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Omegas and Alphas come in different varieties, each one of them just as special as any other. Betas too, but we aren’t here to talk about them.
In the olden days, people would choose their mate by status or wealth which unfortunately led to increased discrimination and violence. That is, until a Filipino sociologist introduced a new system for choosing one’s mate.
This new system was called “Scent Matching.” The idea was that your ideal mate was someone whose scent complemented yours. For example, if you possess a lavender scent, your ideal mate would probably be someone with a citrus scent. Or, if you possess a honey scent, your ideal mate might be someone who has a lemon scent.
The system wasn’t perfect (a lot of people argue whether those with mint scents were really suited for those with chocolate ones), but people were nevertheless happy.
Well, most people.
While most omegas have traditionally attractive scents like cherry-blossoms and clementines, Jaebeom got the highest honour of having his scent be oil .
Fucking oil.
“Well, it’s not exactly oil,” Jackson says, as he leans on the side of his cubicle. He bites a chunk out of his hotdog, dropping crumbs onto Jaebeom’s desk. “It smells vaguely like something fried.”
“That doesn’t make it any better.” Jaebeom says, swatting Jackson’s arm and gathering the crumbs with his ruler so that it falls into the tiny rubbish bin. He remembers his middle school teacher calling his scent ‘an odour only a mother could love’ when he first presented as an omega. No, it did not instil any trauma related to his scent. It didn’t. Maybe. Jaebeom tries not to dwell on it for too long.
“It’s not that bad, hyung!” Jackson says. “I’m sure there are alphas out there that would love to dig into your buttery slick.”
“That’s fucking gross, sir,” Bambam, one of the interns, said, suddenly popping his head up from the cubicle adjacent to them. “No one wants to hear about bodily fluids in the office.”
“Shut the fuck up, Mr. Bhuwakul,” Jackson glares at him, chucking what’s left of his hotdog at his head. “We are your superiors and will talk about our leaky assholes anytime we want.”
Jaebeom smacks the back of Jackson’s head, “Shut the fuck up or Mr. Kim will hear you.”
Jackson sticks his tongue out at the intern and turns to face Jaebeom, “Can you believe that guy?”
“I can’t believe you still have a job here.”
Jackson opens his mouth to say something but promptly closes as he stares in the direction behind Jaebeom. Jaebeom smells the man before he could even say anything,the smell of sweet caramel hitting his nose before feeling the alpha put both his hands on the armrests of the chair he’s sitting on, leaning on Jaebeom and resting his chin on top of Jaebeom’s head.
“Hi Jaebeomie~,” Jaebeom hears Mark say. “What were you guys talking about?”
Jaebeom turns his head to see the alpha smile at him, his left fang prominent from his toothy grin. Mark was possibly the most boyishly good-looking alpha in the strategy department, nay, the whole company. Jaebeom feels like the luckiest man in the world to be able to consider such a handsome alpha as his close personal friend. Now, if only Jaebeom would stop getting so flustered around him.
“We were talking about our scents,” Jackson says, smirking at Jaebeom. “Which by the way, you don’t even have to worry about since you smell like an alpha anyways.”
“What?” Jaebeom looks up at Jackson, dislodging Mark’s chin from his head.
“Look at how much Mark’s clinging to you,” Jackson says, pointing a finger and wagging it at the both of them. “His scent has rubbed off on you so much that people from the other departments are beginning to think that you’re an alpha.”
Jackson doesn’t mean any harm by what he said and he’s just poking fun at how close the both of them are, but Jaebeom can’t shake the thought of people in the office thinking of him as anything else other than an omega. It’s not exactly insulting for an omega to be called an alpha but Jaebeom has been mistaken as one for almost his entire life.
Jaebeom knew ever since he was young that he was an omega deep down and was relieved when at 14, his physical results came back and confirmed it. And yet as he grew up, his back just continued to get broader and broader and his jaw got more defined that by the time he was 17, he looked like such a typical alpha that people he’d just met would get a disappointed look on their face when Jaebeom revealed that he wasn't one. Really, the only person that knew he was an omega right away was—
“Shut the hell up Jackson.” Mark says, moving his arms so that they go over Jaebeom’s shoulders and rest on his chest.
“Yeah! Shut the fuck up Jackson!” the intern from before pipes up.
“No one’s talking to you asshole!” Jackson yells over.
“Jaebeom is the most omega-like omega I know,” Mark says, nuzzling his head into Jaebeom’s neck. Jaebeom feels himself flush as the alpha unintentionally scents the spot on his neck where an alpha would bite onto to claim.
You would think with Mark constantly doing this to Jaebeom, he’d get used to it by now. “Because look,” Mark swivels the chair so that Jaebeom is facing him head on, “The shade of pink he gets when I get near him is so cute.”
This is not Jaebeom’s first time looking at Mark this up close, seeing his brown irises that, when in the sun, resemble his scent’s namesake. Caramel. Jaebeom recalls in middle school when the omegas in his class would talk about how they can tell if someone has a crush on them depending if their pupils would dilate. Are Mark’s pupils dilating? What does dilating even mean? Wait, if Jaebeom can see Mark’s pupils then this must mean Mark can see his as well.
Jaebeom immediately shuts his eyes and covers them with his hands. The last thing he needs is Mark finding out Jaebeom has a huge crush on him through his eyes.
“Wait, why are you covering your eyes?” Jaebeom hears Mark say with worry in his voice as he tries to pry Jaebeom’s hands off his face.
“Keep this up and people are going to think that you’re mates.” Jackson says, bursting the bubble Jaebeom was in.
“Really?” Mark says, pulling away from Jaebeom. Jaebeom looks up to see Mark looking at Jackson, now standing two feet away from him. Jaebeom already misses the caramel scent surrounding him like….an incubus made out of fog. Jaebeom is not very good at similes. “Well I—”
Jaebeom never got to hear what Mark had to say because Mr. Kim, the head of marketing, comes in and smiles at the three of them. “Good afternoon, gentlemen.”
“What’s up Minjun-ah!” Jackson says, raising his hand whilst holding an imaginary champagne glass.
Mr. Kim faces Jackson, still with the same expression on, “I’m your boss Mr. Wang.”
Jackson rolls his eyes, “You tell us everyday.”
Mr. Kim faces Jaebeom again, his ever-smiling eyes starting to creep Jaebeom out a bit. Mr. Kim wasn’t a horrible boss or anything. Jaebeom actually has a lot of respect for the man. He was an omega that bravely climbed the corporate world all on his own and Jaebeom suspects that his creepy persona is what made alphas and betas tremble before him. His persona is such a contradiction from the cotton candy scent he gives off.
“Mr. Lim, I looked at the keynote you had for Etude Shack,” Mr. Kim says. “You did a great job.”
“Thank you sir!” Jaebeom stands up and bows to him really quickly. “I’m glad you think so.”
“You’re ready to lead the next big meeting Jaebeom.”
“With Etude Shack, sir?”
“Yes,” Mr. Kim turns to walk away. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Jaebeom stares at his boss’ back as he walks away. Fuck. Jaebeom plops himself back down on his seat.
“You okay, hyung?” Jackson asks.
“I think I’m gonna throw up.”
“Ewww.” Jaebeom hears the intern say.
“Shut the fuck up, Bambam.” Mark yells over the cubicles.
Jaebeom watches the station whiz by as he sits inside the metro train. He hugs his briefcase to his chest and looks down at his shoes. Jaebeom has never had to speak in front of a crowd before and that’s not even the worst of it. The meeting is going to be a few days after his heat. His scent would not be at its strongest, but it will definitely be more prominent than usual during the meeting.
Jaebeom sighs. He initially signed on as a marketing executive because it was the only job that accepted him even though what he really wanted to do was write. All he wants to do is stay home, write about the worlds in his head, take care of plants and kittens, and maybe somewhere down the line, start a family. Jaebeom has always wanted kids. He knows it’s such a stereotypical omega thing to want in life but it’s what Jaebeom would love to have in the future. Although, it’s going to be hard to find a compatible mate that would love him for his scent.
Jaebeom has had a few lovers in the past but none have ever stayed; none of them seeing Jaebeom as a potential long-term partner. Jaebeom knows his insecurity about his scent is what’s holding him back. Take his big crush on Mark for example. He has tried to ask Mark out multiple times, only to chicken out every single damn time. Mark’s scent is caramel for fuck’s sake. There are so many other scents that go well with caramel. So, why would Mark say yes to someone that smells like ‘something fried’ as Jackson so delicately puts it.
Two extra shoes suddenly come into Jaebeom’s vision and he catches a whiff of sweet caramel. Jaebeom looks up and sees Mark looming over him with that handsome smile of his. He’s holding onto the grab handle with one hand the other hand holding his briefcase over his shoulder. God, even him just standing there looks cool.
“Hiya, Jaebeomie.”
Jaebeom feels his face flush and leans back into his seat as Mark seems to just keep leaning forward into Jaebeom’s personal space.
“What were you thinking about?”
“I’m just-” Jaebeom sighs. “I’m just nervous about the meeting.”
“What do you have to be nervous about?”
“It’s my scent.”
“What about your scent?” Mark tilts his head.
“The meeting is gonna be after my heat so—”
“Your scent is going to be strong then.” Mark finishes, his face seems to turn a bright shade of pink.
“Yeah and I don’t want to subject anyone to that.”
Mark frowns, “There’s nothing wrong with your scent, Jaebeom-ah.”
“You don’t have to be so nice, Mark.” Jaebeom chuckles. “I know I don’t have the best omega scent in the world.”
“What are you talking about?” Mark says, his tone rising. “Your scent is so—”
Mark stops himself. Jaebeom tilts his head in confusion. What was he going to say about his scent?
“Maybe you should spend your heat with an alpha so that your scent is um,” Mark says, avoiding Jaebeom’s eyes for some reason. “....less potent?”
“I’ve always spent my heats alone so I wouldn’t know how to get back into that.”
“Alone?” Mark’s eyes seem to light up at that.
“I mean yeah,” Jaebeom says. “It’s not like there’s a bunch of alphas lining up eager to help me with my heat.”
Mark frowns, “Really? No betas or other omegas?”
“That could be an option for me,” Jaebeom says. “But they wouldn’t help with the scent problem.”
“Maybe I could help you with that?”
“What are you saying?” Jaebeom gapes at him. Surely Mark isn’t suggesting that he would help him with his heat?
“What if I gave you my clothes?”
“Your clothes?” Jaebeom blinks.
“It helps right?” Mark finally makes eye contact with Jaebeom again. “Like you can nest with it and wear them and it’ll help with scents?”
“Yeah, I think I read somewhere that omegas with alpha soldiers as mates do that to help them with their heats,” Jaebeom says. “Would you actually do that for me?”
“Of course Jaebeomie,” Mark says, smiling that toothy grin at him.
Jackson would often tease Jaebeom about how he and Mark often seem like a couple because of how close they look together. Mark’s seeming lack of awareness of how close they looked secretly pleases Jaebeom, although it does make him feel a bit guilty. Mark would always lend him his clothing or just cuddle up to him every chance he gets and Jaebeom would just blush and nuzzle back, loving the attention he gets from the alpha.
Jaebeom wonders how they look to other people right now. Are there other people in the metro looking at them right now? Do they think Mark and Jaebeom look like a cute couple?
It’s two days before his actual heat when Jaebeom hears a ding from his phone as he gets out of the shower. He walks towards his bed where the phone is as he wraps his towel around his waist. Jaebeom smiles as he sees that it was a message from Mark. He unlocks his phone and opens up the message.
markeu: [image01.HEIC] So which one of these do you wanna take home?
He opens up the image and sees a bunch of clothes strewn on Mark’s mattress and lets out a short laugh when he sees the pikachu kigurumi Mark wore at the last office halloween party. He sees something frilly in the corner of the photo and goes to text Mark and ask about it.
Me: hehehe i lov them all! what’s that thing in the corner tho (◔ д◔)
markeu: Oh! Uhh….
markeu: [image02.HEIC] Here you go!
Jaebeom gasps. The frilly thing was connected to a whole pink french maid costume.
Me: oh my god (*ﾟ◯ﾟ*)
Me: why do you hav that?
markeu: I used to wear this in college parties just to lift the mood up
Me: hehe do u hav photos of back then?
markeu: Maybe next time?
Me: i bet you looked good<3 wish i could pull of wearing that
markeu: You definitely could Jaebeomie!!!
Me: hmmm should i wear it for my heat? hehe (ﾉ≧ڡ≦)
markeu: UM
markeu: Uh
markeu: I have to go do something
markeu: Suddenly
markeu: Urgent business
Me: oh? are you okie? (ʘᗩʘ’)
markeu: Yup ahahhahahahaha
markeu: You’ll come over tomorrow after work to get the clothes right?
Me: yea!! thank you so much btw!!
Jaebeom waits two minutes before he gives up and puts the phone down. Mark probably got uncomfortable when Jaebeom brought up his heat. Jaebeom plops himself on the bed, laying down as the droplets from the rest of body starts to dampen his bedsheet.
Well that’s gonna take a while to dry.
“What do you think?”
“What?” Jaebeom snaps out of his thoughts and looks at Jackson. “What do you mean?”
“Weren’t you listening?” Jackson frowns. He does a twirl next to Jaebeom’s cubicle. “Like it?”
“Uhh yeah,” Jaebeom says, trying to look for what exactly Jackson is fishing compliments for. “I love your shoes?”
Jackson groans, “My haircut, hyung!”
“Why were you doing a twirl if it’s just a haircut?”
Jackson gasps, “JUST a haircut?”
“Hey Jaebeomie!” Mark interrupts. Jaebeom lets out a sigh of relief, not willing to go through another rant. Jackson notices and swats him on the arm.
“What do you need Mark hyung?” Jackson says sweetly while Jaebeom rubs the spot where Jackson had just hit him. Prick.
“I just wanted to ask Jaebeom whether he’d be okay with me giving him my blanket?”
“Blanket?” Jackson asks, looking pointedly at Jaebeom.
“That would be great, Mark,” Jaebeom smiles at Mark, ignoring Jackson’s questioning looks. “It would definitely make it more comfortable for me.”
“Cool!” Mark winks at him as he walks away. Jaebeom feels his heart jump to his throat. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Jaebeom looks at his retreating back and sighs. He doesn’t know if it’s his impending heat but the urge to just climb him like a tree is so strong.
“Your heat is tomorrow and you’re meeting up with an alpha tonight,” Jackson says, startling Jaebeom. “Did you finally pop the question?”
“Nope,” Jaebeom says, swivelling his chair back to face his desk. “I’m going over to pick up some of his clothes to help with my heat.”
Jaebeom expected Jackson to laugh and maybe tease him, he did not expect Jackson to get upset.
“Hyung…” Jackson says. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re practically in love with the guy!”
“Shut up Jackson,” Jaebeom shushes him, reaching to cover his mouth. “People might hear you.”
“Oh please,” Jackson rolls his eyes. “The whole office knows about your big crush.”
“That’s true!” Bambam the intern pops up from nowhere. Jaebeom chucks a pen at the intern, only for him to duck matrix-style, fall onto the floor, and crab walk back to his desk.
“I’m just afraid you’ll get hurt, hyung.” Jackson says, ignoring the intern’s cries as he hits his head on his own chair.
“He’s just doing this so my scent is not so strong during the meeting next week,” Jaebeom says. “There was this article where omegas of military alphas—”
“Use their clothes to help them get through their heat,” Jackson finishes. “Every omega and their mother have read that article, hyung.
“So you understand!”
“But hyung, that article was about mated alphas and omegas,” Jackson says, looking like he’s pitying Jaebeom. Not the first time this specific look has been directed at Jaebeom. “There are even more stories about unmated omegas going crazy obsessing over an alpha’s scent and vice versa.”
Jackson stops to breathe and ruffles Jaebeom’s hair, “I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you, hyung.”
“I understand,” Jaebeom says. He looks up and smiles at Jackson. “But this is the first time I have been excited over my heat. So I’m being optimistic.”
Jackson sighs and leans over to give Jaebeom a kiss on the cheek, “Just make sure you call me when it’s over.”
Mark stuffs the thick tiger-pattern blanket into the big bag and zips it up, “That should be all of them.”
Jaebeom had driven to Mark’s apartment with two bags, planning to fill them up with Mark’s clothing and blankets. Jaebeom was supposed to help with the packing, really. But watching Mark’s muscles strain as he picks up heavy items proved to be way more pleasing to do. Jaebeom reaches out to carry one of them when Marks grabs his arm to stop him.
“I’ll carry them to your car for you.” Mark lets go and goes to pick up both of the bags himself. Jaebeom checks to make sure he’s not drooling. It has happened before and Jackson made sure to point it out very loudly in the office.
“Just because I’m an omega doesn’t mean I can’t carry my own stuff.” Jaebeom jokes.
“Oh,” Mark says, suddenly letting go of the bags. “I swear I wasn’t thinking that! I just wanted—”
Jaebeom waits for Mark to finish his sentence but Mark just stands there looking at the floor.
“Mark?” Jaebeom tries. “I was just kidding.”
“Hold on,” Mark says, walking to the inside of his room “There’s one more thing I wanna get you.”
Jaebeom stands there, looking at the abandoned bags. This is exactly why Jackson tells him to stop cracking jokes. Oh god I ruined the mood, haven’t I?
Jaebeom hears Mark come out of the room and sees him holding a bundled up red hoodie in his hand. Mark gestures for Jaebeom to put his arms up and Jaebeom obediently follows. Mark chuckles as he puts the fabric over Jaebeom’s head and helps him with putting his arms through the sleeve holes.
“I wore it all night,” Mark says, pulling the bottom down over Jaebeom’s waist. “So it should smell like me but not stink too bad.”
He’s right. Jaebeom immediately feels comforted by the baggy hoodie that smells so much like caramel. He brings the front of the hoodie to his nose and inhales deeply, immediately feeling something akin to content settling in his bones. Jaebeom wonders if it would be rude to ask if he could be buried in this hoodie.
“You look adorable,” Mark says smiling at Jaebeom, pulling the hood over his head. “You are adorable.”
“Shut up,” Jaebeom says, removing himself from Mark’s grasp. He pulls the hoodie’s drawstrings, completely covering his face. Jaebeom knows he’s blushing, Mark probably knows he’s blushing, he still wants to pretend he’s completely invisible.
Mark laughs as he gently tries to pry open up the hood, “Hey, why are you hiding?”
Jaebeom closes his eyes and tries to sear this moment into his brain. Him, wearing Mark’s hoodie that smells like his scent. Mark prodding him gently. This warm feeling of adoration bursting in his chest. Jaebeom wants to remember it all. His past heats had been embarrassing because he had been thinking of Mark to get through. He knows it’s going to be even worse this time, what with him bringing so much of Mark’s things home.
Mark finally manages to open up the hood, revealing Jaebeom’s face. Jaebeom looks in awe as Mark looks at him with almost an affectionate expression on his face.
“There you are,” Mark says, leaning closer so his forehead touches Jaebeom’s own. “I don’t like it when I can’t see your face.”
Jaebeom doesn’t know if it’s because he’s in Mark’s apartment, the fact that he’s wearing his hoodie, or their close proximity with each other that prompted him to say, “Please spend my heat with me.”
Jaebeom shuts his eyes immediately, not wanting to see Mark’s expression.
Silence.
Whelp.
Mark suddenly lets go of Jaebeom and Jaebeom feels him backing away. He’s not going to cry. Jaebeom swears he’s not going to cry. He should have known Mark was never going to say yes. Why would an alpha like Mark help out Jaebeom whose scent smells like oil? Fuck I think I’m going to cry.
“I just thought it’d be easier and maybe go faster but,” Jaebeom's voice cracks as he sounds out the words. “It’s fine Mark. You do—”
“I’ll do it!” Mark suddenly yells, making Jaebeom open his eyes, just to see a blushing Mark. Mark clears his throat and says again gently, “I’ll help you with your heat.”
“Are you serious?” Jaebeom asks, his heart threatening to beat out of his chest. Jaebeom must be hearing things, there’s no way Mark said yes. This must be one of those pre-heat delusions.
“Of course,” Mark says sheepishly, taking both of Jaebeom’s hands in his own. Jaebeom looks down and sees the hoodie sleeves completely covering their interlocked hands. “If you’re sure about me.”
Jaebeom looks up at Mark’s face again and this time he looks worried, “Mark, of course I’m sure.”
Jaebeom looks on as Mark’s face seems to melt in happiness. Jaebeom can’t help but smile. There was no reason for him to be worried. Mark’s a nice guy that loves helping people. Jaebeom doesn’t care that Mark is helping with his heat out of pity, just as long as he gets to have Mark near him and fu—
Fuck,
Jaebeom hasn’t thought that far. They’re going to actually fuck. Mark is actually going to take his penis and put it inside him. Jaebeom can’t even remember what his last sexual rendezvous was like and whether the other person enjoyed it.
“Wait, when exactly is your heat?”
“It should start some time tomorrow.” Jaebeom blinks at him.
“Tomorrow? We need to get everything ready!” Mark says, surprised. “I’ll go buy some fruits and you go get your—”
Mark suddenly stops and blushes. Jaebeom knows what he’s talking about instantly and feels himself blush as well. While what really satisfies an omega during their heat is a knot, it’s best to not always use penetration to appease the omega lest they get too sore and achy. In times like these, omegas would often utilises vibrators or other similar sex toys that can help them…..finish to completion.
“I’ll get them but you don’t have to get fruits,” Jaebeom responds. “I’m the one that requested your help after all.”
“It’s not a bother for me to get them Jaebeomie,” Mark says. “It’s an honour that you’d choose me to be the one you would want to spend your heat with.”
“An honour?” Jaebeom giggles. “What are you? A prince?”
Mark steps forward to gently pick up one of Jaebeom’s hands and lightly kisses his knuckles, “For you Jaebeom-ah, I’ll be anything you want.”
Jaebeom pulls away his hand quickly and pouts as Mark laughs at his reaction, “Don’t make fun of me.”
Marks puts his hands up in mock defence and continues chuckling, “I wasn’t! I wasn’t!”
Jackson is either going to kill him or make fun of him for this.
It’s going to be fine.
It’s not going to be fine. Jaebeom looks at himself in the mirror. His toothbrush in his mouth and toothpaste foam almost dripping down to the hoodie Mark has lent him. He’s tried to pat down his hair in an effort to look good for Mark but his usually flat hair has decided to start becoming all frayed and messy on its own. Like a main character from a shoujo manga.
Mark decided that Jaebeom should definitely sleep on the same bed as him for the night. He says it would be better for Jaebeom to acclimate to his scent. Please. Jaebeom has been worshipping Mark and his scent since he first stepped into the office, introduced as the new guy with great boyish charm. And now Jaebeom is going to sleep with him.
I can do this.
He cannot do this. Jaebeom takes the water from his hello kitty cup, gargles it, spits it out, and looks at the mirror once again. I can do this.
“Jaebeomie?” Jaebeom hears Mark call out to him from outside the washroom.
It’s showtime.
Jaebeom puts back his toothbrush and cup next to Mark’s own. He tries not to dwell on how domesticated it all feels and walks out to see Mark pile on a bunch of blankets on the bed in the darkness of his bedroom.
“I thought I could help you with the nesting?” Mark says, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
Jaebeom giggles nervously. Mark really is a great guy and Jaebeom doesn’t know what he did to deserve such an alpha to help him with his heat, “Thanks Mark.”
They both stand there awkwardly before Jaebeom sighs and walks up to Mark, “This feels weird, huh.”
Mark lets out a breath, “Yeah…”
Jaebeom takes one of Mark’s hands and makes sure to look him in the eyes, “I know you keep saying that it’s fine but I really want you to know that you can leave anytime you feel overwhelmed.”
Mark tries to interrupt, “Jaebeom—”
“It’s genuinely fine, Mark. I’ve gotten used to spending my heats all by myself.” Jaebeom tries to laugh, trying to make light of it. He doesn’t like that he’s always alone when his heats comes around but Mark doesn’t have to know that.
But Mark is suddenly gathering him in his arms and Jaebeom wants to cry. Jaebeom nuzzles into Mark’s shoulder and says, “What are you doing?”
“I’m here now Jaebeomie,” Mark says. “You don’t have to ever spend your heats alone.”
“I didn’t tell you about that so you’d feel sorry for me,” Jaebeom chuckles. “It was just to reassure you.”
Jaebeom pulls away just to see Mark worrying at his bottom lip. Jaebeom leans to kiss Mark on the cheek, “Really Mark, thank you.”
Jaebeom then walks backwards to the bed and falls on it, “Now come on, we still have to talk about the rules for my heat.”
Mark nods and follows him to the bed. Both of them shuffling so that they’re laying down together, facing each other. Jaebeom taking one of Mark’s hands into his own. Jaebeom has been doing that a lot lately and he really hopes that Mark doesn’t mind.
“So about the rules…” Jaebeom begins to say.
“I didn’t know there were rules.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought it was just going to be sex and that’s it,” Mark says timidly. “And that I’d be using the toys on you when it gets too much for me.”
“Have you never helped out an omega with their heat before?” Jaebeom asks, surprised. Mark shakes his head and Jaebeom can’t help but gape at him. He thought Mark had tons of experience, seeing just how eager Mark was to help him with his heat.
“Have you had someone help with yours before?” Mark asks.
“Yeah I have.” Jaebeom says truthfully. It wasn’t mind-blowing or anything but it had gotten the job done for Jaebeom. Before Jaebeom could voice this out to Mark, he feels Mark start to grip his hand tightly.
“Are you okay?” Jaebeom asks.
“Yeah I’m fine,” Mark says, his voice almost as tight as his fist. “Have you ever helped another alpha with their rut?”
“I haven’t.” Jaebeom says.
“Oh,” Mark says, loosening his grip. “I see.”
“With omegas, it’s best to use the toys later when our–” Jaebeom says, taking a gulp before continuing. “When we get too sore for penetration.”
Mark nods seriously.
“So when my heat is still in its beginning, you can, um,” Jaebeom starts to stutter. He's a grown man, this shouldn’t be difficult. “You can have penetrative sex with me.”
“Got it.” Mark says, trailing his towards Jaebeom’s arm, rubbing it tenderly.
“I also regularly take my birth control,” Jaebeom says nervously. “You can ejaculate in me.”
“What?” Mark’s movements on Jaebeom’s arm suddenly stop.
“Only if you want to!” Jaebeom says, suddenly scared. “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”
“Are you saying I can knot you?” Mark says carefully.
“Yes.”
“Would that help you?”
“That would definitely satiate me and my heat.”
Mark inches closer so that his nose is practically touching Jaebeom’s, “Are kisses okay then?”
“What?” Jaebeom definitely heard him, but he just can’t trust his ears right now. Because his ears are telling him that Mark has just asked him if they could kiss.
“Would kisses help you?” Mark gets impossibly closer. Jaebeom can feel his puffs of breath on his own lips.
“Yeah, that would definitely help me.” Jaebeom whispers.
“Good thing I’m very helpful,” Mark says, finally leaning in and kissing Jaebeom square on the lips. Jaebeom stays unmoving in shock as Mark pulls back to look Jaebeom in the eyes. “Is that okay?”
Jaebeom pulls Mark in with the front of shirt in lieu of replying and kisses him, roughly this time. Mark groans against Jaebeom’s mouth, as their tongues meet for the first time.
Marks tastes like caramel and an alpha all at the same time, his tongue is incessant as he rolls over so that he looms over Jaebeom.
Jaebeom reaches up and pulls Mark closer by the back of his neck until they’re connected closer lips to lips and chest to chest. Jaebeom is suddenly aware that their crotches are almost aligned with each other.
Mark groans once again as he grinds against Jaebeom’s thigh and the scent of caramel gets stronger. Jaebeom really is enjoying this, the man of his dreams on top of him making him feel good, but he knows this will just knock him out later if they were to continue and he wants to preserve as much energy as he can for tomorrow.
So he pushes Mark’s chest slightly, making Mark let out a sound close to a whimper, trying to chase Jaebeom’s lips so he can connect them again with his own.
“This is more than okay,” Jaebeom lets out puffs of breath. “But let’s rest for now? Save energy?”
Mark whines as he lies back down on the bed. Jaebeom giggles. It’s like watching a kid throw a tantrum when their candy gets taken away.
“What are you laughing at, huh?” Mark teases, pinching Jaebeom’s cheeks. “I’m suffering and you’re happy?”
Jaebeom quickly pecks Mark on the lips and smiles, “Yes.”
“Sadist.” Mark grumbles and turns Jaebeom over so that he’s spooning the omega.
“What is this?”
“Revenge for kissing me and not doing anything about it.”
Jaebeom smiles as Mark wraps one arm over his body. There’s nothing to be nervous about at all. Mark is a natural and he’s a good kisser. Jaebeom is in good hands. Jaebeom stays still until he hears Mark’s breaths start to even.
Jaebeom decides to see if Mark is actually sleeping, “Do you think Luke Skywalker ever helped Yoda with his heat?”
“Was Yoda an omega?” Mark says groggily.
“I think so?”
“First off, I think he was too old to even still get his heats. Secondly, Luke’s dick would not be able to fit in Yoda and not hurt.”
“What if his dick is really small?”
“That is a very interesting question and I totally would search it up if I weren’t so comfy right now,” Mark says into the back of Jaebeom’s neck. “But let’s sleep for now.”
Jaebeom can’t help but smile at Mark entertaining him even when he’s sleepy. Jaebeom wiggles backwards so that his back fully touches Mark’s chest his caramel scent lulling Jaebeom into a deep sleep.
Jaebeom wakes up around 3 in the morning drenched in sweat with Mark still in the same position from when Jaebeom dozed off, only now, one of Mark’s leg has managed to wrap around Jaebeom’s own. He feels ready to jump out of his own skin and his body is hot all over. He feels the blanket covers beneath him stick to his exposed skin and Jaebeom can already smell his own scent getting stronger.
Jaebeom shifts so that his bottom touches Mark’s crotch and starts to grind towards Mark’s clothed dick. Jaebeom feels Mark jostle gently behind him and decides to take off his sweatpants and briefs, his shaft fully exposed.
“Wha…” Jaebeom hears Mark saying. Jaebeom just whines and starts to back up even more so that his body is fully touching Mark’s.
“Alpha,” Jaebeom whines, making sure not to stop his hip movements. “Please fuck me.”
That must have woken Mark completely up because he gets up and turns Jaebeom so that they’re staring at each other face to face, “Are you in your heat?”
Jaebeom just nods at him uselessly and gets up so he can sit on Mark’s lap and put his arms around Mark’s shoulders.
“Where are your pants, Jaebeomie?”
Jaebeom shrugs. Mark should be getting his cock in him, not questioning Jaebeom’s half-nakedness. Jaebeom grinds down on Mark’s dick, his own erection bobbing and hitting Mark on the stomach. Mark hisses and his hands grip onto Jaebeom’s hips in response.
That’s much better.
“Jaebeom-ah wait,” Mark grunts. Jaebeom doesn’t want to wait, he’s been waiting for so long for Mark to touch him like this and now that he has it, he doesn’t want it to go away. Mark bucks his hips towards Jaebeom, bulge brushing against Jaebeom’s hole. “You are fucking killing me here.”
“Jaebeom, let me take off my clothes,” Mark finally says. Jaebeom nods shakily and let’s Mark shimmy out of his pants. Jaebeom kneels beside him, waiting patiently and eyeing Mark’s body. It’s just the beginning of his heat so Jaebeom isn’t too far gone, he’ll be able to remember this at least. Hopefully, he’ll remember the moment when Mark finally gets inside him, too.
It isn’t long before Mark’s cock finally springs free from his boxers. It slaps obscenely against Mark’s stomach. The sight makes Jaebeom want to drool and he feels himself getting wet. Jaebeom almost forgets his insecurity over his scent.
Jaebeom reaches over and wraps one hand around Mark’s cock while Mark is still taking off his own shirt. Mark lets out a yelp as Jaebeom leans over and feeds himself Mark’s cock.
Mark is big, so big that Jaebeom can only take half of him in his mouth in one go. Mark still moans loudly, thumping his head against the headboard.
“It’s okay Jaebeomie,” Mark says, going through Jaebeom’s hair through his fingers. “You don’t have to take me all at once. You’re making me feel so good.”
But it’s not enough. Jaebeom wants to prove to Mark that he can be the best omega for him. So Jaebeom takes a deep breath and deepthroats Mark’s cock fully. Jaebeom hears Mark utter some swear words in English and Jaebeom takes it as a sign to start bobbing his head. He sucks hard and slow, making sure to lick his slit when he gets to the head and swallow hard when he gets in the base, then repeating the pattern over again. Jaebeom may not have much experience but he has a lot of time and imagination, spending his heat all alone. Mark tastes exactly how he smells, sweet and a little bit salty. Just how Jaebeom loves it.
Mark thrashes his head around as he grabs onto Jaebeom’s hair, not really pulling it. “Jaebeom-ah stop, I’m about to–”
“About to what?” Jaebeom pulls off with a pop and continues stroking him. He sticks his tongue out and laps it with Mark’s cock, droplets of pre-come splattering everywhere. “You can come in my mouth, alpha.”
“No,” Mark grunts out. “That would be so fucking hot but I want to pop my first knot with you in your ass.”
Jaebeom giggles as Mark motions for him to lay on top of him, “Come on Jaebeomie, kiss me.”
Jaebeom obeys Mark, moving to sit on his lap again to kiss the alpha.
“You taste so good.” Mark says into Jaebeom’s mouth.
“It’s your come. What does it say about you that you like the taste of your own come?”
“It says that you should always have my come in you,” Mark says, his hands massaging Jaebeom’s bottom. One of his fingers starts to inch towards his hole that’s leaking out slick. “Fuck, I wanna eat you out baby.”
“You do?” Jaebeom asks, the new term of endearment leaving Jaebeom some type of way. Jaebeom doesn’t want to say no but there’s a possibility Mark would get one lick and leave in disgust because of his scent.
“It’s all I can think about everyday,” Mark groans, rubbing Jaebeom’s hole with two fingers, almost but never going inside. “Could be at work or at home and I would just think about you riding my face just to pass the time.”
“Don’t say that,” Jaebeom gently hits Mark’s chest. “You don’t have to make up stories just to get me going.”
“Not making up stories,” Mark says. “Please, can I eat you out?”
Jaebeom nods shakily. Mark yelps in excitement and nudges Jaebeom away so he can lay down on the bed. “Come sit on my face.”
“You’re embarrassing,” Jaebeom says as he shifts so that his hole is directly above Mark’s mouth. “I’m going down now.”
This is it. Mark will taste him and decide that Jaebeom should just spend his heat alone. Maybe Jaebeom should just leave now, in the middle of his heat, before Mark inevitably rejects him. Jaebeom was pulled downwards, however, before he could say something, gasping in surprise instead as Mark got to work right away.
Jaebeom cries out as Mark groans in pleasure, spreading Jaebeom apart as his tongue rubs at his hole before immediately diving in. Jaebeom can’t help but rock his hips back and forth as Mark makes noises underneath him, as if he’s the one being pleasured.
Jaebeom feels himself heat up, not sure if it’s his heat or because of the feeling of Mark’s face absolutely covered in his own spit and Jaebeom’s slick. If they keep this up, Jaebeom would come before he can get Mark’s cock in him. Mark seems to notice Jaebeom faltering in his movements and decides to wriggle a finger in besides his tongue and Jaebeom just stops rocking all together. He stays still as Mark continues to finger him, slowly stretching him with two more fingers, afraid that just one move and Jaebeom would be coming all over the headboard and fully slipping under the heat. No, can’t give in. Need to get his knot in me first.
Mark gently slaps Jaebeom in the thighs, signalling for him to get off. Jaebeom silently thanks him and lays down on the bed next to him, out of breath.
Mark chuckles as he moves so he’s on top of Jaebeom, “Why are you the one out of breath?”
“Shut up.”
Mark laughs and leans down to give Jaebeom a quick kiss, “I’m not going to last very long. I think you sucked the soul out of me.”
Jaebeom smiles back at him, Mark’s fringe is mussed and curled up against his forehead because of his sweat and yet, he still looks so handsome in Jaebeom’s eyes.
Mark’s expression suddenly turns serious, “I’m going to knot you now, okay?”
Jaebeom nods, spreading his legs so Mark can enter him more easily, “Please, Alpha.”
Mark growls at that while gripping Jaebeom’s thigh and shoves in. Jaebeom almost whites out from the pleasure, his dream alpha is finally inside him. Mark’s scent almost overwhelming him, it feels so fucking good.
Mark stays still for a few seconds to help Jaebeom adjust to his length before he starts thrusting , “Jaebeom-ah.”
“I’m about to come, alpha.” Jaebeom moans out, bouncing in time with Mark’s thrusts.
“Good omega,” Mark grunts out, finding a good rhythm. “Come for me and I’ll knot you and I’ll—
Jaebeom gasps as Mark's cock rubs against his prostate, “Alpha. Alpha. Alpha.”
“I’ll take care of you,” Mark finishes his sentences, kissing tears on Jaebeom’s face that he didn’t know was there. “It’s okay baby, I’ll take good care of you.”
Jaebeom hiccups as Mark delivers a particularly good thrust and starts moaning, coming onto Mark’s hoodie.
“Good omega,” Mark starts to mutter into Jaebeom’s head. Jaebeom feels the base of Mark’s cock start to swell and he realises what’s happening. “I’ll take good care of you baby.”
Mark’s knot finally pops inside of Jaebeom as he groans out. Mark coming inside Jaebeom is the last thing he remembers before he gives into the heat.
Jaebeom wakes up to a passed out Mark next to him and a vibrator that’s turned on to its max power, just moving around on its own on the bed. Jaebeom looks at the clock on Mark’s desk and sees that his heat lasted 16 hours, which is a new record for Jaebeom.
He feels for his hole and discovers it sore but not as messy as expected. Jaebeom vaguely recalls Mark leading him to the shower, not only to fuck him against the glass wall but also to help Jaebeom finger the come out of his ass. All whilst promising Jaebeom that he was going to take real good care of him.
Jaebeom smiles at the memory and kisses Mark on the cheek, prompting Mark to wake up and rub at his eyes groggily. “You need more baby?”
Jaebeom shakes his head, “My heat is over, Mark.”
“Oh okay,” Mark smiles his signature smile at him. “I’m gonna go sleep for 24 hours now.”
Jaebeom giggles as Mark closes his eyes and starts snoring right away.
Good alpha. Perfect alpha.
Jaebeom suddenly remembers Jackson’s warnings about unmated omegas who go crazy over alphas’ scents and looks over at Mark’s sleeping form. Jaebeom is going to be fine.
Right?
The meeting went…well. Other than the occasional stutter, Jaebeom absolutely killed it. No one commented on his scent, but he heard whispers during lunch breaks about how much he smelled like Mark and that they'd probably spent the weekend together. Jaebeom would be lying if he said that he wasn't pleased by the gossip surrounding him and Mark.
Speaking of Jaebeom and Mark, nothing much has changed between them. Mark still casually shows him physical affection and Jaebeom continues to secretly die inside. The only difference now is that Mark has taken to giving Jaebeom surprise kisses out of nowhere. It happened when Mark dropped him off at his apartment after his heat, before the meeting for ‘good luck’, and in the break room during lunch.
Jackson caught them during that last kiss and confronted Jaebeom at lunch where Jaebeom admitted to having spent his heat with Mark. Jackson just shook his head disapprovingly, “Be careful, hyung.”
Jackson has been doing that a lot. Giving him disapproving or disappointed looks. Jaebeom knows that Jackson just has his best interests at heart but it’s hard not to feel disheartened by it.
But Jaebeom is happy now. In fact, his boss decided to take the entire marketing team out for drinks, and turned into a pub crawl, and all of a sudden they’re in the club watching Mr. Kim bust some serious moves on the dance floor.
Jaebeom is sitting in a booth with Mark’s arm around his shoulders, sipping on his beer as he watches his boss attempt to do the worm.
“Mr. Kim is killing it.” Mark says into Jaebeom’s ear, presumably because the music is just too loud. Jaebeom should be used to this by now but he still feels his face heat up.
“I’m going to the washroom.” Jaebeom says, putting his beer down.
“Oh wait,” Mark says, tugging on Jaebeom’s arm just as he was about to leave. Mark puckers his lips and Jaebeom laughs and gives him a quick kiss. Mark finally lets him go. “I’ll miss you.”
“Shut up.” Jaebeom says, smiling as he heads towards the toilets.
Jaebeom enters the washroom and sighs in relief when the door closes behind him. The disco music in the background muted in there. He goes up to the sink, throws some water at his face, and looks in the mirror. What was it that he said to himself in Mark’s washroom? I can do this. Jaebeom doesn’t know anymore.
While he’s happy with the daily kisses he gets from Mark, this isn’t enough. For once, Jaebeom wants to be selfish. He wants Mark to help with his heats and he wants to help Mark with his ruts for the foreseeable future. He wants Mark to be his alpha.
Jaebeom should probably tell him.
“So Lim senior and the American are totally hooking up right?” Jaebeom hears someone from behind him say. Jaebeom turns around spooked, only to see the two stalls behind him are locked. His scent must have been blocked by all the boozy smell. He can’t believe he’s listening in on his juniors gossiping about him. Jaebeom smiles. So the whole office does know about his little rendezvous with Mark.
“Oh yeah, definitely,” the person in the other stall says. “Do you think they’re dating?”
“Probably not,” the other person replies. Jaebeom’s face drops. “I saw him flirting with the omega barista with the apple scent from the café yesterday.”
“Apple scent?” the person from the stall says at the same time Jaebeom mouths it. “That’s adorable! Caramel and apples go so well together.”
Caramel and apples. Caramelised apples.
So all this time when Jaebeom has been getting the sweetest kisses, Mark has been flirting with some apple-scented omega. How can Jaebeom ever compete with that? How can he lead me on like that?
No. Mark is a nice guy. He probably kisses a lot of his friends. It’s Jaebeom’s fault for suddenly feeling as if he was special enough to be with someone like Mark. Someone like Mark deserves to be with someone amazing. Someone that doesn’t smell like fried dough. Someone that smells like apples.
Jaebeom carries himself back outside and looks at the mass of bodies grinding against each other. Mark helped out with his heat because he felt sorry for him. There’s no other reason why Mark would willingly go through something so disgusting for Jaebeom.
But here, on the dance floor. Everyone smells the same. Like booze and sex. So Jaebeom grabs a drink out of Bambam the intern’s hands who just happened to walk by and downs the rest of it before giving back the glass to the squawking intern. He feels drunk already. He makes eye contact with a handsome alpha who happens to be in the very middle of the dance floor and Jaebeom makes a beeline towards him.
The alpha smiles as Jaebeom gets within hearing proximity, “Hey baby.”
The term feels wrong when it’s not coming from Mark’s mouth. But that’s the point, he needs to let go of Mark. Replace him with someone less…significant.
Jaebeom turns his back against the alpha and grinds against his groin. This will do.
“You’re so fucking hot,” the alpha says, gripping Jaebeom’s hips with his hands and swaying them with the beat of the music. Jaebeom must be really good because this alpha already has a bulge going on. “Why don’t we skip the foreplay and you head to my place right now?”
The alpha’s arousal is more evident now, his scent coming through from the alcohol haze. Is that pine? It doesn’t matter, Jaebeom is going to go home with him anyways.
Before Jaebeom could whisper in the alpha’s ear and say yes, he’s being tugged forward by the arm and into the chest of someone with a familiar scent. Caramel.
“Mark,” Jaebeom says into Mark’s shoulder, not willing to look him in the face. “What are you doing here?”
“Getting you out of here.”
Jaebeom just shrugs as he lets Mark pull him away from the dance floor. He thinks he hears the other alpha protest but it doesn’t matter anymore. Mark is here!
Before he can figure out what’s going on, Mark is leading him outside of the club and into a cab. Mark gets on with him and puts his seatbelt on him. Jaebeom giggles and plays with Mark’s hair as he helps him snap his buckle into place.
“Pretty boy, pretty boy,” Jaebeom says. Mark is being uncharacteristically quiet and Jaebeom finds that he doesn’t like it. “Pretty boy doesn’t like me.”
That sentence apparently warrants a response because Mark suddenly looks at him, his eyes glazed over, “Please Jaebeom-ah, stop.”
Jaebeom doesn’t understand what Mark is trying to say but he stays quiet anyways, opting to look at the pretty night lights whiz by as the cab drives them back to Jaebeom’s flat.
Mark unlocks the apartment door for him with the keys from Jaebeom’s pocket with one hand while the other tries to stop Jaebeom from completely collapsing. He’s so strong.
The door finally opens and Jaebeom quickly passes by Mark so he can fall onto his couch and groan. He hears Mark close the door behind him, pausing to take off his shoes. Jaebeom then feels Mark helping him take his shoes and socks off and Jaebeom wriggles his toes, happy to be free and comfortable.
“Jaebeom-ah,” Mark says, gently nudging him. “You need to shower.”
“No,” Jaebeom groans into his couch. “I’m gonna sleep here.”
It’s silent for a minute before Mark tries again, “Jaebeom. Please shower.”
“I’m tired, Mark. Thanks for bringing me home but you can go home now.”
“Jaebeom, I’m serious,” Mark says. Jaebeom lifts up his head at Mark. He‘s kneeling next to the sofa, looking down and he looks upset. “Please shower.”
It suddenly clicks for Jaebeom. Jaebeom’s scent must be permeating throughout his apartment and Mark can’t stand the smell of his natural scent. It hurts. If he’s so bothered by his scent, why don’t Mark just leave?
“You want me to shower because I reek right?”
“Yes, you fucking smell.” Mark says, his tone beginning to match his expression. “Now please go shower.”
Jaebeom is about to cry. Mark is usually so nice and Jaebeom doesn’t understand why he’s suddenly being so mean. If Mark hated Jaebeom’s scent this much, he can’t imagine what Mark had to go through during his heat. Was he gagging the whole time?
“I knew it.” Jaebeom mutters.
“What are you talking about?”
“Mark, if you hate my scent so much, why don’t you just leave?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Mark says, suddenly standing up. Jaebeom stands up too, not wanting to lose this ‘battle’ for some reason. “Jaebeom-ah I love your scent.”
“Stop lying.” Jaebeom says. Because Mark is lying. There’s no person in the world that would love Jaebeom’s scent.
“Jaebeom,” Mark says, his tone desperate. He reaches out to hold both Jaebeom’s hands. “I’ve been in love with you for more than 2 years.”
“What?” What.
Jaebeom has known Mark for just about 2 years. What is Mark saying?
“It breaks my heart to hear you talk about your scent so negatively when it’s a big part of you and I love you.”
“I don’t understand,” Jaebeom says, looking back at Mark’s unwavering eyes. “You said I smelled bad?”
“And it drives me fucking crazy that the man I love smells like another alpha right now,” Mark says, letting go of Jaebeom’s hands. Jaebeom is about to cry. “So please, for my sanity, take that shower and I promise I’ll leave.”
Jaebeom nods at him dumbly and goes to his bathroom, the door closing behind him by itself.
He doesn’t hear Mark leave until he takes off his clothes and turns the showers on.
Jaebeom dreams of warm arms and the smell of caramel cookies when his head finally hits the pillows.
Jaebeom wakes up with a pounding headache and a broken heart. He first checks his phone to see if there are any texts from Mark indicating that last night was not a dream. Nothing. He then checks his cabinet for something for his hangover. Nothing.
Jaebeom sighs and curls up on his couch, thinking about last night. It had to have been a prank. There was no way THE Mark Tuan just told him that he was in love with Jaebeom. Sweet caramel Mark in love with buttery Jaebeom? It just doesn’t make sense.
Jaebeom hears knocking on his door and immediately knows it’s Mark. He hops over to the front door and opens it just to see a sleepy-looking Mark holding up a plastic bag.
“What’s that?” Jaebeom tilts his head.
“Painkillers and multivitamins,” Mark says, coming in and removing his shoes at the doorstep. “For your hangover.”
“Oh,” Jaebeom says. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Mark says, looking at Jaebeom. “Kiss me.”
“What?” Jaebeom says, not sure he’s hearing Mark right.
“Come on,” Mark pouts at Jaebeom. “Kiss me.”
Jaebeom obliges and gives him a quick peck on the lips.
“Alright!” Mark says, putting both arms in a BANZAI action. “I am energised!”
Jaebeom can’t help the giggles that come out of his mouth.
Mark smiles at him, “Let’s talk?”
Jaebeom nods and leads them to the couch where Jaebeom was just curling himself into a ball. Mark puts down the plastic bag and sits next to Jaebeom, facing him.
“So I’m in love with you.” Mark says.
Jaebeom looks up at him in surprise, “You weren’t kidding?”
“Yah!” Mark flicks him in the forehead. “Why would I joke about these things?”
“You’re really in love with me?”
“Yes Jaebeomie.” Mark smiles at him.
“But my scent—“
Mark rolls his eyes, “Again with your scent.”
“It’s something I have always had issues about, Mark.”
“And I’m telling you that you have nothing to worry about. I love your scent. I literally asked you to ride my face just so I could get more of it.”
Jaebeom blushes, “You’re telling the truth?”
“Yes!” Mark groans out playfully.
Jaebeom takes one of Mark’s hands and plays with his fingers, “You love me even if our scents don’t match at all?”
“First of all, that scent-matching shit is bullshit,” Mark says. “Why are people limited to only loving people who happen to have scents that complement their own?”
Now that Jaebeom thinks about it, it is kind of bullshit.
“Secondly, do you seriously not smell it when we’re together?”
“What do you mean?”
“Jaebeom,” Mark grins at him. “You smell like popcorn.”
“What?” Jaebeom blinks at him. Throughout his life, people would often try to guess his scent and not once had he gotten ‘popcorn’. For fuck’s sake, someone told him he smelled like grease. But popcorn? “I think you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right!” Mark says gleefully. “I’ve been in love with you for two years and tasted you from the source.”
“Wait, so if I’m popcorn,” Jaebeom begins to put the pieces together. “Then we’re….”
“Caramel popcorn!” Mark says excitedly.
“We match.” Jaebeom says with finality in his tone, looking at how perfect his hand fits with Mark’s. It’s as if he’s seeing this for the first time.
“We’re perfect for each other.” Mark says, bringing Jaebeom’s hand to his lips.
“I think I’m in love with you too,” Jaebeom says, looking Mark in the eye. “I’ve been in love with you for a while and I can’t believe you love me back.”
Mark grins, knocking Jaebeom over so that he’s looming over him on his couch, “I literally have kissed you non-stop since your heat, how did you not know?”
“I thought you were being friendly!”
“You’re dumb,” Mark says in between kisses. “And no more grinding against other people on dance floors.”
Jaebeom smiles and reaches to hold onto the back of Mark’s head, “And no more flirting with apple baristas.”
“What are apple baristas?”
Jaebeom doesn’t reply and instead pulls him down, kissing the cutest alpha in the world.