Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Jihun wasn’t excited for another whole year of school. He felt he had better things to do than to go to highschool and learn about his reproductive system, something he could have easily learnt at home from his parents. He much prefered the presence of his family than that of his peers.

The young Omega knew he wouldn’t have one of the fancy rooms on the top two floors. He knew he’d be on one of the lower levels. Neither of his fathers had enough money to spare, most of it being wasted on his and his older brothers’ education.

Jihun hated this so much. He just wanted to get to his room, drop his stuff off and then take a nice long walk in the woods surrounding the large property of the boarding school he seemed to come back to year in and year out. Every single time he came back it seemed to torture him more.

He knew what classes he was missing to graduate, knew what he had to do to get out of here, but it all just seemed way too hard for him. It seemed so far away and like it would take too long until he could finally leave and help support his family in some way by getting a job.

That was all Jihun wanted. He just wanted to work, wanted to do anything else but be at this rich, large school where no one even knew who the abnormally tall and lanky Omega was. Even though Jihun stood at a meter and eighty five centimeters, he still wasn’t ever noticed by anyone.

Jihun didn’t know what to make of it. Some days he loved the anonymity, other times he just wished someone would talk to him, would befriend him so he could tell them of his worries and his dreams. Those dreams he knew he would never have a chance to compete, but that was why he called them dreams, because at night they were a reality.

Jihun hadn’t realized that while he’d been glaring at the building, others had walked passed him inside to find their assigned rooms. There were some people who requested their roommates, many students having made friends over the years, while most first years or transfer students didn’t get a choice in who they had to share a room with.

Jihun, though he’d gone to the school since middle school, had never chosen his own roommate. Nobody had ever stuck. Jihun didn’t know why. Had it been his scent? He guessed it probably was his scent, maybe his attitude and his awkward outbursts of energy, while being laid back most of the time.

Jihun really didn’t know what about himself it was that seemed to turn most people off. He had tried, desperately, the first few years to begin with. He’d wanted friends so badly, but his older brother had gotten in the way of that and he was probably partially to blame for the awkward anti social behaviour of Jihun.

The lanky Omega shifted the heavy bag on his back and gripped the handle of his suitcase tightly before taking a deep breath and entering the dorm building. His right hand went into his back pocket grabbing a small piece of paper with his room number on it. He hadn’t bothered to inspect it yet and wasn’t sure which floor he’d be condemned to this time around. He was just hoping that whoever lived over him wouldn’t be too loud and he could get a good night’s rest.

Jihun looked at the numbers and sighed, realizing he was on the first level. The first level of the dorms were the least luxurious rooms. The beds were older and often creaked, the mattresses were lumpy and used. Overall it was the worst floor to be on. The only positive being that one didn’t need to use the stairs or the elevator to get to their rooms.

“Room 103… 103... “ Jihun looked around, knowing the room had to be on the right side of the building, since the right hallways always had the uneven numbers, while the left had the even. It didn’t make sense to the young boy, he’d always felt it would have made more sense just to count down the rooms, but he had never bothered to ask why the room numbers were assigned this way. He finally got to the room and groaned, realizing room 103 was right next to the communal showers.

In middle school, Jihun had been on the third floor and his room was right next to the showers. There had been so many sleepless nights due to the constant flow of water. There were barely every moments of serene quiet, something the young Omega treasured more than anything. The years of being alone had made the tall boy appreciate the quiet far more than most his age.

Jihun grabbed his key from his pocket, trying not to topple over due to the uneven weight distribution of the heavy backpack and the other hand still gripping the heavy suitcase. With one last glance at the next door communal bathroom door, Jihun opened the dorm room and went inside.

Of course nothing would go his way this semester. This was the year Jihun was doomed. He could feel it. Had known all along that something bad would happen and classes hadn’t even begun, yet Jihun was already in a lousy mood, this not making things any better.

He walked into his dorm room, it looked the same as all the years before. A desk, a closet, a bunk bed, but this room… it had something else, something that made Jihun cringe. Not only was this room situated on the worst floor, next to the communal bathroom, but it also had a third bed. An added bonus so to speak, something Jihun would learn to hate with a passion.

That wasn’t all though, Jihun could deal with less space due to a third bed, but that third bed had a meaning… it meant that Jihun would not only have to deal with one person ignoring and hating him for no real reason, but two roommates to be weirded out by his quiet and awkward nature.

He had tried to befriend people, remembered how desperate he’d been in the beginning for social contact outside his family, but he soon realized that being social and friendly wasn’t his strong suit. Jihun just always seemed to do something wrong and he really didn’t know how to change that about himself. He tried smiling more, tried being funny, but nothing had ever worked.

He felt clammy at the mere sight of the two beds and decided to just grab the top bunk. The bottom ones were the more desired ones and if his roommates ever decided to sneak an Alpha into the dorm he hoped they would appreciate him giving them the bottom bunk.

Curtains were pulled tightly over the large window, beams of sunlight shining through the sides, dust particles in the air floating through the room. Jihun sighed at the sight, knowing that the first floor was the oldest and cheapest of the dorms, but he hadn’t ever thought that they would just shove an extra bed into one of the rooms due to space.

“Oh Kim Jihun right?” Someone asked behind the young Omega, making the lanky boy screech and turn around, almost twisting his ankle in his haste to try and see who had snuck up on him to begin with. His long thin body fell to the ground, his luggage falling over and landing painfully on the Omega’s knee.

Jihun looked up and saw a short senior standing by the door with a red ribbon around his arm indicating that he was a Resident Assistant. His blonde hair was cut short revealing small eyes and a pale forehead full of pimples, mouth set in an apologetic smile.

Jihun sat up, wincing at the pain but smiling nonetheless to try and ease the older boys’ worries.

“You’ll have an extra roommate in your room. We didn’t have enough beds this year so we had to put a few extra ones into the dorms on the bottom two floors.

Of course only the bottom two floors had more beds. The rich kids on the higher floors wouldn’t be burdened with less space and more noise from more people. It wasn’t that Jihun was mad at that, he perfectly knew where he stood in society, but that he even had to know something like that, had to grow up knowing he was less than most, just because of who or better, what, his parents were pissed the young Omega off.

“That’s fine…” Jihun stated, realizing the older Omega had been waiting for him to reply with something. This was one of the reasons why people didn’t want to hang out and talk with Jihun. He was awkward, he took too long to answer, often just in his own world. He’d always been someone to dream and get lost in his thoughts, rather than live in the present.

It wasn’t his fault he liked to imagine better scenarios for his family. It wasn’t his fault he day dreamed and got lost in his mind all the time. If people around him would take a few moments to just accept him and talk to him, they’d notice that he was a loud, boisterous teenager like most others.

“Okay then…” The RA sighed, nodding and quickly rushed out the room, as though he couldn’t stand to be in the same vicinity as Jihun, as though the younger just creeped him out. There was nothing wrong with Jihun. The younger knew that, his parents had told him so many times that he was normal and fine, but he just wished that someone else would pay attention and also think that way.

“Just a few more years…” Jihun sighed, sitting up and finally moving the heavy piece of luggage off him, pulling his backpack off and lifting the thing up onto the top bunk, leaving the silver suitcase next to the ladder of the bunk bed. He would unpack that later, but first he had to make his bed comfortable.

Of course the quiet was short lived. Jihun had barely began taking out various stuffed animals when the door burst open to reveal two tall Omega boys laughing and shouting random things at one another, hanging off one another’s shoulder as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

Jihun peeked out from the top bunk, eyes blown wide at how at ease the two seemed. This was friendship… something he didn’t know. He wished he could have been close like this to anyone, but his awkwardness prevailed Jihun from building friendships like that.

The two stopped in their tracks, the taller boy wiping tears from his eyes, laughter still evident on his facial features.

Both Omega’s were beautiful. The taller of the two was lean, with wide shoulders and slim hips, a big NOFX shirt hanging off his lanky frame. He had a small mouth, large innocent eyes and dark brown sideswept hair. His skin was pale, smooth with no blemishes… Jihun felt a bubble of envy in his chest at how naturally beautiful this boy was.

The smaller of the two had lighter hair hidden under a baseball cap, large eyes and a wider mouth, happy grin making his whole face glow. He was built, overall skinny with definite muscle underneath the baseball shirt he was wearing, jeans hanging low on his hips.

Overall both Omega’s looked perfect and desirable and judging by their entrance they were already very close friends… Jihun groaned internally knowing he had no chance of ever talking to either of them. They’d take one look at him, sniff a little and notice who he was and just ignore him the rest of the school year. Great…

“Oh we’re three this year?” The taller gasped and grinned, eyes roaming the tiny room and then landing on Jihun who had his blanket over his head, the bottom half of his face hidden by the wooden beam of the bunk bed as the younger peeked out from his hiding spot to see his roommates.

It was then that it hit Jihun who he was sharing a room with. The taller of the two was none other than Jeong Inseong, one of the most beloved Omega’s in their entire school. The guy was tall and lanky, much like Jihun, but instead of awkward and quiet he was loud, cheerful and all around adorable.

When he’d first transferred to the school, most Alpha’s had been thirsting for the tall Omega and his adorable pout.For weeks he’d been the talk of the school, but in the end Inseong decided that he only wanted to spend time with another Omega by the name of Oh Heejun, who had also been his roommate and ever since then the two were inseparable.  

Oh Heejun had been in the same grade as Jihun since middle school. The two had a few classes together, but never really spoke, because nobody ever spoke to Jihun and the tall Omega didn’t make an effort anymore after too many failed attempts.

Oh Heejun was loud, he was tall and he was so different from Inseong it was amazing that the two were so close. While Inseong loved and adored the attention from Alpha’s swimming in the compliments he received, Heejun would fight anyone, Alpha or not, who tried to make a move on him. He was a complete opposite of what most people wanted in an Omega.

Heejun was also tall for an Omega, he went to the gym often enough, played on the school soccer team even and if an Alpha so much as looked at him the wrong way, he’d gladly shove his fist in their face. It had happened before the previous year when a new transfer student had gotten a bit too touchy with Inseong, the older Omega constantly declining the others advances, but the Alpha not getting the hint, until Heejun seemed to explode, shooting out of his chair in their Algebra class and punching the stunned Alpha square in the face.

Everyone had talked about it for days after. Heejun, an Omega, had punched an Alpha in the face and gotten away with it completely free of any injuries himself. Ever since then Heejun had become one of the most feared Omega’s in their year, many people avoiding him, thinking he would lose it once again.

“You’re Kim Jihun right?” Inseong asked smiling happily, stretching his hand out for Jihun to shake.

Out of the two roommates, Inseong was clearly the more sociable. Heejun looked to Jihun, as though trying to assess the other before approaching him. It made Jihun’s gut twist awkwardly at the mere idea of coming between the two.

“Yeah… I’ll be rooming with you guys…” Jihun explained, “The RA said there weren’t enough rooms so our floor and the second got some more beds added.” He didn’t know what else to say. Socializing wasn’t something Jihun specialized in. Years of being on his own made the tall Omega completely incapable of holding a normal conversation with people his own age.

“That’s fine. The more the merrier right?” Inseong asked, retreating back to Heejun, the two curling around one another again.

Jihun already felt completely and utterly out of place with these two. The way they seemed to move around one another, without looking or talking, just knowing where the other was, it was impressive to see. Jihun had always wanted something like this, wanted to know what true friendship was like and just seeing it warmed his heart a little.

He turned away from them and continued to set up his bed, adding a few more stuffed animals to the collection and then pulling out some books to add to the bookshelf next to the bed. It reached high enough for him to use as a bedside table and he left his phone there too while fixing everything up.

“Stop Inseong I’m trying to put everything away!” Heejun whined when Inseong was trying to tickle the younger instead of cleaning up his things and moving into the room like he was supposed to.

Heejun had decided to take the single bed, while Inseong would sleep in the bunk under Jihun. The three boys were silently cleaning up, a few giggles echoing in the room whenever Inseong found something funny to show Heejun or the other way around.

Jihun just chose to ignore the pair. He didn’t want to intrude in their chatter, didn’t want to make things awkward because all the years before when he’d tried to start conversation with his roommates they’d just looked around awkwardly, as though not knowing what to say to the tall Omega they’d share a room with.

“You’re really quiet.” Heejun finally spoke up, sitting on his bed, clearly having put away all his things. The youngest was looking up at Jihun who was just finishing with organizing the books he’d brought with him.

“I don’t really know what to say…” Jihun laughed stiffly, scratching at his recently dyed hair, messing it up a little.

“This is ridiculous. You’ve been in the same grade for years and haven’t talked?” Inseong exclaimed, sitting down next to Heejun, an arm curling over the younger boys’ shoulder, both Omega’s leaning against the wall and staring up at Jihun with curious eyes.

“I don’t really talk to anyone?” Jihun explained, but it came out more as a question than anything else.

Inseong shook his head and pouted up at the slightly younger Omega sitting atop his bed, “That isn’t right. You’ve been here so long. We’ll get you to talk to people!”

That was how it all started. It was decided then and there that Jihun would start talking to people, would become friends with many and the younger had no clue how he got roped into that at all. He just wanted to finish school, had resigned himself years ago that he wouldn’t make friends at this place, yet now these two, complete opposites, decided it was time for him to make friends?

Jihun didn’t know how it happened, who of the two managed to convince him to get dinner together. Inseong had shown off his entire bag filled with Ramen packets of various tastes and insisted Jihun joined him and Heejun at dinner, while the shorter Omega nodded eagerly, large eyes blown wide making it almost impossible for Jihun to deny.

He managed to struggle down the ladder of the bunk bed, hitting the back of his head against the ceiling in the process and letting out a quiet curse before making it to the ground without further injuring himself. With an aching knee, from the previous fall, and head Jihun followed the popular pair up the stairs to the top floor.

“We could have just taken the elevator…” Inseong whined, but Heejun had grabbed his best friends’ hand and shouted something about not being lazy.

Jihun could clearly see these two were best friends, maybe even more than that. It wasn’t uncommon for Omega’s to bond while waiting for their Alpha mate. Some Alpha’s even took in two or multiple Omega’s… for them it was often a sign of power.

Inseong and Heejun just seemed so close. Jihun couldn’t help but study the pair as they walked up the steps. Heejun, though younger and shorter, was the far more dominant one of the two, dragging Inseong behind him by the hand, tugging every once in awhile and making some groaning noise because the other was taking too long. Jihun was behind both of them, therefore he couldn't see Inseong’s face, but he was pretty sure the older Omega was staring at the youngest with proud shining eyes.

Jihun couldn’t believe he made it to the seventh floor without passing out. He wasn’t one for much exercise. He was far too clumsy to try and work out. He was afraid that if he even touched any machine at the school gym it would fall apart and jogging on an uneven surface would cause him to crack his ankle in some way. No, Jihun really wasn’t one for wasting his breath on things like exercise and sports, even if his older brother told him to.

Jihun wondered how his brother was doing. It would be his last year at the school, he was almost finished and got to leave. The older had said something about finding a job to help out at home as well, but Jihun wished that his brother wouldn’t be so selfless and actually go to university, go get a proper education, because his brother was an Alpha and they tended to have higher paying salaries than Omega’s.

“Stop daydreaming Jihun.” Inseong laughed, pulling Jihun behind him into the eating area, finding a spot in a corner somewhere, away from other students who looked on curiously.

Eyes always seemed to follow Inseong and Heejun, not only because they were loud and boisterous, but because of their natural beauty and their scent… Jihun wasn’t an Alpha, far from it, but even he could tell that the smell of those two was enticing to most. The way it wafted around them, made the lanky Omega almost jealous.

“Sorry…” Jihun mumbled.

“Wait with Heejun, I’ll make us the food.” Inseong exclaimed, waving to a few people sitting around the room and the  rushing off to fight for one of the last stove tops still left empty. They had all gone to dinner at the exact time most other students would go.

Jihun usually avoided rush hour. The previous years he’d always either skipped dinner or eaten very late at night rather than sit in this room all by himself and trying to avoid contact with most students who didn’t even know he existed.

“Excited for school?” Heejun asked, “I’m not. I have this terrible Omega birthing class this semester that I’m not looking forward to. At least Inseong and I got a gym class together so that will be fun.” The younger mused, “Have you looked at your schedule yet?”

Jihun nodded, “I have the same birthing class probably… I’m not looking forward to it, especially with Professor Kim. She just… she’s just too nice to talk about that stuff.” Jihun felt the thick trickle of anxiety rise as he spoke. He hadn’t had social interactions in what felt like years with people other than his parents and brother, so he was hoping that whatever was spilling from his mouth wasn’t too awkward.

“I know exactly what you mean!” Heejun groaned, loudly thunking his head against the table, making a few students turn to look at them.

Heejun didn’t even seem to notice the stares, that anyone was looking their way, he just continued to wallow in despair, while Jihun looked down at the table, inspecting the chips and cracks on the surface to try and get his mind off the people all staring at them with curiosity in their eyes.

For the first time in years, Jihun was talking to someone at his school. He didn’t have friends, didn’t know how to socialize properly, most of the rich students judging rather than accepting the other Omega, so for him to sit in the cafeteria along with someone else was a miracle.

Inseong came back not too soon with a tray full of food and three plates.

“You know you guys don’t need to include me…” Jihun explained awkwardly when Inseong handed him a bowl full of soup and another with rice, the older Omega sitting next to Heejun.

The other two looked between one another, their eyes moving and shaking before Heejun shrugged and Inseong rolled his eyes turning back to Jihun who was just confused while the other two talked silently.

“It’s not like it’s hard for us to spend time with our roommate.” Heejun explained, “You’re really nice, a bit quiet but we can change that. Plus there has always been something mysterious about you…” He added on laughing when Jihun recoiled a little at the words.

“If other people are just too far up their asses to talk to you then it’s too bad for them. So far you’ve been nothing but nice and friendly towards us.” Inseong explained, glaring over at a table with a couple of loud, obnoxious Omega’s who were some of the ‘top’ most desired in their school.

Jihun didn’t know how to reply, didn’t understand Inseong at all. It wasn’t just that Jihun was awkward and quiet, there were other factors which made him very undesirable amongst the other students. His background and not to mention his smell. Jihun knew he had a distinct smell that most other students avoided so he didn’t know how Inseong and Heejun managed to spend time with him and accept him. He’d been told many times before that he was a freak…

“Just to clear things up,” Heejun grinned, “Inseong is nose blind.... So he doesn’t recognize your smell, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Nose blind?” Jihun asked.

Inseong shoved Heejun but smiled politely towards Jihun, “It means I can’t really tell the difference of any smell. You know how all of you can smell anxiety, anger, if someone is in heat any of those things? I can’t… I can’t tell if someone is an Omega by smell, or an Alpha, I have to assume until someone tells me. It hasn’t stopped me from anything, but sometimes people think it’s weird.” Inseong explained and then laughed, “It was really awkward when my older sister went into rut the first time and I walked into her room to ask for her phone.”

“And me, even if someone is a bit different I’ve never cared. I’m not your conventional Omega, so anyone who is a bit different, has a good attitude is my friend.” Heejun explained, “So around us you don’t need to worry. We don’t judge and we won’t talk bad about you just because of something you can’t control.”

Jihun knew what Heejun was talking about. He knew he was weird, but this was the first time, someone other than his family accepted him for who he was.

“Not to mention we’re two Omega’s in a relationship. That doesn’t happen often either.” Inseong pulled Heejun closer, the smaller practically sitting on the older boys’ lap.

Jihun smiled and nodded, “Yeah… it doesn’t happen often. Sometimes I see that Alpha couple walk around… Kihyun and Hyunwoo I think and everyone gives them weird looks… I wouldn’t imagine how people treat an Omega couple.”

“It’s not like we’re against having an Alpha in our relationship, but most would just want one of us and not accept our already existing love.” Inseong chuckled.

Jihun relaxed and nodded, couldn’t believe how lucky he had gotten this year. He hoped that Inseong and Heejun wouldn’t change throughout the year, because so far, in the few hours he had become close to them, he’d really enjoyed their company.

Weeks went by and classes started, the three roommates growing closer and closer with every moment. There were times Jihun excused himself to walk around outside in the woods, giving the couple some much needed time alone in their room. Jihun always knew what had been going on, smelling the stench of sex and pheromones drifting through the air, but he didn’t mind, he was actually happy to see them together.

Within those first few weeks Jihun also opened up a lot to the pair. He was louder and more obnoxious now than before, less afraid of getting in their way and Jihun realized why Heejun and Inseong were so popular amongst the other students. They were just friendly and helpful and all around good people.

The Omega birthing class that Jihun shared with Heejun was one of the worst experiences in their week. Professor Kim wasn’t helping things at all her, soft voice and trembling hands writing on the board and explaining terrifying things such as labour cramps and bloating feet was terrible enough, Jihun didn’t want to imagine what else she had planned to tell them later on in the semester.

Overall Jihun wasn’t hating the year as much as he thought he would. He was glad to have met his roommates who were quite eccentric and out there half the time, but overall pretty decent guys when they were screaming and screeching.

Of course though nothing was perfect. Nights were terrible when Jihun was trying to fall asleep, but the showers next to his bed were going, the loud sound of water running through the pipes making the lanky Omega twist and turn until he finally fell into a fitful sleep.

“I can’t believe we need to write a paper on the pros and cons of water birthing…” Heejun whined a month into the school semester, throwing himself onto his bed and flailing around until Inseong sat down next to him and wrapped his lanky arms around the smaller, but bulkier Omega.

“I’m so glad I’ve avoided that class. I had to take cooking and baking instead which is pretty decent.” The oldest in the room grinned.

Jihun hummed, flipping through a book, thinking of something he’d seen earlier in the day. Their school had always had groups and cliques hanging around one another, there was no denying that the Omega and Alpha students just seemed to crowd together at all times with like minded people.

Jihun had always been the exception to that in a way. He was always a bit more introverted, more shy and quiet, not to mention the fact that most students seemed to avoid him like the plague due to his different scent, but due to this fact, Jihun had always been an amazing person to observe those around him.

Earlier in the day he’d witnessed as one of the most outgoing and different Omega’s was cradling a small, shaking boy in his arms. Jihun had been going to the school for ages and had never seen Hyungwon look so protective over another Omega before. It was quite interesting to see. Jihun had also seen Hoseok, the usual awkward and carefree, gym loving Alpha, and previous boyfriend of Hyunsik, helicopter around the same small Omega.

Jihun had never seen him before, but he could smell the fear and anxiety and it twisted his stomach into knots. He’d seen the way they others cradled him, and tried to calm him down. It was quite amazing how different both of them were around this one Omega, when all the years before they were practically ice blocks in their set group of six.

“You okay?” Insoeng popped up to look at Jihun who was lounging on his bed, completely lost in thought.

The younger gasped and whipped the book he’d been absentmindedly flipping through at the older boys’ face. To Inseong’s surprise and everyone else, he managed to dodge the flying object quite quickly, keeping his face intact.

“Sorry what were you saying?” Jihun asked, chuckling awkwardly, while Heejun went and picked up the book to bring it back to him.

“You just zoned out so we wanted to know if you were okay.” Heejun explained hanging the book over.

Jihun chuckled, “Yeah sorry I’m good just thinking about stuff. I’ve been feeling a bit weird lately, but nothing to worry about.”

The other two gave him unconvinced looks but shrugged it off and just went on with whatever they were discussing before, Jihun curling up in his bed and shoving his blanket over himself, cuddling into the warmth.

It was getting cooler outside and the students were beginning to bundle up more and more with every cool morning. The scarves in the school colours as well as hats and hoodies seemed to litter the hallways and campus instead of the t-shirts and shorts that had been before.

One thing Jihun realized was that yes, he had made a couple of friends and opened up a bit, but he’d been ignoring his brother for most of the semester. His older brother was usually the only person to ever seek him out, to ask if he was okay, because Youjin knew what it was like to be from a poor family at this school.

Yet this whole semester Jihun had barely spoken to the older, not seeking him out as much. He didn’t know if it was because he felt more comfortable around his roommates and he spent more time with them or he was just sick and tired of the sad looks his brother seemed to send him whenever they met up.

“Hey Jihun…” Minkyoung, a senior Omega from the same floor, just a few doors over, stuck his head into the small room and stated sounding completely bored, “Some Alpha wants to see you but he can’t come inside.”

Inseong and Heejun immediately perk up at the word ‘Alpha’ pertaining to their lanky and awkward roommate, giving him wide eyes looks and curious glances for a total of three seconds before storming out of their room, down the hallway to the front doors. Jihun was barely able to keep up with the pair.

He knew who it would be, the only Alpha who would seek him out was his geeky, video game loving nerd of a brother. Jihun didn’t know any other Alpha’s and none of them would even speak to him, afraid of his odd scent.

Inseong and Heejun were there before Jihun, both looking at Youjin who was surprised by the sudden rampage of Omega’s. He took a step back, hands up in self defense, blue scarf wrapped around his neck, hands warm in a pair of mittens.

“This is your brother?” Inseong asked, flashing his eyes towards Jihun.

“You have a brother?” Heejun added on, both extremely loud, something neither of the Kim brothers were on a normal day. Yes, sometimes Jihun was loud and quirky and a bit weird, same with Youjin, but they were more serious than most people their age.

“Hi…” Youjin added awkwardly, waving a little.

Jihun could see how uncomfortable the elder was. He wasn’t one for close contact, didn’t enjoy hugs and kisses like most. It wasn’t just his Alpha status that made him quite a bit more standoffish, but he’d always been like that even when he’d been a small child.

“This is Kim Youjin, in his last year… my older brother.” Jihun explained and pointed to the still awkward older boy, “Youjin-hyung, these are my roommates and friends, Inseong and Heejun.”

Both of the Omega’s bowed and looked over Youjin again, studying his every movement as though he was some alien coming from a new solar system, rather than an Alpha like any other at their school.

“You guys don’t look alike…” Heejun commented.

“Youjin-hyung takes after our carrier, while I take after our sire.” Jihun explained awkwardly, hoping the conversation could end and his roommates would leave him alone with his brother. It wasn’t everyday that the elder sought out his younger brother. There were usually problems back home if the other was looking for him.

“It’s very nice to meet the both of you.” Youjin smiled, eyes almost disappearing into small slits, bright white teeth showing, “but I really need to speak to my brother about some important issues right now.”

And with that Youjin dragged his younger sibling down the path to the library and away from the prying eyes of the loud, obnoxious Omega’s that had rushed and almost tackled the older boy to the ground in sheer amazement that Jihun had siblings.

“Mom is in the hospital…” Youjin explained, cutting right to the chase, “He was performing and then he fell or slipped or something… broke his collarbone and sprained his ankle.”

Jihun stopped walking and stared at Youjin for a moment, “Should we go see him? We shouldn’t just stay here and do nothing…” He whispered, “We need to work, pay the bills… dad can’t do everything for himself.”

Youjin shook his head, “Mom and dad told me not to say anything because they knew you would go off and want to come back home to help out. They told me to stay here, they will figure things out. Money is not their number one priority, it never has been and it won’t ever be, so please calm down and just listen to what our parents want for once Jihun.” Youjin explained calmly, a stern undertone to his voice making it clear that he demanded Jihun listen to him.

“No I can’t just sit around and write papers about stupid shit like giving birth, when I could be out there, somewhere doing work and providing for my family… I know you don’t understand… you just spend spend spend, you don’t think about making money and helping out.” Jihun was in hysterics, trying to get his brother to realize that in that moment school was not his priority, his family was.

“With the way you smell no one would hire you.” Youjin explained, a little more edge to his voice, but still calm and quiet, “Just don’t do anything rash. I know you don’t seem to understand what I do half the time and that I make money for the family but in my own way. You need to understand that I’m the Alpha in the house and I do the best that I can at my age to provide and give back to our parents.”

“So now you’re pulling the ‘Alpha’ card? Just because you’re an Alpha everything you do is magically more important than anyone else in the family?” Jihun asked.

He couldn’t understand why Youjin didn’t want to let him go and let him just quit school. What was so important about this second rate education anyways? So one day Jihun could somehow become some guys stay at home birthing machine? No, that was not Jihun. He wanted to go out into the world and see places, wanted to work as fast as possible so he could help and provide for his parents.

Youjin sighed, pinching the skin between his eyes, cracking his back before looking to his younger brother once more, “Jihun… I know you want to help… but right now we can’t do anything except stay here… I’ve sent my allowance from some online business I’ve been doing to them, hopefully it’ll be enough for the hospital bill…”

Jihun completely deflated sitting down on a bench beside the library, pulling his knees up to his chest and curling his long arms around them, trying to retain some heat. In his haste to run after his roommates he hadn’t even thought of bringing a jacket and in that moment he was truly regretting it.

Youjin noticed and uncurled his blue scarf, wrapping it around his brother before sitting down as well, an arm slung over the younger boys’ shoulder as he tried to keep the tears at bay. Jihun didn’t show it, not often, but sometimes he just felt too weak and useless. He hated what and who he was, wished he’d been an Alpha like his brother. He wouldn’t just sit around on the computer and make some money off that, no Jihun would go and work, would provide like he was supposed to…

Sometimes Jihun hated his brother for his laid back and friendly attitude, but most of the time he admired Youjin for always being so calm and level headed.

“I’m sorry I blew up.” Jihun mumbled, curling closer to his brother. He took a deep breath, smelling the scent of home. Warmth filled his chest at the mere idea of being back at his house, being curled up on the ratty old couch, watching cartoons on their too small television. Jihun loved it, loved how simple everything was at home, because even though they were short on money most of the time, their parents loved both of their kids, Omega and Alpha, the same.

“It’s okay… I’ve known you long enough to know half the things you say you don’t mean…” Youjin chuckled, “I’ve become immune to your insults anyways.”

Jihun smiled as well and nodded, “You talked to mom though? He said he was okay?”

Youjin nodded, “He was tired and sort of half asleep because he was so drugged up but he told me he loved you.”

Jihun hummed, “I miss them…”

“Me too… me too…” Youjin sighed, “They’ll get through this don’t worry. Our parents are the toughest and most amazing parents anyone in this school has.”

Jihun couldn’t agree more with what his brother had been saying.  

The two stayed sitting together in the cold for another five minutes, Youjin running his hand through his brothers long strands of hair, massaging the younger boys’ scalp with his fingers. The Omega purred softly, closing his eyes and enjoying the short moment of calm before he knew he had to get back to his dorm where Inseong and Heejun would ask him too many questions about his brother.

It wasn’t that Jihun had kept it a secret, it had never come up in conversation and he wasn’t going to mention his older Alpha brother out of the blue for no reason.

“Let’s get you back to the dorm. You look exhausted. Tomorrow let’s call Mom together so you can see for yourself that he is fine.” Youjin mumbled, shifting and getting up, pulling the younger boy with him.

They walked in silence, Jihun curled close to his brother in hopes of getting some form of warmth. He really hadn’t thought of how cold it was. He didn’t think that the late september air could be so chilling.

He’d been feeling slightly off the past few days to begin with, so he was hoping this whole adventure in the cold wouldn’t make him actually fall sick. He couldn’t afford to miss class. If he failed any subject it would mean staying longer at this school, something the young Omega had to avoid at all costs.

Back in his warm room, Inseong and Heejun were already waiting for him like the pair of predators that they were. Heejun practically flung himself at the older and lankier Omega, wrapping his legs around his waist, dragging the young boy down to the ground.

Jihun let out a shriek before bursting into high pitched laughter along with Heejun, Inseong impatiently watching the younger boys’ rough around on the ground before pulling them apart, setting Jihun down on a chair and staring into his eyes, as though that would somehow make answers appear.

“You never told us you had a very good looking eligible Alpha brother.” Inseong explained.

Heejun crawled next to him, resting his head on the older boys’ knee. Jihun watched as Inseong immediately rested his hand on the nape of the younger boys’ neck, thumb massaging the flesh there.

“It never came up?” Jihun stated, but it sounded more like a question.

“I guess so… but he is very good looking I must say… Heejun and I have been searching for an Alpha who could handle two Omega’s and he looks just the part.” Inseong smirked.

Jihun recoiled from the pair, disgust written all over his face at the mere mental image of his brother sleeping, dating, touching anyone, much less his only two friends. Jihun never cared what his brother did in his spare time, as long as he didn’t know about it and whatever Inseong was dreaming about, was not something that Jihun would ever want to think about.

“Go for it, just don’t ever… please… say something like that again if I’m around.” Jihun shouted, scrambling up off the bed and onto the ladder to get to his own bunk.

Heejun burst into loud laughter again, pulling his boyfriend down for a kiss.

Jihun pulled his blanket over his head, avoiding looking at the happy couple his roommates were. He didn’t need to see their love and their weird habits, hearing it was terrible enough as it was.

Days passed and Jihun seemed to feel better again. Youjin had come over the next day again, much to the happiness of Jihun’s roommates’ and the two brothers’ called their parents to get an update on their health. Classes went on as usual and Jihun was desperately trying to get all his school work done.

A week or so after the incident, Jihun was sitting next to Heejun in their shared Omega birthing class, both trying to block out whatever professor Kim was going on about. It was scarring enough and the way she explained it with such… enthusiasm wasn’t helping the situation at all.

“When are we most likely to even get pregnant?” Professor Kim asked the students. Most were looking down or away, some pretending to take very detailed notes of what she was explaining, a few were even full on sleeping, “Jooheon?” Professor Kim asked a tough looking Omega with small eyes and red dyed hair.

The Omega groaned and looked up from his obvious nap, the guy sitting next to him whispering the answer really quick.

“During their heat!” Jooheon shouted a tad too loud, making some of the students who were halfway listening snicker, Jihun included.

“Good that at least Brian is paying attention to what we are doing in class.” Jooheon shuffled down in his seat a little, face turning red at the sarcasm of their teacher.

Another Omega, sitting in the back raised his hand, “If someone has an early heat does it make them more fertile?”

Jihun couldn’t help but stiffen at the question. He’d always wondered if he would ever be able to have kids in any way. His body just didn’t seem to think he was ready to ‘mature’ yet and it was dragging him down. Sure he was an Omega, that was obvious, but he didn’t have the distinct Omega smell, due to his nonexistent first heat.

Professor Kim looked around and then shook her head, “If someone has an early or late first heat does not mean anything in those regards. Bodies mature faster and slower. Fertility has nothing to do with that.”

“Is a heat harder for someone who has it late?” The same Omega asked.

Jihun could feel the eyes of some students train on him, as though the question was directed at the teacher for him. It was as though none of the other students had ever met someone who had their heat later in life. As though Jihun was some form of alien species they were all studying at that very moment and it was making the young Omega’s skin crawl with uncertainty.

“Sometimes yes… it is usually more intense for late bloomers since they would have missed out on quite some time of very fertile seasons…” Jihun saw her eyes flicker towards him and in that moment he just wanted to throw his book on the ground and stomp out of the room.

Just because he was different people avoided him and felt the need to tiptoe around him, as though he was some broken and hurt Omega who could not stand on his own. As though he needed constant supervision or something. God damnit, he felt so dumb.

Thankfully class ended quickly after, Jihun shoving all his things inside his backpack, ignoring Heejun who called after him, as he ran out of the school building, fuming. He hated this school. Hated these students. They were all pretentious and terrible, making him feel like an idiot while in class, asking indirect questions about him, because they were curious, but too stuck up to ask him themselves.

Jihun didn’t know where he was going, all he knew was that for now he couldn’t be here, had to leave the building and get some fresh air. Thankfully it was his last class of the day and he wouldn’t miss anything else. He could afford an afternoon in the forest by the school rather than inside the library studying or tutoring Inseong in linear algebra.

Jihun marched into the woods, jacket wrapped around his lanky frame, hat covering his ears.

It was October and the wind was blowing through the leaves. The sun was setting quicker too than before, long shadows falling over the old buildings making everything seem quite eerie in the late afternoon light. Jihun ignored it all though and marched on.

He quickly sent a text message to his brother, informing him that he was taking a walk, just in case Inseong or Heejun saw Youjin and asked him about Jihun. In the mere week that they’d known Youjin the three became awfully close, texting and talking non-stop. Who knew that Youjin would find himself not one, but two Omegas?

Youjin had always been laid back and had a very quiet persona. When Jihun had thrown fits as a child, it had been Youjin who would placate the boy by giving in first. He was very calm and collected, not like most Alpha’s who went to this school.

Jihun had seen their conversations and he knew that within the next half year they’d be fucking nonstop… and it wasn’t that Jihun cared, no far from it. He was glad that his brother had found a pair of Omega’s who were nice, welcoming and overall good people. He was happy that his brother had found people who didn’t need him to constantly posture and show off his Alpha status, something Youjin hated.

Jihun was rushing through the woods, so lost in his thoughts he didn’t even understand where the train of it all started. Why he was thinking of his brother and his roommates and how in a short time they might become mates… that would just leave Jihun back… as the unmated, un-fertile, still heatless Omega friend and brother…

It had never bothered Jihun before, not really that he smelled different, that he was heatless and still ‘not matured’ but this semester everything seemed to have changed, because he did care, he just wanted to have his stupid heat, to writhe and beg for a cock for a week or so and then have it over with so people would leave him alone, would stop avoiding him or looking at him with that awful pity.

In his haste Jihun didn’t even realize that he was following a distinct smell. There was something leading him through the woods, over each rock and around every branch, almost as though it was luring him in, pulling him along through the thick underbrush of the forest surrounding the school grounds.  

Only once he got to a small clearing and saw a tall, lanky boy with pale unblemished skin. His dark hair was matted to his forehead with sweat, hiding his eyes from view. Jihun watched, completely mesmerized as the guy before him moved to take off his jacket, showing off a tank top and long, thin arms, yet the Omega could make out the distinct muscle as well.

Jihun couldn’t move.

The guy in the clearing growled, hands moving to his head and ripping at the strands of wet, dark hair, rushing about, almost as though he was in pain. Jihun wished he could help him, wanted to rush over to hold him up, but he was unable to move. He kept standing there, smelling the same intoxicating scent that had led him there, the guy in front of him not yet realizing that Jihun was standing and watching him.

That was until Jihun finally made a move, took a step forward, branch crunching under his foot.

Wild eyes met large frightened once and the guy growled once more, primal instinct taking over at the mere sight and smell of an Omega…

Jihun didn’t know what was going on. The guy in front of him just stared, both not moving an inch, almost as though sizing one another up rather than moving. The young Omega felt dread, like something was terribly wrong in this situation, why this smell was so intoxicating when he hadn’t yet fully presented, but then he felt it… he didn’t know what it was, but he was sure it was his heat.

The guy across from him was triggering his long overdue first heat… and Jihun was helpless, alone in the woods with an Alpha, clearly the other was an older Alpha, Jihun now that he thought about it had seen him hang around Youjin before. The guy across from the Omega moved forward making Jihun take a step back.

All Jihun could think about was getting out of there. He knew that once his heat actually hit he would be powerless to the Alpha before him. He had to make it out of here before anything could happen and anything could ruin his plans of graduating as fast as possible.

Jihun was starting to feel hot, his body temperature rising with every moment that he wasted just staring at the posturing Alpha in front of him, rather than running away like he was supposed to. But he couldn’t get himself to tear his gaze away from the Alpha, couldn’t look away long enough to get his legs to cooperate with him.

Jihun blinked and in a flash he was being picked up by someone, obviously the only other person in his vicinity and he was whisked away into the middle of the clearing, the Alpha tearing at his jacket.

Jihun tried, he really did to get the other off him, but he felt his heat taking over and it had been just as Professor Kim explained. He would feel needy, he would feel hot and hungry. His body was heating up more and more, the Alpha before him acting as the only cooling agent against the uncomfortable warmth radiating through him and off him.

Jihun wished he hadn’t wanted his heat to start. Wished he had stayed in and just ignored those asshole Omega’s in his class because if he had done that, then he’d be in the library with Inseong, who even though he was scent-blind could have somehow helped Jihun make it back to their dorm without anyone molesting him.

Yet here Jihun was writhing and moaning as some Alpha he didn’t even know the name of, decided it was a good idea to gnaw and lick at his neck, teeth scraping over his scent glands, inhaling and marking all around. Jihun felt so betrayed by his body, wished he could somehow turn this entire heat thing off, but it was too late and he knew what would happen.

“Smell so good…” The Alpha whispered, his voice husky, dark and so different from what Jihun had imagined. He could hear the lust in his voice, hear the desperation as the Alpha continued to suck and nip at the soft skin, moving down to rip off Jihun’s school uniform.

Jihun couldn’t even think about the cost of the ripped shirt, all he felt was immense pleasure, his body moving with the Alpha, almost as though the pair were made for one another. The way the Alpha was moving and kissing along his body made the Omega preen happily, but Jihun knew how wrong this was, wished his body didn’t betray him like this.

The Alpha continued his work of taking off Jihun’s clothes, kissing along the way of his body, hands running over the long torso of the Omega. Words of encouragement escaped the lips of the Alpha every once in a while, telling Jihun how good he was doing, how perfect he was and Jihun continued to respond to him, arching his back, moving to accommodate the Alpha at all costs.

It hurt so much. Jihun had tears in his eyes, his whole body was burning, his back aching and his head screaming. He needed the Alpha to do something . Anything would do at this point and Jihun just felt so needy.

Time seemed to have stopped. Jihun didn’t know how long the Alpha had been worshipping his lanky frame, how much time had passed since their eyes met in the clearing. All Jihun knew was that ‘heat’ moved faster than he had ever anticipated. He always thought that ‘heat’ would gradually set in, not smack him in the face like a ton of bricks and just shower over his whole frame in such a short amount of time.

Jihun begged, moved closer to the Alpha, his smell so perfect and the only thing keeping Jihun from completely losing his mind. He needed the Alpha, needed him to do something… anything…

And something the Alpha did… finally… He moved up, lips meeting those of the Omega, both bodies moving in perfect synch. Neither cared that they were out in the open, on the cold, dirty floor of the woods. Neither felt the pinecones digging into their backs, their knees scraping on the harsh ground, lust and need having completely taken over their beings.

It took far too long for the Alpha to touch Jihun, his long, bony fingers invading his most private area, already wet and slippery with his sick. The Alpha moaned at the feeling, his finger playing at the rim of the Omega’s entrance, enjoying the desperate whines coming from the lanky being under him.

Jihun couldn’t take it. He needed the other to get a move on, to use more than just his finger, to tease his entrance with such ease… He moved his hips, shuffling them down, hoping the Alpha didn’t catch on to what he was trying to do, but he did notice, a strong hand clamping around the others’ hip stopping him from moving and getting some form of relief.

The older shook his head, bent down in a warm, wet kiss, tongue and teeth meeting, almost painfully, but the pain was something Jihun cherished in this moment. He was burning up, felt his entire body ache with need and this damn Alpha ontop of him was not doing a good job of actually satisfying the Omega, merely teasing him and and trying get him to the edge as slowly as possible.

One finger was added, dipping in and out of his wet hole while the Alpha still held the younger boys’ hip in place to stop him from making any unwanted sudden movements. His lips were sucking and licking at the youngers’ glands at his neck, inhaling the amazing scent of Omega in heat with every laboured breath.

Jihun wanted more, needed more, his whole body felt like it would burn if he didn’t get more soon. Never before had he been in such blinding pain. He’d never felt this desperate and needy before. On a normal day Jihun would curl up in embarrassment, but this time he desperately needed the older to satisfy him, to make him cum over and over again, because nothing else would cool him down.

A second finger moved into his virgin hole, slowly but surely dragging along the rim, the Alpha taking his time, playing with Jihun’s desperation.

The Omega was so close to flipping the other over and doing all the work himself. He had to get some form of relief soon. This whole thing was taking too long and he felt so sick and tired.

Without any warning Jihun felt himself release, his dick too hard, rubbing against the long, strong and buff frame of the Alpha ontop of him, the friction at least somewhat comforting. The orgasm however was far from. Jihun just felt more needy, more desperate to have the real thing, to have a real release with the Alpha pounding into him.

It took too long for the older to finally move on, a third finger added and finally, the thing Jihun really wanted. His Alpha knot. Jihun whined and begged quietly, his breaths laboured while the Alpha groaned in desperation, humping into the younger boy.

Jihun felt full, and that fullness seemed to wash over his whole body, cooling it with every thrust of the Alpha. Over and over he pounded into the boy until finally he released, knot forming, sealing the two together.

Jihun’s scent skyrocketed in that moment, the older not able to hold back, teeth sinking into his neck, breaking the skin and marking the younger as his in a blind attempt due to his rut. Jihun moaned, arched his back and neck, offering more of himself as he himself had multiple orgasms, feeling completely and utterly spent, while the Alpha stayed connected to the younger.

Both were panting desperately wanting to get some air into their lungs from the exhaustion that had taken over right after the mind blowing orgasm. Jihun swore he passed out for a moment with mere pleasure, his body finally feeling cool again after it had so suddenly overheated.

Neither said a word, both just staying close together, panting and trying to find a somewhat comfortable position. Jihun didn’t know how long it would take for the Alpha’s knot to go down enough for him to slide off the others lap.

Every movement made Jihun shiver, his whole frame shuddering with small aftershocks of pleasure from his harsh orgasm not too long ago. The older Alpha wasn’t faring much better, back twitching every once in awhile, dark eyes scanning over the skinnier Omega on his lap.

Jihun probably looked like a mess. He felt like one at least. His neck was aching from where the older had bitten him, marked him and mated him, his hips were bruised from the tight grip the other had and his back wasn’t faring much better due to the uncomfortable ground.

Both drifted off without any words, by the time they seemed to wake up, Jihun was curled into the warm embrace of the Alpha who had moved so Jihun wasn’t touching the cold hard forest ground any longer, but resting atop the stronger Alpha.

The Alpha was running his fingers through the younger boys’ matted, sweaty hair, hand tugging and playing the the strings. It was terribly dark, the sun having completely set, leaving both naked and cold in completely blackness. Jihun couldn’t make the other out, but smelled his overbearing scent all around him, a scent Jihun knew he would smell on himself as well from then on.

Only then did it hit the younger what had transpired. That after years he finally had his first heat. That he had spent it in the woods with a stranger whose name he did not even know and that stranger went as far as to bite and claim him.

Jihun sat up, ignoring the pain shooting up his back, ignoring the groan of the older Alpha, because Jihun was scared of everything that had just happened. How could he have let this happen? How did this even happen? Why did the other bite him, claim him, mark him, whaever it was!?

“What time is it? We need to get back. My roommates are probably worried sick by now!” Jihun exclaimed, voice shaking with fear, “I need to tell them about this. I need to go to the heat rooms and…” He was cut off by bruising lips crushing against his own, the Alpha pulling Jihun closer ot him by his back.

“Let’s get up first and put on some clothes…” He whispered once he pulled back, hand running over Jihun’s face, fingers tickling at his cheek, “Then we will go to the heat rooms and finish what we started.”

“I don’t even know you!” Jihun exclaimed, pushing himself off the other, trying to stumble through the dark, looking for his clothes. He knew he had another wave of heat coming, could feel it pool in his stomach and he had to be quick if he didn’t want to get sidetracked on his way to the sealed heat rooms.

“Park Seungjun.” The Alpha stated calmly, “Senior and heir of the Park Entertainment company.” As though his status and money were of any use to Jihun in that moment, “Not to mention on avid Pokemon Go player and owner of all the gyms in the school.”

Jihun huffed, almost falling over if the Alpha, Seungjun, hadn’t caught him before he completely wrecked himself.

Seungjun handed Jihun a shirt and some shorts, both slightly too large on the smaller boy, but Jihun didn’t care. As long as he wasn’t naked anymore. The two hurried out of the clearing, Seungjun hovering behind the Omega at all times, catching Jihun when the younger felt his legs wobble and his balance sway.

Jihun felt sick to his stomach, but another part of him, a part he hadn’t known existed preened at the attention the Alpha was bestowing upon him. He loved the attention, loved how the older would use his long fingers to steady him and help him along to the school grounds once more, the strong Alpha pheromones floating around the young couple.

Not long after the two were in the designated heat room area, signing in and getting a room in the far end. Jihun felt hot again, knew he was smelling terribly turned on and it scared him how quick it was hitting him once again. Yes, heat was different for every Omega, but he had always thought because his own heat had taken too long to develop, then it would be a slow burn, rather than a quick tsunami of a feeling once it hit.

Seungjun growled, hand tightening around the young Omega’s arm as they made their way towards their designated heat room.

Most students regulated their heats to be in the summer or winter vacation, not too many had an odd schedule where heat would hit during the semester, but seeing as this was the first head for Jihun, he didn’t have any chance of knowing when it would hit or any way of regulating it. For those people who weren’t on the summer/winter schedule like most there was a small building with rooms just for those Omega’s and Alpha’s who went into heat or rut while at school.

As the fire began to spark all over again, Jihun completely forgot about his roommates, completely ignored his phone, because all he wanted was the Alpha to make him feel amazing all over again.

The young couple moved and kissed and marked one another many more times throughout the night, drink and food not high on their priority list, too lost in their own lust and attraction to one another. Between waves of heat and rut, Jihun would curl up next to the Alpha inhale his scent and part of him would feel delighted, while the rational part of his brain felt sick. Jihun didn’t know which part of his brain he should listen to.

Night turned to day and Jihun’s body did not seem to be slowing down. Wave after wave made his body wet and sticky, too hot and then too cold. It was tiring and Jihun just wanted it to end. He was in pain most of the time, either from not being fucked or from having been fucked. This whole heat thing was terribly uncomfortable and Jihun wished he could make it end.

At some point between heat’s Seungjun left, saying something about getting something to drink, leaving Jihun behind under the covers. Jihun couldn’t move. His whole body ached, muscles twitching from exhaustion, but he knew that within the next hour he’d be hot all over once more, sweating all over the sheets, begging for a knot to fill his hole… and not just any knot… the one of the Alpha who had taken care of him thus far.

Jihun and Seungjun hadn’t had time to talk really. Jihun was either too exhausted to listen or far too horny to ask and Seungjun seemed to feel the same way. Both kept talking to a minimum, just basking in one another’s scent and presence.

Jihun fumbled with his phone, using the last bit of battery percentage to send a text to Youjin and his roommates, saying he was alright and that he would be home later that day or the next day. He didn’t go into detail, hoped the others wouldn’t ask. He sent another text warning them of the failing battery life of his cell phone and for them not to worry.

Knowing his brother though, Youjin would freak out. The older Alpha was usually very casual, but when it came to Jihun and the way he was treated, Youjin could really show his true Alpha status, posturing and overbearing, making sure nobody touched or looked at his younger brother in any way… if only Youjin would see Jihun now, marked and red, scratched up and bruised from hours of sex, not to mention the glaring red mating bite Jihun kept trying to forget about.

He seriously had to talk to Seungjun, had to get the Alpha to somehow undo the bite… was that even possible? Matings were for life, even mistaken ones like this. Once a couple was marked and mated there was no out…

Jihun felt bile rise up his throat at the mere idea, his heart hammering against his ribcage at the mere idea of being stuck with Seungjun forever. He didn’t know the Alpha, had never spoken two words to him. What if they didn’t get along? What if Seungjun insisted Jihun stayed at home and became some breeding whore, rather than being a working and independent Omega. Jihun never wanted this, this was everything he detested and he was so scared.

Jihun couldn’t help himself. He bent over the bed, too tired to move properly, long limbs flailing until he finally managed to grab the garbage can and he puked whatever was left in his stomach into the bin, tears streaming down his face. He felt so sick, so disgusting, his whole body aching and marked. He didn’t even want to think of the future, if he even still had one. His head was spinning, his breath labouring, the entire room seemed to squeeze him in, cutting off any last bit of oxygen he managed to inhale.

This whole experience was terrifying and Jihun didn’t know what to do, who to talk to and how to get out of it. He knew he was still in heat, knew it hadn’t broken yet and he was far too tired and weak to move and get back to the Omega dorm where he knew he’d be safe. He knew he could text Youjin, but in his current state, Jihun knew that his older brother would only make things worse.

Of course in that moment Seungjun walked back into the room, seeing the younger Omega hunched over the garbage can, tears marring his pale features and bile on the corner of his mouth. A sob echoed throughout the heat room, making the older Alpha rush forward, water bottles falling to the ground as the older tried to figure out what had happened to the OMega he had mated not too long ago.

Jihun shied away from the other, not wanting anything to do with the guy who had ruined his life. This guy was the reason Jihun was stuck in this room, sick and feverish, yet this underlining of need surrounding him as well. It was too much and Jihun wished he could just curl up and fall asleep, only to wake up in his own room. He wanted to believe that this was all a dream, but the pain on his neck from the healing mating mark and the ache in his back for more heat were too real to be a dream.

“Undo it…. Undo the mark.” Jihun sobbed, hands clenching into fists and slamming them against the older boys’ chest.

Seungjun didn’t know what to do. He knew what Jihun meant and his eyes zeroed in on the mark he had made, for the first time looking at it and everything hit him. He knew what he did, what he had done in his rut, in his need to claim and own and he felt sick as well. This was some unknown Omega, someone he had never even seen and yet now they were connected together forever.

Both stayed quiet, not moving, Seungjin moving to wipe the younger boys’ mouth, wishing he would stop crying, but Jihun was inconsolable. He just kept sobbing and begging for Seungjun to undo everything, but both teenagers knew that it didn’t work that way. Once an Omega was marked they were connected to their Alpha for the rest of their lives. No one completely understood the biology and how it worked, especially not two teens, but they knew there was no way out of it.

At some point Jihun’s heat began to rise once more and in return, Seungjun felt his own rut grow stronger as well, the two quickly seemed to forget what they’d been crying over, consumed by lust. The rest of the day and night went like that, ebbing in and out of depression, only to feel a terrible lust overtake their bodies and they would kiss, bite and scratch at one another, begging to be closer, needing to feel the other close.

Every time Jihun felt something else too, like he was getting closer and closer to Seungjun, their weak bond through the mark growing with every moment they spent connected and that feeling, of having to share his emotions with those of another was odd, yet also relaxing and Jihun didn’t want to relax. No, he wanted to continue to freak out and get as far away from the Alpha as possible, because he wasn’t ready to be one of those Omega’s who just wanted to be around their Alpha at all times and do anything for them.

By the end of the night, they were completely exhausted and dirty. Jihun just wanted a shower and wanted to get away from this Alpha, even if he should stay close. Newly bonded couples had to spend as much time as possible together, at least that was what Jihun remembered from his classes.

Jihun uncurled himself from the hold of the still sleeping Alpha, rushing to the shower and letting the hot water run over him. He avoided looking in the mirror at all costs, not wanting to see the marks and scratches all over his thin frame. He knew he’d have bags under his eyes, knew his hair was a mess, but most of all, Jihun did not want to see the mark at the junction of his neck. He didn’t need to know just how badly he’d messed up.

Once showered, he gathered what was left of his clothes and rushed out of the room. He felt a tug at his chest once he’d closed the door, eyes landing one last time on the sleeping form on his bed, but he squashed the feeling of loneliness and let the door close before running out of the small building and across campus to his Omega dorms.

Thankfully it was too early for anyone to be mulling about, everyone still sleeping, because Jihun didn’t want anyone to see him completely disheveled and bruised from the hours of sex. No, he really didn’t need anyone else to know. Heejun and Inseong would be the only ones to see him like this, maybe Youjin would find out, but those three were enough. Jihun didn’t need anyone else to pry into his business.

He got to his room, closed the door and stood there for a second, chest heaving with heavy breaths. He’d completely ignored his surroundings, just rushed over the campus in hopes of getting out of the public eye as quick as possible. He hadn’t even noticed how badly he was shaking, and how bad he really looked in his ripped clothing trying to hold himself together.

Jihun didn’t even know what his emotions were anymore. Was it himself who was feeling so sick and scared and so god damn alone or was it the stupid bond that Alpha bestowed upon him? Jihun didn’t know anything anymore, at least that was how he felt, so confused with the only thing he ever was sure was and that was his body.

“Where have you been?” Heejun screeched, pouncing off his bed, eyes wide, red rimmed from lack of sleep.

Jihun looked up, jumped a little, pulling the ripped shirt tighter around his chest. His heart pounding against his chest in complete and utter mortification at being found like this, huddling against the door and out of breath.

Heejun took one look at the other, sniffed the air and his eyes widened before jumping off the bed, throwing Inseong off the bed at the same time, waking the older Omega who had been sleeping mere seconds before.

Jihun looked at the other two for a moment before shaking his head, knees giving in and he sunk to the ground in front of the door to their shared dorm room, tears leaking from his eyes. One hand still clutching at the white dress shirt of the school uniform the other moving to his hair to rip at the strands.

Inseong seemed to wake up immediately, rushing to his friend, and engulfing the other Omega in a tight hug, swaying back and forth, trying to get the other to calm down, but Jihun couldn’t be consoled. He felt so stupid, so used and overall just terrified of his own biology.

“I… I went out and then… it just happened…” Jihun explained through sobs, “It was so scary…” He mumbled curling closer to the comfort of his dormmate.

Inseong looked over to Heejun confused, but the other just shook his head, signaling to Inseong he’d tell him later. The older clearly couldn’t smell the pungent smell of ‘Omega fresh out of heat’ that was radiating off Jihun. Heejun could tell though and he could smell the Alpha on his friend as well, the mark peeking out from his neck as well.

“Jihun… whatever happened don’t ever blame yourself. It’s completely normal to go into heat.” Heejun whispered, hand running through his friends hair, “Who was there? Do you know him?” He asked softly, hoping to get some answers from the older Omega, but doubting the other would say anything.

“Seungjun… he’s a senior.” Jihun explained through sobs, “I need to shower again… I need to get it all off me.”

Heejun shook his head, pulling the older into his side, both Omega’s holding the panicking boy close, “You’ve already showered… you need rest and water and food. Go to sleep we’ll stay in tomorrow… or well today.” Inseong explained.

Jihun wanted to argue, but he felt so tired and so used… He let the others move him into one of the beds, all three curling up together. Someone was petting his hair, another set of hands was running over his back, the movements calming him, fingers playing at the skin there. He felt someone move the shirt off him, his frame flinching at the reveal of his bruised skin, but neither Omega said anything and just pulled a blanket over all of them.

They all woke up hours later, still curled up in their bed together. Inseong quickly volunteered to get some food from the 7th floor and he rushed off, leaving Heejun together with Jihun. The younger two stayed in bed, each having curled a blanket around their frames, just staring at one another, neither saying a word.

“Does it hurt?” Heejun finally asked when Inseong had been gone for a couple of minutes.

Jihun shook his head, fingers reaching up to run over the healed mark on his shoulder, “It’s fine now… he didn’t have to bite me though… he could have slept with me without the mating, right?” Jihun asked, eyes glassy and tired as he asked the younger boy.

Heejun nodded, “People spend heats together all the time without mating. I don’t think either of you were actually thinking straight.”

“It was so fast I didn’t even know what was happening. I really didn’t like this feeling of ‘heat’.” Jihun whispered, “I hope it never happens again.”

Heejun chuckled, “At least now you can regulate it so it’ll only happen in the summer or winter vacation.”

Jihun stayed silent, just staring ahead. He felt sick at the mere thought of this mark defining his entire future. He wished he would never see Seungjun again, even if he would be alone for the rest of his life. He didn’t want this Alpha to tell him what to do, who he could be friends with. He didn’t want to be controlled. No, Jihun still had to finish school so he could get a job. He had to work to help his family and protect them from all the bad things that had happened to them over the years.

A knock on their door seemed to snap the duo out of their thoughts. Heejun got up and opened the door a split to look who was there.

“Some Alpha is asking for Jihun.” Hyungwon stated, the lanky blonde Omega pouting his thick lips as he mentioned this, “He looks pissed off.” He added on.

Heejun smiled, “Thank you Hyungwon-hyung. We’ll be out to see him real quick.”

The older Omega nodded and turned to leave.

Jihun felt fear build in the pit of his stomach at the mere idea of it being Seungjun who was waiting for him. What if the Alpha would come here and tell him to leave school? What if Seungjun was pissed that Jihun just left without a letter or a word or anything. How did he even find Jihun? Well that was easy, this was the only Omega dorm, btu Jihun didn’t think that Seungjun would show up there. At least not so quickly.

“Want me to go see who it is? I’ll tell whoever it is to fuck off and be right back.” Heejun explained, the shorter Omega stalking out of the room, chest puffed out and eyes glaring at nothing.

Jihun stayed in his cocoon, hoping whoever was out there would leave. He didn’t have time of patience to deal with Seungjun. He would just punch the Alpha in frustration. Jihun knew he couldn’t look the Alpha in the eyes, rage would just overtake him and he would do something he’d regret.

Minutes later and Heejun came back, “It’s your brother.” He explained, “He is super worried because you haven’t answered his texts in days.”

Jihun sighed and nodded, pulling his blanket tightly around himself before getting off the bed. He knew he looked like shit, smelled even worse, but this was his brother, the only one who could make him feel somewhat better. His only family he had at the moment. Jihun just wanted to leave campus and go home for a bit, wanted to go see his parents, but before that was possible, Jihun had to convince Youjin he was alright.

Heejun and Jihun made their way outside where Youjin was waiting sitting on a bench a few feet away from the entrance. His right leg was shaking and his hair was a mess, as though he’d been running his hands through it over and over. When his eyes landed on Jihun he quickly jumped up and rushed over the younger who was completely enveloped by the blanket.

“Jihun…” Youjin breathed, “What happened? Where were you? I was so worried…” He trailed off, smelled his brother and his eyes widened, “You... ? Your heat?” He asked.

Jihun nodded, looking down and biting his lip, “Yeah…” Jihun felt tears well in his eyes, “Hyung… it was so scary.” He whispered, falling forward, letting his older brother wrap his arms around him, tugging him close, “I was so scared.” Jihun sobbed, “I didn’t know what was happening…”

Youjin usually hated contact, wasn’t one for hugs and kisses, more stoic than anything else, but his baby brother was crying, shaking and so afraid, it made something dark settle in the pit of his stomach, something Youjin didn’t think he’d ever feel regarding his younger brother. Jihun had always been quiet and awkward, sometimes rather childish, but never had he been a cry baby, so for him to sob into his older brothers’ chest like this, something bad must have happened.

That was when the blanket slipped and the mark on his younger brother’s neck was revealed. Youjin zeroed in on the mark, sniffed at it and recoiled a little at the completely different scent there. A scent he knew, but couldn’t believe was settling into the skin of his younger brother.

“You weren’t alone?” Youjin asked.

Jihun rubbed at his eyes and shook his head, “There was an Alpha… in rut and he saw me and then… in the woods…” Jihun whispered.

Heejun gasped and looked between the two. He wished he could comfort Jihun, but didn’t know how. He could feel the disgust radiating off Jihun. The youngest wished there was some way he could help all of them.

Youjin growled and pulled his brother even closer, “I know who… I know who it was…” He shook his head, “I’ll kill him. I’ll rip him to shreds if you want.” Youjin explained, “He… he took advantage of you and marked you. This isn’t alright. Even if you were in heat he had no right.”

Jihun nodded and curled closer to his brother, sniffing at him, trying to erase the smell of his mate. Jihun just wanted to escape the last few days, wanted to redo all of them. If he hadn't rushed out of class and gone for a walk in the woods, then he’d still be okay, not mated and used, no he would have just gone to his dorm, gone into heat and asked Inseong and Heejun to help him out.

This whole situation was so messed up, everything was collapsing, everything that Jihun had been working towards was slowly crumbling around him and he wished he could catch all the pieces, but it was too confusing and too messed up to work.

“I don’t want to see him… not right now…” Jihun explained, “I just want to sleep and shower and then think everything over.” He whispered.

Youjin nodded and just pulled his younger brother closer, “Do you need anything from me? Want me to call mom and dad?” He asked.

Jihun shook his head, “Don’t worry them… I’ll figure it all out.” Jihun pulled away, eyes wet from tears.

Youjin took his brothers face in his hands, thumbs running over his cheekbones as he looked into eyes, searching for any uncertainty, but found none. He let go, kissed the top of his younger brothers’ head before letting go, “Anything you want Jihun… just remember I love you and I’m always here for you.”

Jihun smiled sadly and nodded and pulled away from his brother, telling him he’d text him before Heejun and Jihun made their way back inside. Inseong was already waiting in their room with all the food he could carry.

Jihun stayed locked up in his room for a few more days. Inseong and Heejun would bring him food as well as his homework, having told their teachers that he wasn’t feeling well. Most people suspected Jihun had finally had his first heat, rumors going around that Jihun was writhing in bed at all times and begging for cock. Sure it was similar, Jihun did have his first heat, but he just wanted to be alone to think over what had transpired, how he would go on with having a mate he didn’t know anything about.

Exactly a week after his first heat hit, Jihun finally ventured out of his room to make it to class once more. Eyes followed him everywhere he went, the pungent smell of heat finally off his body after showering at least three times a day for the last week, his bruises and hickeys also faded, everything except for the mark on his neck.

Scarves were his new favorite accessory.

Jihun could feel all the stares, knew people were talking about him. He could see it, the questions in their eyes.

“I heard that Seungjun-hyung was also missing.” An Omega whispered during his break when Jihun was walking into the library to work on the homework he’d missed the past week.

Jihun stopped dead in his tracks. Seungjun… the name was dreaded, yet Jihun knew it would be a name he couldn’t avoid forever. Youjin had said he knew the guy, obviously since they were both Alpha’s in the same year, but somehow Jihun wished the Park Seungjun would just disappear. Form the school, as well as from his own life. He didn’t need someone like him in his life, complicating everything. No, Jihun didn’t need to hear about Seungjun and the crazy rumors there were about them. The sad part… those rumors were probably true as well.

Jihun pulled the scarf tighter around his neck, regretting coming here without Heejun or Inseong, but the two had a shared general education class at this time. Jihun just rolled his eyes, straightened his posture and barrelled on to make it to one of the tables in the back corner behind some other book shelves.

He found an empty spot, got out some books as well as his binder to work over the problem sets professor Kim had given out. Jihun was about to start, pulling his headphones from his bag as well to listen to music while working on his school stuff, only to stop dead in his tracks when he sensed someone watching him.

Slowly he turned around eyes meeting those of the older Alpha who Jihun never wanted to see again. His eyes large, filled with sorrow. His frame was hunched over, skin pale. He looked terrible, standing there, backpack on his back weighing the Alpha down. He was sporting a large black eye, probably from having been punched and Jihun couldn’t stop himself from feeling slightly guilty. It was probably Youjin…

The Alpha made a step towards Jihun, frame shaking with desperation, the feeling seeping through their bond causing Jihun to shudder. He didn’t like this, didn’t like not having his own feelings at all and the last week he’d thought he had forgotten about this terrible thing that came with the bond. He wanted to stand up and rush out of the library, get as much space between himself and the Alpha, but he was rooted to the floor.

Seungjun seemed to snap out of his daze, rushing forward towards the spot Jihun was sitting, eyes pleading, the desperation growing stronger with every second.

“Please… Jihun, listen to me.” Seungjun begged, tears welling in the Alhpa’s eyes, “I’m so sorry. Jihun, please I am so sorry. I didn’t know what I was doing.” The deep voice made the Omega shake, memories flashing through his mind as he remembered what the other had done to him, what they’d done together for two days straight.

Jihun felt so embarrassed, so stupid and just so… used.

Seungjun seemed different too. During those two days he seemed confident, like he knew what he was doing, speaking with such self awareness, but now here he was, hunched over, begging for Jihun to forgive him, tears streaming down his cheeks, “I’m so sorry Jihun… I couldn’t control myself and you smelled so perfect… you still do and I know you don’t want this, I ruined your life, Youjin told me and I don’t deserve anything from you. I’m so sorry.”

He was rambling and Jihun didn’t know how to stop him. Didn’t know how to get away from the Alpha, because deep down Jihun was so happy to have the Alpha there apologizing. He was so happy to be close to his mate, the one who had claimed him.

Jihun was torn, part of him excited to have the other close to him, another part just wanted to run off and hide. The worst part? Jihun didn’t know which part of himself to listen to.

“I know you won’t believe me. I know I messed up badly, but I want to make it up to you.” Seungjun continued, voice rising in volume and pitch with desperation. He looked so desperate, so tired, as though he hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep over the past few days, “Jihun, I don’t want to force you into anything. I want to get to know you, to spend time with you…”

Jihun didn’t know what the other meant by that. They were mated, bonded and forever together. Nothing could separate them. The last thing Jihun wanted right then was to ‘spend time’ with Seungjun, the guy who ruined all of his plans. Jihun wanted to get as much space between himself and the Alpha as possible.

“I messed up so bad… I know. Youjin told me and I know you won’t believe me for a long time, but please… can I court you? May I accompany you on dates and show you that even though I fucked up, I am willing to try and make it up to you?” Seungjun was pleading, almost begging. His frame was hunched forward, subconsciously moving closer and closer to the Omega, as though wanting to touch him, but too afraid of the consequences.

Jihun didn’t know what to do. His heart was screaming at him to agree, to let the Alpha close. His skin was tingling with want and need. Not the same as before during his dreaded heat, but a burning fire to just have the other touch him. Just thinking of the older Alpha’s hand running through his hair had Jihun shivering in delight.

The other part of him was completely against anything the other was saying. He didn’t trust Seungjun to keep his word. Jihun didn’t know the Alpha, didn’t know if he was someone whom he could believe. What if he was like Namjoon, just out to have someone to breed and sleep with when he wanted.

“I…” Jihun didn’t know what to say, he looked around the empty library, hoping somehow the rows of books would somehow inspire him to answer the older boy, but the young Omega was at a complete loss, “I… I don’t know… I can’t… right now… I’m just confused…” it pained him to say these words, to reject the older, but Jihun wanted to be completely sure. He wanted to feel safe around the other and he didn’t.

“If you don’t want to be alone with me, Youjin can be there or any of your other friends. I can invite my friend Jaebum as well, he’s an Omega, or my friend Seokjin probably wouldn’t mind. Honestly, I just want to get to know you. I want to be able to know my mate. My instincts chose you for a reason and I want to know who you are.” Seungjun explained.

Jihun felt cold sweat running down his back as he looked to the older Alpha in front of him. He didn’t want to flat out reject the other, but he wasn’t sure if he could spend any time with him in the near future.

“I’ll… I’ll think about it. I’ll let you know.” Jihun muttered, not making eye contact, inching further away. Seungjun seemed to deflate a little, frowning, but nodding nonetheless. He knew he had no choice but to accept whatever the younger wanted. If he was to have any chance of ever being with Jihun and making this whole ordeal right, he had to be patient.

People like Jihun didn’t jump head first into things. They thought things through, made plans and stuck to them. Seungjun was more carefree, someone who liked to deviate from the norm. That was why he still enjoyed all those cartoons and childish things like Pokemon, because all his life he’d been told he was growing up and shouldn’t enjoy it. The constant negativity made him want to watch more cartoons, rather than stop.

“I understand…” Seungjun whispered, “Here… take my number, when you feel ready text or call me. Like I said, we can make it a friend thing, we can hang out. Courting can be done however we see fit.” Seungjun was hoping Jihun would text him soon. His heart was aching to be close to the younger Omega, his body shivering every time he so much as thought of the night of their claiming, the way they molded so perfectly together.

Jihun nodded awkward, took the paper with a messy number and dashed out of the library. Only once he was almost back at the Omega dorms did he feel he could breathe once again. The crumpled paper with the cell phone number of his mate seemed to burn in the palm of his hand, but Jihun didn’t let it go. He knew he had to think this over if and when he would or should give the Alpha a chance.

Of course he told Inseong and Heejun about it, the two having become his pillars when it came to these things. Especially Heejun who also wasn’t the most conventional Omega out there. Inseong was more traditional in the way where he didn’t completely understand why Jihun didn’t so much as want to think about having been claimed. Yes, Inseong and Heejun were an item, but Youjin had joined their little group and somehow wormed his way into their hearts, turning their duo love to that of a triangle.

“What do I do?” Jihun asked at dinner, Inseong and Heejun having listened to the whole story.

“Give it a shot?” Inseong asked taking a huge bite out of his sandwich, “Like of course not alone that would be a bit risque, but like if Jaebum is there nothing should go wrong?” He continued after having swallowed the bite down.

Jihun looked around, eyes roaming the floor to see who of the Omega’s looked like a ‘Jaebum’.

“He’s the guy over there sitting with that super pretty Omega, Mark, and the one who is super amazing at singing, Youngjae.” Heejun explained, pointing to a table not too far from them.

There was a blonde, slim boy with an adorable smile, pale skin and red lips, whom everyone knew as Mark. He was mated to an Alpha called Jackson who was way too loud and annoying, the complete opposite of Mark who seemed quiet and shy most of the time. Next to him was a dark haired boy with a giant grin and one of the loudest voices in their dorm - not to be outdone by Inseong though - who was known as Youngjae. That left the last one at the table to be Jaebum.

Jihun gasped at the sight of Jaebum. He was JB, the Omega who had beaten up an Alpha in his first year at the school. He’d shouted and looked down on another Alpha, something that had never happened before, the way he talked down to the ‘superior’ dynamic. He was feared by most, since he tended to glare rather than smile. How did someone like him become friends with Seungjun, who seemed a bit awkward and dorky at times, rather than cool and collected like Jaebum.

“He would totally protect you if Seungjun did anything. He is really close to Hyunwoo, that quiet Alpha who is dating that small Alpha and they’re all about equality or something?” Inseong added on grinning, “If I wasn’t already sleeping with the greatest Alpha and Omega in school I would totally try and get into his pants.”

“I really didn’t need to know that about my brother... “ Jihun grumbled, “I guess I’ll see if Jaebum can be there…? Would one of you also join? I would feel better if someone I was friends with was there too who isn’t my brother.”

Heejun nodded, “I don’t mind. I’ll punch him in the dick if he tries anything.”

Jihun sighed and relaxed in his seat. He couldn’t believe that he had people around him who he could trust so much. At the beginning of the semester he dreaded the idea of friends and people, yet over the past few weeks and months Jihun felt he had a connection with the two Omega boys’ he shared a dorm room with.

“I’ll stay with Youjin and supervise from afar.” Inseong added on thumb in the air for a thumbs up.

School continued for a couple of weeks. Jihun still hadn’t gotten the courage to write that fated text message to Seungjun. Jihun knew he couldn’t keep pushing it back forever, but he didn’t know how to approach the subject at all. It was terrifying. He let Halloween pass, gave himself some time to calm down and think everything over rationally.

Beforehand it had been too close to the whole ordeal and fear had clouded his judgment. Jihun knew he was afraid, even the mere thought of Seungjun sent him into a mild panic. Sometimes Jihun would smell the other in the library, he would know Seungjun was in the history section and Jihun felt so constricted he had to leave the building and run off. He had nightmares of those days he was in heat, he couldn’t comprehend that he’d actually been claimed.

Yet there it was, every single time he looked in the mirror there was the bite, the mark on his neck that yes, Kim Jihun wasn’t available anymore. He was taken by someone; and that someone was a rich heir to a giant firm in Korea. Jihun didn’t even want to imagine the family Seungjun grew up in and how completely different it probably was from his own.

His sweet Omega parents who had been discriminated from the beginning on. One a bartender, the other a stripper, they had found one another and against all odds gotten together, marked one another and even though an Alpha wasn’t needed in their relationship, they were still constantly hit on or made fun of.

When their mother had gotten pregnant the first time around there had been rumors of him cheating on their father, all these terrible things, just because both of them were Omega’s. Both parents were the least desired dynamic and yet they seemed to be happier together than most ‘normally’ bonded couples. Their father didn’t get jealous, working at the strip club as a bartender, while their mother performed, dancing and singing on stage, showing off milky flesh that Alpha’s seemed to just drool over.

Youjin was never supposed to be an Alpha. The fact though that both of these Omega’s managed to mate, impregnate one another and even end up with an Alpha son was a one in a million chance. For their mother to get pregnant a second time was even more of a miracle.

It was hard for Omega’s to impregnate one another. It was almost unheard of, and for Jihun and Youjin’s mother to become pregnant twice was something akin to a miracle. Both babies were healthy, one an Omega, the older a strong, yet lazy, Alpha.

The kids grew up in the strip bar, the other performers and workers becoming their friends and babysitters. The owner of the bar was a friendly Alpha who didn’t mistreat any of his workers. The fact that he let children sleep in his office during the night time shifts was well received and around Christmas he always added in a few extra bonus bills to their parents pay roll for the boys to get some nice Christmas gifts.

Sure, Jihun and his family grew up in poverty, they didn’t have a lot of riches and luxuries, but they got through all those hardships together as a family. Family came before anything in the Kim household and for Jihun to have been forced, somewhat, into a mating was something the young Omega felt too ashamed of to tell his parents.

“You have to tell mom and dad... “ Youjin exclaimed one afternoon a few days after Halloween. The wind was picking up, whipping against the two as they walked around the school courtyard to the music wing, Youjin wanting to practice some piano piece he’d been working on.

“I don’t want to.” Jihun mumbled.

He felt his right eye twitch, always a sign that Seungjun was close by. It could also be the smell of him on Youjin. At times it was hard to tell if Seungjun was really around or it was just a lingering smell of him on someone Jihun also knew.

Youjin rolled his eyes, “You were the one telling me I didn’t care about our family at the beginning of the year and now you’re keeping the biggest, most important secret from them?” Youjin asked sounding accusing.

Jihun rolled his eyes and took a few determined steps forward, “Don’t use my own words against me hyung.”

Of course in his haste he didn’t look where he was stepping and he tripped over the elevated step of one of the rock plates in the ground, making the young Omega stumble forward, almost smashing his forehead into the edge of a picnic table they’d been beside, if lanky, yet strong arms hadn’t caught him just in time.

Relief. Jihun didn’t even know his whole body had been tensing for days, if not weeks, and the feel and smell of those arms, that cologne, it washed over the Omega and finally made him feel somewhat at peace… a feeling the Omega wanted to squash, because the one making him feel like this was none other than that needy Alpha who forcefully mated the other.

Seungjun looked down at Jihun, the other looking up before pushing himself away, next to his brother. This wasn’t some drama where he could just forgive the handsome man for what he’d done. No, Jihun still wasn’t over it, still wasn’t used to feeling these things and he wasn’t prepared for all the mood swings he’d encountered over the last few weeks due to this whole mating ordeal.

“Jihun…” Seungjun trailed off, eyes roaming the younger boys before falling to the Alpha next to him, Youjin glaring, whole body tense as though ready to pounce on the other at all costs.

“Seungjun…” Jihun whispered, the word falling from his lips before the Omega could stop them. His eyes widened, pale, cold hands coming to his mouth, eyes widening in surprise at himself. HIs body was saying one thing, while his mind protested everything. It was terrible and Jihun hated this feeling more than anything, hence why he still avoided Seungjun at all costs.

“You never… you never texted me…” Seungjun whispered, the two other students had to strain their ears to even make out the sentence of the taller Alpha.

“I wasn’t ready yet… I’m sorry.” Jihun whispered, not sure why he was apologizing.

Seungjun recoiled and shook his head, “Don’t apologize. Take your time. I understand what I did was terrible and it might take a lifetime, but I’ll always wait for you. My body chose you and so I will wait… all my life if I have to.”

Jihun didn’t know what to say to that, just stared awkwardly at the older Alpha who seemed to hopeful and just overall… worried for the Omega that he didn’t know how to react. The only Alpha to ever talk to him and try and make him feel better was Youjin, whom he was related to. Never before had an Alpha approached Jihun and talked to him as an equal like Seungjun was doing.

“Good. So he will text you when he is ready.” Youjin announced, steering his brother away from Seungjun.

Jihun felt a pang in his chest when he lost sight of the Alpha, the scent still lingering in his nose. He closed his eyes for a second, his brain spewing images of the Alpha through him. Jihun wished his body didn’t have such a strong need and bond for the older Alpha, no, he wished he was somehow free from all this, but he knew he couldn’t change the past.

“At Christmas… I’ll tell our parents then.”

Youjin nodded, “I guess we should tell them in person rather than over the phone. Who knows what dad might do.”

Jihun nodded, “He would totally drive here, waste time and money…”

A couple of days later Jihun awoke in the middle of the night with an uneasy stomach. He hadn’t eaten anything the night before due to nausea and now the same feeling of sickness was waking him up in the middle of the night, causing the Omega to stand up and rush down the bunk bed to the toilet. Thankfully he lived right next to the communal washroom for that, otherwise there might have been an accident along the way.

Jihun felt terrible. His body was shaking as he threw up what little food he’d eaten the day before. His body was so tired, yet every night he never managed to close his eyes to sleep. His brain kept going in circles over thinking every single situation that had happened during the day.

He kept thinking about Seungjun and how hopeful he looked when they had run into one another. The way he smelled and acted, nothing like an overbearing and annoying Alpha, but rather someone on equal footing with the Omega. That in itself was hard to believe. Jihun couldn’t make himself believe that some rich Alpha would let him live his life how he had intended to from the beginning on.

Just as Jihun was about to sit up and return to his bed, another wave of nausea ripped through him, making the young boy wheeze and cough into the toilet bowl he’d been hugging mere seconds before. Beads of sweat ran down his forehead, glistening in the moonlight shining in through the window.

It took a few more attempts to get up before Jihun finally could leave the cubicle and wash out his mouth and face. He returned back to his bed, crawling up the steps to his bunk and then curling up under the warm blankets. Then he felt too hot, so he pulled one leg out from under the warm covers, just to feel cold again. Of course this game continued for hours and Jihun didn’t get another second of sleep before Inseong’s loud and annoying alarm went off waking the other two Omega’s in the room as well.

“You look like death.” Heejun cackled.

Jihun nodded, “I feel like it too. I just want to sleep, but whenever I try I just can’t seem to fall asleep or stay asleep.” Jihun whined to the younger boy.

Inseong frowned, “That isn’t healthy… maybe you should drink some herbal tea before bed?” He suggested.

Jihun nodded, “I’ll see if we have some in the cafeteria upstairs.”

The three got ready and went to class, Jihun feeling quite unstable and tired the entire time he was walking anywhere. If he was just sitting down he would feel as though he was floating, his eyes wanting to fall shut, but then, just as he was succumbing to it, wanting to fall asleep, a thought would run through his mind and he would blot back awake.

“You really don’t seem okay…” Heejun frowned as the pair sat in their shared Omega class with Professor Kim.

Jihun shrugged, “I’m almost done my day and then I can go back to the dorm and finally try to sleep. I got some tea this morning which I’ll make myself and maybe the warmth will help.” Jihun explained.

Heejun didn’t seem convinced, but he nodded nonetheless. He turned back to the board, rolling his eyes when he saw all the notes professor Kim decided they needed to write down and began to scribble onto his paper.

Jihun did much the same, feeling his eyes blurr in and out of focus, almost as though he was adjusting a camera lense. Yet he couldn’t control it. He just kept blinking and squinting, hoping it would somehow help, but it only made it worse and gave the boy an annoying headache.

Who would have known a few days of terrible sleep and a week or so of abdominal discomfort would lead to something so drastic? All Jihun wanted, wished for really, was a good night’s sleep. He wanted to just lie down, close his eyes and not wake up after a few hours to find the bathroom and puke or feel like the whole bed was spinning.

Jihun knew he wasn’t well. He was glad though that his friends hadn’t caught on yet. Heejun and Inseong were deep sleepers, so for them not to have noticed yet was quite the blessing. Not to mention that Jihun seemed to have become a ninja at night, rushing down his bed and into the washroom in record time and in complete and utter silence. But none of that mattered because he just felt sick and tired all the damn time.

Jihun didn’t know how long he could still do this. How long he could keep this a secret. He looked terrible, felt sick and now, even when he was sitting down he was tiring.

After class Heejun waved goodbye to Jihun, something about going on a ‘date’ with Youjin and Inseong. Jihun smiled and bid his friend goodbye before making his way down the courtyard and towards the Omega dorms.

His arms were shaking, holding up a small stack of school books to his chest, backpack slung over his shoulders. Jihun shivered as a gust of wind broke through his thick jacket, the icy mid November air cutting at his thin frame like an expert katana.

Jihun was halfway there when he felt his eyes fall closed. The worst time for them to finally decide that yes, Jihun did need to catch up on sleep. It was almost in slow motion that Jihun noticed what was going on.

One moment he was walking down the path and trying to fend off the freezing weather, the next his whole body felt limp and lifeless as he fell bonelessly to the ground… if someone hadn’t caught him.

Jihun wasn’t aware enough to notice who was holding him up, but in his subconscious he knew all too well. That smell, that voice, those arms… it was all too clear to Jihun. Why was it that every single time he tripped or fell, it had to be Seungjun who caught him? Why couldn’t the Alpha just let Jihun trip over and smash his face into the cold, unrelenting ground? Jihun didn’t want this, didn’t need this…

And yet there he was being carried into the infirmary.

Seungjun had known something was wrong. He’d felt it for days now. There was something wrong with Jihun. He didn’t want to full on approach the young Omega though, knowing that he still had to give the younger Omega time to come to terms with everything. Gosh, Jihun was so young, so innocent and Seungjun had taken it all away in a selfish moment of greed and lust.

He couldn’t believe he had mated someone so independent and amazing. Over the last month and a half or so that he’d been watching and trying to get closer to Jihun he had fallen completely for the other. The way Jihun seemed to shy away from people except for the two loudest and most annoying Omega's in school. All of it was perfect to Seungjun.

So when the older felt something off, he decided to watch the Omega even closer. Who knew when Jihun would need him? Sure, he hadn’t accepted him, but he knew that one day, if he worked hard enough and proved himself to the younger, Jihun would accept him as his Alpha. That was how it was in the Park family to begin with. The Alpha had to impress an Omega until deemed worthy to provide for their family. Sure, Seungjun did it all a bit backward, but he had to keep his family name’s pride and provide shelter and security for his mate.

Seungjun was just chatting with Jaebum when he felt it. The overwhelming nausea and dizziness that had been plaguing him second hand from Jihun. Seungjun jumped up and rushed to the courtyard where he just knew that Jihun would be. Thankfully he came just in time to save the younger from completely ruining his perfect face in the ground, catching the half conscious boy and wrapping him up in his strong hold.

“We have to bring him to the nurse…” Jaebum growled, “He looks really sick.”

“What if he is going to die?” Seungjun asked, arm tightening around the thin frame of the lanky Omega.

Seungjun never thought he would love an Omega almost as tall as him, he’d always thought his future Omega would be small, thin and adorable, so different from the fiercely independent and lanky Omega he was now cradling to his chest, rushing around campus to get him to the nurse.

“Jaebum, can you get Youjin? I think he should know his brother is with the nurse.” Seungjun asked the grumpy Omega.

The dark haired boy nodded, “Yeah… if we don’t tell him he’ll punch you again.” Jaebum walked off, while Seungjun put Jihun down on one of the free beds in the nurse’s office.

Seungjun knew he should leave, felt it, but he couldn’t make himself let go of Jihun. The younger Omega was half awake, half asleep, mumbling something, his head lolling to the side, half lidded eyes staring at Seungjun. A small smile made it’s way onto the younger boys’ lips as he saw Seungjun.

The Alpha couldn't help but swell with pride at the small gesture. He knew he was getting closer to having been accepted by the other. He knew that soon they’d be able to hold hands and walk around campus being adored by everyone, because Jihun deserved to be adored and doted on and loved by all. He was funny, sweet, friendly and just so perfectly independent that Seungjun wished he had the other boys’ confidence sometimes.

Sure, outwardly Jihun seemed rather quiet and awkward, but once he was with his small circle of friends he was wild, loud and friendly. Seungjun knew that one day Jihun would behave that way around him as well and he couldn’t wait for it.

“You’re freshly mated?” The nurse asked, looking over Jihun.

Seungjun nodded, “Yeah… it was accidental, but now we’re just keeping it slow to get to know one another.”

The nurse made a ‘tsk’ noise, but nodded and continued to look over Jihun, “He was a late bloomer am I correct?”

Seungjun nodded, didn’t know what to say to that. Everyone at their school knew that Jihun was that one guy who hadn’t gone into heat yet. That one ‘weird’ Omega who was taking too long to ‘grow up’ and have his first heat, as though he decided that himself when his body was ready to have heat sex… Seungjun hated the immaturity level of some of the students sometimes and wished that he could somehow change the way they all thought of Jihun.

“Did you use protection during your mating?” The nurse asked once more.

Seungjun blushed, legs clamping together, hands tightening to fists in his lap. He looked down and thought about those nights they’d been connected and the thought of a condom, of any kind of protection did not even cross his mind. No, all he could think about, like some idiot knot head, was that he had to mate and fuck into Jihun as fast and often as possible.

The nurse didn’t say anything else, just continued to do some of her checks, “He just needs rest for now. We will let him sleep. Once he’s awake we’ll do more tests.” She concluded.

Seungjun stayed rooted to his seat, hand reaching out and grasping that of Jihun, the young Omega finally having fallen asleep.

It gave time to Seungjun to look at his mate closer. How pale Jihun looked, how he’d lost weight. His hair was getting longer, brushing just above his eyes. He had also dyed it recently completely black; probably Inseong’s idea…

Seungjun couldn’t help his long exhale as the other hand, which wasn’t clutching onto the sleeping Omega’s, came and brushed a soft strand of hair out of the Omega’s face. He finally looked so peaceful, so different from normally, and Seungjun loved it. He couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with Jihun, once he was ready of course.

Seungjun just stayed and watched the sleeping Jihun, every once in awhile he would run his free hand through the other boys’ hair or he would brush the tips of his fingers over his soft cheek, just enjoying the feel of his skin against his own. Knowing that he was so close to his mate and smelling him all around was almost intoxicating for the Alpha.

Seungjun didn’t know what tests the nurse would do, but it probably had to do with their mating. She’d inquired about the heat and how long it had lasted, how long they’d been together and their time spent apart afterwards. Seungjun felt uncomfortable when she’d asked a few too personal questions, but he knew that he didn’t have the right to get mad at the woman since she was only doing her job.

Seungjun couldn’t help himself from staring at the Omega over and over, his eyes drifting to the sleeping form of the younger every few seconds, almost as though he had to make sure that he was still breathing. The rise and fall of his chest, the way the boy scrunched up his nose every once in awhile, Seungjun loved every second of watching the younger.

Youjin rushed into the room, hair a complete mess, his eyes wide. Behind him trailed three Omega’s; Heejun and Inseong looking as worried as ever, and Jaebum who seemed to feel quite uncomfortable, almost as though he wished to escape the clutches of the other three, but hadn’t managed to.

“What’s wrong with him? What did you do this time Seungjun?” Youjin growled, walking closer to the mated Alpha, menacing aura surrounding the usual calm and collected Alpha that was Kim Youjin.

Seungjun took a step back, trying to get some space between himself and the other Alpha, causing the three Omega’s not sleeping to chuckle at the shocked and scared expression of the older. The way he seemed to flinch at the mere presence of Youjin rather than shape up and try to be as masculine and strong as most would believe and Alpha of his standing to act.

“I thought I told you to leave Jihun alone until he was ready to be around you. Why do you have to try and force yourself onto him.” Youjin continued growling menacingly and taking steps closer to the other Alpha.

Seungjun sent a panicked look towards Jaebum who only smirked and raised a brow, watching with a bemused expression as his friend was desperately trying not to get mauled by the rabid Alpha before him. Seungjun frowned and tried to somehow get out of the others hold, hoping that somehow, Youjin would believe him. Doubtful, but the hope was still there.

“Jihun has been feeling sick for the past week or so… I guess through their bond Seungjun just knew and came to his aid.” Heejun finally spoke up, the youngest in the room taking a step forward to put his hand around the elbow of his chosen Alpha, Youjin immediately calming down at the gesture and backing off.

Seungjun finally felt like he could breathe again, eyes quickly moving to the Omega still sleeping in the hospital bed. He couldn’t help himself, constantly looking, touching and wanting to be close to the Omega. Jihun just looked so fragile, especially under those thin blankets of the hospital bed. His skin tone matching the off white a little too much.

Youjin turned away from Seungjun and sat down on the edge of the hospital bed his brother was sleeping on. A look reserved only for the younger Omega filled with protectiveness and strength flashing across his face, reserved only for his brother. Seungjun felt a pang of jealousy, but knew it was stupid. These were siblings, he probably looked the same way at his younger sibling as well. Or at least he hoped he looked as protective as Youjin did.

“You’re so sappy.” Inseong chuckled, sitting down next to Youjin, head resting on the Alpha’s shoulder, a long, thin arm wrapping around his waist, snuggling into the older boys’ chest. Heejun also sat down, him cuddling up next to Inseong. The three creating a sort of hugging train.

It amazed Seungjun to see this, because Youjin had always been a very private person. Someone who hated skin contact and hugging. He’d always been rather put-off by things like snuggling and cuddling. Seeing him like this, so soft and warm around his Omega’s was truly something else.

Jaebum cleared his throat, feeling quite awkward around the others, “Well since we’re all good and well… I’ll just leave you guys to it…” He mumbled, “I promised Mark and Jackson I’d go on a double date with them and Yugyeom.” He added on as well.

Seungjun couldn’t help but grin at the mention of the younger Alpha who was desperately trying to court Jaebum. The way the Omega would always huff and roll his eyes at any attempt the younger made to woo him, but deep down, Seungjun knew that Jaebum loved getting the attention and love from the younger. The way he would sometimes smile and grin whenever Yugyeom was around was just too precious.

“Have fun.” Seungjun mumbled as the younger left the room.

Jaebum waved and walked out of the room, leaving the rest in uncomfortable silence. Youjin would look over and glare every once in awhile at Seungjun who only had eyes for the young Omega still sleeping peacefully.

Eventually Jihun did wake up, eyes blinking open, hair a mess atop his head as the young Omega tried to get his bearings. He looked around, saw where he was and scrunched up his face in confusion. This wasn’t his room. This was too bright, too stale to be his room. The smell was too clean to be his room… where was he?

His eyes then landed on Youjin who looked far too worried, as well as Heejun and Inseong who were pouting behind their Alpha. There was someone else as well around them, someone Jihun didn’t want to see, but the mere smell and feel of having his Alpha in the room calmed the boy down. He hated to admit it, but his body was happy that Seungjun was next to him, a hand right by his side on the bed, almost as though the other boy had been holding onto his hand the entire time he was sleeping.

“What?” His throat hurt, his mouth felt completely dry and for the first time Jihun realized just how terrible he actually felt. His head was pounding, his stomach churning, overall he felt like death had rolled over him. He looked around, squinting his eyes and noticing that he was in the school infirmary.

“You passed out…” Seungjun explained, eyes not looking straight at Jihun, just straying to him every few seconds, as though he wanted to look at him, but the older wasn’t sure if he was allowed to.

Jihun scrunched up his face in confusion and nodded, “I felt pretty sick…” He croaked out, his voice quite terrible from lack of water.

Inseong jumped up and out of Youjin’s hold, eyes wide, “I’ll get you some water… I’ll get the nurse too!” He exclaimed and left the room only to come back two seconds later, “I think Youjin and Heejun should come with me.” He added on, pointedly staring at his two boyfriends.

Youjin looked reluctant to go, but with a tug from Heejun and a pout from Inseong the oldest left the room, glaring one last time at Seungjun, just so the other Alpha knew not to start any funny business with his brother. Youjin would kill him otherwise.

The mated pair sat in awkward silence for some moments, neither looking directly at one another, just down at their laps. Jihun tried to sit up, but flinched at the uncomfortable churning of his stomach. Seungjun jumped up immediately, hands hovering over the Omega with worry, wanting to take the pain of his mate away.

“Do you need any help?” Seungjun blurted out.

Jihun looked up at the older and couldn’t help but chuckle. Seungjun looked so scared, so worried, just because Jihun let out an uncomfortable wince. For some reason it made Jihun feel happy and excited. He hated the feeling, but couldn’t help himself but enjoy it as well. He enjoyed the way the older seemed to fawn over him. How Seungjun just seemed so intent on making things right.

“I’m fine… my whole body is just aching.” Jihun explained, “I’ve been feeling quite sick for the past week or so… I don’t know what I caught to make me so weak.”

Seungjun nodded, “You need to take care of yourself Jihun…” He mumbled, then widened his eyes, “I didn’t mean to sound commanding! I know you hate those things, overbearing and overly Alpha-Alpha’s but I just don’t want you to faint again, I was so scared and Youjin was ready to kill me and I certainly don’t want to be killed by him-,”

“I get it Seungjun…” Jihun chuckled smiling up at the older Alpha, “I’m sorry it’s taking me so long to accept this.”

Seungjun shook his head, “No Jihun… you shouldn’t feel bad. You shouldn’t apologize. It’s terrible what happened, how I got you into this mess. I was taught better, I should have been thinking but your heat and my rut, even though they aren’t excuses, made me go crazy! I am so sorry and I will forever be sorry!”

Jihun looked up at the older with wide eyes and just shook his head, “You’re at least trying… you didn’t want to mate with me either and yet you’re trying… it’s just hard for me to accept. I’ve never wanted this and now I’m mated and just… I don’t want things to change for me.” JIhun explained.

Seungjun nodded, not able to keep the frown from his face, “Jihun… I don’t want to control you. I think knowing how independent you are and that you want to contribute just makes you even more special. I’m rich, I come from a good wealthy background so I’ve always been afraid that one day my Omega will just want to mate me for that money, for that prestige... “ Seungjun explained.

Jihun shook his head, “That’s dumb… people should mate because of love…”

Seungjun couldn’t help but feel even more guilty. The guilt of having taken the chance of love from someone as young and innocent as Jihun. He’d taken his chance at mating someone he loved away from him and now the Omega was stuck with Seungjun, someone the younger Omega seemed to barely tolerate.

“Seungjun…” Jihun sat up, ignoring the pain in his abdomen and back, hand reaching out to grasp the long, thin fingers of the Alpha in his own lanky fingers. He wrapped his cold hand around the olders and squeezed.

“I know I’m difficult and stubborn, but maybe we can make it try and work? If we discuss everything… we can go on…” he paused thinking of the word, “maybe we can go on dates?”

Seungjun seemed to brighten up at the mere idea of ‘dates’ of the mere idea that going places in public with Jihun and sharing experiences was the greatest thing since sliced bread. He looked so happy, so relieved that Jihun was finally giving in and letting him into his life a bit more.

“As long as Youjin doesn’t kill me.” Seungjun grinned, too happy to care. His heart hammering in his chest, the feel of the other's’ hand wrapping around his warming his entire tall body. Seungjun couldn’t believe his luck.

Their moment was broken by the nurse walking into the room. She looked at the couple and then walked over to Jihun, eyes raking over his frame and then his chart that she’d been scribbling on not too long ago. Behind her, Youjin, Heejun and Inseong walked in as well, Youjin not even bothering to hide his glare when he saw that Seungjun and Jihun were holding hands.

“I would like to speak to Jihun in private for a moment if that is alright with all of you?” The nurse asked, staring each person in the room down. The students all nodded and quickly rushed out of the infirmary.

Jihun gulped and looked up at the nurse before him as she was studying the chart once again, “Jihun… I understand your mating was an accident?” The nurse asked casually.

Jihun nodded, leaning back against the pillow behind his back, hoping to somehow be more comfortable during this Q&A session that was about to take place.

“What Park Seungjun did to you could be considered rape… why didn’t you go to the Sexual Assault Committee?” The nurse asked, not holding back anything from the young Omega.

Jihun looked down at his hands, wringing them together as he thought about what had transpired during his mating. How much he’d enjoyed the act of it all while it was happening. He was a willing participant, never said no or pushed Seungjun away… was his body so accepting of Seungjun from the get go? Was it his heat? Jihun hadn’t even thought of going to the Committee to tell on Seungjun.

“I never thought of it… we’re going to try and just date for now…” Jihun explained, “I don’t want to make a claim. It happened and I’m okay… Seungjun has apologized - multiple times- and now we’re just trying to make the best of it.”

“It is still considered assault Jihun…” the nurse frowned, “But I won’t force you to go if you feel alright. I would like you to see an Omega councilor though. Just to make sure you’re feelnig okay about the whole ordeal.” She explained softly.

Jihun nodded, “I can do that…”

Then the nurse pulled something out of her lab coat which made Jihun gasp and recoil with fear. She wasn’t serious.

“I’ve looked at your symptoms, your swollen chest and stomach, the pain in your back and nausea… it all makes sense… we just have to confirm it Jihun.” She explained calmly while Jihun shook his head.

“I’m too young.” He whispered, “I can’t be. I’ve only had one heat! I’ve only had sex once before I can’t…” He could feel his heart hammering in his chest, his breaths coming in short bursts at the mere sight of the pregnancy test in the hand of the nurse. He didn’t want to go near that thing, didn’t want to believe that something like this was possible.

“Jihun… we don’t have any scanners at this school, these pregnancy tests are all that we have. I need to do an initial sample and then you have to go into town to the hospital to have it 100% confirmed… we need to know.”

Jihun shook his head wildly, making him all the more dizzy. This wasn’t happening, this wasn’t going to be the truth. No, He was not pregnant. He couldn’t be… but doubt filled his mind. They hadn’t used a condom. Neither had thought to use one… Jihun didn’t want to be pregnant, couldn’t fathom becoming a father.

“Jihun there are options for you… if you are pregnant. And it’s your choice. Don’t let anyone try and influence you otherwise…” The nurse explained, “Now please just go and take the test.”

Jihun didn’t want to. He shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. He didn’t want to know. He didn’t want to think of this. It was too much. He just decided to let Seungjun in and let him be part of his life. A baby… no that wasn’t anything Jihun could handle. Their relationship was still too new. Seungjun and Jihun knew nothing about one another and neither knew about raising a baby.

It was in that moment that the door burst open and Seungjun fell into the room, face red and tears welling in his own eyes as well. He was clearly overwhelmed with panic seeping from Jihun into him due to their bond. Seungjun didn’t know why Jihun was panicking so much, where this anxiety had come from, but at the sight of the pregnancy test his own anxiety skyrocketed and bled into Jihun as well, the pair completely overwhelmed by emotions.

The nurse frowned and pulled away from Jihun’s bed, helping a hyperventilating Seungjun up and onto another bed in the infirmary. Both Omega and Alpha seemed completely out of it, breathing heavily. It seemed almost like they would both pass out… which they did, blacking out from  anxiety.

“What happened?” Heejun asked curiously.

“They aren’t used to the feelings seeping through the bond. They haven’t spent enough time together to get used to it so they both fainted…” The nurse explained, “High emotional levels can cause stress and anxiety in a bond and with a fresh one like theirs it can often go over the edge. They both need sleep and they need to stay together to get used to one another’s emotions and how to deal with them.

“What made them so stressed?” Youjin asked, but the nurse didn’t say, merely muttering something about coming back when the two would wake up again.

Seungjun was the first to wake up after the ordeal, sitting up straight in his bed, scaring Inseong and causing the younger Omega to fall off his bed at the quick movement of the Alpha.

“Is Jihun okay?” Seungjun asked.

Youjin nodded, “Yeah he’s fine…”

Seungjun could breathe easily, sitting back, but not keeping his eyes off Jihun who was also waking up from his impromptu nap.

“What happened guys?” Heejun asked, ever the curious Omega.

Seungjun frowned, “Jihun…. He might be pregnant…”

A long pause. It seemed as though the whole world stopped for a moment. Seungjun was bracing himself for impact, knowing that Youjin was ready to kill him. Would beat him to a pulp for doing something like this to Jihun. The boy already didn’t want to get mated and now a child? An unborn baby? No, it was too much and Seungjun knew he was dead meat.

As predicted, Youjin rushed over to Seungjun, grabbing the taller Alpha by the collar of his neck and pulling him off the bed, shaking the Alpha. Pure hatred and annoyance was visible in the usual calm Alpha. Seungjun was scared, but at the same time had resigned himself to his fate of dying due to the older Alpha.

“Youjin…” Jihun whispered, waking up, “Don’t kill him.”

Youjin stopped shaking Seungjun, pushing him onto the ground before jumping over to the hospital bed his brother was lying on.

“You need to take that test to be sure…” Youjin whispered, pulling Jihun into his chest, “I need to know you’re alright. You can do whatever you want, it’s your body so your choice what you will do if you are.”

Jihun nodded, sniffling at the contact with his brother. Youjin wasn’t the most affectionate older brother. Even when they’d been kids he hadn’t hugged and babied Jihun like most older siblings would. Youjin had always had more of an affinity to computers than people, so to have him hug Jihun closer and rock him from side to side, long rough fingers carding through the youngers’ hair, made the whole situation all the more real.

Jihun couldn’t hold in the tears, gripping the back of his older brothers’ shirt and burying his face in the crook of the older boys neck. He gasped for air, pulling himself as close as he could to the older and just breathing in his calming scent. He let the tears flow, let the sobs shake him, because the mere idea of a baby was frightening and scaring him half to death. He couldn’t be a parent, no he was too young, too immature and he didn’t even know if he could handle being pregnant.

Seungjun sat and looked on frowning, “I’m so sorry…” he whispered, “All I’ve ever done was apologize…” he added on shaking his head as a few of his own tears fell.

The brothers sat on the bed for a bit longer, Youjin letting Jihun cry as much as he wanted until the younger pulled away, hands rubbing at his red cheeks, trying to wipe some of the tears away while he still could.

“Want to do it now?” Heejun asked, pointing to the pregnancy tests lying on the bedside table.

Jihun frowned and shrugged, eyes looking down at Seungjun who seemed so guilty and so terrified. Jihun let go of his brother completely and leaned over the bed, hand reaching out to Seungjun who was still crouched on the floor where Youjin had dropped him moments before.

“You’ll let me choose?” Jihun asked, hand reaching down.

Seungjun bit his lip, “It’s your choice. No matter what it is.” The older Alpha explained, eyes so sure.

For the first time in a long time Seungjun was sure of something. He was sure that Jihun would make the right decision for the both of them. It wasn’t his choice to make. Yes, even if Jihun was pregnant, that baby would be his, but Seungjun wasn’t the one carrying it. Seungjun wasn’t the one people would stare at and laugh at. No, he would just be an Alpha, taking his Alpha classes in the Alpha wing. He wouldn’t be able to be there as much as he wanted for Jihun. He wouldn’t be able to protect and provide… He knew he wasn’t ready for a child, so even though he knew it would hurt him, he also trusted Jihun enough to make the correct decision for the both of them.

“I trust you Jihun.” Seungjun mumbled, looking straight at the Omega, “I trust in your decision.”

Jihun stared into the eyes of his mate, so determined, so trusting and something flared within his chest, something he never thought he would feel about an Alpha… an odd feeling of trust and security he never thought he would have, but Seungjun, Park Seungjun, made him feel so protected and so safe that Jihun knew he didn’t have to worry about his mate.

Sure, it would take time, lots of time before he could completely trust the Alpha, but the seed was there and if he was to put in effort he knew that the seed could grow to be a wonderful strong tree, a strong base for trust and love to come in years.

“Thank you…” Jihun smiled and finally grasped the hand Seungjun was stretching out for him as well, their fingers intertwining.