Chapter Text
you told me I smell great - (alpha looking for omega)
I met you twice in one day. We smiled at each other on the subway, line 6 heading to G.14 station around 3pm, and you told me Read more...
Baekhyun works at December’s Miracle, an indie shop located a twenty minutes subway ride from his house. The part-timer is a student at S. University where he mostly has afternoon classes. Usually his shifts end at 2 PM and he walks a good ten minutes from the shop, then takes the subway for nearly one hour to reach S. University. In Winter, the shop is cozy in spite of the terrible cold wind directly hitting the building it is located in. During Summer, the heat is barely bearable.
Although he is twenty-two, Baekhyun made the choice not to live on campus. Living with his family is cheaper and he knows how small and cramped one feels in a fifteen square meters square sized room. His family has never been well-off but he’s been working odd jobs here and there since he was a teenager, thus he has the luxury of buying himself things from time to time, like one overpriced cup of coffee on special occasions.
Last year, he used to part-time work as a salesman in an Omega cosmetic store, selling creams and serums all day long. If the job made him knowledgeable on skincare and contributed to the glowing and polished face he has, he quit when he found the indie shop he now works in. He’s friends with the owner, Jongdae, whom he likes to call Boss. Being friends with his boss does not give him any special advantage aside from speaking informally to him.
Some may think, for various reasons, that Baekhyun has it easy. But to get where he is now, he sweated blood and tears, he went through times when he was very tired, working late every summer vacation and freezing his ass when he walked home at night in winter. After all, he did not start with easy jobs. He used to work in worse places, but sweating to gain enough money, which he likes to spend on objects and coffee from time to time, but mostly, on books, was worth it.
Baekhyun has experience that most twenty-two years old omegas do not have. Some adult omegas do not work a day in their lives; but Baekhyun isn’t going on this path. The man craves knowledge, experiences, and life. He craves financial freedom most of all.
As a result, he carefully looks after his spendings. Coffee is most of the time replaced by caffeine pills, his much cheaper option. People mistakenly think the reason why the omega was seen working in so many places in Seoul was because he can change jobs as he wants is: he’s still young and he has a pretty privilege. People who don't know him nor his struggles assume. Everyone always assumes things. Baekhyun is used to the judgment, so he does not take it to heart.
On the other side, some of his friends and classmates would define Baekhyun as a sweet, cute, bright and youthful looking omega, doing his best juggling part time job and classes. You’d very seldom see an omega this resourceful. Studying and reading lots of business books because he dreams of living better.
Baekhyun not only spends time reading books, he participates in class and interacts with teachers, asking relevant questions. He’s into self development books, business books, communication strategy books, anything to make him level up in society. Anything to make his life better…
When Baekhyun finishes his shift at the shop, he wastes time buying coffee from a vending machine. After that he notices it’s 2:30 pm and he’s running late for his 3:45 pm class. He gulps down the last of his late lunch, and runs out.
He strives to become better, to be better than what he is now. For that reason, he is the best student of the whole Public Relations section. Baekhyun, though, would laugh if he heard what people said and thought of him, he doesn’t consider himself to be sweet and cute, and if he would admit to be resourceful, it’s because he just wants to survive.
Plus, people judge all the time, whether it’s negative or positive judgment, they have opinions that Baekhyun does not want to hear about. In this world, omegas have to laboriously climb the society ladders, as opportunities are scarce and they’re expected to be invested in family matters instead of family support. Most people on top of the food chain are alphas: the fact that the 100 richest people in the world are all alphas is a given.
“Oof.” The black-haired omega can’t contain a sigh of contentment, he almost missed his train. Maybe he can make it on time. He texts his friends in the group chat to tell them.
The subway is overcrowded today. Baekhyun finds no seat so he stands by the sliding door, his attention still on his phone. He’s still wearing his work ‘uniform’, a simple t-shirt with a rock band on it over his otherwise white outfit that shows glimpses of his trim, slim body. He wastes some seconds untangling his earphones with the aim to listen to music on his old iPod nano when suddenly, something weird happens.
Out of the blue, he hears his pounding heartbeats loud in his ears.
The blazing heat of the subway makes him feel dizzy, yet in his confused thoughts he perceives someone.
Everything seems to happen in slow motion. A male alpha. His pupils shrink when he notices him. The stranger is wearing this black monochrome look, contrasting with beautiful dyed blond hair.
That alpha is wearing this long black oversized polo and black pants. Baekhyun is instantly taken with his height, he’s tall, and he looks very polished and good-looking.
Then the student’s eyes stop on his face and he gets a shock.
His moon-eyes are almond shaped and look adorable. His nose is so cute and straight, and in his admiration, Baekhyun notices a mole decorating it. The alpha’s face is also nearly perfect, save for a few blemishes; it glows and has this shiny tone, a sign of good health. Baekhyun’s eyes drift lower onto a set of plump looking lips of a pale pink color… He looks up to appreciate the stranger’s pretty eyes again, when—
Their eyes meet.
Baekhyun looks away at the speed of light.
Did he see Baekhyun glancing at him? The omega quickly masks his fluster and wears a poker face, feeling his withering confidence shrinking smaller.
He tries to stop slavering over this drop-dead gorgeous alpha, but in a matter of seconds he finds himself scanning over his silhouette again. Over the details. Tall, blond, large eyes, flawless face and protruding ears.
Baekhyun gulps, his heart rate fastens.
He doesn’t get off before ten stops or so, so he keeps looking at the stranger. The man probably doesn’t notice him looking, is what Baekhyun tries to convince himself of in his head.
It’s not his first time seeing a beautiful person on the subway. In fact, he already saw plenty, in the busy streets of some of Seoul’s trendy areas. However, it’s his first time feeling this euphoric over seeing a beautiful person.
He’s being obvious so he should probably top staring. He definitely should stop. Yet…
At some point, the subway stops and as the doors slide to open and close, a whiff of a lemony odor travels to Baekhyun’s nose. At first, it is ambrosial, sweet and pleasant. But then it merges into a delicious mix of sweet, savory and leathery….it smells like abundance.
Baekhyun’s too hot to take off his eyes from him. He thinks of taking a picture so he can save this moment and look at the man again, but as the train empties itself just a bit, Baekhyun changes his mind.
They keep meeting eyes. And Baekhyun swears there’s something.
He swears there is this undeniable mutual attraction in between them. There has to be, he can’t be imagining this, can he?
As minutes pass, the subway drives through the stations that drop off the most people, thus the crowd diminishes a little until the group is just smaller. Eyes trail from the beautiful stranger’s face, he notices the almost empty subway. He scans the train, there must be no more than fifteen people here, at max.
Yet Baekhyun sees only the tall alpha, the rest of the people that surround him, a vague blurry background—he can’t even make out their faces.
His hands sweat profusely, his mouth is dry, he keeps wetting his lips. He’s so hot that he could take off his clothes, his work uniform, his white t-shirt, everything. And, what’s that yummy lemony smell? He's sweating so much. He wonders why the alpha smells this good. It’s as if he is under a spell, unable to look away. There is definitely a perfume mixed with what seems to be the alpha’s natural scent.
The robotic voice of the subway announces the next stop that is getting near, and he realizes that the subway station is now at road level. From the windows can be seen the skyline with various buildings. The sky is bright blue and the sun hits the omega in the face.
It is a well-frequented subway station and more people are getting on, entering from the doors located on the opposite side to where Baekhyun’s standing. With the city’s uproar and crowds move, the stranger gets closer to the door, closer to where Baekhyun is. In seconds, he’s standing just. next. to. him.
All of a sudden, although Baekhyun’s heart is probably unable to bear more, the mesmerizing man looks down at him with his large eyes, as if trying to communicate something out. His deep brown eyes look at him; at the shocked deer caught in headlights that Baekhyun is sure he is.
Baekhyun’s too shocked, because now he can make out his smell even better and goodness, that man smells so good. He smells like some divine high end perfume, like summer and like a forest. Baekhyun can’t help but take a sniff, his mouth slobbering a little from how powerful the alpha’s scent is.
Suddenly, a sound brings Baekhyun out of his thoughts.
The next stop is here, and the stranger looks outside and shifts on his feet like he is about to leave the train.
In Baekhyun’s wildest dreams, he’d be more daring, more fierce, and he would have totally asked for this guy’s number. He’d have come up to him some minutes ago, and he would have slid up a compliment or two, before seductively looking up at him with hooded eyes. . .or something.
Unfortunately, Baekhyun is none of these things and he has too much shame, which he believes to be the same as a sense of dignity, to ever try something like this for real.
“...smell great,” Baekhyun mutters to himself.
Wait, what?
Oh.
Did he just say that aloud?
Baekhyun keeps himself from squeaking anything more embarrassing and looks down. Some kind of feverishness takes over his body and he is sure he must look beet-red as he wallows in the worst, most sheepish shame.
Curiosity kills him so he looks back at the alpha. If anything, the tall stranger looks flattered, as if he’s about to say something. The red hue decorating the man’s cheeks is so surprising that Baekhyun does not notice the train already stopped. The door beeps cloudy, a robotic voice is telling the name of the station harshly pulling him from his thoughts.
The stranger's eyes leave Baekhyun and in a matter of seconds, he disappears amongst a hoard of passengers. The door is closing.
Baekhyun’s shocked. It immediately hurts. The small crowd that walked out disperses and he sees him again.
The man is still standing outside the subway train as the doors finally close, and both men stare at each other.
The train’s about to leave, the robot's voice announcing departure. Baekhyun is gaping and the alpha’s eyes are so big and round it looks like they will fall out of their sockets. In the background he hears the sound of the locking doors and takes a last look in through the window. Instantly, the train is moving again and Baekhyun sees the alpha’s shocked face, his blond hair windswept by the air of the subway station, eyes so big and wide, as if he cant believe what he did, that he got off the train, or maybe that a weirdo stranger told him a compliment so bold.
I was so embarrassing, he thinks. He turns around to hide his shocked face.
Out of the blue, over the sound of the subway, Baekhyun hears a deep voice that makes the hairs on his neck stand.
“I like your tattoo” the voice blurts as the train leaves.
Baekhyun closes his mouth and the train goes faster, cutting the weird encounter short. He feels a pinch of sadness and longing. What a beautiful alpha.
His hand goes to the side of his neck, where his tattoo is, a beautiful and unique-looking ginseng bonsai tree. To realize that he was just complimented by this gorgeous stranger has him feel overwhelmed by a whooshing pulse, the pulsatile tinnitus ringing in his ears and his veins at the rhythm of his heart thumping.
He tries to push the memory of the alpha to the back of his mind, but to no avail. He heads to class with the memory of the mind’s scent and appearance in mind.
Later that day, he thinks that was a lucky day, he feels embarrassed yet euphoric. When he gets down in the elevator of the university after his class, he feels this same feeling of euphoria again, without really knowing why.
But just thinking of the alpha he saw earlier today is enough to bring a grin on Baekhyun’s face and overcome his senses with gooey, toe-curling thoughts.
“God, I’m so corny,” he moans out loud.
• • •
Chanyeol sincerely believes it must be fate. He owns two cars, and he isn’t one to take the subway, ever.
He just can’t take crowds, with the overwhelming smells of people.
Chanyeol is an alpha, working as an intern in a shipping company. He is not too serious about his job since he knows he’s not going to continue working here. He’s bound to take over the family business just like his father did before, and frankly, he is not sure he wants to.
His elder sister is much more involved in the company and more fitted. Yoora has been working along with their father for years and she is an alpha so she should be the next in line, but the family still has the tradition of having the sons take over. Moreover, Chanyeol’s childhood dream was to live a peaceful life in the countryside, whatever that means.
Life has taught Chanyeol to give up on his dreams though.
Unlike most alphas, Chanyeol never takes scent suppressants. It’s just that he prefers not to mask his odor or wear things that lessen the smell of his pheromones. He does wear perfume which enhances his natural smell instead of masking it, however he knows how dangerous inhibiting hormones can be for health on the long term.
On top of his skepticism for the drugs, Chanyeol is a firm believer in, if people can’t bear my natural odor, I better not inconvenience them with my natural scent, then, and he avoids places that require scent suppressants.
Of course, Chanyeol has proper hygiene and showers morning and night, wears deodorant and perfume—but being a ‘dominant’ alpha, his pheromones almost always impact people, whether he wants it or not. It’s natural and he has very little control over it, even if he can purposely spread more pheromones to intimidate rivals.
If he used scent suppressors when he was still in school, he’s done masking his scent.
Plus the probability of him finding his mate when not using any suppressor is bigger, he thinks with a shrug.
Reclaiming one’s natural side is in. Wanting to connect to one’s wild parts that were in common with wolves is something most people seek throughout their lives. People aren’t werewolves (though it is a myth) and they do not shift but they have many attributes of the animals, their genes are deep-rooted in the two species. That's another reason why Chanyeol avoids public transportation at all costs.
That day though, the road traffic is way too heavy to consider taking his beloved Nissan and his Mercedes to go to a work meeting. He heads to the G. neighborhood that day for the important event and he plans on delivering important internship papers to someone from the university. Given the traffic he figures that 15 minutes of subway ought to be quick enough to reach his destination.
Chanyeol’s day following the outstanding encounter in the subway passes by like a strange dream. He grunts in longing, already obsessing over the man who made breathing normally difficult, his sugary scent rendering Chanyeol’s insides mushy with attraction and pining.
Chanyeol sees the gorgeous omega a second time in the university, but the latter does not seem to notice him this time. The two young men enter the same elevator, which is too crowded for Chanyeol to try to talk to him.
He once again looks at the neck tattoo peeking out from the omega’s shirt.
It is some kind of tree, and Chanyeol’s in awe.
The following evening, Chanyeol still can't forget about the gorgeous omega who wore the pink blush on his cheekbones, with the melodic voice and bright eyes. He can’t forget how he sounded when he complimented him. He feels his heart throbbing in his chest, the palpitations caused by this pulsing infatuation nearly worrying.
From then on, he thinks of that man, non-stop.
What if they’re fated mates…?
Chanyeol tries to stay logical. How can he see him again? He saw him at the university, chances are they frequent the same university. Chanyeol thinks of looking for the omega there, but their campus is huge, so wouldn't searching for him there be a little bit time-consuming and seem stalker-ish? And in between his internship and his trainings, Chanyeol does not have the time to go to S.University very often, as he only comes by to deliver his internship reports once a month.
Chanyeol knows a few things for facts. First, is that the man was embarrassed, that the “you smell great” was certainly a slip he probably did not mean to say aloud. Second, that he was the most beautiful and attractive omega he has ever seen, and seeing him twice in one day must be fate. Third, that the man thought he smells great and that Chanyeol himself loved his smell very very much, although it was a fainter scent, it was addicting. He guesses the omega probably uses scent suppressors.
So it does not change a thing: he is enamored, he fell for the beautiful stranger on the subway train at first sight, and nothing could change that. Especially not the fact that this might be reciprocated.
Taken by the thought that these two brief encounters might bloom into something more, he spends hours searching for him online, looking for anything and everything and getting nowhere. He looks up keywords that might help him find the man thanks to his tattoo.
At last, it’s midnight when he caves and finally posts something on wolflist.
• • •
When Baekhyun sees the ad, he blinks in front of his computer for a few seconds, his eyes wide in shock.
◊◊◊ South Korea - S. - community - missed connections ◊◊◊
you told me I smell great - (alpha looking for omega)
I met you twice in one day. We smiled at each other on the subway, line 6 heading to G.14 station around 3pm, and you told me I smell great. Then I saw you again that same day, at around 6:30pm when we rode in the elevator of SM Uni building 4.. I dont think you noticed me. I was about to talk to you but I missed the timing as you reached your floor. All I could get out was that I liked your tattoo and I swear I don't always look so tired and color-less in the face. You were a very cute omega, and I just wanted to say thank you......and youre kinda my type :)
His heart is hammering in his chest when, after looking online, he easily finds a post that can only be from him. The boldness of that alpha, to post this on wolflist! And Baekhyun is so glad he did it. He’s unable to sit still, his thighs shaking in excitement and joy. His palms, clammy.
Baekhyun thinks of posting a reply but after ten seconds, he chickens out. What could he possibly do? Post something back? Contact him?
He won’t let the opportunity go. He rubs his hands together, well-determined to do something about it.
Days pass, and Baekhyun is once again staring at the computer screen. He folds his hands in his lap and as he recalls the profound experience, he feels too overwhelmed. The fire burning in his guts and heart is so extreme, so vivid, that he is unable to reply to the alpha. He is too embarrassed, his cheeks are already too red.
How should he do this, should he tell his friends?
The following week, he tells his friend Seolmi about the encounters with the alpha he saw before.
She is very thrilled and with a strong slap on the back, she excitedly encourages him to do something about this stranger who might be his fated mate.
• • •
Around age fifteen, Chanyeol sprouts taller than the rest of his grade. He is a popular kid and consequently, he’s self aware and starts to work out early. He lifts weights in his room a few times a week and he starts showing off, trying to catch the attention of the prettiest girls and boys in his grade, charming most of them.
Like any alpha person growing up does, his dominance traits seize his instincts and he witnesses the changes within himself. His character becomes more assertive and assured just as his voice deepens. Just like that, Chanyeol notices people of different genders more and grows.
At eighteen, Baekhyun has finally reached adulthood and is eager to be independent and live by himself, he awaits the day he will live independently.
At eighteen, Chanyeol becomes an adult; he celebrates his birthday surrounded by the people he loves, his friends and his family. He awaits what is ahead of him and he can’t wait to meet his soulmate.
In high school, the alpha takes part in the gardening club. His newfound passion in growing plants and various vegetables helps him keep the club’s existence in spite of it being composed of only his friend and himself.
Under the supervision of their science teacher, they make many nice memories and grow lots of plants. At that time the alpha realizes deep down that he wishes to live in the countryside, in a peaceful place.
He frequently unwinds by gardening like this and continues this hobby, until comes the time to leave for university. Having really enjoyed the pastoral activity, he confirms to himself that his dream is to live with a family in the countryside. Aside from his high school stay when he lived with his grandparents for one year the alpha wasn't raised in nature though but perhaps this lack of contact to nature was specifically what made him dream of this.
He is not the typical Seoulite people imagine him to be.
When he was just a child, Baekhyun’s dream on the other hand, was to become a writer. His dream hasn’t changed, but he does not use his free time to write, instead, he reads an enormous amount. As much as he is an avid academic book reader, he’s more into fiction. He is known to cry from time to time when reading a book, or he smiles or laughs out loud as he turns the pages.
He disregards proper omega etiquette when he reads books in public and cries, laughs, makes face…Baekhyun truly doesn't care about people’s reactions. What they think of him is their business.
He reads anywhere. On the train, on a bench, in a cafe, or at the university. Anywhere he goes he takes a book with him. It allows him to bring some dreams of romance and fantasy into his daily, less-exciting life.
He still lives with his parents and younger siblings and his family is not part of any packs, hence they aren't that traditional, their life is not punctuated by rituals, unlike people who live in packs etc. However, on certain aspects they still are old school and abide by the beliefs that society instructs. They do what they’re told, and rarely question it.
An omega shouldn't live alone, much less a young omega like Baekhyun. Once mated, Baekhyun will be authorized to move out. He never really questioned this rule, and he’s fine with living with his family so it does not make him angry the slightest. Instead, Baekhyun enjoys his life. He is interested in dating, but he believes in not forcing things. When he’ll meet the one, he will know.
• • •
When he comes home one day, Baekhyun finds his close friend laying down on the living room sofa. She’s watching some TV show, snacking on what looks like something he bought just the day before, making herself at home.
“Nice of you to visit.”
She sits up to make some room for him. Her face is clouded with solemnity. Or is it concern?
“What. You look constipated. What's up?”
“Your love life worries me. I’m losing sleep over it.”
“Seol…”
Baekhyun’s friend insists. “You can’t do anything with your life if you’re hesitating all of the time.” She sings.
“Says you, for whom it takes ages to choose an outfit because you never know what to decide?”
“No throwback. You’re probably one of those people who’ll end up single all your life” she keens teasingly.
Baekhyun whines. “You’re wrong. I’m waiting for my true mate.”
Seolmi’s face is blank. “You’re waiting, when could you be doing?”
Ever since he told her, Seolmi has been desperately trying to convince him to give love a chance.
“Baekhyun, are you happy right now?
He stands up and goes to the fridge to fetch himself a juice.
“Of course I am. Why are you asking?”
When she turns to him, the blanket that’s draped around her thin frame slips off her shoulders and a clear mark that means she has a significant other, shows. She’s mated so she thinks she can advocate for Baekhyun and pressure him. “Are you sure you're not making a big mistake?”
Baekhyun's eyes leave the claiming mark to meet her own grey eyes.
“What?” What nonsense is she sprouting saying again…
She doesn't answer, and when he joins her on the sofa again, she’s sitting upright. “That alpha you saw the other day. Your nice-smelling crush.”
“You mean contact the guy from the subway? Ugh, I told you I don’t have the time for this.” Baekhyun snivels.
“Why not contact him?” Seolmi pouts. “Since he tried to find you.”
But Baekhyun’s ‘no’ is resolute. He won't bulge. Why would he, when the fear of fucking up is paralyzing him?
“What are you trying to say, Seolmi? What do you suggest I do? I don’t feel it.”
“Just…give it a chance?”
“I don’t want to be disappointed…” Baekhyun utters at last, defeat clear in his voice.
“It’s about your perfectionism isn’t it?”. She continues, “You know, you're not alone, I’m here with you, for you, and I get why you feel this way, but surely this person is serious about this and he sounds like he’s a good g—”
“It’s not that.” He says, “It’s not about that. I just can't focus on this right now.” She pouts, nods, and seems to resign herself.
And it’s true. In between his part-time job at December's Miracle and his studies, Baekhyun does not think he has the time for a relationship. He ignores the small voice in his head that tells him to slow down.
“I’ve seen what you went through these past few weeks, Baekhyun-ah. I was concerned and I still feel sorry. Out of all the people I have seen you crush on, I reckon there has never been anyone like this. You seem so lovey-dovey lately, you daydream a lot. And when you told me about that guy you had the cheesiest look on your face. I just hope you will give it a chance before it’s too late.” She says.
Baekhyun dreads, he’d hate for anything to happen. He’d hate to be too late.
Baekhyun never gives it a chance.
• • •
Baekhyun takes a sharp intake of breath.
The wolflist post is not here anymore.
Is he too late? This is it?!
This man on wolflist… Truth is, Baekhyun has already thought of how to respond to him. He was not ready, for some reason, but he wanted to see him again. His heart breaks a little at the thought of this missed opportunity.
He thinks back to that fateful day, how likely is it that, in that particular situation, the fated pair sees each other?
Baekhyun looks for him—sort of. He takes the subway again. He looks for the alpha, tries to take the train at the same time as the day he saw him to see if he can see him again. He also looks for his scent, he looks for the perfume he wore.
Baekhyun makes many trips to shops to look for the fragrance.
This is close. He has been sniffling for a few minutes. He’s been visiting numerous perfume and cosmetic stores today to look for a special scent. And since he used to work in one, he’s still friends with one of the regular saleswomen, who upon Baekhyun’s request, happily brings dozens of perfume testers to his nose, based on how he described the smell from memory.
He chickened out and never contacted the man of his dream—his possible mate!— and here he is, trying to find this special scent he so recalls.
He blushes profusely as his ex-colleague teases him because he has a crush on a stranger.
“Will you stop teasing me?” He whimpers in embarrassment.
His colleague snorts, “Not a chance. You’re in love and it’s my first time seeing you this flustered!”
When he finally finds the perfumes, finding out it was a mix of two different fragrances. He immediately purchases two 130 ml bottle, in spite of his carefully controlled spendings. He knows his low budget doesn’t really allow it, but he buys them anyway. He normally shouldn't make crazy spendings but the urge to buy the perfume was stronger than himself, stronger than the remnants of his reason.
It sure is an atypical fragrance for alphas as it’s not something too overwhelming but something every gender would wear.
In the end, he doesn't dare even unpacking the plastic wrapper around the box of the perfume. Camellia and blush suede by JL and L’ombre dans le lac by D. I took him time to find the two fragrances he had smelled on that alpha.
The perfume boxes have remained sealed, although a faint odor could still be perceived with his developed sense of smell. When his heat arrives the following days, he resolves himself to open it and he uses the perfume well enough.
At night, he satisfies himself with the perfume and uses it for nesting when he feels his heat coming. But still there’s something missing and so Baekhyun feels frustrated.
He misses this person he does not know.
Until they meet again.