The Start of Forever

by slc_18

Summary:

The story of Seungcheol and Jeonghan and how they came to be pack leaders.

Notes:

Hope you enjoy!!

Chapter 1

"Bye eomma, I'll see you later!" Seungcheol picks his bag up from the floor by the front foor, running out just in time to meet up with Junhui, his neighbor and best friend, so they can walk to school together.

“Choi Seungcheol, I swear if you aren’t here in the next minute I will leave you and you can walk by yourself. I put so much work into making us breakfast this morning and you haven’t even shown up on ti-” Turning his phone off, and ultimately cutting off Jun’s voice note, he turns the corner and nearly runs into someone.

“Woah, sorry, sorry.” He mumbles trying to sidestep past the person.

Before he can move though the person steps the same way, and then again, finally looking up from the ground Seungcheol makes eye contact with one of his favourite people. “Jeonghannie, sorry, I didn’t realise it was you!”

“Same here,” Jeonghan is looking at Seungcheol…weirdly. “You smell different.” Jeonghan has always been blunt and straight-forward, preferring to be honest than lie just to make someone feel better. Also with his strangely strong sense of smell it was inevitable that he would notice a change in his high school friend’s scent.

“Oh, uh, yea. Sorry?” Seungcheol smiles sheepishly, Jeonghan has always been sensitive to smells, and ever since Seungcheol’s started to change just ever so slightly 2 weeks ago, he has been worried about how he would react.

“It’s nice, different, but nice, smells strong,” Seungcheol gets a panicked look on his face thinking he should’ve put scent patches on if the smell was that strong already. Usually it took a while, up until actually presenting, for a scent to really become prominent. “No, no, not like that, like powerful, alpha-y I guess. But also soft, smells like cherries.”

A sigh of relief, Jeonghan is one of the most important people in his life, part of his small little friend group, if he didn't like his new scent…Seungcheol doesn’t know what he would do, having your friends be comfortable with your scent was so important. It meant you could really be yourself with them, could freely express your emotions with your scent.

“I was really worried you wouldn’t like it, when Hao wore that perfume that one time you were so annoyed.” A pout is on his lips, as it usually is when he’s around Jeonghan, the boy just always falls for it, comforting him straight away, all it takes is a pout and some shiny eyes with just-about-to-fall-tears and Seungcheol ends up in the arms of his best friend.

“Noo, don’t worry it’s nice, I promise. Plus that perfume was horrible.” And if Seungcheol has a huge grin plastered on his face once Jeonghan pulls him into a hug, Seungcheol trying to move as close to his neck as possible to even get a hint of something from the boy. This move is getting more and more difficult with their changing height, Seungcheol growing taller while it seems Jeonghan stays the same.

“I like it Cheollie, but we should go now. I was just coming to get you, Junnie and Hao are waiting. Oh Junnie made us muffins, they are sooo good, you’re gonna love them.” And just like that the two boys are off, going back the way Jeonghan came to meet up with the other two members of the group.

Chapter 2

“Let me see your schedule Cheollie.” It’s Jeonghan at his shoulder, trying to look over it. Handing over the paper Jeonghan scans it, they picked some different things this year, finally getting to pick the things they really wanted to focus on. Seungcheol, Minghao and Jun all picked a form of performing arts. Jeonghan picked as many different sciences as he could to avoid doing anything with essays.

“If we’re quick we might make it to our usual table before the tenth graders get it.”Jun has his arm around Minghao, as is usual for the two, he’s guiding the boy around the crowd whilst the younger keeps his face buried in his latest book sent over from his parents in China.

“Ugh, I can’t wait for next year, seniors don’t have to worry about fighting it out just for a seat.” Jeonghan huffs, passing back Seungcheol’s schedule after taking a picture of it.

“But that also means only one more year of seeing my cute face everyday.” Seungchel adds as they continue to follow the other two.

“What makes you say that, I will be taking you to university with me, I will lock you in my dorm room if I have to.” Jeonghan threatens teasingly, eyes narrowing. He leans closer to Seungcheol as they squeeze through a gap, his face practically buried in the taller boy. “Can I have this sweater Cheollie?” And who is Seungcheol to say no to that face.

“Mhm, sure, just wait till we sit down.” It’s not a surprising request. Over the last year, when all four moved to high school and became close friends, Jeonghan has asked for a piece of Seungcheol’s clothing probably once a week. Although he doesn’t get many bits back, his wardrobe looking quite empty every now and then leading to a group shopping trip in which Jeonghan does most of the choosing, he never says no to him, not when he has those eyes staring at him, piercing his soul.

“No, I’ll get it later, you should wear it all day, so you don’t get cold.” And if the real reason he wants Seungcheol to keep wearing it is because it means there will be as much of his new scent on it as possible, well that’s for Jeonghan to know.

~~~~

“I mean really, it’s the first day back and we already have homework.” He and Jun are in class together. Orchestra, not Jun’s top pick but he can’t just do dance all year, unfortunately he did need to pick other subjects. “How am I supposed to learn this? Why did I pick the violin? I'm so bad at it.” They are packing away their instruments, both playing violin. “I should just drop out, I’ll dance on the streets for money.” Jun sighs dramatically, flopping back in his chair after zipping up his violin case.

“You’re gonna pay for all Hao’s books just by dancing on the street.” It’s a well-known, not-so-secret between the two about Jun’s feelings for Minghao, the two live together, spend almost every moment together, it was inevitable that one of them would start to feel something.

“Don’t be so loud.” Jun hisses, scanning around the room for listening ears. “And I have money saved up for that.” He says proudly, sitting up straighter. It would be no surprise if Jun ended up being an alpha, his protectiveness and devotion to Minghao being all the proof needed. “Anyway, you’re gonna need more money than me, looking after Jeongahannie and all his demands.” This time it was Seungcheol telling him to be quiet.

“I dont…I don’t like him like that, …we’re friends. He’s my best friend.”

“Keep telling yourself that Choi Seunghcheol.”

“Stop using my full name!”

Safe to say, both are completely and utterly in denial about their feelings for those two boys.

Chapter 3

“Cheollie,” He is batting his eyelashes, this can only mean trouble. “Can I come over to your house? Please?” If they were a couple Seungcheol would definitely be called a simp, not that Jun doesn’t already do that. “My house is just so distracting with my little sister and her friends.” Seungcheol needs to learn to say no, but maybe that can start tomorrow.

“Yea, sure, you know you don’t even need to ask anymore.” With a small squeal (that absolutely no one heard, definitely, because Jeonghan does not squeal) Jeonghan grabs his arm forcing the pair to walk quicker, leaving Jun and Hao behind, not that they notice, too busy chatting with each other in Mandarin.

“I feel bad for your mum though, I should buy her a gift, I’m always at your house.” Although they have once again managed their way through the crowd that are all exiting the school and no one is near them anymore, Jeonghan stays close, his hands and body basically cuddling Seungcheol’s arm as they walk.

“She would like that, but don’t feel like you have to, eomma loves you.” It’s true, ever since this time last year, when the four boys discovered that Seungcheol, who had recently moved to Seoul, lived in the same neighborhood as them all, in that first week of school the group had visited each home, staying as late as they could, laughing, playing games, unfortunately doing homework as well, and just getting to know each other.

Jun and Minghao already knew each other, and Jeonghan too, all having gone to the same school previously, however in middle school they never really talked. Having different friends and being in different classes they never really crossed paths all that much. However after spending all of last year in all the same classes together, all four have bonded.

~~~~

“Seungcheol-ah come here, you head upstairs Jeonghannie yeah? He won’t be a minute.” Jeonghan was greeted with a hug, as always, it was nice being close to that comforting, motherly omega scent. His own family loved each other, of course, but his parents worked a lot, his own mum was a nurse who had been working night shifts recently, and his dad a doctor, so time together was a luxury that didn’t come around often. And his sister was such a social butterfly, having different friends over at their home everyday. He loved it for her, wanted her to be happy, but he very much liked just keeping his few, close friends.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes baby, don’t worry too much. It’s just…with your new scent and your presentation probably coming up soon, I want you to keep your door open from now on okay? Just until you settle, your emotions can be heightened, especially in your own room, it’s your space and your new alpha might be a little…weird about having different people in it. I just don’t want anything to happen to Jeonghan-shi.”

“What? Eomma, we’re friends. I wouldn’t do anything to him. What do you mea-” His mother quickly cuts him off, pushing a bowl of cut up fruits into his hands.

“Don’t worry about that. Just go upstairs, I refilled the jug in your room so there is fresh water and glasses up there. Take the fruit. Run along now, go do your homework, it’s never too early in the year to start studying too.” He is pushed out of the kitchen, slightly confused, and ushered towards the stairs.

~~~~

“Woah…” It’s an involuntary response. Jeonghan could smell Seungcheol all day, of course he could, he’s always had a really sensitive nose. But being in his bedroom…it really hits Jeonghan in the face just how much he likes this new alpha scent.

Stepping in like he’s been here a thousand times, because really he probably has, he sets his bag down, finally getting the weight off his back is so relieving, he slowly walks over to Seungcheol's bed, sitting down next to the mattress on the ground.

It had been something that Jeonghan had brought up as soon as he walked in the room for the first time.

~~~~

“Your bed is kinda like an omega’s. Looks like a nest.” Seungcheol, in the four days he has known Jeonghan still hasn’t gotten used to how blunt the boy is.

“Oh, um, I just like it like this, it’s cosy.” Looking at the blankets and pillows on his bed, which is a mattress on the floor because ‘eomma I like it better like this’, he realises it does look a bit like a nest.

“Ah, I didn’t mean it in a bad way, it’s nice, looks really comfy, I would love to have this many blankets. I didn’t mean to be rude, I just always say what comes to mind, mum says I have no filter.” A sheepish look crosses his face and he turns away from the bed.

It took only a few days more for Seungcheol to get used to it, always hearing the truth from Jeonghan, he liked that about him, liked people to just be upfront about their feelings.

~~~~

But now was different. The bed really looked and smelt like a nest now, there’s even a few clothing items tucked away in it, definitely a change from the usual. Jeonghan just wants to crawl in it, but he decides against it, even though he usually would, this feels different.

“Why’re you on the floor?” It's a reasonable question since normally Jeonghan would go wash up a little and flop straight into the bed, pretending to work from there but really he would be taking a quick power nap.

“Well…well, it’s your bed y’know. Didn’t want to intrude.” Jeonghan mumbles the words into his chest, avoiding eye contact with Cheol.

“You’ve never done this before.” And it’s true. Seungcheol has even offered him his desk many times but always Jeonghan does his homework from the bed.

“It’s your bed though, and I always just go in it without permission, and…and…”

“And what, Jeonghannie it’s all the same.”

“But it’s not Cheollie, you’re gonna be an alpha. And it smells like alpha in here, and on your bed, I don’t have much of a scent yet, just a pups smell, but I didn’t want to disturb your stuff.” It seems Jeonghan is much, much more worried about the changes than Seungcheol, for Seungcheol not much has changed, he can smell and hear a little better, although he does still need his contacts to be able to see clearly, but that’s it. He hadn’t put much thought into how others would feel, unless it was about if he smelled good or not.

“Oh.” It is the only thing he can think of as Jeonghan stares at him in frustration? disbelief? annoyance? Seungcheol really isn’t sure.

“Oh? That’s it cheollie, do you ever listen in class? They've been telling us about what happens when people present all year?” Truthfully he doesn’t ever pay attention in that class, it was the only one last year where he and Jeonghan sat next to each other, they whispered and passed notes and didn’t do much work all year. At least that’s what Seungcheol thought.

“Ugh. I can’t believe you’re already turning into an insufferable alpha.” He says it in a joking tone but it hits Seungcheol hard. Has he been rude? Should he have put the scent patches on this morning? He didn’t want to be one of those alphas who went around pushing their scent on everyone, stinking up the place. But it’s only been two weeks, he wouldn’t have that strong of a scent yet. But they are in his bedroom, so it probably is the strongest in here. He should’ve thought of that. Should’ve told Jeonghan to go to the living room or dining room so they could work. He didn’t think about how it would make Jeonghan feel to be here. It’s just so natural for the two to go here.

“I’m sorry. We can go downstairs, here I’ll take your bag and we can go.”

“What? No. I want to stay. Unless you want me to leave. I was joking with you Cheollie. I didn’t mean for it to come across that way.” Now Jeonghan’s thoughts are going non-stop. Every possibility about how he should’ve done this differently.

“Boys! Is everything okay?” It’s Cheol’s mum. He immediately slaps a hand over his neck, remembering that she can probably smell the changes in his scent now.

“Yea! All good.” He quickly pushes his door shut behind him, doing exactly what he was told not to do.

“Jeonghannie, Hannie, HanHan-”

“Ew. Do not call me HanHan.”

“What’s different? I don’t want you to treat me differently. We were the same all day, nothing changed, why now?” Cheol joins him on the ground sitting in front of him after setting the bowl of fruit and his own bag down.

“I think I just got overwhelmed. It smells stronger in here- it’s not a bad thing! It’s your bedroom, I should’ve expected it. Your scent is fine, it's better than fine. I’m fine.” Communicating has always been the thing they were best at, whenever one was upset or annoyed he said it clearly. It took Cheol a little while to get used to it but they tell each other everything now.

“Okay, I should’ve thought about it. I’m sorry. I didn’t realise it had already developed that much.” Scents took a little while to develop, usually months, it gave you time to prepare for your presentation.

“It’s not, when it’s just you it’s not that strong, it’s just cause this is your room, all your stuff is in here so of course it will be stronger.”

“I don’t want things to change. I want you to feel comfortable in here like you always have. You can go on my bed whenever you want, just like before.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

And just like that the moment was over. It’s how things always went, once one started talking they both just kept going until all was resolved.

They finally fall back into a familiar rhythm, Cheol sitting at his desk and pulling out today’s homework and his textbooks so he can start studying right away. Grades have always been important to him so he puts all his time and energy into them.

Jeonghan on the other hand is still a little apprehensive but ultimately settles on Cheol’s bed. He pulls out his earphones, playing his music while doing the homework he was given, a few pages of questions, some worksheets to fill in, and one of his favourite study materials to make, flashcards.

They stay like that in the familiar, comfortable company of one another, they slowly eat the fruit from the bowl, Jeonghan using it as an excuse to get up and distract himself from the work he was doing to get a piece every now and then.

Once they are done, Cheol walks him back home, Jeonghan finally getting his promised sweatshirt. They share a hug, and Cheol waits for Jeonghan to make it inside before walking the short distance back home.

Chapter 4

A few weeks later everyone has settled back into the rhythm of school. Waking up early and staying up late doing homework and studying.

One Friday night in late September Jeonghan is feeling bored.

Hannie’s Babies <3

Hannie
Hey babies
I wanna go out tomorrow maybe some shopping and we can get food
Please
You wouldn’t leave me to go alone would you :(

HaoHao
I’m in
Jun’s sleeping but he will go with us
I’ll just tell him he’s going
He won’t argue

Cherrie
Shopping?
We just went before school started

Hannie
No we went before someone became a big bad alpha
That was in the middle of the summer holidays
It’s been so long

Cherrie
I’ll have to ask mum
Gimme a sec

It feels like the longest minute of his life. Jeonghan is using this as a distraction from his studying, chemistry is kicking his butt right now.

Cherrie
Mum said I can go
She’s gonna give us money for food
Said to get something good

Hannie
I love you and your rich family

HaoHao
Jeonghan both your parents work in medicine
You have the biggest house out of all of us
And get the most pocket money

Hannie
Don’t ruin his rich alpha bad boy persona Hao

Cherrie
I never said I was this
If they are like Hao’s books then I don’t wanna be like that
Those alphas are all horrible

Hannie
Okay
Rich good boy golden retriever alpha persona

Junnnnnnie
I can’t believe he just called you a good boy

Cherrie
Shut up wen junhui

Junnnnnnie
WoW
Full name?
I’ve just been government named

HaoHao
He’s shaking
So scared

Junnnnnnie
Such lies
Slander

Hannie
So we will meet at Cheol’s house
It’s the closest to the subway

Cherrie
Okayyyyy

HaoHao
Sounds good

Junnnnnnie
Agreeing straight away just like the good boy you are seungcheol-ah

Cherrie
I’m blocking you

Jeonghan practically skips his way to the bathroom, taking a long shower and hopping into bed, the sooner he sleeps the sooner he gets to see his friends.

~~~~

“Jeonghan-ah, what about this one?” Cheol is holding up an expensive looking white balenciaga t-shirt. Jeonghan reaches out gently feeling the fabric and hums in approval.

After his birthday in early August is when his scent started to change and so his family members had overwhelmed him with gifts and money for both special occasions. Especially his mum who was very emotional about her youngest child presenting and so now with all his spending money he has decided to treat himself to something designer.

“You should get it. It will look nice.” Truthfully Jeonghan didn’t really want to shop, just wanted to spend time with his friends. They left Jun and Minghao at the book store, Jeonghan managed to get the next 3 volumes in the manga he was reading so he decided today was a successful trip.

“I’m not sure…it’s so much money just for a t-shirt…” From his face it was obvious that he was really thinking about this. Jeonghan didn’t interrupt, just let him think it over until he was sure of his decision.

“Okay, I think I’ll get it.” He nods to himself and finally looks back up at Jeonghan. “What’s that?” He gestures to the other’s hands which are holding something bright pink.

“A beanie, I think it would look good on you. Come to the mirror.” Seungcheol follows behind him to the nearest mirror where he is positioned so that they can both see him clearly. Jeonghan holds it up so that it sits on Cheol where it would if he were wearing it. “I know it’s really bright but it suits you.”

“Do you like it?” Jeonghan nods. “Then I’ll get it.” He looks up, shocked.

“Are you sure? You should only get it if it’s something you like.” Jeonghan looks a little worried.

“I trust your fashion sense, you’re always dressed nice.” Cheol takes the beanie in his own hands looking in the mirror once again.

After some more contemplation and a lot more “are you sure?” from Jeonghan the two leave the shop and head back to the bookstore where they know they will probably still find the others.

~~~~

Just as expected the other two were still looking at books. Well Jun was looking, maybe not at the books entirely, and Minghao was talking him through some of his favourite series, pointing at each book and explaining in depth what happens.

They soon make their way to a restaurant for a sort of early dinner, they sit down in the KBBQ place and order all the meat they want, thanks to Cheol’s mum.

They get a few pictures together and of the food before digging in. The conversation slows as they each take their fill. By the end it seems each has used all of their energy for the day, apart from Jeonghan, which is weird, he's usually tired first.

“I just got a really good night’s sleep, that’s all.” He says when questioned by Hao, he and Cheol had switched places so that Minghao and Jeonghan could cuddle with one another as they usually did.

A quiet hum in response is what he gets, Hao snuggles a little more into his shoulder, his body practically melting as Jeonghan gently massages his hands. “I love when you do this, you’re too good at it.” He mumbles quietly into his shoulder letting the older move his hands around, most times Jeonghan does this without realising, when it’s just the two of them they do end up holding hands at some point. Well Jeonghan forcibly takes his hand and Minghao makes no objections.

“You two can head home, me and Hannie can go to some other places if he wants.” Cheol adds when he looks up to see Hao basically asleep.

“Minghao, Myungho, my baby, I loveee you.” Jeonghan dramatically says as they part ways after paying for their food. “Junnie crouch down a little, I can't hug you properly.” As they walk away Jeonghan sends some dramatic kisses, all caught by Hao and Jun.

“Where do you wanna go now?” Cheol says once the other two are safely into the subway station. Jeonghan once again walks close to Cheol, pulling his arm so that he can hold it.

“Dessert? I saw this really cute street cart we could try.” Although neither is the biggest fan of desserts it feels like at this point it might just be a small excuse to stay out a little longer, it’s not that late anyway so they’ll be fine.

As they near where the street cart was the street gets busier, more and more people closing in. Jeonghan keeps his grip on Seungcheol, now choosing to have a tight grip on the sleeve of his hoodie.

Seungcheol orders for them both. Jeonghan is standing off to the side at a sort of standing table, waiting patiently for the boy, when suddenly he feels someone touch his back, assuming it’s just cause it’s busy he ignores it but then it happens again, but this time the hand slides downwards too.

He quickly pushes himself forward and back to Cheol, sparing a glance back to see a man much older than his 16 years smiling at him. Finally reaching the older boy he grabs his hand tightly, interlacing their fingers. Cheol looks down surprised, relaxes a little when they make eye contact and then tenses again when he sees the look on Jeonghan’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Finished with ordering and now just waiting for their order he can turn all of his attention on the younger.

“Nothing just cold,” Is the reply although the look on Seungcheol's face shows he doesn’t believe it. “Just a man, beta I think cause he didn’t smell of anything, I’m not sure though, didn’t stay.”

“What do you mean just a man? Where?” Seungcheol looks over him scanning the crowd, for what he doesn’t know.

“No it’s fine now, don’t worry, I’m okay.” Jeonghan stretches on his tiptoes to block Seungcheol’s view as best he can.

“What did he do? Where is he?” Cheol is looking straight into his eyes now, it’s honestly a little intimidating, not the Jeonghan would ever admit that.

“Just touched my back, but it’s fine, you can’t do anything now, he’ll be gone.” Jeonghan wouldn’t say that Cheol can’t do anything because he is still just a scrawny teenager, about to present as an alpha or not, he would not do well in a fight against a grown man right now.

Seungcheol brings his other hand, the one also carrying their few bags of shopping and gently grazes the back of Jeonghan, not touching all the way just skimming his jumper. He pulls his hand away and brings it closer to his face, he lets out a small growl, it surprises Jeonghan but apparently Seungcheol is unfazed by it.

“He was an alpha, not a beta, and he stinks.” Cheol grimaces at his hand, wiping it on his jeans before realising that won’t get the smell off. “Just stay with me.” He tightens his grip on Jeonghan's hand and pulls him closer with it.

A minute later their order is ready, thankfully they got one dessert between the two and so Jeonghan can grab it with his one free hand. Cheol pulls him behind him, settling into a slightly quieter part of the street.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He asks again, without knowing he has been slowly pushing his scent out more, for what Jeonghan can’t tell but the gentle scent of cherries is helping.

“Mhm, let’s just eat and go home.” It wasn’t the first time Jeonghan had an unpleasant interaction with an older man, but normally they didn’t touch him, just gave creepy looks that made his skin crawl.

~~~~

Cherrie
Hannie I know I keep asking but are you really okay
You can tell me if you’re not you know that

Little does Cheol know that Jeonghan is currently in the shower and has been for 10 minutes scrubbing his skin clean three times. Once he gets out, does all his body care and finally looks at his phone again it's been 30 minutes since Cheol's texts.

Hannie
I’m really okay
You made it better
A lot less scarier being out when I know I have an alpha who can protect me now

The pride Seungcheol is feeling is indescribable.

Cherrie
I’ll always protect Hannie
I want you to feel safe with me

Ever since he started his presentation process Seungcheol has found he is much more affectionate with people, maybe not Jun and Minghao but that’s cause Jun is well Jun and in Cheol’s mind Minghao is already taken, no need to be affectionate with him. But it’s been especially obvious with Jeonghan.

Hannie
Can we facetime
I wanna show you something
You’re gonna be so proud of me

The call comes through instantly. He of course accepts it straight away and immediately flips the camera to show Seungcheol the desk by his wall.

“Look I finally put a calendar up.” Seungcheol had told him all last year to do so, told him it would help to stay on top of things better if he could always see what he had to do.

“When’d you do that?” Seungcheol had been at his house yesterday after school, but he did leave quite early so he supposes there was actually a lot of time for Jeonghan to put it up.

“Just after you left. I was avoiding finishing the homework.”

“The chemistry?”

“Yeah.”

“Hannie, you could’ve called me, I would’ve helped.” They are both taking chemistry this year, although they have been put in different classes, the classes happen at the same time though so at least they get to walk there together.

“I didn’t want to bother you, I feel like that’s all I’ve been doing with chemistry this year.”

Both boys have now moved, and are both laying on their beds with their phones in their hands.

“You never bother me Hannie, you don’t have to struggle with something when I can help you with it instead.”

Their conversation continues and Jeonghan ends up falling asleep after a little while. As strange as it is, Seungcheol sits and watches him, it’s nice to see him so relaxed after earlier, although his face didn’t really show it his eyes were full of fear.

Jeonghan starts to get a little restless, wriggles about a bit, looks to be reaching around for something and soon seems to find it, pulling it closer to himself. In the low light of the fairy lights set up in the room it’s easy to tell that it’s Seungcheol's school sweater, the one he gave to Jeonghan weeks ago.

There’s no way it could still smell like him after all these weeks, but Jeonghan seems to find some comfort in it. He presses it into his face and Seungcheol has a front row seat to watch as his best friend snuggles up with his very own sweater, as if Cheol is being haunted by some cruel ghost, Jeonghan’s phone chooses that moment to run out of charge, immediately ending the call and leaving Seungcheol alone with his thoughts.

Chapter 5

The next weekend is Jeonghan’s birthday. He spent his actual birthday with family but the day after is all for his friends. The other three agree to meet at his house in the early afternoon to celebrate the day with him. They bring presents and Jun also brings some cupcakes, he’s gotten really good at baking recently. Jeonghan told them all that he didn’t want gifts from them, he hates people spending money on him, but of course they didn’t listen.

Jun and Minghao got him a couple games for his playstation and Seungcheol bought him a matching bracelet and necklace.

“It kinda looks like yours, don’t you think?” Jeonghan says, holding up his wrist to Seungcheol’s face. It’s much later now, after dinner, and the other two had to leave, Jun’s parents saying they have to be home early as they have school tomorrow.
“I guess, I just picked it cause I liked the style of it, I didn’t even realise they were similar.”

“People will think we have couples bracelets now.” Jeonghan says plainly, as if them being a couple is the most normal thing. To Seoungcheol, the statement catches him a bit off guard.

“Well, I mean, we can change it, I have the receipt.” He quickly spouts out reaching for his bag where he kept it safe.

“What? No. You can’t take it back now, you gave it to me.” Jeonghan uses his other hand to cover up the bracelet on his wrist, protecting it from any prying hands. “Would being in a couple with me really be that bad?” He’s back to his joking tone again, smiling widely at Seungcheol.

“Probably not, whoever your boyfriend ends up being will be extremely lucky, I just…they really do look like couples bracelets.” Seungcheol slowly peels Jeonghan’s hand from his wrist so he can look at both their bracelets together.

“Awww Cheollie, you think I’d make a good boyfriend.” Jeonghan coos, bringing both his hands to cup Cheol’s face, squishing his cheeks a little. Seungcheol blushes and Jeonghan giggles as the older boy's face goes red.

~~~~

“I’ve been thinking about growing my hair out.” The two boys have moved from the living room to Jeonghan’s bedroom, his parents had arrived home from work and so the two went upstairs to give them some peace and quiet after a long day. “I don’t know how long though.” Jeonghan is standing in front of his mirror that hands on the back of his door.

“Cheollie?” He turns around to find Seungcheol laying on his bed, asleep. “Aww, Cheollie you’re so cute.” He lowers his voice a little so as not to disturb the older boy. Jeonghan pulls his phone out to check the time, there’s still about an hour and a half until Seungcheol needs to be home.

He decides to let the boy sleep, he knows he always stays up late studying so him sleeping now isn’t a bad thing. He settles on the other side of the bed, sitting up against the headboard and balancing the laptop on his legs. He also plugs some headphones into it so the room stays quiet for the sleeping boy.

He settles on watching Despicable Me wanting a light-hearted movie to watch. He keeps checking the time, making sure he will be able to wake Cheol up and get him home before his curfew.

~~~~

With 20 minutes left he decides now is the time to wake him. He puts his laptop on his nightstand with the headphones on top and turns to face the still sleeping boy. At some point during the movie he had grabbed one of Jeonghan’s extra cushions he has (because after seeing Cheol’s bed he just had to start buying as many blankets and cushions to copy, the other boy's bed was just too comfy) and started cuddling it to his chest.

Seungcheol has his back to him and Jeonghan leans over a little so he can see his face. He uses one hand to support himself and the other to gently shake the sleeping boy’s shoulder.

“Cheollie, you have to wake up now.” He whispers, giving his shoulder another small shake. Seungcheol mumbles something incoherent, using one hand to push sleepily at Jeonghan. “You need to go home or else eomma will be mad.” Usually a threat of his mother gets the boy moving but this time, nothing.

Instead the boy turns over, leaving his chosen cushion and replacing it with Jeonghan's waist. “ ‘m tired Hannie.” He says, voice heavy with sleep. He tries pulling on Jeonghan but the other boy doesn’t move.

“I know that, but you have to go home.”

“Why won’t you let me stay?” The boy whines, pulling out his signature pout, which looks even cuter on his tired face.

“I would, but both our parents would get mad.”

“But whyyyyy?” The boy pushes away from the other’s waist and onto his back, keeping one arm around the boy.

“Cause someone has too much alpha-ness going on, my mum already gave me a pep-talk about being careful around you. I don’t know why though, you’re still just as soft as before.” The older boy playfully growls at him, it means nothing, there’s no menace behind it, but ever since he figured out how to do it on command he’s been trying to do it as much as he can.

“Your growls are not scary Seungcheol-ah.” Jeonghan says teasingly, he starts moving to stand up to hopefully encourage the other to do the same, but he’s stopped when the arms wrap around him again.

“Five more minutes.” He says pulling the smaller boy back, he manages to wrestle him into a proper hug this time, wrapping his arms around his back so they are chest-to-chest.

“Seungcheol if you don’t let me go right now I will hit you so hard.”

“No you won’t.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mhm.”

“...”

“Ow! Ow! Stop!” Seungcheol grabs the offending arm that was hitting, more like slapping his back, he pushes away from where he had his face tucked into Jeonghan’s neck and stares at the boy with a look of utter betrayal.

“You hit me.”

“I told you I would, you now have 15 minutes to get up and get home,” Seungcheol goes to speak but is cut off. “Where you will probably stay up late again studying for tests we don’t even have right now instead of going to bed like a normal person would when they are tired.”

“...you’re not gonna hit me again, are you?” The boy looks so sad in his still half asleep state. “Just one more cuddle, then I will go.” The pout has never left his lips, at this point Jeonghan thinks they are just stuck like that.

“Fine, but then we hav-”

“Hannie this is why you’re my favourite, no one else cuddles me.” Seungcheol pulls him again until the other is practically on top of him. “I love your puppy scent, it’s so cute, you’re just a little pup, and I’m already an alpha.”

“You’re not an alpha yet- hey that tickles.” Seungcheol let out an extra deep breath on the other neck, clearly disagreeing with the statement. “It’s true though, you haven’t presented yet so it doesn’t count.”

“Jeonghan-ah?”

“Hmm?”

“What do you think you’ll present as?”

“I think an omega, mum has always said she thought I would be and she’s normally right, or maybe a beta, but definitely not an alpha.”

“I hope you present as an omega.”

“Why?”

“Cause then I’ll really get to protect you, you’ll never escape from me, you’ll have to be my best friend forever, I would always protect you, even if you got an alpha.”

“...you’re so sweet Cheol.”

“Really?”

“Yea.”

Seungcheol moves his face out of Jeonghan's neck, forcing the other to also do the same. “You’re gonna be an omega.” He states it plainly, leaving no room for argument.

“How do you know?”

“I just do.”

“No, I think you’re still too sleepy.”

“When you present, will you let me court you?”

“What? Cheollie, we are 17, we don’t need to think about that.”

“It doesn’t have to become anything, I just wanna make sure you’re protected, you can see any other alpha at the same time, but just let me protect you. I can’t stop thinking about when we went shopping last weekend, what if I hadn't been there? What if that man had done something more to you?”

Jeonghan now finally realises what brought this all on so suddenly.

“Cheollie, I think you’re gonna present soon.”

“What? Why? It’s only been like a month and a half.” The boy is much more awake now. Jeonghan tries to sit up but Cheol’s grip is still too tight.

“Cause you’re being weird, and all possessive and you’re saying things that you don’t understand the consequences of, go home and sleep, if you keep talking you’re gonna say more things you regret.”

“You think I’ll regret saying I want to protect you? Do you think I’m lying about this? About courting you?” Seungcheol lets him go and they both sit up, Cheol pushes away a little creating some space.

“I don’t think you’re lying about that, but Cheol, you’re saying I’m gonna be an omega, we don't know that. You’re saying you want to court me, you need to go home. Now.”

“But, Hannie, I wanna stay, please? It’s so much nicer here than my room, my room is so cold and empty and there’s no you, I don’t have anyone to cuddle, please, I wanna stay.” Jeonghan looks closely at the boy, not knowing what to say, he looks down to the boy’s shaking hands and then to his face.

Seungcheol’s eyes are turning bright blue. They are practically glowing in the light coming in through the window.

“Seungcheol, I need to get my phone.” He says it slowly, moving at the same speed for his phone which is next to his laptop. The whole time, the now clearly presenting alpha keeps his eyes locked on him. Jeonghan scrolls until he finds the right contact and types out a few quick texts.

Cheollie’s Eomma

Jeonghan
Eomma
Help
Cheol’s presenting

It’s good enough. Jeonghan right now needs to focus on how to get away from the alpha, as an unpresented pup it’s not safe for him to be near him.

“Cheollie, I’m just gonna go to the bathroom.” It’s the best excuse he could come up with.

“No! You can’t! Don’t leave me please Jeonghannie.” Tears fall from the boy's eyes and he reaches for the smaller boy again, Jeonghan doesn’t move quick enough and ends up sitting sideways on the alpha’s lap. “I don’t know what’s happening, everything is just too much.” Seungcheol’s voice breaks as he speaks, his tears falling onto Jeonghan.

Jeonghan doesn’t know what to do anymore. He listened to everything they were taught last year in health class about what to do if someone is presenting near you, and now? He’s doing the complete opposite.

Get away from them. Nope.
Get them help. Well he did do this.
Don’t let them touch you. Also nope.

“Boys, can I come in?” That was quick. It’s Jeonghan’s mum at the door.

“No. Tell her no Jeonghannie, they’ll take you from me.” There’s a desperate look on his face, and as much as it hurts him Jeonghan knows that this will keep them both safe.

“I’m sorry Cheollie,” He whispers, wrapping a delicate arm around the other and holding him close. “Yeah mum, come in.” He tries to keep his voice as quiet as possible, but Seungcheol still flinches at the sound, every sound is so loud for him.

“Oh, babies,” Cheol growls as she nears the bed, “It’s okay Seungcheol-ah, you can stay there for now, I’m just making sure Jeonghan’s not hurt.” She inches closer when the growling stops, placing herself at the edge of the bed.

“I hurt you?” He whispers, so quiet it’s almost inaudible, he suddenly pushes his face into Jeonghan’s neck as far as he can, “No, out please, you’re making it smell different.” He peaks out at Jeonghan’s mum, who hasn’t moved from her spot but is constantly checking her phone.

“I have to stay, Seungcheol.” There’s no room for arguing in her tone and even in his fuzzy minded state he seems to realise this is a fight he won’t win.

“I won’t hurt you Hannie, I just want cuddles.” It breaks Jeonghan’s heart, knowing that Seungcheol will have to leave, that the boy will have to go through this alone, but he also knows that it’s to keep them both safe, more so himself.

“Seungcheol-ah, how about we go downstairs hm? You’re eomma and appa will be here in a minute.” His mum is speaking in the gentlest tone but it clearly does nothing to sooth the alpha pup who shares his disagreement through another growl.

“Cheollie, if you go downstairs I’ll let you take anything you want from my bed.” The happiness in the blue eyes is just as heartbreaking as the tears for Jeonghan. “You have to go right now though.”

“She leaves first.” Jeonghan’s mum looks unsure but ultimately steps away, she only goes just outside the door, leaving it wide open so that she, and Jeonghan’s dad who he only now sees, can both intervene if needed.

“Anything?” Seungcheol whispers, keeping his arms around Jeonghan.

“Mhm, take your pick.” Seungcheol goes straight for the pillow that Jeonghan had been leaning on earlier whilst watching his movie, he also grabs the cushion he had cuddled with and a blanket but he still seems to be looking for something. He moves a few things around, ruining the sort of nest that Jeonghan had going on but that’s the least of his worries right now.

He eventually stops his search, lifting the smaller boy off him and putting him on one side of the bed to continue the search, for what, Jeonghan doesn’t know. But quickly it becomes apparent when he pulls out the sweater from the first week of school.

Seeming happy with his picks he piles them into a bundle, and tries to lift it with one hand but ends up dropping the pillow, he of course had to pick one of Jeonghan’s biggest and fluffiest blankets so it’s making it a bit difficult.

“I’ll help you.”

“No, I’ll do it, they’re mine,” After trying and failing again he finally gives in, “…maybe you can carry just one.” Cheol gently hands the pillow to him, with the delicacy you’d think he just handed over a newborn child. Finally happy now, he gets up off the bed, he helps Jeonghan off, grabs the boy's free hand and holds it tight. “Don’t let go please.”

~~~~

It takes some time, a lot more growling, especially when faced with Jeonghan’s dad and then his own, but eventually Seungcheol is in his parents car and taken back home where they can make sure he goes through this safely and protected.

Chapter 6

“Jeonghan- ah,” Seungcheol is in his bed, wrapped in the few things he could take from the younger boys bed, he had his phone taken off of him by his parents for safety, so he’s staring at a picture frame, one from the start of summer of all four of the boys. “Jeonghan-ah, you said you would stay.”

All presentations are different, some people feel an overwhelming amount of lust, others get extremely tired, and then some, like Seungcheol, get very clingy. It can change from cycle to cycle, person to person, but for Seungcheol it feels like torture.

Everything came on so suddenly, he wasn’t in his own home, and to top it all off the one person who he had clung to the tightest had to practically be ripped from his arms.

It’s been two days since, and although his tears have stopped, Cheol still feels an emptiness in his arms where Jeonghan was. With the way he’s been pining for him day and night you would think they were already mated.

“I miss you Hannie,” He’s picked up another frame now, one of just the two of them, “You better give me a cuddle when I see you,” He sniffles and wipes his nose on his sleeve, uncaring at this point of the snot, “I’m never letting you go again.”

~~~~

Jeonghan isn’t doing much better, he hasn’t been able to focus in his classes, he’s worried about Seungcheol.

Last time he saw him the boy was fighting against both their dads, who were holding him and pulling him to the car outside, his stuff from Jeonghan’s bed had fallen to the floor and all the boy could do was yell and cry, push and pull as hard as he could against the two grown alphas.

Jeonghan had ended up gathering the things and giving them to Cheol’s mum before she left with them. He watched from the window as the boy tried to open the car door from the inside, banging on the window, tears still freely running down his face.

He had to turn away and run back to his room. This was a side to his friend he didn’t think he’d ever see. It was devastating to watch. Jeonghan didn’t leave his room until the next day, when his mum had woken him, telling him he would be late for school if he didn’t get up now.

School has been torture, of course he still has Jun and Hao, but they are always in their own world. They still include him in their conversations, but Jeonghan hasn’t been in much of a talking mood with how worried he has been.

~~~~

On Wednesday, Minghao ambushes him outside of school, dragging him unwillingly all the way to Jun’s and his home.

“Hannie, you know he will be okay, this is a normal thing, and he will probably be back by Friday." He and Minghao are in Hao’s room. Jun is in his own after Hao told him they were having ‘Hannie time’ and he was banned from the room.

Apparently ‘Hannie time’ consisted of the two cuddling with one another, completely ignoring all school work, and talking through all Jeonghan’s problems.

Safe to say Jeonghan didn’t know if he loved it or hated it. He loved the cuddles, Minghao was such a softie, always ready to give the best hugs, on the other hand, he was being forced to talk about all his worries.

“But Hao you didn’t see his face, he was so sad.”

“I know, but just think, it’s Cheollie we’re talking about, he wouldn’t want you, his favourite person, to be like this over him, he would want you to stay focused in class and he would want you to be taking care of yourself,”

“Plus, when he’s back you’ll get to help him with all the material he’s missed, that gives you an excuse to spend even more time with him.”

“I guess you’re right.”

After school on Monday Jeonghan had told Minghao everything that had happened, leaving out some details, not wanting to share everything that happened to Cheol in such a vulnerable moment. The main thing is that he told him about the courting.

“Woah.”

“I know, I told him that he wasn't thinking straight, it probably wasn’t what I should've said but I was so caught off guard.”

“How do you feel about it now that you’ve had time to think?”

“I…I don’t hate the idea.”

“The idea of him fake courting you till you found the right alpha?”

“No I hate that part, but just the…courting part.”

“Jeonghan-ah are you saying you have feelings for Choi Seungcheol, the same one who you said you could never catch feelings for?”

“I don’t know. I think so? I’ve always had a bit of a crush on him but that’s just cause he’s handsome.”

“Yes and I just have a crush on Junhui cause I live with him, Hannie, that's a stupid excuse.”

“We’re coming back to what you just said after this, but I can have a crush on someone just cause of their looks.”

“You can, but when you spend pretty much everyday with someone, you know them inside and out, you’re going to like them for more than just their looks.”

“...you’re right. I do like him for more than just his pretty face, he’s so kind to me Hao, and we got so close so quick, I’ve never had a friend like him, he’s never complained about me being too blunt, and he always lets me hold on to him when we go out, and he lets me do whatever I want, and…you should’ve seen him last week, he was so protective over me when we were at that dessert cart, I’ve never seen him be like that.”

“I think you two are gonna need to talk about this when he’s back.”

“I know, I’m scared though, what if he doesn’t feel the same way?”

“Yoon Jeonghan, do you really think that he would react like that, that he felt comfortable enough that he could start his presentation with you next to him if he didn’t have some feelings for you?”

~~~~

Seungcheol is finally given a break from his overwhelming feelings on Thursday night when it seems his presentation is over. On Friday, his body feels heavy with exhaustion, his parents tell him to stay home from school another day and so he spends it sleeping, then cleaning his room, removing all his nest materials (because he finally admits, it’s a nest) and then putting them back again when they are washed and dried.

He wakes up early on Saturday, already knowing where he plans to go. It’s been almost a week since he last saw Jeonghan and he knows that when he left on Sunday he probably wasn’t in the best state.

Just before noon, he heads to the Yoon house, both Jeonghan’s parents work on a Saturday so it is Jeonghan’s sister who opens the door.

“I think he’s still sleeping, I haven’t seen him yet today.” With that she heads back to the living room where he can hear her friends talking.

With that he heads upstairs, he stops outside the door and knocks gently, when there’s no response he knocks a little louder, still nothing.

He goes to knock again and the door is pulled open by a very disheveled Jeonghan.

“What is it? Mum told you to leave me alone.” Clearly he doesn’t know who is actually at his door.

Rubbing his eyes he blinks a few times, trying to get them used to the bright light of the hallway compared to his completely dark room. “Cheollie?” He whispers finally
getting a clear look at the face of the boy he hasn’t seen for days.

Chapter 7

After the initial shock Jeonghan seems to actually wake up, he throws himself (more like sleepily stumbles) the 2 steps it takes to reach the now fully presented alpha. He wraps his arms around the boy and finally gets to really smell the boy's scent.

“You smell nice.” It’s still the same cherry scent as before, however now it’s mixed with something else, something softer as well, Jeonghan isn’t sure. “Do you have patches on?” Referring to scent patches, the scent right now is very muted, it only really smells on his clothes.

“Yes, eomma said to, so it’s not too strong.” For a few days after presenting a person’s scent can be much stronger whilst their body regulates itself to the new hormone levels.

“Take ‘em off.” Jeonghan states already going for one of Seungcheol’s wrists to pull one off.

“No, no, I shouldn’t.” He puts both his hands behind his back, hiding them. Jeonghan is clearly a little grumpy about it, but that could also just be because he has just woken up.

“C’mon, back to bed now, I need sleep.”

“Hannie, it’s almost the afternoon, you can’t go back to bed now.”

“Watch me.”

And with that the boy turns around and heads back to his room, he falls forwards onto his bed, moves under the blankets and settles back down to sleep. During this Seungcheol has come in with him, closed the door, and is hanging his coat up on one of the hooks Jeonghan has on his wall by the door.

“Hannie, I wanted to talk, please?” Instantly Jeonghan pops up from the blankets he had cocooned himself in.

“I don’t like when you sound serious.”

“Come and sit,” He sits on the ground and Jeonghan slowly slides out the bed to join him, bringing a blanket with him. “If you’re bringing a blanket you at least have to share, it was cold outside, you wouldn’t want me getting sick would you?” He teases pulling at one side of the blanket until Jeonghan lets him have the whole thing, pulling another down from the bed.

“Why’re we on the floor? We only sit here when it’s really serious. Or I’m mad at you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What? Why? You haven’t done anything, we haven’t even been together for a week.”

“I- I don't remember a lot from Sunday, mum says that’s normal, but I know I said some things to you and…and I’m sorry.”

“...what do you think you said?”

“I said I wanted to court you.” It’s whispered, like someone could burst in the room that moment and hear what was being said between the two. It’s whispered, like saying it any louder will make it scarier. It’s a whispered secret between two teenagers who have no idea that the other likes them, would happily court them, and couldn't think of any future without the other in it.

“You did. That’s when I figured it out.”

“What?”

“You were acting so differently, I guessed you were presenting, then you got…really upset…”

“I can only really remember taking things from your room, I don’t remember leaving your house.”

“And also saying you wanted to court me.”

“Yeah…I’m sorry Hannie.”

“Stop saying that, you weren't in the right frame of mind, it’s not your fault.”

“But it is.”

“It’s not Seungcheol, you can’t blame yourself for anything that happened that day.”

“But Hannie I could’ve hurt you! If my stupid alpha had decided to, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything. I wouldn’t forgive myself if even the smallest thing happened. It’s already bad enough with what I said.”

“You. Didn’t. Hurt. Me. Choi Seungcheol, if I really was mad or annoyed with you, do you really think I would’ve let you come into my room.”

“But Hannie, I said so many stupid things! I told you that you are gonna be an omega, I told you I hoped you presented as one! I…I said I wanted to court you.”

“You did do all of that, but you only said it then cause your alpha felt comfortable enough to, you felt like you could go through your presentation with me. I don’t care about what you said, I care about you and how you’re doing right now, you just spent a week going through everything by yourself, I’ve been so worried, I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t focus at school. Hao had to snap me out of it, he had to tell me to look after myself because it’s what you would want, because you worry about everyone else and not yourself, instead of thinking about all you went through this past week you’re thinking about me and how I’m affected by it. I’m telling you that what you said doesn't matter right now. I want to ask you how you are and…and I want a cuddle, I want to lie in my bed and watch something on netflix, I don’t care, but I’ve missed you, and you made me so worried so you owe me for this week.”

By the end of it Jeonghan has a few tears running down his face, it feels good to finally vent his frustrations out.

“Jeonghannie,” Cheol says gently, reaching a hand to wipe some of the tears. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t say anything, you come here and give me a hug or else I’m kicking you out.” That’s all it takes for Seungcheol to shuffle closer and finally give Jeonghan what he wants.

Although they’ve only known each other for a year the two boys have become very dependent on each other. Always leaning on one another for support, relying on each other for comfort, it’s similar to Jun and Minghao, although they two have known each other much longer.

~~~~

The two stand up after a little while, Seungcheol opens up the blinds letting some natural light in, he also cleans Jeonghan’s desk of all the past weeks school work whilst Jeonghan goes to wash up.

Jeonghan eventually gets his wish and the two move to the bed, he gets his laptop from his desk and sets it up on his lap. They pick some stupid reality TV show, neither really watching it. At some point Seungcheol leans his head on Jeonghan’s shoulder and they continue watching, after 2 episodes of absolutely ridiculous rich people problems Jeonghan finally speaks again.

“Cheollie?”

“Hmm?”

“Will you take the scent patches off?”

“I don’t think I should,” Jeonghan lets out a very audible sigh and turns his head away from Cheol “Why’re you pouting? It would be too strong right now, would probably give you a headache.”

“But there’s just something else with the cherry smell and I can’t figure out what it is.” He turns back around and is met with Seungcheol’s face just 2 inches from his own.

“There is? I thought it was just cherry, I thought you liked the cherry.”

“I do but there’s something else and it’s annoying me that I don’t know,” he keeps the pout on his face as his eyes flicker between Cheol’s.

“You can figure it out on Monday, it shouldn’t be as strong by then.”

“But that’s so far awayyyyyy,” He sighs again and this time pushes the laptop to Cheol so he can flop dramatically on his back. “Ooo I have an idea, stay still,” He sits up again and turns so he is on his knees. “Move your head.”

Jeonghan tilts Seungcheol’s head back a bit, the alpha letting him manipulate his body in any way he wants. The younger boy shuffles forward a little and moves his face closer to the older’s neck.

“Jeonghan-ah I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Unless you feel like you’re going to go full on feral alpha then please let me figure this out.” That quiets Cheol, that and the feeling of Jeonghan breathing on his neck. It’s the first time he’s ever had someone so close to such a vulnerable part of him since he presented and it’s a bit overwhelming.

“Ugh, I still don’t know what it is.” He falls forward, head landing on Cheol’s chest.

“Maybe it’s just cause my scent’s still settling?”

“Hmph, but I wanna know what it is.” Jeonghan makes himself comfy, shifting his legs out from under himself and snuggling up into Cheol’s side. The laptop now lays forgotten on the bed on Cheol’s other side.

The two boys sit in silence for a few minutes and it almost seems that Cheol had fallen asleep once again with how much he’s not moving.

“I’ll bring your stuff back to you tomorrow, I put it in the washing machine before I left so it’ll be clean.” Really the stuff was the only thing he hasn’t washed, it’s never left his bed, it’s not anywhere near the washing machine right now.

“You don’t want it anymore?”

“It’s yours, I thought you’d want it back.”

“Just keep it, if it comforts you like it did on Sunday then just keep it.” Seungcheol is so relieved, he’s kept the stuff closest to him all week, ignoring his own mountain of blankets he has, sleeping only on Jeonghan’s pillow, wearing his school sweater that Jeonghan had for weeks.

Jeonghan suddenly gasps and flips himself so he can access Cheol’s neck again. “I know what the smell is!” He’s pushes closer, barely registering the arm that wraps around his waist, almost holding him in place. “It’s mine! It’s a pups scent, that’s why I couldn’t figure it out. I’ve never smelt myself before, it’s never been strong enough.”

Chapter 8

Finally Seungcheol is able to go back to school. After leaving Jeonghan’s house on Saturday he threw himself into going over all the school work he had missed, his teachers had emailed all the material he had to cover and so he spent the rest of his weekend at his desk.

Monday came and went, both boys falling back into their familiar rhythm. Neither ever brought up Saturday, how Seungcheol had spent the whole week drowning himself in Jeonghan’s scent and so it had left an almost permanent mark on him. Jun and Minghao never noticed the small difference, the two only commenting on the strong cherry.

By Thursday Seungcheol was finally happy that he had caught up with his classes and was understanding everything easily that he finally joined the other three boys to a cafe after school. So far this week he had been walking home with them all and then going to his home by himself, using the excuse of catching up with school work, which wasn’t really a lie.

“Do you want your usual?” Cheol asks Jeonghan as they set their stuff down at a table, Jun and Hao had gone to order first while the other two got a table, the cafe is close to their school and tables get taken very quickly by other students.

“Mmm yea, and can I get a muffin too?”

“Sure, chocolate chip?”

“Always.”

Once the other two have their order Cheol goes to get theirs. An iced coffee for himself, and a hot chocolate and chocolate chip muffin for Jeonghan.

“Seungcheol? Hi!” It was Yuna, a girl from his maths class. She sits behind him and they chat every now and then before the teacher starts class.

“Oh, hi.” They’re not very close, only ever having conversations about the class work and other small things to do with school.

“Are you here by yourself? You can come sit with me and my friends if you want?” She points to the stairs, where her friends must be sitting, meaning she didn’t see him come in with the others who have a table on the ground floor.

“No, I’m actually here with my friends but thank you.”

“Oh, well maybe another time.”

An awkward silence follows, both are just waiting for their orders, Seungcheol’s get’s called first, once he’s collected it he walks past her again, holding the tray with his and Jeonghan’s order. “Seungcheol, would you like to go to a cafe tomorrow with me? Just…us two? Like a date…” It catches Cheol off guard, in the few months of school that the two have spoken he’d never thought that the girl could be trying to be more than that.

“Oh…uh…I- I can’t…thank you for- for asking though.”

“But why? If you’re busy then we can go on a different day?”

“No, no…it’s not that. I’m just not…interested…in girls.” Cheol hadn’t come out to anyone in a long time, probably since last year, when he met the other three boys.

“Really? But this whole time you’ve been flirting with me,” Seungcheol is almost completely sure he has not been flirting, “Are you sure you’re not bi or something?” This has to be one of the weirdest reactions to him coming out.

“I’m sure, really sure,” the girl still looks at him sceptically but he just walks away back to the table. As soon as he sits down Jun and Hao stand to go order their own stuff, leaving him and Jeonghan, who already has his headphones on and is deep into his homework. “I just had the weirdest conversation.” He says once Jeonghan pushes one side of the headphones off his ear.

“What happened?” Cheol explains it and at the end of the short explanation Jeonghan has his eyebrows furrowed.

“She just questioned it? Basically just ‘are you sure you’re gay?’”

“Yea, it’s okay though, it was just weird, I’ve never had anyone ask that.”

The two are silent for a few seconds, Jeonghan takes a bite from his muffin, offering one to Cheol too.

“Would you go on a date with someone right now? Like if you were interested or are you waiting till after high school?” It seems like everyone is wanting to ask uncomfortable questions today.

“Umm, I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it.”

“Hmm, well ,whoever you date, they're a lucky person.” And with that he slips his headphone back over his ear, going back to his homework and leaving Cheol stunned for a second until the other two come back.

~~~~

“Seungcheol-ah I have no idea what I’m doing.” He and Jun are at the two chinese boys home, Hao went to Jeonghan’s, leaving Jun and Cheol to finish their homework in somewhat silence, as silent as it can be with Jun complaining about his work.

“You are literally fluent in Korean, you know the words, so just write them.” Jun is having to complete an essay for his Korean language class, a class for any foreign students to help them learn Korean a bit quicker, no matter how much he tells the school that he’s lived there long enough and knows the language they still make him take the class.

“I knowwww, but it’s so boring,” He lays back on the floor, the two are in the living room, Jun complained his room smelled ‘too alpha-y’. “Let’s talk about you and how you’re going to ask to court Jeonghannie.” He sits up and has a wide smile on his face.

“How- what? I’m going- no. Do your essay. Leave me alone.” Cheol shuffles and turns his back to the other boy, continuing to read his textbook.

“Don’t be like that Seungcheol, you cannot fool me,” He moves closer until he’s by the other boy's ear. “I know everything.” He whispers and then quickly ducks to avoid the hand that comes up to his face.

“Seriously Hyung-ah, you need to do something, you already basically act like his alpha, he smells like you all the time, you’re so possessive you always have your arm holding him or him holding you. And you would be so cute together.”

Seungcheol keeps his back turned, he’d stopped reading as soon as Jun started talking, he contemplates what he said for a few seconds and lets out a sigh.

“I will ask him,” Jun goes to celebrate, “Only! If you also agree to ask Hao as soon as one of you presents.” Jun’s happiness falters a little.

“But he doesn’t like me like that.” He pouts and sits back from where he was still kneeling behind Cheol, who turns around again to face him.

“He absolutely does, trust me.”

“Fine. If you do it, I do it.”

“You better. I will not be embarrassing myself unless you are as well.”

Chapter 9

A couple months later it’s the end of December, a week from the new year, and the schools are off for winter break. They had exams just before the break and so the past few weeks were filled with stress and anxiety, but they’re finished now and they have time off, meaning they can finally relax.

Seungcheol’s brother is back from university and Hao and Jun have gone back to China to see family, leaving Cheol and Jeonghan to hang out themselves, which isn’t exactly a rare occurrence even when the other two are in Korea.

On Christmas eve Cheol’s parents and his brother have a reservation at a restaurant, they invited him along too but he said for them to spend time with his brother who they haven’t seen since his semester started.

Both Jeonghan’s parents are working and his sister has gone for dinner with her friends and so Jeonghan goes to Cheol’s house.

“What do you want for dinner?” Cheol asks scrolling through the delivery app on his phone, the two have made themselves comfy in the living room, curling up under a blanket each whilst a movie plays.

“You decide, I’m not that hungry.”

“Are you sure you feel okay Hannie?” Since Jeonghan arrived earlier in the day he seemed a little off.

“Just a little tired.” It was an understatement, he felt exhausted and had so for a few days, he didn't want to say anything to his parents when it was probably just a cold so he barricaded himself in his room and told them he was doing his homework set for over the break. When Cheol texted him this morning inviting him over he said yes, he felt bad about leaving the boy alone and so he made the walk here through the freshly fallen snow, which was probably a bad idea if he was getting ill.

“I’m gonna order from this place, it looks good.” He shows his screen to Jeonghan who hums in approval before going back to watch the movie. Cheol watches him for a moment, watching how his eyes almost fall closed every couple seconds and how he tries so hard to stay awake.

~~~~~~

“Hannie…Jeonghannie…the food’s here.” Cheol is gently moving his shoulder, the younger boy opens his eyes, blinking a few times to get used to the light.

“Cheollieee,” he whines when the other boy stands up from where he was squatting next to the couch, he turns around and sees Jeonghan reaching up with grabby hands, “help?” and he does, because if he can’t say no to a normal Jeonghan he certainly can’t say no to one who has bed hair and a sleepy look on his face.

The two walk to the table where Cheol had placed the bag, Jeonghan who’s still half asleep, starts getting everything out while Seungcheol gets the cutlery and a drink for each of them.

“What time did your parents say to be back at?” Cheol asks as they eat, it turns out that Jeonghan did have an appetite, as did Cheol, and so the food is very quickly disappearing.

“About ten thirty, or whenever your parents get home, so that they can drive me. I think it’s meant to start snowing again and they always get worried about me.”

“Because you’re always cold and you somehow manage to get injured from the smallest thing.”

“Well not all of us are big alphas who basically have our own built-in radiator.”

“That has nothing to do with me being an alpha.”

“I know. But you’re always warm and it’s so unfair cause I’m always cold. And you’re big and strong and it annoys me cause I’m not but it also looks good on you, and that annoys me because you’re too handsome, the amount of people I glare at on a daily basis just because they’re staring at you is insane, if you could see them you would be so uncomfortable.”

“Awwww, Jeonghan-ah you protect meeee? Lil’ old me? Oh whatever would I do without you?” Cheol leans so that he has his head resting on Jeonghan’s shoulder, the two decided to sit next to each other at the table rather than across.

“Shut up. Eat your food.”

Chapter 10

Jeonghan left a little while later, the two boys were woken up by Cheol’s dad who then drove Jeonghan home. He spent the next few days still feeling a little sick, like at any moment it would get worse, but it never did.

It’s the middle of the day on new years eve and Jeonghan is laying in his bed and staring at his phone. He’s supposed to be going to see Seungcheol today but that got cancelled when he woke up this morning with a temperature. His mum told him to stay in bed, no homework, no going to see his friends, just laying there waiting to see if it will get better or worse.

Safe to say, he’s bored.

He’s been texting with Minghao, getting updates about what he’s been up to in China with his family. He feels bad for the boy, being away from them all the time must be so hard, but Hao told him that he wanted to study abroad, to experience life in a new country, plus he’s not entirely alone, he has Jun and his family.

Deciding to go for a nap to pass the time Jeonghan puts his phone under his pillow and closes his eyes, letting himself drift off and hoping that he wakes up feeling a little better.

~~~~~~

Seungcheol is worried, since he last saw Jeonghan a few days ago the boy still hasn’t gotten any better. So, since there’s no one else to hang out with, Cheol's been studying non-stop, having finished the homework set for over the holiday already. He's studying anything he can find, even subjects he doesn’t do.

Today his dad is at work, his mum is out with friends and his brother is out shopping with his girlfriend so it leaves him alone at home. It feels like there’s nothing to do, nothing to watch, nothing to play, nothing to read, simply nothing anywhere.

That leaves him with a few options, he can either annoy Jun by blowing up his phone with texts or he can talk to Minghao and try and coax an answer out of him about his feelings for Jun or he can text Jeonghan.

It’s fun annoying Jun but the boy will eventually do it back to him so that’s a no. His conversations with Hao about Jun never go far so that’s also a no.

That leaves him with his final (and favourite) option, talking to Jeonghan.

He quickly sends the boy a text and sits waiting for a reply, he waits ten minutes and still nothing so he sends another, and then another, and maybe just maybe another.

Cherrie
Jeonghan-ah
Wanna play a game?
Please?
I’m bored
Hannieeeeeeeeeee
Answer meeeee pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee

Sighing, Seungcheol drops his phone down on his chest and goes back to scrolling through the Netflix mainpage on his laptop, trying to find something to watch.

Jeonghannieeee
Choi Seungcheol this better be important
You woke me up

Cherrie
I’m sorryyyyy
I was bored

Jeonghannieeee
I see that

Cherrie
You didn’t answer my question

Jeonghannieeee
I would play but I’m in bed

Cherrie
You’re still sick?
Do you need me to bring you anything?
Snacks?
My incredible self?
Cuddles?

Jeonghannieeee
You’re cute
But I don’t want you to get sick too

Cherrie
If you were contagious I would’ve got sick when you were here the other day
I will bring cuddles
Lots of cuddles

Jeonghannieeee
But I’m more sick now so you probably would get whatever it is

*Facetiming Jeonghannieeee*

“Jeonghan-ah, do you want savory snacks or sweet?” Seungcheol asks as soon as the call is answered, he’s heading up to his bedroom to put on some actual clothes that aren’t his pyjamas.

“Nooo Cheol, you’ll get sick if you come here.” Seungcheol can see on the screen that Jeonghan is lying in bed, his face is flushed and he has his stuffed bear tucked tightly against his chest.

“Have you eaten today? I’ll get you some actual food too.” Seungcheol puts his phone on his desk, face up to the ceiling so that he can change clothes.

“Are you topless?! You called me and are topless? I don’t wanna look at that.” Jeonghan covers his eyes jokingly although Cheol can’t see him anymore.

“Don’t lie Hannie, we both know you wanna look- Hey? What? He hung up.” Seungcheol pouts at his phone, pulls on his jumper and calls Jeonghan back.

“You better have a top on now, I do not want to be looking at your nipples.” The call is answered straight away, Jeonghan still in the same position as before.

“What kind of snacks do you want?”

“Seungcheollie I don’t want to get you sick.”

“You won’t, I know it.”

“Ugh.”

“Snacks?”

“...maybe some chocolate…and jelly sweets…please?”

“I’ll be there soon.”

~~~~~~

“Hannieeeee, I have snacks!” Seungcheol enters his room, the door was already left open by his sister after she got him a glass of water.

“Gimme, gimme.” Jeonghan takes the bag from him and starts looking through everything.

“I got you soup as well, I didn’t know if you’d eaten any actual food.” Seungcheol gives him the other bag he had too and sits down on the floor by the side of his bed.

The two sit in silence for a while, well somewhat silence as Seungcheol starts scrolling through his phone, Jeonghan eats all the soup and then starts on the snacks offering some to Cheol every now and then.

“Jeonghannie, I think your scent is changing.” Seungcheol says it like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

“Really? I haven’t noticed.”

“Well…I don't know if it's different or if it’s just stronger.”

“You’re in my room, of course it will be stronger here.”

“I know that, but there’s something more. I’ve been here enough to know.”

“Does it smell like anything? Omega? Beta?”

“Omega obviously.”

“What do you mean ‘obviously’? I could be a beta.”

“Sure.”

“What do you mean ‘sure’? I could!”

“Mhm.”

“Ugh, alphas.”

“Woah, what?”

“I said what I said.”

“I’m taking the snacks back.”

“No!”

And so this is how they end up with Seungcheol on top of an out of breath Jeonghan after they fought over the bag of snacks. Jeonghan’s hands pinned by his sides with Cheol’s knees and Seungcheol’s face as close as possible to his.

“I’m telling you Jeonghannie it smells like omega.” Seungcheol says as his eyes flick back and forth between Jeonghan’s.

“I know.” Jeonghan has a smug little smile on his face.

“What? But you- you- I almost lost to you over something you already knew?” Seungcheol hates to admit that the smaller boy did almost have him pinned down instead.

“My sister came in earlier and asked if Hao had presented because it smelt like omega in here, apparently that made more sense to her than it being me, the person who’s room it is.”

“How are you still so pretty this close up Hannie?” Seungcheol asks a little quieter, they’re still in the same position, heads still basically touching.

“...You can’t just say things like that, Cheollie.” Jeonghan sighs and turns his head to the side.

“Says who?”

“Me.”

“Nope.”

“You can’t just say nope!”

“Yes I can, I just did.”

“Let me up.” The close proximity is doing nothing helpful for what Jeonghan is realising must be his lead up to his presentation, the past week or two of feeling ill must’ve been part of it too.

“No. I’m comfy.”

“Seungcheol-ah pleasee.”

“No, you smell good, you did this to me, now it’s my turn.”

And so they stay like that, Seungcheol eventually moves from being on top of him to being next to him after Jeonghan complained he was apparently squishing him. Seungcheol stays close though, laying his head on Jeonghan’s shoulder as they both scroll through Jeonghan’s instagram together.

Notes:

I really love writing more dialogue heavy chapters!! Let me know what you prefer, more dialogue or an even mix of dialogue and description?

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Pack Life