’s roomie,” yeosang says almost immediately, “isn’t that the guy even mingi also had a crush on at some point? i could swear he was into me at some point but- hey, yunho, is this the guy hongjoong hyung wanted to matchmake woo with or something?”

“you were his roommate?!” wooyoung shrieks, “you’re the roommate he kissed, jeong yunho?! and what’s with the matchmaking-!”

“now hold on, woo,” yunho’s obviously flustered, and yeosang’s just happily staring into the video call, excited for the drama, “we were drunk one time? and for some reason- hey, wait a minute. you two met this morning. how the fuck did you know we kissed? just like a peck, okay, i swear to you, scout’s honour. and where the hell did you hear this from? san and i said we’d pretend that never happened ‘cause it’s so stupid and embarrassing, he’s such a lightweight. whining because it was his first kiss or something, but it doesn’t count because he wasn’t sober..? and he said he’s only gonna tell his mate because he said he’ll never hide it from them..? so what’s happening-”

“so… youngie’s mated already? your mate is the choi san? the alpha hottie from our batch-” yeosang concludes, and wooyoung just short circuits, “w-who says i’m mated! we didn’t even do anything! just chatted and… stared into each other’s eyes or whatever,” he pouts, “we didn’t even get to hold hands again, you know-”

“again!” yeosang parrots, picking out all the keywords effortlessly, “remind me again when you guys were holding hands prior? so no kissing yet? but the gentleman walked you home?” here goes his best friend again, with his obsession of seeing other people kissing.

“oh my god,” wooyoung face palms, “i’m going to shower and then send a voice memo. i can’t do this anymore. you guys are just gonna make fun of me-!”

“you’re really san’s type though,” yunho teases, stupid grin on his face that says he’s definitely calling san after this, “he’s the romantic kind that values honesty and sincerity.”

“and you love us, youngie,” yeosang sighs fondly, “who else are you gonna call to yell about hot men?”

“i hate that i do,” wooyoung huffs, blowing out air in exasperation, “but you have to agree that san is-”

“yep, approved, hot as fuck,” yeosang interrupts, the same time yunho says, “loyal and sweet, just like a puppy.”

either way, the sentiment is the same. san’s approved by the besties, so date number two is green lit and good to go.

for the entirety of the next week after the stalking event, san was adamant in getting wooyoung to wait in the office until he made his way there, to escort him home safely.

wooyoung tells him his ceo was really understanding about the situation, and even allowed him to work from home, but jongho ssi was a bit of a workaholic and wooyoung felt approvals and changes were a tad easier to deal with when everyone was present in the office.

it seems daehyun was a delivery guy, who happened to notice secretary wooyoung rushing around, mailing and collecting important faxed documents and parcels for the office, and had bribed one of the office lobby receptionists to give him his number. said receptionist has since been fired, and daehyun has been put on a blacklist, such that security won’t allow him to enter if he comes close.

but san takes no chances.

san decides to ask his colleague to please help a bro out and complete the sending of the end of day reports- just so he can leave slightly earlier or on time to travel to wooyoung’s office, and send him home. he knows mingi’s a sweet guy, he would be happy to do so in the name of san’s nonexistent love life. but still.

“you would do it if you liked someone too,” san had pleaded, “please, mingi? lunch and coffee on me the next week, i promise-”

“how cute are we talking?”

mingi asks for a photo, but alas, san’s a simple guy, so his lockscreen is a selfie of him and wooyoung. all it took was mingi helping himself with a fast tap onto san’s phone. 

“wait, that’s our wooyoung?”

“huh. what the hell! how does everyone know wooyoung except me?! and what’s with the our woo-”

“hello, san? we’ve graduated, what- two, three years ago from uni? you act like you’re sixty and this is a school reunion? anyway, woo’s a sweetie, everyone knows him as the one who made hongjoong finally fold and ask hwa hyung out.” mingi’s staring at him, deadpan, “c’mon, san, that’s some legend level lore right there? you should know that story, at least?”

“yeah i know that one!” san pouts back, “i still don’t get how i seriously didn’t meet him until now? when everyone seems to know and speak fondly of him?”

mingi just laughs at him, before spilling more tea, “because you’re a studious nerd and a homebody, as yunho likes to put it. you know we once got a segment of finals waived off because wooyoung wrote some letter of protest to dean kim kyuwook, demanding for better work life balance, right?”

“wait. you mean they removed that additional business law paper because of wooyoung’s appeal? the one we stayed up at 3am everyday and almost died trying to cram?”

“yep. seems so. apparently they were overloading most of our batch’s modules, since there was a change in syllabus or whatever. and a lot of the profs were new at that point? so some stuff was overlooked and- yah, didn’t yunho say all this before over soba? were you not listening-!”

oh. so wooyoung was the reason why he didn’t die from extra finals or from too many energy drinks. 

that’s his man right there.

over time, he observes more things.

wooyoung thinks it's so sweet how san always holds his waist like a natural reflex, always walks on the side closer to traffic, always lets him enter lifts first, holds the door. he’s always mindful to let wooyoung sit in the booth, or whichever seat allows him to watch the door. after you, woo, san would say in full gentlemanly fashion, because manners maketh man.

san peels his prawns for him. picks out cucumbers and bell peppers before wooyoung even notices them. separates perilla leaves for him. enamoured eyes as he peels oranges for wooyoung. lets him take food first, waits until wooyoung takes the first bite before he helps himself.

similarly, wooyoung will retaliate by stacking all the best portions of meat onto san’s plate. eats the raw carrots and mushrooms before san even sees them. enamoured eyes as he feeds san, wipes his mouth with the cheesiest grin. gives san the first bites of every dessert. lets him crack the crème brûlée before they dig in. gives him the strawberry or whatever thing it is atop their shared slice of cake.

wooyoung always wears the coat to meet san, just to show his sincerity. the seasons are changing, but he doesn't mind, since he just loves the scent (he bought some expensive scent retainer fabric spray, works wonders) and it feels really nice.

it’s san’s favourite black coat after all.

he always feels safe with san. even if they’re just walking around, happy to bask in each other’s presence, san will always hold some part of him. like a cat kneading and making biscuits on his tummy. and when he doesn’t have any form of skin to skin, he can feel san’s gaze linger. he does have a penchant for backhugging wooyoung, arms circling his waist, chin on his shoulder. just get it, san will whisper into his ear by the glass displays, ridiculously handsome devil on his shoulder, alpha will buy it for you.

it also greatly amuses wooyoung that while san is so damn generous and spends money on him like it falls from the sky, he does end up being rather frugal and practical when it comes to himself. it’s not worth it, young-ah, san will tell him, all frowny and pouty, doesn’t make sense to buy it. makes more sense to spend on you and make you happy. wooyoung feels quite the opposite at this sentiment, and will aggressively squish and pinch at san’s cheeks until he retracts the statement. choi san! wooyoung will tell him, matching his frown and pout, your baby will buy it for you! you’re worth it, sannie- yes, we’ll take all of it, miss. thank you!

so that’s how san walks out of the luxury boutique with brand new oxford dress shoes for the office, made of full-grain calfskin leather. for added breathability and flexibility, with a propensity to develop a rich, aging patina over time, or whatever the sales assistant said. just like our relationship, san thinks, that will age like fine wine. like a weathered, bright gold patina. a golden hour that lasts forever.

wooyoung’s unstoppable, fully furnishing him with new ties and getting him an assortment of new frames, because san-ah, you look so good in any kind of glasses and we need you to see me clearly, hm? he even gets more clothes for him, despite san’s protests that his current rotation of white, black and navy dress shirts and slacks for the office are just fine. his casual clothes consist of comfy, cozy worn-in basics, which are also fine. san tries so hard to resist even when wooyoung’s swinging his shoulders and coquettishly biting the tip of his finger (something about some ‘overdrive’ dance on the internet) to convince him. he’s a man of conviction. he will help wooyoung save his hard earned money from being an excellent secretary.

but when wooyoung mumbles something about not being able to steal technically-not-san’s-clothes-yet for a nest, san suddenly has no objections and allows wooyoung to buy whatever he wants for him.

in return, he does get to buy wooyoung cute dangling earrings that look divine on him, shiny hair clips and ribbons to tie up his long hair. his sassy, cunty little diva- wooyoung says these are good words, not at all derogatory.

and if wooyoung says it’s good, then it’s good.

that’s his baby diva.

so, they got each other more gifts.

all part of the courting process.

now settling on a nearby bench to get some things exchanged, the weather is cloudless but breezy. perfect.

“so. i made you this.”

san takes out an assortment of jars, all labelled nicely with dates and ingredients. it almost feels like he’s a cat, bearing gifts to impress its owner. “i’m no chef, but this… well, ever since i met you i’ve become obsessed with oranges and tangerines.” san looks away, feels his face grow hot when wooyoung’s citrusy fragrance piques, becomes stronger, ripe; he smells more lush, full-bodied. it makes san’s heart swell, his chest puff in pride. “so please accept this humble invitation to apply it onto your bread. or when you eat. i take criticism well, so i’d like your feedback.”

so that i can make it for you, again and again. i like how my house smells like you when the oranges and raw sugar simmer and bubble together and-

according to naver, both are fruit preserves but for different purposes. the marmalade jelly is in a bigger jar, so that wooyoung makes sure to have breakfast. not to brag, but it tastes nice and sweet and reminds san of a certain someone, so marmalade is what he’s now swapped out with his usual strawberry jam. he even makes another version of an amateurish attempt of orange compote, because wooyoung likes to cook.

“this one doesn’t have the rind,” he points at a smaller jar, “so apparently marmalade has the peels and stuff, but compote doesn’t? it’s supposed to be looser and have orange chunks instead of just pulp and juice?”

wooyoung is pleased at the research, nodding, “that’s right. orange marmalade includes thin strips of peel so we get the jelly-like consistency, and it should retain its signature tang and a bittersweet sort of flavour. primarily for sweet stuff, like toast, as you mentioned. for compote, we can do savoury- like duck confit or maybe roasted pork, with some fennel and cranberry. tastes amazing on pancakes too. compote’s lower in its sugar content, which i presume you’ve noticed when making it? so that’s why it showcases the natural flavour of the oranges,” he flushes when he notices how san’s looking at him with a honeyed smile, eyes as warm as the jars of freshly made preserves. “sorry. just rambling.”

“it’s cute. i like it.” san shows off his dimples, “happy i chose the right thing to give you.”

wooyoung turns the shade of grapefruit, murmurs soft praises. “good job, san. you did well.” the alpha preens, and it makes wooyoung smile.

“can i try it? now?” san turns the colour of peaches, nods and feels his heart grow fond when wooyoung dips a pinky into the jam to taste, makes a cute mm! this is really good! and his eyes go bright, going in for seconds with his index.

“this would taste amazing on yogurt. here, san. try some!” he uses his ring finger now to prevent contamination, holds out his finger for san to try. the gesture itself is so instinctive, yet so intimate and tender. “can i..?”

the implication of san sucking the sweet jam off his finger seems to finally dawn upon wooyoung, who’s honestly used to sharing food and fending off taste testers whenever he cooks. “yeah, try it, alpha.” as soon as he says that, he realises that san’s probably tasted it already, given that he’s gifted wooyoung so many jars.

oh. he probably has so much more of it at home. there’s no way he would’ve gotten it on the first try. sugar burns fast, you need to achieve a smooth yet sticky sort of texture, make sure the jelly-like consistency spreads well. no wonder there’s different sugar levels. some with honey, some with granulated sugar. jars labelled with thicker and thinner peels, some with lemons added. oh my goodness.

“tastes like how i imagine you to taste,” san says, pleased at the reaction when wooyoung is mortified, crossing his legs tighter just so nothing else could possibly emit, other than a squeak of surprise. of course it’s not slick, get your head out of the gutter. 

maybe i should’ve dabbed it onto my lips… and asked him to taste it himself? he thinks i taste like tangerines? sweet? god, wooyoung, get it together-

“n-next time, maybe we could… make some together,” wooyoung softly says, capping the jar and putting it back into the cloth drawstring bag, “and… have ramen,”

“ah, yes, of course,” san coughs awkwardly, and wooyoung grins when san now transitions into a shade of maraschino cherries, “i’m always down to… have ramen with you. whenever you feel comfortable enough to have me over.”

“guess i’ll have to do my prep work then,” wooyoung winks back, happy the implication of ramen is not lost on san, “make sure everything’s spicy and hot and steamy for my alpha.”

he can smell san’s pepper and cinnamon and clove aroma adorn him, so warm and spicy, nuances of star anise and figs and patchouli swelling and gracing his nose. san has beautiful bedroom eyes, wooyoung thinks.

“a-any! anyway-!” he almost keels over when san’s struggling to keep his composure, fiddling with the bridge of his glasses, “made you this as well.”

san hands him a little scented pouch that smells very much like him, so that even when the weather is warmer and a coat is not needed, he can hang it with wooyonyang, the black cat keychain on his bag. an alpha’s scent will ward off pesky people, says san. wooyoung’s too pretty and an omega, he continues nonchalantly, so he’s just doing his societal duty as an alpha of keeping creeps at bay. being beautiful and an omega is a deadly combination, especially if they go by the name of wooyoung- in san’s humble opinion, of course.

it’s getting warmer now, so he can’t keep wearing my coat… and won’t the scent fade soon? oh fuck. wooyoung in shorts and sleeveless tops. crop tops. arms out, tummy out. thighs on display. fuck… but if people smell me on him then they’ll probably stop approaching wooyoung? and he’ll have less opportunities to flirt back? and more time to look at me and flirt with me instead and smile and laugh for me and-

his thoughts are disrupted when wooyoung tugs on his sleeve, expression going from coy to bashful to worried. he obviously presents the normal, valentine-esque gift first, which is a bar of handmade chocolate, drizzled with dried fruit and tied with ribbon. because san loves chocolate. and he loves san. so yeah. tempered, with a temper.

“ah- i also, well… this is also for you,” wooyoung hides his face behind the paper bag, because after all that contemplation, he’s really going to give it. to san. like, for real.

san is a bit embarrassed that his primal instincts leap out at once, after spotting the shopping bag’s logo and figuring it’s a clothing item. deciding that here goes nothing, he chooses to be direct with wooyoung. after all, if this is part of their courtship, he needs to be honest.

“could i call in a favour, wooyoung? i know this is going to sound weird and it’s usually the opposite, but-” he pauses to wet his lips, gesturing to whatever’s in the bag, “baby. could you… scent it for me?” 

wooyoung stares at him, dumbstruck, watches as san turns so very red, like a strawberry. feels the same crimson flood into his skin too. scarlet, like the rubies within a pomegranate. raspberries. red currants.

is this the part where he tells san he has a matching hoodie too?

“san, i-” 

“wait, hear me out first. i know the alpha should do it for his omega, and i will if you’d let me, you can take all my clothes if you want- but i just- i find your scent to be so sweet and calming. i don’t know. it just brings me comfort. you have a beautiful natural scent,” then san softly adds, “i mean, i’m guessing based on the brand name. it should be clothes, right? if it’s not, sorry for overstepping. i’d love anything you got me, really,” san has that stupid his eyes softened look they talk about in books, and it makes wooyoung’s heart do all sorts of extreme gymnastics. san’s even gone off the rails and started talking about how i really wanted to get you flowers but they’ll interfere with your scent and sorry i don’t like that, so no bouquet. 

absolutely diabolical.

“san…” wooyoung can only make out one syllable (his favourite word ever) before his face feels like it’s on fire again. san is so endearing he could cry. 

“listen, sannie- fuck, you actually make me fall in love with you again everyday- okay, so like i… i actually- i bought two of the same hoodie, in beige and blue, and yours is… oh my god, how did you even-” the words leave his lips in a soft, strangled sigh, “i already, i-”

how do i simply tell the love of my life that hey san, i already wore your blue jacket to sleep last night before giving it to you because i hope you figure it out for yourself that it’s a cute, subtle little possessive gesture? that i like you? so fucking much i even want you to smell like me? so you won’t be seen as single and available for other attractive people to gawk at and they back off cause you’re just for my eyes only and-

“a-already..?” now it’s san’s turn to stammer, pushing up his glasses to see wooyoung’s blush clearly. his apple cheeks are now the juicy flesh of a blood orange. “you mean you-”

wooyoung feels like he’s about to die.

“yeah…” 

san feels like he’s about to die.

“can i… can i unbox it and wear it now?”

wooyoung is stubborn and doesn’t want to hang up first, but san is even more obstinate about it because no, i can’t let my omega wait and leave them hanging like that. what kind of alpha would i be?

when san rises the next morning, he’s greeted by the tiny sounds of wooyoung snoozing, soft snores and rhythmic breathing. “good morning, baby.” he softly says into his phone, muting his side of the call, but still leaving the line on, taking his phone to wash up and accompany him to make coffee and fix some toast. marmalade toast and eggs.

“mm? it’s still..?” he hears the groggy mumbles of wooyoung who has roused, “hi, virtual angel. good morning,”

“argh! why are you-!” wooyoung’s wide awake now, and san laughs when he hears the sound of the phone dropping, followed by cursing. “sannie! stop laughing-! you made me drop my phone!”

“there, there. sorry, jagi. you’re so cute it’s hard to contain myself, you know?”

wooyoung flushes, groaning. it’s way too early for this. not after their silly little, no you hang up! i don’t wanna hang up first! i love you! i love you more! domestic nonsense being the last thing before they both fell asleep. “you really didn’t hang up? what the hell, the call's been going on for almost eight hours now?”

“and..?”

“you pervert, you were listening the whole time when i was sleeping?”

“i probably am, only if it’s regarding you,” san hums back, and it’s so annoying how he actually sounds like he’s thought through it, “won’t have eyes for other omegas, just so you know.”

“of course i know,” wooyoung scoffs, running a hand through his bedhead, shuffling towards the washroom, “i’m so cute and sexy, ‘course you can’t look away.”

“damn right,” san replies with ease, “are you going to wash up, my love?”

“mm, yeah, why?”

“can you end the call, then?”

“…”

“come on, baby. it’s okay to hang up first,” san’s tinkling laughter echoes in his toilet, and he sees his reflection in the mirror, red cheeked and smiling like an idiot. “hey. i haven’t said good morning.”

“doesn’t matter, in my heart i know you did,”

“san! stop being so smooth for a bit and just let me whine in peace-”

“okay, let’s start again?” he clears his throat just for dramatic effect, “good morning, jagi.”

wooyoung sighs back, extra loud, but smile still there. “good morning, my beloved san. my baby.”

“good boy. now hang up, please?”

“why? so you can start your day and then forget about me? right after i end the call?” his hand is still grabbing his toothbrush, doesn’t want to end the call. just because.

“mouthy, are we?” he hears san take a sip of something, likely coffee, hears the ding of a toaster, something else buzzing. airfryer, maybe. “if alpha’s ordering you to hang up, will you be good and do it?”

the tube of mint toothpaste gets slammed back besides the sink. “san! that’s cheating! you’re being mean-!”

if only all mornings could be this sweet.

“i’ll make it up to you, wooyoungie. don’t sulk.”

“i’m not sulking!” wooyoung sulks, in a very sulky voice, “sannie!” he just knows san loves this. likes making him whine just so he has extra reasons to spoil him thereafter.

“what am i going to do with such a brat,” san sighs, and wooyoung pictures him ruffling his own hair, smiling to himself, “if i hang up first how will you compensate me, hm?”

anything you want, because it sounds like a dangerous thing to say, and that’s why wooyoung says precisely just that.

“oh? carte blanche?” san seems taken aback, and wooyoung grins at the reaction. “yeah. whatever alpha wants.”

the line goes silent, and for a moment wooyoung thinks someone might have disconnected. he quickly brushes his teeth and rinses at the silence.

“san-ah?”

“i’m here.” san says, before carefully stating, “could i use it to ask of you to forgive me that i had my first kiss with yunho?” he hopes wooyoung can’t hear the flush over the phone, “i mean, i had a drop too many that day and i now that i know you are friends-”

“does it matter so much to you, san?” wooyoung’s tone softens as he pats a towel to his face, “because i’ve also dated and kissed other people before you came into my life,” he bites on his lip, “and out of all the things you could’ve wanted…” 

“because you are precious to me,” san simply says, as if wooyoung’s asking if he’s having coffee or tea right now, “and i want you to have the best parts of me. so i feel a bit sorry for not giving my first kiss to you, because i think you deserve that.”

“oh, san…” he can hear wooyoung’s frown, almost can see the melt of his pretty eyes, “then i also should’ve…”

“it’s a me problem, young-ah,” san quickly says, “i don’t expect the same from my mate, given we’re all kinda old and working adults now. i’m just a bit more old fashioned? so i… please, please don’t feel bad. gosh. i know you will after i say this, but really, i- god, sorry for saying that. i take it back, okay? alpha takes it back, don’t feel bad,”

“how is it that you seem to know me inside out, san-ah,” wooyoung sighs into his hands, “and i told you whatever you and yunho did doesn’t count, baby. that was just a silly peck on the lips. so pick something else if you don’t want me to feel bad? i mean it when i say anything.”

he hears san drum his fingers, pregnant pause before saying, “in that case, can i have a jar of your slick?” 

unable to see his expression and his flat tone not giving anything away, wooyoung’s mortified at the possibility that san could actually be serious.

“what the hell, choi san-!” he whisper-yelps, “sannie! you fucking pervert, are you fucking crazy-!”

when bubbles of laughter come through the speaker, wooyoung lets out the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. “jesus christ, san! for a moment-”

“heh. fooled you,” he can picture san’s emotionless face morphing into eye smiles and dimples, “if i wanted to taste it, i’d probably go straight to source,” oh, he just knows san is so pleased with his flustered reaction. tease. because wooyoung can actually feel his knees go weak at how suave this man is. stupid alpha really said he’d get his slick straight from source. what is this, ethical sourcing? freak.

his legs are actually going to buckle if san says this one more time in person. good lord. wooyoung seriously needs to make Proper Plans for the day he invites san over for ramen. he’ll show san what teasing is- he’d match his freak for sure.

“sannie,” he says back, a bare whisper. san’s not physically present anyways, he can tease the alpha back for as much as he wants. hmph. “you make me want to say all sorts of unhinged things, ya know. things the… korean language was probably not made for. all sorts of inappropriate stuff,”

“such as?” san’s so easy to rile up, it brings a playful smile to wooyoung’s face. “such as… should i match my new nails to your tip?”

he sounds a tad confused. “french tips? young-ah, do whatever colour you want. don’t you always choose all black anyway? there’s no need to mat- wait a minute. match with my what-?”

he has to stifle his own laughter, put on his flirtiest voice, “you know what tip i’m referring to, alpha…” 

“wooyoung.” san tries to say back sternly, taking a huge gulp of something, “shall i also match my blush shade to your tip while i’m at it? my lip colo-”

he’s met with a coughing fit on san’s end, and wooyoung almost feels bad for teasing him. san is just… so cute.

“please don’t,” san finally says, solid minute of him trying to regain composure, “aww, but sannie-”

“omega.” 

boy does it make him shudder whenever san uses that tone to put his brattiness into place. 

see. when you do that voice, san, it makes me feel like i’m going nuts. makes me feel like you’re rearranging my braincells when you could be rearranging my guts-

he takes a moment, plunges his face into his pillow and yells. the things this stupid (said lovingly) alpha does to him.

“woo? you there?” he can hear san’s flush over the phone. oh, he probably just said his thoughts aloud. oops.

“yeah, most definitely not leaking and not flooding my room, that’s for sure,” he grumbles back, annoyed that his face still feels hot. san only becomes apologetic, tells him he was just joking around. not very slick of him. “don’t be mad, jagi? for real though, if i could want something… i’ll probably just wanna go on another date with you, haha. sorry it’s anticlimactic. for now, all i want to do is get to know you like muscle memory. treat you right. and then we’ll take it from there, at the pace you prefer. can that wish be granted?”

“i really… how am i going to fall in love with another person like this? when you set the bar this high? it’s going to be impossible to ever move on, san.”

san keeps quiet, and the silence lingers, until wooyoung can hear something like the jingle of a samsung washing machine. “then let’s keep it that way, young-ah. because i have no intention of letting you go. i won’t disturb you any further. you win, my love. have a great day, jagiya. i love you.”

with that, san hangs up on their nine-hour call, and leaves wooyoung a flustered mess.

“sannie?”

“mm? it’s barely been five minutes, angel.” he swears san is doing the eyebrow thing, smug grin on his face, “missed me already?”

“you didn’t let me say back that i love you too.”

he hears only incoherent noises, and it makes wooyoung laugh. san probably didn’t see this one coming. 

“oh, young-ah,” he breathes back into the phone, voice like honey, “what did i ever do to deserve you?”

“you have a good day too, jagiya.” wooyoung smiles into his phone, “i’ll hang up now, so we’re even. mwah! kisses for you. i love you.”

“i love you too, little one. all my kisses to you, too. mwah.”

initially, wooyoung had felt very unsettled when going out on dates with san. not because there was anything wrong with the alpha, of course. it was more of how everyone else reacted to san.

san’s neck was in pristine condition, devastatingly unmarked- which warranted all sorts of unwelcome passes whenever they went out, from men and women alike and all subgenders.

when asked for his number, san would just cough in embarrassment and just pull wooyoung closer to him, pressing a kiss to the crown of his head to assert dominance- and naturally, whoever it is would take the hint without him having to say a single word.

wooyoung doesn’t recall when he made a passing remark about how san’s bigger, broader physique makes him feel safe, but he knows because of it, san takes going to the gym seriously. san’s character alone was weighty enough to stand his ground, but coupled with being an alpha and maintaining his big boy stature (wooyoung’s words) it added to an even more formidable aura. one that particularly tickles wooyoung’s fancy. he’s seen san being a pure, sweet cuddlebug around his friends that are bigger or older than him, but he goes all Scary Protector Alpha mode just for wooyoung. the duality makes him feel so soft. because san does it just for him.

you call, i run, is what san had told him one fine day, so casually that it was impossible not to swoon. simple as that. wooyoungie asks, and i deliver. i am a simple man of principle. just say the word. you know i mean it, right?

wooyoung knows that san is a loyal man. he’s a devoted guy, a sweetheart. wooyoung’s secure in his relationship. he knows san loves him, as he does love san. there’s nothing in this would that could tear them apart. come hell or high water, they’d manage and figure a way out. wooyoung’s sure of it. 

so he decides to see it in another way- people are free to continue staring at san, ogle at him, salivate and drool when they get the slightest whiff of his scent; but they will never have him.

because he’s wooyoung’s one and only alpha.

i love you so much, san.

initially, san didn’t like the idea of going out on dates with wooyoung. not because there was anything wrong with the omega, of course. it was more of how everyone else reacted to wooyoung.

wooyoung was unmarked, neck always exposed when he fell over onto the nearest surface when laughing his ass off. devastatingly unmarked, and his magnetism and charm had reached other men and women alike, of all subgenders- the same way his scent had found san that one morning. wooyoung’s naturally friendly, and sometimes he flirts back without even knowing it. san knows he never means it, though. he’s a natural flirt in all seriousness, as paradoxical as it sounds. 

but when wooyoung does whiff the slightest change in san’s scent, he’d come back to his senses and then look at san with the most apologetic doe and siren eyes known to mankind. and what can san say, he’s so terribly weak for wooyoung’s pretty face, and even weaker for a pouty wooyoung diving in to kiss him.

he knows, because wooyoung quite literally lights up when he spots san in a crowd. his face actually blooms into a beautiful smile, and so does his scent- his naturally sweet smell of orange blossoms actually blooms whenever he sees san, or smells him before he meets eyes with him. wooyoung always greets with a hug or a kiss- the man will actually dash towards san to jump into his loving embrace; will find his way back home to him, to his chest, his back, his neck- bury his face there, be it in happiness, in embarrassment, in fear. san feels like home.

wooyoung’s a fiercely loyal man. he’s devoted, he stands firm to his beliefs and values. he protects, is a grouchy black cat ready to fight at any moment. san’s secure in his relationship. he knows of it, because he loves wooyoung as much as wooyoung loves him. wooyoung always smells good, smells like the embodiment of eternal sunshine.

so he decides to view this in another perspective- one where wooyoung’s everyone’s dream friend and companion, but that decadent luxury is specially reserved for san. they will never have him. 

because wooyoung’s his one and only omega.

i love you so much, wooyoung.

wooyoung’s cancelled on him, because he’s not feeling very well.

oh, san thinks at once, heat.

without being told twice, he comes over to wooyoung’s house, carrying all sorts of stuff- medicated patches like those they use for muscle aches, but with special potent ingredients specifically for omegas. there’s cooling pads, scent patches for heat relief, pain blocker medications, suppressants, cramp alleviation drinks and other sorts of scent blocking sprays and an array of for omegas-only things that even wooyoung has never seen as an omega himself. he wonders how the hell san got all of this. everything just feels so hot and sticky and irritating, he’s doing his best not to sound rude or grumpy.

“ah… i’ve been stocking up just in case,” san mumbles, diffident, “every time i see something that looks useful, i just buy it.”

wooyoung notes that these are products only for omegas, which means san specifically went into those aisles- the lane itself generally said with so much disdain. frankly, the fact that most omegas got cramps and flash-heats, like quick fevers approximately every month, was a widely known thing. a biological, normal thing. and yet it was frowned upon, said like it was something dirty. almost like the way how misogynistic alphas would wrinkle their nose at the thought of females getting their periods, see such aisles in the supermarkets and convenience stores with disdain. hell, even some betas that had such side effects would pretend not to possess them and even go to work as per normal, going on double dosages of suppressants. just so as not to be associated with such ‘weak’ biological traits.

omega products and feminine hygiene products were all lumped into the same category, you see, and even as a woman or an omega, there was still some sort of innate shame when you went to pick out such essential items- when there shouldn’t be at all. suppressants would only help with temporary pain relief, but the discomfort and hormonal changes were still there.

nobody would voluntarily choose to bleed or cramp or get heats, damn it, but alas, society was still so damn judgemental. not to mention how expensive these things were. so for san to go there, pick out a number of things on multiple occasions- it meant so much.

because san’s the kind of person to see princess treatment as the bare minimum.

“alpha?”

“yeah, i’m here, woo. what do you need?”

“wanna cook for you,” wooyoung drowsily says, using a finger to thumb at san’s cheek, trace constellations with his freckles. it’s so hot, even though he’s as good as naked, just in underwear and san’s leather jacket. but the alpha’s gotten him some good stuff, it’s making him a little woozy. nothing hurts- more like he’s melting in san’s scent, in his embrace. he gives san lots of kisses to say thank you. “let me cook?”

“nonsense. you lay down and rest,” san firmly denies, only to be met with a glassy eyed wooyoung. “but alpha… i like seeing you eat- makes me really happy to see you eat and get full from my cooking,” 

“don’t look at me with those eyes, jagiya. i am but a weak man,” san sighs, and when wooyoung amps up the wounded kitty look, he has no choice. “please, sannie, i’ll be good, won’t cook a million things, just something simple-”

“you’re all sleepy and a bit pale, my love.” san frowns, “i don’t like the idea of you in the kitchen like that,” he wonders if the symptoms of wooyoung’s heat this month is stronger, due to how much more time they’ve spent together. sometimes if partners get close too fast, the body needs time to adapt, like a primal urge to condition itself for breeding- just nature running its course. makes wooyoung cuter too. he uses tissue to dab at his sweat, hears the slightest pants as the omega fights his overheating body.

“b-but-!” wooyoung decides to pout even more, not even sure if it’s him throwing the tantrum or the hormones, “but i wanna cook for you-! are you reje-”

“of course not,” san quickly interrupts before wooyoung can say the entirety of that horrible word, “i’ll carry you, and you teach me to cook, deal?”

“mm, okay. deal.”

wooyoung ends up getting a piggyback ride into the kitchen, legs wrapped securely around san’s waist, chin finding purchase on top of san’s floofy hair. san’s pasted a cooling patch onto his forehead so he feels better, and he gently points and guides through kisses. san even humours him by squatting to let him hold the spatula to stir fry some meat, retrieve banchan from the fridge. the world’s biggest cucumber hater now has some of that disgusting green stuff in his fridge, because he’s not denying his alpha of proper korean banchan.

with wooyoung’s patient (albeit drowsy) guidance, a hot meal is cooked alongside instant rice, and san finds joy in feeding wooyoung, each of them taking turns to get an alternating bite. it’s a comforting, steady rhythm. san could get used to this every month. 

“taste good?” wooyoung asks, eyes half lidded. the medicine must be kicking in. “of course, honey.”

“love seeing you eat, my baby,” wooyoung softly says, leaning his head against san’s shoulder, “‘m sleepy, sannie, eat more…”

“yes, little one. shall i take you to bed?”

with a pliant nod, san wipes wooyoung’s mouth tenderly, before lifting him in a bridal carry, taking him back to his amassed nest full of san’s stolen clothes.

and yes, half of his closet has really found its way to wooyoung’s place somehow, hidden in all sorts of places like treasure.

san is not responding, which is unusual.

their cycles are starting to sync closer and closer, and immediately after wooyoung’s heat, san goes into rut. this is what falling for someone hard and fast does to you.

“san-ah? darling? are you feeling okay? why didn’t you ans-”

“y-yeah,” he can hear san panting, like he’s just done a whole set of cardio or something. “‘m fine, jagi. sorry for not picking up. promise i, ah- i’m fine-”

“don’t sound fine to me,” wooyoung grumbles, grabbing his belongings and heading out at once, “i’m on my-”

“no!” san’s tone is sharp now, almost jarring from the hazy sound of his voice just seconds ago, “no, woo. don’t come here. whatever it is.” then he adds in a pleading tone, “please.”

“are you in rut, my love? is that it?”

“…”

“san?”

“i’m okay, i promise. just please-” san’s voice is so breathy now, like he’s exerting so much effort to force out the words, “mind is stuck in brain fog or something. can’t think straight. so don’t come. dunno what i might do to you,”

“i’ll be fine, jagi. don’t worry-”

“please, woo,” san almost sounds like he’s sniffling, and it makes his heart hurt, “couldn’t bear to think of even hurting you.”

“you won’t.”

“but i-”

“i know you, alpha. you’re the bestest person i know.” he sighs when san makes a tiny mewl, “just rest, okay. i’ll see you when i see you. i love you.”

“love you too.”

well, wooyoung didn’t lie. 

neither did he promise he wouldn’t be at san’s doorstep.

“sorry, san,” he whispers to the door, reaching for the spare key under the doormat, “i know you said this was for emergencies but this feels like an emergency to me.”

unfortunately, apart from the traditional leashes and muzzles for feral alphas, over the counter medications tended not to work as well since they were basic dosages with no personalised tweaks. alphas generally had more dominant characteristics, so it was necessary to go to clinics for custom medication- but this was pricey and not very sustainable. the best way, in line with their country’s declining birth rate, was just to mate.

wooyoung’s brought along some ingredients to cook a nice, hearty stew, just in case san’s fridge isn’t well stocked. san takes good care of him, so of course he must take good care of san too. the ingredients get stored away quickly, before wooyoung heads for the main purpose of his visit, knocking gently.

“san-ah?”

“i-! i told you not to come-!” he hears the muffled voice, door closed even though san’s the only occupant of the house. “don’t you dare open the-”

wooyoung gasps at the sight.

“-door.”

san’s voice is meek, and he immediately ducks under the covers when wooyoung throws his door open. he looks so much younger with his hair down, glasses safely folded on the nightstand.

“please don’t come near me,” the blanket says, but nobody can ever stop an omega named jung wooyoung when he sets his eyes on something. the blanket is tugged off in one fell swoop.

“oh my god. what did you do, san?”

san’s arms are littered with bite marks. 

wooyoung can see the skin on san’s arms all pink and sore, assortment of teeth marks on display- as clear as it would show when you bite into the flesh of a crisp apple. the bite marks span as far as san’s mouth can reach, close to the slopes of his shoulders. hard, but not hard enough to break skin. close, though. the expanse of his arms are all raw, bitten multiple times with overlapping teeth marks. even his fingers look chewed up. wooyoung’s heart is torn to shreds.

what the..? he wants to bite me. oh my god. but san doesn’t want to hurt me. so he bit himself instead..?

“sannie, what happened? why- does it hurt, my baby? goodness, it looks really bad… might bruise-” san’s face is scrunched in agony as he shakes his head, hands wrung together as if praying. he’s sweating, and wooyoung gently dabs away at the glossy sheen, gives him a kiss. “san-ah? can you talk to me? or do you want me to go? if you’re really uncomfortable, i’ll just quickly make some soup and-” 

“stay,” san holds his wrist, careful not to exert so much force. ruts can be pretty overwhelming, when your brain goes into overdrive at the slightest thing. the smallest thing could be a trigger, which was why unmated alphas tended to stay locked in their rooms, just in case instincts kicked in and they went feral on the streets- which was obviously harassment or assault in broad daylight. “just… don’t say anything. or i might go crazy and bite you,” san looks so shy now, avoiding his gaze, “just keep thinking of biting you.” he ducks his head, chewing on his lower lip, “‘m going mad, i think.”

“san, you know i’ve always been yours,” wooyoung gently raises his chin for their eyes to meet, “you can bite. it’s okay-”

“no, no-! ‘m not thinking properly. brain’s in rut. might hurt you. or forget. brain fog after. no. can’t.” san’s rambling, and wooyoung can see the amount of restraint he’s exerting, decides to leave him be. as he hugs san, he can tell his presence has made the alpha a little less frenetic, which is good. it’s really cute when san gets a bit scent-drunk, starts craving tangerines during his rut. starts nuzzling his neck and kissing his temple, his cheeks. san always kisses in doubles, because he says he doesn’t discriminate between wooyoung’s left and right side.

he stays nestled in san’s embrace, feeling san slowly relax- occupying himself by playing with wooyoung’s long hair and braiding them to distract himself from biting. wooyoung smiles when he feels san’s ministrations get slower, featherlight. like time moves in slow motion, in their comfortable, languid silence. he leans in to kiss his drowsy little freshly steamed alpha dumpling. it reminds him of the way san always says he has freshly baked bread when he caresses wooyoung’s cheeks.

it’s only when san actually dozes off, does wooyoung quietly slip away to make some kimchi jjigae and grill meat, adding some lemon peel for zest. he scoops them into small portions so he can feed san. maybe he’ll pick up some yuzu sorbet for later. pudding. cream puffs. san would like that, personality as sweet as his sweet tooth.

the aromatic smell wafts through the house, and he watches as san shuffles out, hair a mess and rubbing his eyes. perfect timing.

“jagi? say ahh?” he sits in san’s lap, blowing on the food to cool it. san doesn’t know if he’s dreaming or wooyoung’s kissing his food, opening his mouth obligingly, obedient as the stew gets fed to him before he has a moment of clarity; he tells wooyoung that he’s an alpha, he can do it himself. wooyoung tells him sure, to help himself, before he hops off and comes back with supplies, instead busies himself with applying soothing cream onto san’s arms. the alpha winces at the smarting, but wooyoung gives him small kisses on each bite before the salve goes on, and san’s appeased once more. he adds the rolls of bandage around san’s arms, an extra layer of protection just to make sure he doesn’t try to bite himself again. 

wooyoung finds himself melting, because he realises that instead of giving in to primal instincts, san’s chosen not to bite and mark him all over before they’ve officially given each other their mating mark. san had been so adamant in giving his to wooyoung when he was fully focused and sober and aware, on a proper day and date- and that he didn’t want to do anything stupid or go crazy because of pheromone overdrive. 

wooyoung respects that, admires his will of steel. it makes him love san even more, because san always saw him as an equal, wanted him to have a say in everything too. not just a stupid alpha wanting to bite and mark and mate any omega that he thought was pretty.

“good?” he asks, when san slurps up the remaining stew, satisfied smile on his face. god, he loves seeing san well fed and eating well. makes him so happy in ways he can’t describe. especially if it’s his food. it makes him so, so happy. “very. thank you, jagi.”

“you’re welcome, beloved. sleepy?”

“food coma… you feed me too good,”

“that’s what i like to hear. now off you go,” wooyoung ushers a pouty san back to bed, after wiping his sweat and stray bits of splashed stew, “sweet dreams, my love. and no more biting, okay?”

it’s a date.

they’ve woken up bright and early to reach haneul park before dawn breaks, holding hands as they trek up the climb of 300 steps, hands interlaced. the earliest train is still too late, so san’s rented a car just for this. wooyoung’s made coffee in thermos flasks, and brought along san’s favourite white chocolate cream strawberry cake. san’s made little sandwiches and brought some cut fruits. he even brought some sort of big bread looking thing, because he saw it at the bakery and had a feeling wooyoung would like it.

softly munching as they watch the sunrise, no words are needed as they shoot each other coy looks, feeding each other as the city slowly rouses, starts winding up for a brand new day.

majestic orange rays start lathering the brightening blue sky, the sunlight casting a beautiful glow upon their skin. 

“whoa, it’s beautiful,” wooyoung whispers, using one hand to frame his eyes, mid-squint, “it’s gorgeous, sannie-”

“still not as gorgeous as you,” san shyly says back, but instead of punching him, wooyoung makes an expression of fondness, “my silly alpha. the sun’s never gonna be as radiant and sweet as my san, huh.”

then san takes out something from his pocket, hastily takes it out of the black velvet pouch.

a necklace. with a chrome hearts pendant.

and… something else.

“san.” wooyoung stares at him dead in the eye. “i thought we’re just here on a romantic date to start the month?”

“yeah, but i thought it would make the perfect atmosphere to, you know, give you this?” he dangles the chain in front of wooyoung, “here, kitty, kitty?”

“you told me no surprises!” wooyoung pouts, pretending to strangle him, “if not i- i would’ve-” he buries his face in his hands, “stupid alpha, always making me blush. i hate you,”

“you love me,” san laughs, prying open his hands to reveal his cute face, before putting the necklace with his house key into wooyong’s palms, “move in with me, young-ah. let me take care of you. the way you take care of me.”

“i hate you!” wooyoung says again, a mix of a whine and a giggle, “stupid choi san, always saying these embarrassing things-! all you know how to do is make me weak and i’m always so hopelessly in love with your handsome face and your pure heart and-”

“and we keep it that way,” san completes for him, smirking as the sun casts a glorious orange hue over them, the amber, honeycomb colour of wooyoung’s orange blossom and effervescent citrus scent; its dazzling yellows and golds, the colour of san’s earthy leather and vetiver, overtone of rum.

“mark me, san,” wooyoung whispers, their eyes both shimmering under the sunlight, “please mark me as yours, as i’ve always been.”

san’s mouth goes dry. 

he’d only thought about the moving in and sharing a roof and sleeping in the same bed and every single meal together and spooning and cuddling whenever and kissing all the time part- he didn’t really think much about the officiating part. to him, wooyoung’s as good as a part of him already. his other half. his better half.

“woo, are you sure-” he gulps, very nervous all of a sudden, “it’s irreversible, and if you regret it we need to go to the judicial centre to undo the bond and then file an official report then formally divorce and then-”

“fuck a divorce, i want to marry you, san,” wooyoung rolls his eyes, holding in a laugh as he puts the necklace on, “how are we divorcing if you haven’t even proposed?”

“no i mean the bite-”

“and you’ve been wanting to bite me for how many ruts now?”

“oh. um, maybe six? almost seven?” san shamefully whispers, his turn to hide his face in his hands. but wooyoung pries it open anyway, whispering to him sweet nothings. “you can never run from me, alpha. i’ll hunt you down in every lifetime,” he bares his neck to san, the ultimate sign of trust, “you’d better bite it good. i don’t wanna have multiple ugly marks because you get shy on me and have to redo it,” 

that alone gets a laugh from san, his eyes smiling along.

“omegas first,” san tilts his head, ever the ladies’ man, expression so soft and fond, “because your scent found me first, before i even knew you.”

“jagi…” wooyoung’s eyes are liquid chocolate now. “you really…”

maybe god created men and sent me choi san as an apology.

“you said it yourself. you’d find me in every lifetime, just like you did in this one. come on now, omega. are you keeping your handsome, sexy alpha waiting?”

wooyoung just bats his lashes, tries to take off san’s glasses just in case they interfere when they kiss, but san’s warm hands stop him. “don’t, wanna see you clearly. leave them on.”

that’s all it takes for wooyoung to go in for his jugular, sinking his fangs firmly, with precision and all the preciousness, to deliver a perfect bite onto his alpha’s scent gland. he hums, pleased at how pretty it looks- decisive, swift. marked with sincerity and certainty. 

san feels the heat spike, feels the winds cool the saliva there, and feels a burst of wooyoung’s sweet smell surround him. 

“god. that was… something,” then he beckons wooyoung to come closer, a smug grin on his face as he kisses san on the lips, slow, teasing, but so gentle. his hands always cradle san’s face tenderly, sun making both of them have a halo. san’s beautiful angel. wooyoung’s guardian angel. wooyoung now sits in his lap, eyes bearing a come hither gaze as he wraps his arms around san’s neck.

nobody knows me like you, honey. no one like you.

“come mark your omega, handsome. whaddaya waiting for, san-ah? come here, jagi.”

san makes sure to press the softest kiss against his skin, like a little prayer. tucks the stray strands of his fringe behind his ears, like the antiseptic wipe before a jab. all this tender prep work, before he bares his teeth and carefully bites- he nips and sucks and is goaded, incited to continue, when he quite literally hears wooyoung moan; veiny fingers threaded into his hair, tugging eagerly. with all his little breaths and noises, wooyoung’s made to be loudly ravished, he thinks, as he gently lets his canines pierce into his skin, not so much of hunger, but more of adoration, fancy; wooyoung has always had his heart since the very first day they met. and so he takes his time, making sure to lap at his skin, make sure nothing bleeds, ensure the mark stays permanent nicely. perfectly pretty. marked with conviction and affection.

“oh my goodness,” wooyoung breathes, still feeling san’s arms holding his waist and back firmly, skin burning wherever san his traced and kissed and licked. he feels his pulse gather, throbbing at wherever san has bitten- feels the lingering sensation of san’s lips, his butterfly kisses down the entire column on his neck. feels the heat pool at his clavicle, smells the sharp burst of san’s comforting scent drape around him, like when he first gave him his coat.

“so… mates for life, jagi? fuck a divorce?” san asks, the cheesiest smile on his face, sun illuminating the glow of his rosy cheeks, and wooyoung only smiles back, a fit of giggles as san falls back onto the grass and he follows suit- collapsing onto san, before propping up his palms onto san’s chest to get a better look at his alpha.

wooyoung looks so pretty, the sun making his eyes gleam and glow with mirth as he looks down at san, his house key dangling right atop of his face, like a hypnosis pendulum. 

their house key.

wooyoung’s prettier than all the yellow forsythia flowers in the world, san thinks. his omega’s smiling so hard it infects him instantly, smiling till his cheeks also hurt. wooyoung doesn’t care that san’s warm, gentle gaze is all it takes to make him blush. it smells like sunshine and happiness. 

maybe their golden hour will last forever. for as many parts and segments and lives as possible.

this is all i could ever want, they both think, as one. he makes me so, so happy.

“mates for life, jagiya.”