Over the Moon

by Carmenlire

Summary:

Something about Sieun's scent hooks into Suho, though he can’t put his finger on why. It’s still his mate– sweet with a hint of spice– but there’s the faintest edge of something else, something irresistible. Suho presses his nose harder into Sieun’s neck, trying to tease that delicious note out more, but Sieun urges him up for a kiss and Suho’s hopeless to resist.

Or, Sieun doesn't notice when he starts acting up. It doesn't take much for Suho to get a clue.

Chapter 1

Sieun feels arms wrap around him, Suho snuggling closer.

“What do you want for breakfast, baby,” Suho asks, words still slurred with sleep.

Humming a little, Sieun thinks. The answer comes to him quick, a craving he’s had since he woke up just a little while ago. He’s been resting for a bit, simply enjoying Suho’s warmth behind him while he ruminates on what he wants to eat.

Sieun hardly ever wakes up thinking about food but ever since the first sliver of consciousness crossed his mind, he’d been fixated on breakfast.

It’s a slow Sunday, the two of them having no plans except grocery shopping later. They usually start days like this with breakfast out– after a lazy morning in– though as often as not, Suho gets the itch to cook.

Sieun’s glad today seems to be a morning that his mate is in the mood to spend time in the kitchen.

“Pancakes,” he replies, sure. “With strawberries. And whipped cream.”

Sieun feels a smile pressed against the back of his neck, Suho pulling him into his body.

“Something sweet, hm?” Suho’s hand drifts down, under his shirt, until he’s resting it against the soft skin of Sieun’s stomach. “As sweet as you?”

“Yeah,” Sieun breathes, arching back into Suho's body. He’s so comfortable, warm and still sated from last night.

Suho shifts, then, urging Sieun onto his back. He leans over him until he can nuzzle into his neck, lips ghosting over his long healed mating bite. He scents Sieun lazily, taking his time.

Something about Sieun's scent hooks into Suho, though he can’t put his finger on why. It’s still his mate– sweet with a hint of spice– but there’s the faintest edge of something else, something irresistible. Suho presses his nose harder into Sieun’s neck, trying to tease it out more, but Sieun urges him up for a kiss and Suho’s hopeless to resist.

They kiss slowly in the morning light, their bedroom doused in shadows from the pulled curtains. Sieun’s so warm, pliant, as Suho kisses him into sleep-mussed sheets. Sieun wraps his arms around Suho’s shoulders, pulling him down over him.

Sieun loves feeling the weight of Suho completely covering him. It quiets something that tends to grow restless in his head.

Still. When Suho moves to lay between his legs, a hand sliding down his thigh with clear intent, Sieun pulls away.

He’s breathing a little hard, looking up at Suho with dark eyes.

“What’s wrong, baby,” Suho asks, relaxing into the cradle of his hips.

Sieun just looks at him, wriggling a little, and if Suho didn't know better, he'd swear it was with impatience. “Pancakes?”

And Suho is confused but always so endeared. He tilts his head, looking down at Sieun. “Now?”

Sieun nods his head, hair messy on his pillow, and Suho huffs out a laugh.

He’s a little incredulous. Sieun never asks for food. Sometimes Suho thinks that Sieun wouldn’t even eat if he didn’t have Suho reminding him, if they didn’t share so many meals together.

So to have Sieun interrupt lazy morning sex with a request for food is definitely out of the ordinary. Suho writes it off, though, figures that they’d worked up an appetite last night.

Suho lets his weight press into Sieun, nibbling at a collar bone while he mumbles, “Whatever my baby wants.”

With a sigh, he gets up a few minutes later.

Sieun stays in bed, though he turns over until he’s on Suho’s side, burying his face in his mate’s pillow with a sigh.

Sleeps threatens to drag him back under. Their bed is so comfortable.

He dozes for awhile, feeling surrounded by Suho’s scent, so completely at peace as he's lulled back under.

It feels like just a minute later that there’s a soft kiss placed on top of his head.

“Breakfast is ready, baby,” Suho whispers and Sieun hears the smile in his voice. “Wake up, sunshine.”

“Don’t call me that,” Sieun grumbles, trying to burrow deeper into the bed.

“Why,” Suho asks. “You brighten up my day, don’t you?”

And Sieun tries to hide his smile in the pillow he’s hugging but he knows that Suho sees it anyway.

“You’re so annoying.”

“Yeah,” Suho agrees easily but not before he’s smacking Sieun’s ass over the covers, laughing at the cute yelp that escapes him. “I’m also hungry. Get up, babe.”

Sieun sighs as he climbs out of bed, a little more dramatic than strictly necessary just to see the way Suho looks at him, eyes bright and fond.

It takes him just a few minutes to wash up and then the two of them are settling down at their small dining table, each with a plate.

Suho has his usual stack of four and Sieun watches as he goes to town with the syrup, fairly drowning his plate, per usual. On Sieun’s own is one fluffy pancake, perfectly golden brown and with the crisp edges he likes so much.

Suho makes them oversized and light as air. Really, it's not surprising that Sieun would have woken up with a craving when his mate's pancakes are his favorite and it's a relaxed weekend. He deserves a sweet treat, Sieun thinks with a pleased smile, eyes unforgivably fond as he watches Suho shove the first bite into his mouth, chewing furiously.

Taking his time to make his own plate, Sieun spoons whipped cream over the pancake carefully, adding sliced strawberries to the top in a vague design. Sieun debates for a moment before reaching for more whipped cream, adding enough until there’s a veritable mountain.

His first bite is more topping than pancake and Sieun hums a little, perfectly satisfied at the sweetness.

The two of them keep up a light conversation, spending most of breakfast brainstorming their grocery list, even though Sieun keeps a running list on his phone.

Making his way through his pancake quickly and methodically, Sieun doesn’t even think about it before he’s standing and up and heading back to the stove, where Suho had made a few extra that are still warm.

Sieun plucks one up and places it on his plate with a little excited hum, already supposing that he might as well use the rest of the strawberries-- there weren't that many left-- when he looks up and sees Suho studying him over the rim of his coffee cup.

“What?”

Suho smiles. His expression is just a hint confused, though the edge is calculating, eyes flicking between meeting his own and down to his refilled plate. “You’re getting seconds?”

Sieun makes an absent noise of agreement as he sits back down and reaches for the whipped cream, getting a nice spoonful to spread over the pancake. He thinks his mouth might actually be salivating in anticipation– that first pancake really was delicious, exactly what he’d woken up craving. Something sweet and light, verging on decadent.

He tips the container of cut strawberries over his pancake until they make a little pile in the middle, takes care as he builds a forkful that has a bit of everything on it.

“These are so good.” Sieun looks up, mouth half full but smiling, eyes warm and bright. Swallowing, he adds, “Thank you, Suho-yah.”

“No need to thank me, pretty.” Suho’s already half out of his seat, grabbing his mug, as he asks, “Want me to make more?”

Suho’s smile is quiet but so fond as he glances behind him to look as Sieun makes his neat way through the second pancake, too.

Again, Suho wonders at his mate showing an appetite in the first time– oh, ever.

He’s so cute like this, Suho can’t help but think– cheeks puffed out, looking so soft and happy in the kitchen, and Suho wishes he could stay in this moment forever.

Sieun had mumbled out a no to the offer to make more pancakes between bites, so Suho heads directly to their coffeemaker, pours himself another cup. So caught up in how adorable his mate looks, he almost overpours, saving himself from a mess at the last moment.

The weather this morning is a little cloudy, the music station that Suho had been playing while cooking still on low volume in the corner, and it’s so peaceful.

Just the two of them and a quiet breakfast. A nice respite to the usual busyness.

Sieun clears his second plate, too, and Suho’s alpha thrills at seeing his mate enjoy a meal so thoroughly– food made and prepared by his own hand, in their home, getting his fill. Sieun’s scent adds to it– light and fresh, so easily content.

Suho’s not expecting Sieun to stand up after just a few minutes, rounding the table and nudging him impatiently, like Suho should just know what he wants.

One hand wrapped loosely around his mug on the table, Suho looks up at Sieun with a grin. “What’s up, babe?”

His grin widens as Sieun rolls his eyes and nudges his shoulder again, almost petulantly this time.

Taking the hint, Suho moves his chair back from the table. Without a word, Sieun climbs into Suho’s lap. Legs on either side, arms wrapped around Suho’s neck.

Sieun’s a warm weight over him and he’s irresistible like this– wearing nothing but a pair of plain black boxer briefs and an oversized t-shirt of Suho’s.

Suho’s hands go to rest on Sieun’s thighs automatically, fingers pressing lightly into soft flesh.

He’s smiling up at Sieun as his mate leans down a little, until they’re sharing a breath. And Sieun’s eyes are dark and pleased as he shifts until he can nose along Suho’s cheek.

“Thank you, alpha,” Sieun says, voice low and achingly soft.

“Anytime, sweetheart.” Suho’s voice matches pitch, the bare hint of a growl in the undertone. Because Sieun never calls him alpha– not outside of heat, not unless he’s trying to rile him up.

Or sometimes, very rarely, when he’s so happy, feeling so safe and warm and content, that it just spills out. Even that is most often in the aftermath of heat, when Sieun’s headspace is still a little too floaty to yank his pretenses back into place.

The thought that Sieun was feeling so much right now makes something in Suho preen, satisfied– that his omega is feeling good, that he feels so utterly comfortable that his defenses have melted into the space between them. It's always such a thrill, seeing all the ways that Sieun lets him in. Even after all these years, it makes Suho's heart skip a beat in pure exhilaration.

Turning his head until their lips meet, Suho smiles as Sieun sighs against his mouth.

The kiss is slow, gentle. Suho catches Sieun’s top lip between his own, huffs out a fond little laugh at the hint of stickiness, an amused exhalation. Tongue slipping out, he teases Sieun’s bottom lip, tastes strawberries and cream– feels the way Sieun shivers against him.

One of Sieun’s hands drifts into Suho’s hair, nails scratching softly along his scalp, and Suho angles his head deeper, kiss turning a little hotter as Sieun starting wriggling in his lap.

They kiss for several minutes, a spun out makeout session, long enough for Suho to lose track of time.

He slips a hand under the hem of Sieun’s– his– shirt, to the warm skin underneath. He sweeps along Sieun’s back just to hear his mate's muted gasp, feel the way he arches a little closer into him.

Breaking away to drag in air, Suho catalogs the vision in front of him. Sieun’s eyes are dark and a little blurred, flush on his cheeks and hair messy. Suho lets one of his hands trail to Sieun’s front, a light finger trailing over the waistband of his underwear just to smell the way Sieun’s scent deepens, spice edging out the sweetness, turning Suho lightheaded with need.

It’s sugar slow in his veins and tempered by just how much he loves this boy, who's always so perfect for him.

He’s so fucking cute, Suho thinks with a grin. One that Sieun echoes guilelessly.

Suho is still smiling as he leans back in, a heavy hand resting along Sieun's throat, Suho's gaze focused on Sieun’s parted mouth– the hint of tongue, pink and slick, behind the pretty glint of teeth.

“Want alpha to take care of you, baby?” And Suho’s voice is a little teasing– wondering how much Sieun will let him get away with. If he’ll roll his eyes at Suho’s line even as he acquiesces, or if he’s a little too far gone to do anything but nod shamelessly.

Satisfaction pools in Suho’s gut at the quick confirmation that it’s the latter, his mate ducking down with a little pleading noise, something soft and low in his throat, as he closes the distance between them to kiss Suho again.

“Please,” Sieun mumbles against his mouth. And really, who is Suho to deny such a polite request.

Pulling away after another minute, Suho kisses a line along his jaw before he nuzzles into Sieun’s scent gland. It overwhelms him.

Sieun smells so good that Suho swears he he could get drunk from it. It’s so strong that he can taste it on his tongue– sweetness, arousal blooming around them– and Suho licks over Sieun’s claiming bite just to hear the way he whimpers so prettily against his ear, feeling the way Sieun turns completely pliant over him.

Nose buried in his neck, Suho’s hands drift to Sieun’s hips, a brand keeping him close. Suho knows Sieun can smell his own desire, the way it spills out, mixing so well with Sieun’s in a heady mix that drowns everything else out.

Still, even as his mind melts at a hot and willing Sieun over him, Suho notices it again.

There’s something about Sieun’s scent that’s– different.

Not off, because his mate smells as intoxicating as ever. More so, even, which should be impossible.

There’s an edge to Sieun’s scent and it just barely teases his consciousness. But it hooks so deep that it makes Suho dizzy. Something sweet, bright, clean and wholly irresistible. Suho’s head is swimming as he shifts his grip back to Sieun’s thighs, lifting him up in an effortless hold as he stands, heading towards their bedroom.

“My baby’s so needy, isn’t he?” Suho’s voice is teasing, knowing, as he makes his way down the hall, Sieun’s hips shifting restlessly against him. The smell of his slick fills the hall, makes Suho’s mouth water, mouth dropping open like he could really taste it if he just tried hard enough.

As he lays Sieun down in their bed– still sleep-mussed from this morning, from just a little while ago– Suho smiles, eyes dark and so incredibly fond. “Is that it, baby? You just needed breakfast before alpha could play with you?”

Sieun bites his lip, moaning, his legs falling open so that Suho can find his place between them.

And as Suho loves Sieun down into the sheets, he wonders, in the very back of his mind, what that delicious note in Sieun’s scent could possibly be.

Because it doesn’t fill him with alarm– doesn’t smell like sickness or anything harmful.

No, it’s so good, just the bare tease enough to send Suho’s head spinning. It’s a new edge, so faint that he can barely track it, even with his alpha's sense of smell. Something Suho’s never smelled before, but it fills him with something that feels a lot like satisfaction, dialing the heat up to eleven as he strips Sieun out of his pajamas, starts mapping his mate’s body with his mouth.

A puzzle for another day, Suho figures, and loses himself in lazy morning sex, after all.

Chapter 2

Suho’s about to walk out the door, coffee in hand and laptop bag over his shoulder, when he smells Sieun’s scent turn the faintest hint bitter.

He looks back as he sees his mate shuffle out of their bedroom and down the hall, still half asleep. “Babe?”

“Where are you going?” Sieun’s voice is peevish as he crosses the living room to where Suho’s standing in the entryway.

Suho’s confused. He tilts his head, asking, “Work?”

Sieun doesn’t stop until he’s standing right in front of him, wriggling into his arms. Suho lifts the to-go coffee mug out of the way, still confused but the furthest thing from unhappy at having Sieun so close.

Looking up at Suho, Sieun pouts. “You didn’t scent me.”

And Suho– is even more confused. “I scent you every morning, baby. What are you talking about?”

The set of Sieun’s mouth turns mulish. “That’s barely anything. Scent me properly.”

Glancing at the clock they having hanging in the living room, Suho knows he has a few minutes to spare, always one of the first to get to the gym he manages.

He sets his coffee down on their entry way table, slides his bag down until it’s resting on the floor. Wrapping his arms around Sieun, Suho immediately leans down, kissing his mating bite.

Sieun sighs at the first touch, melting into him.

Licking over his scent gland, Suho tastes a burst of chocolate, warm on his tongue, so sweet that he swears his teeth ache.

Suho scents Sieun for a long moment, bathing him in his scent until his own chocolate notes are muted. When he pulls back, Sieun’s slow to open his eyes, lashes fluttering as he smiles up at Suho, dazed.

“Is that what you wanted?” Suho’s voice is warm as his gaze roves over Sieun’s blissed-out face, scent happy now, no hint of displeasure.

Sieun hums. “Why don’t you do that every morning?”

“Because you’ve told me before that you don’t need me acting like a knotheaded alpha, staking an obnoxious claim when you already have a perfectly visible mating bite?”

Suho’s voice goes up at the end, a question as he repeats, verbatim, what Sieun had told him shortly after they mated when Suho’s instincts were a little wild and, he would grudgingly admit now, he’d been a little overzealous.

Sieun had stared at him, impassive, drolly asking what the point of scent suppressants were if Suho was just going to make it impossible to wear them.

“You’re supposed to want to scent your omega, Suho-yah.” Sieun’s expression darkens and he glares up at Suho. “Unless you don’t want to–”

Huffing a little, Sieun goes to turn away but Suho doesn’t let him. His arms tighten around Sieun as he tries to understand exactly what has Sieun so annoyed right now.

Sieun’s wriggling in his arms, grumbling. His resemblance to a disgruntled kitten is uncanny. Suho kisses the top of his head as he runs through the past few minutes.

“Okay,” Suho starts. “First of all, I do scent you every morning, baby. You know that. It’s the first thing I do when I wake up– enough so you can feel it all day.”

He feels Sieun’s mouth part on a breath, undoubtedly set to argue, but Suho just steamrolls over him, continuing, “If you want me to scent you more, you know that’s not a problem.”

His voice lowers as he shifts until he’s speaking against Sieun’s ear, gratified at the little shiver Sieun can’t hide, not when they’re standing so close.

“Do you want to scent me? Would that help?”

Sieun stills for a long moment before he’s nodding, burrowing closer.

Letting himself be guided against the wall, Suho tilts his head so Sieun can nose along his own mating bite– smaller than the one he’d given Sieun, the imprint of teeth a little rougher. Suho loves it so much, thinks it fits Sieun so well.

It always feels so good whenever Sieun scents him. He doesn’t get the exact same high that Sieun, an omega, does. But having his mate close, staking that claim, makes his alpha buzz with excitement.

Sieun’s thorough about it and while scent suppressants don’t totally erase a scent like blockers do– only letting big notes like secondary gender through while hiding emotional tones– Suho knows there’s an even clearer scent of an omega on him, now, making it obvious that he’s a happily mated alpha.

As he lets Sieun have his way with him, Suho wonders just what’s going on.

Sieun’s omega isn’t usually so close to the surface. As mates, their scents are already blended with a hint of the other, making it clear to anyone who tries to get too close that they’re taken if the mating bites on their necks weren’t enough.

So to have Sieun wake up and demand to be scented intensely– if Suho’s being honest, Sieun reeks of him right now, it’s probably verging on indecent were he to go out in public– is a puzzle.

Yet another piece, Suho thinks distantly, as he picks up that note again in Sieun’s scent.

It really does make his mouth water, a growl in his throat as it blooms between them. Stronger than it was last weekend-- Suho can tease it out every time he scents Sieun now-- and it's still so irresistible.

Finally, Sieun moves back with a proud little glint in his eye.

“There,” he says. “Now everyone knows you’re mine.”

Suho laughs out an incredulous breath. “Baby, I have a bite mark. Everyone knows I have an omega.”

Sieun rolls his eyes. “But now they know that you have an omega who pays attention and is waiting for you at home.”

Eyebrows raising at that statement– Sieun would have his head if he ever insinuated seriously that Sieun was an omega just waiting at home for him, what the hell– Suho just nods slowly, trying to find a hint of reason in Sieun’s expression.

“Okay,” he says finally, giving up. “I love you and I love that you scented me and how you smell like me. Can I go to work now?”

Sieun just looks at him, faintly derisive. “Of course. You don’t have to ask me to go to work, Suho-yah. I’m not your keeper.” There’s a pause. “You should probably leave now or you’ll be late.”

“Right.” Suho is so confused.

He leans down to give Sieun a quick kiss, smiling as Sieun mumbles out an, “I love you, too,” as he grabs his coffee and bag and is out the door in the next minute.

While Suho goes to work– covered in his scent, Sieun thinks with a pleased smirk– Sieun heads back to bed.

He’s been so tired this week, was more than happy when his manager cancelled their morning meeting and told him to just take the day off since they’ve been pulling so many extra hours lately to finish a demanding client’s project.

In their bedroom, Sieun is about to climb into bed when something about it niggles at him.

He reaches out with a frown, rearranges the pillows, fluffing them up. That leads to straightening the sheets before Sieun’s huffing out a breath and remaking the whole damn bed.

Still, it doesn’t look right. Something about it just seeming off to him.

Biting his lip as he studies the bed, Sieun’s eyes flick to their closet where he keeps his proper nesting material– a handful of blankets, soft and plush, a few more pillows to make the nest extra inviting.

He itches to grab everything but that– doesn’t make sense.

Sieun enjoys nesting, finds the same bone deep satisfaction in it that most other omegas do, but he doesn’t get the urge very often at all. Sieun only nests when he’s in heat or nearing it, occasionally when he’s stressed out and needs an outlet.

But they’ve wrapped up that project at work and the few other deadlines he has aren’t for awhile yet. There’s nothing urgent on his plate. He’s not stressed or anxious or anything of the sort right now.

He’s just looking at their bed, getting more annoyed by the minute, because it isn’t right.

It looks a little empty to Sieun. Not enough blankets, entirely too sterile and cold. No matter that it’s the summer and Suho’s a furnace all year round.

Sieun debates with himself for another few minutes before he decides the hell with it. It’s not like the nesting police are going to break down his door and ask why he– probably one of the few omegas who don’t nest regularly– is deciding to indulge today.

Scoffing at himself for that inane thought, Sieun goes to their closet and opens the door.

And just seeing his nesting materials makes Sieun’s shoulders relax. He reaches up and grabs an armful, the next long while spent building a proper nest.

It’s so relaxing, tension that Sieun didn’t even know he had leaving him slowly as the bed starts looking just how he knows it should.

Comfortable, cozy, space carved out in the middle for him and Suho to rest.

Running a hand along the edge, where he’s carefully arranged one of his softer blankets, Sieun blinks as though coming up for air. His head is light, thoughts a little slow. Every time he breathes in, he catches Suho’s scent and it settles into him, pushing everything else a little further away.

He thinks about this morning and distantly, Sieun knows he was being a little irrational.

Because Suho does scent him every morning. Mated couples have their scents mixed with a bite but it’s customary for subtle scenting every day, or at least a few times a week. It’s known to ease both an omega’s need to feel claimed and an alpha’s need to claim.

Sieun had always thought that was drivel made up by the romance industry until he’d met Suho and had been scented for the first time– until Suho had claimed him and Sieun had wanted to fairly bathe in that scent, damn impropriety and his own suppositions.

Suho usually nuzzles into his neck first thing in the morning. Occasionally, he marks his wrist.

Sieun’s omega isn’t particularly needy. Suho’s always acted in a way that soothed him without even trying– so casually possessive and demonstrative that Sieun’s never wanted for affection or attention.

This morning, he’d just wanted more. And as he’d listened to Suho get ready for work, that need had just dug into him more and more until irritation flared.

Maybe, Sieun wonders now as he works so singlemindedly on his nest, he’d needed an actual scenting session.

Even now, something in Sieun craves Suho’s scent.

Wondering what’s gotten into his omega– if work had been more stressful than he’d thought the past month– Sieun feels himself unwind, calm down as his nest takes shape.

Tilting his head as he puts the finishing touches on his nest, Sieun studies it with a critical eye. He knows something is missing.

He even knows what’s missing.

But that’s a bit too far when he’s not in heat, when hormones aren’t flooding his system and suppressing his self-control.

Sieun looks over to their hamper, half-full, and can’t stop the tiny smile– dazed and delighted– when he sees what’s right on top of the small pile.

One of Suho’s hoodies– the one he’d worn on his run last night.

Sieun’s crossing the room and plucking it off the pile without a thought. Bringing it up to his nose, a full body shudder wracks through him at the scent– clean sweat, undeniably alpha, his mate. It’s the work of a moment to shrug into it over his pajamas and Sieun immediately feels completely surrounded.

His head turns even lighter as he abandons the rest of the laundry– he didn’t need anything else.

Climbing into bed, Sieun feels so utterly content as he hugs Suho’s pillow close. He shifts until he’s covered in at least three blankets, pulling his hood up until it’s dark, until he feels nothing but snug and secure.

Almost immediately, sleep drags him under, Sieun feeling so warm and settled as his breathing slows then steadies.

 

Sieun has no idea how much time has passed when he feels the mattress behind dip under the weight of another body.

Humming a little, Sieun mumbles, “You smell like me,” and even if his face is still hidden by his hood and the way he’s buried in the covers, his words are perfectly audible.

Pleased, even smug.

“Yeah, I’d hope so after this morning.” He hears Suho huff out a laugh as he joins him in bed, easing along his back. “Did you build this nest for us, baby–”

Sieun’s not paying attention, though.

No, he’s stiffening as Suho speaks, irritation shifting into anger in the space it takes to breathe.

“Go take a shower.”

Sieun straightens up to sitting in a flash, shoving his hood down to look at Suho.

Suho, who’s still laying on his side. Suho, who’d changed his clothes from work but–

Suho blinks up at him. “What?”

Shoving impatiently at him, Sieun glares as he repeats, “I said, go take a shower. You smell like other people. Why do you smell like other people?”

“I work in a busy gym,” Suho replies carefully, like there's actually a right answer. “All I did was paperwork today, though. I sat at a desk for a few hours then came home. To my mate. Who I think is insulting me?”

Ignoring the way Suho’s trying to be cute right now, Sieun’s glare intensifies. “I don’t care what you did. What I care about is that you went outside, where there are people, and now you’re bringing those people into my nest. Do you think that’s okay?”

Suho looks at him, obviously stunned. “I–”

“God,” Sieun seethes. “I smell another alpha. Do you think I want another alpha in my nest, Suho?”

Too upset to notice the way Suho’s expression darkens, Sieun feels more than a little frustrated.

He’d been yanked from sleep at the first hint of a scent other than Suho’s, disoriented after sinking into the ritual of nesting and a long nap. And it doesn’t make any sense but tears burn Sieun’s eyes. God, he is just so pissed off–

Suho shifts in a second, sitting up until he’s in Sieun’s space.

“Sieun, baby,” Suho says in a level voice. “Please don’t talk about another alpha when we’re in your nest.”

“Then don’t bring them here,” Sieun snaps, furiously scrubbing his face with his sleeve-covered hands.

He climbs out of bed clumsily, makes it halfway to the door before Suho’s wrapping strong arms around his middle and hauling Sieun back into him.

“Baby, Sieun-ah.” Suho’s voice is low, firm. Calm and measured. “Alpha’s sorry, baby.”

Sieun stills from where he’d been trying to wiggle, infuriated, out from Suho’s grip.

Suho’s leaned down to speak right against Sieun’s ear. “You made a beautiful nest for us and I wasn’t thinking when I joined you. You’re right– it’s just for us and you worked so hard, baby, I should have made sure not to bring any other scents into it.”

Squeezing Sieun tighter against him, Suho lays a kiss behind his ear. “Let me go take a shower, okay?”

Sniffling a little, Sieun nods.

He feels like he’s experienced the full range of human emotion in four minutes flat.

His omega is mostly mollified, however– Suho understands what upset Sieun, apologized for misstepping as his alpha. Sieun didn't miss the compliment either, a tiny burst of pleasure sitting in Sieun's gut that his alpha likes his nest.

Suho just holds him for a minute, kissing his shoulder.

“Or,” he says eventually. “We could shower together?”

Sieun pauses for a beat.

“Fine.”

“That’s what I love about you, baby,” Suho says and Sieun can hear the smile in his voice. “Your enthusiasm.”

Sieun sighs, shifting until Suho lets him go. He feels a little gross, now– sweaty from his nap, still blurred at the edges. “Whatever.”

The two of them shower together, water hot as steam rolls through the bathroom.

Sieun’s the one who presses Suho against cool tile to kiss him.

It settles him, the press of their mouths a solace. Suho’s hands drift over his back, don’t stop until they rest low against his hip, the small of his back, and Sieun gasps softly as he arches into Suho.

“Just like that, baby,” Suho murmurs against his lips. “You’re so good for me, aren’t you? So good to your alpha, sweetheart.”

Sieun whimpers, breaks the kiss to bury his nose in Suho’s scent gland.

He scents him furiously, licking over his claiming bite, taking his time until the bathroom is saturated in his scent, anyone else completely faded away.

Suho holds him close the whole time, not rushing him at all.

He can’t help himself, bites over the long-healed imprint of his teeth almost petulantly. Suho growls lowly, pulling him even closer until there’s not even a hint of space between them. Sieun’s omega settles, finally, at the feel of Suho– hands rough on Sieun’s hips, stuttered breath in his ear.

The two of them finish their shower, getting ready slowly.

Suho leads him to the kitchen, where it turns out he’d picked lunch up for the two of them. Something simple and more than a little cold by now.

Sieun still eats all of it, not realizing how hungry he was until food was in front of him.

It’s raining outside, a summer storm, their air conditioner humming as they talk quietly.

Now that he has a bit of distance, Sieun feels– a little embarrassed at his outburst.

Nesting triggers all sorts of instincts. Sieun’s not usually so territorial– Suho had showered that morning and it’s all but impossible to avoid people all day. Sieun doesn’t know what it was but even a hint of someone else in his nest had shut down everything else except the need to get it out, immediately.

“I’m sorry,” Sieun says towards the end of lunch, eyes looking anywhere but at Suho.

From his periphery, he sees Suho’s hands still from where they’d been collecting his napkin and utensils.

And Suho doesn’t take his shit but he can also be too quick to forgive him. “You didn’t deserve me snapping at you like that. I’m sorry I went from zero to one hundred so quick.”

Sieun blinks a little before letting his gaze lift to meet Suho’s. “I’ll try not to let it happen again.”

Suho just smiles at him, soft and a little amused.

“Sieun-ah, baby. If I couldn’t handle you snapping at me, this relationship never would’ve gotten off the ground.”

With a sigh, Suho stands and rounds the table, pulling Sieun up until he’s standing, too. His arms wrap around Sieun’s waist, holding him close as he looks down at him, fond and bemused. He plants a quick kiss against his mouth.

“Thank you for apologizing. I appreciate it.”

And Sieun feels a little bit like Suho is patronizing him but he’s just so glad that they’re fine– and it’s not that they wouldn’t be, one argument isn’t enough to rattle them, but Sieun can admit that he was a bit much this afternoon.

Speaking of, Sieun buries his face in Suho’s chest, hugging him close, as he asks, voice muffled. “What are you even doing home right now? You only worked half a day.”

Suho shrugs, starts shuffling them out of the kitchen and towards their bedroom.

“Baku came in and said he’d teach my core class and close. I finished all the paperwork I needed to and figured I’d just call it a day and come home to my sweet mate.” There’s a smile in Suho’s voice.

“I’m not sweet,” Sieun says, just a touch self-deprecating after earlier.

“You’re right, baby.” Suho presses a kiss to his cheek, eyes so fond as he looks down at him. “You’re the sweetest.”

Sieun rolls his eyes, though he knows the faint blush that rises to his cheeks betrays him.

The two of them fall back into Sieun’s nest and Suho lets himself be manhandled however Sieun sees fit.

They end up settling with Sieun half on top of Suho, resting over his chest.

Suho’s arm sweeps down Sieun’s back, slow and sure, and Sieun really shouldn’t be tired after sleeping so much but drowsiness lingers.

“Baby,” Suho whispers after awhile. “Sieun-ah.”

Sieun hums, letting Suho know he’s heard.

“You know that guy I’ve told you about? The kid who’s training to be an MMA fighter?”

Sieun’s voice is low as he replies, “Yeah,” barely paying attention.

There’s caution in Suho’s tone, a hint of wariness, as he says, “He might have hugged me when he won his sparring match right before I left. In celebration.”

Sieun stills.

There’s a beat of silence, an audible wince in Suho’s voice as he continues, “And he might have been– sweaty.”

Sieun slowly comes up to rest on his elbow, staring down at Suho.

“So, I was right?”

This time, Sieun gets to see Suho wince. But his mate nods, resigned.

Now it’s Sieun’s turn to sigh as he moves until he’s cuddled back into Suho’s side, ear pressed against his heart. “Okay.”

“Okay,” Suho asks, unsure with a teasing undertone. “No I told you so? As soon as you started talking about an alpha, I realized.”

“It’s just us now,” Sieun says easily.

Everything is easy, as long as it’s them.

“I’ll be better, baby.” Suho’s voice is soft, a promise.

And there’s really only one thing Sieun can say to that.

“You’re already the best,” he grumbles, wriggling closer. “Now let me sleep. You woke me up earlier.”

Sieun falls asleep with his next breath, too quick to hear Suho’s reply.

Suho stays awake, mind caught on the puzzle that is his mate.

If Suho’s being honest, he has no idea what’s going on.

Sieun’s always annoyed at something and that something is usually Suho.

Today, though– that was real irritation.

He actually pissed Sieun off earlier. Worse than that, Suho hadn't noticed just how close Sieun was to tears until it was too late, too caught up in his alpha's reaction to Sieun, his mate, mentioning another alpha when they were in his nest together. Suho still feels bad about that, if he's being honest.

Suho knows that he messed up, that nests are not the same as beds and that he should’ve realized the second he spotted Sieun in a hoodie that he knew he threw in the laundry this morning.

That, really, he should’ve known when Sieun had asked to be scented so intensely this morning.

And he did, Suho thinks with a frown. He remembers thinking as he’d left for work that Sieun’s omega was closer to the surface than usual.

Now, as Sieun naps in his arms, Suho tries to put together what he knows.

Sieun’s scent has shifted– just enough for him to notice.

His baby is nesting, something he almost never does, and he’s territorial. Possessive, Suho adds as he remembers the way Sieun had scented him this morning.

With his free hand, Suho carefully brushes Sieun’s hair away from his face. Looking down at his mate, there’s not a hint of what happened earlier today.

Sieun looks peaceful, scent mellow and soft.

The puzzle’s added a few pieces, Suho muses. A picture is forming, slowly.

Not enough to know. But enough to wonder.

And Suho’s fingers still at the errant thought that blazes through his mind, breath catching at the sheer possibility.

Oh, Suho thinks, suddenly giddy.

Suho’s heart races as realization strikes him, fast and sure and so totally overwhelming.

Oh, baby.

Chapter 3

“What are you doing?”

Sieun’s voice is low, pulled from sleep at the feel of Suho around him.

In his sleep, he must have shifted, now laying on his back. Sieun feels his mate’s hand resting low on his middle– shirt shoved up until he feels cool air ghost along his skin– and Suho’s face is buried in his neck obnoxiously, nose pressing deep into his scent gland.

Sleep lingers at the edges of Sieun’s mind, thoughts slow as he catches the way Suho’s growling quietly, an alpha’s version of a purr.

And Sieun was already relaxed but that’s a sound that puts him totally at ease, a signal that he’s safe, his alpha completely at peace. Even as it roused him from his nap– Sieun thinking dryly that that’s twice now today Suho’s woken him up– Sieun finds himself sinking even more, his omega blissed-out.

Suho’s scent is blooming between them, saturating their room. He smells so good, warm and earthy.

His alpha smells happy and it’s so strong that Sieun can’t think about anything else.

Suho pulls back enough to meet Sieun’s eyes, his own gaze so dark.

“I’m just scenting you,” Suho says innocently. “That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Not when it wakes me up,” Sieun grumbles.

Still, he wriggles a little closer, lashes fluttering shut again in pure contentment.

Because everything about this moment is perfect– the grounding hand on his stomach, Suho’s scent and proximity and the way he smells so totally satisfied, the two of them in his nest that’s soaked in their scent.

It’s quiet for a minute before Suho’s breaking the silence.

“How are you feeling, baby?”

Sieun hums, thinking. “Fine,” Sieun says. “Good. Just a little tired.”

“Yeah,” Suho breathes, leaning down to kiss along his jaw. Sieun feels a smile press against his neck. “I wonder why.”

Tilting his head to give Suho better access, Sieun’s reply is slow, matter of fact. “You know I’ve been pulling crazy hours since my heat ended last month.” A sound of derision escapes him, residual annoyance in his tone. “That client was such an asshole. I’m so glad we submitted the final plans this week and he’s not my problem anymore.”

Suho makes a commiserating noise, thumb sweeping along the side of his stomach slowly, comforting. Sieun’s breath catches as he feels Suho give a little kitten lick over his mating bite. “That’s it?”

“What else would there be?” Sieun’s thoughts are sluggish, distantly wondering what Suho’s angling for.

His mate pulls back enough to look down at him again. There’s something in his eyes– a question, maybe, something leading, full of intent– but Sieun can’t string the pieces together right now, overwhelmed with how good everything feels. He is so achingly comfortable.

Looking up at Suho, Sieun watches as his alpha’s expression turns fond. “Nothing,” he finally says after a long beat. “Just checking in.”

Sieun’s brow furrows a little. “Okay.” He pauses. “How are you feeling?”

Huffing out a laugh, more exhalation than anything, Suho gazes down at him with so much warmth that Sieun feels like he’s glowing. “Perfect,” Suho says easily, grin quick and bright.

He kisses Sieun’s forehead, lips brushing against his temple. “I’m so perfect, baby, you don’t even know.”

And while Suho’s enthusiasm is a bit unexpected, Sieun appreciates it. He figures it’s probably just the scenting getting to his alpha, too, a calm afternoon spent together making everything sugar sweet between them.

Suho leans down to peck his lips and Sieun kisses back with a small smile, instinctive.

When Suho pulls back, Sieun’s hands go to his hair, nails scratching softly.

He tilts his head up for another kiss. Suho obliges, the press of their mouths so wonderfully grounding.

It’s slow, everything turning hazed, and Sieun shivers as Suho moves until he’s between his legs, a welcome weight over him.

“Please, Suho-yah,” Sieun mumbles against his mouth after a few minutes. His mouth already feels tender, an ache starting to simmer low in his gut. “Alpha.”

It doesn’t make sense– a simple kiss really shouldn’t be enough to have him slicking up– but Sieun’s edges are blurred.

Suho surrounds him and his nest is warm and soft and like this, it feels like there’s nobody else in the world except the two of them.

“Don’t worry, baby. Alpha will take care of you.” Suho’s voice is low, deep, as he whispers the words against his neck before carefully urging him out of his shirt in the next moment.

Kissing over his chest, Suho closes gentle teeth over Sieun’s nipple just to hear him gasp, tongue rough and slick as Sieun shudders under him. His mouth is a warm pressure as he gives a lush suck, hard enough to have Sieun whimpering, back bowing under him.

“God,” Sieun mumbles, breath strangled as he bites down harshly on his bottom lip. “Fuck.”

And as Suho kisses down his body– paying special attention to his middle, kissing the soft skin of his stomach, nose warm and just a little ticklish against him– Sieun sighs, melting into the sheets, breath uneven.

His alpha really is so good to him, Sieun thinks with a hapless smile, hips shifting as Suho slips his underwear off.

The smell of his slick bleeds into the room, overwhelming, unmistakable without the barrier and Suho’s scent flares in response as he spreads Sieun’s legs, settling between them.

Sieun shivers, a quiet moan slipping out of his mouth at the first brush of Suho’s tongue against his hole, warm and wet as spit mixes with his slick.

Placing a delicate kiss over him, a bare tease, Sieun moans as Suho shifts to lick into him without warning, his touch so sure and possessive that Sieun’s head swims, legs falling open further as his hand goes to Suho’s hair, pulling him even closer with a little bitten-off whimper.

It doesn’t take much for Sieun to melt completely, sparks dragging up his spine as he clenches around Suho’s tongue, gasp stuck in his throat as the first finger slides in to the hilt.

Suho works him over– so gently, inexorably– that Sieun’s first orgasm sneaks up on him without warning, overwhelming as pleasure floods through him after just a little while, Suho now three fingers deep, breath ragged as he laps at his entrance, everything so wet, slick spilling messily.

But his alpha doesn’t stop there and Sieun loses all track of time as Suho loves him so well. He’s almost insatiable, bringing Sieun up twice more before he finally pulls away from his hole, slick still trickling out as Sieun shudders into the sheets, utterly boneless.

Sieun can hardly move as Suho leans over him, hard cock rubbing over sensitive flesh. Sieun’s eyes roll back at the touch, pleasure overwhelming him.

Sieun shivers hard, wrapping his arms around Suho’s shoulders to bring him even closer.

“Taste so sweet for alpha, baby.” And Suho’s voice is so deep, a growl lurking in the undertone. His hips can’t stay still, rutting mindlessly against Sieun’s hole. Not slipping in, just sliding through the remnants of Sieun’s slick, his own spit easing the way even more.

Suho sounds so fucked out, out of his mind, and Sieun’s head is so light, smug at the knowledge that his alpha’s slick-drunk.

“Fuck me,” Sieun breathes out, a delicious curl of pure heat sitting low in his gut. “Please, Suho-yah. Please, please, please.”

And Sieun’s so fucking sensitive after coming so much but it feels so good, his alpha using him, pressing him into filthy sheets, making him even messier.

Suho kisses him, licking into his mouth immediately, tongue sliding against his own and it’s so dirty, Sieun tasting himself as he sucks on Suho’s tongue, almost feverish with the need that’s still burning under his skin.

Suho’s chest is heaving as he shifts in a daze until his cock catches on Sieun’s entrance and the pain from oversensitivity turns his head to mush, fine tremors wracking down his thighs. The mix sets his nerves alight, stoking the flames higher as Suho slips into his hole, Sieun so wet and open for him.

And with a hard roll of his hips, Suho’s fully seated in him, Sieun’s toes curling as tears blur his vision. Fuck, he thinks with a delirious little shiver. Suho fucks him so well, filling him so perfectly.

It’s overwhelming. Sieun can’t think of anything except his alpha– around him, in him, scent soaking into every pore. Mind bleary with the sheer lust rocking through him, Sieun half wishes Suho would pull out, come all over his stomach.

Rub it in so that he’d smell like him for days, his alpha’s scent so rich and deep that Sieun wouldn’t be able to breathe without thinking of them, just like this.

But another need burns through him, even hotter, sudden desperation clawing at his insides and Sieun whimpers, high and sharp at the words climbing up his throat.

“Alpha,” Sieun gasps, hips moving, trying to get him even deeper, thighs squeezing Suho’s hips. “Please.”

Suho’s voice is low, growl rounding out the syllables as he mouths at Sieun’s bite mark. His knot’s already swelling, adding a delicious thrill. “What, baby? Tell me.”

And the desire doesn’t make sense– he’s not in heat even if it feels like his insides are boiling but Sieun wants. He wants it so much, desperately fervent as tears cling to his lashes, words spilling out as his mind absolutely melts, arms around Suho’s shoulders trembling at the sheer pleasure scorching through him.

“Pup me,” he says, soft sob escaping him. “Please. I want it so bad. Want you to fill me up, breed me. Please Suho-yah. Alpha. Fuck me, please.”

A growl rips out of Suho’s mouth, so loud and low that it has Sieun clenching around him hard, nails digging into Suho’s shoulders as his head falls back in automatic submission.

Fuck, he thinks, dizzy. He’s going to come again.

Suho’s knot pops in the next instant, locking them together, and Suho starts coming with a long, drawn-out groan, biting hard over Sieun’s mating scar, teeth so sharp as they dig into tender skin.

Sieun goes limp as his orgasm’s wrenched out of him, hole squeezing around Suho, milking his knot with a wet squelch that makes them both shudder.

Feeling completely wrung out, Sieun’s neck throbs. He wouldn’t be surprised if Suho tasted blood after that bite.

Just the thought has Sieun shivering, a chain reaction as his walls flutter around Suho’s knot, making his alpha moan a little as he grinds into Sieun imperceptibly deeper.

Sieun’s on cloud nine.

He’s spent, feels filthy. He loves it, his omega so totally content, pure bliss buzzing under his skin at Suho fucking him brainless in his nest.

The thought sets off something in Sieun’s brain– this sort of intensity really doesn’t happen outside of heat, when instinct and hormones are rioting through his system and turning him inside-out.

A ghost heat, he wonders hazily. That would explain today, he supposes with a quiet sigh. Suho shifts a little, nuzzling closer.

Eventually, Suho licks over Sieun’s claiming bite, soothing.

“You’re so good for me, Sieun-ah. Are you feeling okay? Was I too rough at the end?”

Suho pulls back and sees Sieun’s face– mouth bitten red, cheeks flushed, eyes positively shining.

“I feel amazing,” Sieun says with a grin. “You were just rough enough.”

Suho laughs, low and fond. “As long as you enjoyed it, baby.”

Humming, Sieun is so clearly pleased as he holds Suho close.

Suho’s body is buzzing.

Sieun is so warm under him and he smells so fucking good.

And now that he knows what that note is in his mate’s scent– pregnancy, a pup– Suho’s giddy with excitement.

He can’t believe it took that long to put the pieces together. Even if it’s only been a handful of days since he first noticed the tease of something else in Sieun’s scent, he should’ve known what it was that very second. Because now that he does, it’s so obvious– the way that shift was irresistible to him, the way he couldn’t get enough.

Still, even if that hadn’t clued him in, Suho definitely should’ve realized a few hours ago when he came home to Sieun spontaneously nesting.

Suho goes easy on himself, though, considering that Sieun apparently has no idea that he’s pregnant.

As he kisses over Sieun’s cheek, Suho can’t repress his own grin.

Alphas are almost always the first to detect pregnancy with the first scent change after a heat. Omegas usually follow right behind at the first external symptoms. Suho remembers learning intense nesting as a sign back in school, an increased need to scent and be scented by their alpha.

There are a few other signs, too, that Suho can’t think of right now. Except one, of course.

Because when Sieun looked up at him with wet eyes, demanding that Suho pup him, Suho genuinely thought his brain was leaking out of his ears. He doesn’t think he’s ever popped a knot so fast and he’s still dizzy just thinking about how worked up his baby was, asking so prettily for Suho to fucking breed him.

That kind of talk is usually Suho’s to start. Hearing Sieun beg out of nowhere was so hot that Suho’s gut had just snapped at the overwhelming pleasure, every thought scattering except the need to follow through.

Irrational, considering. But there was something about that, too– knowing that he’s bred Sieun so well, being able to smell a pup on him. It fills his alpha with utter satisfaction, both pride and simple happiness cresting through him.

Sieun is always so full of surprises, Suho muses.

The two of them come down slowly as they stay knotted together. Suho can’t help himself, kissing over Sieun’s face– his cheek, nose, the tip of his chin– just to see the way Sieun smiles, so adorably pleased.

Eventually, his knot goes down enough for him to pull out and Suho feels banked heat flare bright at Sieun’s little disappointed noise.

Suho looks up to meet Sieun’s eyes– or he tries to but Sieun’s not looking at him.

“Sorry,” Sieun mumbles, biting his lip. “I don’t know why I’m being like this today.”

And Suho can’t resist. Part of him wants to know, for sure, that Sieun really doesn’t know yet. Another part just wants to tease.

“Really? No idea at all?”

Suho smiles as he leans back enough to sweep his hands over Sieun’s thighs, leaning down to place a soft kiss on his knee just to feel the ticklish way Sieun jerks.

Sieun’s eyes are dark, wide, as he stares up at Suho with a wry twist of his mouth.

“Well, the only thing that makes sense is a ghost heat.”

Suho stills.

Sieun must take that as an opening because he explains, “What with all the scenting and emotions and– talk about you pupping me. You know that only happens during my heat.”

Suho makes a noncommittal noise as he leans over Sieun, kissing over his stomach– feeling a deep thrill, an overwhelming wave of pure joy rocking through him at the action.

Defensive, Sieun scowls down at Suho. “You probably set it off.”

Suho laughs, incredulous and so, so fond. “Me?’

It’s hard to tell the difference between Sieun’s cheeks when they’re flushed from sex versus when he’s feeling shy but Suho’s made an art of it.

“You’ve been so sweet to me this week,” Sieun mumbles, tilting his head to the side so Suho can nose along his scent gland. “And I don’t think you’ve noticed but you actually have been scenting me a lot since the weekend.”

There’s a pause. “Just, apparently, not enough for my omega, who’s in ghost heat thanks to you.”

Suho knows that he’s been gravitating towards Sieun’s scent gland even more than usual, well aware now why he’d been so utterly captivated by Sieun’s scent, teasing it out at every opportunity this week. He smiles against Sieun’s mating scar, feeling absolutely light as air as he listens to Sieun’s ridiculous theory.

There’s another pause, longer this time, before Sieun’s voice softly breaks the silence.

“I think my body’s trying to tell me something,” he says and his voice is uncharacteristically tentative.

Suho pulls back enough to look him in the eye, wonders if maybe something had clicked for Sieun.

“What,” Suho asks, voice so warm and open as he smiles down at Sieun.

Taking a breath, Sieun avoids his gaze even as he wraps his arms around Suho’s shoulders, urging him down until he can nose along his cheek.

“I think my next heat will be the one.” Sieun’s voice is a whisper, so shyly hopeful. Just a hint smug.

“The one what, baby,” Suho asks, a little lost.

“The one where I get pregnant.”

Suho stills.

Taking his reaction as doubt, Sieun’s voice is rushed, excited, as he says, “Obviously nothing happened during my heat last month but ghost heats are a sign of birth control issues. Maybe I didn’t stop my birth control soon enough for last time. But this time– next time– it’ll happen.”

Sieun’s expression is clear, pleased as punch as he finishes, “You’ll knock me up during my next heat.” Like he’s just solved the world’s most difficult calculus problem.

Suho’s laugh is strangled. God, Sieun makes him so dizzy. In every way.

There’s one part in particular of his mate’s explanation that Suho’s caught on.

“Obviously nothing happened during your heat last month,” Suho echoes, biting back a disbelieving grin.

Sieun just blinks up at Suho, impassive. “I think I would’ve noticed by now if I was pregnant, Suho-yah.”

And Suho has a moment where he wonders whether he should tell Sieun. But his baby looks so pleased with himself for figuring out what’s going on that Suho just doesn’t have the heart, strangely enough, to burst his bubble.

He thinks it’s best if Sieun figures it out on his own.

Sieun is always cute but he’s especially so like this– absolutely oblivious and looking so pleased about it.

Suho shifts, moving them until they’re laying together, Sieun’s head on his chest.

Sweeping a hand down Sieun’s back, Suho just asks, “Ghost heat, huh?”

“It fits everything,” Sieun mumbles, sighing as he relaxes over Suho, wriggling even closer. “I know the plan was to get pregnant last month but it’s not like we have a timetable. Plus, statistically, it’s uncommon for couples to conceive during their first cycle together off birth control. I read that it can take two to three heats for everything to regulate.”

“You’ve been doing research?”

Sieun shrugs, moving until he can nose against Suho’s neck. “A little. I was curious. There was this interesting study done a few years ago–”

And as Suho listens to Sieun detail a research paper he read last week, he’s so incredibly endeared.

Suho follows along, making all the appropriate noises of listening, and it’s later that night when they’ve just come back from grocery shopping, putting everything away together, that Suho revisits the conversation.

“Babe?”

Sieun hums in acknowledgement, organizing their vegetable drawer.

Suho finishes rinsing the fruit, tossing it all into a bowl they keep on their counter.

“How would you know if you were pregnant?”

Sieun looks back over his shoulder at Suho. “There would be signs,” he says simply.

“Like what,” Suho asks with raised eyebrows. Thinking quick, he adds, “For next time. So I know what to look for, too.”

Shrugging, Sieun shuts the refrigerator.

“Nesting, scenting,” he lists. “Morning sickness is a big sign. Anything out of the usual, I guess.”

Suho leans against the counter, arms open as Sieun nears, cuddling into his chest. He kisses the top of Sieun’s head, arms squeezing lightly around him.

Looking down as he feels Sieun’s head tilt up to look at him, Sieun smiles a little. “If I start acting weird, that’s definitely a sign.”

There’s a few minutes of silence, the two of them just holding each other and enjoying it, before Sieun speaks again.

“Ghost heats only last twenty four hours. And they often signal that the next actual heat will come sooner than planned,” he murmurs into Suho’s neck. “I know my heats are usually every four months but I think I should put in for heat leave next month instead.”

Kissing along Sieun’s hair, his temple, Suho hums in thought. “Let’s wait until we get closer? See if something happens between now and then.”

Sieun’s voice is confused. “Like another ghost heat?” His voice is full of doubt. “That would be extremely rare, Suho-yah.”

Suho huffs out a laugh. “Humor me, babe. Let’s just wait a little.”

“Sure,” Sieun agrees and Suho smiles at Sieun’s voice, tone making it so obvious that he thinks Suho is wrong.

It’s late that evening and the two of them are watching a drama when Sieun stands from the couch and moves to the kitchen.

When he comes back, he’s biting into one of the apples that Suho rinsed earlier and it takes everything in Suho not to make a comment.

Because Sieun hates apples.

They only buy them for Suho, who tends to bring them to work as a morning snack. Sieun always wrinkles his nose when Suho offers to cut one for him, says that he’s never liked them, ever since he was a kid.

But here he is now, happily crunching into one.

“You know,” Sieun says during a commercial break, snuggling deeper into Suho’s side. “I haven’t really had apples since I was little but I think I’ve been missing out.”

“Yeah?” Suho’s expression is deadpan as he bites back a grin.

“They say your taste changes as an adult. I would’ve tried apples again years ago if I knew they were actually good.”

Making an appropriate noise of understanding, Suho bites back a fondly amused sigh.

Sieun is often the smartest person in the room. It’s what makes times like this even more fun for Suho– when his baby is just so totally off the mark and oblivious about it.

He can’t help himself. Suho leans into Sieun’s space, noses along his mating scar just to get get his scent in his nose. Over the past days, it’s grown steadily stronger. Suho knows that in a couple of weeks, it’ll level out, be obvious to anyone when Sieun’s not wearing scent suppressants.

Clear as day.

Even now, instead of a tease, Suho can pick up the defined edge of something clean and powdery. Fresh and bright and so, so soft.

The sound of Sieun taking another bite is loud. He shifts a little away. “I’m trying to eat, Suho-yah.”

“I’m not stopping you,” Suho says easily, smiling as he picks up on the annoyed lilt of Sieun’s voice.

“Do you think you’re a little close?”

Suho scoffs but doesn’t point out that Sieun’s the one who basically wriggled into his lap a few minutes ago. Instead, he shoves his face in Sieun’s neck just to hear him grumble. “I don’t think I’m close enough, actually, thanks for asking.”

Suho hears Sieun inhale, no doubt set to argue, but the commercial ends and the two of them settle down to pay attention to this drama that Sieun likes to pretend he only watches for Suho.

All the while, Suho is so aware of Sieun next to him, enjoying his apple and smelling like every dream he’s ever had.

Suho knows that once Sieun makes up his mind, his baby is obstinate, stubborn. He wonders what it’ll take for Sieun to realize. How long.

Realistically, Suho gives it a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, Suho is content enough to settle back and watch Sieun’s antics, so totally in love with the man beside him, his alpha ecstatic and more than happy to bask in the knowledge that his mate is pregnant, that they’re going to be parents.

Just the thought makes Suho so deliriously happy.

He can’t wait to share that with Sieun.

Overwhelmed and buzzing with joy, Suho hauls Sieun closer with the arm around his shoulders, kisses the side of his head, not paying attention to the television at all.

Sieun grumbles, wriggling away. “I’m trying to watch this, Suho-yah,” he complains. “They just found out she’s pregnant but she has no idea how to contact the alpha because it was a one night stand. Pay attention.”

And as Suho relaxes back into the couch, he finds himself watching Sieun instead. His mate, who insists that he doesn’t even like this show but is so obviously on the edge of his seat, hooked on the drama. He’s almost done with the apple now, absently biting into it as some argument plays out on screen between the lead and her mother.

It’s such a simple moment but it’s perfect to Suho. So absolutely perfect.

Chapter 4

Notes:

Content warning for nausea and vomiting.

As soon as Sieun wakes up, he knows that today’s going to be terrible.

He oversleeps, has to get ready in half the time he usually does. Sieun doesn’t know what’s wrong with him lately– he’s just so tired, hitting snooze more in the past week than he ever has before.

Oversleeping means that he doesn’t have time to make coffee and a headache is already brewing by the time he’s walking into his office an hour later.

His commute was shitty, too– there was a delay on the metro and, for some reason, the combination of scents in his car sent his stomach rolling. Usually Sieun prefers taking the metro-- he despises Seoul traffic-- but he'd spent the entire thirty minute subway ride this morning biting back nausea. He’s just now arrived at work and already wants to go home and climb right back into his nest.

Walking into his office, Sieun sets his bag next to his desk and shrugs out of his cardigan– or, actually, it’s Suho’s. Sieun’s work is casual enough and he’s wearing loose black slacks, white t-shirt tucked into the waist. When he’d been getting dressed this morning, he hadn’t had time to think, plucking something from Suho’s out their closet.

Sieun wears scent suppressants to the office. Suppressants cover up some of his scent– only revealing that he’s a mated omega, masking the deeper, emotional notes– and that annoys Sieun, too, that Suho’s scent is muted on him.

Wearing one of Suho’s cardigans, just having it with him, is a balm to that. It’s freshly laundered, so it really only smells like their laundry detergent, but it’s better than nothing.

As Sieun boots up his computer and settles into his chair, he tries to take a minute and simply breathe.

The nausea has waned a little now that he isn’t in a crowded metro car, now that he’s sitting in air conditioning in the privacy of his own office. It’s still there, though, and Sieun clenches his jaw as he tries to tame it, just staring unseeing at his login screen for a few minutes.

The next hour is spent going through his email and while it doesn’t go away, Sieun’s able to focus on his computer through sheer force of will.

It’s midmorning when he hears a knock on his door, looking up to see Juntae standing with a file in his hand.

“Morning, Sieun-ah,” he says cheerfully, stepping in to set the folder on his desk. “I have the draft for the Jeon project.”

Sieun’s voice is gruff, but warm, as he replies, “Hey.”

Flipping the folder open, Sieun skims through what Juntae’s put together. The two of them are coworkers, have known each other since they interned at the company together the summer before they graduated from university. He’s one of Sieun’s closest friends, an omega as well, and his work is always impeccable.

The two of them are working on this project together. It’s in the beginning stages and, this time, Juntae was in charge of the first draft while Sieun worked on the presentation they’d be giving the client in a couple of weeks.

“Looks good,” Sieun says absently. “Thanks, Juntae-yah. I’ll have the notes for our meeting done by early next week.”

“Perfect,” Juntae replies easily. He’s about to turn back towards the door when he pauses. “Are you okay, hyung?”

Sieun looks up, confused. “Yeah. Why?”

Tilting his head a little, Juntae studies him. “You look a little pale.”

Dismissing that with a little noise, Sieun turns back to his computer. Someone is accounting just emailed him about an expense report that needs urgent approval.

“I’m fine. I just overslept this morning and haven’t had my coffee yet.”

“Okay,” Juntae says, skeptical. He pauses a beat. “Are we still on for dinner tonight?”

“Yeah,” Sieun replies distractedly, already typing. “Gotak’s picking the place, right?”

Juntae hums in confirmation. “He said that he’d text us this afternoon.”

“Sounds good.” Sieun looks up just as Juntae’s stepping into the hall. “I’ll probably take a break soon, go to that coffee shop on the corner. Want anything?”

Juntae smiles.

“I’m good. You should go now, hyung,” he teases. “We all know how you get when you don’t have your coffee.”

Smiling a little, Sieun nods. “As soon as I send this reply, I’m gone.”

With a final nod, Juntae’s returning to his own office and Sieun works for another hour before he can finally pull away.

The nausea’s eased some, though it is still present. Thinking that he’s probably hungry now, too, Sieun grabs the cardigan from where he’d thrown it over the back of his chair along with his wallet.

It’s a cool day for summer and Sieun enjoys the half block walk to the cafe most of the office frequents. They aren’t too busy right now, between the morning and lunch rush, and there’s only a few people ahead of him in line.

As he waits his turn, Sieun’s eyes snag on the display case full of pastries.

Everything looks so good, pretty as a picture as Sieun looks at the assortment of croissants, muffins, and various other baked goods.

Strangely, now that he’s here, his desire for coffee has vanished. The scent is actually bringing the nausea back, Sieun trying to ignore it as he debates between an oversized blueberry muffin sprinkled with sugar or a piece of vanilla poundcake.

By the time he gets up to the register, Sieun’s decided on tea, instead. He opts for ginger, hopes it soothes whatever’s bothering his stomach. Maybe the place they’d gone to for dinner last night hadn’t sat well with him, Sieun wonders.

He orders the slice of poundcake too, sweet and plain, and is back in his office a few minutes later.

It’s erring towards noon now and he’s just taken a sip of his tea, savoring the first swallow, when his cell rings. Seeing who it is, Sieun’s smiling as he picks up.

“Hey,” he answers warmly. “You’re on lunch now?”

There’s the muted sounds of the gym in the background as Suho replies, “Yup. Just finished leading the summer class. The kiddos are so cute. I just spend the entire time keeping them from breaking something.”

Sieun’s chest warms at the thought of Suho with a dozen rambunctious preschoolers. His gym offers children’s classes during the summer– a few times a week, parents can bring their kids for class that’s really more of a way for them to get their energy out. Staff take turns leading the sessions. Everything from yoga and gymnastics to boxing and simple playtime.

“Does Seojun still have a crush on you,” Sieun teases, easing back in his chair as he takes another sip of his tea. Setting his cup back down, his hand goes to his stomach, soothing, as he lets the sound of Suho’s voice comfort him further.

There’s a little omega boy that comes every week. He’s extremely shy, though he immediately warmed up to Suho during his first class. It’s all very cute, Sieun understanding completely how Suho probably comes across to kids, especially if they were an omega– larger than life, projecting that protective, safe feeling that most omegas seek out innately, especially when they’re young.

Suho huffs out a laugh. “He’s abandoned me for Baku, actually. Baku lead playtime last week and today, Jun-ah asked me like three times when Baku was going to take over.”

“Ah,” Sieun says, smiling. “Young love, so fickle.”

Suho makes a noise of agreement, amusement in his tone. “How’s your day been, baby?”

“Fine. Ready for it to be over, though.”

“Why,” Suho asks. “Is Hyoman pissing you off again?”

Sieun breathes out a sigh. “Surprisingly, no. He’s on PTO this week and actually finished his reports before he left. I overslept this morning.”

“You went to bed early last night, too. Sorry, baby. I should’ve woken you up before I left.”

Sieun’s voice is dry as he replies, “If you woke me up before my alarm went off, I would’ve killed you.”

Suho hums. “Yeah. Well, at least you’re there now.”

There’s a pause as Sieun debates whether to ask Suho the question that’s on the tip of his tongue. He doesn’t want him to worry but Sieun also wants to know.

“Hey, Suho-yah,” Sieun says softly. “How are you feeling?”

There’s a question in Suho’s tone as he answers, “I’m good. Why? What’s up?”

Biting his lip, after a moment Sieun admits, “I’ve been a little nauseous today, was wondering if you felt off after dinner last night.”

There’s a long pause.

“No,” Suho says eventually. “I feel fine. Is it bad? When did it start?”

“Well, we did order different things.” Sieun’s distracted, lost in thought as he replies, “On the metro. It was so crowded and I think all the scents messed with me.”

A little sympathetic noise comes down the line. “Have you eaten yet? Maybe that’ll help, sweetheart.”

Sieun looks down at his untouched cake.

“I went to the coffeeshop– but hey, get this. As soon as I walked in, the smell of coffee made me feel even worse. I ended up ordering a ginger tea and some cake. I haven’t eaten it yet, though.”

Suho’s voice is thoughtful as he says, “As long as something helps. Want me to bring you lunch?”

Just the thought of anything heavy makes Sieun frown, repulsed. “No,” he says definitively. “I’m barely handling the tea.”

“Okay,” Suho says, frown in his tone. “Try to eat something, though, alright? You’re still getting dinner with the guys tonight, right?”

Making a noise of confirmation, Sieun lets silence fall on the line for a moment.

“What time will you be home?”

Today’s Suho’s long day, when he opens the gym and doesn’t leave until the last class is over.

“I’ll probably be home by the time your dinner is over. Why?”

“Don’t know,” Sieun mutters, feeling a little maudlin. He really does just want to go home, wrap himself up in his nest, surround himself in Suho’s scent. It’s childish but Sieun wishes he didn’t have to wear scent suppressants. “Just wondering.”

Maybe he’ll ask Suho to scent the cardigan for him on Monday, just enough so that he can smell his alpha.

His office phone starts ringing, breaking the soft space Sieun had found himself in, the number from one of his clients.

“Hey, I have to go,” Sieun says, straightening in his chair as his tone turns brisk. “Call coming in.”

“Okay, baby. Call me anytime, okay? I love you.”

“Love you too, Suho-yah,” Sieun says absently and hangs up just in time to answer his work phone.

The afternoon goes by quickly.

Sieun’s in meetings or calls for most of the afternoon, including their monthly department meeting that, of course, runs long. When they take a short break, Sieun goes to his office. He grabs Suho’s cardigan, throwing it on as he takes a few minutes to reply to a couple of emails while he nibbles on the cake from earlier.

His nausea goes away at some point, Sieun so busy that he doesn’t even notice.

As their meeting picks back up, Sieun leads the department in their monthly overview, standing near the projector set-up as he briefs everyone on the status of all their active projects.

The last thing on his schedule is a meeting with his supervisor, Director Min, and the two of them sit down in his office as they go over a prospective client, working out exactly what the project would need and who could head it.

By the end of the day, exhaustion rides Sieun hard. His energy feels completely drained and he’s glad that it’s the end of the week.

His headache is persistent, dull. And while part of him still just wants to go home, he is looking forward to the weekly dinner with his friends.

Juntae’s waiting for him by the elevators and the two of them head to the pizza place that Gotak had sent to the groupchat a couple of hours ago.

It's within walking distance to their office and Sieun lets Juntae fill the silence on the way over to the restaurant, making appropriate noises as his friend chatters on about the new anime he’s watching. Sieun hears something about tentacles but his headache is so annoying at this point, that he doesn’t even know where that fits into the conversation.

He opens the door for Juntae to walk through, following him, and freezes as soon as he steps inside.

Nausea floods him at the overwhelming smell of pizza– cheese, herbs, and pepperoni mixing into a heavy aroma that would ordinarily make his stomach growl after the day he’s had.

Instead, Sieun bites down hard on his cheek to tamp down on urge to gag.

“Sieun-ah? You okay?”

Sieun focuses on his breathing for a moment, wondering what the hell’s wrong with him. When he thinks he can talk without throwing up, he opens his eyes to see Juntae standing just a few feet away looking concerned.

“Yeah,” he says, voice low and a little rough. “Sorry.”

He doesn’t offer an explanation as he lets the door close behind him. Juntae’s mouth opens like he’s going to ask, but he’s interrupted by a loud exclamation on the far side of the restaurant.

“Sieun-ah! Tae-ah! Over here.”

Juntae and Sieun look over to see that Baku and Gotak have already claimed a table, the former waving over at them exuberantly.

Taking a breath and steeling himself, Sieun starts walking over to the table.

Gotak stays seated but Baku bounds to his feet to greet them. He pulls Juntae to his side in a hug, like always. But when he moves to do the same to Sieun– a half hug as he ruffles his hair– Sieun finds himself stepping back without thinking.

Baku freezes, arm still held out, as Gotak and Juntae still, too, at the unexpected move.

Sieun is surprised, himself.

He’s known Baku for years, since university when he was roommates with Suho their first year. The alpha is a big softie and Sieun’s never thought of him as a threat or anything of the sort. Baku is one of the sweetest alphas he knows– probably only second to Suho– and he’s greeted Sieun the same exact way since they first met.

Still.

Sieun doesn’t know why but the thought of another alpha touching him is abhorrent, fills him with immediate distaste no matter that Baku is more like family at this point, that even if Sieun acts annoyed or longsuffering at his antics, Baku is one of his best friends.

Casual touch is common between secondary genders. It’s fine. Normally, Sieun sighs with dramatic patience as he lets Baku do whatever and it’s a nonissue. Not this evening, though. Not when the very thought of an alpha that close makes the nausea surge.

Especially right now when Sieun’s feeling like shit, when he’s tired and already nauseous with a headache pulsing in his temple. It probably doesn’t help anything that Baku doesn’t wear scent blockers or suppressants, the gym where he works with Suho casual.

“Sorry,” Sieun mutters, looking down with a wince. “I just–”

And he doesn’t know how to finish that sentence because he doesn’t know. He has no clue why he’d backed away from Baku like he’d singed his fingers on a flame.

No one says anything for a long moment.

Baku’s lowered his arm and he’s staring at Sieun with his head tilted, thoughtful in a way he never is. The look on his face is uncharacteristically serious as he studies Sieun, strangely intent.

Sieun doesn’t know what to say. He feels a little bad about his instinctive recoil but knows he had to, all the same, something in him needing that space.

Sieun’s surprised when Baku breaks the silence. He’s smiling softly as he takes a step back towards his seat, the look in his eye strangely understanding. Sieun would love to know what he understands because Sieun certainly doesn’t.

“Ah, the ice princess treatment,” Baku laughs, settling back in his chair. “I missed that, Sieun-ah. Brings me back to our college days.”

The weird tension breaks and Juntae and Sieun take their seats opposite them.

“I’m surprised Sieun ever warmed up to you,” Gotak chimes in, easing the conversation towards something light. “You come on way too strong, man.”

That sets off an argument between Baku and Gotak, Sieun letting out a quiet sigh as attention drifts away from him.

Breathing carefully through his mouth, Sieun isn’t really listening as his friends catch up on the past week.

He catches snippets of conversation– Gotak talking about this beta he went out with last night, Baku telling a story about one of his personal training clients from a few days ago– and Sieun tries to relax enough to enjoy dinner.

The nausea is persistent, though. Sieun thinks he might just be hungry at this point– all he’s had today was some tea and half a slice of cake. Despite what Suho seems to think, Sieun actually does eat regularly. Maybe that’s messing him up and he just needs food, Sieun wonders.

When asked what he’s in the mood for, Sieun demurs, telling the others that he’s fine with whatever they want to order.

Big mistake.

Sieun’s sipping at his ice water when their pizza is brought to the table.

It’s half kimchi and cheese, which is bad enough right now. But as the waiter sets it down, Sieun has a moment to chastise himself because he knew what Gotak likes to get whenever they come here.

There’s fucking anchovy on the pizza and the smell is awful.

Something about it just hooks into Sieun in the worst way and the wave of nausea that rocks through him the instant he smells it is overwhelming.

Without a thought, he’s standing abruptly from his seat, chair screeching loudly across the floor. He half hears his friends exclaim behind him but he’s already hurrying towards the bathroom, thanking God that they were seated towards the back of the restaurant.

He makes it to the bathroom just in time to throw up. It’s mostly bile considering that he hasn’t really eaten today and Sieun’s breathing is loud in the single stall restroom as he tosses up the minuscule contents of his stomach.

Just fuck today, Sieun thinks viciously.

Another wave washes over him and he’s leaning over the toilet, again.

It’s only a couple of minutes later that Sieun hears the door open slowly.

“Sieun? Are you okay?”

Sieun really doesn’t want anyone to see him like this right now but he’s a little too busy trying not to puke every organ up. It takes him a moment to get himself under control enough to mutter, “Close the damn door.” He flushes the toilet, back of his neck sweaty as the bathroom door shuts behind his friends. His head is throbbing.

He feels Juntae lightly pat his back as Gotak, also an omega, asks if there’s anything they can do.

And Sieun knows what he wants. It’s juvenile and inconvenient and if he were thinking straight, he absolutely would not say it aloud.

But he feels so terrible– though the nausea isn’t quite as bad now that the smell of pizza isn’t so glaring– and he can’t focus on anything except the truth.

“I want my alpha,” Sieun says, petulant, and can’t help but start sniffling a little.

He’s too sick to notice the way Gotak and Juntae still behind him, eyes darting to each other’s as another wave washes over Sieun until he’s heaving back over the toilet.

Fuck, he’s never coming here again, Sieun thinks.

“So you want me to– uh, call Suho?” Gotak’s voice is unsure.

Sieun does want that but he knows his mate is still at work-- that’s he’s probably tired himself after working such a long day, that despite how much he wants to do just that, he can’t just ask Suho to rush over to a restaurant to comfort him because he has an inconvenient case of food poisoning.

It takes Sieun a moment to respond. “No,” he says finally. “He’s busy. Just– give me a minute, okay?”

“Sure.”

Gotak leaves the bathroom quietly, though Juntae stays. Whenever Suho tells him he can go, too, Juntae stubbornly insists that someone needs to stay with Sieun.

Sieun doesn’t have the energy to say so right now, but it actually means a lot. Even though it’s extremely embarrassing as the nausea does not stop. Usually whenever Sieun is sick, throwing up helps. There’s no real relief right now, though, and Sieun is getting more and more annoyed that he’s not feeling better.

Sieun has no idea how long he and Juntae stay in that bathroom but eventually, there’s a knock on the door.

“Baby? Are you in there?”

A little whimper escapes Sieun as Juntae steps over to the door, unlocking it.

Sieun’s so upset at this point, tired, that he’s kneeling on the filthy bathroom floor in front of the toilet. As soon as the door opens and Sieun smells even a hint of his mate, he swears the nausea eases imperceptibly.

“Alpha,” Sieun mumbles, miserable.

And it’s just been a really long day. Sieun starts sniffling even more, feels tears pool as Suho walks into the bathroom.

“Oh, baby,” Suho’s voice is so soft, gentle as he comes over until he’s kneeling beside Sieun. “Alpha’s here, sweetheart.”

Sieun forgets that Juntae’s even there, doesn’t notice when he slips out to leave them alone. Suho takes all of his attention.

Suho wraps his arms around Sieun and Sieun’s burrowing into his chest, face downturned. “Sorry,” he whispers. “I probably smell so gross right now.”

“No such thing,” Suho replies, tone so warm. He runs slow fingers through Sieun’s hair, brushing it away from his face.

“Just try to breathe with me, okay, sweetheart?”

Sieun loses track of time as Suho holds him on the bathroom floor but slowly, the nausea fades. Suho’s scent is strong, so incredibly calming, and Sieun feels okay for the first time that day.

Eventually, he gets enough awareness to say, “You shouldn’t be kneeling on the floor. Do you know how dirty this bathroom probably is?”

Suho laughs, hugging him a little closer. “I’d kneel on a hundred bathroom floors for you, babe. There’s this thing called a washing machine. I hear it works wonders on dirty clothes.”

Grumbling halfheartedly, Sieun leans into Suho.

Funnily enough, the nausea is completely gone now.

“You must be magic,” Sieun says, voice worn out. “This is the first time all day that I haven’t felt awful.”

Suho makes a sympathetic noise, sweeping a thumb along Sieun’s neck, over his mating scar. “My scent helps?”

“Yeah,” Sieun breathes. “Not even the tea did anything earlier.”

Suho’s tone is thoughtful as he replies, “Maybe I should start scenting you more? If it helps?”

Sieun hums in agreement– not realizing that if this is just an off day, that if it’s a simple bout of food poisoning, then that wouldn’t be necessary.

“I want you to scent a sweater for work next week,” Sieun says, drowsiness rushing over him. God, now that he’s not puking his guts up, he’s so tired.

Suho’s urging him up to stand in the next moment, hands careful as he keeps Sieun steady.

Suho flushes the toilet one last time, guides Sieun over to wash his hands. Sieun’s mouth feels disgusting and he rinses it out with a wince, Suho rubbing over his back all the while.

With a smile, Suho wets a paper towel under the sink, wipes his face gently.

Sieun looks up at Suho, thoughts slow. “Thanks,” he says, voice hoarse.

“Anytime, Sieun-ah.” Suho leans down, kisses his forehead.

Sieun feels his face heat as they leave the bathroom. It shouldn’t matter but he feels embarrassed, has no idea how long they were in there but knows that they probably inconvenienced a few people. Sieun figures he probably looks awful on top of that, pale and exhausted.

Suho’s arm is over his shoulder, keeping him close.

Strangely, now that Suho’s there, the smell of pizza doesn’t bother him as much. It’s mostly muted and while the hint of it is still unpleasant, still makes him grimace, the nausea isn’t there. It probably helps that Suho’s wrist is so close to his face, almost angled towards him so that Suho’s scent overwhelms everything else.

The two of them stop by the table where Baku, Gotak, and Juntae have started eating.

Sieun waits for the nausea to explode at the smell of those damned anchovies but Suho’s scent is in his nose, blocking everything else out.

Gotak looks up at their arrival. “Everything good now?”

Suho nods. “Sieun’s feeling better but we’re going to go home.” He looks at Baku. “Thanks for calling me.”

Baku’s grin is wide. “Of course! If our Sieun wants his alpha, what else are we supposed to do.”

“Feel better, Sieun-ah,” Juntae says softly, smiling up at him from his chair. “Rest this weekend. You’ve definitely earned it.”

Sieun finds it in himself to smile, something small but real. “Thanks, Juntae-yah.”

Suho kisses the side of his head, hugs him closer. “See you guys later.”

With a tiny wave, Sieun turns from the table with Suho and the two of them go home.

Sieun doesn’t notice the way his friends stare at them-- first worried before it turns speculative.

Something about the way they were standing niggles at Gotak but it’s Juntae who gasps first in realization.

“Oh my God,” Juntae says, expression breaking out into a bright smile.

Gotak has the same epiphany, hot on his heels, as Baku sits back in his chair, smug.

“Ah, have you figured it out, then?” Baku’s grin is blinding. “Our Sieun-ah is expecting a pup.”

“That’s why Suho’s wrist was tilted up,” Gotak says, as realization dawns. “To give Sieun as much of his scent as possible.”

The best way to relieve morning sickness is to have the alpha’s scent. It’s why there are exemptions for pregnant omegas in most workplaces that require scent suppressants.

Juntae nods, beaming. “That makes so much sense. Sieun’s never called Suho alpha in front of us before. I just thought he was sick but if he’s pregnant–”

Gotak tilts his head, still looking at the door the two of them had walked through a few minutes ago. “Do you think they know?”

“Suho knows,” Baku says confidently, shoving half a piece of pizza in his mouth and talking around it. “I don’t think Sieun does, though.”

Humming in thought, Gotak wonders when Sieun will realize.

Morning sickness is a huge sign– its hallmark always the way it disappears so quickly once the alpha is near. There’s no way Sieun can’t realize after what just happened, Gotak thinks.

Gotak is happy for his friends, so excited for them. Suho and Sieun will be great parents and Gotak’s already looking forward to being the favorite uncle– already thinking of ways to beat Baku for the title.

 

Suho unlocks the front door, ushering Sieun in.

Sieun feels so much better than he did at the restaurant. It helped that Suho had driven to work this morning, that they hadn’t had to take public transportation.

Feeling unbelievably gross– just all around exhausted– Sieun mutters something about taking a quick shower and starts shuffling towards their bedroom.

He doesn’t pay attention to whatever Suho does, singlemindedly focused on completing whatever stands between him and finally climbing into his nest. He’s going to sleep until noon tomorrow, Sieun swears.

Brushing his teeth first, Sieun’s shower is quick and efficient.

While he’s in the shower, Sieun hears Suho come into the bathroom, get ready for bed, too.

It’s just a short while later that Sieun’s getting dressed– underwear and one of Suho’s old t-shirts, faded and oversized. Suho’s already in bed and Sieun swears he feels tears– though for a very different reason this time, absolute relief making him melt– as he slips into the sheets and immediately feels Suho curl around his back, so warm as they relax into his nest.

“Feeling better, Sieun-ah?”

“Yeah,” Sieun replies and his eyes are so heavy.

His voice is quiet, almost a whisper as he adds, “Thank you. I’m sorry you had to leave work. I told them not to call you.”

Suho shifts behind him, hand slipping under Sieun’s shirt to lay over his middle.

“Don’t ever apologize for that, baby. I don’t care where I am. If you need me– if you want me– then I’m there.”

Nosing into the shower-damp hair at his nape, Suho’s voice is so low and warm as he says, “You’re my mate, Sieun. That means you call me when you don’t feel well and let me take care of you. Do you know why?”

And unfortunately, this isn’t the first time they’ve had a conversation like this.

“Because you love me.” Sieun’s voice has an imperceptible wobble to it as he shifts back, deeper into Suho’s hold. Suho’s arm tightens around him in reflex and Sieun bites his lip to keep his tears in check, emotion rising up at the simple answer Suho had first given years ago during their first-- and only-- fight about this very topic.

“I love you so much, Sieun-ah. I know you can’t be at your best all the time, baby, but I want to be there when you don’t so I can help. Okay?”

And Sieun’s voice is so soft as he says, “You always help, Suho-yah.” Feeling Suho kiss his neck, Sieun murmurs, “My alpha,” as sleep sweeps him away.

“Yours, baby. Always.” Suho whispers just a moment later.

Suho feels fatigue hit him hard, now that Sieun’s taken care of– feeling better, in his nest, wrapped in Suho’s arms.

It’s not even that late– if Suho pulled the curtains, it’s probably still light outside, the sun setting so late this time of year– but Suho feels sleep start dragging him down.

He’d been about to leave work when Baku had called him, said something about Sieun being sick in the restaurant’s bathroom. And while Suho hadn’t been surprised, considering his conversation with Sieun at lunch, he’d immediately felt his heart ache at knowing Sieun was feeling so bad.

The need to see Sieun had burned bright instantly, his alpha on edge– to make sure he was actually alright, to scent him and ease him anyway he could. The protective urge wasn’t anything new but its intensity was– something deeper than he’s felt before, hooking hard in his gut and pushing him to hurry.

Reminding Youngyi in a rush to lock up behind her after her yoga class ended, Suho had barely paused long enough to grab his bag and keys before he went to his car, jogging over to it just to save a handful of seconds.

Sieun’s okay now, Suho tells himself, curling tighter around his mate, listening to his slow and steady breathing.

He smells fine now. Good. Calm and sweet, perfectly content.

With Sieun in his arms, warm and safe, Suho lets sleep take him, his alpha resting easy at just how soft Sieun is in his arms.

 

Sieun has no idea what time it is. What he does know is that he’s starving.

It’s dark in their bedroom. Suho is snoring behind him, soothing in the stillness.

Sleep clings to Sieun but it shakes off quick when his stomach growls.

The nausea from yesterday feels like a bad dream. Sieun feels perfectly fine now, not a hint of sickness anywhere to be found. He’s so comfortable, warm in his nest, Suho wrapped around him in every way.

Still, Sieun finds that he can’t fall back asleep.

He hadn’t really eaten yesterday and hunger gnaws at him now, Sieun craving something salty. Just the thought of salt– chips, ramen, something– is enough to make his mouth water.

Carefully easing out of Suho’s arms, Sieun quietly slips into the bathroom. After freshening up, he eases their bedroom door mostly closed so the light in the kitchen doesn’t wake Suho.

Looking through their cupboards, Sieun’s frowning almost immediately.

Nothing really seems right– the ramen they have is Suho’s favorite brand and the chips are a novelty flavor they bought a few weeks ago on a whim.

A thought crosses Sieun’s mind– he could just run down to the corner convenience store, grab a few things, and be back before Suho even knew he was gone. His mate sleeps like a log and the convenience store is only a block away.

Glancing at the clock over the stove, Sieun sees that it’s just past midnight. He’s definitely made convenience store runs far later than that before.

Something tugs at him, though, at the thought of actually leaving without Suho.

Biting his lip as he debates, Sieun knows that if Suho did happen to wake up and Sieun was nowhere to be found, he’d definitely panic. At the same time, Sieun knows that Suho has to be so tired after yesterday– between his long shift at work and then having to rush to the pizzeria, Suho’s probably wiped.

While he thinks, Sieun pours himself a glass of water, downs it quickly. It’s chilled, so refreshing.

It doesn’t do anything to tame his hunger.

Ultimately, Sieun decides to wake Suho, see if he wants to go with him. He’ll just make sure Suho can relax tomorrow, Sieun decides. If his alpha wants to sleep until two in the afternoon, then Sieun will make it happen.

Walking back into the bedroom, Sieun pushes the door open, turns on the low lamp on his side of the bed.

Suho sleeps like the dead, his face so peaceful as his snoring sounds in the room in a steady rhythm.

Sieun climbs back into bed, moving until he’s straddling Suho, hands resting on either side of his head. Leaning down, Sieun noses along his neck, teasing his claiming bite just to get a burst of his mate’s scent, sleep-warm and heavy.

“Suho-yah,” Sieun says softly, pulling back enough to watch Suho’s face. “Alpha.”

There’s no response and Sieun loses a few minutes, simply watching Suho in the warm light of their bedroom.

His alpha is so handsome, Sieun thinks with a private smile. He’s always so full of energy that it’s arresting, sometimes, seeing him like this– quiet, so peaceful.

Sieun leans down, kisses over his cheek, the line of his jaw.

Suho moves under him, scent shifting. Biting back a smile, Sieun moves until his mouth is at Suho’s ear.

“Baby,” Sieun murmurs. “Suho-yah. Wake up.”

Feeling the shiver that runs through Suho, Sieun’s eyes are so fond as he leans back to wait.

Hands go to Sieun’s hips. Suho doesn’t open his eyes as he mumbles, “Did you just call me baby?”

“Of course not,” Suho scoffs lightly with a secret smile. “You must’ve been dreaming.”

Sieun sees Suho’s lips twitch into a smile before he’s shifting, wrapping his arms around Sieun to pull him down until he’s laying fully over him. Sieun wiggles a little, burying his face in Suho’s neck.

“What time is it?” Suho’s hand sweeps across Sieun’s back, slides under his shirt to meet warm skin and it’s soothing, the contact so grounding.

Sieun winces. “Late.”

“Not early,” Suho asks, leaving a clumsy kiss over his ear. “Give me a context clue, babe. Your scent is good. You feeling okay?”

Sieun hums. “I’m hungry.”

At that, Suho pulls back enough to look him in the face.

Before he can say anything, Sieun starts talking.

“I was thinking I could run down to the convenience store and get some ramen, wanted to offer you to go with me. But you don’t have to. I know you have to be so tired–”

Sieun breaks off as Suho wraps his arms back around him, pulling him down over him, squeezing him lightly.

“Give me a minute, sweetheart. Then we’ll go.”

Sieun’s voice is muffled as he says, “You really don’t have to go with me. I just didn’t want you to wonder where I was if you woke up–”

Suho hushes him. “You want ramen? We’ll get you ramen, baby.”

Sieun relaxes over Suho, going limp. “Okay,” he breathes, giving in. Like that wasn’t what he was secretly hoping for anyway.

Suho gets up a moment later and gets ready, sleep obviously still clinging to him. Sieun just watches him bumble around, endlessly endeared.

There’s no one at the convenience store when they walk through the door, just the teen cashier reading a magazine at the counter.

Sieun heads directly for the ramen aisle, debating as his eyes rove over the selection.

Suho comes up behind him, hooking a chin over his shoulder as he leans into his back, loose arms around his waist.

Choosing one of his favorite brands– something with enough spice to make even Suho sweat– Sieun doesn’t immediately turn away. He debates in his head for a minute before plucking a second cup off the shelf.

When Suho moves to follow Sieun to the drinks, Suho looks over his shoulder. “You’re not getting anything?”

Suho just smiles sleepily. “Not hungry, baby. It’s the middle of the night.”

Part of Sieun wants to state that’s never stopped Suho before but in the end, he just shrugs.

He grabs a water, pauses along the sweets aisle as a chocolate cupcake catches his eye.

God, he’s really so hungry, Sieun thinks.

Suho reaches around him to tap his card at the register and a minute later, Sieun’s preparing his ramen by the hot water station.

The summer night is nice enough to eat at one of the tables outside and Sieun smiles up at Suho in thanks his mate carries his other ramen to the table and sets it down.

The two of them don’t really talk, easy silence between them.

Suho’s just rests his chin in his hand as he watches across the table as Sieun fully inhales his ramen.

The first bite is so good– salt and spice hitting hard. The perfect bite and exactly what Sieun had needed.

He makes a little noise of happiness, immediately leaning down for another huge mouthful of noodles.

“God,” he says with a sigh. “This is so fucking good.”

He looks up at Suho. “Are you sure you don’t want any?”

Suho’s just watching him, smiling. “I’m sure. Enjoy, baby.”

With a shrug, Sieun goes back to his ramen.

They’re not there long. Sieun makes short work of the ramen, not cracking his water open until he finishes both cups.

Sieun opens the chocolate cupcake next, knowing the hit of sweetness is just what he needed after all the spice. The cupcake is soft, moist, the frosting rich and almost fudgy. Sieun finishes it in just a few bites, kind of wishes he’d bought two of those as well.

Whenever he’s done, Suho grabs everything and takes it to the garbage without a word.

With his arm over Sieun’s shoulder, Suho starts walking them back home.

“You good now, babe?”

“Yeah,” Sieun sighs happily. He tilts his head to look up at Suho. “Thanks for coming with me.”

“Anytime, Sieun.”

He pauses. “Seriously. Do not leave in the middle of the night without telling me. Please. I don’t care if it’s three in the morning and I worked a double. Wake me up, Sieun-ah.”

“Okay,” Sieun says reluctantly. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.”

Suho’s tone brooks no argument and Sieun accepts it.

The two of them walk into their home just a few moments later. Now that he doesn’t have hunger prodding at him, Sieun’s crashing hard again and he knows Suho isn’t far behind him.

They climb into bed with little fanfare within minutes, and Sieun rests his head on Suho’s chest with a quiet sigh of contentment.

Suho’s already snoring again by the time Sieun drifts off, eyes so heavy as he falls asleep, too.

Chapter 5

Sieun hears Suho’s phone vibrate on the nightstand, turning over as he feels Suho start to reach for it.

There’s the sound of his voice, low in their bedroom, and Sieun shifts, getting more comfortable as he shoves his face into his pillow.

It seems like just a moment later that Suho’s leaning over him, nuzzling into his hair.

“Baby,” he whispers. “Sieun-ah.”

Making a low noise of acknowledgement, Sieun feels Suho kiss his shoulder.

“Jaewon called off, said he woke up with the flu,” Suho murmurs. “I need to go open, baby.”

Sieun sighs, sleep pulling at him incessantly. “Okay,” he mumbles. “Bye.”

He hears Suho laugh quietly behind him, hand resting along his hip. “I scented a jacket for you last night. And that shirt you like– the one with the flowers. I probably won’t be back until the afternoon, so if you go out and need something, they’re there, okay?”

“I’m fine, Suho-yah,” Sieun sleepily protests. “I haven’t been sick since Friday night.”

Sieun feels Suho nose along his nape, place a soft kiss there. A smile’s pressed to his sleep-warm skin. A hand has snuck under his shirt to the warm skin along his hip. “I know, baby. I’m just saying.”

“Yeah,” Sieun agrees, barely even knowing what Suho’s talking about. “Thanks, alpha.”

He shifts until he’s laying completely on his front, humming as Suho moves to cover him, pressing him into the mattress.

“You make it so hard to leave, sweetheart. You know that?” Suho’s voice is low against his ear as he scents Sieun.

And Sieun is so sleep-soft that he isn’t paying attention, oblivious when the tease of slick starts spilling through the room.

There’s a quick intake of breath and then Suho’s pulling back sharply.

“Damn it,” he breathes, almost to himself. “I need to be at the gym in half an hour.”

Sieun’s already fallen back asleep when Suho scrubs a hand over his face and starts climbing out of bed, doesn’t feel the kiss to the top of his head less than twenty minutes later as Suho leaves before the sun is even up.

It’s midmorning when Sieun wakes up properly, the edge of daylight around their bedroom curtains.

He feels warm and well-rested for the first time in days– they’d spent most of the day yesterday at home, just lazying around and Sieun had gone to bed pretty early.

As he turns over, he feels good. The scent of Suho surrounds him. His nest is perfectly arranged, exactly as he likes it.

Thinking about what he’d like to do today, Sieun reaches for where his own phone is charging on his side of the bed’s nightstand. Today’s Sunday and, originally, the two of them hadn’t really made any plans for the day, kicking ideas around for brunch later, maybe a movie that evening.

Checking his texts, Sieun sees a message from Suho. It’s just an update that he’ll be able to leave around noon, Youngyi scheduled to close. Sundays are light days, usually only a couple of staff scheduled, and an idea sparks in Sieun’s head.

Maybe he’ll go visit Suho at work, Sieun muses. He’s already been there for a few hours, has another few to go. There’s a cafe near the gym that Suho likes– it wouldn’t take much to pick up something for his mate.

Mind made up, Sieun gets out of bed with a smile on his face.

His eyes are bright, whatever nausea he’d had a couple of days ago completely vanished.

Yesterday, when he’d smugly told Suho that he was right about it being food poisoning, Suho had just looked at him, faintly pityingly as he gave his– in Sieun’s unbiased opinion– extremely lackluster agreement.

Sieun had shrugged it off, too busy enjoying the feeling of not being miserably sick.

It’s a gloomy day, rain in the air. The cool front still hangs over the city so that even if it’s late in summer, Sieun can wear the light jacket Suho scented.

He pulls it on over the shirt Suho had left for him, tucking the graphic tee into a pair of athletic shorts, not in the mood to be fussy on a Sunday morning.

Sieun calls in his order for the restaurant on his way, enjoying the lack of people– at least for Seoul. There are a group of obviously hungover uni students at the end of the car, an elderly couple a few seats down talking quietly as they study a map.

It’s peaceful, quiet in the midmorning.

His food is ready when he gets to the restaurant and Sieun pays, accepting the bag of food along with the drink carrier holding a couple of coffees. He ordered Suho his usual iced americano but had opted for something sickeningly sweet himself– something with both mocha and caramel syrup, covered in a mountain of whipped cream and ice cold.

The gym is just half a block down from the restaurant and Sieun’s walking in just a moment later.

His eyes land on Suho at the front desk, typing on the computer.

Nearing the desk, Sieun smiles to himself as he sees the concentrated look on Suho’s face as he works on– whatever it is that he’s working on.

“Excuse me,” he calls out, smirking at the way Suho’s head whips up, already smiling when his eyes land on Sieun walking towards him. “I have a delivery for Ahn Suho.”

“Wow,” Suho exclaims, standing up to greet him. “What did I do to deserve such a treat?”

Sieun sets everything down. Crossing his arms on the desk, he leans towards Suho.

“I guess you’re just lucky,” Sieun murmurs, leaning in even more as Suho mirrors him on the other side of the desk.

Suho’s smiling as he crosses the distance, eyes flicking down to Sieun’s mouth. “I really am.”

Suho kisses him, a quick peck. He pulls back a moment later, smiling so brightly at Sieun.

“What are you doing here, babe?”

Sieun shrugs.

“I woke up and figured I didn’t have anything else to do, wanted to surprise you.”

“And you brought food, too?” Suho’s voice is delighted as he reaches for the bag. “From my favorite place?”

He’s ducking in for another kiss before Sieun even has the wherewithal to kiss back.

“You must love me or something,” Suho says, smug, already opening the bag to see what Sieun had brought him.

“Or something,” Sieun echoes fondly, charmed despite himself.

As expected on a dreary Sunday morning, there’s hardly anyone in the gym– a few people on treadmills, a couple of alphas over by the free weights. The music playing over the speakers is a little calmer than what plays during peak times and all around, it’s quiet.

Suho’s taken his breakfast bowl out of the bag and is handily digging in as he sits back down, making all those noises he does whenever the food’s particularly good. Sieun just watches him for a few minutes, endeared, still leaning over the desk.

His omega is pleased, seeing his alpha enjoy something he’d given him. Suho is always an enthusiastic eater and Sieun knows he was probably ravenous, that he hadn’t had time to think about food as he’d rushed to get ready earlier.

Sieun has just grabbed his coffee from the carrier– shoving his straw in the lid and taking his first sip– when he hears a voice sound behind him.

“Can you stop flirting and move along? You’re in the way.”

Sieun bristles immediately.

He’s not aware of Suho’s wince as he straightens and turns around to see who was interrupting him so rudely.

Sieun looks at the omega with a cold expression. “Excuse me?”

The guy staring at Sieun looks a little younger, wearing exercise gear that’s trendy and cut to show off his very fit figure. He’s looking at Sieun with clear annoyance.

“You know everyone flirts with him, right? But pro-tip: he’s not interested.”

Sieun’s gaze cuts to Suho, who looks like he’d literally rather be anywhere else than watching this interaction. He’s staring at his breakfast bowl with a look of utter concentration but his expression is clearly resigned.

“Oh,” Sieun says, injecting confusion into his tone. He tilts his head. “That’s weird because I would’ve sworn that he was into me.”

Rolling their eyes, the omega dramatically steps around Sieun so he can scan his gym membership. “Look, I get it. Suho’s hot, he’s an alpha, he’s super nice. But he’s very happily mated. You don’t have a chance, trust me.”

Something about the way the omega says that has Sieun’s eyes narrowing. “Trust you?”

“Sieun–” Suho tries to break in, half standing, but sits back down whenever Sieun raises a hand without looking behind him, gesturing for him to stop interrupting.

The omega turns back to look at Sieun, walking backwards towards the locker room as he adjusts the gym bag on his shoulder. “I asked him out like a year ago when I first joined and he made it clear that he wasn’t interested.” Sieun will give the omega credit, they don’t look put out about it, just matter of fact.

Sieun glances behind him. “He has a mating mark.”

The omega just shrugs. “You should know, that doesn’t always mean anything.” The omega looks behind Sieun to give Suho a onceover that makes Sieun’s glare heat up a few degrees. “Look at all that and tell me you wouldn’t shoot your shot.”

And part of Sieun is blistering with– not jealousy. His omega is irritated but there’s nothing to really even be mad about.

Suho’s the perfect alpha. Sieun is well aware of that fact. He can’t begrudge other omegas for noticing the same.

“But he said he wasn’t interested?”

“Yeah,” The omega breathes out with an exasperated laugh. “Said something about his omega being perfect or something else insanely cheesy. All the regulars know Suho and like him him but he’s always going on about that perfect mate of his.”

His tone is begrudging, a little wistful, as he adds, “It’s kind of adorable.”

And Sieun is secure in his relationship with Suho. It would be impossible not to be with the way his mate acts on an hourly basis. But hearing how Suho acts from a stranger is nice, too. Gratifying. If Sieun is being honest, it’s more than a little attractive.

It’s not civilized, all instinct, but part of Sieun wants to preen. That apparently Suho has all sorts of admirers here but he’s all Sieun’s.

Sieun knows if they were home– or anywhere else that wasn’t Suho’s workplace– that he’d probably be jumping Suho right now.

The omega had turned towards the hall that leads to the locker room, done with the conversation, and Sieun turns to Suho with bright eyes.

Suho, who’s sitting at his desk with a look of incredible wariness. To him, it looks a little like Sieun’s a dog with a bone, ready to jump him for entirely different reasons.

“Baby, I can explain–” he starts, obviously trying to head off a tiff.

But Sieun just feels a little gooey at the edges.

He rounds the desk without hesitation, coming to stand right in front of Suho, who had risen from his chair as Sieun neared. Sieun’s arms wrap around Suho’s waist as he leans into his frame, feeling so warm and content as his mate’s arms wrap around him in kind.

“So I’m perfect, huh?”

Suho, still looking like he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop, merely says, “Obviously.”

Sieun hums a little, tilting his head up to meet Suho’s eyes. “Why do you look so afraid,” he asks in bemusement, smirking at the expression on Suho’s face.

Suho is studying Sieun’s face. “It’s not uncommon for omegas that are– uh, mated– to be a little territorial,” Suho says carefully.

Suho trips over his words, the panicked look in his eye sharpening. Sieun finds this all very funny. He just raises an eyebrow. “Oh, like alphas are known for their restraint.”

Suho’s clearly biting his tongue, staying silent. Sieun huffs out a laugh. “Relax, Suho-yah. I’m not going to attack an omega just because they have the good sense to like you.”

“Really?”

Sieun doesn’t know if he should be insulted or not. “Do I usually strike you as a temperamental omega, Suho?”

The wary look is back in Suho’s eye. “Not usually, no.”

Suho’s wearing a zip-up hoodie and Sieun shifts until he’s slipping his arms under the jacket, feeling the warmth of his mate through the black t-shirt he’s wearing underneath. He goes up on his toes a little, just to lay a light kiss over Suho’s claiming scar.

“I don’t need to be,” Sieun murmurs, biting back a smile as he feels Suho’s arms tighten around him. “You’re mine, Suho-yah. My alpha, who belongs to me. Other omegas might want you but you come home to me. Isn’t that right?”

Sieun’s head is light, his omega feeling the little thrill of competitiveness that hardly ever surfaces.

A shudder moves down Suho’s spine, Sieun holding him so close that he can feel the echo of it.

Across the room, the omega from earlier has left the locker room and is moving towards the weights when he catches sight of Sieun and Suho over at the reception desk. His eyes widen in surprise and a beta moving a bench out of her way sees his expression and glances back, smiling softly. “Aren’t they so cute? Sieun doesn’t visit often but Suho’s always over the moon when he does.”

The omega remembers Suho muttering that name earlier. “Sieun?”

The beta adjusts the bench until it lays flat. “Yeah,” she repeats with a lilt, like the answer is obvious. “Suho’s mate.”

And whenever the omega looks over at the gym manager and Sieun, he can’t believe that he didn’t realize sooner. They were so close when he’d walked in earlier that he hadn’t realized Suho’s scent wasn’t strong because of mere proximity but because Sieun was clearly wearing his clothes, almost definitely scented.

Well, he thinks to himself as he studies Sieun. Suho wasn’t lying– his mate is cute. In a stoic, serious way if that was what an alpha was into.

Which clearly Suho was, the omega thinks with a raised brow as he sees the manager leans down until he’s a bit too close to be considered work appropriate.

Not his business, the omega thinks, and turns away to start his workout with a sigh. He wasn’t lying earlier– everyone does like Suho here. Suho who’s been a fixture at the gym for years, who’s always a friendly and helpful face.

Back over in the lobby, Suho’s hands are strong on Sieun’s hips, his voice a whisper against Sieun’s mouth as he breathes, “Yeah. All yours, sweetheart.”

Suho’s just about to say fuck it and kiss Sieun properly when he hears a voice he knows way too well sound off at a volume way too close to a yell.

“This is a place of business,” the voice exclaims, sounding scandalized before it falls back into a deadpan tone. “If you’re going to do all that, at least have the decency to go to your office. You’re stinking up the place and none of us need to see that.”

With a sigh, Suho looks up to see Youngyi standing there with her bag over her shoulder.

“You’re here early?”

Youngyi smirks, enters the employee only doorway to slide into the desk chair that Suho had been working at.

“You’re welcome,” she says, all grandiosity. “I figured you didn’t want to be here longer than necessary and my girlfriend is out of town this week. Thought I’d be nice and relieve you sooner.” Her smile is all teeth, deeply annoying and twice as knowing.

Suho is about to respond when he feels Sieun’s arms loosen around him as he steps back. “Thanks, Youngyi. We appreciate it.”

Youngyi coos, leans in to pinch Sieun’s cheek. Sieun allows it, close to the omega since she’d started here just after Suho had.

“You’re just so adorable,” Youngyi says, delighted and dramatic as always.

Turning towards the computer, she saves what Suho had been working on, opening a few tabs as she settles in. Without looking at them, she says, “Run along. My generosity has an expiration date.”

Knowing that Youngyi was scheduled to close, anyway, Suho just rolls his eyes. He does guide Sieun towards the exit, though, glancing down to find his mate looking pleased.

“Well, it looks like I’m all yours a little earlier,” Suho says with a smile. “Just let me grab my keys?”

Sieun nods and it’s quick work for Suho to run to his office and grab his keys and cell.

He’s back just a few minutes later to see Sieun and Youngyi in deep conversation– Youngyi gesturing wildly with her hands while Sieun stands in front of her, looking neutral but nodding along peacefully.

“Ready, Sieun-ah?”

Sieun nods, waving at Youngyi, and the two of them leave the gym in the next moment, grabbing their drinks and throwing away all the trash before doing so.

It’s still cloudy outside, though the light drizzle has stopped.

“Where to, baby?”

It’s late morning, now, noon just around the corner.

Sieun takes a sip of his coffee, lightly nibbling at his straw while he thinks.

“We could see if that movie has an earlier showing,” he suggests and Suho nods, taking his phone out of his pocket to search showtimes.

Turns out there is an early matinee showing at the theater they prefer. Sieun and Suho decide to chance it and walk since it’s so close.

It isn’t too long and along the way, they cross a foodcart offering kimbap. Suho says he’s not hungry, that he’d just eaten breakfast after all, but Sieun grabs a quick breakfast from the kimbap vendor already set-up for the day.

He eats as they walk, Suho carrying his coffee, and even at their meandering pace, they get to the movie theater with plenty of time to spare.

They settle into the theater and it’s such an early showing that they have the theater to themselves for several minutes. By the time the movie starts, there’s only a handful of people in the theater and Sieun settles in to enjoy the drama that Suho had watched the trailer of a few weeks ago, suggesting they see it whenever they had some free time together.

A couple of hours later, they exit the movie theater to see the sun peaking out behind the clouds, a little disorienting after being in the dark so long.

“What did you think,” Sieun asks, leaning into Suho’s side as they start aimlessly walking down the block.

“I liked it. Wish she would’ve ended up with the other guy, though.”

Sieun makes a little noise of agreement as they pause at a crosswalk. “Yeah, that alpha was such an asshole. Her best friend was literally right there the entire time.”

They talk about the film a little, Suho guiding them into a neighborhood park as they come across it.

Their conversation shifts towards other things as they wander along the paths, in no rush, simply enjoying each other’s company on a cool summer day.

It’s nice like this, Sieun thinks. Their time off doesn’t always align but having a free weekend afternoon together is always a perk.

Today, particularly, is nice. The summer heat isn’t oppressive and there’s nothing they have to do, which is a pleasant rarity.

The two of them have turned down a gravel path, walking slowly as Suho updates Sieun on a piece of gossip he’s heard– apparently Seongje, one of his best friends, is head over heels for an omega and freaking out about it– when Sieun’s attention drifts away from Seongje’s idiocy.

There’s a family at one of the tables over by the playground. Sieun’s too far away to know subgender but there are two parents with two kids– one a toddler tugging on one of the parents impatiently and gesturing towards the swingset while the other parent is holding a baby that doesn’t look more than a year old.

It warms his chest, something about the scene so utterly captivating to Sieun.

He doesn’t even realize that he’s smiling quietly as he watches the toddler finally dragging one mom over to the swings, the other sticking with the baby who’s holding a finger in their tiny fist after lifting her face up for a quick kiss as her mate is pulled away, both of them grinning at each other.

“Sieun-ah?”

Sieun looks up just in time to see Suho follow his gaze. When his mate looks back down at him, his expression is soft and so warm.

“What’s up, pretty?”

Sieun shrugs, looking away from the familial scene.

He can feel his cheeks flush, feeling strangely exposed. “Nothing,” Sieun mumbles, focusing on the path in front of them. “They just looked– happy.”

Suho’s voice is calm, something amused in his tone as he replies, “That’ll be us soon, you know.”

Sieun scoffs even as he bites down on delighted smile at just the thought.

“You wish,” he mutters. He bumps his hip into Suho’s, looking up at him with knowing eyes. “We don’t even have one yet and you’re already thinking about a second?”

Suho just grins. “What can I say? I know what I want.”

He comes to a stop, turning so that he’s facing Sieun. Suho raises a hand, brushes Sieun’s hair out of his eyes with a gentle touch.

“I know what you want,” Suho says, voice low and so damn tender.

And usually Sieun would argue on principle, tease Suho. Play hard to get.

But Suho does know. They’ve talked about this before– way back when they were still in the early days of courting, before that even.

Sieun still remembers the first time he saw Suho with a kid– and it’s so cliché but he’d sworn his omega had fucking swooned at the way Suho deftly handled Gotak’s little sister when she’d visited campus for the day. Suho had been all controlled chaos, knowing when to play and when to set down a gentle but firm limit.

Sieun remembers watching, half paying attention at the time to Baku's rant about how Gotak could be dating such an annoying omega, while Suho and Gotak had taught Gotak’s sister the basics of basketball.

Sieun had known, even back then, that he wanted kids. Eventually. After college, after he’d had time to establish his career, Sieun imagined settling down with someone and planning a family.

The alpha in the picture had started to look a lot like someone he knew, all the way back then. His crush on Suho had solidified a few months before that and in the interim, Sieun had started thinking of Suho as his alpha, even if only in the privacy of his own head.

(Sieun still doesn’t know it but that day with Gotak’s sister, Suho had been experiencing something terribly similar– seeing the patient and adorably serious way Sieun listened as she talked about anything and everything, flitting from topic to topic in the way kids do; Watching with a quiet smile as Sieun let her climb into his lap while they all went for ice cream, the matter-of-fact way that Sieun accepted an ice-cream coated kiss to his cheek with a fond smile, no grimace in sight, not even a hint of one as everyone at the table teased his usually fastidious self.

Suho had known, way back then-- from the beginning really-- that Sieun was his. That one day, eventually, he’d mate the stubborn, irresistible omega.)

There have been conversations since, teasing remarks, wishes caught in the heat of the moment.

So yeah, of course Suho knows.

He knows that Sieun wants kids, even if he’s a little afraid, too.

The worry has dampened considerably since he met Suho, since they mated, but Sieun thinks he’ll always possess a sliver of uncertainty, wondering if he can be the kind of parent a child deserves. God knows he didn’t have the best examples himself.

It’s that worry that gets to him sometimes– because there’s no doubt that Suho will be an amazing parent. Sieun doesn’t hold the same confidence in his own skills, though, no matter that he wants it so badly– to be that support for someone, to watch and guide and love someone as they grow into their own person.

“Do you really think we’re ready,” Sieun asks, looking up at his mate with a vulnerable edge in his eyes.

Sieun watches Suho’s expression shift immediately into something reassuring and he’s speaking again before his mate can even open his mouth.

“It’s just,” Sieun starts as doubt flares, sharp and sudden, his tongue darting out to swipe across his bottom lip. “What if we think we are but then reality is so totally different than what we’re thinking. What if we can’t give them what they need and they hate us?”

Sieun barely pauses long enough to take a breath as he corrects, “Or, well, we know you’ll be perfect. But what about me– what if I’m not actually meant to be a parent? And we’re trying to get pregnant when it’ll all be a disaster?”

Sniffling a little, Sieun isn’t even looking at Suho, studiously avoiding his gaze, as he softly adds, “What if I’m too much like my parents, after all? What if I can’t do it? What if I ruin everything and they grow up and avoid me and– and they’d probably avoid you, too, to make sure they didn’t have to see me and then you’ll resent me and–”

The tears, sudden and hot, fall as Suho hauls Sieun into his arms, wrapping him in a strong embrace that makes him shudder.

Sieun feels a kiss pressed against the top of his head.

“Baby. Sieun-ah.” Suho’s voice is low, sure. “Breathe. First of all, you’re not your parents. You’re so kind, have so much love to give.”

Sieun opens his mouth to argue but Suho’s arms just tighten around him. “Listen to me. Everything about you is good, Sieun– your patience, your kindness. You’re dependable, baby, so warm and loving and you don’t even realize it.”

Burrowing into Suho’s chest, Sieun breathes deep as Suho continues.

“Second of all, we’ve talked about this. Neither of us are perfect but we want to try. Even if we aren’t sure or we make mistakes, everything we’re doing is out of love. We’re not afraid of hard work, baby, right? And,” Suho adds in a firm voice. “We hold each other accountable. You’re not alone in this, Sieun. Never, not for a second, think that you don’t have me to lean on.”

Pulling back, Suho carefully wipes the wetness away with a thumb.

“I love you, Sieun-ah. Nothing on earth could make me resent you. That’s just impossible.”

Sieun looks up at Suho, eyes wide and tear-streaked, so totally out of place as the two of them stand on a park path on a sunny, summer day.

Suho meets his gaze head-on, not a flicker of doubt in his expression.

His hand has come up to rest along Sieun’s neck, right over his mating bite, thumb sweeping along Sieun’s jaw to sooth.

“I love you too, Suho-yah.” Sieun’s voice is soft, lightly abashed. “So much.”

Sieun sighs, a shuddery exhale as he leans into his mate. “I just want it so much,” he finally admits a few minutes later, Suho just holding him in the meantime.

“I don’t want to disappoint you. I never want to disappoint our pups.”

“We’ll be okay, Sieun-ah.” Suho kisses the shell of his ear gently. “As long as we have each other, right?”

Sieun makes a noise of agreement, tension easing incrementally as Suho holds him.

It’s another handful of minutes later that Sieun making a different noise, this one embarrassed.

“Damn it,” he mutters, chagrined. “Sorry.”

He holds Suho’s jacket in tight fists, back on sure feet. “I’ve cried more in the past week than I have in a year. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

Sieun feels a smile against his cheek. “There’s nothing wrong with you, baby. You need reassurance, you tell me. Because I don’t have a doubt, sweetheart. Not at all. Not if it’s you. Not if it’s us.”

Tears threaten again, though this time for a different reason, as Sieun tilts his chin up to see Suho looking down at him with so much fondness that it’s a little overwhelming.

Feeling shy now, Sieun bites his lip. “Whatever,” he finally says. He still leans up to kiss Suho, though, something soft and careful and full of gratitude.

Suho smiles against his mouth, hearing everything that remains unsaid.

The two of them ease back into walking, Suho’s arm over Sieun’s shoulders, keeping him close.

Their conversation drifts, low and quiet as they wander the paths. Sieun feels settled, the sudden flare of anxiety soothed as soon as it had formed. Suho’s words aren’t anything new but it helps, every time– the reminder that whatever happens, they’re in this together.

It means everything, Sieun knows. A balm to every worry Sieun has.

The sun drifts across the sky slowly. Eventually, Sieun looks up at Suho with a question in his eye, his gaze clear and bright again.

“I know it’s an off time but do you want lunch? An early dinner?”

Suho make a noise in agreement and Sieun thinks about what’s close by.

They’re still in the neighborhood where Suho’s work is located and the two of them have a handful of restaurants they like in the area. Going through their options, Sieun’s eyes light up.

“What about that sushi place on the corner? The one with the sweet ahjumma?”

Sieun looks up in time to see Suho smile at the idea, eyes lighting up, opening his mouth to offer an easy agreement.

Suho’s mouth closes abruptly, though.

“No.”

The reply is so short, unexpected, that Sieun thinks he must have misheard.

“What? You love sushi,” Sieun says, confused.

He watches Suho’s eyes dart around, his mate uncharacteristically twitchy.

“I don’t, actually. I’d rather have– soup?” Sieun frowns as Suho nods, assuring himself more than Sieun. “Definitely soup.”

“It’s summer, Suho.” And even though it’s a cool day for late in the season, it’s still too warm for boiling soup.

“We can find a naengmyeon place,” Suho offers, looking pleased with himself at the suggestion.

And Sieun is still confused– Suho never turns down sushi when Sieun suggests it– but naengmyeon doesn’t actually sound bad.

“Okay,” he says uncertainly. “Sure. Let’s find a place.”

Suho pulls out his phone and it doesn’t take more than a few minutes to find a restaurant close by that serves cold noodles.

There’s only one other table that’s occupied when they walk in and the sweet omega ahjumma fusses over Sieun as they settle down in their seats.

Their late lunch is pleasant and relaxed, Sieun flustering a little at the sheer number of banchan that’s brought over. Suho looks on with a quiet smile every time Sieun thanks the older woman, his mate’s cheeks flushing when she says something about his appetite in an approving tone.

And Sieun admits, the naengmyeon hits the spot. The broth is flavorful and perfectly chilled, the noodles and sliced beef tender but still filling. The side dishes are refreshing, mostly vegetables, and Sieun enjoys his meal thoroughly.

It’s almost evening by the time they start heading back to the gym where their car is still parked.

Clouds had returned while they’d eaten and the first drops of rain hit the windshield as they exit the parking garage by Suho’s gym.

Feeling perfectly sated and just a little tired after a surprisingly full day, Sieun pats over his stomach with a sigh of contentment.

“I’ve been eating so much this week,” he says thoughtfully as Suho makes a turn. “It feels like I’ve been starving for every meal. Everything just tastes so good lately.”

Suho huffs out a laugh. “Except pizza.”

Frowning, Sieun replies, “Don’t remind me. I still don’t know what made me sick Friday.”

Suho doesn’t say anything, though if he’d look over, Sieun would see a small smile on his face.

Suho rests a hand on Sieun’s thigh as he slows to a stop at a red light. It’s a warm weight and Sieun relaxes. It only lasts a moment though as he feel Suho’s hand shift until he’s teasing the sensitive skin of his inner thigh, the hem of his shorts riding up just enough to give Suho all kinds of access to warm, bare skin.

Turning his head from where he’d been staring out the window, Sieun raises a brow at Suho. Suho’s eyes don’t leave the road though his smile widens, just a little, as his thumb sweeps over his thigh.

The drive home is uneventful and Suho heads to the shower as soon as he steps out of his shoes, keys falling into the bowl they keep on their entryway table. Sieun joins him, following even before Suho makes a teasing comment, eyebrows waggling lecherously just to see the way Sieun rolls his eyes.

The shower is hot, soothing, and the two of them end up making out against the counter afterwards, steam still rolling through the bathroom.

They stumble through the door into the bedroom minutes later, barely taking the time to dry off.

Sieun pushes Suho down on the bed, climbing over to straddle him. With his arms wrapping around Suho’s shoulders, Sieun settles into his lap.

Suho’s scent is rich, makes his head fog over as he gasps into Suho’s mouth.

“Please,” Sieun breathes, feeling the way slick starts trickling. Suho’s hands are a vise around him, one squeezing his ass while the other sweeps up his back, touch so firm with the hint of roughness that makes Sieun dizzy.

“What do you want, baby? Tell me.”

“Want your fingers,” Sieun mumbles, kissing Suho hard, nipping at his lip just to feel the way his touch tightens.

The tease of a single fingertip against his hole is so good, something settling in Sieun at just the first brush. Suho rubs against his entrance, sliding through the wetness, and Sieun shudders over him, spreading his legs a little wider as heat simmers lowly.

He sighs against Suho’s mouth, his own turning pliant as Suho eases his finger just to pull out and add a second finger when he meets no resistance. Sieun bears down, hips moving almost lazily to meet his alpha’s fingers.

It’s slow, intense.

Suho takes his time, teasing Sieun and himself with how wet he is, how easy.

Breaking away from the kiss, Suho mouths down Sieun’s throat to lick over his claiming scar.

“You’re dripping, sweetheart.” And Suho’s voice is smug, dark and pleased at the feeling of Sieun making a mess between them. Suho can feel slick trickling down his wrist and it’s maddening. So, so good. “I think I’ll need another shower after this. Don’t you?”

His free hand brushes along Sieun’s front– over his soft stomach, fingertips brushing over a nipple until the flat of his hand rests against Sieun’s neck, heavy and implacable.

“You’re so fucking messy, Sieun-ah. Aren’t you, baby? So dirty for your alpha.”

Sieun’s voice is bratty, full of petulance as he mumbles, “Stop, Suho-yah.” So whiny even as he keeps riding Suho’s fingers, restless as his thighs tense, trying to get them even deeper.

Suho’s up to three fingers now but he stills, biting back a grin at the feeling of his baby’s walls squeezing around him the second he stops moving. He feels Sieun’s hips twitch against him.

Sieun whines, hands tight in his hair, and Suho pulls back enough to see his mate’s face.

His eyes are dark, a pretty blush staining his cheeks. His hair is damp– from the shower or sweat, Suho doesn’t know.

He’s so beautiful, even when annoyance shines bright in his expression. Especially then.

He noses along Sieun’s cheek, breath heavy as pleasure warms every limb.

“You told me to stop, baby. I’m just listening to you.”

“Come on, Suho-yah.”

“What, pretty?”

Sieun blinks slowly, lashes fluttering as his mouth parts on a breath. “Make me come.”

And Suho sometimes forgets when he’s teasing Sieun that his mate knows exactly how to tease him back.

“Please, alpha,” Sieun breathes, so close that their lips are touching. “Wanna come on your fingers, watch you lick it up after.”

So captivated by his baby’s smug, fucked-out expression, Suho doesn’t notice Sieun’s own hand moving until he’s trailing a finger over his cock, red and leaking. Suho’s stomach tenses, soft gasp leaving him at the first touch after so long.

He’d been so focused on Sieun that he hadn’t even noticed how hard he was, so close just by getting Sieun off.

Sieun’s smile is small, private. “Maybe I’ll help you after.” His voice is so low, a whisper, as he adds, “Maybe I’ll let you come all over me, help you rub it in after.”

A low growl escapes Suho at the mere suggestion, instinct and heat warping his head.

“Yeah, baby? You want that? Want alpha to claim you like that?”

Sieun’s nodding feverishly, hips working the second Suho’s fingers start moving again. “Want you to claim me in every way, Suho-yah. You know that.”

Suho smiles, breath labored as he stops playing with Sieun and starts fucking him properly, fingers covered in slick, everything so warm between them.

“I do,” he says on a breath, barely audible over the sound of Sieun moaning. “Don’t worry, pretty. Your alpha knows exactly what you want. What you need.”

It doesn’t take much for Sieun to come after that, Suho savoring the way Sieun squeezes around his fingers as his orgasm crashes over him, the scent of a fresh wave of slick making him lightheaded.

Sieun’s eyes are blurred as he opens them a minute later, his smile bright and pleasure-soaked.

He watches, breath catching, as Suho brings his hand up, sucking two fingers into his mouth with a low moan, almost delirious with how good it is.

The flame burns brighter at the first taste, Sieun so sweet– even more so now. It’s addicting, wholly consuming.

Still. Sieun had promised something else and Suho almost chokes as his mate wraps a hand around him, swears he almost dies when Sieun pulls away for a second just to drag fingers over his still twitching hole, slicking his fingers up with the remnants of his own orgasm just to return to Suho’s cock, the slide of his hand smooth and so warm now.

Suho sucks on his slick coated fingers as Sieun works him over, coming almost embarrassingly fast. He’s barely able to pull his hand away in time to give a stuttered warning, low and hoarse, before he starts spilling between them.

Sieun’s smile is small and pleased as Suho groans, a hint of a whimper stuck in his throat as Sieun dives in to lick at his mouth, tongue teasing along to taste himself on Suho’s tongue.

And Suho’s mind still feels like it’s melting whenever Sieun takes his hand and brings it to his stomach, urging him to rub a trail of come into his skin.

“Fuck, Sieun,” Suho bites out, his voice so wrecked. “You’re so dirty, baby.”

Sieun’s voice is coy, a thrill in the undertone. “You’re my alpha, Suho-yah. Want everyone to know I’m yours.”

And without warning, Sieun’s moving until he can bite harshly against Suho’s neck. His canines are dull and the bite is rough.

Suho’s blood sings as he hears his baby mumble, “Want everyone to know you’re mine.”

“Yours, sweetheart.” Suho repeats the words in a daze, lost in the task of rubbing his come into the softness of Sieun’s stomach.

The scent is so good, the combination of them together so deeply thrilling to his alpha even as it settles Suho to his core, sated in every possible way. It stokes the heat higher, knowing he’s pupped Sieun, that he really has claimed him in every fucking way. Suho almost thinks he could come again from that knowledge alone.

They don’t do this often– almost always in the midst of Suho’s rut when his alpha is impossible to temper any other way, when Sieun’s soft and out of his mind on surging hormones.

Which probably checks right now, Suho thinks with an enamored grin.

He knows Sieun will be annoyed later– that he let Suho do this when he has work in the morning, that he’ll have to wash it away before he’s ready.

Still. The fact that he did let Suho do this is heady, goes straight to Suho’s head, and even if Suho’s tired and still riding the high, it fills him with happiness, something altogether too bright for what they’ve just done.

Or maybe just bright enough, Suho thinks, tilting his head up to meet Sieun’s mouth for a kiss that’s slow and sweet.

“I love you, Suho-yah.” Sieun’s voice is low, tender and he sighs under Suho’s gentle ministrations, so completely at ease.

Suho smiles against his mouth, kisses him quick one, two, three times. “I love you too, baby.”

As they climb out of bed, Suho drapes himself over Sieun, kissing the back of his neck as he wraps his arms around him. One hand covers his stomach, while the other rests along his chest.

Sieun wiggles in his grip. “You’re like an octopus,” he complains, though Suho can hear the smile in his voice. “How do you expect me to walk like this?”

Suho laughs. “Carefully.”

The two of them take another shower, this one quick, and the rest of the evening is calm as Sieun gets ready for work in the morning. Suho cooks a light dinner, makes sure to have enough for Sieun to bring for lunch tomorrow.

And in the morning, Sieun’s the first to wake up as he gets ready for the day.

Suho’s snoring in his nest, doesn’t have to be in until later, and Sieun is in the bathroom when he reaches for their medicine cabinet to pull out their tube of scent neutralizing cream.

Their shower had been quick last night but even a few showers wouldn’t be enough to erase the scent he’s covered in. As he pours the cream into his hand and starts rubbing it over his stomach, a not inconsiderable part of Sieun is annoyed– though it verges on upset, having to cover his alpha’s scent when it soothes him so much, filling him with so much contentment.

He takes his time– because he usually does wake up with more than enough time to get ready for work, when he’s not oversleeping, Sieun thinks dryly– and rubbing the neutralizing lotion in to his stomach turns more into caressing it.

Sieun frowns a little at the noticeable softness, lost in thought– he really has been so hungry this week, realizing on Saturday that he’d been eating way more than usual lately. He probably gained a couple of pounds over the past week, his middle looking a little bloated.

His eyes flick up the mirror over the bathroom sink and Sieun pauses, taking in his reflection– he’s just in his underwear right now, hand over his stomach, resting low on his middle. And something about it makes Sieun still, breath catching at the view.

Oh, he thinks, suddenly dizzy.

His thoughts are racing as he finishes getting ready in a daze, eyes catching on where Suho sleeps, totally unaware of what he’s thinking just a few feet away.

And as he pulls on the cardigan that Suho scented for him today, Sieun feels giddiness light up his chest at the searing realization, the distant hope that doesn’t really seem so distant right now.

What a way to start the week, Sieun thinks, and leaves their apartment for work, more than a little preoccupied as sheer possibility rocks through him.

Chapter 6

The commute to work passes in a blur, Sieun’s mind going a mile a minute as he starts thinking about the past week, all the little details that didn’t add up now placed under a microscope to review and turn over, looking for a clue, for some type of confirmation to the thought that’s lighting up every neuron in his brain right now.

He arrives to work with a few minutes to spare. Turning the lights on in his office, Sieun places his bag next to his desk, sits in his chair and logs in on autopilot.

What if, he can’t help but think. Could I really be–

Sieun bites his lip, lost in thought and just staring at his inbox without taking in a single word.

The first hour passes in a daze. For a Monday, Sieun’s workload is light. He has a meeting just before lunch, promised one of the interns that he’d review their progress on a project beforehand.

For the entire morning, Sieun is distracted.

Distantly, he knows that the feedback he gives the intern is vague and probably extremely unhelpful, though she’s too nice to say so. He makes a note to revisit the conversation later, soon, when his head isn’t filled with dizzying possibility.

Sieun barely listens during the meeting with the other managers, just nodding along without paying attention. He can just ask Juntae for his notes later, anyway.

Speaking of, Sieun’s the last one to gather his things after the informal meeting.

Sieun closes his planner slowly, mind caught on this morning, on his reflection in the mirror, how he’d looked with a hand resting low on his abdomen, the picture so close to what it would be like if he was–

“Hyung?”

Sieun blinks, looking up at Juntae, startled.

“You okay?”

Juntae is studying him with a worried look in his eye. Sieun tries his best to smile reassuringly. If he’s being honest, it probably looks more like a grimace.

“I’m fine,” Sieun says, gathering his things. Now that he looks around, he sees that it’s just the two of them in the boardroom.

Juntae tilts his head and Sieun shifts, the feeling of being scrutinized right now making his cheeks flush, heat prickling up the back of his neck.

“Are you still sick,” Juntae asks, frowning. “I thought you’d feel better, being with Suho all weekend.”

Sieun’s thoughts scatter at Juntae’s disgruntled assumption. Suddenly, he’s looking at Friday in a whole new light– the way he’d felt so terrible all day, scent triggering it, how he’d even told Suho that he’d been the only thing to make it better.

Oh my God, Sieun thinks as everything crystallizes.

He has to be sure, though.

Without warning, Sieun’s standing up. Juntae startles, looking at him with even more concern but Sieun just stares at him, no clue what excuse to offer, just filled with the need to know.

“I need to– go home,” Sieun says, stilted and unsure. “I’ll let Director Min know if you could send the notes from just now? I’ll take a look at them tomorrow.”

Juntae’s tone is tentative but the light in his eye is knowing. “Of course, Sieun-ah. I hope everything’s alright.”

“Yeah,” Sieun assures him, nodding his head as he starts to leave the conference room. “Maybe I’m just still a little under the weather from Friday, you know.”

“I’m sure that’s it,” Juntae smiles, though his gaze is sharp, already drafting a text to update Baku and Gotak. Sieun’s too preoccupied to notice, though.

Sieun leaves the room, stopping by his supervisor’s corner office on the way to his own. Director Min is a good manager, fair if firm, and he just smiles at Sieun when he asks to go home early, perfectly understanding, waving him away with a get better soon and an implicit reminder that he has sick time accumulated for a reason.

It’s still technically morning when Sieun finds himself in a drugstore a couple of blocks from the office, staring at their selection of pregnancy tests.

And Sieun is so overwhelmed, looking at all the options while he’s running through the mounting evidence that just has to make the result an inevitability.

The fluorescent lights are bright, stark, and even though it’s the morning, it feels like there’s a spotlight over Sieun.

Last month was his first heat off birth control since his very first one all those years ago. He’s never needed a pregnancy test.

Sieun bites his lip in thought, eyes skimming over the selection. All the while, he’s thinking about everything that’s happened lately in a whole new light. His hunger, the way he’s been so exhausted for the past couple of weeks, sleeping in and going to bed way earlier than usual.

Once everything connects, it’s impossible to consider an alternative. Even if Sieun tries to caution himself against hope, he knows as he stands in the pregnancy test aisle that his hopes are in the stratosphere right now.

He ends up choosing three different tests in a haze of indecision, overwhelmed at the choice and wanting a variety.

Sieun pays at the register– avoiding the speculative eyes of the uni student ringing him up– and takes his bag with an absent nod in thanks.

Just a little while later, Sieun’s entering the code to their front door.

The bag had felt like it was burning a hole at his side during the entire trip home and he’s glad now to be away from the perceived prying eyes of strangers. His shoulders release some tension as he steps out of his shoes, the emptiness of their apartment a welcome reprieve.

Sieun glances at the clock in their living room, knows Suho’s just arrived to work, that he won’t be home until the evening.

Heading directly to their bathroom, Sieun washes his hands. He looks up into the mirror and his reflection, just a few hours later, arrests him all over again. Even he can see the light in his eyes– something bright and full of searing hope.

He doesn’t even take the time to change out of his work clothes, just grabbing all three tests out of the bag and setting them down on the counter. Reading the instructions for each carefully, Sieun rips the first box open and feels on edge in every possible way.

Sieun really didn’t think pregnancy was an option, so totally sure that he would simply know if he was pregnant after his heat. And as he takes all three tests, meticulously following their directions, his hands are shaking, the thrill of it all burning in his chest.

He sets a few timers– one test only needs three minutes, the others need a little longer.

Standing in the bathroom, arms crossed tight as he stares resolutely at the wall of the shower, those three minutes are the longest of Sieun’s life.

When the first timer goes off, Sieun takes a deep breath to brace himself. Adrenaline courses through him. Tears are already forming, anticipation setting his nerves alight.

Sieun reaches for the pregnancy test that’s ready, holding his breath as he turns it towards him. It feels like the entire world stops for the split second it takes to read the results.

The simple pregnant on the digital screen makes the tears spill over immediately, a bright smile breaking over Sieun’s face the instant he reads the single, unambiguous word.

“Fuck,” he whispers, covering his face with his hands as his shoulders start shaking, crying as joy bubbles up. “Oh my God.”

So overcome with pure happiness, Sieun barely hears the second timer go off. When he does, the two lines on the second test set off another round of happy tears. By the time he checks the third one, Sieun feels– incandescent. So totally excited.

He stares down at the three tests for a long while, just looking over the results over and over again, as though they’d change if his eyes left them for even a second.

His head is buzzing, thoughts quick but ephemeral– the excitement, the happiness totally eclipsing everything else. His heat was a little over a month ago and things had been so busy afterwards that Sieun hadn’t thought to wonder after the first week, had started reading about how most couples needed a few heats off birth control to conceive. Hell, he’d even told Suho–

And everything in Sieun stills at the thought of his mate.

Sieun’s sense of self awareness may have taken a blow today but if there’s one thing about pregnancy he knows, it’s that the alpha almost always realizes first.

As Sieun plays back the past several days, his own realization burns hot, breath catching as everything finally adds up and forms a crystal clear picture.

Suho, who’s been scenting him so much lately. The way Sieun had snapped at him about his nest– the fact that Sieun was nesting at all. All that talk about Suho pupping him, feeling so soft and clingier than he ever does outside of heat.

Sieun’s eyes narrow in thought, remembering how Suho had discouraged him from submitting heat leave. Then there was yesterday, the casual way Suho had told him that soon, they’d be just like the family at the park.

Exasperated and so fucking fond, Sieun realizes Suho had already known, his mate so totally sure that Sieun was already pregnant.

Damnit, he thinks. Suho’s never going to let him live this down. He was so dismissive, too, Sieun thinks with bemusement. Oh, Suho’s going to tease him mercilessly for this.

That’ll come later, though.

Right now, Sieun is just happy.

Standing in the bathroom, alone, Sieun knows he’ll always remember this moment– the joy and excitement, the nerves that can’t really find a place to settle right now, even if Sieun knows that’ll come later, too.

Sieun is on cloud nine as he changes into something more comfortable. He spends awhile resting in his nest– too buzzed to sleep, just sinking into the feeling of safety and comfort, Suho’s scent strong, as he turns over the realization. Laying on his back, he pulls his shirt up, exposing his middle.

Giddiness sweeps through him as he rests both hands over his abdomen, the knowledge that there’s a pup growing in there, making a home inside his body, causing fresh tears to well. It’s instant and overwhelming– he loves them so much already.

Sieun spends a lot of time just like that, reconciling the before and after. Even now, he makes a few promises to himself, to his pup. Wishes that he hopes desperately come true.

Eventually, hunger prods him. Sieun gets up for lunch, steps feather-light, head in the clouds. He eats something simple– Suho had made a stir fry yesterday and as he heats the leftovers, Sieun starts thinking about how he’s going to tell his mate.

It shouldn’t be a big deal– Sieun doesn’t have a doubt that Suho knows.

Still.

Sieun thinks about all the ways he could let Suho know that he’s aware now– the dramatic ones, the casual reveals. He finally decides to take it as it comes. The stakes are so low, after all. Something about that makes Sieun happy, too, that he knows Suho will be ecstatic– that his alpha already is, Sieun thinks as a smile curves the edge of his mouth.

Suho really had not been subtle at all last week. Sieun had just been too sure of himself to see it for what it was.

Deciding to be productive, Sieun spends the afternoon cleaning. He catches them up on laundry, puts the dishes away, vacuums and dusts the whole apartment. He spends extra time freshening up his nest, enjoying the soothing ritual of it. And it’s so early yet, but he can’t help it– Sieun’s head is filled with images of caring for his pup in his nest. Holding them, nursing, simply watching over them. His chest aches, a deep-seated craving stealing his breath now that it’s within his reach.

By the time early evening arrives, Sieun is pleasantly tired. He takes a shower, feeling oddly settled, perfectly at peace as he dresses in comfortable sweats. He steals one of Suho’s shirts, something worn and faded from their college days that fills Sieun with the fondest sense of nostalgia, sentiment sticky-sweet in his chest.

When Suho comes home a little while later, he’s pleasantly surprised to see dinner already waiting for him. Sieun is a terrible cook– can barely fry an egg– so Suho is confused, if grateful.

“What’s this,” he asks with a smile, walking into their home after leaving his shoes at the door.

He laughs a little to himself as he sees the takeout containers from a place close by, Sieun just starting to unbag everything.

Sieun looks up as soon as Suho comes into view and Suho lets out a little grunt of surprise as his mate immediately closes the distance between them, hugging him tight.

Surprise lingers, Suho squeezing Sieun close on autopilot.

“Sorry,” he murmurs into Sieun’s hair. “I need to take a shower.”

Suho’s been diligent since last week, since their argument– if they can even call it that– on showering as soon as he comes home, not wanting even a hint of another’s scent to bother Sieun.

“It’s okay,” Sieun replies back in a whisper. He leans up, kisses Suho’s mating scar, teasing out his scent. Suho sighs into it, holding him close.

Suho is content to stand at the edge of the kitchen forever, Sieun so warm in his arms. He smells good– happy, bright and fresh. After awhile, though, Sieun pulls back enough to look him in the eye.

“Go take a shower. Quick. I’ll set dinner up.”

“You got it, boss.” Suho sends a lazy salute, grins as Sieun rolls his eyes.

Their dinner is relaxed, though Sieun’s tight-lipped whenever Suho asks how work was, just offering vague details about a meeting he had early in the morning. Suho notices their apartment has been freshened up, thanks Sieun, doesn’t realize yet that Sieun wouldn’t have had time to do that had he arrived home from work at his usual time.

The two of them settle on the couch but Suho doesn’t get a chance to pick up the remote before Sieun is climbing into his lap and straddling him.

Suho’s hands go to his hips, slide down his thighs as he smiles up at him.

“Hey, baby,” he grins.

Sieun looks at him and there’s a soft look in his eye, a serious curve to his mouth as he studies Suho quietly. Today was so sunny and the light spills into their living room, etching everything in gold, Suho swears.

Suho lets him look his fill, sitting patiently.

Bringing a hand up, Sieun cups his face, thumb sweeping softly over his cheek. When Sieun leans in, Suho meets him for a kiss that’s slow and sweet.

“Suho-yah.” Sieun sighs against his mouth. “Alpha.”

His voice is a whisper as he adds, “I love you,” the words achingly soft as they land between them.

“I love you too, baby.” Suho’s smiling as he leans back in, kissing Sieun gently, all the care in the world in the touch.

Suho hums, deepening the kiss incrementally. His hands drift back up to Sieun’s hips, his hold strong and careful. Sieun smells so good, like everything Suho’s ever wanted– everything that he didn’t even know he needed.

Suho’s just getting caught up in the kiss, brain slowing all the way down, when Sieun breaks it. Suho is confused when Sieun buries his face in his neck, nuzzling into his scent gland with his arms around his shoulders, holding him close.

Sweeping a hand over Sieun’s back in long strokes, Suho holds him. He wonders at the pivot but is content to just have him in his arms, simply enjoying the closeness as Sieun presses into him. It’s like he’s trying to make them into one, his grip is so tight.

“Baby,” Suho murmurs. “You okay?”

And Suho thinks he knows the answer– Sieun’s scent is bright and warm, makes Suho’s alpha want to curl up and roll around in it, it smells so good, hooking so deep into his gut that Suho knows he could pick it up anywhere, so utterly addicted to it.

Sieun moves suddenly, pulling back to settle in his lap.

“Suho-yah,” Sieun starts and Suho would swear that he’s glowing as he bites down to tame a grin. “Have you noticed anything lately?”

Suho freezes, eyes widening as he meets Sieun’s.

Sieun doesn’t give him a chance to answer. Between one breath and the next, Suho watches, so totally captivated, as tears blur Sieun’s vision.

“Alpha,” Sieun says, voice so gentle. “I’m pregnant.”

Suho’s breath catches, pure emotion steamrolling him flat.

Suho watches as the first tear spills over and Sieun’s expression is so fucking bright as a laugh escapes. “I’m pregnant, Suho-yah.”

Suho doesn’t think before he’s crushing Sieun to him, laughing as tears burn his own eyes.

“Baby,” Suho says, voice hoarse with feeling. “Sieun-ah.”

He pulls back just enough to rest his forehead against Sieun’s, both of them shuddering at the awareness simmering between them now.

He kisses Sieun quick– one, two, three times, all over his face. Suho is so overwhelmed and he already knew but it’s something else entirely to know with Sieun, to revel in that knowledge together with his mate.

Pulling back enough to carefully wipe under Sieun’s eyes, Suho’s smile is delighted.

“You’re pregnant, baby.”

Sieun’s still smiling even as his expression turns teasing.

“You already knew, Suho-yah. It’s okay, you can tell me.”

Suho’s so excited that he can’t even act chastised. He just grins up at Sieun, unrepentant. “I didn’t want to burst your bubble, baby. You were so sure it was a ghost heat.”

Sieun groans, buries his face in Suho’s chest. “You’ve known since then?”

Slipping his hands under Sieun’s shirt, Suho lets his hands wander over miles of warm skin. “I’ve known since the day you started nesting.”

Suho listens fondly as Sieun grumbles, though he urges him up after a minute.

He cups Sieun’s face in his hands, pulls him in gently until their lips are almost touching. “I’m so happy, Sieun-ah.”

Sieun’s voice is a whisper as he replies, “Me too.”

The kiss is slow, gentle. Almost chaste.

Sieun sighs against his mouth, tilting his head to deepen the angle of the kiss and Suho loses himself in it– his mate, a warm weight in his lap, the knowledge that burns bright between them.

“Please, Suho-yah.”

“What do you want, pretty?” Suho’s voice is low as he kisses a line down Sieun’s neck, licking over his mating bite, a hand coming up to rest heavily along the other side, thumb sweeping gently just under his jaw. “Anything, Sieun-ah. I’ll give you anything.”

He feels Sieun’s breath catch, hips shifting restlessly as he closes his mouth over Sieun’s scent gland, giving it a lush suck just to get a burst of his scent on his tongue, dizzy over just how good it is.

“Love me,” Sieun says, too soft to be a demand.

“Always, baby.”

Suho’s moving in the next moment, hands under Sieun’s thighs as he stands from the couch. Sieun gasps, arms tight as they wrap around Suho’s neck. Sieun dives in for a kiss before Suho can even take a single step and Suho’s head feels like it’s in the clouds, feather light and about to blow away.

He makes it to their bedroom without issue– an impressive feat considering Sieun’s a wriggling menace in his arms.

When he finally lays Sieun in their nest, Suho pulls back just far enough to stare down at him. His gaze is so warm.

A hand slips under Sieun’s shirt to his hip, almost immediately drifting up to land flat against his middle. Suho looks down at him with a smile, expression bright. “What do you want, Sieun-ah?”

“Kiss me,” Sieun breathes, looking up at Suho dark eyes, lips parted on a breath.

His lips are red, bruised already, and Suho watches, mesmerized, as his tongue runs over his lower lip, feels the tease of it pool in his gut.

Suho kisses Sieun the next instant, pressing into him as he settles between his legs.

Sieun’s pliant, so open. Almost melting, he’s so warm under his touch.

They kiss for several minutes, an easy makeout session. Suho tongues over Sieun’s lip, closes gentle teeth over it just to hear the way his mate’s breath stutters. Teasing along the edge of his mouth, the first touch of Sieun’s tongue against his is molten, the simple pleasure striking deep.

Sieun’s hands ease into his hair, nails scratching carefully and Suho shudders over him. The kiss turns a little hotter, one of Suho’s hands squeezing Sieun’s thigh as he spreads his legs wider.

Suho swears his head is about to float away, so totally caught in Sieun– the feel of his mate under him, his scent, the smell of his slick teasing the air. The way Sieun’s breath is heavy, the noises falling from his mouth. It’s all enough to make Suho feel overwhelmed.

It’s only a moment later that Sieun’s moving, starts tugging Suho’s shirt up. Suho is impatient as he pulls away just far enough to pull it off, tossing it to the side without a thought.

Immediately, Sieun’s hands are wandering over his chest, down his sides, his stomach. Suho gasps against his mouth. His hips roll down, instinctive, and meet Sieun’s own.

It feels so good as Suho chases that friction and it should be a little ridiculous– the two of them necking like teenagers, climbing closer and closer to orgasm from a bit of grinding through their clothes but the pleasure burns hot, sparks scattering down his spine.

Their kisses turn messy, mouths spit-slick, the slide of their tongues obscene as Sieun moans, so loud, totally caught up in the feeling of Suho surrounding him.

His alpha smells so good– warm and deep, his scent billowing through their bedroom and turning Sieun’s head light, unable to think about anything that isn’t this, right here.

Suho pulls away to place a glancing kiss along his cheek, over the line of his jaw, down his neck to bite roughly over his scent gland and Sieun’s hips bow sharply as his head falls back, giving Suho unlimited access.

He buries a hand in Suho’s sweat-damp hair, keeping him close as his hips jerk up to meet Suho’s.

And it’s so good.

Sieun feels like he’s on fire, the curl of pleasure in his gut making him shiver.

Suho sucks harshly, groaning low in his throat. Sieun thinks about what he’ll see in the mirror later, in the morning– bruises blooming along his throat, dark and tender, and shivers, so utterly thrilled. He feels the trickle of spit trailing down to pool in the hollow of his collarbone and bites his lip to tamp down on the pleased noise that threatens so spill out.

When Suho pulls back, it’s to urge Sieun up just enough to pull his shirt off. As soon as he’s bare, Suho’s kissing down his chest.

He’s gentle at first, almost leisurely as he mouths over his sternum. His touch is sure, unerring, as he closes lips over Sieun’s nipple, though. He licks over it at first– a teasing kitten lick– before his touch firms up and he’s rubbing the flat of his tongue over it, slick and rough, feeling the way it beads under his ministrations.

“Fuck, Suho-yah,” Sieun gasps, arching into the touch. He’s still holding him so close, insistent. “Please.”

Suho’s voice is low, gravelled. “Please what, pretty?”

“Suck on it,” Sieun mumbles, a plea wrapped in a demand. A choked-off whimper escapes him as Suho does just that.

The pressure drives Sieun delirious. He feels slick pool at his entrance, dampening his underwear, leaking through to his pants. He’s so wet, sweat starting to form along the small of his back as pleasure sharpens.

Suho switches to the other nipple, bites down just hard enough to make Sieun’s toes curl against their sheets.

“So good,” he sighs, mouth open on a harsh breath. His hips can’t stay still, constantly shifting, only Suho’s weight keeping him in place.

By the time Suho starts mouthing down, kissing over his middle, Sieun’s a wreck. Shivers wrack him, core molten at his alpha’s touch. He feels so dirty already– cool air over his spit-slick chest making him tremble.

Suho nuzzles into Sieun’s stomach, skin soft and warm. He lays the gentlest kiss just above his navel. The tenderness of the touch makes Sieun’s breath catch, warmth cascading through him for a second instead of searing heat.

One hand in Suho’s hair, the other rubs over his shoulder, a soothing weight.

And Sieun’s head is light, thoughts narrow.

“You can scent it, right? That you’ve pupped me.”

Suho makes a low noise of ascent as he continues scenting him, almost in a haze.

“What does it smell like?”

Suho’s response is slow to come, almost like he’s travelling underwater. “Good,” he says after a minute, rough as a growl tempers the undertone. “Perfect, so sweet– but light, too.”

Sieun doesn’t get a chance to ask for more before Suho continues. “Like you belong to me.” He shakes his head a little, frown marring his brow. Sieun smooths it away as he corrects, “Like you’re mine– my responsibility, to look after.”

Sieun’s mouth curves in a fond smile as he scratches gently behind Suho’s ear. “You already feel like that, though.”

“Yeah,” Suho agrees, mindless as he noses into soft skin. “It’s different now, though. More.”

And Sieun already knows the answer but he still repeats, “But it’s good?”

Suho sighs. “So good, baby. Perfect. My alpha is two seconds from melting into a puddle at your feet.”

Sieun laughs softly.

“Get up here, Suho-yah.”

With a last kiss low on his middle, Suho moves until they’re sharing a breath again.

Sieun tilts his head up for a kiss that’s slow and soft. When he breaks away, it’s with a sigh.

“I want you in me, Suho-yah,” he mumbles against his mouth, hips arching like his words weren’t clear enough.

A quiet growl escapes Suho. His hands are already at the waistband of Sieun’s sweatpants when he says, “Yeah? Want alpha to fuck you, sweetheart?”

Smiling, Sieun’s gaze is warm. Suho feels stunned at just how beautiful his mate is.

“Yes,” Sieun says, simple. His eyes are so dark, lashes fluttering as Suho eases his clothes off until he’s bare under him.

The first touch of two fingers against his hole makes him sigh. They slip in so easily.

It doesn’t take Suho long to open him up, Sieun so ready and wanting. Just a few minutes later, the blunt press of his cock makes Sieun shudder.

Suho feels delirious at the first touch, just the tease of what’s to come enough to make him feel like he’s on fire. Sieun is so warm, dripping slick, and the feeling of getting his dick wet is unimaginably good, fever stoking high before he’s even in Sieun.

Sieun’s thighs squeeze Suho’s hips, keeping him close as he eases into him in one slow thrust.

Sieun’s breath catches. His head is swimming and it’s so trite but it feels like this is exactly where they should be, something settling in him at the feeling of his alpha so totally surrounding him.

Suho noses mindlessly along his cheek. “You feel so good, baby. You’re so good for alpha, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” Sieun agrees on a breath, hips tilting up to get him just a little deeper. One hand rests low along Suho’s back, urging him ever closer.

Suho pulls back slowly, just enough to thrust back in and Sieun moans low, his alpha knowing just how to move, fucking him so well, the angle perfect to set fireworks off behind his eyes.

It’s slow, almost agonizing as Sieun’s steeped in pleasure.

They try to kiss but it’s messy, uncoordinated. It turns more into panting into each other’s mouths and there’s something about it that makes the heat coil sharp.

A little mindless, pure instinct.

Sieun’s breathing hard, can’t quite catch his breath. He feels like he’s floating, distilled sensation lighting up every nerve– that delicious curl of warmth so addicting as Suho fucks him in his nest, their scents so completely intertwined that it makes his head spin, his omega so fucking content.

Suho kisses a spot behind his ear, hips sure, cock reaching deep every thrust.

Fuck, Suho thinks, mind bleary. Sieun’s so warm as he squeezes around his cock, ass plush against his hips. The sound of his slick spilling around him so mind-meltingly hot because it’s so obscene. Utter filth. Sieun’s scent is potent, spice so sharp that it stings Suho’s nose and he can’t get enough, chest heaving as keeps relentless pace– thinks that even if he drowned in his omega’s scent, it still wouldn’t be enough.

The only thought in his head is pleasing his omega, fucking Sieun boneless until he doesn’t know anything but Suho– his alpha, his mate, the father of his pup.

Sure it’s a little archaic. But it’s also true, the awareness striking Suho hard, singularly arousing. It makes him so hot, makes him feel like he’s burning up.

His tongue flicks out, runs along Sieun’s sweat dampened throat. The undertone of salt adds a delicious edge to Sieun’s scent as it bursts on his tongue. It’s so damn sweet and it hooks straight in Suho’s gut, makes his hips stutter.

Switching to a deep grind, Suho feels his knot start to swell.

Sieun does, too, nails digging into Suho’s back as a moan spills out. The hint of pain makes Suho gasp and he mouths along Sieun’s collarbone, biting harshly as he feels those same nails scratch down his back. Hard, sharp and unforgiving, so clear that Sieun’s not thinking at all, pure reaction driving him.

“Fuck, Sieun,” Suho slurs, hips jerking. “I’m going to come if you keep doing that.”

And Sieun’s voice is so smug, incongruous with the way he can’t catch his breath. “Then come,” he says, tone cocksure. “Come in me, Suho-yah. Maybe that’s what I want.”

Suho groans, fucking into Sieun a little harder as his hair falls into his eyes, half-formed knot catching each time, making his eyes roll back– the pressure of Sieun’s walls fluttering around him maddening– and it just pushes him higher. He thinks he’s actually drooling, completely gagging for it as Sieun’s hole squeezes him in a vise.

Temptation incarnate.

“Maybe I want my alpha’s knot.” Suho feels Sieun turn his head until he’s licking a trail of sweat from his neck.

Then, Sieun’s sucking a bruise over his mating scar, the dull graze of teeth making him shudder. Suho’s mouth falls open, letting all those delicious noises spill out– a grunt of effort as he rolls his hips into Sieun, little bitten-off groans as Sieun’s hips raise to meet his.

Sieun hums in satisfaction as his fingers press into flushed skin low on Suho’s back, drifting down to grab his alpha’s ass, urging him even deeper until Sieun swears he feels Suho in his throat. “Want my alpha to breed me.”

And Sieun’s voice is smug, so fucking thrilled as he says, “Oh wait. He already did that. My alpha fucked me so well, fucking a pup into me–”

A growl escapes Suho’s mouth and he swears his canines ache, the urge to bite Sieun threatening to swallow him whole.

“You’re so good for your omega, Suho-yah. Aren’t you?” Sieun’s voice is low, pleased. “Come for me, alpha. Let go, yeobo.”

Every thought stops as Suho’s knot pops, locking them together as he starts coming with a strangled groan. He digs his teeth into Sieun’s mating bite, restraint snapping.

The only thing he knows is Sieun, his mate, his neck with his pretty claiming scar.

The taste of blood is sharp, a dizzying tease. A dark thrill wracks down his spine at the feeling of Sieun going completely limp under him as he starts coming too, breath wrenched out of his lungs so that he can’t even make a sound, so completely undone.

Suho thinks he might actually black out for a second as his orgasm crashes over him, as he just keeps coming. He feels delirious, out of his fucking mind as he presses Sieun into mussed sheets, feeling the way come and slick gush around his cock, still so snug inside Sieun.

It’s several minutes before the two of them come down.

Suho’s worn out, knows that he’s probably too heavy for Sieun but he just can’t move right now.

For his part, Sieun seems perfectly content. There’s the faintest hint of a purr in the back of his throat, completely at ease under Suho.

He smooths gentle fingers through Suho’s sweat-damp hair, thumb slowly brushing over the nape of his neck.

Suho feels a kiss pressed to the top of his head where he lays against Sieun’s chest, still catching his breath.

Somehow, he finds the energy to mutter, “I’ll move in a minute.”

He hears a smile in Sieun’s voice. “It’s okay. I’m okay.”

Sieun, for his part, feels like he’s floating.

He should probably be disgusted by now. This is usually the point when the feeling of sheets sticking to him gets to be too much but Sieun feels like bottled sunshine is buzzing in his veins.

He feels light. So totally at ease.

With his alpha a grounding weight over him, resting against his chest, breathing still just heavy enough to feel. An almost imperceptible shiver ghosts along his skin at the feeling of Suho’s breath over sensitive skin.

His mind is slow, thoughts hazy, but one burns brighter than all the rest.

“Suho-yah,” he says, quiet and so fond.

His mate makes a low noise of acknowledgement as he rubs his cheek over Sieun’s chest absently, still coming back online.

Sieun bites back a smile. “We’re going to be parents.”

It takes a second but Sieun feels Suho shift until he can look up and meet his eyes.

And Suho’s eyes are so warm, his smile sleepy but absolutely genuine. “We are, baby.”

Sieun’s thumb sweeps high along Suho’s cheek, wondrous. Now he can blame hormones for the way tears blur his vision without a moment’s notice. “I’m so excited, Suho-yah.”

Suho’s expression melts.

He moves up slowly until he can kiss Sieun– his forehead, the tip of his nose, the corner of his mouth. “I am too, baby. We’re going to be the best parents ever.”

“You think so,” Sieun asks softly. Not doubting. Just hoping.

“Absolutely,” Suho breathes and the way he looks at Sieun is full of so much love that Sieun wants to shy away. He’s too enthralled, though, losing himself in the way Suho sees him.

“As long as we’re together, right? There’s nothing we can’t do, sweetheart.”

And, well.

That Sieun doesn’t have a doubt about.

“Yeah,” he agrees easily. And he’s smiling too bright to kiss Suho properly but that doesn’t stop either of them from doing it anyway.

It’s a little fumbling but so damn earnest. The joy bubbles up until they’re laughing, until Suho’s kissing all over Sieun’s face as he holds him close, arms strong around his middle and so secure.

When they settle down a few minutes later, they’re on their sides, Suho holding him close with an arm over his waist as they share a pillow.

Sieun noses into Suho’s scent, thigh resting over his hip.

“I love you, Suho-yah.” Sieun’s voice is drowsy, feeling so soft as he lays in his mate’s arms.

Suho’s hand sweeps from his shoulder down to the small of his back in one long stroke.

“I love you, too, Sieun. So much, baby. You don’t even know.”

Sieun’s smile is small, private. So utterly content.

Because he does know. Because the way he loves Suho is reflected back to him every day.

And that devotion, the stark adoration his alpha shows him echoes throughout every cell in his body.

Sieun doesn’t say anything, though. No, he just relaxes in Suho’s hold. He tells himself that he won’t fall asleep like this, that he can’t– but his blood is syrup sweet and he’s so tired, suddenly.

It’s okay, he tells himself, shifting even closer to his alpha’s warmth with a sigh.

Suho will take care of him.

That, Sieun also knows without a doubt.

Chapter 7

Summary:

Sieun is hot. In more ways than one.

When Suho comes home, Sieun’s napping on the couch.

This has turned into an ordinary occurrence. Sieun’s been napping frequently. He’s tired all the time, it seems, and Suho’s filled with aching tenderness at seeing his mate sleeping so soundly.

Today, though, fond bemusement spreads through Suho at the sight of Sieun.

His mate is is just in his underwear, shirt shoved up above his stomach and throw blanket kicked down towards his feet. A protective hand rests over his baby bump– noticeable now that he’s past the six month mark and into his third trimester.

Standing in the entryway, Suho’s lips twitch as he hears the hum of their air conditioner.

It’s the middle of January and Suho’s wearing a winter coat over his hoodie, having just arrived back from the grocery store. The wind outside is bitterly cold for Seoul, the weather forecast predicting a snowstorm by the weekend.

And here Sieun is, dressed like he’s in the tropics.

Suho shakes his head, bemused, as he toes off his shoes.

He takes a quick shower, changing into sweats afterwards. Thinking about what Sieun probably has the temperature set to, he throws a sweatshirt on over his usual t-shirt.

Padding quietly into the kitchen, Suho unpacks the groceries but the rustle of Sieun’s favorite potato chips must wake him because the next thing Suho knows, Sieun’s grumbling as he shuffles towards the kitchen. When he looks over his shoulder, Sieun still looks half-asleep, rubbing his eyes absently.

“What did you get?” Sieun’s voice is groggy, soft as he rounds the corner of the counter to stand right next to Suho, peering at the groceries laid out and waiting to be put away.

“I thought we’d have kimchi jjigae for dinner,” Suho replies easily, shuffling through their condiment drawer to slide the new bottle of chili oil to the back.

“Did you get–”

“Yes,” Suho cuts in, smiling knowingly as he leaves the few vegetables he needs for the stew out and goes to put everything else in their fridge. “I bought an obscene amount of those little cucumbers you like.”

Sieun’s voice is pleased. “Good.”

Sieun washes his hands and just a moment later, he’s reaching for one of the bags of cucumbers that Suho had just placed in the refrigerator. He dumps the whole bag into a bowl and rinses them, humming a little as he tips the bowl over to drain the water.

Huffing out a laugh, Suho folds their reusable bags as Sieun sits down at one of their kitchen stools and plucks one of the persian cucumbers out, biting into it with a decisive crunch.

“Refreshing, baby?”

Making a little noise of contentment, Sieun smiles at Suho.

“I swear I could eat like a hundred of these. Are you sure you don’t want any?”

Suho very diplomatically doesn’t point out that Sieun probably has had a hundred of the mini cucumbers in the past few weeks. His mate is obsessed with them, snacking on them constantly lately. Suho also doesn’t mention that the last time he tried to eat one, Sieun had snapped at him and yanked the container closer to himself with a little glare.

It was cute but Suho has no need to repeat the experience.

“I’m good,” Suho says dryly. “Just don’t spoil your appetite.”

“It’s a vegetable, Suho-yah. It’s mostly water, anyway.”

Suho just hums as he starts preparing dinner. He heats a pot on the stove, starts cutting the vegetables and tofu, slicing the pork belly. All the while, Sieun munches on his snack and keeps up a steady conversation.

Tossing the kimchi into the pot a little while later, Suho has a few minutes’ lull. He grabs a glass of water– one for Sieun, too– and turns back to watch his mate. His gaze is warm, amused, at the sight that greets him.

Sieun looks up, annoyance in his expression. He’s fanning his face and his cheeks are flushed. So adorable, Suho thinks with a small smile.

“God, it’s so hot in here,” Sieun complains. He runs a hand along the side of his stomach, the oversized t-shirt of Suho’s looking much less oversized lately, softly highlighting his bump. “How are you wearing so many clothes right now?”

“It’s the middle of winter, babe. Most people wear sweatpants this time of year.”

Sieun harrumphs, grumpy turn to his mouth. “Well, I’m not one of them. Can you turn the air down? It’s like a sauna in here with you cooking. I feel like I’m being boiled with the stew.”

Suho snickers and the dour turn of Sieun’s mouth intensifies. “Do you think this is funny, Suho? Your kid is probably going to be a furnace like you. They’re growing so much that I’m overheating.”

“Babe, that’s not a thing but I see your point.” Suho grins. “You want to sleep outside tonight? Snuggle up with a snowman?”

He glances at the stew, tossing the chopped vegetables into the pot along with some water and his seasoning mix. Nestling the tofu and pork belly in the bubbling broth, Suho closes the lid over it all to let it simmer a bit. In the next minute, he’s rounding the counter to wrap his arms around Sieun’s shoulders, pulling him close.

Nosing along his ear, Suho’s hand drifts down to Sieun’s baby bump. He’s popped within the past few weeks, going from looking adorably chubby but not necessarily pregnant to very obviously expecting.

“Do you think this is helping me cool down?” And Sieun’s voice is so dry that Suho’s laughing without thinking about it.

“But you’re so cute, baby. How can I resist cuddling you?”

Suho’s mouth ghosts over Sieun’s mating mark. For all of of his complaining, Sieun’s scent is sweet, mild. Perfectly content.

He tilts his head to give Suho more access, leaning back into his frame.

“I should’ve offered earlier,” Sieun murmurs. “Want help with dinner?”

Suho smiles, kissing Sieun’s full cheek. “All I want is for you to sit your pretty ass in this chair and relax, baby. Don’t worry about it.”

“You worked today, though.” And Suho has a single second’s warning before bitterness bleeds into Sieun’s scent.

A rush of fondness spreads through him, even before Sieun says, obviously teary, “You’re so good to me, Suho-yah. You worked all day and then went grocery shopping. And now you’re making us dinner.”

Sieun sniffles. “I haven’t done anything today besides answer some emails.” There’s a pause. “And online shop a little.”

Kissing his temple, Suho bites back a smile. He makes sure his voice is soft, cajoling. “You’re growing a pup, baby. That’s so much work already, isn’t it? It’s okay. Alpha appreciates the offer but he just wants you to relax. That’s all.”

Suho nibbles at Sieun’s ear just to hear the way Sieun’s breath stutters, a quick inhale. “Maybe– maybe I can thank you later, then.”

Sieun’s scent deepens, hint of spice in the undertone, and Suho knows his own scent echoes it.

“Yeah,” he breathes, against Sieun’s neck. “Want to show alpha your appreciation, sweetheart?”

Sieun has just enough time to mumble out a please before he’s shifting, lifting his head to meet Suho’s mouth in a kiss that’s searing from the start.

There’s no hesitation as Sieun licks into his mouth without any prompting. He’s urging Suho to turn his chair, all without trying to break the kiss, and Suho moves between his legs, fumbling just a little as he’s pulled down into Sieun’s space, crowding him against the counter.

The ache in his neck is a vague irritant, nothing compared to how hot Sieun is in his arms. He leans down even further until he can slide a hand over Sieun’s thigh, thumb brushing the edge of his underwear.

Suho’s caught up in it, as he always is when Sieun gets into one of his moods. His mate seems to be experiencing highs and lows at a mercurial rate and Suho’s learned over the past few months how to navigate them– a lot of which simply involves keeping his usual steady keel while Sieun works himself up over nothing.

They kiss for a few minutes, Suho shifting until one hand is braced behind Sieun on the counter. The other hand goes up to cup Sieun’s face, cradling his jaw as he deepens the angle of the kiss.

Suho pulls back eventually– string of saliva breaking between them– and lands a last quick kiss to Sieun’s mouth as his mate makes a noise of protest at the distance.

“Don’t want dinner to burn, babe. Let’s pick this up after, okay?” He sends a roguish wink Sieun’s way as he steps over to the stove to check on the soup’s progress. And while he’s not obvious about it, Suho’s heady is buzzing as he checks on dinner.

Tongue swiping across his lower lip, Suho suppresses a shiver as he sprinkles scallions over the top of the pot. Sieun’s so easily distracting these days– even more so than usual– and Suho is well aware of the fact that he can barely keep his hands off his mate lately.

But, dinner.

The act of making dinner fills Suho with all sorts of feelings. There’s an alpha’s pride in preparing food for his pregnant omega. There’s the simple pleasure of watching Sieun eat well, enjoy something made with his own hands– the cute noise he makes when he really likes something, the easy way Suho can demonstrate an ounce of his love and care for the man in front of him. Cooking soothes a part of Suho that can get a little restless, at any rate.

So, Suho thinks with a smile that’s equal parts endeared and wry, it’s really a nonissue that Sieun doesn’t help with dinner. Suho laughs a little to himself at the private acknowledgement that Sieun’s kind of a terrible cook anyway, only ever helping dice vegetables or stir when absolutely necessary.

It’s sweet of his baby to worry though, Suho knows. Even if that worry is a little ridiculous, misguided, it fills him with warmth knowing that Sieun cares so much– that he worries about such things even when there’s really no need to.

Across the kitchen, Sieun’s cheeks are flushed for a whole new reason now as he watches Suho finish preparing dinner, gaze flitting between his alpha’s hands– so strong and capable– up to his broad shoulders, the intense look on Suho’s face as he concentrates on last minute seasoning.

It’s undeniably attractive, even if Sieun wants to roll his eyes at just how predictable he’s being. But it’s true. Having an alpha who so easily provides is more than enough to get him a little hot under the collar. Everything Suho does turns him on, Sieun so sensitive and wanting these days.

Suho looks up as he washes his hands at the sink, gaze dark but expression amused as the bare hint of slick in the air. “You good, Sieun-ah?”

Sieun glowers, shyness scalding the back of his neck, as he stands from the chair before he ruins it.

The edge of his tone is flustered, full of bluster. Annoyance curls around the syllables.“I’d be better if you fucked me but I guess kimchi jjigae is more important than your mate.”

His voice is absolutely not whiny.

And Sieun knows he’s baiting Suho but it’s just so rewarding seeing the way his alpha’s expression turns molten. A shiver of anticipation climbs up his spine at the way Suho’s eyes don’t leave his own as he reaches out to flick the stove off.

“You want me to fuck you, baby?” Suho’s voice is low, a little rough as he walks over to him.

Sieun feels a little like prey, what with the way Suho’s prowling towards him until he’s cornering him against the kitchen wall. He knows his scent is pure delight and not a little smug. Suho brings his arms up, caging Sieun in and his alpha’s scent is so intense that Sieun’s mouth waters.

“Your choice, Sieun-ah.” Suho places a soft kiss to the shell of his ear. “Bed or I bend you over the dining table right fucking now.”

Lashes fluttering, Sieun feels slick pooling in his underwear.

“Bed,” he breathes and doesn’t get a chance to say anything else before Suho’s leaning down to kiss him senseless.

Sieun’s arms wrap around his shoulders, holding him close.

Suho eases against him, careful even now– always– not to put undue pressure on his bump. Suho’s hands drift down, grabbing Sieun’s ass, squeezing plush flesh and they both moan.

Guiding them slowly down the hall, it’s a few minutes later that Sieun finds himself on all fours, stripped of his clothing and ass up, presenting himself, a pillow wedged under his bump. He bites his lip at the first press of fingers against his slick hole, almost immediately settling down to his elbows.

“Let me hear you, pretty.” Suho’s voice is low as he kisses over the small of Sieun’s back, opening him up on his fingers so slowly that Sieun feels impatience simmer in his blood.

A gasp escapes Sieun, adjusting his knees until his legs are spread a little wider, stance more comfortable. He feels a smile pressed against his ass.

It’s just a few minutes later that Suho’s dragging his fingers out of Sieun. He hushes him quietly, though Sieun only quiets when he feels the blunt head of Suho’s cock against him.

“This is what you wanted, sweetheart? You just needed alpha’s cock?”

Nodding, Sieun rests his forehead against his crossed arms. He sighs as Suho eases in, warmth spilling through him.

Suho feels so good, makes Sieun feel so full and spent.

Heat crawls through him as his mate bottoms out in one thrust, strong hands on Sieun’s hips keeping him steady.

When Suho starts to pull back, Sieun mumbles something that Suho can’t make out over their labored breathing.

“What was that, sweetheart? I didn’t hear you, baby.”

Sieun raises up just enough for his voice to be clear. “Slow. Go slow.”

Sieun’s voice is bratty. It’s half plea, half demand. “Want to feel you,” he says on a breath, arch of his back sharpening as Suho follows orders.

And Suho’s core is already steeped in pleasure at the feel of Sieun clenching around him, Sieun’s scent drowning his senses until all he knows is his mate under him. His mouth is already hanging open, lightheaded at the way Sieun’s so warm around him.

“Whatever you want,” he says easily, squeezing Sieun’s hips as he gives him a moment to adjust. “Alpha’s just here to please you, baby.”

Sieun moans as Suho starts fucking him, so slowly. He pulls out, inch by inch, just to roll his hips back into Sieun at a glacial pace. His cock makes a filthy little sound every thrust, Sieun’s slicking up so fucking easily during his pregnancy.

His slick glistens as it leaks down his thighs, turning Suho’s hips sticky.

The pleasure stokes higher– lapping waves of pure lust rocking through Suho– until it feels like every nerve is on fire. Suho keeps a strong grip on Sieun and the view of his mate under him makes him dizzy, eyes dark and hungry as his gaze roves over miles of bare skin.

Sieun’s gained weight during his pregnancy and his ass is a dream, so soft and plush where it meets the sharpness of Suho’s hipbones every time he fucks into his omega’s tight heat. He’s filled out over the past few months, always seems hungry these days, and the weight looks good on him.

Suho’s eyes catch on the supple curves of his back, the hint of a few rolls just starting to form, and it lights up his brain, the knowledge that Sieun’s taking such good care of their pup, giving them such a warm home.

He drapes himself over Sieun, bracing an arm next to Sieun’s head as he kisses the back of his neck.

“You feel good, baby?” He grins, a wicked bare of teeth. “Is alpha pleasing you, Sieun-ah?”

Sieun’s mouth is open, little whimpers escaping every thrust. He squeezes around Suho, walls massaging his cock, and Suho growls– just a little, dazed and drowning in Sieun’s scent.

Sieun makes some noise of ascent and Suho can tell that he’s close by the way he’s trembling against him.

Kissing over Sieun’s shoulder, Suho reaches around with his free hand and rubs the tips of two fingers over a nipple.

“Fuck,” Sieun bites out, gasping hard he chokes on it. Suho literally feels slick gush around his cock, Sieun’s so fucking wet. “Please, Suho-yah.”

“Please what?” Suho’s voice is knowing, though. He feels the bud perk under his hand and cups Sieun’s swollen breast, flesh firm and full.

“You– you know I’m sensitive,” he mewls and Suho grinds into his messy cunt.

Suho squeezes gently and Sieun whimpers, a little fucked-out sound that goes straight to Suho’s head.

“Is it too much, sweetheart?”

Suho teases his nipple, feeling the way Sieun shakes under him, ass arching up to swallow his cock.

Sieun’s voice is guttural, so deliciously whiny. “Yeah,” he breathes. “Don’t you dare stop.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, baby.”

Nothing gets Sieun to come faster these days than having his nipples played with. They’re tender, sore, and the Sieun can’t get enough of having Suho’s touch– the dizzying mix of pleasure and pain an addicting combination.

Suho feels Sieun clench around him just a moment later, milking his cock as he comes with a sharp whine, and his own orgasm follows soon after.

His knot keeps them close together and he carefully shifts them until they’re laying on their sides, Suho spooning him.

Sieun’s making these cute little noises. Almost purring, he sounds so content.

Nosing along his hair, Suho’s hand sweeps down his side. “You comfortable, sweetheart?”

Sieun hums a little. “Yeah. You did good.”

Biting back a laugh, Suho closes gentle teeth over Sieun’s shoulder. “Thank you, Sieun-ah. Don’t forget to leave a five star review.”

He swears he can hear Sieun rolling his eyes.

“You’re lucky I love you. Otherwise, you’d be insufferable.”

Suho finds it hard to let the words get to him, considering Sieun smells so fucking sated right now hanging off his knot.

“Of course, you love me so much right now.” His voice is a murmur, smile evident. His hand drifts down to lay against Sieun’s stomach. Sieun sighs against him, warm and relaxed in his arms. “It has nothing to do with the fact that I just fucked your brains out, baby.”

He hears Sieun huff out a breath but Suho doesn’t tease too much, doesn’t want to invite teary reassurances on the heels of a mind-blowing orgasm.

The two of them are quiet for a few minutes before Suho’s easing up on an elbow.

“You’re so gorgeous, Sieun-ah.” Suho’s voice is hushed, already turning heated again as he scans down his mate’s body. “I really am so lucky.”

From his vantage point, Suho can see the tips of Sieun’s ears turn red, echoing his blushing cheeks. “Shut up, Suho.”

And Suho can’t help it. He smiles, quick and bright, leaning over to nibble at his warm cheek. “It’s true, though. You’re so hot, baby.”

“I can’t even fit into my clothes anymore, Suho-yah. Yours are getting annoyingly snug these days, too.” Sieun pouts, looking disgruntled about it.

“You don’t get it,” Suho breathes, thumb sweeping over the side of Sieun’s bump. “I love seeing you like this, Sieun-ah. Eating regularly, taking care of yourself– you’re glowing, baby.”

He kisses Sieun’s mating scar. “So round and cute. You have no idea what it does to me, seeing you love our pup so well.”

Sieun’s voice is wry as he replies, “Tell that to me when the pup is six months old and I haven’t lost all the weight yet.”

“You act like I’ll care.” Suho’s voice is easy, matter of fact. “I love you any way you come, baby. I don’t give a fuck if you lose any of the weight. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”

Sieun doesn’t have a quick comeback for that one and Suho hides a smile against his shoulder.

His knot goes down enough to pull out and Sieun eases onto his back, leaning on his hand for a second as Suho helps him shove a pillow behind him.

He looks up at Suho with dark, shining eyes. “You think you’re so smooth, don’t you?”

Crawling between Sieun’s legs, Suho kisses up his bump, eyes closing as gentle fingers brush through his hair. “I think I’m right.”

It’s quiet for a few moments, the two of them simply enjoying their proximity.

Finally, Sieun sighs. “I need to go clean up.”

Suho leans back. “I should, too.” He grins at Sieun. “Shower together?”

Sieun’s eyes narrow. “As long as you keep your hands to yourself.”

And Suho’s smile is so knowing. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?”

“You made dinner, Suho-yah. We should eat before it gets cold and gross.”

Making a noise of understanding, Sieun climbs out of bed. He helps Sieun out, draping himself over his back as they walk towards their bathroom. “You’re right, baby. We’ll make it quick.”

Suho still manages to wring another orgasm out of Sieun as steam rolls through the bathroom but by the time they’re eating a little while later, the soup is still piping hot.

Conversation is easy, Suho listening as Sieun talks about the latest drama at the office– Juntae had scheduled a Zoom meeting just to catch him up, since Sieun’s working from home half the week now.

Suho, for his part, shares an update on Baku’s latest idea to plan an MMA camp for teens in the summer.

They spend a little while talking about what Sieun purchased today and when they have time to go out shopping together, browse a few specialty stores just because they can.

It’s a perfectly ordinary evening and as Sieun cleans up afterwards– pushing Suho away with a pointed look when he tries to take over– Suho leans back in his chair and watches with a fond look as his mate works around the kitchen.

He looks outside and sees snowflakes falling. Pretty as a picture.

Inside, he watches as Sieun places the leftovers into tupperware containers. He’s wearing a t-shirt and loose shorts, the thickness of his thighs on display and catching Suho’s attention. An even prettier picture.

“Suho-yah.”

Suho looks up to see Sieun looking at him, unimpressed.

He makes a questioning noise just for Sieun to nod towards their thermostat. “I thought I asked you to turn the air down.”

Suho blinks. “You’re still hot?”

With a little pout, Sieun sets the leftovers in the fridge before making his way over to the thermostat. Suho briefly wonders if he should go put socks on.

“Dinner was spicy,” Sieun says absently as he adjusts the air.

When he turns back to Suho, it’s with a pleased little smile.

“There. Now we can cuddle without me feeling like I’m going to sweat to death.”

Suho laughs softly as his mate heads towards the couch, tuning into a channel that shows a variety show they’re both into these days. When Suho sits next to him, he grabs the blanket from the back of the couch and very carefully makes sure that none of it covers Sieun.

Even as he throws an arm over Sieun’s shoulders, pulling him close, Sieun is perfectly comfortable in his t-shirt and shorts.

Suho is a little amused and way too endeared as Sieun leans into his side, head on Suho’s shoulder as his hands coming up to automatically rest on his bump as he gets comfortable.

The rest of the evening passes quietly, Sieun going to bed a couple of hours before Suho. Suho spends some of the time alone messing around on his phone, watching an episode of a comedy that Sieun can’t stand.

The last thing he does before joining Sieun in bed, though, is preparing for his mate’s day tomorrow. Sieun’s going into the office tomorrow and Suho packs him lunch– most of it leftovers but he includes an entire little container of sliced cucumbers and a couple of apples to go along with it.

Turning all the lights off and checking the front door, Suho makes his way to their bedroom. He plucks a cardigan out of Sieun’s side of the closet and spends a few minutes scenting it, takes it back out into the living room where Sieun keeps his work bag.

Suho gets ready for bed and slides into cool sheets, immediately turning to wrap Sieun in his arms.

And it isn’t the first time it’s happened but it still makes Suho so damned giddy, pure excitement lighting up every cell in his body– a rush of pure adoration– when he feels a gentle kick against his hand.

“They’re going to be just like you, you know.”

Sieun’s voice is soft, sleepy. His hand covers Suho’s and together they feel their pup moving.

“What do you mean,” Suho asks, voice almost a whisper as he concentrates on the overwhelming sensation of their pup moving around.

Sieun’s voice is mostly asleep, a yawn breaking the sentence halfway through as he mumbles, “Energetic.”

Suho laughs, soft, loathe to break the spell they’re under– late at night, under the covers. Everything seems almost too perfect right now.

“You don’t have any problem keeping up with me, Sieun-ah.” Suho’s voice is warm, teasing. “Besides, they might be a little bookworm like you. I’ll have to drag them outside every day, make sure they see the sun.”

He feels more than hears Sieun laugh, an amused exhalation. “Not with how active they are. They only settle down when you’re near.”

Suho shifts closer, smiles as he noses into Sieun’s shoulder. “That’s just more evidence that they’ll be like you.”

And Sieun’s voice is low, too knowing for his own good. “I don’t think so,” Sieun says quietly, adjusting the pillow under his bump a little before relaxing again with a small sigh.

“Our first one is definitely going to be your mini me.”

Suho doesn’t say anything to that, both of them knowing that they’ll love their pup whatever their personality.

There’s an undeniable appeal to the picture– a pup running circles around Sieun. Suho, though, has to admit that he’s far more enamoured with the idea of a studious pup with wide, serious eyes and a penchant for trouble.

Suho likes the idea of something that’s a little bit both of them most of all, though.

He feels Sieun fall asleep a few minutes later– the pup calming down enough to let him rest. Suho stays awake just a little longer, committing this moment to memory– Sieun warm and at ease, their pup safe and happily growing.

Tomorrow promises to be as busy as ever– Suho figures Sieun’s due for an actual crying jag tomorrow and Youngyi is on vacation, meaning that he’s pulling a couple of extra shifts this week to cover.

The days go by so quickly but Suho enjoys each one, can’t wait to add a kid into the mix. The chaos promises to keep him on his toes, if nothing else.

With the sound of Sieun breathing– a little heavier now that he’s in his third trimester but still so slow and steady– Suho falls asleep. Deep and dreamless.

Notes:

Hope you enjoyed this little bonus scene <3 And while I can't make promises, feel free to mention in the comments if there's something specific you'd like to see in this AU!

I'm on twitter @sugassi_hobi and tumblr @carmenlire <3