Archive of Our Own

When Mingyu looks back, he’ll realize he missed all the signs. All the really obvious, in his face, signs. 

It starts towards the end of a typical week. Mingyu, roommates with Seokmin since the start of the semester, had intended to come home from class and knock the fuck out in a nap. Maybe Seokmin would join him, he oftentimes did, the pair of best friends so attuned with each other after from a decade of friendship that even their tiredness hit at the same time. 

When he got back however, he was met with a sight so confusing nearly every bit of his sleepiness got whisked away. 

“Are you--are those my clothes?” Seokmin froze in the middle of his bed, turning wide, dark eyes Mingyu’s way. A pink blush started trailing from his big ears to his slim cheeks, finishing on his strong nose. He looked like a little berry, ripe for the picking. Mingyu, on year one thousand and twelve of his horrid crush on the other, had to avert his gaze before he did something silly and relationship-altering. Like kiss him breathless. 

“What? It’s just a couple hoodies. I was cold.” The other argues, strangely defensive. He doesn’t get bitchy like this often anymore, at least not with Mingyu. Seeing it now, seemingly out of the blue on a random Wednesday, leaves him off-kilter enough to stumble closer to the bed. He needs to get a better look at things. At least he feels like he does. There’s a weird tug in his belly telling him to move towards the Omega. He doesn’t fight it. But he does stop when he reaches the bed’s edge and Seokmin growls at him. 

Mingyu gasps quietly, hands raising placatingly on instinct. Neither have ever been ones for outright displays of their wolves. As an Alpha-Omega friendship, they’d initially been worried about sharing rooms to begin with. Or, more like everyone around them was. They, having navigated the pairing since they both presented at eighteen, had more than enough experience dealing with the opposite status. They hadn’t struggled a bit so far, had even crafted plans for when they fell into their mating cycles. Either would stay at Minghao’s, the boy a mutual friend they’ve shared since high school. He had a dorm two floors down, one without a roommate and therefore plenty of space for them to crash. 

So now, being met with something as startling as a growl, Mingyu’s left flabbergasted. And a little hurt. Seokmin’s never, ever cared about sharing his space with him. He’s never been territorial and either has the Alpha. What changed? And why did it change so suddenly?

“The sweatshirts aren’t even on your body, Seok.” Mingyu can’t help but mumble. The throwaway observation is the only thing his frazzled mind can produce. Seokmin, shamefaced as realization sets in, slumps against his pillows. He won’t meet Mingyu’s eyes. 

“They’re making my bed cozy.” Is all he offers. Mingyu, still too floored over everything, takes the barely-there explanation as gold and heads back to his own side of the room without another word. He has a whole closet full of hoodies anyway. If Seokmin wants to steal some he’ll survive. 

~~~

It’s a family trip, one the two of them have been looking forward to for forever. Summer was drawing to a close, the new school year was looming on the horizon. Middle School . Even the name sounded daunting. Neither felt ready even a bit, bellies tangled in nerves. The only solace they had was each other. And, for at least tonight, the comfort of the sea breeze too. 

The sun had set an hour ago. The house they rented for the weekend sat in the distance behind them, windows illuminated by night lamps. Their families were already bundled inside, laughing their way through dinner prep. They’d left their sons behind, the two boys determined to sap up every last bit of the beach that they could. Tomorrow, they’d pack everything up, shove into cars and make their way to the city. They had to prep for the new year, steam bottoms and press shirts. Mingyu could already feel the icky itch of the uniform. To him, it was one of the worst parts of school. 

Now, the hoodie he was in is soft against his skin. His Eomma handed it off earlier, had brought it down ‘just in case’ even though Mingyu planned to refuse it. The sun was still warm then, heating his bare skin above his swim trunks. His Eomma had always been a worrier. 

Then the golden yellow dipped below the blue sea and suddenly he was more than grateful for the woman’s unending concern. 

Seokmin’s pressed close beside him. Bodies melded together like this, Mingyu can feel every one of his shivers. The other’s never withstood the cold like him, trembling and shaking even in minor chill. Mingyu’s surprised his Eomma didn’t bring him a jacket too, knowing her son. But Seokmin’s forgetfulness was genetic, after all. Though now Mingyu’s left waging a mental war within himself. Heart tugging, he gives it five more seconds before wrenching the hoodie off. 

Seokmin blinks dumbly up at him as he hands it over. Snorting, Mingyu shoves it more firmly against his chest. In a way, he’s already better off than the taller--he never swims shirtless. The rashguard he has on is tight, black. For whatever reason Mingyu’s body squirms whenever he looks at him in it. In a way, the hoodie will be as much for him as Seokmin. 

“Wear it. You’re shivering.” 

“I-I always shiver.” His words jump alongside his body, big teeth clacking with it. Sighing, Mingyu moves Seokmin like he’s his personal puppet, raising his arms for him. Giggles get muffled beneath burgundy, break free with the boy’s head. His smile glints in the moonlight hanging over them, sparkling like the stars they so rarely see. 

“Now you’ll be cold.” The other grumbles. Smirking, Mingyu wraps an arm around him and reels him in. He does it harshly on purpose, loving the sound of Seokmin’s shocked laughter. Glaring cooly up at him, Seokmin shifts until they’re matched up again. His heavy head settles onto Mingyu’s shoulder. 

“Can’t be cold if I have you.”

~~~

The odd instances of behavior don’t quit either. They worsen. The day after the hoodie incident--one that neither of them bring up again--Mingyu’s in the middle of lunch with some of his teammates, their girlfriends and their girlfriend’s friends when it happens.

Admittedly, one of the friends has been chatting Mingyu up quite a bit. Giggling, laying hands all over his arms. She’s pretty, he can admit that too, but she isn’t the type of pretty he desires. Her nose is a button, her eyes big and shiny, her smile small. The antithesis of her is the only person on Mingyu’s one-track mind. Still, the attention is nice; his dumb Alpha ego is being fed. The girl--he’s already forgotten her name which he will say he’s ashamed of, don’t get him wrong--is in the middle of grabbing at his arms again, small fingers tracing appreciatively over his bicep, when a new weight suddenly shoves into Mingyu’s side. 

It seems like everyone at the table freezes. He swears the lull of dining hall chatter falls to a stop. Mingyu’s ears ring from the sudden silence. And, as he sits and breathes, his nose stings with how potent Seokmin’s scent has become. His sweet orange has turned sour with aggravation. Mingyu’s left questioning the source, until he sees the way the Omega is glaring at the other still wrapped around his arm. 

“I needed somewhere to sit. Hope you don’t mind.” Seokmin announces. It’s obviously directed towards Mingyu though his eyes never leave the girl’s. Mingyu slowly takes a look around and the others do too. Seokmin’s flush grows while their smiles tilt. There’s at least ten empty tables surrounding theirs’. But not a single one of them will call the Omega on the lie. Mingyu isn’t the only one whipped for him. The boy didn’t earn the moniker ‘Sweetheart Seokmin’ for nothing. 

The little leech Mingyu’s gained seems more than happy to fight the Omega on his bluff. Her lipgloss-painted mouth opens, rebuttal on her tongue. It dies in her throat when Mingyu subtly shrugs her touch off, turns completely on the bench, and rewards the other Omega with every ounce of his attention. Seokmin tugs him into a hug then, one with his head curved over his shoulder. Mingyu returns it, confused over the sudden affection but loving it nonetheless. 

With the position, he misses the way Seokmin smirks at the other Omega in triumph. When they break it, Mingyu’s surprised to find the girl’s previous spot empty. Shrugging, he decides not to dwell, allowing Seokmin to feed him a bite of the kimbap he brought along. 

~~~

He didn’t think anything could bring out a bad side in Lee Seokmin but he especially didn’t think it’d be prom season. For the past few weeks, ever since the upcoming dance was announced, the freshly-presented Omega has been a wreck of frowns and biting words. 

Mingyu originally attributed it to the hormones. He knew weeks to months following presentation could be messy. It’s what they’ve been taught since puberty. But as the days wear and Seokmin’s scent evens, his behavior doesn’t improve much at all. It leaves Mingyu dizzy in confusion. And, if he’s being honest, a little hurt, too. 

Seokmin’s never really been angry with him, ever. Throughout the years they’ve barely fought. They bicker, sure, but it’s always playful. If they do fight it’s seldom and short. Lately though, any time he so much as opens his mouth in the Omega’s direction he’s snippy. Slowly, Mingyu stops trying to initiate conversation with him at all. The silence is almost worse than the alternative. 

What’s killing him the most is the confusion. He doesn’t understand what sparked the change. Where did his sweet best friend go? Why does he suddenly seem to hate him? Every day brings more ache. By the end of the week Mingyu’s a salt grain away from crying. 

“I don’t get it, Hao. What did I do ?” 

He doesn’t know whether he should feel better, that their mutual best friend seems as lost as him. The foreign boy frowns, shrugging helplessly. Mingyu would wonder if he was lying--he’s always sided with Seokmin and has helped keep the boy’s secrets from Mingyu over the years--but Minghao seems genuine this time. The pinch to his sharp eyes and tug on his full lips is real. Sighing, Mingyu swallows back a sob. Just as he does, the source of the bruise overlaying his heart comes and plops right down beside him. 

The other two friends share a look. Subtly, Minghao urges him on with a tilt to his chin. 

“Uh…hey Seokkie.” Mingyu tries. The Omega doesn’t so much as glance at him. Is he getting the silent treatment now? The lump in his throat grows. Swallowing against its constricture, Mingyu takes a bite of his lunch for the first time in twenty minutes. It tastes like sulfur. 

All Mingyu gets in warning is a deep, drawn-out sigh. 

“Okay. That’s enough.” It’s Minghao grumbling it, the beta so obviously aggravated his eyes have sparked cerulean. The other two freeze, breaths caught in their throats. Minghao gestures between them, hand flying in wild, jerky movements. “You two need to fix whatever this is. I refuse to be a child of divorce.” 

Seokmin, half-peeled orange in hand, throws it down to his tray with a huff. “What the fuck are you even talking about?” 

Minghao snorts, a tendril of amusement seeping into his anger. “I’ve had to tiptoe around you two for an entire week. I can only take so much moping and animosity. Meditation isn’t even helping my stress anymore.” On quick feet he stands, scooping up his tray. A spindly finger points their way again. “Talk. Actually talk. About whatever the hell is bothering you both. You’ve been friends longer than I’ve even lived in this country. I’m not letting you ruin that.” 

They’re left in stunned silence, pointedly looking away from one another. It’s Mingyu that ends up broaching it, always the more courageous of the two. “Seokmin, he’s right. There’s something going on and I don’t understand it. Please talk to me.” 

Seokmin’s fingers are tearing into his orange hard enough to drip pulp down his wrists. Mingyu wraps his fingers around one of them. Seokmin freezes. Lowering his hands and the poor fruit back to the table, Mingyu lets go, coming away sticky. 

“Maybe you should go ask Kang Yeri to talk to you.” It’s quiet, blanketed by a sheet of pure petulance. Floored and even more lost, Mingyu rears back in shock. Wide eyes settle onto the side of Seokmin’s quickly reddening face. 

“What? Why the hell would I do that?” 

Seokmin shrugs, jerky and upset. “Prom’s in only a couple of weeks. Shouldn’t you be spending time with your date?” 

Mingyu’s brain feels fried. Prom? Date? What date? Mingyu hasn’t asked anyone yet. The person he’s been wanting to ask is sitting right next to him, acting like a brat. What the hell does Yeri have to do with any of this?

“Seokmin, i’m not going to prom with Yeri.” 

The boy stares up at him, wrought in skepticism. Mingyu can’t believe this. Was this really why the other’s been so prickly towards him all week? Why is he so upset to begin with? Something flutters in Mingyu’s chest. He tamps it down. 

“Who told you I was going with her?”

Seokmin’s citrusy hands go flying above his head. “Her!” He exclaims. A few heads turn from other tables. The Omega shrinks in his seat. “Her.” he repeats, quieter now. “I mean, kind of. I heard her talking about it during P.E. She was telling all her little friends that she’s already picked out a suit for you and everything.”

Mingyu scoffs. “Then she’s delusional, Seok. I haven’t asked her. I wasn’t planning on asking her.” 

Al the fight drains from Seokmin’s body. Mingyu’s hands twitch with the urge to hold him. “Really?” He whispers, more to himself than anything. “B-but you should. You--everyone expects you to go with her. The cheer captain and the basketball captain! It’s like highschool 101!”

Mingyu tilts his head, eyeing the other in confusion. “Do you… want me to go with her?” He can’t help but ask it. Seokmin’s words now and Seokmin’s actions from the past week are completely contradictory. But, judging by the twist on his best friend’s lips, Mingyu thinks he already has an answer. 

“No!” Seokmin grumbles. He’s finally finished peeling his orange. With more force than necessary, he shoves half of it at Mingyu. Tentatively, the Alpha takes it. The flesh is sweet against his tongue, flavor reminding him of someone special. Someone with a chronic jump-to-conclusion mind and a pretty, sad little pout. Even with the headaches he can give, Mingyu will never tire of him. His smile is pretty good acetaminophen anyway.

“Well…that’s good.” Mingyu starts. Seokmin glances shyly his way. Mingyu smiles around a mouth of orange and swallows. “Because while you’ve been over there, stewing in your shit, i’ve been spending the past week trying to come up with ways to ask you to prom. Doofus.” 

Hope mixes with disbelief. It’s so very cute, whenever Seokmin tries to fight down his smiles. “You--no.” A blip of darkness blends in. “Don’t fuck with me, Mingyu.” 

Mingyu slumps, laughing to himself. He should’ve known. “Yah, i’m not. Ask Hao. Ask my--my Eomma. I’ve been trying to get advice and ideas from them all week, dummy . You’re the only one I want to go with. Not Yeri, not Hyerin, not any of the other ‘captains’ or queen bees. Just you.” 

Seokmin’s scent turns sweet, light. Mingyu hazards a look his way. The boy’s eyes have gained a glassy sheen. Cooing, Mingyu wraps his sticky hands around his back and lets the other burrow into him. 

“Go to prom with me, Lee Seokmin.” It’s not the question it should be. More like a demand. Mingyu thinks he deserves it, after a week of putting up with what was apparently Seokmin’s jealousy . 

“..okay.” 

~~~

Seokmin shows up to Mingyu’s soccer practice. Seokmin shows up, bundled in Mingyu’s team hoodie, twitchy and flighty and off . Mingyu doesn’t understand it. He’s left with more even questions when the boy passes over a bag of protein bars and electrolyte drinks. 

“Don’t want you to overwork yourself. You work too hard.” 

Mingyu nods along to the comment, hugs Seokmin back when the Omega pulls him in. The other has only ever come to his practices when Mingyu’s forgotten something. He’s never brought him anything like this. And, the second Mingyu accepts it, breaks away from the hug, the Omega’s off again. Like nothing even happened.

Mingyu stares after him, plastic bag hanging loosely in his grip. A few of his teammates sidle up, clap him over one shoulder each and whistle. “Damn, wish I had such a doting Omega for myself.” 

The other one scoffs. “I know. Mine’s never brought me gifts like that. And we’ve been mated for three years!”

Mingyu, head spinning, can’t bring himself to correct them. The thought of Seokmin being his capital ‘M’ mate leaves him weak in the knees. Thankfully, their coach blows the whistle and calls them back towards the field. 

~~~

“Mingyu-ssi, you have a visitor.” 

Mingyu’s eyes are heavy when he opens them. The leftover anesthesia is still like molasses in his veins. He thought he’d be stronger at sixteen but he supposes no one is immune to potent medication. At least it’s numbing the pain in his leg. 

A blurry splotch of blue comes closer and closer to the bed. Blinking, the haze clears. Seokmin’s frown is staring right down at him. His eyes are as glossy as Mingyu’s entire head feels. 

The vacant chair next to his bed gets filled. Its legs scrape the floor while Seokmin scoots. The second the gap’s filled he’s smacking a hard hand on Mingyu’s gown-covered arm. 

“Ow! Seok--what the hell?!”

The glisten spills over. Seokmin sniffles, wiping furious hands over his cheeks. “That’s for hurting yourself and making me worry.” Mingyu’s gape falls away to incredulous laughter. It’s strained. His throat is still so sore from surgery. A by-product of the breathing tube, that’s what the nurse said. Mingyu hopes it goes away soon. 

Reality swirls into the mess of Mingyu’s consciousness. On the monitor over their heads, his heartbeat picks up enough to set off a tiny alarm. Seokmin snaps to it in concern, then back to him to scan him over. His fingers are cold when they clutch at him. “What--”

“Why are you here? How are you here? You had a performance tonight didn’t you? You’re the lead, Seokmin you can’t just miss--” The rest of his words get muffled into Seokmin’s shirt. He’s still in his stage clothes. Nauseous guilt wells up within him. Seokmin’s arms may be warm and comforting but they’re doing very little to quiet the screeching questions in his head. 

“I was rehearsing when they told me you got hurt at soccer practice. What else did you expect me to do? Stay? When they said you were rushing to the--the fucking hospital because the bone was sticking out of your leg ?!” Seokmin’s bordering on hysterical now. Mingyu scoops up his hands and clutches them tight. It’s a good distraction for him, too. The memory of the injury is one he wants to forget so badly. It was an out-of-body experience, seeing that. Good thing his body, overwhelmed and quickly going into shock, made him pass out right after. 

“But the musical, Seokmin!” He argues. His heart is alight and aching in equal measure. Seokmin’s been trying to get the lead since they started high school. Now, in their third year, he was finally able to. He’d practiced for weeks before auditions, spent nights singing himself hoarse until the sun rose. Mingyu, of course, was right there along with him. He’d nearly cried when Seokmin broke the news. So to find out the other missed out on opening night because of him…Mingyu could drown in the own leak of his heart. 

“Fuck the musical!” Seokmin yells. Mingyu’s stunned into silence. Seokmin has never sounded so angry. “Mingyu, it’s not even worth it if you weren’t going to be there to see me. You--the success was due to you anyway.” Mingyu opens his mouth to argue. One of Seokmin’s chilly palms covers right over it. He gives a warning glare. “It is. If you didn’t help me practice over and over again, run lines with me even when you sucked doing it--” Mingyu snorts beneath his palm. “I don’t think I would’ve landed it. And…if I have you with me for all the next ones, i’m sure there’ll be more opening nights where i’m the lead.” 

They fall into silence. Slowly, Seokmin pulls his hand away. Mingyu grabs it before it can go far. “Plus, there’s ten more shows until the production’s over. I’ll be there for those. And, really, this is the perfect opportunity for Beomseok to realize how much he sucks .” 

They fall together in laughter. Ah, right, Seokmin’s understudy. The senior, who’s been trying to land a lead his entire high school career. His ego didn’t match his talents. There was a reason he was the quote unquote bridesmaid but never the bride. Mingyu knows there’s no risk of him taking on the role tonight. The audience and director will be craving Seokmin’s presence like a beached fish craves water. 

“Do you think they’ll release you by tomorrow?” Seokmin asks, extra small. Mingyu’s thankful when he’s able to nod. 

“Definitely. They already said i’ll be out of here by morning. They just wanted to hold me overnight for observation.” 

“That’s good.” Seokmin murmurs in a tiny smile. 

Late evening the following day finds Seokmin barreling down the theater rows. At the very end stands Mingyu, casted and propped up. The purple plaster is hand-decorated, full of smileys and rainbows and any other cutesy thing Seokmin wanted to draw. 

The oversized bouquet he bought is clutched clumsily over a crutch. 

~~~

Mingyu comes home from class to Seokmin in his bed. Now to some, it may not seem all that significant but Mingyu knows better. Even on movie nights, when they cuddle together and share a space, Seokmin always insists on it being his own. He has more pillows than Mingyu plus a mountain of plushies--most gifts from the Alpha himself. It all acts as the perfect, snuggly surface to lay on. So to find the Omega in Mingyu’s ‘barren bed’--his words--curled up around one of Mingyu’s few, ‘too flat pillows’--his words again...well. All he can do is stand just over the doorway and gape . 

The backpack slung over his shoulder falls to the floor in his surprise. It lands in a thump loud enough to jolt the bed-stealing Omega from slumber. He sits up, dark locks rustled in bedhead, face a splotchy rose. There’s pillow creases on his pretty skin, a puffiness to his eyes. Mingyu, left with a day full of classes, hasn’t been back to the dorm since this morning. Now, he wonders just how long Seokmin’s been asleep. If he hazarded a guess, he’d say a while. 

“Gyu?” 

Again, Mingyu’s left with the same tug in his belly. It’s like him and Seokmin are two magnets, left on their compatible sides, being pulled together by some invisible force. Kicking off his shoes, he slowly heads to the edge of his bed. Seokmin blinks blearily up at him. As Mingyu watches, he looks around. They widen the more things seem to sink in. Why does he appear so surprised? Did he sleep-walk into Mingyu’s bed or something?

“I-I--” the boy stutters, cutting himself in the middle. His lips start dipping at their corners, lines wobbly. Mingyu’s mind fills with alarms. He’s known the meaning behind that look ever since he put it there all those years ago. Ever since little him accidentally kicked his soccer ball into the other’s head. Mingyu had been aiming for the fence behind the sandbox but his aim wasn’t all that good yet. He’d held Seokmin while he cried, brought him to his worried Eomma and offered to buy apology ice cream with his allowance. Their parents had shared a knowing look, exchanged contact info once the impromptu ice cream date was over. And the rest was history. 

Now, seeing that same expression, Mingyu reaches for the other and curls him into his arms on instinct. Seokmin leans against him, snuffling and sniffling and dampening the loose henley Mingyu wore to class. Mingyu waits him out, heart aching over the sheer sadness in his scent. He doesn’t understand why Seokmin’s so upset. Mingyu would swap beds with him in an instant if it made him happy. Even more, he’d sleep on the goddamn floor for the rest of the year if Seokmin wanted his bed but didn’t want Mingyu in his. Anything for the Omega. Always.

“Seokkie, tell me why you’re so upset, hm? Did something happen?” Heat sears into his chest and dips his brows. “Did someone do something? Do I have to kick their ass?” 

A quiet snort comes out muffled. Slowly, Seokmin peeks out of hiding. His lashes are dark with tears and oh-so-pretty. He’s always cried like an anime character and Mingyu’s been enamored by it for eons. Then again, anything the other does is pretty. He’s pretty. 

Mingyu shoves the besotted thoughts away. Grabbing some tissues from the box by the bedside, his hand settles beneath the jut of Seokmin’s chin. Tilting his face up, he takes his time cleaning the tacky tears from his cheeks. He’s extra gentle beneath his eyes, knowing how sensitive the thin skin is. He even swipes under Seokmin’s nose for him too. The entire time, the Omega’s pupils stay locked on his face, blown and dark and lidded with something other than sadness. Mingyu isn’t too sure what, but he doesn’t have much time to ponder it, because Seokmin finally speaks. 

“I-I just missed you. You were at class all day and when I came back from my only one this morning the dorm felt so empty and I guess…I thought sleeping in your bed would help.” His voice turns more into a murmur the longer he speaks. Mingyu’s left straining to make out the rest. His chest warms when he does, heart a tea kettle about to whistle. His sweet Seokmin. His best friend. If only he could be more than that. But Mingyu knows he can’t. The Omega has never given any inkling into wanting more. So if he did, wouldn’t he have asked by now? Hell, they even went to prom together in high school yet no confessions occurred. Mingyu’s known it was hopeless since. And yet his heart still dares to dream. 

“Did it?” He asks. Seokmin blinks slowly in confusion. Mingyu’s smile grows. “Did it help? Sleeping in my bed?” He can tell the other’s thrown by his lack of anger, that the Alpha isn’t weirded out. How he could ever think Mingyu would feel either is beyond him. All he does feel is the candy-red stickiness of affection. 

“Yeah…” Seokmin trails off. Mingyu looks him over then. His eyes catch on the teeshirt settled on his skin. It’s one of Mingyu’s. The kettle in his chest boils over and shrieks. 

“Stay there then. I don’t mind. I’ll do my work at my desk.” He’s just about to turn when a hand catches him by the wrist. Seokmin’s thumb brushes his scent gland there, working peppermint and pine into the air. Mingyu shivers, something in him growing until it bursts. 

“You can work on it here. I can um…I can--” He stops, scooting to the far edge, up against the wall. The space he’s left with isn’t anywhere near big enough to accommodate all of Mingyu’s heft, at least comfortably. But does that stop him from squeezing in beside the other anyway? Not even a bit. 

They don’t move much from the bed for the rest of the night, even ordering takeout that they carefully eat while nestled in the sheets. When it comes time for sleep, Seokmin finally shows some semblance of self-consciousness, eyes flicking between Mingyu and his own space across the room. Mingyu answers his wordless question by wrapping both arms around his tiny waist and pulling him close. “Stay.” He whispers. 

And Seokmin does. 

~~~

“Mingyu.” 

Mingyu closes his eyes tight. His chest rounds out, caves in. One word. Just his name. That alone made the twenty-minute lecture on ‘expensive international calls’ worth every second. 

“Seokkie. Miss you.” A shaky breath crackles down the line. Mingyu’s jagged nerves smooth out. He isn’t the only one feeling the ache; there’s something soothing in that.  

“I miss you too, Gyu-ah. So mu-ch.” Seokmin’s voice breaks on the last word and Mingyu’s heart breaks along with it. A soft sniffle. God, he wishes he could reach through the phone. All he wants is to hold the other. 

He knows everyone would call them dramatic and they very well could be right. But the fact remains: this is the longest they’ve been apart since meeting each other nearly two decades ago. Who knew what was supposed to be a fun, pre-college vacation could cause so much pain? 

His parents had wanted to celebrate him--finishing high school, getting accepted to his dream college, gaining a scholarship--and Mingyu had agreed. Up until they so kindly informed him that it’d be A) a month long trip around Europe and B) it was just for their family alone. No Seokmin. He can still picture how nervous their faces looked when voicing that particular tidbit. Why, he isn’t sure. He wasn’t thrilled but the possibility of exploring an entire new continent helped drown out any displeasure. 

Now, a mere two weeks in, Mingyu thinks past him is silly. Silly and naive. How could he ever think going this long without his best friend would be okay? And he has another two weeks to go? He doesn’t know if he’ll survive. 

“Are you having fun?” Soft. Soft words and soft voice. Seokmin still sounds wet with sadness but he’s putting up a good front just for him. Mingyu feels so incredibly warm by the gesture.

“Would be more fun if you were here.” 

A sweet giggle, a smile he can hear the stretch of. Mingyu wishes he could’ve FaceTimed. His parents didn’t want to risk the cost. And, the hotel they’re in tonight has shit wifi anyway. Instead, he sinks his nose into the collar of the hoodie pulled tight across his skin. Deep blue and sneakily stolen. Citrus scented, home scented. The tiny anchor on his heart gets raised up by its chain. 

“I told you to have fun for me, Gyu.” The faux-sternness is adorable. Mingyu swallows a laugh and sighs. 

“Yeah, yeah. I promise I am. Just…miss you too.” 

Soft breathing. Another sniffle. Mingyu hates this distance. He feels like he’s reaching across a million-mile lake. Seokmin’s barely a green glow on the horizon. He’s just so happy they decided to go to the same university. If a month is fixing to injure him, an entire six set would’ve been lethal. 

“You’ll be back home soon.” Seokmin murmurs. Home, yes. In the home of his warmth and sweet smile. Mingyu’s chest flutters. Maybe this year will be the one he’ll finally take the leap. 

“In the meantime, live it up. Do it for me.” 

Mingyu smiles into the receiver. He hopes Seokmin can hear it. “Always, for you.”

~~~

Seokmin wakes up feeling like he’s boiling from the inside out. His skin is sticky, pajamas clinging. The base of his spine, his armpits, his groin--are all sopping wet. Nose wrinkling, he sits up to wrench his top off. His elbow smashes into something when he does and he’s left only a second to wonder before a soft groan fills the room. 

Within the next second, Seokmin’s eyes are stinging. The normally subdued bedside lamp feels searing now, brightening the once-dark room. Beside him, Mingyu sits up, thick hand rubbing over his nose. A pout dips his lips. Well. Seokmin knows what he hit now. 

His mind spins while he looks around. Why the fuck is he in Mingyu’s bed? His eyes find the blink of red on the Alpha’s table. Almost four AM? He never sleeps over here for this long. Not even on nights when they cuddle up for movies and doze off. His body’s natural clock always seems to alert him when it gets too late. Then, he’ll stumble his way back across the room. Mingyu needs his own space. The Alpha surely wouldn’t want him drooling and sweating on him all night. That’s something only Mates do. And Seokmin will never be that. 

A tinge of bitterness starts to fill the room. Mingyu’s nose wrinkles. Seokmin sniffs, heart dropping when he realizes it’s his own doing. Glancing down, his eyes blow open when they find bare skin. Right, fuck. He just tore off his top. He looks back at the other again. Mingyu’s confused eyes are zeroed in on his torso. Swallowing a whine, Seokmin wraps both arms around his body to cover up. It’s not like Mingyu hasn’t seen him naked before, he more than has. You don’t hold a double-decade friendship without that. And they’re roommates, and fuck if Seokmin’s going to cram into their tiny bathroom every time he wants to change. But being fleetingly bare in front of the other is world’s different than being exposed in his goddamn bed. 

Everything turns hazy in the next second. His vision blurs, settling anxiety heavily into his chest. He’s confused, scared. Does he need a hospital? Is he having a stroke? And then his stomach clenches, hard . 

“Seokkie? Are you okay?” Seokmin fights the urge to snap at the Alpha. He’s doubled-over in pain right now, does he look okay? But one glance at the other, his sweet concerned face and confused eyes, and he bites it back. Seokmin shouldn’t take his anger out on him. He’s the idiot, not Mingyu. 

How the fuck did he let his impending heat slip his mind? He knew he never should’ve deleted that heat tracker app! But he couldn’t stand the little notifications anymore. The last time he tried to pay for something on his phone, a message popped up talking about ‘increased slick production today! You’re ovulating, baby !’ and he was so embarrassed he left the wide-eyed barista with his freshly-made coffee. He still hasn’t been back to that cafe since. 

And now he’s gone and given himself a surprise heat. But really, should it even be that much of a surprise? He’s been nesting for days! He’s been more possessive--he nearly bit that random Omega’s head off at lunch the other day. He’s been more emotional too--a couple of days ago, he dug through the cupboards in search of his honey butter chips only to find the bag half-empty. Mingyu looked like he was about to start crying alongside him out of sheer guilt alone. Seokmin had felt horrible. And then yesterday?! He should’ve known what that was too! Every time he’s in pre-heat he craves Mingyu’s attention like he’s the lifeblood to a collection of failing organs. 

What is he even supposed to do now? His wolf is already howling for the Alpha, having him so close like this. Usually, Mingyu’s already the hell out of dodge when this stage hits. But he’s practically been with Seokmin this entire cycle now save for the peri-heat. Having him leave now will hurt tremendously. 

But he knows it’s what he has to do. 

“I-I’m starting my heat soon, Mingyu-ah. I’m sorry. I lost track of it.” 

Mingyu’s mouth falls open. It pokes out his cute little fangs. Seokmin wants to feel their sharpness against his tongue. His body sears with another wave of ache. The seat of his pants dampens. Fuck, Mingyu’s gotta go now . 

Seokmin braces both hands on the Alpha’s forearms and gives a shove. “Mingyu, you need to leave.” His palms tingle when he lets go, fingers itching to be back on Mingyu’s skin. Just that short touch was electrifying. The ache in his belly and wetness of his bottom is even worse now. 

“Wait why? I--you don’t want help?” 

Seokmin freezes in the bed, stares at his lifelong best friend and tries his hardest to understand. Is the heat haze making him delirious or did Mingyu just offer what he thinks he did? “Mingyu…you can’t-- we can’t--” he cuts off, unsure how to continue and thrown even worse by the other’s fresh frown. He looks strangely hurt. Seokmin has never felt more lost in his life. 

Mingyu nods to himself. “R-right. Yeah. I mean, I know you’d rather it be anyone else but I guess I’d figure I’d offer…heh.”

Seokmin’s too shocked to think straight. His hands grapple at Mingyu the second he makes to stand. He knows he must look crazed. Good. He is crazed. What the hell is Mingyu even implying? How could he--

“What do you mean ‘would rather it be anyone else’?!” It comes out hysterical, loud enough to make the Alpha flinch. An apology flies to Seokmin’s tongue. His belly gives another lurch and he ignores it, softening his touch on Mingyu instead. The Alpha’s burning hot even up by the shoulders and even with the thin barrier of his tee. Breaths quickening, Seokmin trails his palms down until he can lace their fingers together. Mingyu watches with wide eyes, a crease of something settled within them. It looks like fear but smells like hope, a tinge of sweet lavender mixing with his mint. It makes Seokmin gain the smallest amount of courage.

“Mingyu, why would I ever want anyone else?” 

Mingyu sighs. His cheeks are two flames of red. He breaks their shared gaze, gluing it to the blankets. Seokmin squeezes his palm in encouragement but he still stays stubbornly downward. “You’ve never acted like you’d want it to be me.” 

Seokmin softens. A new ache starts up, this time up north, beneath his pleura and above what keeps him alive. Has it really been his fault all along? But then again, Mingyu hasn’t ever acted like he wanted Seokmin as his either. 

“Neither have you.” Biting words but said sweetly, quietly. Mingyu’s head snaps up. Wide eyes find Seokmin’s and stay. One of this canines is gnawing at his bottom lip. Softly, Seokmin pushes the flesh free with his thumb. It’s always been one of Mingyu’s worst anxious habits. He refuses to let the Alpha bleed, especially because of him. 

What he doesn’t know, is the Alpha is bleeding for him already. Trickling out along his lungs. Hope helps him reabsorb it like a surgical sponge. “How could you even say that?” Mingyu breathes. “After everything i’ve done for you. Everything I do for you. This entire time I’ve thought I was being obvious. Everyone else thought so too. Except you, apparently.”

Seokmin shifts closer. Mingyu welcomes him like a blink, quick, fast, barely any thought put into it. The Omega’s lips lift. Mingyu will always mean so much to him. “You’ve known me for forever, Mingyu. You know how I am. If things aren’t spelled out I’m never able to read them. This entire time i’ve been writing everything off as friendship.” Mingyu snorts. Seokmin cups his pink cheek and moves close enough to feel his breath. “But i’ve been wishing, this entire time, that it’d be more.” 

Mingyu’s smile is near enough to hear. One more push and it can be tasted, too. 

What starts sweet gains heat in mere seconds. Mingyu’s lips take his, hold them captive, bite them red. His tongue, hot and wet, dives into his mouth and laps up every sound. Another pull away, another peck, and Seokmin’s stomach squeezes tight. 

“ A-ah .” He whimpers. Mingyu wraps him up, two large palms cradling either side of his face. Seokmin stares with squinted eyes and whines again. Mingyu nuzzles their noses together. Comforting mint wafts from him in waves. 

“Let me take care of you.” The Alpha rushes. “Let me make you feel better, hm?” Seokmin nods. Strong arms ease him to the sheets. Their silky fabric clings to his damp back. Mingyu looks too pretty above him to care. “ Let me be a good Alpha for you?” 

Seokmin curls a hand along his jaw. It’s leverage, to get the Alpha back on his lips. Mingyu follows as easily as always. “You’re already a good Alpha for me.” Seokmin whispers. “Always have been.” 

Mingyu’s scent turns over with freshly-picked pride. A whimper gets traded between them. Body blanketing his, Seokmin can feel the very second his length twitches. The outline of him is daunting, massive. Seokmin’s body gives another pang. Slick pools in rivulets. Light citrus morphs into baked orange. 

His hips start a rhythm, body aching to feel more of the other. Mingyu grinds down in time, rolling the scorching line of him into Seokmin’s body. The Alpha’s lips sear into his neck, lick down his scent gland and puff up sweetness. His teeth settle at the base, worrying a mark into the thin skin. Seokmin’s heart pounds hard enough to hurt. One more thrust up and he’s filling his bottoms with thick heat. 

His scent turns heady with it, orange-cinnamon pastry. Mingyu draws away, peers at him, smiles small and tiny. Seokmin buries his embarrassed whine into his hands. A soft coo and they’re tugged away. “Don’t hide from me, Seokkie. I want you to feel good. That’s the whole point of this.” 

“It would’ve been better if you actually got to touch me first.” He grumbles. Mingyu presses his laugh against his mouth. His hands squeeze around his waist, long and pointed.

“I am touching you~” He teases, giving another squeeze. Seokmin huffs. More lucid and craving the upper hand, he reaches down and palms over the Alpha through his sweats. He’s scalding even through the fabric, soaking wet at the tip. Seokmin’s mouth buzzes. He needs to taste him. 

Mustering up strength he didn’t even know he has, he flips them. Mingyu stares in a daze atop the pillow, chest rising and falling with quickened breaths. Smirking, Seokmin kisses him once, twice, on the lips then traces downward. 

Tan hands fall beneath white tee and trace equally tan chest. The fabric gets rucked beneath Mingyu’s armpits, leaving him on display for the Omega’s greedy eyes. Zeroing in on peaked nipples, Seokmin laves over one then two. Mingyu’s hands twist in the sheets, his next breath coming in a whimper. 

Seokmin reeks of satisfaction the farther down he goes. A pointed tongue traces clenched muscles and makes them jump. He dips it into the hollow of Mingyu’s bellybutton, uses it to feel the scratch of his happy trail. When he reaches his waistband he peeks up, finding eyes dusted in crimson. Seokmin’s own flash a golden yellow, an orange bloom after a rainstorm. 

Seokmin tugs down Mingyu’s waistband in one tight grip. His cock springs free in seconds, hot and heavy against his belly. The Alpha squirms as his thighs are trapped, clenched together with the elastic. Seokmin ignores it, ignores him, and swallows his length fast enough to hit his uvula. His gag reflex is subdued for now, heat leaving all his muscles lax and soft. It’s a blessing, one he takes full advantage of, deep throating Mingyu until his lungs burn for air. 

“ Fuck , baby. So good for me.” Mingyu praises, voice a deep growl. Seokmin twitches in the mess of his pants. Powdered orange seeps into the Alpha’s nose. Smiling, his hand cradles the back of Seokmin’s head gently, reverently. Seokmin presses into it. On his next pass, he swallows. The hand on his hair twitches but stays soft, never pushing, never forcing. Warmth pumps from his heart and into his body. The desire to please grows stronger. His Mingyu, his sweet Alpha. Seokmin is the luckiest person in the world, getting to have this. 

Mingyu’s hips twitch. On the pillows he squirms. His palm caresses the curve of Seokmin’s head while his glazed eyes lid over in affection. Seokmin matches them, leaking just as much love as the other. He’s sinful, gazing so sweetly with a mouth full of thick Alpha cock. Mingyu’s muscles ripple, body drawing tight. “Getting close, baby.” He warns. A hand moves from hair to chin, tracing over the jump of Seokmin’s jaw. The Omega ignores the comment. He wants it, wants to feel Mingyu’s hot cum inside him. Above him the Alpha tsks, fingers on his skin turning more insistent. “Come on, love. I come a lot. It’ll be too much. It’s okay.” 

Seokmin pulls off with a pout, scent turning tart. Mingyu coos at him, guiding him up by his shoulders. Seokmin goes, more than reluctantly. Face to face again, Mingyu licks into him even with the taste of precome lingering in his heat. Seokmin lets himself be kissed but doesn’t return it. He swallows up a giggle when the Alpha huffs and pulls away. Mingyu always tells him how cute his pout is but Seokmin think’s his is even cuter. Poking at it, he wrenches his hand away in a gasp when Mingyu gives a fake bite. 

“Was that your first time?” He murmurs. The hand on Seokmin’s head is back, tracing through his sweaty strands now. Seokmin nuzzles into it and nods. “Yeah…haven’t been with anyone else, Mingyu. Never felt right.” 

A possessive satisfaction so stringent breaks into the air. Seokmin wrinkles his nose, giggles as Mingyu turns sheepish. His best friend, his Mingyu, always so lovely. He’s never been like so many typical Alphas, has never acted aggressive, possessive, egotistical. But at the end of the day the seeds of each trait lay dormant beneath his soil. Seeing some of them bud now, because of him, is weirdly sweet. 

“Me neither.” The Alpha adds. “Couldn’t even look at anyone else, Seok. It’d make me nauseous, almost.” 

Seokmin presses closer. Their torsos stick together, bare on bare. His breath stutters. Leaning away, he can’t stave off his snort. Mingyu’s shirt is still stuck in his armpits. Giggling together, they work in tandem to ease it off. The bind of his bottoms goes too. And then, with cautious glances, a subtle nod, and crimson cheeks, Seokmin’s fall away too. 

The fabric is an embarrassing wreck, wet and sticky. Mingyu kisses each red cheek and uses tissues by the bed to clean the worst of it off. He leaves the slick though, hungry eyes tracing its path. The tendrils painting Seokmin’s thighs are quickly cooling in the still air. Shivering, he buries his burning face into Mingyu’s neck and lets his sweet mint calm him. 

Fingers down his back, along his spine. Goosebumps follow each touch and trail a path parallel to the heat. They hesitate on the mound of his ass. Kissing the Alpha’s scent gland, tasting it teasingly with his tongue, he presses back into his touch in encouragement. Mingyu groans and grips him, kneading the flesh gently. Seokmin whimpers again, presses against him again. Hot hands hold harder, dig deeper. A sting breaks beneath each fingertip. Seokmin knows he’ll bruise. 

One hand to one cheek, the other trails into his wetness then leaves. Seokmin hears a pop, pulls away, gasps as Mingyu laps up the last bit of slick from his lip. His fingers fall away from his face, dip down again. Seokmin jerks away before he can touch. 

“That’s--what--Mingyu!”

Mingyu laughs, deep. His voice has never sounded like this. “What, baby? You taste so sweet. Like summer juice by the sea. Let me taste you more? I’ll make you feel so good, I promise.” 

Seokmin holds back a scoff. Mingyu doesn’t need to go to such great lengths. He already knows the Alpha will make him feel better than he’s ever felt in his life. Bottling the words, he gives the other a nod and lets Mingyu roll him to his back again. 

The ceiling’s stained tiles face him and he flutters his eyes shut instead. Each new touch from the Alpha comes as a surprise this way, leaving him trembling. His tepid breath goes down, down, downward. It lingers on his nipples, drawing them to a peak. It tickles his belly, puffs around his teeth while they dig into the line of muscle along his sides. It follows his happy trail, lays over his hair, trickles along his cock. One breath, two, three, and four. The fifth never comes, replaced with a strangled moan instead. Mingyu’s tongue feels three times as hot against his aching entrance. 

Seokmin’s eyes wrench open, desperate to watch Mingyu eat him out despite his shyness. The Alpha’s already looking up at him, smoldering darkness facing north. Seokmin’s chest caves in around a whine, hole offering even more slick directly into Mingyu’s mouth. Orange and sugar, sticky and saccharine. It falls in waves, leaks in lines. His hips work up, cock thrusting for relief it won’t find. All the pleasure’s centered at his core instead, heat getting filled by Mingyu’s touch. 

“Does it feel good, love? Your sweet hole keeps trying to pull me inside.” Seokmin’s head slams against the pillows. Shyness sops up every last bit of pleasure. Mingyu coos while he whines. Two fingers find his entrance, dipping inside and distracting him from his own thoughts. It works like a charm, Seokmin clutching his digits like a vice. 

Slick sounds work through the room, only furthering the Omega’s embarrassment. Mingyu smiles softly, fond and besotted and travels back up his body. His mouth is wet in citrus-sweet slick when he kisses him. Seokmin tilts his head away and whimpers. Mingyu holds him close, licks inside. “Shh. You taste so good Seokkie. Don’t you see? Sweet, like little orange candies. Could eat you forever.” 

“M-Mingyu.”

“What? Getting shy on me?” Mingyu coos. “Why, hm? You’re perfect. You don’t need to be shy.” His fingers pick up pace, thrusting in his hole with quick flicks of the wrist. Seokmin’s protests die on his tongue. “Want you to get out of that pretty little head of yours. Stop worrying, love. My sweet Omega. It’s just me.” 

Mingyu sounds incredibly close. Seokmin opens his eyes. Warm brown blink down at him. Curved naturally but curved even more with his soft grin. Seokmin’s neck strains up to meet him. Mingyu’s free hand traces the taut muscle and urges him back down. He meets him where he is instead, sucking in his swollen bottom lip before the top. Inside, his fingertip grazes his sweet spot and dances stars into his vision. 

Mingyu absorbs all his moans, his whimpers, his sighs. He uses them to guide him, embolden him. He lasers in on the same spot, following Seokmin’s breathy cry of his name. He hits it with perfect accuracy, golden Mingyu, always so good at everything. Apparently that extends to getting Seokmin off. He couldn’t be any more grateful.

One more slam of his fingers and Seokmin’s vision is painting as white as his seed. His sweating torso gets covered with it, tiny heated splotches falling in a starshower. Mingyu works him through it, grinding his digits through the clamp of Seokmin’s core. 

“Pretty baby. Look at you. How lovely you look when you come.” 

One last dredge of white leaves his rose-flushed tip. His hole flutters one last time. His next breath is weak, as if his lungs have to force it out. He’s floaty, head above the clouds. Mingyu worms up and faces him, eyes heavy lidded and cotton soft. 

Seokmin sucks in a greedy puff of air and comes away drowning on mint. Mingyu’s scent is the strongest he’s ever smelled it. When they meet in a lax-mouth kiss his drenched length drags along Seokmin’s thigh. Whining, his trembling fingers wrap around him. Mingyu trades a groan for his tongue and kisses his bruised lips light enough to tingle. 

The Alpha’s hips jump into his hand, desperate and shaky. Seokmin starts palming over him in earnest, a desire to get him off so strong it nearly chokes him. It’s at the very base instinct of him, the most primal part yelling to make his Alpha come. He wants it, craves it. Can already imagine what Mingyu will sound like, what he’ll smell like. The Alpha batting his hand away is like a bucket of ice water. 

“Hey, shh. Sweet Seokmin, take a breath for me.” It happens so quickly Seokmin doesn’t register it at first. It still doesn’t sink in until Mingyu’s thumbing wetness away. He tries to breathe in and it’s a sniffle. The stabbing ache of rejection shrouded all. 

Warm lips get fluttered all long his skin. A cheek mole here, a nose tip there. Seokmin’s breathing matches up with the movements until he’s calm again. Only then does Mingyu ease away. His eyes are filled with regret. “I’m sorry baby. I forgot how sensitive this can make you. I wasn’t rejecting you. I just don’t want to come, not like this. I want--want to be inside you.” His bicep flexes as he shyly rubs over his neck. Seokmin’s eyes track the movement. Such a strong Alpha but still so very soft too. 

“O-oh.” Mingyu grins at his stutter. His next kiss is right along his lips. Seokmin leans into it, allows it to be the last bit of balm needed for his nerves. Everything settled, the embarrassment takes hold again. He can’t believe he just cried because Mingyu pushed his hand away. 

“Unless you’re gonna mark me, no hiding allowed.” Seokmin pouts against the refuge of Mingyu’s neck. He wonders if the Alpha can feel the burn of his blush. Just to spite him, he nuzzles closer, spreading orange along his skin. Then, the moment he feels Mingyu’s shoulders relax, he bites hard . It isn’t enough to break skin, neither of them are in the right mind to make that decision yet, but it’ll leave him with one hell of a bruise. One he’ll wear for days, one that’ll tell everyone he’s taken. Satisfaction burns into Seokmin’s gut and flares his scent with a tendril of heat.

“Hm, that’s how it’s going to be?” Mingyu hedges. The effect is lost with how breathless he is. Still, he wrangles a gasp from the Omega, rearing down and biting deep. Violet and gardenia blur into his skin. Mingyu lessens the ache with a hot pass of his tongue. Seokmin shivers beneath him, reeking of unbridled joy. 

Pupils locked, Mingyu’s thick hand tracks his body and settles at his core. One finger turns to two turns to three. Seokmin’s every breath is intertwined with a plead by the fourth. Only then does Mingyu give in. Under Seokmin’s watchful stare he rifles through his drawers, coming back with lube and an unopened box of extra large condoms. Seokmin eyes the script, swallows, then tosses them to the floor in one swoop. Mingyu, halfway through warming the liquid on his palm, settles back on his haunches and gapes. 

“I-I’m on um birth control. It’s--I’ll be fine.” 

“Are you s--”

“Please, Alpha.” Mingyu gives him a look for pulling the Alpha card even though his cock twitches right up against Seokmin’s hip. Giggling, the Omega shrugs, then makes grabby hands for the taller. Something about finally being able to feel the other inside him has him giddy. He wants Mingyu as close as can be. 

The Alpha follows, nestling over him while his thick cockhead lays heavy on his entrance. Their teeth clack when they kiss, Seokmin’s mouth stretched too wide for one proper. Mingyu shakes his head, terribly fond, and leaves a peck on his sharp nose instead. He gazes at Seokmin for permission. The Omega grants it with a toothy kiss. Snorting, breath as shaky as his body, Mingyu makes the slide inside. Seokmin’s body practically swallows him the moment he does. 

Their gasps meld together, groans mix. Seokmin’s nails leave red raises along his shoulders. Mingyu bites hard at the Omega’s bottom lip and wills himself not to come. When skin meets skin they share a sigh of relief. Mingyu’s huge, length stretching him from every angle. Each breath only seems to nestle him deeper. His inner wolf, his outer self, both ache to scream from the sheer amount of pleasure alone. Mingyu feels like home. Seokmin loves him. 

Seokmin loves him. 

“ A-Alpha”

“Sweet baby. Does it feel good?” Seokmin nods helplessly. His words are still caught on his tongue. Mingyu, scanning his face, eases out then back in. Seokmin’s eyes clench. His scent turns sweeter. Mingyu repeats it and earns the same. Over and over again he works, listening for queues and watching for discomfort. Finding none turns him bolder, until he’s slamming into Seokmin’s body hard enough to echo throughout the room. 

Seokmin lays back and takes , allowing Mingyu to bring his body to the edge over and over again. His heated breath jumps from any section of his skin he can reach--shoulder, to neck, to chest. Tiny love bites scatter, leaving behind spit that cools and worsens his shaking. He’s trembling hard enough to go weak with it, hands grappling the jut of Mingyu’s shoulderblades before falling away completely. When they do, Mingyu wraps them up in one hand and slams them against the mattress. With the other he grabs his thigh, hefting it up over his hip. The position drives him deeper until Seokmin swears he can feel the poke of him in his belly. Whining, and pushing, Mingyu frees up his hold enough for Seokmin to reach down, resting his palm there. 

“Fuck Seokmin. My baby . So perfect for me. Taking me so well.”

Seokmin’s delirious, on touch and word. He’s alight with it, a human firework on the precipice of bursting. The final match strike comes with a bruising kiss, one that presses both of Mingyu’s sharp canines into his mouth. 

“ Alpha ” he keens, shooting off between them so hard a spot of it hits chin. Mingyu groans against the base of his throat and bites. Between them, Seokmin starts to feel a tug at his entrance. Whimpering, squirming, Mingyu comes back to himself from the sounds. His hips stop completely, something that makes them both whine in tandem. Seokmin reaches a shaky hand up and cups his cheek. Drops of sweat trace his knuckles down from Mingyu’s temples. Seokmin frees his touch only long enough to lick them off. 

“ Fuck , Seokmin.” Mingyu’s leaned their foreheads together. Like this, the heat of every shaky breath caresses his orgasm-warm cheeks. Like this, he can see exactly how blown Mingyu’s pupils are. Like this, he can spot the insecurity and embarrassment at the very edges of his eyes. 

“Are you going to knot me, Alpha?” He asks softly, tongue heavy with the word’s weight. Both of them know how uncommon it is for an Alpha to knot outside of their rut. Even when helping Omegas in heat, they seldom knot. It’s why shared heats can take days compared to ruts. An Alpha knotting without a rut is like a billboard love declaration. It’s something that only happens once people are mated. Or, when an Alpha feels so deeply for the other. 

“Seokmin I--”

“Are you?” Seokmin interrupts. His heart is ten times the size. His chest is full with it, so much he can barely breathe. Light fingertips run through Mingyu’s sweaty hair. The burnt sugar smell slowly fades from the Alpha’s scent. “I want you to.”

Mingyu snaps his head up, leveling him with widened eyes. Seokmin softens his. His hand follows his face, settles along his jaw. A thumb traces into his cute chin dimple and stays there. “Seokmin…do you…do you know--”

“What it means? Of course I do, Mingyu. It’s why i’m telling you to do it.” Mingyu’s mouth clacks open, probably around another protest. Seokmin refuses to let him voice it. Silly Alpha probably thinks his feelings aren’t returned. Silly, silly Alpha. Plus, one pop of his knot and Seokmin’s heat will be over. Why the hell would he say no?

Mingyu keeps staring at him with pinched eyes. Sighing, Seokmin brushes through his hair once more and works up courage within him. “Mingyu, my Alpha, I love you.” 

Mingyu’s next breath comes around a sniffle. Seokmin coos and urges him down into a salty kiss. “I love you too.” The Alpha whispers. 

He moves tentatively inside, knot catching as he goes. Seokmin’s breath gets punched out of him. He falls heavily against the sheets. His own arousal starts building, weak cock gaining interest within seconds. A few more dragging thrusts and he’s burning again, aching for release. Mingyu’s wide palm wraps around him and aims to give just that. 

“Seokkie. My pretty Seokkie. I love you so much.” Their noses knock from the proximity. Seokmin’s body is sliding along the sheets. His ass feels bruised. Mingyu’s a powerhouse, working through him hard enough to scrape the bed along the floor. For the first time in all this, Seokmin’s worried about his neighbors. Then Mingyu runs his tongue along the roof of his mouth and every care falls away. 

“Gonna knot.” Mingyu warns. Seokmin wraps both legs more securely around him. Each hip twangs but he doesn’t care. Everything is too good to care. The man he’s loved since he learned the word returns every ounce of it. And he fucks like a machine. A plane could crash through the room this very second and all Seokmin would care about is Mingyu locking within him. 

One more thrust and he does, base of his length swelling them together. The first trickle of his cum wrings out Seokmin’s orgasm in a millisecond. His already soiled skin grows messier. Seokmin can’t wait to have an extra long shower later. Hopefully with Mingyu close and cleaning him off. With how doting the Alpha is, he knows he will be. 

“I love you, I love you, I can’t believe you’re mine.” Each word gets whispered against his mouth, his cheek, his neck. A gentle kiss follows, marking Seokmin in the Alpha’s love. By the end of it he’s soaring, weighed down only by the affection he has for the other. Mingyu keeps him from flying away, grounding him with sweet words and even sweeter caresses. Between them he pumps deep, so much inside of him it begins to leak out even around their tight lock. Awed, Seokmin reaches down to catch some and brings it to his mouth. Mingyu strangles a moan from his lungs. 

“I love you, but you’re going to kill me.” All Seokmin gives is a sheepish little giggle. 

Later, they clean up just as he imagined. Though the Alpha surprises him by carrying him the entire way. They use up every bit of the fleeting hot water the dorm provides, then stumble together back inside. Shaky legged, their bodies knock while they laugh, using trembling hands to dress one another. Mingyu’s hoodie finds Seokmin’s shoulders and vice versa. Boxer briefs and tiny shorts are donned. Seokmin’s engulfed in fabric and Mingyu’s rides up every time he moves. Neither care. Both love it. It’s theirs and theirs alone. 

“I love you.” Seokmin whispers. 

“I love you too.” Mingyu whispers right back. 

It’s theirs and theirs alone. Always.

~~~

Mingyu hisses through his teeth. Seokmin jolts away from the book he was reading, marking the page with fumbling hands. His mate’s already up, leaving a confused Seokmin behind on the bench. Hands free he heads for him, pausing halfway in shock. Wide eyes watch his husband cradle their crying baby boy against his chest. Movement catches his eye. Seokmin gasps to himself. Next to the swings stands another equally crying child. The Omega swoops in to comfort him too. 

“A-Appa I didn’t mean to I swear I was just practicing fast balls and he-he walked in front of me and the baseball hit his shoulder and what if I broke it and--” Mingyu shushes their son, sharing a commiserating smile with his mate over his tiny shoulder. He got Mingyu’s eyes and Seokmin’s terrible nervous rambling habit. He supposes that’s the way things go sometimes. 

The little boy in Seokmin’s arms comes out of hiding. He’s staring at their son with a pout and thick, furrowed brows. Across the way, a couple heads for them, faces pinched in concern. 

“It wasn’t your fault!” The boy argues. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Their son whispers something to Mingyu. Seokmin doesn't hear it. But, for whatever reason, it’s made his eyes turn molten. Sweet mint trails in to meet Seokmin’s orange. Love, love, love leaks into it like honey. 

“He wants to buy him patbingsu to make him feel better.” Mingyu informs. His head gestures towards the vendor out back. Even from here Seokmin can hear the little jingle of his chime. “With the money I gave him yesterday after he helped with the dishes.”

He wants to soothe the other with ice cream. Bought by his allowance. Understanding dawns, as warm as the summer day they’re living. Seokmin smiles at Mingyu just as bright as the sunlight hanging over their heads. It’s then that the other couple finally reaches them. They both bow, Mingyu and Seokmin bow back. Their son runs into their arms, starting his own rapid-fire recount of the events. Each parent shares a look. They trail their children to the ice cart. 

And swap contacts. 

“Let’s be best friends!” Their son shouts. 

The smaller, quieter, shyer one of the two, stares his way with wide eyes. After a few seconds, he sets free a toothy smile. 

“Sure!”

~~~

Fin