Chapter Text
“Do I really have to do this?” Jeno asks as soon as Taeyong answers his call.
Taeyong lets out a long-suffering sigh. “Yes,” he says exasperatedly. “You already know the pack elders aren’t going to change their minds, so just try to make the best of it. I’m sure he can’t be that bad.”
“Yeah, well, I wish I could be that confident too,” Jeno says, more than a little petulantly. “Sadly, it’s impossible to say, since I’ve been here for over an hour and he hasn’t bothered to show up yet.”
“Okay, well,” Taeyong says, and Jeno can practically hear him trying to summon all the forced positivity he can. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, he still sounds pretty half-hearted when he offers, “Maybe he’s just a brat.”
Jeno scoffs quietly. “Did you even consider making Johnny-hyung wait an hour for your first dinner together?” Taeyong had also been opposed to his arranged match initially, and he can be something of a menace himself, so the comparison is apt. Still, Jeno is reasonably certain he would never take it quite this far – though, to be fair, Johnny might actually be into it, given how smitten he’s been since the day they met.
“That’s not the point,” Taeyong says, which is already an answer in itself.
“Hyung,” Jeno starts to say, more urgently now, but before he can continue, the most beautiful person he’s ever seen appears out of the blue and settles into the booth across from him. “Um,” he says instead. “Never mind. I’ll call you later.”
“Jeno-yah –” Taeyong says, but Jeno hangs up before he can finish asking what’s going on.
“Um,” Jeno repeats, speaking to the new arrival now. “Hello. Can I help you?”
He uses the time it takes for the stranger to reply to examine his appearance more closely. The person is clearly an omega – his scent is sweet and alluring, his sparkly doe eyes are framed by long eyelashes, his skin is flawless, his lips are glossy and plump, and he’s wearing a pastel pink sweater over a loose white tank top that teases a glimpse of a well-defined chest. Jeno finds that his mouth is suddenly very dry – he gulps down a few large sips of water to give himself something to do.
As he’s placing his glass back down, the omega finally parts those perfect pink lips and speaks. “I need you to pretend to be my alpha.”
Jeno blinks at him, stunned speechless for a few moments. “Why?” he asks once he’s recovered. Clearing his throat, he elaborates, “I mean, surely an omega like you doesn’t need a pretend partner.”
The omega searches his face calculatingly. “An omega like me, hm? What makes you say that?”
“You’re ridiculously pretty,” Jeno says, because it’s an objective truth. “I’m sure you’re aware of that. You must have people falling over themselves for a chance to be with you, so...you could have your pick of anyone, couldn’t you?”
“Aw,” the omega says, and his amused smile somehow makes him even more attractive. “That’s sweet.” His expression shifts then, a challenge in his eyes. “I just picked you, though. And I haven’t seen you falling over yourself. I haven’t even heard you say yes.”
“Yes,” Jeno says automatically. He isn’t stupid – if this gorgeous omega wants him, even as a fake boyfriend, he’s not going to refuse, his arranged mate be damned.
The omega’s smile widens triumphantly. “Perfect. You can call me Nana.” He cocks his head at Jeno. “And what do I call my handsome alpha?”
Jeno figures “Nana” probably isn’t the omega’s real name, so he gives a nickname too. “Nono,” he says, before he registers the rest of Nana’s words. “You think I’m handsome?”
“Not just handsome,” Nana says, brazenly eyeing Jeno up and down. “You’re sexy. Makes me wonder why you’ve been sitting here all alone. Shouldn’t you have a hot date or something?”
“Well, even if I didn’t before, it seems like I do now,” Jeno says without thinking about it.
The corners of Nana’s mouth curl upwards. “You sure you’re single? You’re quite the smooth talker.”
“I was waiting for someone before,” Jeno admits. “But it’s pretty obvious that he isn’t going to show up, so I think calling myself single is fair.”
“I see,” Nana says, his eyes drifting to Jeno’s lips for a moment before snapping back up again. “His loss, I guess.”
“Or my gain,” Jeno says, suddenly feeling uncharacteristically bold – he’s never been so drawn to someone before, especially a complete stranger. He straightens out his shoulders and leans forward slightly. “I’m curious, how did I end up lucky enough to have you approach me?”
Nana’s eyes glitter mischievously. “You looked like you could use some company. It seemed like a shame for someone so hot to be so pathetic and lonely.”
“You’re saying you chose to talk to me purely out of the goodness of your heart?” Jeno asks, and his skepticism is exaggerated, but not entirely insincere.
“I wouldn’t say there was anything pure about it,” Nana says shamelessly. “I already told you that you’re, like, stupidly sexy. I figured if I’m choosing a fake alpha for myself, he might as well be someone whose knot I’d love to sit on.”
Jeno certainly wouldn’t be averse to that – he can only imagine how stunning Nana would look while riding him, rolling his hips and bouncing on Jeno’s lap. “Why settle for keeping things fake, then?” he asks. “You don’t seem like the type to shy away from getting exactly what you want.”
“Well, I didn’t know if you’d be willing to give it to me, did I?” Nana counters, resting his cheek on his hand as he smiles coyly at Jeno. “Seeing as you’ve been sitting here for who knows how long, waiting for a date who stood you up. For all I know, you could be hiding how deeply heartbroken you are right now.”
“I’m not,” Jeno says, amused by the very notion. “I was supposed to be meeting my arranged mate. I didn’t exactly have a choice in the match, and I’m guessing he didn’t either, but as my brother loves to keep reminding me, our pack elders are set on it. Pack politics stuff, you know.”
Nana raises an eyebrow. “You do everything your pack elders tell you to?”
“I’m not really in a position not to,” Jeno says, and his tone is matter-of-fact as much as it is resigned. “Considering the role my family occupies in pack leadership.” He isn’t sure why he doesn’t outright tell Nana that he’s the future Lee head omega’s brother – there’s just something about their mutual anonymity that makes their back and forth extra compelling.
“And yet you’re the one who brought up not keeping things fake,” Nana says. “Am I really so attractive that you’d defy your pack elders all of a sudden?”
He really is, but Jeno doesn’t tell him that since he probably already knows – he’s clearly not lacking in confidence. “I don’t see how they’d find out about me hooking up with a pretty omega for a night,” Jeno says instead, unbothered. “Unless you decided to tell them.”
Nana narrows his eyes. “So you’re wary about playing mates because of your arranged marriage, but you’re fine with a one-night stand?” He cocks his head consideringly. “Maybe I misjudged when I thought you wouldn’t be just another sleazy alpha.”
“Well, hang on, I never said I didn’t want to be your fake alpha. I’m pretty sure I already said yes to that ages ago,” Jeno reminds him. Pointedly, he adds, “Even without you giving me an explanation for why you need one, mind you.”
“Fair enough,” Nana says, his demeanor reverting back to a more relaxed one. “To be honest, I’m in a similar boat to you, being forced into a stupid political arrangement. But I told my brother that I already have an alpha, and he promised he would talk to our pack elders if he approves of the person I bring home.” He shakes his head regretfully, though the twinkle in his eyes ruins the effect somewhat. “But I’m not sure that he will now.”
“You think he won’t like that your alpha is physically attracted to you?” Jeno asks mildly. “I feel like that’s a given, when you look like that.” He gives Nana a suggestive once-over to emphasize his point.
“I certainly hope that wouldn’t come as a surprise to him,” Nana says, and his scent gives away how pleased he is by the compliment. “But trying to get into my pants on the first date probably isn’t going to do you any favors.”
“What do you mean, sweetheart?” Jeno says, really enjoying himself now. “I’ve taken my beautiful omega out on plenty of dates before.”
Nana’s scent flares, his gaze dark with desire. “Well, honey, I’m just wondering why my handsome alpha took me out for a dinner date tonight if he wanted to skip straight to dessert.”
This is exactly the kind of brattiness Jeno has always thought he would like dealing with – now that he’s faced with it, he’s glad to know he was right. “What, a guy can’t treat his future mate to a nice meal to get him in the mood?” he asks, smiling innocently.
The scent of Nana’s arousal is so intense now that Jeno is sure everyone within ten meters of them can smell it too. “Were you hoping to see me get wet in public, alpha?” Nana asks, his voice almost a purr.
Jeno exhales slowly, holding Nana’s gaze steadily. He doesn’t know Nana, not really, but just from this conversation, he’s fairly confident that they’re on the same page about most things – so he takes a chance. “Only because I knew my naughty little omega would love it if I took him right here on this table, in front of everyone.”
Nana doesn’t react for long enough that Jeno starts to think he might have gone too far. But then, abruptly, Nana gets up and slides into the booth next to Jeno so he’s practically in Jeno’s lap instead of across from him. “Nono,” he says sweetly, leaning in so their faces are only centimeters apart. “You’re going to order that nice meal you promised me now.”
“Okay...” Jeno says, hardly daring to breathe with Nana so close. His heart is pounding so hard that he can hear it – he wonders if Nana can, too.
“We’re going to make out while we wait for our food,” Nana continues, nudging Jeno’s nose with his own lightly.
“Okay,” Jeno says, with more enthusiasm this time.
“And I’m going to ride your fingers right here in this booth,” Nana finishes. “If you’re a good boy and manage to make me come before the food gets here, I’ll let you eat me out and knot me after we’re done with dinner.”
Jeno’s head spins, arousal pooling in his gut – and between his legs. He’s never been so turned on in his life. “Am I eating you out and knotting you right here in this booth, too, princess?”
Nana glances down at Jeno’s crotch, like he knows Jeno is already half-hard in his jeans, and smirks. “Hm, you’d like that, wouldn’t you, darling?”
“Well, I wouldn’t hate it,” Jeno says, honest and unabashed now that he’s sure Nana’s kinks overlap perfectly with his own. He lowers his voice to a suggestive whisper. “But I have to admit I like the idea of taking you home so no one else can see you even more.”
Nana bats his eyelashes, his lips ghosting against Jeno’s. “You want me all to yourself, alpha?”
Jeno finally gives in, sealing his mouth over Nana’s in a feverish kiss. When he draws away, he’s pleased to see that Nana’s cheeks are flushed and his eyes are glazed over with lust. “I really do, pretty omega,” he murmurs, leaning in again. “For as long as I can have you.”