Chapter Text
So this is what it’s like when two worlds collide, Taeyeon thought as she sat through Heize’s introduction, smiling to herself at the thought of Amazing Saturday with her close friend by her side. Her nolto family laughed as they heard about Heize and her cheesy Instagram posts fawning over her “fairy-nim” and a chuckle bubbled up from her as she remembered just how their relationship (friendship doesn’t really cover it) began. After seeing just how smitten Heize was with her, after probably hundreds of sweet and corny insta posts from the alpha, Taeyeon sent her a message inviting her to lunch, and after that the rest was history.
Historically, betas and alphas get along quite well, although they aren’t really compatible for anything other than friendship. Alphas mated with omegas, and betas mated with other betas. But there was no way for a beta and alpha pairing to conceive because their pheromones acted as a repellant to each other and prevented any conception of a child from occurring. All they could be were essentially good friends....well.....tell that to Heize.
When Taeyeon, classified as a beta only because she never experienced a heat typical of an omega, met Heize she figured they would be fast friends and that was it, although she couldn’t help but find the other woman attractive. Heize was about a head taller than her with dark brown hair, a kind smile, and molten chocolate eyes that bore into her with warmth. Honestly Taeyeon couldn’t believe it when she found out Heize was an alpha because she was so atypical of the aggressive, emotional, and intimidating alphas she was used to seeing. Heize was dorky, goofy, down to earth, and kind at a quick glance, but Taeyeon quickly learned throughout their friendship that even though Heize didn’t look or act like an alpha, when it came to her “fairy-nim”, she did not mess around. And thus, Taeyeon and Heize, a beta and alpha, teetered on the line between friends and something more, although sometimes Taeyeon thinks she may just be reading too much into things.
Alphas and betas are only friends, nothing more, Taeyeon, get a grip, she thought to herself.
it was getting hard to believe that with the way things were progressing in their relationship. Taeyeon first noticed it in the way that Heize always held her hand in public places, or placed her arm around her waist protectively, as if to shield her from all the dangers of the world. She had heard about Heize’s fondness for skinship from other idols, so she figured this was normal. Then came the looks. Taeyeon would be doing some random thing during one of their hang outs, and she would turn to see Heize staring at her intensely, those dark eyes pinning her down like prey. Heize would brush it off saying that she was looking at something else, but It didn’t stop the blush from spreading on her cheeks and the goosebumps from jumping onto her skin. Then came the incident at the restaurant a week ago that has stayed in her mind ever since.
One week ago….
Taeyeon and Heize were sitting across from each other in the small ramen shop, laughing at Heize’s impression of a famous Korean actor in the new action drama. Heize was using her hair as a fake mustache and squinted her eyes before saying, “If you don’t tell me where the money is…I will….EAT ALL OF YOUR RAMEN!!” as she reached over and took some noodles from Taeyeon’s bowl. Taeyeon burst into giggles, shouting “Hey!! Dahye!!” Heize slurped down the noodles and a smile lit up her face at the sight of Taeyeon giggling on the other side of the table, her cheeks pink and her eyes crinkled. “Cute” she cooed at Taeyeon, who ducked her head in embarrassment. She would do anything to make the other girl laugh, and that included mediocre impressions.
Seeing Taeyeon so happy right next to her, Heize couldn’t believe that after all of her fangirling, she landed one of the best friendships she could have ever imagined. It made herself and her inner alpha content knowing they were able to make Taeyeon happy, even if they were only friends….Alphas and betas can only ever be that much, Heize reminded herself. She knew Taeyeon was a beta, but ever since she met Taeyeon, for some reason, her alpha reacted as if Taeyeon was hers to protect and take care of. Hers….it sounded weird and delightful at the same time.
She glanced at Taeyeon once more before excusing herself to go to the bathroom to freshen up. In the process of eliciting a laugh from Taeyeon, Heize had gotten some ramen broth on her shirt. She told Taeyeon she would be back in just a minute and warned her not to pay while she was gone, even went so far as to growl at her because she knew how stubborn she could be. Taeyeon laughed, and teased “down girl, down, I got it!” Shaking her head as Heize walked towards the restroom, “Am I really that stubborn she has to growl at me?? Pshhh…”
No sooner did Heize leave the table when a man, the one Taeyeon noticed glancing at her throughout her meal, sauntered over. She didn’t tell Heize about him because she didn’t want to trouble her friend. He was tall with long dark locks and green eyes and by the smell of him, a beta, one who was apparently interested in her. “Hey, I know this may seem weird, but I couldn’t help but notice you when you walked in to eat…my name’s Jaewon. Just a shot in the dark here, but would you like to get a drink with me sometime?” He seemed nice, but Taeyeon wasn’t really looking to date right now,actually hadn’t been on any kind of date since she met Heize. For now, the friendship they had was really the only relationship she wanted at the moment.
”I’m sorry….Jaewon was it?…I’m not really interested in dating right now.” Taeyeon softly exclaimed, hoping to let him down easy. Well, he was persistent. Persistent enough to reach over and firmly place his hand on her shoulder, startling Taeyeon slightly. “Come on, it’s just one da-“
As he spoke, a harsh growl ripped through the air, a growl that shook Taeyeon to her core. Because she knew who that primal warning had come from. Heize stood about a foot from the two, eyes that were usually so warm and inviting locked in a piercing glare and fists clenched at her side. Taeyeon sat petrified and the man jumped out of shock, fear, maybe both. This was not one of Heize’s playful growls or annoyed snarls. This was a sound Taeyeon had never heard from the usually bubbly and cheerful friend she knew and loved. This was a growl that said “BACK OFF. SHE’S MINE.” And the fact that it was directed towards Taeyeon made her scared, but a piece of her heart was also a little satisfied at how protective Heize was being over her. Taeyeon’s heart fluttered, and as a beta, she had no clue why.
”Take your hand off of her now before I do it myself,” Heize gritted through her teeth. The man quickly scrambled off of Taeyeon and exclaimed “Listen, I was just asking her-“ he was cut off by a smaller, but still very menacing snarl. “And I believe my friend said no.” Heize seethed, “So back off.” The man scurried away, but not before exclaiming “What’s the big deal?! Why is an alpha growling at me over another beta?? Jesus, I’ve seen it all now…”
Small, frustrated growls were still coming from Heize and all she could see was red….until a small and soft hand took hers and an even smaller voice said “Heize….Dahye….are you….alright?” The red in her vision slunk away until all Heize could see were round doe eyes peering up at her, filled with concern and a little bit of fear. Heize melted into those eyes and regret washed over her as she pulled Taeyeon into a crushing hug. “I’m so sorry Taeyeon…l…l don’t know what came over me, I just saw that man, and his hand, and….and…just wanted to keep you safe…” she mumbled into Taeyeon’s hair, inhaling her scent for comfort.
After a long period of silence, Heize feared the worst, that maybe she had scared away her best friend. But after a few more seconds, she felt Taeyeon nuzzle into her and say “Thank you for trying to keep me safe. Please don’t be sorry. It’s okay Dahye.” After that, they sat side by side, Taeyeon resting her head on Heize’s shoulder as she rubbed circles on her hand to calm her down. After ten minutes, Taeyeon pestered Heize about dessert until she gave in and took her to an ice cream shop where they ended up smearing ice cream on each other after a prank gone wrong. Things seemed okay after that, but the fact that they still haven’t really discussed what happened that day has Taeyeon on edge about what exactly their relationship is….
Present Day
Taeyeon finished reminiscing about that shocking event from last week as her castmates clapped to the end of her friend's introduction. She clapped along and glanced to her left to see Heize giving her one of her heart-stopping stares, her eyes glinting with happiness, concern, and something that Taeyeon couldn't place, a hidden emotion that always seemed to linger in her gaze when she was around Taeyeon. Heize placed her hand on Taeyeon's thigh and lightly squeezed, quietly asking "Everything okay unnie?" Taeyeon sighed into her touch and smiled at the alpha, appreciative of her concern, and said "Yeah, just had something on my mind. Let's have a great show today okay? Fighting!"
She shot a thumbs up towards Heize and in turn the alpha let out a hearty laugh, taking her hand from Taeyeon's thigh to give Taeyeon a thumbs up in return. The crew signaled that the show was starting, and Taeyeon’s focus was brought back to the present, taking in the delicious food they might enjoy today, listening to the upbeat music playing in the background, and thinking of the possibility of getting a one shot today. Yet even with all of that to distract her, Taeyeon couldn't take her mind off of how Heize had been acting towards her, or how she could still feel Heize's touch on her thigh, and how a little part of her yearned for more.