Chapter Text
Seonghwa’s heart broke as he listened to Changbin sob into Wooyoung’s chest about everything that had happened during Hyunjin’s rut and after. He had been surprised when San texted him to ask him to make some tea and tell him they were bringing a guest home. He hadn’t meant to snoop – really his intention was to bring them tea and then leave them to their conversation – but as soon as he saw Changbin curled up in Wooyoung’s arms, crying as he explained how unsafe he felt and how terrified he was of going home, Seonghwa knew he needed to know more. That was how he ended up sitting at the edge of Wooyoung’s bed and holding Changbin’s hand.
To Seonghwa, as he listened to Changbin talk about what Chan was doing as Head Alpha and the sour burning in his scent, Changbin needed a safe place. One where he didn’t have to worry about how his Head Alpha was going to act or treat him, and one where he could finally get some sleep. The bags under his eyes were worse than Hongjoong’s ever had been. His pale skin also worried the elder Alpha, and he could tell from the look in both of his pups’ eyes that they too worried.
Changbin’s bond with Chan wasn’t just strained. It was near being broken completely.
Seonghwa decided they would be that safe place. He’d known long before even meeting Changbin that Wooyoung was in love with him, just the same as he was in love with their pack. And while Seonghwa hadn’t spent much time with the younger Alpha, he could see why his Omega loved him so much. He had no doubt that given time, he and the rest of their pack would love Changbin just as much as Wooyoung did.
“I just walked away from him. I’m going to be in so much trouble. I have to – I have to get back!” Changbin’s voice was heavily laced with panic and guilt as he made a move to get out of Wooyoung’s arms. Seonghwa tightened his grip on Changbin’s hand. He would be hard pressed to be convinced to let the Alpha leave even if he wasn’t in the middle of panicking.
“You’re not going anywhere until you calm down. If Chan has a problem with where you’re at he can talk to me and Hongjoong later. I know Joongie would have no problem ripping into Chan about his behavior, friends or not.” Seonghwa wouldn’t either, but right now the pup in front of him needed him more than he needed to yell at the other’s Pack Alpha.
“You know, if you were to leave the Stray Kids pack, we’d be very happy to take you in.” Seonghwa smiled at his Alpha pup, knowing full well that no one in the pack would reject Changbin. He watched with a gentle smile – one he hoped was also encouraging – as Changbin’s eyes darted from San to himself and then finally to Wooyoung. Wooyoung was good at hiding his emotions when on stage and in front of fans but he definitely wasn’t good at doing so with their pack. Seonghwa saw the longing and desire in his expression clear as day. Wooyoung never hid his love and affection for Changbin and though it may have sparked a tad bit of jealousy between him and Jongho at one point in their early days, no one would even think about telling Wooyoung to get over those feelings.
“You know I love you Binnie. I’m jealous of the Omegas in you pack because they get you all to themselves.” The love that shone in Wooyoung’s eyes, a look Seonghwa was intimately familiar with, was reflected in Changbin’s expression. The Alpha was quiet for a moment, and Seonghwa wasn’t going to push him into making any sort of decision while he wasn’t thinking straight. So he waited patiently for Changbin to say anything in response.
“I don’t want to go back.” That was all Seonghwa needed to hear. Not that he was going to send him back anyway with what he’d heard and his suspicions, but this was further confirmation that he had made the right decision.
“Wooyoung why am I – oh.” Seonghwa’s eyes snapped from the Alpha to his Pack Omega as said Omega burst into the room only to stop short of what he was saying. “Hi Changbinnie. Does your Alpha know you’re here?”
The question sent Changbin into another fit of tears and Seonghwa felt his heart break again. He shook his head at Hongjoong. “I assume not, and we’re not sending him back. Not like this.”
Hongjoong showed his phone to Seonghwa, and the Alpha felt rage build up as he looked at the texts between him and Chan. Chan didn’t seem worried about his missing Alpha. He seemed more worried about needing to finish a punishment – as if ignoring one of your packmates was a punishment instead of abuse. He let out another growl before he could stop it, but immediately realized his mistake when Changbin cried more. “I’m sorry Binnie. I’m going to talk to Hongjoong out in the hall. I’ll be back soon to check on you okay?”
As soon as they were in the kitchen, Seonghwa made himself busy. Hongjoong watched as he started pulling ingredients out for dinner. He’d like to say the resulting conversation made him feel better about the situation but it didn’t. Chan was out of line and didn’t even seem to understand the damage he was causing. Hongjoong was just as mad and that made him feel better about what he was already planning. First, he wanted to see how the rest of his pups reacted to the Alpha, but he doubted it would be negative.
He was proven right when, after telling Yeosang and Jongho about the situation both his baby Alpha and Beta were outraged. And then later, when Yunho and Mingi were told through their group chat by Jongho, Seonghwa could tell they were also upset.
There was something settling in his gut when he went back to Wooyoung’s room to check on their guest, only to find Changbin asleep. Changbin wasn’t his pup – not yet at least but Chan was one wrong move away from losing the Alpha – but it settled his instincts to see him finally get some peace.
“Hyung wanted to build a nest and Binnie agreed to it. We asked Binnie if he wanted anything from his dorm and all he said was a change of clothes.” Hongjoong had wanted to build a nest, his instincts screaming at him to comfort just as Seonghwa’s were, but the Alpha wasn’t sure. But if the pup wanted a nest, who was Seonghwa to stop him from getting it?
“Chan’s not letting anyone leave though and it didn’t seem like anyone in his pack were too keen on actually disobeying him. Even for their packmate.” Seonghwa sighed and watched Changbin for a moment to make sure he really was asleep.
“I think Changbin’s bond with Chan is strained. He may even already be going through a bond break.” The whines that fell from his pup’s lips had him instantly by their sides with a hand in each of their hair. He hated to be the bearer of bad news but he felt they needed to know. All of his pack did, so they could be on the lookout should Changbin go through a full bond break.
“I’m not sure if there’s anything we can do besides be here for him. You told me he wasn’t feeling that secure a few weeks back, and he hasn’t had a chance to talk to Chan about it, right?” Wooyoung nodded the affirmative as the Omega threaded his fingers through Changbin’s hair. “I wouldn’t doubt that he’s been dealing with a distant pack for a while then, if no one else has brought it up yet. And then, to have his Pack Alpha ignore him like that, he feels rejected. I bet that’s why he went to you. You’ve never rejected him Youngie.”
“I could never.” And Seonghwa believed that. He smiled and leaned down to press a kiss to both of his pups, and one to Changbin’s forehead without even thinking about the consequences.
“Dinner’s ready. Do you want to wait until Hongjoong builds the nest or eat before?” Seonghwa didn’t want to disturb the three, but he definitely needed to make sure the three of them ate.
“Can we let Binnie sleep some more? I don’t think he’s been getting enough sleep.” Sannie looked so concerned as he peered up at the sleeping Alpha from Wooyoung’s thigh. Seonghwa smiled again.
“Of course. The food will still be there. In fact, I’ll set some aside for you all.” Seonghwa was already thinking about how they could get some of Changbin’s clothes as he turned to walk out when San grabbed his wrist to stop him.
“Hyung, you’d never ignore us like this, right?” Both San and Wooyoung were looking at him, a mixture of fear and reluctance in their expressions. The fact that his pups even had to worry about that being a possibility hurt. He knew it was a natural reaction given the situation and the fact that none of them had expected Chan to do such a thing. Still, it hurt to know it was something his pups felt they had to ask.
“Never. Even if any of you upset me I’d never ignore you. I love you all too much to cause you that kind of pain.” He pressed more kisses to their foreheads before leaving the room.
Letting Changbin sleep didn’t last long. When Yunho and Mingi arrived home, the noise seemed to have stirred the sleeping Alpha. Hongjoong was still selecting nesting materials, insistent that they only use the very best to provide maximum comfort to Changbin, so there was only a pile of blankets and sheets on the floor when the Alpha walked in behind Wooyoung and San.
Seonghwa watched as Changbin flinched when he saw Yunho and Mingi, hiding behind San and Wooyoung more. He saw the slight hurt on Mingi’s face at the reaction before the tall Omega let a small smile grace his lips as he held up a bag.
“I know you made dinner hyung, so we stopped to get dessert.” Sure enough, when Mingi handed the bag to the Alpha he saw the ice creams and smiled.
“I’ll put this in the freezer. Binnie, why don’t you go shower while Hongjoong builds the nest. I’m sure we can find something for you to borrow. Wooyoung will show you where everything is. Use whatever you want. I promise it’s okay.” Changbin still seemed wary, as if he wasn’t sure he deserved their help, before finally giving a shy nod. Wooyoung happily guided Changbin back down the hall.
“I’m pretty sure Jongho has a shirt he can borrow and he should be able to fit into some of my pants.” San offered happily, pleased with himself for helping provide for the Alpha. Seonghwa smiled at his sweet pup.
“Will you go see if Jongho is willing to let him borrow it? Don’t take without asking.” As if he needed to say that, but instincts were strong and Seonghwa knew what they could do to someone. San nodded before nearly running back down the hall.
“Do you think hyung will let me help with the nest?” Seonghwa smiled as he turned his attention back to his pups.
“Of course he would. You know he loves when you help him build nests.” There was something in Mingi’s expression that had Seonghwa frowning as he pulled the Omega into his arms.
“Do you think Changbin-ssi would want me to help?” Seonghwa hummed as he realized where the insecurity came from. He pressed a kiss to Mingi’s sweaty hair, nearly grimacing at the feeling but stopped himself from doing so.
“I think it would show him you mean him no harm. He’s vulnerable right now. Not just because of what Chan did, but I think he’s been feeling rejected for a while. If I had to guess, he’s probably scared of more rejection.” He didn’t want to upset Mingi more than the Omega already was, so he didn’t mention his theory about Changbin’s bond directly.
“Bond break. You think he’s going through a bond break?” Yunho read through the lines, however. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he looked like he wished he could take them back. Mingi seemed even more upset as he looked up at Seonghwa with tears in his eyes.
“Who’s going through a bond break?” Yeosang had apparently decided to take a shower and was coming out of the second bathroom at just the right time to hear the last bit of Yunho’s question. Seonghwa sighed and looked around. Hongjoong had been coming down the same hallway but now stood still behind Yeosang with an arm full of pillows. Jongho had also heard as he entered from the hallway leading to the room he shared with Mingi. He guessed this was as good a time as any to talk about it.
“I can’t say for certain but given the information I do know about what Changbin’s been feeling for the last few weeks, what Chan did, and how he looks I would take a guess that he’s probably in the beginning stages of a bond break.” Distressed noises and scents filled the air before Seonghwa let out a surge of his own scent to calm them. “Be careful. We don’t want to upset Changbin more if we can avoid it. I know it’s upsetting. That’s why we’re here to take care of him. If you see anything that is concerning, please tell me as soon as you can.”
“Hyung,” Jongho came closer, almost as if he was afraid to say what he wanted to say. Seonghwa gave him his full attention even if his arms were still around Mingi. “Bond breaks don’t just come out of nowhere. It takes weeks, maybe months, for bond sickness to turn into a bond break. Are you saying he’s been feeling like this for that long? And no one in his pack noticed?”
“Binnie tried to talk to them about it but Chan always seemed to have something more important to do. I was getting ready to have hyung help me reach out to Chan myself when he texted me earlier.” Wooyoung’s voice nearly startled them all. Wooyoung and San were walking through the living room to stand with the rest of them. Tears were building up in both of their eyes and Seonghwa wished he’d had more arms to hug them all. “It’s been this bad for nearly a month.”
“It’s possible that Chan ignoring him is what tipped the sickness into a break. That’s why it’s important for us to keep an eye on him.” He didn’t need to tell them how dangerous it was if they let Changbin suffer the bond break by himself. Seonghwa had lost one of his friends from a bond break. He didn’t want to lose someone so precious as Changbin to it as well.
“Min, Youngie, help me with the nest. Let’s have it ready when he gets out of the shower so we can start comforting him right away.” Hongjoong broke them from the conversation, deciding it was time to take action instead of just talking about the problem. “Yunho I love you but I think you should shower.”
The Alpha let out a squeak before laughing. He’d probably realized how sweaty he smelled and knew the Omegas wouldn’t let him in the nest like that. Still, he made his way down to his room, grabbed a clean pair of pajamas, and then made his way to the bathroom. When he passed through the living room again, only the Omegas remained as they started building the foundation of the nest. He didn’t feel bad about being called out – Mingi smelled just as strongly of sweat and Yunho knew the Omega would shower before getting in the nest.
Twenty minutes later, Changbin was out of the shower and following Yeosang into the living room. Seonghwa smiled as Wooyoung showed the nest off to Changbin. His baby Omega always loved showing off his nests, but it seemed more special to him to show off for the Alpha he loved but hadn’t been able to have. And Changbin, ever the sweet Alpha he’d always been, not only praised Wooyoung for building such a good nest but also praised Hongjoong and Mingi. Mingi’s face betrayed how relieved he felt at the reassurance. Hongjoong’s neck and cheeks were flush with a blush and Seonghwa hadn’t seen such a reaction from him since they all began courting. Seonghwa couldn’t stop the coo that left his throat, causing his Pack Omega to glare at him.
“Hyung.” Mingi captured Seonghwa’s attention before he could further embarrass Hongjoong. The Omega was holding his arms out towards the Alpha and Seonghwa was immediately at the edge of the nest to pull the Omega into his arms to pull him out of the nest without disrupting the wall of the nest. As a thank you, Mingi placed a chaste kiss on his lips before pulling away and going down the hall to his room. Seonghwa smiled as he watched the Omega go until he was out of sight; then he met Changbin’s confused and worried gaze. Seonghwa had to fight back his instincts to pull the Alpha into his arms as he realized Changbin probably was worried about being rejected again.
“Mingi just wants to shower before cuddling. He’ll be back soon.” Changbin nodded in understanding before letting Wooyoung grab his attention again.
“Come on Binnie.” Wooyoung was trying to tug the Alpha into the nest without pulling hard. Seonghwa smiled at them both. His eye caught Yeosang’s, and the Beta nodded towards the kitchen. Right, they still needed to eat.
“Get comfortable, we’ll bring dinner out.” Seonghwa led Yeosang into the kitchen where Yunho was already there heating the food back up. It didn’t take too long – though longer than Seonghwa’s inner Alpha would have liked – before they were portioning the food into nine bowls.
Mingi had probably taken the fastest shower of his life because by the time the three of them returned to the living room, he was there in the nest - hair still wet from his shower but happily cuddled against one of Changbin’s sides. There was still room for someone between him and the wall of the nest, which Seonghwa was certain would be taken by either Yeosang or San. On Changbin’s other side was Wooyoung, who was threading his fingers through Changbin’s hair while Hongjoong was cuddled up to his other side. Seonghwa smiled at the sight. San and Jongho weren’t there but given the shower running, he didn’t worry.
After asking permission to enter and being granted it, Yunho and Seonghwa began passing out bowls, first to their Omegas and then to Changbin before putting the remaining bowls down for their missing packmates. Seonghwa took the bowls out of Yeosang’s hands so the Beta could gather the last two Alphas. He was well aware of Changbin watching them all, shoulders tensed as if they were going to kick him out after all. He only relaxed when Yeosang returned with the other two Alphas.
Once everyone settled in, they turned on a movie – and despite them all trying to insist on Changbin choosing a movie, the Alpha let Jongho choose one instead – and ate while cuddling. Or, most of them ate. Wooyoung insisted on feeding Changbin even with his protests that he could do so himself. And Hongjoong fed Wooyoung in between bites from his own bowl. Seonghwa would laugh but he knew Wooyoung was giving into his instincts to comfort and provide for the distressed Alpha.
Changbin fell asleep halfway through the second movie, to no one’s surprise. Wooyoung and Mingi weren’t far behind him. One by one, his packmates started falling asleep as well, until it was only Hongjoong and Seonghwa left awake. They were arguing quietly about who was going to sleep first, neither willing to disregard their instincts to protect, when a scream ripped from Changbin’s throat. It startled them both but also woke the entire pack. Seonghwa gently pulled Wooyoung away from the Alpha as Yunho did the same with Mingi.
Seonghwa knew something happened as soon as Changbin began scratching at his neck. He could take a guess and would probably be right. So did Yunho and San. Seonghwa shared a glance with both. They all knew what needed to be done. Seonghwa shifted so he was behind Changbin and pulled his arms down to trap them against his body. Yunho pulled Mingi to his chest and held him there no matter how hard he tried to fight his grip. San had Wooyoung trapped underneath him, but let him lift his head enough to watch his friend. Jongho had grabbed Hongjoong before the eldest Omega could even move to Seonghwa and Changbin. Yeosang slipped out of the nest quietly as Seonghwa began trying to calm Changbin down.
“Hyung?” Wooyoung’s scared voice drew Seonghwa’s attention. “What’s happening?”
Seonghwa didn’t answer for a moment, turning his attention back onto the Alpha in his arms. His head was lolled to the side, giving him an unobstructed view of Changbin’s neck. The skin around his mating mark was red and swollen. Seonghwa was sure that if he touched the skin, it would be burning hot, too. He was thankful, then, when Yeosang returned with a bowl of cool water and a wet rag. He was even more thankful when the Beta wordlessly kneeled next to them and gently pressed the rag to the red skin, pulling a hiss from Changbin.
Yeosang worked efficiently. Whenever he felt the rag was getting too warm, he’d pull it away and dip it into the water to cool it down again before pressing it to Changbin’s skin again. Still, even with the eyes of his entire pack on them, Seonghwa didn’t answer. Not until Changbin stopped thrashing and the whines and cries died down. Only then did he look up from Changbin’s red neck to his worried packmates.
“His bond is broken.” Seonghwa felt a lot of feelings. He felt sorrow and hurt for the pup in his arms. He felt rage for him, too. Rage that Chan would do whatever he did to break the bond fully. Disappointment at himself for not being more prepared for such an event. But mostly he worried. Changbin was no longer going through a rough bond sickness turned bond break. The bond between him and Chan, and thus between him and the rest of his pack, was fully broken. He knew the feeling would make Changbin’s already fragile state of mind even worse.
The pack was quiet as they took in the information. Seonghwa’s instincts were all over the place. He wanted to comfort his pack. He wanted to comfort the Alpha in his arms, take his pain away, and give him the safe place he desperately needed. Most importantly, he wanted to march over to the Stray Kids dorm to not only find out what happened, but to also tear into Chan for putting his pup through so much pain. His teeth ached to tear Chan’s throat out, but he forced that rage down. Chan could wait. His pack and the pup in his arms – his pup now – couldn’t wait.
Seonghwa looked around at his packmates, gauging their emotional states at the news. Wooyoung was, unsurprisingly, hysterically upset. He was no longer thrashing in San’s hold but Seonghwa could see the anguish in his expression. Just as well that he had given up the fight, as San was also looking at Changbin with anguish and tears in his eyes. Seonghwa took his eyes off his two most sensitive pups and shifted them to the youngest, still holding his Pack Omega. Jongho showed more emotion than Seonghwa was used to seeing. His face was twisted in anger and sadness as his gaze followed Changbin’s chest rising and falling from his ragged breathing. Seonghwa didn’t need to ask to know what he was feeling. Hongjoong’s expression was carefully placed but Seonghwa had known the Omega long enough to know what to look for. There was a hardness in his eyes that he only got when someone upset his pups. His jaw was clenched, likely to keep from growling. Seonghwa had no doubt when he did actually confront Chan, he wouldn’t be alone. A feral Hongjoong and angry Jongho were more than he needed on his side.
Shifting to the other side of him, his gaze fell on Yunho and Mingi. The Alpha’s expression was hard to read, so unlike the sweet Alpha who had always done whatever he could to help the pack out. Seonghwa had no doubt his instincts were screaming at him the same Seonghwa’s were. And Mingi, another of his sensitive pups, was in tears. His instincts were screaming at him to comfort his pup but Yunho was more in tune with Mingi’s emotions than anyone in the pack and had already started scenting the Omega to comfort him. And finally, Yeosang. The Beta was usually cooly composed, but not right now. Right now, Seonghwa could see how hard he was trying to keep the anger in and the calm out. His knuckles were white from how hard he was gripping the rag and his hands shook.
In his arms, Changbin’s ragged breathing was turning to sobs again and Seonghwa adjusted his grip so that Changbin’s arms were free and Seonghwa could wrap his arms around his waist to hold him tight against his chest. Immediately, he started hushing the Alpha and trying to scent him without rubbing against his scent gland.
“You’ll be okay.” Seonghwa didn’t doubt that they could take care of the Alpha in the coming days. He couldn’t doubt, because if they didn’t he knew what could happen. There was a rustling sound before Wooyoung curled up around Seonghwa and Changbin, with his head on Changbin’s chest just above Seonghwa’s arms. The Omega was still crying but let out purrs to try to calm the distressed Alpha.
Mingi pulled out of Yunho’s arms and settled in next to Wooyoung. Seonghwa resigned himself to his fate when Hongjoong joined the pile. And then San settled between Wooyoung and Hongjoong. Yunho smiled at the group before taking the water and rag from Yeosang to put it on the other side of the nest wall. Then he grabbed the Beta and settled with him in his arms while lying his head against Changbin’s thigh. Jongho settled behind Hongjoong and Seonghwa, close enough that he could run his fingers through Changbin’s hair but far enough away to not get overwhelmed by the skinship.
Despite the high tension and emotion raging through them all, or maybe because of it, the pack fell asleep one-by-one again until it was only Seonghwa left. He carefully reached for his phone without disturbing anyone. He didn’t succeed and Hongjoong, who had only just gotten to sleep, woke and glanced up at him.
“Sorry, Joongie. I just wanted to see if Minho would tell me what happened.” The words were whispered so that no one else woke up. The Omega nodded and grabbed the phone for him. Seonghwa didn’t expect to get an answer from Minho, and wasn’t surprised when, after five minutes, the Omega hadn’t even read the message.
“Hwa?” Hongjoong was still awake, likely not going back to sleep any time soon. Seonghwa knew it would be a long night for both of them. He hummed, indicating for the Omega to continue on. “We’re not letting Chan get away with this, right?”
“No. We’re not. But right now, our focus needs to be on helping Changbin.” In the coming days, Changbin’s mating mark was going to fade completely but it would hurt. Seonghwa’s friend’s brother had told him how much pain he’d suffered when his bond mark faded. The way he had described it was as if his body was trying to burn the mark off his skin.
“Youngie told me about what San said to Changbin earlier. About joining the pack.” Seonghwa bit his lip as he shifted his gaze from Hongjoong to San’s face, and then to Changbin’s. He wasn’t planning on bringing it up, not until they had the time to calm Changbin down and see what he wanted. But now that Chan broke the bond fully and Seonghwa saw how his pack reacted to Changbin’s distress, he could let himself imagine the Alpha joining their pack. He let himself think about the possibilities; of how happy not only Wooyoung would be but also Changbin and the rest of the 99-liners. Mingi had attached himself to Changbin as soon as he entered the nest. Yunho and Yeosang had fond looks that were usually only reserved for their Omegas any time they looked at the Alpha. And San had been the first one to bring the possibility up. San would love to have another packmate to dote on.
“What do you think about that?” Seonghwa couldn’t make the decision by himself. He knew what Wooyoung and San would say, and he could guess what Yeosang, Mingi, and Yunho would say. But he needed Hongjoong, Jongho, and Changbin’s opinions as well.
“I think he’s already on his way to becoming part of the pack. I can’t imagine how the pack will react if he goes back to the Stray Kids pack. I know how I’ll react, and I can tell you it won’t be pretty.” Seonghwa didn’t doubt that. Hongjoong had always thought Changbin was a sweet Alpha and was enamored with him even before this.
“He’s already our pup, isn’t he?” Seonghwa gently pulled Jongho’s fingers from the tangles of Changbin’s hair, only to replace them with his own to gently pull the knots out.
“He’s been our pup. Now we just get to love and dote on him the way he deserves.” Hongjoong paused, as if there was something more he wanted to say. Seonghwa looked up at him, only to see the Omega watching the Alpha sleep with a gentle smile on his lips. “You know, when we worked together on Kingdom I saw how their dynamic was. Chan often favored Jisung’s input over Changbin’s, until Minhyuk-hyung or I would agree with Changbin. It had me worried so I asked Youngie about it. He said Changbin insisted there was nothing there, so I left it, but now I wonder if I should have said something back then.”
“Don’t do that to yourself, Joong. It wasn’t your place and it wouldn’t have helped him in any way. It may have even driven a wedge between him and Wooyoung. What matters is that we are going to do everything we can to fix what Chan didn’t.” Seonghwa tried not to let himself think about what Changbin may have left out about his former pack. From what he’d seen, Changbin doted on all five of his dongsaengs. Spoiled them rotten like the good Alpha he was. He remembered a time when Changbin and Wooyoung hung out exclusively at either their dorm or out with Yeonjun, but rarely were they at the Stray Kids’ dorm. At the time, he had accepted Wooyoung’s explanation of Hyunjin still getting a hold of his instincts after he presented but now Seonghwa wondered and worried.
“Whatever you’re thinking about, you should stop. You’re scent is starting to burn.” Hongjoong was affected by scents almost as easily as Wooyoung, so he was usually the first to smell when a scent changed. Seonghwa pushed the thoughts of the Stray Kids pack from his mind and focused on his pups.
“Sorry.” Seonghwa shifted his gaze to the pups sleeping around him. Changbin just fit with them so easily that Seonghwa couldn’t imagine letting him go. His teeth were aching to put his mark on the red skin – something he couldn’t and wouldn’t do until they had a talk about it with the entire pack and Changbin was ready for it. Which included waiting until his current mating mark was gone.
“Go to sleep Hwa. We can talk about this in the morning. I cleared our schedules for the day earlier.” Seonghwa hummed in agreement, thankful and happy that they wouldn’t be forced to leave Changbin alone after such a traumatic event. He watched as Hongjoong settled down again into the puppy pile and close his eyes to sleep before Seonghwa relaxed as well and let himself fall asleep.