Chapter Text
The omega’s lying between their bodies, his chest rising and falling softly. Tired by the earlier events, he’s sleeping soundly and doesn’t stir at all when they caress his soft cheeks and fluffy hair. They can embrace him and squeeze him and he’ll only softly hum and cuddle closer. Even though he’s asleep, they can’t stop their lips from leaving light, tender kisses over his face, his bare shoulder, anywhere they can reach. Their precious omega.
The alphas can’t help but reminisce. Nostalgia wraps around them as sweetly as the strawberry scent of their omega.
They think of the beginning of their love story. The day their precious omega fell into their palms like a petal of a rare flower.
It’s not easy for omegas to approach alphas, naturally. It’s a war of instinct - to be cautious of them and to crave their attention. Some, of course, are bolder. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the kind of omegas that are bold enough to approach two alphas standing side by side, a mated couple too, usually weren’t what Jeonghan and Seungcheol were looking for.
They were very well aware that finding an omega compatible, and above all comfortable, with their lifestyle would be hard. That it might very well end up being a feat they won’t achieve. Which would be just as fine, they had each other, after all. They just craved someone they could both dote on and spoil.
And, fortunately, fate was kind to them.
Joshua was curious. Nothing more, nothing less, intrigued by the unusual sight of mated alphas. He was perfect. Since that very first moment, he was perfect for them. He blushed when Jeonghan teased him about certain topics he might be interested in, but didn’t let himself get flustered and he didn’t deny the alpha’s claim either. Seungcheol might’ve flared his scent a little too aggressively when another alpha wanted to steal Joshua’s attention away from them, yet Joshua only chuckled. Flattered. Like he wasn’t aware that in the opinion of both Seungcheol and Jeonghan, he should’ve been fawned over by every alpha and beta in the vicinity.
They quickly grew fond of the omega. There were instances previously where an omega would only bond with one of them, but that was never the case with Joshua. They always got the feeling he simply wanted to love and be loved in turn. Undeterred by the alpha’s competitiveness when it came to his attention and smiles, he gave them both his all. It’s never been anything but the three of them with Joshua. Exactly what they were looking for.
“He’s sleeping so soundly,” Jeonghan chuckles, leaving another kiss light as a breath on the omega’s temple, “We must’ve exhausted him.”
“He begged for it,” Seungcheol purrs quietly, his lips settling on Joshua’s shoulder, “You know he has a hard time sleeping lately.”
Jeonghan hums, pulling away enough to admire the omega’s sleeping face. There are some dark circles under his eyes and it’s obvious he’s not as energetic during the day as he usually is. But there’s nothing much they can do - Joshua sleeps worse around the full moon, their poor darling.
“Remember when he asked to sleep with us the first time?” Seungcheol smiles, his dimples showing so prominently Jeonghan pokes on. He can tell he’s wearing a matching grin, however.
It wasn’t dramatic, no thunderstorm that would scare the omega, no nightmare, no sudden call in the middle of the night because he’d thought he heard something strange in his apartment and got scared.
He was simply staying over because they lost the track of time, the date too nice to say goodbye. Joshua looked radiant, and after the second time of him looking for an excuse to stay longer, they took the hint. None of them expected it’d happen and they’d stay out for so long or end up near Jeonghan and Seungcheol’s place. The omega in particular looked very apologetic about it. Like he thought he was bothering them. Like he didn’t make their days brighter with a simple text, let alone a date.
They took him home, the spare bedroom ready to greet a guest if only someone put new sheets on the bed. Nobody got around to it, though. They fell into easy conversation again, smoothly. It felt natural to have Joshua around, like he already belonged there.
Nobody had to say anything when they all agreed that it’s time for bed and Joshua joined them without ever looking back at the guest bedroom. He looked curious, a little mischievous, when he met their eyes. His expression only faltered when the bedroom door closed and Seungcheol left for the adjacent bathroom.
But nobody forced him to shower with the alpha. They gave him a fresh towel and comfortable, long, pajamas to sleep in and encouraged him to take as much time as he needed when it was his time to shower. He trusted them, of course, or he wouldn’t be so bold. Even so, it was nice to see he hadn't made a mistake.
Only when he got into the bed, making himself comfortable between them, did they ask him if he’s sure about this. His eyes sparkled back then as they always do now. That typical omega’s softness, that bashfulness, when he nodded his head, pulling the blanket all the way to his chin.
It felt right for him to be there. Like there’s always been an empty spot that only now got filled. It felt like their home grew warmer. The omega was clearly nervous, as much as he kept eyeing them.
They chuckled, giving the omega space, even though he got restless soon enough. He didn’t want the space - but he didn’t want to be clingy either. He also didn’t want to start overthinking and make himself sad, and so he reached for the fabric of Seungcheol’s shirt. The alpha looked at him then at the other alpha, and soon enough he was embraced from both sides. Snugly pressed between their bodies, he got the best sleep of his life. And holding their omega, as well as each other, the same was true for the alphas.
He never slept anywhere but their bed since then. Not when he was only staying over occasionally, not now that they’ve finally moved in together. Although sometimes he grows self-conscious and cautiously asks them if it truly is alright for him to sleep with them. As if they could sleep without being able to simply reach out with their hand and make sure their omega is safely beside them.
“How did we get so lucky?” Jeonghan sighs, tucking a piece of hair behind Joshua’s ear.
The omega looks so beautiful, so peaceful. But even so looking at his face, all Jeonghan sees is the smile that greets him every morning and every time he returns from work. He sees the spark of mischief dancing in the omega’s eyes when he’s scheming some new harmless trick. His love is so intense it makes his heart hurt.
“Right?” Seungcheol smiles wistfully, “He’s perfect.”
He nuzzles against the back of the omega’s neck, slowly kissing a path up to his shoulder and back. He brushes the mating mark, his mark, and Joshua, even in his sleep, purrs softly and moves just a bit to expose more of the sensitive area to his alpha. Seungcheol is just about to jump out of his skin.
“Can you believe he thought he wouldn’t be enough for us?” Jeonghan shakes his head while he presses closer to the sleeping man.
“While playing with his sweater paws?” Seungcheol bites his lip, also settling down on his side of the omega, “I thought he was just teasing at first.”
“Mhmm,” Jeonghan hums, exhaustion finally catching up to him as well, “I hope he knows better now.”
“Do I need to remind you how many times he told us just this week that we’re whipped for him?” Seungcheol scoffs quietly.
Jeonghan laughs, kissing Joshua’s forehead.
“So what, he’s right,” he’s smiling, falling asleep without his lips losing that curve, “It’s better if he knows.”
Seungcheol nods in response. His nose is buried into the omega’s neck, slowly breathing in his sweet scent.
They both wish to stay awake longer, to marvel at the treasure sleeping between them without getting caught. At the same time, the sooner they sleep, the sooner they awake to kiss him good morning. And that’s equally as good.