Chapter Text
Jiahao knew he wasn’t feeling good, and he knew exactly what that meant.
His heat was coming.
But he couldn’t entertain that thought—not now, not when they had three days at most before the flight to Hong Kong for their long-awaited MAMA awards performance.
Not when everyone - the members, the staff - had been practicing nonstop, pouring everything into nailing their upcoming performance, expecting nothing to go wrong.
The group couldn’t afford distractions, and Jiahao, as the only omega in their nearly all-alpha pack, had always prided himself on holding it together.
So when Leo slipped away from the mirrors during a quick water break and came up behind him—snaking one strong arm around Jiahao’s slim waist, pulling him back gently against his chest, and nosing softly at his scent gland—Jiahao was already prepared.
He’d rehearsed the words in his head, even though he wasn’t as confident. But it was the closest shot.
“I took my pills,” he said quickly, voice steady and bright, tilting his head just enough to give Leo better access while keeping the lie smooth.
Leo stilled for a second, warm breath ghosting over the sensitive skin of Jiahao’s neck.
The worry that had been creasing his brow eased a little, shoulders relaxing. He always worried more than anyone else about Jiahao during big schedules—quietly checking in, making sure he ate, drank water, rested.
It was their thing, the same-age closeness that let Leo drop the full leader mask sometimes and just be the friend who cared too much.
But also because Leo was Jiahao’s alpha. In all ways that mattered.
“You’re flushed,” Leo murmured, lips brushing Jiahao’s gland in a way that sent an involuntary shiver down his spine. His free hand came up to cup Jiahao’s cheek, thumb stroking gently. “And your scent’s stronger.”
“I’m okay,” Jiahao insisted, turning in Leo’s loose hold to face him fully, hands settling on Leo’s chest. He forced a playful smile, the one that always worked on cameras and fans. “It’s just the studio lights and all the running around.”
Leo’s eyes searched his, that deep, protective gaze that made Jiahao feel both safe and a little exposed.
“Hao, there’s nothing wrong with admitting if the suppressants aren’t holding. We can adjust—”
Jiahao cut him off gently, fingers sliding up to cup Leo’s jaw, holding his gaze steady and earnest.
“Leo, nothing is wrong with me.” He let his thumb trace along Leo’s lower lip, soft and reassuring. “I promise.”
Leo’s expression softened further, but he didn’t let go. Instead, his hands moved to Jiahao’s delicate sides, rubbing slow, comforting lines up and down over his thin practice shirt.
“If you don’t feel good,” he said quietly, voice low enough that only Jiahao could hear, “that would be on me. As your leader… and as your mate.”
Jiahao smiled at that.
He’d been expecting Leo to say whatever we are, considering they hadn’t exactly placed a label on it.
But then again, with pretty much how they were since the survival show, things were good as sealed.
They were mates.
Leo had his mating mark on Jiahao, just as Jiahao on Leo - during their third time syncing their heat and rut a long while back now.
They just never talked about it explicitly yet.
Still, Jiahao felt good hearing it from Leo’s lips himself.
The leader’s thumbs pressed gently at Jiahao’s waist, possessive and tender. “Now, does anything hurt?”
There it was—that unwavering care, the way Leo always put Jiahao first without making it obvious to everyone else. (The fans wouldn’t agree though - Leo always acts like Jiahao’s the only person in the room both on camera or when they’re being filmed off guard by fansites.)
It made Jiahao’s chest ache in the best way.
“No,” he answered, softer now, leaning into the touch.
“Not even—” Leo’s hand slid forward, palm splaying warm and careful over Jiahao’s lower stomach, fingers spread in a gentle caress. His eyes stayed locked on Jiahao’s, searching. “Your stomach? You barely ate earlier.”
Jiahao felt heat pool low at the intimate press, the way Leo’s hand fit perfectly there, like he knew exactly where the first cramps liked to settle.
He couldn’t help the small, breathy laugh that escaped—part nerves, part genuine fondness.
“No, Leo. Nothing hurts.”
“Why are you laughing?” Leo asked, pinching Jiahao’s side lightly, playfully, lips twitching into a reluctant smile.
“I’m really fine,” Jiahao said, grinning wider now, hands sliding up to loop around Leo’s neck. “Why are you so worried?”
Leo leaned in until their foreheads touched, voice dropping to that teasing, intimate murmur they saved for moments like this—no cameras, no audience, just them.
“I can’t be worried about my pack’s omega?” His fingers traced lazy circles at Jiahao’s waist again, dipping just under the hem of his shirt to brush bare skin. “The one who’s been driving me crazy all day with that little sway in his hips?”
Jiahao’s cheeks burned hotter, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, pressed closer, letting their bodies align.
“Maybe I’ve been doing it on purpose,” he whispered back, teasing, lips brushing Leo’s as he spoke. “But maybe- because obviously, I’m just that good.”
Leo exhaled a quiet laugh, his breath against Jiahao’s mouth.
Jiahao smiled and pressed closer.
Leo’s eyes then narrowed, playful suspicion flickering in them as he kept his hand splayed low on Jiahao’s stomach, thumb tracing slow, absent circles just above the waistband of his sweats.
“But really, Hao. I just want to know if you’re really okay. Because what if you’ll have a hard time- what?”
Jiahao bit the inside of his cheek to stop another giggle from slipping out, but the way Leo was looking at him—like he could see straight through every careful wall Jiahao built—made his chest feel warm and fluttery.
“I just love how attentive you are.”
“Attentive,” Leo echoed, voice dropping lower, lips curving into that small, knowing smile that always made Jiahao’s knees weak.
He leaned in closer, nose brushing the shell of Jiahao’s ear.
“Is that what we’re calling it when I notice my omega’s scent is sweeter than usual and he’s been rubbing his thighs together every five minutes?”
Jiahao’s breath caught, heat rushing to his cheeks. He tried to pull back just enough to glare, but Leo’s arm around his waist tightened, keeping him right there—chest to chest, hips brushing, no escape.
“I have not been rubbing my thighs together.”
“Liar,” Leo murmured, lips grazing the sensitive spot just below Jiahao’s ear. “You did it twice during the last run-through. Thought I wasn’t watching, huh?”
Jiahao huffed, half-embarrassed, half-turned on, fingers curling into the front of Leo’s shirt. “You’re imagining things.”
“Am I?” Leo’s hand on his stomach slid lower—slow, teasing, stopping just before it became too obvious, palm pressing warm and possessive over the soft skin there. “Then why are you already this warm, Hao? Why do you smell like you want to be kissed stupid right here in the practice room?”
Jiahao’s eyes fluttered, a soft whine catching in his throat before he could stop it. He glanced quickly toward the mirrors—empty now, everyone else on a break—but the risk of it still sent a thrill down his spine. “Leo…”
Leo pulled back just enough to meet his gaze again, eyes dark but gentle, thumb stroking along Jiahao’s side in soothing lines.
“I’m not pushing,” Leo said quietly, voice losing the teasing edge for a moment, pure care underneath. “You know that. But if you’re starting and you need anything—pills wearing off, cramps, whatever—you tell me. No hiding it to ‘protect the schedule.’ You’re more important than any stage.”
Jiahao’s heart did something stupid and flippy in his chest.
He leaned in, pressing their foreheads together, breathing Leo in—steady, warm, safe. “I know,” he whispered. “I really did take them this morning. It’s just… creeping up a little early, maybe. Nothing I can’t handle yet.”
Leo hummed, lips brushing Jiahao’s temple. “My strong omega,” he murmured, pride and affection thick in his voice.
Then the teasing crept back in, softer this time.
“But if you keep looking at me like that, I’m gonna drag you to the supply closet and handle it for you.”
Jiahao laughed—quiet, breathy, cheeks burning—as he nudged Leo’s chest. “Leo, we have three days before the flight.”
“So?”
“So you’d better keep those hands to yourself, leader-nim… I’ll be okay, I promise. My heat won’t fully start until about five days later. By then, I’ll call for you.”
“If you’re sure,” Leo hummed, nipping lightly at Jiahao’s jaw before pulling back, hands sliding up to cup his face instead. His thumbs stroked over flushed cheeks, eyes searching. “Seriously, Hao. Promise me you’ll say something if it gets worse.”
Jiahao turned his head to kiss Leo’s palm, lingering there, letting his lips brush the warm skin. “Promise,” he said softly.
“Or at least tell any of the others. You know everyone will do anything for you, right? We’ll give you everything you need.”
“I know,” Jiahao’s eyes softened at that.
The seven alphas were truly very sweet and caring, always ready on their feet to make sure everyone else felt safe and comfortable — especially Jiahao.
“But right now… I’m still good. Really good, actually. Because you’re here fussing over me like this.”
Leo snorted, rolling his eyes even as he leaned in to steal a quick, sweet kiss, soft press of lips, lingering just long enough to make Jiahao chase for a second when he pulled away.
“Because I’m your alpha,” Leo teased lightly, before looping his arm back around Jiahao’s waist to tug him toward the door. “Now come on. Let’s drink some water before I carry you over to the cooler myself.”
Jiahao let himself be led, fingers tangled with Leo’s, that warm, fluttery feeling settling deeper in his chest. “I’m not even thirsty.”
“You need water.”
Jiahao huffed a laugh.
“Leo.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“What? Tell me.”
Jiahao grinned.
“I’m just so lucky.”