Chapter Text
They stopped seeing each other in finals week. The whole campus tensed and high on caffein as Manon tried to keep up with the pressure of writing multiple exams in the span of two weeks.
Sophia had wished her good luck on her first one. Manon did so too, four hours later. After that the chat stayed silent. If Manon saw Sophia rushing past her, she smiled and waved.
When Daniela studied on her living room couch, officially overstimulated by the chaos at the dorms, Manon would get sporadic updates through Lara who would call Daniela on facetime.
Megan cooked for her. Which at first sounded wrong and definitely gave Manon the impression of being a bad older sister, but Megan had only nudged her, kissed her cheek and told her to eat.
“If Sophia wasn’t drowning in her studies, I am sure she would’ve done the same." Yoonchae had once said, standing leant against the kitchen counter. The younger alpha had heard bits and pieces, and probably asked Megan for the complete picture.
She came over more often now, accompanying Megan and always bringing snacks for them all.
And Manon never knew how good caramel and pomegranate could complement each other until the two alphas started wearing each other's clothes, the scent of the other clinging onto their skin.
Manon had raised an eyebrow at her. “Why are you so sure?”
“She sounds like a really reliable person.” Yoonchae had remarked, shrugging her shoulders. “And we are childhood friends.”
“What?!” Megan had screamed from next to the stove. Voicing out Manon’s shook.
The Korean had laughed then. Holding her stomach and stumbling over her feet. “You should’ve seen the look on your faces.”
Manon huffed. “You’re just bluffing.”
Yoonchae shook her head. Took out her phone and presented a photo of the both of them, in pajamas cheesing at the camera. “This was maybe two weeks ago. She invited me to a sleep over.”
And if Megan didn’t look so shocked Manon would’ve killed her for keeping it a secret. “I swear I didn’t know, manz.”
“I didn’t tell her.” Yoonchae added, nodding. “I have to admit it was kind of funny to hear all these things from all of you about Sophia and Lara. I met Lara through Sophia at the beginning of the semester. She probably kept quiet as well.”
Manon buried her face in her hands. “This is one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. Right under watching Daniela trying to gaslight everyone at the club that she was a med student. Nobody believed her.”
“Hey!” They heard Daniela’s voice from the living room. “What happens at the function stays at the function!”
Yoonchae came over and put a hand on her shoulder. “Oh, don’t worry I never talked to her about knowing all of you.”
And Manon sighed out of relief.
“But I definitely heard a few things from her.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Told me about that one time you fell down the stairs because you slipped over your pants.”
Manon winced. “God, no.”
“You have been playing double agent all this time.” Megan accused devastated. “Was dating me just a way to get closer to us??”
Yoonchae turned towards her and gesticulated wildly with her hands. “No! Of course not!” Caramel intensified now like a plea and if Manon wasn't so tired she would've laughed.
The youngest looked between Megan and Manon. Both wide-eyed and unconvinced. “I swear.” She made a big X with her hands.
Manon massaged her nose-bridge. “I have an important exam. I don’t care.” She was on the way to excuse herself, letting the youngsters handle what ever this was until she heard Yoonchae call for her.
“I think you’re good for her.”
And it embarrassed Manon even more. "Oh shut up, chae! Fix your own relationship first!" She shouted back, leaving as fast as she could. Hoping that the others didn't pick up on the amber in the air.
Manon was the last to finish her finals week, and of course, Lara invited them all over to her shared place with Sophia. They came baring gifts. Yoonchae finally revealed in front of them all to Sophia that she had been friends with the group and Manon watched the interaction with amusement.
“You were double crossing me all this time, yoonchip?” Sophia had called, clutching her pearls.
Yoonchae sighed. “No, I was simply making new friends just like you told me to. I only realised later on that the Manon you were talking about was the same Manon Megan dragged me to after we made it official.”
She looked at Lara. “And the inexplicable things you used to share about this one beta only for her to be 5’4-,” “What did I do to you?” Daniela called affronted. Yoonchae visible cringed. “You gave me a headache. Lara never stopped talking about you and your pretty eyes and plump lips an-“
Lara took Yoonchae into a stranglehold. “Not one word.”
The younger giggled, clearly pleased.
“You brought the devil into our house.” Daniela then commented, looking at Megan.
The alpha grinned, not bothered the slightest. “A very beautiful one.”
“She raised that devil.” Manon argued, nodding at Sophia only to be met with a glare. For a moment they just stared at each other, stoking the fire.
“No, pleaseee.” Yoonchae tried to get free from Lara’s iron grip. “Don’t make those two bicker again. Sophia likes it way too much.”
“JEUNG YOONCHAE.”
When the evening came to an end, Megan and Yoonchae leaving together their hands interlocked, Sophia decided to walk with Manon so to give Lara and Daniela some privacy.
“Oh, you are such a selfless friend, soph.” Lara had teased, only for Sophia to roll her eyes.
“Remember it’s your turn to take out the trash tomorrow.”
Lara had huffed then and pushed them both out of the door. “Don’t come back!”
They were walking in silence again. The first fallen snow crunching under their feet as they made their way across campus.
“Now you are the one to walk me home.” Manon remarked, smiling softly. Watching their footprints behind them.
And Sophia answered with the same tender smile. “Yeah, seems like it.”
Halfway to Manon’s apartment the first few drops fell on their heads. At first, they thought it was snow, until the sky darkened and the cold seeped into them. It took one strong breeze and suddenly it started pouring down on them, Sophia shrieking next to her clutching her trench coat.
And Manon didn’t hesitate when she pulled her cap off her head to put it on Sophia’s. “Here.” She offered, as the rain started to fall freely onto her face.
Sophia gnawed on her lip, the cap almost covering her eyes. “And you?”
Manon shrugged. “My clothes are warmer than the blouse your wearing underneath that trenchcoat.”
The rain started to hail down on them.
Manon had to shout over the noise. “If we don’t run now, we will both get a cold!”
“Run?!” Sophia screamed back, adjusting the cap and Manon smiled with a full heart. Sophia looked so pretty in it and Manon couldn’t wait to see her stealing her most precious hoodies.
“First there wins!” Is all she said, turning around and running down the sidewalk.
She heard Sophia yell after her and let laughter bubble out into the freezing air.
She waited on Sophia, asked with an outstretched arm for her hand and the omega intertwined their fingers, palm against palm. Racing together now across the street.
A block away from Manon’s apartment the older turned in a circle. Arms outstretched as she invited the rain to fall on her face. “You know I actually love the rain.”
Sophia hummed. “I do too, but from the inside of my house. I like watching the rain.”
“I like dancing in the rain.” Manon then added, watching Sophia with hope in her eyes.
“You’re not expecting me to dance with you. I am drenched and my feet are freezing.”
“It’s fine, I can dance on my ow-“ Manon slipped on frozen ice hidden beneath the now soaked memory of snow. She stumbled, hands flying up trying to steady herself.
Sophia was right there. Holding onto her arm.
Manon straightened up again, feeling Sophia’s arm slung around her taille.
They were so close now. Manon could see Sophia’s warm exhales in the cold air.
Could feel roses all around her, the worried frown between Sophia’s eyebrows.
“Caution, Manon.” She whispered into the space between them.
Rain was still hailing onto them like an unforgiving stream. Manon was freezing under her soaked clothes.
But all she felt was Sophia’s touch. Leaving goosebumps, electrified heat that spread through her veins and up her heart.
“Sorry.” Manon murmured right back. Her eyes escaping down to Sophia’s lips. “Thank you, soph."
Looking up Manon couldn’t take it anymore. Sophia was staring at her as well. Eyes trailing down and Manon felt her ears burning at the attention. Fingers tingling for touch.
“Be more careful.” Sophia tucked her closer. The hand around Manon's back reaching up to move a few strands sticking to her face away. Sophia's hands were cold, though her touch so gentle.
“Yeah?” Manon smiled, adjusting her cap on Sophia’s head, pulling it back to see Sophia’s eyes in the streetlights. Shining. Sparkling.
Holding all the secrets of the universe.
And Manon took the hand cupping her cheek as an invitation to pull Sophia slowly closer by the lapels of her trenchcoat. Hands moving up to rub circles into the crook of her neck. Skin damp, but so warm.
“Yeah.” Sophia mumbled back, smiling softly. Cupping Manon’s cheeks with both hands now. Thumb tracing the corner of her lips.
“Sophia?” Manon then asked, slightly hesitant. Even when Sophia’s every action was giving her the go signal.
The younger hummed, tilting her head.
“Can I kiss you?”
Her smile turned lop-sided. “Can you?”
Manon pouted, hands now on her waist. “Make up your mind. I am positively drenched and-“ their lips touched.
Finally tasting Sophia’s lip gloss, Manon sighed into the kiss.
The taste of rain on the older's lips as Sophia pulled her closer and tilted her head. Hands on her face guiding her.
Manon bumped into the rim of her own cap. The contact surprised her enough to open her eyes and lean back.
Sophia huffed. And at first Manon thought she had done something wrong, but then she watched Sophia take off the cap and pull it backwards over Manon's head.
And she let her, awe-struck as the younger pressed it down and looked at her pleased.
“Who could’ve thought that leather jackets and silly caps would be the lock to my heart.”
Manon raised an eyebrow. “they suit me. And I know you think I look handsome in them.”
“Oh, shut up.” Sophia grumbled, hands around her nape as she pulled her closer again. This time with no obstacle between them.
The rain now making her black hair cling to her. Lip gloss fading, cheeks bitten red.
“You’re so pretty.” Manon whispered right against her lips.
“Not as pretty as you, my dear.”
-- --
They walked the way to Manon’s apartment with Sophia’s left hand in Manon’s jacket pocket.
“I can’t possibly let you go like this.” Manon called as she pulled out her keys. The rain had started to slow. Barely a backdrop now as the both stood sheltered on the front porch.
“It’s fine, I can run back.”
Manon grimaced. “And walk in on Daniela and Lara? Yeah, no. At least shower and change your clothes.”
When she finally managed to convince Sophia to come up with her, their feet creaking on the old wooden stairs, Manon hoped that she left at least the living room in a clean state.
Opening the door, and taking off their shoes, Manon realised that she had kept the balcony door open. The sound of raindrops against glass and the smell of fresh earthy air in the house.
She went to close it, felt Sophia right behind her.
“Your home is cozy.” The younger breathed, close to a whisper as if it would ruin the halted moment.
“Thank you.”
They took turns showering. And while Sophia was the first, Manon made work to place candles, to warm water in a kettle and take out a few blankets.
When the younger was done, skin damp, wearing Manon’s sweats and her black-rimmed glasses-, well Manon couldn’t help but stare.
“Take a picture.” Sophia had remarked, winking amused.
Manon handed her a cup of tea, a blanket and moved the one-seater closer to the window.
“There. Now you can watch the rain.”
And although Sophia was drowned in Manon’s amber, the clothes, the room, the air smelling of the alpha. Suddenly everything was full of flowers. Roses. Pink and blooming.
She put the cup on the couch table and pulled Manon in by her shirt to kiss her. Deep and passionate. Like it’s the only thing that mattered and Manon melted under her touch.
Head dizzy. Fingers finding hold along Sophia’s waist. The feeling of her own hoodie on the omega's body only amplifying every tingle in her brain.
Manon moved them backwards and Sophia followed until she felt the wall behind her. Manon’s hand shielding her head from colliding with the hard surface.
“What a gentlewoman.” Sophia teased between pecks.
“Only for tonight.” Manon rasped right back.
Sophia laughed. “Okay, casanova.” She breathed out right into her ear.
Manon shied away. “Can you stop doing that.”
Sophia tilted her head, playing with Manon’s hair. Curling a strand around her finger. “What?”
Raising an eyebrow, yelling with her eyes “this exactly!” Manon shook her head. She moved closer feigning to kiss Sophia’s lips only to move upwards and peck her nose.
Sophia bit her lip and Manon had to refrain from pushing back into her. From kissing until she lost her breath.
She sighed against Sophia’s warm skin. Kissed her forehead and distanced herself. “I still need to shower, soph.”
“Go on, I will still be here.”
Manon opened her eyes, hopeful. “You will?”
It was Sophia’s turn to roll her eyes. “Yeah, I am not going back now. And besides. I have much better company here.”
After Manon came out of the bathroom, changed into a sleep shirt and black sweats, the two found themselves sharing a blanket watching old romcom movies on the living room couch.
The rain had long stopped now. Manon had made popcorn and brought pillows for comfort.
Who knew that Sophia’s favourite pillow was her shoulder all along.
They barely made it to the end of the first movie. And Manon doesn’t remember what even happened.
All she knows is that they both fell asleep entangled on the couch. Sophia’s head on her chest, the younger’s palm warm on her stomach.
“You remember that first time you sat down next to me?”
Manon hummed, eyes barely open as she let Sophia rub circles into her skin.
“I was so nervous.” She whispered.
And Sophia all but giggled into her, Manon’s arm slung across her back.
“I could see that.”
“But you know, that one moment where you were looking at me all blushing and asking if I was alright?”
Sophia groaned.
“Yeah, I haven’t forgotten.” Manon tutted. “I still don’t know what it was.”
“You don’t have to.”
Manon pouted. “Would you tell me if I tell you something as well?”
Sophia pushed an elbow into the couch to look at her. “And that is?”
Manon was smiling infatuated. “I love seeing you in my clothes.”
“They are comfortable.” Sophia hummed. “And they smell of you.”
Manon stammered. “Do y-you like it? I mean-,” Sophia laughed against her and Manon couldn’t help but reciprocate.
“I like it so much I couldn’t focus.”
And Sophia watched Manon connecting the dots. “You were asking me if I was alright as an excuse to get closer?”
Well, Manon might have went a bit overboard.
“It’s not that dramatic.”
The alpha took it as a win anyways. “Oh my god, you’re so cute. Well at least now you can cuddle me whenever you want.”
Sophia nudged her shoulder but didn’t make a move to retaliate. So, Manon squeezed their intertwined hands. “Oh, and in case you didn’t know it. Your roses are my favourites.”
The omega smiled, pleased. “Thanks. Do you want to know one of my favourites?”
Manon shrugged, even if the look in her eyes betrayed her.
Sophia came closer, the space between them non-existent now as Manon could feel Sophia’s exhales against her philtrum. She would’ve expected something along the lines of amber. But instead, Sophia whispered “Ceylon tea and honey.”
Manon tilted her head. “I am pretty sure that’s the type of the tea I made you.”
She then remembered Megan, and how the younger once told her that sometimes she smelled more of black tea than amber. "When your really comfy and close to falling asleep."
Sophia’s eyes glinted in the light as she closed the distance between them, with a hand on Manon’s jaw. “And it’s the taste of your lips.”
So when the doorbell rang the next morning, the first thing Manon felt was a warm body next to her. Sophia had moved in her sleep, now laying right next to her. A leg thrown over Manon’s torso as they shared the small space on the couch.
Trying to move just a bit, she felt her back screaming from the soreness.
The bell rang again.
Sophia grumbled something incoherently against her sensitive skin.
“Morning.” Manon whispered, searching for her face. Reaching out to pull her hair to the side.
Sophia’s eyes opened, drowsy and tired but Manon could see the faint smile tugging on her lips. “Do you have something planned or who is that banging on your door?”
Manon snorted. Watching Sophia narrow her eyes at the lack of a response.
“My love-,” She started, voice still sleep-ridden and grainy. “That is probably Daniela. You didn’t walk back yesterday. And I haven’t looked at my phone since we left your house.”
Sophia pursed her lips. “Moving like the FBI.”
Manon nodded. “We can even bet that Megan and maybe Yoonchae are also outside.”
“I can hear you talking, Bannerman!” Daniela yelled. “Open up, I know you both are in here!”
Manon moved to cover Sophia’s ears before she shouted back. “ALRIGHT! WAIT!”
She stumbled out of their little entangled mess and while Sophia went to the bathroom, Manon moved to the door. She turned the knob and was greeted with Daniela standing in her face, arms crossed.
And as Manon had expected, Megan right behind her.
“What do you both need so early in the morning?”
Megan rolled her eyes. “Ah, come on. Don’t be stupid. I can smell Sophia from here.”
“You do?” Daniela asked, looking even more excited. “So she really slept over!”
Manon pulled them both inside, scared of another warning from her neighbours. “Stop talking so loudly.”
Before Megan or Daniela could start their questions anew, footsteps came closer. Sophia smiled at them, still in Manon’s clothes as she made her way to the kitchen. “You want coffee, babe?”
“Yeah, please.”
“Wait-,” Megan stared wide-eyed.
“Oh, and of course for you two nosy heads as well.” Sophia remarked leaving the scene just as smoothly as she entered it. She could’ve called them stupid and it would have flown over their heads just as much.
Daniela shook Manon’s shoulders. “Did she just call you babe?”
“Is this what I think it is?” Megan asked as well, pomegranate intensifying by the sheer excitement radiating off her.
Manon smiled. Wide and bright, as she nodded once.
The shrieks that followed reached even Sophia who started laughing from the kitchen.
After the initial congratulations, Daniela and Megan hugging Sophia and welcoming her to their chaos, which of course embarrassed Manon to no end, the four of them finally sat down in Manon’s living room, each with a cup of coffee that Sophia had made earlier.
Megan on the floor her back resting against Manon’s legs. Sophia perched on the one-seater and Daniela spread across the rest of the couch.
“So, let me get this right-, you kissed under the rain?” Megan asked, turning to look into Manon’s eyes. The older ran a hand through her hair and nodded. “Sophia is a real romantic.”
The omega looked at her over the rim of her coffee cup. “Me? You asked if you could kiss me right there. Soaked and drenched. I was freezing.”
Daniela swooned, grabbing a pillow to hold it close to her chest. “Oh my god, how disgustingly cute.”
Humming, Manon didn’t let it deter her. “And you kissed me anyways.”
Manon’s hand was still in Megan’s hair. And as Daniela went on a rant of clichés, Manon found Sophia’s eyes on her.
It was a tingle in her chest. The sudden hesitance if showing Megan, another alpha, affection was something that Sophia wouldn’t expect of her or if that would change her view on the older.
But before Manon could second guess, her hand itching to retreat, Sophia smiled, mouthing a “I adore u.” And it left butterflies all over Manon’s skin.
“They are always like that.” Daniela then commented. “And they drag me into it.”
Megan turned to her with a challenge in her eyes. “Just three days ago you pushed your way between us on my bed. And that sweater your wearing is Manon’s.”
“You’re wearing Yoonchae’s varsity jacket.” Daniela argued back.
And Megan puffed her chest in pride. “She’s my beautiful girlfriend. Of course I would.” She tapped Manon’s knee. “You need to ask her, please. I know she’d say yes”
Manon frowned. “What?”
And Megan turned so it was only visible to Manon as she mouthed. “pack.”
Manon turned bright red, feeling Sophia’s eyes on her. Megan actually saw her as the leader of their little gimmicks.
Turning to Daniela for help the beta smiled knowingly.
“Right, dani?” Megan added.
Daniela snorted. “She already is a part of us, babes.”
Manon hummed. “Yeah, she’s important to you. So, she’s important to us.” Looking up at Sophia she added. “And she’s Sophia’s childhood friend.”
The omega let her gaze flit from one of them to the other. Closing in on Megan as the weak link. “What is this all about?”
The younger alpha pursed her lips. “Well, you know, we share cigarettes and-“
Manon sighed.
“Megan made a joke about being a pack and it stuck.” Daniela offered, biting the bullet. And they all watched Sophia ponder over it. Raising an eyebrow.
“The three of you?” She then asked.
Daniela hummed. Clearly the only one who could explain this without falling into a rabbit hole of instincts and biology. “Kinda sweet right. A family.”
And Sophia smiled, nodding as she stared at Manon. Eyes heavy with meaning. “I just hope you know this family will double in numbers soon enough.”
Megan laughed, excited.
And they all knew who Sophia was referring to. Yoonchae the confident basketball player, who didn’t only surprise Megan but all of them, Lara who stayed at home to sleep some more, even if Daniela told her she will regret not coming with her and lastly, Sophia herself.
And Manon felt her heart beating faster at the thought.
When Sophia and Megan moved to put the empty cups in the dishwasher, Daniela cornered Manon and kissed her cheek.
“I don’t have to be your luna anymore, she’s right there.” The beta whispered between them and Manon could hear her smiling.
“Shut up, dani.” Manon grumbled, ears burning. “I will combust if she ever looks at me like that again.”