Archive of Our Own ^beta

You were alone, left out in the cold
Clinging to the ruin of your broken home
Hear the falling and lonely, cry out
Will you fix me up? Will you show me hope?

- Someone To Stay by Vancouver Sleep Clinic

🎋

   January 2016

The snow underneath San's shoes crunched with every step the boy took. His breath misted in front of him underneath the faint glow of the streetlamps. He looked up into the dark sky, more snowflakes falling down on top of his face and melted on his cheek as the boy closed his eyes for a moment. 

It was the first snow of the year. The day of soulmates who were supposed to be guided together. 

Everyone on earth has a soulmate. Some will meet, some will be happy together, and some soulmates will never find each other because death pulled them apart too soon. Not every soulmate was meant to be lovers, but friends as well.

But for those destined to meet, there was one sign everyone could count on: the first snowfall of the year.

"I don't think I will find my soulmate this year, Jongho~ya." The boy whispered into his phone, he didn't want anyone to hear him while he was looking desperately for his soulmate. San didn't even know how he would find out if he met his soulmate. No one ever told him, no one was able to explain it anyway. It just happened that everyone suddenly knew. 

"Most people find their soulmate between 17 and 20 years. The chance isn't as low as you think." Jongho shrugged, sitting at home in the warmth of the Choi house. In his hand a warm chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream. Christmas may be over but Jongho still wanted the winter experience till the snow was gone for good.

San sighed, shaking his head with a quiet chuckle. He kicked a pile of snow away with his shoes.

"You found Yeosang at, what, ten years? Both of you were kids. That's hardly fair, Jongho."

A smile appeared on Jongho's flushed face. He was thankful that his brother wasn't able to see him right now. If he did, he’d never hear the end of the teasing which would follow. "Yeah, maybe, but you know how it is. Some people meet early, some later." He stared at the snow falling outside against the window. "But just meeting them doesn’t make things easy."

"That's true." San sat down on a bench after brushing the snow off. "So, did you finally tell him how you feel?"

"Are you crazy?" Jongho choked on his hot chocolate and snorted. "We’re friends. Nothing would change, even if I told him." The boy fell silent for a minute. 

San knew his Brother liked the boy he met in elementary school. Yeosang was a nice and a polite boy. It broke Jongho's heart when the older changed to a private school. They never lost contact but in the end they were hanging out less than before and San always comforted him when Jongho cried because of that. What happened way too often.

"Hyung... some soulmates are simply not meant to be lovers." Jongho's voice rang out of the phone again. "He is in a relationship. His omega already chose an alpha." San could hear his brother’s voice cracking. He knew Jongho would end up crying any minute.

"Jongho~ya." San said, pressing his lips into a thin line. "Remember what Eomma always says? She was with someone else before she met Dad. Just because Yeosang’s with him now doesn’t mean it’s the end." The boy drew some circles into the snow underneath him with the tip of his shoes. "You don't know for sure if his omega chose him for good."

A desperate laugh rang out from the other side of the phone. "Thanks for cheering me up, but it's okay. To have him in my life is already enough for me." Another minute without the boy talking passed by. "I will hang up now. I don't want to be the reason why you won't meet your soulmate." 

San chuckled. "You just don't want to hear anything else regarding Yeosang." He glanced at the surrounding lights, still giving off the Christmas vibes that had ended just two weeks ago. He adjusted his scarf and stood up, walking towards the Namsan tower. 

"It’s almost eleven," he murmured, half to himself, half to Jongho through the phone. "I don’t think I’ll meet my soulmate today. Maybe next year."

"Let's see." Jongho said after taking another sip of his warm chocolate. "I have a feeling you will meet them today. You still have one hour left." 

"Yeah, we'll see." He stopped at the foot of the stairs leading up to the tower. "I’ll see you at home later, Jongho-ya"

The boy ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket. He took a deep breath of the cold air as he started to walk up the stairs. He kept his gaze on the city below, which still seemed busy despite the late night.

"Gosh, they should finally get rid of those Christmas lights." A high-pitched voice said with an annoying expression. San turned around to see a boy who was walking down the stairs, his long black hair falling across his face. "Isn't it enough to see that shit during Christmas already? Why do I need to be bothered by those lights, even after that stupid day." He mumbled into the phone right next to his ear. 

The moment the eyes of both boys met the world around them stopped spinning for a second, eyes glowing up just for everything to go back to normal again. It felt like an invisible thread connected them.

"I need to hang up. Something really interesting just happened." The stranger smirked and put his phone back into his pocket, walking towards San with crossed arms and a challenging look. The latter furrowed his brows, unable to look away. The boy in front of him looked beautiful, but something was off, and San didn't like the vibe of the boy at all. He wore pearl earrings and a matching necklace. Despite the cold weather, the boy went out with a rather thin jacket with laces and, underneath, a beige pullover. His skirt pants matched the other crème colors of his look. 

He was the total opposite of San who was wearing simple sweatpants, a black pullover, a thick winter jacket on top and a beanie with a corny "Stay Cozy" slogan on the front. 

"So, it's nice to meet you." The boy looked San up and down. "My soulmate."

San really wanted to disagree with the boy, but he felt it as well. He didn't know how, but he felt it. He felt the invisible bond between them. And it made his stomach twist. 

No matter how excited San was before because of the whole Soulmate story, his smile just vanished. The first expression is always important, and the call that San overheard was an immediate no-go for him. He loved Christmas and all those lights. Unlike the stranger in front of him. And most importantly, his whole attitude had an edge that rubbed San the wrong way.

Was that San nitpicking? Yes, but he didn't feel bad at all. The attitude of the boy was off. 

"My name is Wooyoung. What about you?" He laid his right hand on the chest of the slightly taller boy. Zipping his jacket up with the other hand. 

San’s patience, which didn't exist to begin with, snapped. He took a step back, removing Wooyoung’s hand from his chest. "What the fuck do you think you’re doing?" he asked.

Wooyoung's smirk grew even wider, and it made San's blood boil. "I’m asking for my soulmate’s name. Don’t pretend you didn’t feel it too."

"I don't know what you are talking about." Without another word, he spun around and hurried down the stairs. He didn’t stop until he was out of sight, hidden by some buildings.

By the time he reached his house, he barely remembered how he’d gotten there. Was it a panic reaction to suddenly run away? Yes. Did the other boy deserve it? Definitely. 

He leaned against his door as soon as he entered the house. The living room was dark, but he was able to see a faint light in Jongho's room. The boy pondered if he should tell his brother what just happened, but shook his head and went into the bathroom instead, to get himself fresh before bed. Time to forget whatever just happened today.

March 2016

If there was one thing San wasn't excited for, it was definitely the first day of school after the big winter vacation. The abrupt end of some holiday freedom, put him in a less-than-cheerful mood, and it just got worse when he entered the school yard, giving the teacher at the front a quick bow. 

"Blonde hair?" He heard the teacher yell through the yard. "Are you really looking to get in trouble on the first day?" The boy had to laugh at the unfortunate soul who’d just become the teacher’s target. Without looking back at the boy who just got scolded, he headed to the place his friends always met up before school. 

He spotted the big tree, making his way over with a bit more energy than before. His friends were the only good thing at school.

"San~a!" A tall boy ran towards the latter and gave him a tight hug. San grunted, trying to hide his amusement at the puppy-like enthusiasm of his friend, whose grin seemed far too bright for such an early hour. On the first school day on top of that.

"Yunho. It's way too early for such energy." He chuckled, sitting down on the bench beneath the cherry blossom tree. 

"Come on. It's a new year, be a bit more excited."

Yunho slid onto the bench next to San and put an arm around his shoulders. "By the way," Yunho leaned in and whispered into his ear, "did you find your soulmate during the vacation?" 

San rolled his eyes, shrugging off Yunho’s arm with a huff. "You’re insufferable, you know that? Just like Jongho-ya."

"Well, he is your brother—that’s practically his job." He looked around, frowning while straightening up. "Speaking of Jongho-ya, where is he?"

"Sick." San said, not elaborating further. 

Yunho raised an eyebrow, "Lovesick?" He laughed and waved towards a boy who made his way towards them at the same time.

"I won't disagree with him being lovesick, but he was throwing up this morning without a break, so either his rut is coming or gastrointestinal hit him." San stood up to open his arms for the boy, who was a bit shorter than Yunho but still much taller than San. "Mingi!" San’s face brightened. "I missed you."

Mingi laughed, pulling San into a tight hug, only to do the same for Yunho… Even though he hugged Yunho a bit longer than San. 

"I wonder who is lovesick now." The boy muttered to himself before clearing his throat and motioning toward the school building. "So, can we go in now?"

Yunho and Mingi exchanged glances, a faint blush on both their faces.

The two betas were painfully in love with each other, friends since they were literal babies. But none of them found their soulmates yet, and since they knew each other for such a long time without noticing a bond between them, they were sure of not being soulmates. 

San called big bullshit because everyone around them could see the bond between Yunho and Mingi. San had tried explaining it to Yunho more times than he could count. He told him that the reason they never experienced any “soulmate signs" was probably because it had happened when they were toddlers. Of course, they wouldn’t remember it.

But every time, Yunho just laughed it off, and Mingi would shrug it away with an awkward smile. San had given up. If they were okay dancing around their feelings, who was he to intervene?

"Sure, let's go in." Yunho said, taking the lead and heading into the building without waiting for a response from the other two boys. San could only roll his eyes because of him. 

"Dumbass," he muttered before following him. 

🎋

San slid into a seat in the back row, claiming three seats for himself, Yunho, and Mingi. He placed his bag on the fourth seat beside him, which was empty. He really didn't want anyone to sit there, and it worked. The class was full except one chair. The chair next to him.

"Thank god." San whispered and leaned back, crossing his arms in front of him.

But as soon as the door opened, the hope of having an empty seat next to him shattered. The teacher walked in, followed by another boy—slightly shorter, with bright blonde hair that practically glowed in the classroom. So that was the boy who got scolded in the morning. 

"This is Jung Wooyoung. He is a new student in this class." The teacher announced, with a smile on his face, but it was definitely not a real one. San hated that teacher for a reason. "Please be nice and help him if he has any questions." The class answered with a "yes" at the same time, but no one cared. The first day of school, and everyone already sounded totally unmotivated. 

Wooyoung’s gaze swept over the class till he saw San in the back row. A grin appeared on his lips as he walked towards the empty chair and removed San's bag without hesitation before he sat down. 

"Fancy meeting you here, soulmate," Wooyoung leaned in close enough for only San to hear it. 

The eyes of San widened as he recognized the boy in front of him. The very boy he’d tried so hard to push out of his mind since that strange encounter. But apparently, fate—or whatever strange force bound soulmates together—had other plans for him. 

Fuck that Soulmate Bullshit.

Wooyoung met his gaze with that same smirk, as if he knew exactly what San was thinking. "What?" He pouted. "Are you not happy to see me?"

San forced himself to look away and began writing in his notebook as the teacher started to talk in front of the class. As the teacher talked for the fourth time about some rules for this school year, Wooyoung leaned over once more, close enough that San could feel his breath tickling his ear.

"Looks like we’re destined to stick together," he whispered. Wooyoung was clearly amused by the whole situation. At least San thought so based on his attitude. 

San clenched his fist. He told himself he could totally ignore him. He would. He had to. Because as much as fate seemed determined to throw them together, he wasn’t about to make it easy for Wooyoung. Something inside of him simply disliked the boy. 

🎋

"I'm sorry for the direct question, but since you're San's soulmate, I'm curious." Yunho plopped himself onto San’s desk, crossing his arms as he eyed Wooyoung. "Are you a beta or an omega?" 

Before Wooyoung could even respond, San slapped the back of Yunho’s head. "Yah! What the heck are you asking some stranger?" he hissed. 

Yunho rubbed his head, unbothered by San’s reaction. "He's not a stranger." He shrugged. "He's our classmate and your soulmate." Yunho emphasized the 'your' before turning towards Wooyoung again. San groaned and his frustration just grew.  

"San~a, I'm okay with that question." Wooyoung said, fluttering his lashes. When did they agree to speak casually like friends? 

San narrowed his eyes as he crossed his arms. He glared at the two of them. "Since when are we all best friends?" He was glad to wear his scent patches otherwise the room would be filled with the sour smell of the usual cozy wooden scent.

Yunho just chuckled, standing up off San's desk. "Just trying to help you get to know each other better."

"Oh really? What if I tell Mingi right now about your massive crush on him?" The boy hissed. Yunho’s face paled, and he shot a quick glance around the room, relieved to find that Mingi hadn’t returned from the bathroom yet. "You wouldn't." He swallowed hard. 

This time San grinned, to be petty, which made him feel a bit better. "Try me, Yunho. Keep pushing, and you’ll find out."

Yunho held his hands up in surrender, trying to laugh the situation off. "Alright, alright, point taken." 

Wooyoung, who observed the whole conversation with a wicked grin, leaned in to whisper: "Ooh, the plot thickens," he teased. 

"Okay, I get what you mean." Yunho muttered and sat back on his own chair. 

San shot him a look. "I’m not in the mood for your stupid comments so shut it."

Wooyoung’s grin only widened. He was obviously unfazed by the boy. "Noted, soulmate."

May 2016

San didn't know how it happened, but Wooyoung became an integral part of the group of friends who just kept getting bigger. He slipped into it just with his extroverted personality.

Wooyoung was friends with a soulmate couple in the class above them. Park Seonghwa, a taller omega who looked like a model and was sculpted by the gods personally, and a short alpha with the name Kim Hongjoong. It didn't take long before Seonghwa and Hongjoong joined the group as well. 

San found himself relaxing more around Wooyoung, the thick tension of the beginning between them slowly faded, and it seemed like Wooyoung accepted the rejection of his soulmate. 

And San quickly realized why it was so easy for Wooyoung. 

"You slept with Yeonjun?" Jongho's eyes widened as they sat on the floor of Yeosang's room, surrounded by Soju bottles. 

Wooyoung nodded with a grin. He sighed as he leaned against the wall. "If I tell you, it was one of the best one-night stands I ever had." He closed his eyes.

"I thought you were in a relationship with Changbin?" Yeosang, who listened to the whole conversation quietly, furrowed his eyebrows.

Wooyoung chuckled and opened his eyes again, shaking his head. "Nah, we’re just friends with benefits. And he’s really good at it," he said with a laugh, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "Oh, and Bangchan knows exactly what he is doing as well.  He helped me through some heats. 10/10 I can recommend."

The room fell silent for a while. Each one of them was trying to take in Wooyoung’s nonchalant answer as if he didn't care about serious relationships at all. San felt disoriented. In front of him was his so-called soulmate—  and he was the total contrary to San and his beliefs about a loyal and serious relationship.

"Wooyoung," Mingi said, looking at the smaller. "Sorry for the question, but with how many did you sleep?"

"Mingi," Wooyoung was clearly amused by the question, "are you keeping track of your own body count?"

Mingi’s cheeks flushed a little. "No. But I’m just… curious." He looked away nervously. 

"Fair question, I guess," the blonde replied. "Honestly, it depends. I don’t keep a list or anything. I just go with the flow, you know? If I connect with someone and we’re both into it, why not?" He shrugged and took a shot of his glass filled with soju. "You only live once. I'd rather have a lot of fun than be in a long-term relationship."

"Guess that makes sense… for you," San muttered, unable to keep an inch of annoyance out of his voice. But Wooyoung just grinned, completely unbothered by it. 

San didn't know if it was simply Wooyoung's Character or if he sort of tried to make San angry, but he was definitely successful with the latter. 

"I know It's not everyone’s cup of tea," Wooyoung replied, glancing at San with those mischievous eyes he hated so much. "But why settle when you can keep your options open, right?" He shrugged, pouring himself another shot of soju. 

"You don’t think it’s, I don’t know, risky? Especially as an omega?" San asked. "I always thought if your omega doesn't settle, it can get dangerous."

For the first time this evening, Wooyoung seemed taken aback. He looked on his glass, avoiding San's gaze. "Maybe. But what's the worst that can happen?" 

San opened his mouth to reply, but a sharp noise interrupted the conversation, all heads turned around towards the culprit who made the noise. 

"Yeosang! Everything okay?" Jongho shot up from his spot, rushing over to where Yeosang was standing. Yeosang looked down at the bottle he’d accidentally knocked off the table. His cheeks flushed slightly as he realized everyone’s eyes were on him. 

"Ah, sorry, I-I didn’t m-mean to," Yeosang mumbled. There was clearly too much alcohol in his blood. He bent down to pick up the bottle, but his hands shook, and he lost his balance, almost falling on the broken glass if it weren't for Jongho who held him.

"Easy there," Jongho murmured as he held Yeosang  between his arms. "Let’s sit down, okay?"

Yeosang who lost his voice by now was only able to nod with closed eyes. With his hand never leaving Yeosang’s shoulder, Jongho guided him to a spot on the floor. The others watched concerned at both of them as the alpha sat beside Yeosang, making sure he was comfortable. The older boy leaned onto Jongho’s shoulder and quickly fell asleep.

"I guess we should stop here." Yunho groaned, standing up from the floor. "I will take the couch to sleep." 

San shook his head. "No, you won’t. I’m not sharing a bed with Mingi. He always tries to cuddle with me," The boy complained while he put away some of the empty bottles. 

"There is still a free place in the guest room." Mingi offered with a stupid grin on his lips. 

The color in San's face dropped. "Oh, no. Absolutely not."

Wooyoung raised an eyebrow in amusement. "What’s wrong, San? Afraid of a little… closeness?" he teased, winking at the boy.

San shot him an annoyed look. "Not all of us are as casual about sharing beds as you are."

"Or as clingy as Mingi," Jongho added with a laugh, as he brushed a strand of hair behind Yeosang's ear.

"I’ll rather take the armchair if I have to." San muttered. "And who will clean this mess up?" He pointed at the glass on the floor. 

"I will do it." Jongho said, still looking at the boy next to him.

San squeezed his eyes, "gross."

January 2017

"It's our anniversary." 

San screamed, nearly jumping out of his skin, as he felt arms wrap around him from behind. He turned his head around, only to come face-to-face with Wooyoung’s grinning face. His arms securely wrapped around San. The hug of the boy made him feel warm at the cold bus station, but he rather stayed cold.

"Yah! Wooyoung!" San yelled as he tried to wiggle out of the hold. "What are you talking about? What anniversary?"

Wooyoung pouted, tightening his grip around San's waist. "Our anniversary! The day we saw each other for the first time, duh," he teased, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "How could you forget such an important day, San~a?"

San rolled his eyes. "Do you want to get killed?" 

Wooyoung seemed completely unfazed by San's threat. "And miss out on spending time with my lovely soulmate? I’ll take my chances," he gave San a quick squeeze, which he didn't feel because of his thick winter jacket. But the playful grin on Wooyoung's face faded as San pulled sharply away, his eyes turning dark. Something that only happened when the alpha inside someone turned angry. "It’s enough, Wooyoung!" San’s voice was loud and sharp. There was a flash of frustration in his eyes as he took a step back, creating some space between each other. The wind whistled around their ears as the first snowflakes fell down.

The first snow of the year.

Wooyoung's eyes turned big, and there was fear written all over his face. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, clearly taken aback by San’s reaction. "Hey, I… I was joking," he murmured with a trembling voice. 

"Is everything in life just a game to you?" His voice dropped to a low, dangerous tone that sent a chill down Wooyoung’s spine. He took a step forward, closing the distance he’d just created. 

Wooyoung’s breath hitched, and his eyes teared up. Something lingered behind the tears. Something San didn't understand, but right at this moment, he couldn't care less. 

"Keep this up," San warned, his voice resembling a growl, "and you’ll find out just how serious I can be."

San himself didn't know what had just happened. His anger faded as quickly as it came. When he looked back into the teary, scared eyes of the boy in front of him, he immediately felt bad. He never burst out like this before. Yes, he was angry, but not to this extent. 

A tear rolled down on Wooyoung's cheeks, which he quickly brushed away, trying to look strong, but his whole body was trembling. 

San’s stomach twisted at the sight, a pang of regret settling in just as he realized the impact of his outburst towards Wooyoung. 

"Wooyoung…" he started. San felt the weight of his own words pressing down on him. "I… I didn’t mean—" He swallowed, struggling to find the right words. "I shouldn’t have… I’m sorry."

Wooyoung didn’t respond, his eyes were fixated on the snow beneath them. San wanted to reach out. Comfort him. But Wooyoung flinched, almost jumping back, as if San’s touch might burn him. The sudden movement sent a pang through San’s chest, but he couldn’t blame him at all. Not after what he’d just done.

"Don’t," Wooyoung whispered with a strained voice, barely holding himself steady. "Just… don’t." He swallowed. He forced himself to look at anything but San. "You can’t just say ‘sorry’ and expect this to be okay." 

With those words, the latter turned around, walking away. The situation was similar to last year, but this time San was standing frozen in place, looking how Wooyoung disappeared behind the buildings.

February 2017

It was still awkward between San and Wooyoung, but neither of them ever told the others that something happened between them. And no one questioned them anyway, since they weren't the best friends since the beginning. But it still bothered the rest of the boys to always live with the weird tension inside the group just because of their non-existing relationship. 

"Can't you two just get your shit together?" Mingi barely spared a glance as he took a big bite of his fish cake, in front of a small food stand.

San shot him a glare. Wooyoung wrapped his arms tightly around himself. They hadn’t spoken much since the incident, both unsure how to keep on going. 

"I mean, you’re soulmates. Fate and all that. Isn’t it kind of pointless to keep pretending this doesn’t matter?" He gestured vaguely with his fish cake between the two boys, as if it were all so simple.

Wooyoung looked away with a clenched jaw, and San exhaled slowly, shoving his hands into his pockets. 

“Mingi…” San began. He wasn't sure how to even begin fixing what had been broken. He looked at Wooyoung, who was avoiding his gaze, "It’s not that easy."

"Maybe it would be if you actually talked to each other instead of giving each other the silent treatment," Mingi countered, shaking his head as if they were the most stubborn people he’d ever met. And maybe he was right with that assumption. "Just… figure it out before you make this any worse."

San’s shoulders slumped. Mingi was right, both of them made it hard for the others, and he didn't feel good as well with the whole situation either. He looked over at Wooyoung, who remained stiff, his arms crossed a shield for himself. 

"Wooyoung," San said, breaking the silence between them. He had to let his pride go for any chance of moving forward. "Can we… talk?"

The boy's shoulders tensed, and for a moment, San worried he might walk away. But then Wooyoung lifted his gaze slowly. "Fine," He replied. 

San nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I let you both talk alone for a moment." Mingi walked away towards a bench near them. 

They stood in silence for a moment, the winter air making both of the boys shiver. San struggled to find the right words.

"Wooyoung," he began hesitantly. "I know I messed up. I… I... let my temper get the best of me, and I shouldn’t have. You didn’t deserve that." He paused, searching Wooyoung’s face for any sign of response, but he couldn't read the other at all. "I know it doesn’t excuse anything, but… I’m truly sorry."

"I was scared," Wooyoung admitted. "Of you." 

San looked at the slightly smaller boy with wide eyes. Someone like Wooyoung was scared of him? Someone overconfident and forward like him?

"Wooyoung, I… I never wanted to be someone you’d fear," San whispered. "I let myself lose control, and that’s on me. I’m so sorry for that."

"I know I don’t really care about this whole ‘soulmate’ thing," he murmured, glancing away. "And I know I was annoying." Wooyoung scratched his neck. "But I thought, at the very least… we could trust each other, even if we don’t buy into the whole soulmate idea."

The boy in front of San was a complete riddle for him. He thought he didn't care about any feelings, but it seemed like there was a whole misunderstanding on San's side. Maybe it was really just his character, and even though San wasn't a fan of it, he should accept the boy as part of their group. 

Wooyoung held his gaze for a moment before a small smile softened his face. He extended his hand toward San. "Let’s try to get along with each other," he said, "For the boys."

San looked at Wooyoung’s hand, and took it with a firm grip as their eyes met. "For the boys," he repeated, a small smile finally breaking through for the first time during any conversation between both of them.

September 2024

If you asked San if he missed school now that he was 25 years old and not 17 anymore he would answer with no. But it didn't change the fact that San had enough of his work at the Fitness center in town. He didn't know why he was working in that center, he only knew his goal was to become a Material Arts Instructor but ended up at a different place. 

All the boys ended up in the field doing what they always wanted to do, except him. There were still close friends, but it was almost impossible for them to meet up at the same time. 

Jongho started a surprisingly successful, career as a singer. He got cast once and suddenly became the talk of the town just to hold his first own concerts. His whole friendship with Yeosang didn't change into anything more and just like the other boys they saw each other even less than their school days. 

Yeosang worked together with Hongjoong and Seonhwa. San wasn't jealous at all -definitely not-by the success all his friends had. Hongjoong created his own fashion brand, and Seonghwa, who had become his fiancé by now, and Yeosang were models for his collections. The young man wasn't close to brands like Gucci or Prada, but he had enough money to retire at the age of 26. 

Mingi and Yunho, who finally sorted out their shit, which only needed four more years, were dance instructors and choreographed various dances for idols. 

But no, San wasn't definitely not jealous of them while getting bored by an underpaid 9-to-5 job. Not at all.

The only person left in their friend group, who didn't have a fancy job like the others, was Wooyoung. San saw the other still regularly, even though he didn't get to know a lot about his life. Except he was working as a bartender in some premium nightclub. Alright, maybe it was a fancy job after all. In the end, he didn't have to wipe sweat off fitness equipment. 

San took a deep breath in front of the mirror in the changing room. He was finally done for today and really wanted to go home, but for the first time, all boys would meet each other again, so it was impossible to say no. 

"It's alright I can totally do that. Drink something with them, go to bed at 2am and wake up at 5am again. Totally doable." He squeezed his eyes for a moment before he turned around to take his bad and make his way home before driving to Mingi's house. Normally the get togethers were in Wooyoung's flat but with all of them coming it was way too small. The reason behind it was Wooyoung. The grouochat went wild that day, scared that anything happened because Wooyoung told them there was something important he had to tell them.

"What do you think is so important?" Jongho buttoned his jacket, l while looking at himself in the mirror.

San eyed his brother and his movements. "The better question is why you wear a jacket. It's September not December in case you don't know." San himself only wore a white basic tshirt and called it a day.

"Can't catch a cold before my tour starts." Jongho answered with a shrug.

"Wow." San shook his head and looked a last time into the mirror next to Jongho before making his way towards the door. "You're ready, Mr. I'm so popular?"

"Yep!"

🎋

As San and Jongho arrived at Mingi's home everyone else sat already in the living room together with Wooyoung, laughing and chatting. Before they’d even fully entered, Wooyoung practically launched himself at Jongho, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Jongho~ya!" The young man screamed. Jongho was definitely not a fan of hugs but somehow Wooyoung was an exception since the start.

“Hey, Woo,” Jongho greeted, waving to the other men sitting inside the room.

Mingi grinned and hugged the younger as well. "Our superstar is here," he teased.

San muttered with crossed arms, "Oh, do I not exist?" One minute and he was already ready to leave again. He didn't give up in his free evening for getting ignored.

Mingi laughed, reaching out to pull San into a hug as well. "The difference is, we see you each time any of us meet up," he answered. "Superstars like Jongho here are harder to catch."

"Maybe you only see me often because I'm still a humble person, unlike all of you." He snorted, and his gaze wandered through the room, several empty beer cans were scattered on the coffee table. "You started drinking without us? Mean." San huffed. He let himself fall onto the couch next to Seonghwa, who gave him a small smile. 

"We figured you’d be fashionably late, as usual," Yeosang laughed. But San didn't react, he simply grabbed one of the unopened cans from the table, cracking it open.

Jongho sat next to Yeosang, looking expectantly towards Wooyoung, who went back to his place as well. In front of everyone stood a lot of alcohol except for him.

"Why aren't you drinking something?" Jongho asked with furrowed eyebrows. A coming together without alcohol for Wooyoung seemed like a fever dream. 

Wooyoung shifted in his seat. "That's what I wanted to tell you." He said with a low voice and sweaty hands. All of this didn't fit Wooyoung's personality at all. 

"What’s going on, Wooyoung?" San asked, when everyone else looked at the man opposite of them as well. 

Wooyoung took a deep breath before whispering. 

"I'm pregnant." It was so low, no one in the group caught on, and everyone was even more confused than before.

"What did you say?" Mingi asked, leaning forward as if it would help to hear him more clearly.

"I'm pregnant!" Wooyoung said again, with closed eyes, this time a bit louder. "I… I’m going to be a dad."

The group exchanged bewildered glances.

"Wait." Mingi put away his can of beer as if the alcohol played with his mind. "You are what?"

"He said he’s pregnant. Weren’t you listening?" Jongho shot a look at Mingi which told him to shut up.

"How… how did this happen?" Mingi asked again, puzzled by the whole Situation. He was completely oblivious to the meaning of Jongho's words before. The man let out an exasperated groan, rubbing his temples as if he could already feel a headache forming.

"Mingi," Jongho scoffed, frustrated by the latter. "I think we all know how it happened. And I don’t think Wooyoung needs a biology lesson right now."

Mingi blinked, looking between Jongho and Wooyoung, finally catching on to the tension. "Oh… right. Sorry," he mumbled, sinking back into his seat with an awkward grin.

"Who is the father?" Seonghwa asked carefully after the discussion between Mingi and Jongho ended.

Wooyoung clenched his fists, visibly uncomfortable. "I don't wanna talk about it."

"Do you know the gender already?" Hongjoong asked this time, taking a sip of his beer.

Wooyoung sighed. "Joong, I’m only three weeks in. No, I don’t."

"What about names?" Yeosang chimed in, and Wooyoung shot a tired glance in response.

"How? He doesn't even know the gender, dude." Mingi crossed his arms.

Another sigh escaped Wooyoung's mouth. "Yeah. Let’s save that for when I actually know if it’s a boy or a girl."

A brief silence fell before Jongho spoke up again. "Will you… are you going to keep it?"

"Yes," Wooyoung said. He wanted to seem strong, but his voice trembled. "Yes, I will."

The room settled into another silence. It was a lot to unpack for everyone in the room. Wooyoung. Expecting a kid. "Wow," Yunho murmured. "I... never thought this would happen. Are you… sure about this?"

Wooyoung nodded, though his face betrayed him. 

"Are you… alright?" San asked. He was the first and only one to ask him if he was okay. Wooyoung's eyes were already filled with tears, but as soon as his met San's eyes, he started to cry. The tears didn't stop as he tried to muffle his sobs.

Without hesitation, San walked over to Wooyoung, his arm instinctively wrapping around his shoulders. He didn’t say anything, just held him. The others watched in silence. The biggest shock out of everything tonight was definitely the sight of San hugging Wooyoung voluntarily. The fact he initiated the hug made it even more irritating for the others.

Wooyoung clung to San. His grip tightened, as if he was afraid to let him go and be alone. San stroked through the smaller man's hair, hoping the gesture would bring at least a little bit of comfort to him. Wooyoung’s shoulders shook with quiet sobs, and it felt like an eternity till he quiet down.

🎋

It was late when everyone left Mingi's house. They quickly changed the topic as soon as Wooyoung stopped crying and updated the others about their lives. Jongho talked more about his tour and his upcoming album in two weeks. (He had to promise to give a signed album to each of the friends).

Hongjoong and Seonghwa finally settled on a wedding day, and the other lovebirds Yunho and Mingi told them about their plans to buy a house together near the beach. Only Yeosang didn't have any news. Well and San. The most interesting thing which changed in his life the past weeks was probably the new toaster he bought. Definitely the same as choosing a wedding day or buying a beach house.

All the men gathered outside Mingi's house, exchanging goodbyes and hugs as they prepared to head home. Jongho turned to San, noticing his brother was distracted with his gaze fixed on Wooyoung, who stood a few steps away.

"Are you coming?" Jongho asked. When San didn’t immediately respond, he tried again, "Hyung?" 

San snapped out of his thoughts, glancing back at his brother. "Oh. You can go already. I'll come home later." he murmured, eyes drifting back to Wooyoung.

Jongho nodded with a grin on his face as he looked to Wooyoung. "Alright. Take your time," he said, giving San a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Oh maybe the jacket is useful now." Jongho took off his jacket and gave it to his brother before walking off.

San looked at the jacket in his hands before he walked over to where Wooyoung stood. He shivered in the cold, still lost in thoughts. The man got snapped out of them when he felt a sudden warmth around him. He looked at the jacket around his shoulders and then towards San who stood in front of him. "Wooyoung."

"Yeah?" He answered, putting on the jacket the right way.

"Let me take you home," San said which almost made Wooyoung trip over his own feet. His brows knitted together in confusion. "What? Why?"

"You’re a pregnant omega," San replied. "I’m not letting you go home alone at night."

Wooyoung’s laughed, the vulnerability he showed before was suddenly gone. "I don’t need an alpha to watch over me, San."

San smelled a fresh ocean breeze mixed with a subtle hint of mint. He hadn’t smelled Wooyoung’s scent before, but it was better than any other scent he knew. But he could sense that it was most likely more intoxicating because Wooyoung was pregnant. Something was different. It was unlike the typical omega scent he was used to. 

San let out a frustrated sigh, slowly losing his patience. "I’m an alpha, Wooyoung. I know how your scent can affect other alphas, especially with it getting stronger because of…" He took a deep breath. "Well, the pregnancy. Are you seriously dumb enough to think it’s safe to go alone?"

Wooyoung opened his mouth to argue, but no words came out. San knew the man hated to rely on an alpha, he showed it often enough in the past, but this was serious. 

"Look," San continued. He tried to sound as nice as possible. "I get it. You don’t want to feel like you need anyone’s help. But tonight… just let me make sure you get home safe. That’s all I’m asking."

"I can take a taxi." Wooyoung tried to convince him. 

San scoffed. "First of all, that's around a hundred dollars. Second, and most importantly, you're in the same car as a potential alpha? No."

"And how do I know, you, an alpha, won't take advantage of me? You said you could smell me already. Won't it affect your alpha as well?"

"You’re right," he admitted. "I can smell your scent, and yeah, it’s… really strong. But I’m not just any alpha, Wooyoung." San held Wooyoung’s gaze. "You should know that I never let the alpha inside me get the better of me..." He bit on his lip. "Not after what happened years ago, when I raised my voice against you." 

After the incident, he promised to himself it would never happen again. He disliked Wooyoung back then, but it wasn't his intention to scare the latter. It was hard, but San started to learn how to keep the balance and control the alpha inside of him. Even the strongest scent by an omega in heat didn't trigger his alpha anymore. He wasn't sure how healthy it was, but for now, it went well. 

"Alright, San," he whispered. "I’ll trust you. But don’t make me regret it."

San gave a small nod. "You won’t. I promise." 

Both of the men made their way towards Wooyoung's flat in silence. It was slightly uncomfortable. San kept his gaze forward, hands tucked in his pockets and his mind was racing with several thoughts, trying to find something to say. It was strange—despite knowing Wooyoung for years, he realized he’d rarely ever been alone with him. 

Wooyoung walked beside him, the usual confident man was gone. San stole a glance at him. He wondered if he should ask about the pregnancy, but he didn't want to annoy the latter anymore.

Just as San started to think it would stay that way the whole walk, Wooyoung finally raised his voice. "I need to quit my job."

San turned around to look at him with a surprised face. "Quit? The nightclub?"

Wooyoung nodded, his gaze fixed on the ground in front of him while walking along the road. “Yeah… being pregnant and working there doesn’t mix well. The environment, the hours, the… risks,” he admitted.

San nodded. "Makes sense. But… do you have anything else lined up?"

Wooyoung shook his head with a big sigh. "No, not yet. It’s hard to think about it. Everything’s just… overwhelming. Will I even have the time or the strength to work?" 

San hesitated at first but then reached out to give Wooyoung’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You’ll figure it out. And if you need help… I’ll do whatever I can."

Wooyoung looked over at him, and for a moment, the 17-year-old Wooyoung with his usual playful smirk appeared. "Since when did you become a responsible and caring alpha?"

San shrugged as he chuckled. "Since I had a stubborn omega for a soulmate who never seemed to need anyone," he teased. It's been ages since any of them referred to each other as soulmates. Honestly, San never said it, and Wooyoung stopped over 7 years ago.

Wooyoung looked at him, his eyes scanning San’s face as if trying to decipher what the word meant to him now. "Soulmates, huh?" he murmured. "I almost forgot we were supposed to be that."

San nodded. They were supposed to be soulmates. But why did Wooyoung get pregnant by someone else if that was the case? Wouldn't have the universe tried everything to get them together? 

It was another reminder for San that all of this soulmate stuff was bullshit.  

"You even want to take the bus with me?" Wooyoung entered the bus, followed by San who sat next to the omega. 

"I told you I will walk you home." San replied nonchalant. 

Wooyoung rolled his eyes, but a small smile was on his lips. "The bus is driving me home."

San secretly pointed at the bus driver. "It’s no different from a taxi. There are still alphas around."

"Oh, come on," Wooyoung muttered, crossing his arms. "I’m pretty sure I can handle a fifteen-minute bus ride without a babysitter." 

San leaned back against the seat, mirroring Wooyoung with his crossed arms. "I'm not risking it." 

Wooyoung glanced at the taller boy next to him, studying his face. "You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?"

San simply nodded. "If it means you get home safe, yeah, I am." He paused. "Besides, it’s not like I can’t handle a fifteen-minute bus ride, either."

The man burst out into laughter. "I didn't know you can be funny. Maybe we should have talked more before."

"Yeah maybe."

🎋

At the last bus station, both finally got out of the bus. "It’s only five minutes to my flat, you know. You could have gone back already." Wooyoung bent down, ready to tie his shoelaces, but before he could, San was already kneeling in front of him, reaching for the laces.

"Hold still," San murmured, focused as he looped the laces into a neat bow. Wooyoung watched in silence, completely caught off guard.

"You don’t have to treat me any different now," Wooyoung muttered. It was strange to see the affectionate side of San. He would lie if he said it didn't bother him whenever their friends got treated like literal princesses by the young man, meanwhile he wasn't even spared a glance. Wooyoung finally understood why everyone liked him so much. 

San stood back up, meeting Wooyoung’s eyes. "Maybe I don’t have to, but I want to." He smiled and started to walk along the street. 

"It's faster if we walk through the park." Wooyoung pointed to the entrance, which was a bridge over the small river. San followed him with a nod into the park. 

San wasn't able to see much of the park since it was really dark already, but it seemed very calm and peaceful. "Maybe I'll have a nice picnic here with my son or daughter in a few years." As they walked, Wooyoung kicked a small stone along the path.

San glanced over, surprised by Wooyoung’s words. For a moment, he saw a vision of Wooyoung, smiling under the sunlight in the park with a small child by his side. They were laughing as they played together. It was an image that felt both: unexpected and right.

"I think they’d like that," San said truthfully. "And they’d have a great parent to make sure it’s a good memory." 

Wooyoung laughed and shook his head. "I don't think I'll be a good parent."

San stopped walking, turning to face him with an irritated look. "Why would you say that?"

Wooyoung shrugged, his gaze dropping to the ground. "I’m… not exactly the responsible type. I’ve spent most of my life just winging it, you remember? I’m not exactly what you’d call ‘parent material.’"

San couldn't understand why Wooyoung would say something like that. Sure, they were much more responsible people out there, but that didn't make those parents better parents. In the end, Wooyoung was able to learn to become more responsible, while others wouldn't be able to learn how to love their kids. And even though he didn't know a lot about Wooyoung, he saw him interacting with Yunho's little siblings often enough to say he was amazing with kids. 

San placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You care," he said. "You’re here, already thinking about what kind of life you want for your kid. That’s a lot more than a lot of people start with."

Wooyoung took a deep breath. It was hard for him to believe San's words. "Maybe," he murmured. "But… what if I mess up?"

San gave him a small smile. "You’ll make mistakes. Everyone does. But you’re not alone in this, Wooyoung. Your kid will have seven excited uncles."

The young man burst into laughter for the second time this night. He just had to think about it. Jongho teaching the kid about music, Mingi and Yunho giving them dance lessons, Hongjoong passing down his sense of style and Yeosang and Seonghwa would spoil them with everything they want, and San… well he would be there reassuring and telling them all the words they need to hear.

He glanced over at San, and his eyes softened at the sight. "I think… they’d be pretty lucky," Wooyoung whispered. "To have all of you."

San smiled back, catching Wooyoung’s gaze. "They’ll be lucky to have you too, Wooyoung."

"Thank you a lot, San." Wooyoung said as they approached the park’s exit, which was directly at the street of his flat. "I really needed to hear this." 

"Anytime, Wooyoung. You’re not as alone in this as you think. You’ve got us—all of us." San always felt confident with his words and how to make others feel better. But he was unsure if he could actually lift some of Wooyoung's negative thoughts. 

Wooyoung gave a small nod. "I guess I just forget that sometimes," he admitted. "I can see my building already. So you can go now." Wooyoung hesitated before he pulled San into a hug. "Goodnight, San," 

“Goodnight, Wooyoung,” 

San had almost made it back through the park when he remembered he’d forgotten Jongho’s jacket. With a sigh, he turned and jogged back, knowing full well his younger brother would raise hell if he didn’t get it back before he was heading out of town tomorrow. Jongho called it his “lucky” jacket, and San could already imagine the lecture he’d receive if he came home without it.

As he neared the park’s exit, a faint sound stopped him in his tracks—soft, broken sobs, a sound he recognized all too well from earlier that night. His heart clenched at those sobs.

"You smell so nice, omega." San heard a low, taunting voice of a stranger.

Something inside San snapped, there was a strange, tingling feeling. Without hesitation, he moved closer.

Rounding the corner, he spotted Wooyoung, cornered by a man with a disgusting smirk. Wooyoung’s face was pale, his eyes wide with fear, and he held his arms protectively around himself as the stranger leaned closer. The man was touching his face with his thumb.

San’s voice came out in a low, dangerous growl. "Back away from him. Now."

The stranger turned, caught off guard by San’s voice, but he didn’t seem intimidated at all. "And who are you, alpha?" he challenged San with a smug grin.

San’s jaw clenched and his entire body tensed as his inner alpha surged forward, breaking through, after he mastered to not let him show for 7 years now. But now there was this primal urge to protect Wooyoung.

San took a step forward, his gaze dark, and a low, rumbling growl escaped him for a second time. "I’m the alpha who’s about to make you regret ever laying a finger on him," he said with an ice-cold voice, which seemed like it could actually freeze a person. 

The stranger hesitated, catching a glimpse of the darkness in San’s eyes.

San took another step closer. "You want to challenge me? Go ahead. But I promise, you won’t walk alive out of this." 

The stranger's own growl rumbled through the air, challenging San as if this street belonged to him. 

"This omega isn’t claimed. Just one bite, and he’s mine. A pregnant omega’s instincts will accept any alpha immediately." Smirking, he took a step towards Wooyoung, who was cornered against the building, trembling. Wooyoung tried to shrink back, pressing against the cold wall, but there was nowhere to go for him. 

San clenched his fists, his entire body radiating an energy that bordered on feral. He wasn’t just angry—he was protective in a way that felt primal, as if every part of him was wired to shield Wooyoung from this threat.

San’s blood boiled as the stranger’s words sank in. "Take one more step," San growled with a dangerously low voice. "And I’ll make sure you regret it."

The stranger laughed, clearly unimpressed. He lunged forward, attempting to push San onto the floor, but the young man didn't move at all. He simply pushed the older man as well, who immediately fell down. 

But the stranger recovered fast, a dark glint in his eyes. He threw a punch that San barely dodged. Unlike him, San didn't miss and hit the stranger's jaw. The man's smirk turned into anger.

"Think you're tough, huh?" the stranger spat, wiping a bit of blood from his lip. He lunged again onto San. This time he managed to grab San's shoulder, where he buried his nails into the skin. 

San shoved the man back with such a force that he crashed into the side of the building. Without hesitation, San closed the distance and threw a punch to the man's stomach, forcing him to double over with a pained gasp.

"You don't get to touch him," San cupped the jaw of the man with a firm grip. "Leave and don't let me catch you ever again." 

The stranger scrambled himself back in the feet before he disappeared behind the buildings. 

As soon as he was out of sight, San turned back to Wooyoung, who was still pressed against the wall. With fear in his eyes, he looked up at San, whose eyes slowly turned back into his normal color.

"Hey," he said, as calm as he was able to be at the moment. "You're safe." 

Wooyoung shook his head with shaky gasps. "This... It... It was my landlord." He stammered. The young man closed his eyes and hid his face behind his palms, as if trying to shield himself.

San's heart tightened, and another wave of anger overcame him. He didn't know if something similar had happened before, but to ask Wooyoung at this moment would only make it worse. He kneeled next to the younger. "Can I touch you?" He asked and only pulled him into a hug when Wooyoung nodded. "It's going to be okay. I'm here, nothing will happen to you, okay?" He stroked Wooyoung's back to reassure the latter. 

"I... I can't stay here." The man choked, shaking his head without a break. His body was still trembling, and with every minute, it didn't get better but got worse. "I'm scared. San. I can't..." He cried out. "I can't stay." Wooyoung was already hyperventilating at this point. "What if he bites me?" His breathing turned flat. "What if he's going to mate~"

"Wooyoung!" San said a bit louder so he would finally stop talking. "Look at me!" He held his shoulders with one hand, and the other on his right cheek. "I won't let you stay here. Don't worry." San wiped away a tear. "You'll stay at my home for now." Wooyoung looked at him with wide eyes, as if he couldn't believe his ears. "Jongho will go on tour, remember? His room will be empty during that time." 

"Really?" Wooyoung whispered, his sobs quieting down. 

San tried to give him a small smile, and he nodded. "The boys and I will get your stuff one by one." 

Wooyoung pulled San into another hug, closing his eyes. He was tired and wanted to sleep, but they had to go the whole way back. "I think we have to pay for a taxi after all." San laughed. He tried to lift the mood a bit, but Wooyoung was half asleep already. 

"San~a..." The smaller whispered. 

"It's alright, you can sleep. I will bring us home." San reassured and not even a minute later the young man fell asleep already.

He arrived at home, with a sleeping Wooyoung on his back, at 4am. As he opened the door, Jongho, who had apparently been waiting the whole time, shot up from the couch, his face filled with anger and relief. "Where the fuck wer—"

“Be quiet!” San whispered sharply, cutting him off with his words. He adjusted Wooyoung on his back, glancing at his brother.

Jongho’s eyes widened as he saw Wooyoung. He stepped closer. "What happened?"

San sighed. "It's a long story. Let’s just say he’s staying here for a while. I’ll explain everything later."

Jongho gave a short nod, glancing at Wooyoung before realizing what San just said. "Wait. He will stay here 'for a while'?" he repeated in disbelief. 

San nodded with a serious expression. "Yeah. He needs a safe place, and I’m not about to let him go back to where he was. Not after tonight."

Jongho didn't ask any further. He knew his brother had a good reason if he lt Wooyoung out of all people to stay at home. "Alright. Need help?"

San shook his head. "I’ve got him," he murmured, as he walked towards his own room. Seemed like he will sleep on the couch till Jongho's room was free. Gentle, he laid Wooyoung onto the bed, careful not to wake him up. He took the blanket and put it over him. 

"Don't worry, it will be okay." San looked a last time at Wooyoung before he turned the light off and closed the door behind him. 

As he walked back to the living room, Jongho still sat on the couch with crossed arms, ready to hear what happened.

San took a deep breath in, running a hand through his hair as he sat down across his brother. "Alright," he began, "I guess you want to know what’s going on."

"You think?" Jongho asked, irritated. There were a lot of weird incidents of San stumbling into the house at concerning times, but none of them ever involved Wooyoung. Out of all the people, it was Wooyoung. "You show up at 4 a.m. with Wooyoung on your back, saying he’ll be staying here ‘for a while.’ What the fuck happened, San?"

San elbows rested on his knees. "It was his landlord, Jongho," he said, but Jongho didn't understand anything. "The guy… he was trying to corner Wooyoung. Said some disgusting things about how, because Wooyoung’s unclaimed, he could force a bond. When I found them, he was practically threatening to take Wooyoung right there."

Jongho’s eyes widened in shock. "Are you serious?" he asked with a trembling voice, as if he would stand up any second and look for the guy to kill him with his bare hands. "That’s… that’s so fucking disgusting and sick."

San nodded, his own anger almost getting the hand of him again. "Yeah. There was no way I was leaving him there. He’s staying here until we figure something out, Jongho. He needs a safe place."

"Of course. He can stay as long as he needs to. I will leave at 9am. Wooyoung can have my room, I probably won't need my room anyway after today. We shoot a reality show on Jeju. I will be there till the weekend before my first tour stop." 

San let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Am I even allowed to talk with someone like you?" he teased.

Jongho smirked. "You should feel honored, really. Not everyone gets to live with a star and international sensation like me," he replied.

San rolled his eyes, but he was happy that at least some of the weight of the night had lifted. "I’ll try to remember that when you’re too famous to answer my calls."

Jongho chuckled, giving his brother a light punch on the arm. "Don’t worry, hyung. I’ll still make time for you" he said, doing a kiss mouth.

San shook his head with a small smile. "Just get some sleep before your early flight, superstar."

"Will do," Jongho replied, heading toward his room, leaving San alone, who had to gather himself for a bit after the long night. 

He would totally call sick in today. 

🎋

It was already past 12pm when Wooyoung finally left San's room and walked directly into him in the living room. He almost fell down, but the young man held him tight.

"Easy there," San's arms were wrapped around his waist and held Wooyoung upright. "Are you okay?" 

Wooyoung gave a weak smile. His eyes looked tired, and his face was still pale. "Sorry… guess I’m still a little out of it." He murmured, rubbing the sleep off his eyes.

San shook his head. The whole morning, his mind wandered back to Wooyoung and how scared he looked, pressed against the building. It was a look San hadn’t seen in years in Wooyoung's face. Not since the night he’d lost control over himself and scared Wooyoung with his own alpha instincts. Since then, he promised to himself to keeping his alpha side in check, especially around Wooyoung.

Speaking about the inner alpha, San furrowed his eyebrows. Last night had shattered his control. His inner alpha went feral. Seven years of self-confidence control were broken in an instant. And he didn’t know why. Probably because of the scent of a terrified, pregnant omega. 

Yes. That’s all it was, he told himself. It was just the scent. Nothing more.

San met Wooyoung’s eyes again, forcing himself to focus on him instead of his thoughts. "Come on," he said and guided Wooyoung towards the couch. "Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll grab us some snacks, okay?"

Wooyoung’s tired smile softened a bit, and he nodded. On the couch he pulled his legs against his chest, wrapping his arms around them. 

San watched him for a moment, how he looked so small and also broken. He wished he could see right into Wooyoung and know what he was thinking about. Usually he was the one filling the room with his energy and (stupid) comments. To see him like that felt wrong in so many ways. 

Without saying anything, San moved toward the kitchen to grab a glass of water and put some vegetables on one plate and some cookies on another. He had no idea what a pregnant omega was allowed to eat, and he didn’t know if Wooyoung would have much of an appetite in the first place. But it was better than nothing. He returned to the living room, setting the glass and plates down on the table in front of Wooyoung.

"You should drink something first," San sat beside him, his gaze never leaving the omega. Wooyoung rested his chin on his knees, glancing at the glass, then back at San. He shook his head and buried his face in his arms. "I feel like throwing up." His voice sounded muffled.

San tilted his head, his hand resting on Wooyoung’s shoulder. "Isn’t that normal during pregnancy?" he asked. He didn't know a lot, but that's something everyone probably knew. 

Wooyoung let out a half-hearted laugh, still hiding his face. "Yeah, but that doesn’t make it any less miserable," he mumbled. The omega peeked up at San. "Everything feels so different. So weird." He admitted. With a deep and shaky breath, he closed his eyes. "I'm scared."

"I know," San said softly, his voice steady. "It’s a lot to go through. And it’s okay to be scared."  He let his hand slide down to rest on Wooyoung’s arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Wooyoung shifted to sit normal on the couch again. "I feel like everything flipped upside down."

San nodded. He would never understand how the latter was feeling right now, it was impossible for him. But it didn't change the fact that San at least tried to comfort him. It was the most he could do. "It’s a big change. But you’re strong, Wooyoung. Stronger than you think." He paused to find the right words. "It already takes a lot of courage to keep the baby. But you made that decision, and it's more than just brave."

Wooyoung looked down where he fiddled at his fingers. 

"Brave…" he murmured.  "I don’t really feel brave."

"You don’t have to feel it to be it." San knew it all too well. Jongho always said he doesn't feel brave, but in the end, he was a successful singer, performing in front of thousands of fans, giving interviews and he even moderated some Awards Shows. He was brave. Meanwhile, San always thought he was brave but here he was, stuck in a job he hated but was too scared to leave behind. You're not brave just because you think so. And San could definitely learn from the omega next to him.

Oktober 2024

It's been a bit over a month since Wooyoung moved into San's home. At first, it felt weird to see the younger every morning, but it started to become a routine. They would wake up, San would make breakfast for both of them, and they’d eat together with a casual conversation. Afterward, San would head off to work while Wooyoung stayed behind, zipping through various TV channels, reading some parenting books he’d stacked on the coffee table, or falling asleep again.

But San couldn’t ignore the way Wooyoung shut himself off the world outside their home. Other than the garden, Wooyoung completely avoided going out. But this time the young man couldn't avoid leaving the house, the doctor's appointment was way too important. San could see the tension in Wooyoung’s shoulders as he stood by the door, visibly nervous. She shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

San gave him a reassuring smile, reaching out to pat his shoulder. "It’s just a quick visit. I’ll be with you the whole time." 

Wooyoung nodded and took a deep breath before leaving through the door. He immediately felt helpless outside of San's house, as if any alpha, who wasn't San, would try to mate him. The latter noticed how Wooyoung was shaking and took his hand into his own. "It's alright. Yeosang will be here any moment and drive us." Just as San finished his sentence, a silver car turned into the street and held in front of both of them. 

A wide-smiled Yeosang got out of the bit-too-fancy, car. "Hello you two," he walked towards the two men but got stopped in his tracks by Wooyoung who immediately gave him a tight hug. "That's a nice greeting." Yeosang laughed and patted Wooyoung's back. 

San knew the omega was probably happy to see another omega again, and it seemed like Yeosang didn't wear any patches. His light citrus scent was filling the air. 

"I guessed Wooyoung would feel better if he smelled another omega again." He said, looking at San over Wooyoung's shoulders. The man nodded. He often smelled Wooyoung's scent, and he would lie if he said it wasn't hard to stay collected. But himself he never went out of his room without scent patches or taking suppressants to hide his scent. He didn't know how Wooyoung would react if he smelled an alpha, especially after everything that happened, and he didn't want to risk anything.

"Do you rather want to go with Yeosang to the doctor?" San asked. His eyes locked on the omega, who slowly pulled back from the hug. 

Wooyoung's gaze dropped to the floor. "No… I’d rather go with you," he admitted as he lifted his eyes again, meeting San’s. "I trust you." 

The man felt a warmth spreading inside his chest and nodded with a smile. "Then let's go." He opened the door to the backseat for Wooyoung and waited until he was settled in before closing it. Walking around, San slipped into the seat beside him.

"Alright let's go." Yeosang said from the driver’s seat, turning the key around. 

San glanced at Wooyoung, who was staring out the window and once again fiddling with his fingers. Without saying a word, San took Wooyoung's hand in his own, brushing over his knuckles. 

🎋

"Welcome Wooyoung~ssi!" The female beta said with a smile on her face. She sat on a revolving chair as she looked up from a few papers. "This time you're not alone, I see!" She stood up, extending her hand toward San, who took it with a polite smile. "Thank you for seeing him," he replied. 

The doctor seemed friendly, and we were happy that it was a beta woman out of everyone. Probably a need to become a doctor for pregnant omegas.

The doctor’s gaze shifted back to Wooyoung. "It’s good to see you here, Wooyoung~ssi." she guided him towards the seat where she would do the ultrasound, signaling him to lift his shirt up just a bit. 

San had the feeling he was more embarrassed by seeing Wooyoung's tummy than the latter was.

"How have you been feeling?" The doctor asked, applying the cold gel on the transducer. 

Wooyoung winced as he felt the cold liquid on his rather sensitive skin. "Cold... obviously." He mumbled, which made San and the doctor chuckle a bit. "But I feel alright." Wooyoung answered, and San's smile immediately vanished. He knew that it was a big lie. The younger didn't look alright at all, and San didn't know if it was just because of the incident with the alpha or if he freaked out about the whole pregnancy. Wooyoung stopped talking about his feelings over time, and San didn't understand what happened after he was so open about his thoughts at the beginning. 

"That's good because the babies also feel alright." She pointed to the screen where San couldn't really recognize anything except some spots here and there.  

"Babies?" Wooyoung furrowed his eyebrow and observed how the doctor moved around the trackball on the panel. 

The woman smiled and nodded. "Congratulations, Wooyoung~ssi." She put the transducer away. "You're having twins." 

Wooyoung’s mouth fell open, his eyes darting between the screen and the doctor. For a moment he was utterly speechless, his brain struggling to catch up with whatever the doctor just told him. "T-twins?" he stammered. With a panicked look he glanced over to San who also stood there with wide eyes. He was overwhelmed but definitely not as much as Wooyoung probably was. 

"I didn't expect twins." He looked down, his hand moving to his abdomen to rest on it. 

"Does the father take a better look at the screen as well?" The doctor asked signaling the alpha to come nearer. 

"Oh, I’m not—" San started.

"He’s not—" Wooyoung said at the exact same time.

They exchanged an awkward glance completely caught off guard. Wooyoung’s cheeks flushed slightly, and San gave a small, nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck.

"We aren't even mated. He is..." Wooyoung shook his head. His voice was filled with embarrassment. "He is a friend."

The doctor blinked. "Oh! I’m sorry," she said with an apologetic smile, looking between the two of them. "But it’s… well, it’s pretty rare that an alpha accompanies a pregnant omega under these circumstances. Honestly, I’ve never seen it before."

She took a closer look to the omegas neck which was hidden with the high collar of his pullover. "Wooyoung~ssi am I allowed to ask... are you even mated with someone?" 

Wooyoung’s face flushed, his eyes briefly darting to San before looking away. "No," he admitted. "I’m not mated." 

The doctor took a deep sigh. She signalized Wooyoung to sit up after removing the leftover of the gel on his abdomen. "Wooyoung~ssi. It's really dangerous for an omega to go through a pregnancy without an alpha."

Wooyoung’s face fell slightly. "But… I have San."

The doctor shook her head. "I understand, but it’s not about any alpha. During the fourth and fifth months, your body will likely go through a state similar to a heat." She explained. "Except… it’s much stronger. Without a bonded alpha to stabilize your pheromones, you could become weak—weak enough that it could threaten your babies and put you at serious risk." 

A shiver went down San's spine, and he didn’t want to imagine what was going through Wooyoung’s mind right now. 

Wooyoung swallowed, his gaze fixed on his hands. "So… what am I supposed to do?" He asked in frustration.

The doctor placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I’d recommend looking into bonding with someone you trust before that stage, even if its only temporarily. You can break the bond afterward." Wooyoung shifted slightly on his seat. "I know it’s a big decision, but it's for your babies and yourselves safety." 

Wooyoung nodded, but he seemed like he was in some sort of trance. "So he has less than two months to find someone?" San asked on behalf of Wooyoung, and the doctor nodded. 

"I really hope it will work out well." 

Yeosang waited outside the building next to his car. His eyes were focused on his phone screen. At the sound of footsteps approaching, his head snapped up, and his gaze immediately landed on Wooyoung, who looked pale and shaken, as if he’d just seen a ghost.

"Wooyoung…" Yeosang’s voice trailed off as he looked at the younger with worried eyes. He stepped forward. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Wooyoung managed a faint nod, but his face said something different. His eyes were narrowed and his whole body trembled. He tripped over his own foot, losing his balance and stumbling forwards. 

Yeosang and San both reached out to him, but were too slow. Wooyoung’s knees hit the stone floor. He gasped, pain flashing across. His hands on the cold ground.

"Wooyoung!" Yeosang dropped to his knees beside him. He placed a hand on Wooyoung’s shoulder. "Can you stand?"

But Wooyoung didn't answer, he simply started to cry. It was as if the weight of everything he’d been holding back over the last few weeks came over him in one go.

San looked at him, his own thoughts were spinning around. Wooyoung should look for a mate? An alpha? Something in him growled at the thought of seeing Wooyoung with another alpha. And would Wooyoung even want to look for an alpha? San knew he was too scared to leave the house with the possibility to meet another alpha (who wasn't San, Hongjoong or Jongho) He seemed traumatized. 

'A simple bite by an alpha can immediately create a bond with an unmated pregnant omega.' Those words from the stranger never left San's mind. Every time he looked at Wooyoung, his instinct to protect the omega grew stronger.

Yeosang pulled Wooyoung into a hug, his hand rubbing circles on his back. "Hey, it’s okay," he murmured. "Let it out."

"Yeosang," Wooyoung’s voice cracked. He buried his face deep into the crook of Yeosang’s neck and inhaled his friend’s familiar scent. "She said I need to be bonded." He nuzzled closer, his nose brushing against Yeosang’s scent glands. "A pregnancy without an alpha is dangerous." Wooyoung sobbed, gripping his fingers deeper into Yeosang shoulders.

Yeosang didn’t pull away, but he held him tighter in his arms. "We’ll figure it out," he whispered and looked up at San, who watched at the two in desperation. Yeosang didn't have to say anything to San; his look was enough for San to understand. He pointed to himself with wide eyes. With his mouth, he formed a "me?" and Yeosang simply nodded. 

San swallowed hard. There was no way he would bond with Wooyoung. They became closer, and San didn't hold any grudges against him or hated his presence. Quite the opposite; he was at ease with the younger. But mating him? That was a whole different story.

Wooyoung sat in the backseat. He looked out of the window, lost in his own thoughts. In front of the car, Yeosang and San whispered to each other, so Wooyoung wouldn't hear either of them. 

"I won’t mate him, Yeosang!" San said, shaking his head a bit too hard. He looked like a child who didn't want to go to bed or into the shower.

Yeosang tried to look calm, but everything in him was the opposite. Wooyoung became next to Jongho his closest friend, and he didn't want anything to happen to him. "San, I get it. But think about what the doctor said. He needs a bond to get through this safely. It doesn’t have to be forever, but right now, he needs an alpha he can trust. There's no one except for you."

"I care about him, Yeosang. More than you think. But bonding… it’s a serious commitment, even if it’s temporary. I don’t want to make things worse or… or take advantage of him when he’s vulnerable." San hid his face in the palm of his hands. He couldn't imagine to actually sleep with the omega. In the end, it wasn't Wooyoung's decision, but he had to. 

Yeosang placed a hand on San’s shoulder. "San, you’re not taking advantage of him. You’re helping him. If you don’t do it, he might end up forced to bond with someone he doesn’t trust and who would actually break him. Don’t you think he deserves someone who truly cares for him?" 

San’s shoulders slumped down. He glanced towards the backseat where Wooyoung sat. His heart began to hurt from the fear of crossing a line that would hurt the omega.

"I just… I don’t want to hurt him," San murmured.

Yeosang nodded. He could understand the latter, but he also trusted San. Maybe not during his teenage years, but he grew up. "You won't hurt him. Just be there for him. Show him he can count on you." He made his way towards the door of the driver's seat. "Think about it and talk with him." 

November 2024

Another month had passed, and San still hadn’t found the courage to talk with Wooyoung about the bond. There were a few weeks left till the omega would get into his first pregnancy heat, and San was scared. But probably not as much as Wooyoung. The young man just hid in Jongho's room, crouched together in the corner behind the bed, without any light. He only left the room to eat or go to the bathroom. 

San knocked on the door before he opened it. Once again he found Wooyoung huddled in on himself, his face half-hidden in his arms. 

"Young~ah." The man walked towards the younger and kneeled down to be on the same eye level as him.

Wooyoung's eyes were red and puffy. "San," he choked out. He pulled his knees tighter to his chest. The sight broke San's heart. "I feel weird." Just now San noticed how the scent of Wooyoung had changed. 

The smell of ocean breeze and mint turned into something different. It was intoxicating before, but it just got worse. The slight scent of mint vanished, and it smelled like the ocean had become restless and was waiting for a storm to show up. It didn't make sense that something, so wild and dark, smelled so good. 

"Wooyoung," San murmured. He tried to steady his breathing and calm himself. "Your scent… it’s changing."

Wooyoung looked up, his cheeks flushed, clearly noticing the shift himself. "San… I don’t know what’s happening. It’s… it feels too strong." 

San swallowed. He didn't want to slip and let the alpha inside of him win but Wooyoung's scent made it so hard for him. "It’s okay," he breathed out. "You’re just… your body is preparing for the heat. It’s natural." San gripped into his own thighs, unable to keep any more eye contact.

"San." The alpha stayed still not lifting his head. "San." He repeated his name. His hands moved up to cup San’s face, guiding him to look at Wooyoung himself. 

"I... I thought about it." Wooyoung whispered with a shaky voice. His gaze dropped to San’s lips for a brief moment before returning to his eyes. "You don't have to but... would you... would you be my mate?" 

San felt like his heart would drop any second. His eyes widened, and his mind was spinning like crazy. At first, he thought he had misheard the omega, but with each silent minute passing, he realized Wooyoung actually asked him to become his mate. 

At least during the pregnancy.

San's hands reached up, covering Wooyoung’s. "Are you sure, Wooyoung?" he asked, searching for any hint of hesitation in his face. "This… this isn’t something small. It’s a bond that… it changes things."

Wooyoung nodded. "I know," he whispered. "And I trust you, San. I… I don’t want to do this with anyone else."

"I don't want to take advantage of you during your heat, Young~a." San admitted what he already had said to Yeosang last month as well. 

Wooyoung slid closer to San on the floor. "You won’t," he reassured the alpha in front of him. "I asked you, San. I know what it means to bond… and, well—" he chuckled, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. " I definitely know what it means to share a heat."

San couldn't suppress his smile when he remembered all those heat stories Wooyoung used to tell back in their school day. How he’d always shrugged it off that he was spending his heats with different alphas each time. 

The alpha stood up and extended his hand for Wooyoung to take it. San helped him to his feet and guided him over to the bed, where he motioned for Wooyoung to sit there.

"Can I smell your scent?" Wooyoung asked after San settled next to him. "You- You always wore your scent patches. I'm curious." 

San nodded. His gaze never left Wooyoung’s as his fingers reached up to the scent patch on his neck. With a tug, he peeled it away. The scent of a crackling fireplace in a cozy wooden cabin on a winter’s night filled the room. 

Wooyoung closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You smell amazing." He whispered, leaning against San's shoulders, and stretched out his neck for him to claim. 

"Are you sure?" San asked a last time, just to make it clear if Wooyoung really wanted this. 

"Please." He answered, giving his neck an even wider stretch. 

San leaned in closer, his lips touching the sensitive part of Wooyoung's body. He let out a shaky breath, searching something to grip. San noticed it and guided one of Wooyoung's hands towards his waist. 

The alpha slowly nibbled at the gland, which sent a shiver down Wooyoung's spine, before he let his teeth sink into the sensitive skin of the omega. 

The grip of Wooyoung on San's waist got stronger as their scents blended with each other, and an overwhelming rush of warmth connected both of them. 

San slowly pulled away, but not without planting a gentle kiss on the mark he just created. 

"Are you okay?" He asked as Wooyoung eyes fluttered open.

Wooyoung didn't answer with words. Instead, he closed the distance between them, crashing his lips against San's like there was no tomorrow. 

San's surprise quickly melted away as he pulled him closer until he was settled into San's lap. The alpha's hands slipped under his shit, stroking over his bare back. The young man on top of him suddenly pulled away. His eyes went big, and he quickly stood up from San's lap.

"I'm so sorry." Wooyoung stuttered. "I- I don't know why I did it. I shouldn't have, I'm sorry."

"It's alright." San said with a red face. His breath still heavy. "It...It was the reaction to our bond. Right?"

Wooyoung let out a nervous chuckle but nodded. "Yeah. The bond." 

San couldn't look away, staring at the omega in front of him.

Yes. The bond. 

🎋

A high cry made San wake up. He blinked a few times, wondering if the sound was inside his dream, but when the second cry came, he immediately stood up, running towards Wooyoung's room. 

The omega was curled together in the nest he had built previous days before. He had asked for several shirts of the alpha with an embarrassed, flushed face. 

"Wooyoung, are you alright?" San walked towards the nest with careful steps.

The omega was sweating. "It hurts." The scent of ocean waves filled the room. If San thought his scent was strong the previous days, he was wrong. It was even stronger now.

San felt like intoxicated as if he was caught in a spell. His mind was fighting with the alpha inside of him. "Your heat..." A cold shiver went down his spine, cutting his words off.

He had to keep his composure . He couldn't let the alpha win that easily and let himself fall on the omega. But the smaller had something different in mind.

Wooyoung nodded, still curled up on the sheets. "San. Please." He whispered. His body was trembling and a single tear dropped down his cheek. "Please help me." 

San gave him a soft smile, his hand reached out to stroke through Wooyoung's hair, his fingers brushing against the omegas temple. "It's okay." As if in a trance, he settled next to Wooyoung to close the distance. His gaze shifted from Wooyoung's lips to his eyes and back, searching for any signs of him doubting the situation.

"You're sure. Right?" Wooyoung let out a frustrated whine at San's question. He reached out to his arm with a strong grip against San's skin. "San stop asking ple-" 

Before Wooyoung was able to finish his sentence, San's lips met his and their scents filled the whole room. A wooden cabin next to the ocean. San tilted Wooyoung's chin to deepen the kiss, his teeths nibbling at the omegas lips, who let out a silent moan. "Al-Alpha", he whispered.

San couldnt suppress a goan at those words and let his instincts take over. His heart was racing and for the first time it felt good to let his inner alpha out. The older shifted both of them so he was hovering over the omega, his hands on either side to his head.

Wooyoung eyes fluttered open and stared directly into San's. "I trust you."

Those words hitted San right into his heart but he tried to ignore that feeling. Instead he removed the silky night wear of Wooyoung till he wore nothing, completely bare in front of his alpha. San let out another groan at the view in front of him. Wooyoungs belly bump was still not quite visible, but you could still tell something was growing inside of him. 

"I- I need you." He whispered trying to get another kiss by San but the alpha shook his head. "Patience." He said with a sly grin as he sucked at the mating mark which was still fresh. Wooyoung let out a high pitched moan, feeling goosebumps all over his body.

The matress was already wet because of his slick. "I'm ready, Alpha." He whined but San didn't listen. 

Instead his lips wandered down towards Wooyoungs nipples. He licked over them before sucking at one while he massaged the other with his fingers. Wooyoung's back arched and his hands gripped into the mattess till his knuckles turned white. A low whimper escaped him. 

San's lips wandered further down until he reached his already hardened erection. He licked over the tip, tasting his precum. "Fuck." Wooyoung's hands found their way into San's hair and pulled at them just as the alpha wrapped his lips around the erection and put his right hand on the base of his cock. 

"Feels good~" Wooyoung sighed, closing his eyes. 

San bobbed his head up and down, sucking all of his precum till there was nothing left. By Wooyoung's moans he knew the young man was already close, he moved his head faster, massaging the balls of him with both of his hands.

"Please I'm- I'm cum~" Wooyoung tensed up before he could finish his sentence and San swallowed all of him. 

The alpha quickly removed his own clothes as well, his erection already throbbing between his thighs and leaking way too much pre-cum.

"Please put it in me." The omega widened his legs to make some room for the alpha. "I'm ready. Just put it in." His legs were trembling. "Please." He spread his own cheeks and San couldn't stop looking away. 

So needy.

"God you're gonna be my death." He mumbled while stroking himself what wasn't even necessary anymore.

He pushed his tip slowly into the latter, giving him time to get used to the stretch. But Wooyoung didn't want to wait any longer he pushed San down into the bed and sat down onto his cock, completely bottoming out. He let out a loud moan and whimpered how full he felt right away. "Fuck San~ah" Tears dropped down his cheeks while he slowly started to move on top of him by his own. 

"Young~a," San moaned, pushing him even deeper onto his cock while holding his waist. "You feel so good," he whispered and locked their lips into another passionate kiss. San cupped both of Wooyoung's ass checks to open and close them again, giving them a massage. 

The man on top of him started to lose his stamina, leaning his head against San's shoulder while his breathing was hectic. His body was shaking before he painted his and San's tummy with white strokes, cumming once again. 

The overstimulation hit Wooyoung but San didn't stop, not until his knot was fully inside of his omega.

He changed their position back to the beginning, Wooyoung on his back and San hovering over him. He pushed in deeper, getting faster and slowly losing his control. 

"Fuck~ It... It hurts." Wooyoung whined. San was about to stop but the omega shook his head. "Don't stop. Need your... Need your knot." This was all San needed to hear, he felt his knot forming and he came deep into Wooyoung with a loud groan.

When they botch catched their breath, San put his hands around him, holding the omega close to him until his knot would let them part again.

December 2024

To say Wooyoung and San's friends weren't frustrated with both of them was a lie. Everyone who looked at both of them could see their tension. Except them. 

"You two act like Yunho and I did." Mingi groaned. Both of them sat in San's kitchen, meanwhile Yunho finished the dinner dishes. "He is right." Yeosang entered the room together with Jongho. "Even we both sorted things out more quickly than you two."

"Yah! That's not fair. You both know each other since you were kids. Just like Yunho and Mingi." San shook his head and crossed his arms like a sulky little child. 

Jongho rolled his eyes at his brother. "You let him live in our house; you go to doctor appointments with him, he is your mate, you both kissed already, goddammit you spent his pregnancy heat with him. What is your problem?" 

Mingi looked at Jongho as if he saw a ghost. "They kissed?"

"Did you just overheard the fact that they bonded?" Yunho almost screamed. "Why did you bond if you're not together?" 

Seonghwa who just entered the room looked horrified as well. "San slept with Wooyoung? Why?" 

Everyone, except Hongjoong who was with Wooyoung in the living room (thank god), looked at San with wide eyes. 

San let out a deep breath. He was asking himself the same question.  Why did he do all of this? Why did he mate him? Sure, he wanted to help. He wasn't a monster who would put Wooyoung and two babies in danger. After all, he was his soulmate, right? Even though he didn't care about the whole soulmate thing. 

"I don't know..." San hid his face in the palm of his hands. There was something else in his heart—something he definitely tried to hide for a long time already.

When the fuck did those feelings start? 

He realized it after their first shared night, but he didn't want to accept it. For so many years, he was able to ignore the younger. He didn't care about him, he didn't even look at him. But something shifted inside him after finding out he was pregnant. He wanted to protect and somehow in the way of it... his heart started to fall for him.

"You like him," Yunho handed San a glass of water with a reassuring smile. 

San accepted it without a word, trying to ignore Yunho's words. 

"It’s not like that," San muttered, though his voice didn't sound convincing. He couldn't even convince himself. He could still feel Wooyoung’s lips and hear his voice calling for his alpha. 

Jongho raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Oh, shut up." The younger brother looked annoyed. "San, you’re practically glowing. I’ve never seen you this wound up over someone. Ever. Honestly, you’ve never been interested in anyone at all."

San shifted uncomfortably on his chair. "It’s not like that, Jongho," he tried to avoid his brother’s gaze. He probably would die on the spot with how sharp Jongho's eyes looked at him right now. "Wooyoung just… needs support. I’m there for him, that’s all."

Jongho groaned in desperation. He didn't understand how one oerson could be so dumb. "Right. Just ‘support.’ Funny how that’s got you acting all… insane." He sighed. "Look, hyung, it’s okay if you like him. He likes you back. Just..." Jongho looked around. "Just end the suffering for all of us. I beg you." Everyone in the room nodded in agreement. In the end they had to endure all of their whining.

"And what do I say?" San bit his lip. "I can't just go there and tell him: Hey Wooyoung. I know I rejected you almost 9 years ago, but I started to actually like you. Do you want to be my boyfriend?" He gestured around with his hands but stopped as he realised that the other men suppressed their laughs. "What?"

"Mh. That's exactly what you should have said." A voice behind him appeared. "But that's not necessary anymore." San turned around in an instant, looking at Hongjoong who was smirking and at Wooyoung who stood there with an open mouth. 

"Wooyoung..." San stood up almost stumbling over his own feet.

Great kiss the ground. Makes the situation even better.

"Now that's awkward." Mingi chuckled but shut up as soon as Yunho gave him a hit on the side. "Ouch..."

Wooyoung still didn't say anything. He just looked at the alpha as if he was paralyzed. San wasn't able to read anything on Wooyoung's face. Did he hate him? Would everything they started to build up crash at once? 

"Can we talk?" Wooyoung finally found his voice again after what felt like years. "Only us." 

San nodded and pulled the other out of the kitchen towards his own room. He ignored the looks of their friends and closed the door behind them. But he knew exactly how the others would try to listen through it anyway. 

"So..." The omega looked down on the ground. 

"I fell for you. I'm sorry." San whispered and leaned against the door behind him. He needed something to steady him, or otherwise he would collapse on the floor. 

He couldn't understand hot it happened but there was no going back. His feelings existed and he couldn't turn them off.

Wooyoung looked up with disbelief in his eyes. "Why would you be sorry?" 

"Because... I-"

"I like you too."

San blinked a few times. He wasn't sure if he was alive or in some sort of cruel dream which would give him hope until he wakes up. If it was the second, he would probably cry himself to sleep again so he could go back.

"You do?" San asked carefully.

Wooyoung rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't have let you bite me if that wasn't the case." He took a step towards San. "And I wouldn't have shared my pregnancy heat with you." His hands found their way around San's neck. Both were glancing into each other's eyes. 

"Oh."

Wooyoung just let out a chuckle at how cute San looked so flushed and overwhelmed.

San glanced at Wooyoung's lips. "Can I kiss you?" 

"Another thing I really like about you." Wooyoung smiled with such an intense gaze, it made San lose his mind. "You always ask for my consent." He leaned in for a quick peck on his lips. "Thank you. I'm not used to it." With those words, he pulled him into an even deeper kiss, drawing circles on San's neck with his fingers. 

San's hands brushed over the belly bump of the omega. 

I'll protect all three of you.

The voice of his inner alpha said to himself. 

I'll protect you with my life.

January 2028

"The first snow!" Wooyoung laughed and jumped out into the garden. He raised his hands into the air to catch the first snowflakes. The air was cold but he didn't mind it at all. 

"I wanna catch too!" A high-pitched voice next to him yelled in broken korean. The little girl tried to stay on her tiptoes, reaching into the air with her fingers. She pouted when she didn't catch one. "Stupid!" She crossed her arms and stamped on the ground.

Wooyoung chuckled and kneeled down too open his arms. "Let me help you, Hana." 

The girl grinned and jumped into her dad's arms. Together, they reached out for one big snowflake. "I caught it!" She smiled while watching how the snowflake slowly melted in her hands. 

"You two did amazing." Wooyoung turned around to San, who left the house together with Haeun to get into the garden. "But Haeun wants to catch a snowflake as well." He said, pointing at the little kid who stood there with her puple princess dress, sulking. 

"Who taught you two to sulk and pout like this?" The omega asked, but it immediately backfired because three fingers pointed at him. "Wow, that much for supporting your husband." He rolled his eyes at San.

"Look! You are pouting." San laughed and lifted Haeun up so she was able to catch a snowflake as well. 

"Busted. But there is something I actually need to be sulky about." Wooyoung brushed a hair out of Hana's face, not looking into San's face intentionally. He needed to be a little drama queen.

The man frowned. You could practically see the question marks forming over his head. 

"It's our anniversary." Wooyoung mumbled. 

Haneul laughed, poking into San's cheek. "Daddy forgot anniversary."

The girl was lucky to be so cute, or San would have been actually mad at her. But he couldn't, not if she had those big brown boba eyes.

"Our anniversary was last month." San said. "I bought you the necklace you're just wearing. Did you forget already?" 

Wooyoung rolled his eyes. "God, your daddy isn't romantic at all. Right Hana, Haneul?" The kids nodded even though they didn't understand anything either. They just loved to team up with Wooyoung against San. "It's our soulmate anniversary."

"Oh." San looked up into the sky and saw how the snowflakes slowly fell to the ground beneath them. Just like years ago, where they met for the very first time at the Namsan Tower, it was snowing again at the same very day. But this time both of them stood in their own garden with two kids who loved to run around in their house. "I still think that's bullshit."

"Language!" Haneul and Hana said at the same time.

"Sorry." He muttered. "If the whole soulmate thing was real, we wouldn't have had such a rough start and our two angels wouldn't be here."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm just saying." He held his hand around Haneul's ears, whispering. "You wouldn't have become pregnant by someone else."

"Yah!" Wooyoung called out. "Are you dumb?"

San looked confused at his mate as he let Haneul down, who gestured to her sister to go play together. Wooyoung let Hana down as well before turning back to San. He crossed his arms.

"That's actual proof for the whole soulmate thing. Without the pregnancy, you wouldn't have started to fall for me, and we wouldn't have two wonderful little kids with the third on it's way." Wooyoung quickly put his two hands against his mouth when he realizes what he said.

San stood there frozen, he simply looked at him without saying anything. He just watched him, tears slowly swelling up in his eyes. 

"What did you say?"

A small smile appeared on Wooyoung's face. There was no reason to lie now.
"I'm pregnant." He whispered.

"You are," San joked out, a tear dropping down. His mouth curled into a smile, and he almost ran Wooyoung over as he pulled him into a hug. "You're not joking, right?" 

Wooyoung laughed at San's reaction. "I'm not." He leaned his head against the taller's shoulder. "But it wasn't my plan to tell you about it like that."

San shook his head. "That doesn't matter." He leaned back to look into Wooyoung's face. "I'm just so happy." He gave the omega, his omega, a peck on the lips. A peck on his nose. One on his cheek, and another on his temple. "God, I love you so much." He said, giving a last kiss on the bite mark, which bonded each other. "I love you too." Wooyoung smiled and glanced at the bite mark on San as well. The second mark came a bit late, but it came. It wasn't necessary anymore, but San insisted on it. And who was Wooyoung to say no?

"Maybe the whole soulmate thing isn't complete bullshit." San laughed. 

"Maybe it's not."

🎋