Chapter Text
for as long as Seungmin could remember he had been told that Beta's were just as important as Omega's because they helped Omegas through their heats, they helped Alpha's during their ruts, and they were mediators within the pack. it was true when Seungmin wound up in the group and pack Stray Kids, Chan had been there for him as they debuted. he'd been there for the whole group, every heat....every Rut....every nightmare. he'd been there, then there was Minho with his stern but warmness when he reprimanded them all. Changbin was more about teasing them all while Hyunjin was more hands on and cuddly, Han was the funnyman and loved love. as for Felix he was their sunshine, making every day bright....even on the days his heats came on. Seungmin himself was bratty and snarky but loved his group and members, Jeongin ever their Maknae Alpha was stern but loving as well. with the Eight of them together they brought a lot to the pack, Seungmin thought things were perfect, he thought his place in the group was safe. he thought they loved him, thought they wanted to be with him as well.
well he supposes he's never actually mated with any of them....h-he didn't have a mating bite, he didn't have any gifts from the others. he figured the others were busy though, he never really thought on this. it never became clear to him before because he loved them so much and thought things were good, he thought they loved him too. he had never been so wrong, it didn't start all at once. no actually it was subtle things, he'd ask if anyone wanted to hang out or have dinner....something to do together. yet he'd be put on read or his message wouldn't be read at all. he knew others heats were coming up so he figured that's why some read the message and others didn't, so he'd send messages after the heats and again he'd be ignored. he played it off as them being stressed with comeback season and everyone trying to get through it, so he made excuses for them. during dance practices he'd be reprimanded slightly harsher than Felix, Han, or Hyunjin and yes he got it. they were Omega's but it still hurt, practice was always stressful.
when he went home he'd shower and then he'd walk out and see the others preparing to head out after "Can I come along" he'd ask and sometimes they'd say yes, other times they'd object. he never paid it much mind, currently he was sitting in his room after a particularly grueling day of practice when he sighed and escaped his room. he was walking towards the kitchen and about to grab a bottle of water before it was snatched from his hands "what do you think your doing" Minho hissed looking outraged and Seungmin frowned "I was thirsty" he said and Minho rolled his eyes "that's for Felix, Han, and Hyunjin's heats....remember tomorrow is when it starts" he stated and Seungmin nodded and apologized before he grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water. he hated the heats because of the simple fact he was always left outside the door and made to get food and water, towels and what not....he wanted to be inside helping. he didn't really mind it's just he felt alone sometimes, yet other than this he was okay....as long as the pack was happy he supposes. he sighed heading back to his room, he closed the door quietly and then he walked over to his nightstand and took his medicine for headaches.
he sighed as he climbed into bed for the next chaotic day, it meant they'd all have the week off. he let sleep take him, so when he woke the next morning he was up early enough to get breakfast and coffee ready. he put on Bacon, Eggs, Sausage, Toast, Pancakes, Waffles, ETC. he had the coffee on, he also had plates set out and cups. he set the juices out and continued to cook, he placed a plate of Bacon on the table. then the eggs, Sausage, Pancakes, Waffles, Toast, some mixed Fruits, and finally some oatmeal if anyone wanted it. he knew they'd need a big meal, not a second later after making the meal came the others. they all mumbled thanks but nothing more. however as soon as everyone got coffee and sat down for breakfast Seungmin realized as he tried to sit down that the others frowned at him "what" he asked and no one answered, Chan sent glares around at the others and they sighed as they continued eating. Seungmin just shrugged realizing that they were just in heat and the attitude was understandable, so he ate in silence. after breakfast he did all the dishes, there was hardly anything left and he didn't eat a lot of it so he was happy they had their fill. once he finished Dishes he started preparing for the others heats which really only entailed him checking on the others and bringing towels, snacks, and drinks to keep inside the nesting room.
he did this all, the others all settled in the nesting room and as he tried to enter he had the door slammed in his face, he flinched and sighed. he turned and he slid down the wall, he saw the Alpha's come and go. heard the Omega's whining, before finally they closed the door and closed him off to the nest. Seungmin sighed again, he felt like they might be intentionally doing this but another thought reprimanded him for being so stupid, his pack loved him. didn't they?, he wasn't sure anymore but he didn't want to just jump to conclusions. throughout the day he was made to bring more water, food, etc. however this time was different, as the days started going by for this heat, it was three days to be exact later when it escalated. all because he had to use the bathroom, he exited to see an angry Minho "what the hell Seungmin" he hissed as he grabbed water bottles from the fridge and snacks "you can't just leave when we need you, how reckless can you be" he spat and Seungmin was taken aback "I'm sorry, I had to use the bathroom" he stated and Minho rolled his eyes "seriously, you couldn't hold it for a few more minutes....fuck sakes" he hissed and then "he was using the bathroom" he called out as he entered the nest room.
Seungmin heard growls before the door slammed and hushed words were stated, Seungmin frowned. why did this hurt, why was Minho being so mean. Seungmin swallowed thickly before he shook it off and went and sat back down, later when Chan exited the room Seungmin stood up and Chan huffed "get some towels will you" he said with annoyance, Seungmin shrunk a bit but he did as he was told. instead of saying thank you however Chan snatched them from Seungmin as he entered the room again and shut the door, Seungmin frowned and wondered what he did wrong. he sighed dejectedly and figured they were all on edge from the stress of the heats, he almost fell asleep though and was glad he stayed awake enough for the others to be fine on their own. no one came out and told him to go to bed so...once again he slept there. he kept doing this, day in and day out. get water, food, towels, repeat. if he wanted lunch he had to eat it there by the door...and if one of the other members ate his lunch while he was busy then well tough luck, he was snapped at more than once "can you be useful for once instead of neglecting your job" Changbin would hiss or he'd hear from Jeongin "don't leave your post we still need you" Seungmin took these to heart and thought "need, not want" it was becoming harder to defend them when they snapped like this. however the worst was yet to come, it all came to a head three days before the heats were over.
he had been getting towels, water bottles, and snacks all at once when he tripped over a rug...something and ended up flinging the stuff at the door. soon the door opened and a growl was heard "are you fucking kidding me, what the hell is your problem Seungmin" Changbin snarled but Chan held him back "what happened" was all he said and Seungmin tried to explain but Chan just sighed "go to your room, we've got this....because obviously it's too much to ask of a beta like you" Minho spat and Seungmin looked to Chan who sighed and leveled him with a disappointed look "just go to bed Seungmin, we'll talk about your behavior when the heats are over" he stated and Seungmin frowned "b-but Channie-Hyung" he tried and Chan snapped "I SAID...go to bed" he hissed and looked angry, Seungmin flinched back and then fled the area. he shut his door as tears came down his face, Chan's never yelled or even almost yelled at him. what did he do wrong, why was everyone being mean to him. Seungmin didn't understand it all, he did know however that as soon as the heats were over he apologized for whatever it was he did wrong. Chan just told him to sit and listen, warned him not to interrupt.
"you're attitude this past week has been disappointing" he stated and Seungmin opened his mouth to speak "still talking" Chan hissed and Seungmin closed his mouth and looked down "you left the post when we might have needed you, you almost fell asleep multiple times, not to mention almost injured Minho and Changbin when they needed to come out, and then what happened nearly three days ago" he stated and Seungmin made a move to speak before a hand was held up "I didn't say you could speak yet" he hissed and Seungmin closed his mouth and then Chan sighed "look Seungmin, your attitude needs to change. it's not all about you, you need to stop being selfish and actually care about your other members. stop being lazy, stop making it seem like an excuse everytime we turn around. be a better Beta or else....now go get dressed and we'll be waiting by the vehicle for when your ready" he snapped as his voice had grown in octave, when he left...slamming the front door Seungmin turned and flinched when he saw Minho "you better make sure to listen to him, to all of us. why do you think Woojin left....he thought he didn't have to anymore...know your place Seungmin" he snapped and Seungmin nodded and rushed to his room to get dressed. they had to still just be snappy after the heats, that's what it had to be....why else would they treat him differently. however Seungmin wasn't sure he believed this, he was starting to remember things he missed. he was starting to remember that they hadn't been treating him right for a while.....how could he miss it, did they even really love him or was he nothing more than their glorified Servant...just someone to have around when they needed help. with a sad thought Seungmin dressed, a sad thought that broke his heart....maybe they never loved him.