Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Everyone that knows Donghyuck agrees he is not a regular alpha.

Jeno reasons that it was because Donghyuck was raised by two level-headed betas.

Mark, who has known Donghyuck since before they presented, says considering his competitiveness, Donghyuck is very much an alpha. You just have to get past his sweet smile and affectionate nature to see those base traits underneath.

Renjun doesn’t care much for what makes an alpha regular or not, he just knows Donghyuck gets under his skin.

When they first met, Renjun was struck by the way Donghyuck commanded attention. He was loud and comedic and docile. With his careful teasing, he’d even succeeding in getting Renjun’s timid roommate, Chenle, to crack a smile.

He had watched in silent shock as Chenle offered a tentative comment. The joke had Donghyuck’s eyes lighting up in mirth. The worst part? It looked genuine. Donghyuck was truly pleased to see this beta he’d just met finally enter the conversation.

That night was the first of many outings where his coworker, Mark, attempted to merge his group of work friends with his group of, well, other friends.

The truth is, at age twenty-six, Renjun is grateful for the invitations. Chenle is the only friend from college he still kept in touch with, having moved to the same city together with signatures on the same lease. And as an alpha, Renjun appreciates having a friend to come home to every day. But the lack of social life does get a little depressing.

So when the new beta hire at his company extended an invitation to hang out with his crew, going as far as allowing Renjun to bring his own friend (social buffer) Chenle, declining Mark’s offer was something Renjun didn’t have the willpower to do.

Renjun and Chenle left that first happy hour outing feeling a mixture of things. Chenle, the more optimistic of the two, was happy for the change of scenery. Although Renjun shared the sentiment, he couldn’t help but wonder if the ease with which they all clicked was something he should be wary about.

With each outing that followed, it became clear that the social dynamic was a good one. Mark is enthusiastic and his friends are fun. And Chenle is happy. But Donghyuck is…bright.

And it’s not that Renjun dislikes it. He just sort of wishes he knew how to handle it better.

+

“Hey man, good morning.”

Jeno greets Renjun with a nod as they wait for the elevator in the expansive, linoleum-floored lobby. 

Renjun offers a polite smile. Jeno started at the company as a university student. He first started as an intern and steadily made his way up to working in the executive office. Renjun admires him and his professionalism from afar, and he’s embarrassed to say he didn’t fully befriend him until Mark introduced them to each other.

“Just a heads up, I just re-forwarded your email to big boss.” As they step into the elevator, Jeno motions to his phone, where the email application is opened. “So don’t expect to get a response before noon.”

Renjun huffs a breath, gaze understanding. He presses his finger on the button with the number eight. “If I expected a prompt response from Byun, I wouldn’t just be optimistic, I’d be an idiot.”

Jeno laughs, his eyes disappearing. Renjun catches his faint beta scent under the blockers. The scent was pleasant, but fleeting.

“Yeah yeah, well you know the drill. Next time, copy me and I’ll make sure to bump it to the top of her priority list.”

The elevator doors open, revealing light blue tiling and off-white walls. The soft buzz of early morning office work interrupts their short conversation. Renjun appreciates Jeno’s help. He wishes corresponding with their CEO didn’t take as many steps as it currently did. But being friends with her assistant will surely help with this in the future.

Their company is a well-oiled machine, with different departments specializing in their respective functions. But communication is still something Renjun wished was better. There are a lot of things he wishes were better.

“Yo!”

Just as his backpack lands on a corner of his desk, Mark’s cheerful voice greets him. They had a semi-strict scent blocking policy in the office, but Mark’s body was still adjusting to his own blocker of choice. His scent was rich and welcoming but extremely subtle. Renjun has to admit his own alpha was warming up to it in large increments. It’d barely been two months since Mark had started, yet here they were. Renjun grins.

“Sup.”

Leaning against the walls of Renjun's cubicle wearing wrinkled pants and a hoodie over his button-down, Mark is the perfect picture of relaxed confidence. He supposes it’s something you acquire after working at a tech start-up where every pitch you make has the potential of being a financial breakthrough. But Mark isn’t at a buzzy start-up filled with geniuses anymore. He’s sharing a quadrant with Renjun at a company that offers search engine optimization. He’s boring now. Welcome to adulthood.

“So you know how Donghyuck has been living with me and Jaemin while his place gets renovated?”

Renjun didn’t. This whole time, Renjun had just assumed there were roommates.

“Yes?” He lies tentatively.

“Did you seriously not know?" He asks, seeing through it. "Donghyuck has been posting progress pics all month in the group chat.” Mark looks both bewildered and amused.

Renjun has the decency to look sheepish. He doesn’t want to appear aloof. But the truth is, the group chat is just a Donghyuck vortex, with the alpha dominating conversation like he’d majored in text messaging. It bothered his own alpha, so he’d muted it. Nothing to be proud of honestly.

“Oh. Right. Yes. New, umm. Cabinetry?”

Mark’s eyebrows scrunch in confusion before he’s bursting out in laughter. “Your bullshitting will not work on me, man. But yes, your guess is right. Cabinetry. And new appliances. And a whole bunch of other shit. All the reno is done. He’s inviting us over tonight. You coming?”

Renjun turns his attention to his computer, typing in his credentials to give himself some time to think.

Spending his evening in an obnoxious alpha’s apartment isn’t something Renjun is interested in. The apartment will likely be stuffed with the alpha’s pheromones - a powerful scent which Renjun had only caught ephemeral glimpses of. 

Renjun hesitates, and Mark shifts his weight so he’s no longer leaning against the divider.

“It’d be nice if you came.” His voice is soft now, earnest. And Renjun is temporarily struck by Mark’s ability to be vulnerable, and to ask for what he wants. He wishes he could be like that, too.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be there.” When Mark’s face breaks into a grin, Renjun gives a smile in return before settling more comfortably into his chair.

As he works through his inbox, he can’t help but wonder what the other alpha’s apartment will look like. If it will have mismatched furniture to match his vast array of interests, or if it will be dull and uninspired.

Renjun unmutes the groupchat.

+

Scent blockers get a bad rep.

But Renjun likes them.

His own pheromones are quite strong, distracting to others of every second gender. When he was a young teen, his friends used to joke that his scent didn’t match his fox-like face, his small hands, and thin build. His scent was like a large guard dog that both lured others in with its vast depth, while keeping them from getting too close.

His ex said he was an oxymoron, a delicate face with claws.

Renjun thinks she was just romantic. Wanting to make poetry out of everything.

They’re done with work now and Renjun is free to peel the blocker off his scent gland just like Mark does as they make their way to the train station. Renjun doesn’t, however, and Mark doesn’t comment on it.

The air is uncharacteristically chilly for this time of the year and it makes them both feel light, like the earth was offering them a gift from mother nature herself. Public transportation feels less congested, less unbearable when the air is cool and their necks aren’t covered in sweat.

At Renjun’s suggestion, they stop to buy drinks. It's rude to not show up empty-handed.

“Hyuck doesn’t care about that stuff though, he’ll just be happy we came.” Mark comments fondly, as they walk the last block to Donghyuck’s place.

Renjun hums. It’s not hard to believe that this could be true, but Renjun still doesn’t want to seem ill-mannered. He doesn’t want to give the other alpha a reason to think Renjun is worse than him.

They get buzzed in and soon the door to Donghyuck’s apartment is wide open.

“Jisung! My man.”

Mark embraces the omega with great enthusiasm, using his strength (and excitement) to lift him a few inches off the ground. The display has Renjun’s heart warming, and the feeling isn't entirely pleasant. It reminds him of his old friend group, from college.

When he’s back on his feet, Jisung turns to greet Renjun with a friendly nod, eyes going wide when he sees the beer Renjun has cradled in his arms. “You brought my favorite beer.”

“Oh yeah?”

They walk deeper inside the apartment and Renjun allows himself to take in the place. There’s a new ceiling treatment and shelving units. He can tell Donghyuck had sprayed something to mute his scent, but his own alpha sense could still catch wisps of it. It was woody, sharp. Renjun exhales through his nose as he carefully places the pack of beer on the new kitchen countertops.

“Where’s Hyuck?” Mark asks.

“He went to grab food. Said he knows a place that only does take-out.” Jisung cracks open a can as Jaemin steps into the kitchen.

Soon, Jeno gets buzzed in and it completes the party.

Mark says something about how hungry he is and Renjun stays in the kitchen, admiring the cabinetry. Jaemin joins him, pointing out the knobs proudly as if the place were his own. (“I picked these out! I knew the gold would complement the navy boards. And Hyuck actually listened!”)

Renjun agrees that it does complement the color scheme. He wonders how much it costs to repurpose the knobs, if the added labor was worth the money saved frin not having to get new readymade pantry doors. He could ask Donghyuck, but he doesn’t want to pry, especially about the finance side of things.

That, and he doesn't want to give Donghyuck the opportunity to explain something in full detail to him. No thanks.

“Hey, is Chenle coming?” Jisung asks from the living room couch.

“Nah, he got caught up at work.”

“Asshole!”

“I know!” Renjun jokes, matching his energy.

“Who’s an asshole?” Donghyuck asks. He appears at his front door, several bags of food hanging off each of his arms. He’s in his work clothes, which were just joggers and a cotton t-shirt hidden under a utilitarian jacket. His nose is red from the drop in temperature. Renjun walks over to help with the bags.

“You are, of course,” Jaemin states.

“No food for you buddy.”

When Renjun gets to him, he feels the other alpha’s gazes hit the side of his face.

“Hey.”

Renjun hums, grabbing some bags from the bottom so the containers don’t spill. “The place looks great," he says, voice flat. His eyes trained on the food, he misses the look Donghyuck gives him.

Renjun moves away before he gets an answer. And quickly, the friend group is in motion, grabbing plates and cutlery. Moving chairs around looking through pull out drawers for bottle openers and serving spoons. By the time they're all seated to eat, some of the food has cooled. But no complaints come from the roudy bunch. Only half-begrudgingly, Renjun can comfortably admit, it’s a good vibe.

Donghyuck is different today. He’s not yelling or laughing loudly or doing prolonged bits. He’s just as prone to laughter, of course, just as good-natured. But he’s calmer. Renjun supposes it’s because they’re in his home, his own space.

The more Renjun is aware of Donghyuck’s relaxed state, however, the more he feels himself fidget. Deep down, he knows it’s because not all alphas can hang together. But this societal norm had never stopped Renjun from befriending other alphas.

Plus, Donghyuck wasn’t like other alphas. That's his whole shtick, is it not? He's less overwhelming, less domineering. He giggle more than he guffaws, and lets his voice pitch high when he's amused. He's, well, chill.

So why was Renjun's alpha growing more and more agitated?

After the sun sets, he feels Jisung staring at him and he tries to ignore it. He tries to ignore the itch to remove his blocker and let his pheromones roam free. The more time passes, the harder it gets to fight the urge. Renjun hasn’t felt this powerless since high school.

When Renjun stands, excusing himself while muttering something about the restroom, he makes sure to keep his face neutral. He doesn't want his agitation to raise alarm. In the hall, he sees the bathroom to his left. He makes a right, tiptoeing to the front door. He escapes to the apartment hallway to breathe, to breathe air that isn’t infused with Donghyuck.

“Renjun?”

Fuck. It's Jisung. “Hey.”

“You okay?”

He doesn’t watch as Jisung moves to stand beside him, all the way at the end of the hall near the stairwell.

“Mmm. I am, yeah. Just needed some air.” Renjun looks over to fully face him, allowing the omega to see for himself. He doesn’t want him to worry, not over something that seems so elusive and hard to explain.

“You’re an alpha, right?”

Renjun raises an eyebrow, not used to the question. “I am…”

“Well, you always have your blockers on. We can’t really tell. I mean, I figured it out, just now. Because I’m an omega. But.”

“I’m sure Donghyuck knows.” It was nearly impossible to hide second genders from alphas. But even then, Renjun wasn’t trying to hide anything. Why did it matter if he’s an alpha or not?

“I guess, yeah. But, what I’m trying to say is, the others don’t know. We would have been more mindful - “

“More mindful?”

Renjun is confused. What was there to be mindful about? Did he do something wrong?

Jisung looked away from him, allowing him some privacy. Renjun begins to feel defensive, as if there was a joke he wasn’t being let in on.

“Yo! Are you guys okay?” Mark calls, as he jogs over.

Even with the off-putting conversation, Renjun can’t help but feel fond of the beta, he doesn’t want him to worry. “Yeah, man. We’re okay.” He gives Jisung a look, one that warrants a quiet nod of understanding - this never happened.

“I’m actually thinking of heading out.”

“Aw really? What time is it anyway?” Mark asks, glancing at Jisung’s wristwatch.

“Shit, it is late. Nine-thirty.”

“Oh my god. I can’t believe you just said nine-thirty is late. We're hags.”

Jisung laughs at that, patting Mark on the back as he walks back to the apartment. Renjun follows, mind still whirring with the omega’s cryptic comments.

He feels bad being the first to leave, but the relief he feels once he’s out of the building is worryingly palpable.

There was definitely something off about Donghyuck’s alpha, and he can’t help but feel a staggering desire to figure it out.

+

Ripping the blocker off when he gets home feels like a cold shower after a marathon. 

Chenle raises an eyebrow when Renjun burrows into him, going pliant as he scents him near his ears and at the base of his neck.

“Dude. What happened?”

Renjun just inhales the beta’s grounding scent, letting it sit at the base of his throat and comfort him until his alpha relaxes. Chenle tentatively wraps his arms around his roommate, maneuvering him so they’re both more comfortable on the couch.

“Dude.”

“Sorry,” Renjun mumbles. The only other person Renjun has ever scented like this was his mother, and even then it hasn’t happened since he started college. Renjun whines. “I don’t know what happened.” He admits finally, moving off Chenle a little.

Chenle is silent, waiting for him to continue.

“Donghyuck’s home is, like, stuffed with his scent.”

“No shit, Jun.”

“I know!” Renjun does the thing where he yells without yelling. Voice emphatic, without rising even a little in volume. Chenle startles, just a little. Renjun deflates. “I just. I couldn’t handle it. My alpha was seriously disturbed.”

“Disturbed how?”

“I don’t know. I wanted to take the blocker off.”

“You kept it on, even after work?” Chenle stretches out a hand to circle Renjun’s wrist, allowing his pheromones to fall onto Renjun's skin.

“Why are you surprised, I always do when I’m out.”

“Well you know how I feel about that…”

Renjun sighs. Why hadn’t he just taken it off? The guys are his friends, too. They will eventually have to learn his scent.

But contrary to popular belief, Renjun doesn’t like letting his scent loose. He doesn’t like how people around him change in response to it.

It’s true that Donghyuck wasn’t like other alphas, but neither was Renjun.

“You’re going to ruin your gland. Maybe your alpha is just worried about that.”

The statement is laid out timidly by Chenle. But his eyes are firm. He’s worried. And looking back at his roommate, Renjun admits to himself, he’s worried too.

+

The next day, Renjun gets a call from Donghyuck while he’s in the middle of a call with a client.

Renjun rarely responds in the group chat, let alone does he private message Donghyuck. Receiving a call from him is even stranger. Thankfully, his phone is on silent, but the timing still worries him. It’s 11:30am.

By the time the client call ends, Renjun quickly makes a few notes for himself, sending a courtesy recap email. Crafting the email takes him longer than usual, his brain hyper aware of the missed call notification lighting up his personal phone.

Discretely, he rises from his chair and moves out into the hall furthest away from Mark and the rest of his department. 

With a deep inhale, Renjun returns the missed call, removing his airpods and raising the phone to his ear. 

“Hey, Renjun. I’m sorry to call in the middle of the morning.” Is Donghyuck’s confident greeting.

Renjun blinks. “Hey, no problem. Is - is everything alright?”

There’s a pause. “Yeah. Listen, I actually wanted to apologize. I know it was uncomfortable for you in my apartment. I thought if I sprayed some Suppress Spray, it wouldn’t be so bad. I’m sorry, I didn’t think it through.”

Donghyuck is a clear speaker, Renjun hears everything he says, he understands his tone and message. But with that confident delivery, Renjun feels like the rug has been pulled from under his feet. Sure, Renjun left early, but how does that warrant an apology from his host? And why bother apologizing for having your scent inside your own house?

It’s similar to the confusion he’d felt talking to Jisung.

We would have been more mindful -

Mindful of what?

But Renjun is twenty-six and employed at a successful company. He knows how to pretend to know what’s going on, even when his mind is scrambling to digest everything going on.

“Right. I appreciate it. But don’t worry. Honestly, it’s fine.”

“Really? Because I totally get if you need space -”

Space?

Now, it's absurd. And Donghyuck sounds genuinely relieved, as if he seriously cared about Renjun’s companionship. This conversation needs to end.

“It’s fine. I promise, Donghyuck.”

Donghyuck.

Renjun doesn’t think he’s ever actually spoken his name out loud, not to him.

Donghyuck laughs, relieved. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I owe you a coffee at least.”

Renjun feels his face burn. He groans internally, clenching the phone. “No way.”

“Renjun.”

Renjun is silent. His alpha is seriously ruffled now. But it’s not unpleasant.

“I have to go. I have meetings till 2. I’m - I’m free after.” His voice is quiet as he ends the call. His voice is always quiet, having picked up his mother’s habit of speaking in a measured tone at all times. But the quiet in his voice this time sounded foreign to his own ears - compliant.

+

Donghyuck texts him an address at noon that day. Asking if he’s still up for coffee.

Renjun finds himself struck by his brazenness. 

The coffee place was five minutes away from his own office.

He calls Chenle from the bathroom.

“What’s good?”

“Chenle. Donghyuck called me to apologize.”

“Wow, what a gentleman.”

Renjun ignores that. “Do you think I was being obvious at dinner?”

“Bro, I was not there. Ask Jeno, or Mark.”

Renjun groans. “Why are you useless?”

“I was not useless last night, now was I?”

“Please, you sound like a sex worker,” Renjun comments, laughter muffling his pronunciation.

“Shut up,” Chenle mumbles, the sound of keyboard clacking taking over the receiver.

Renjun knows now would be a good time to mention Donghyuck had invited him to coffee.

“Donghyuck is really nice, but I can’t be friends with him.” He doesn’t mention the coffee.

“Why not? You sound like such a hot head right now.”

“It’s not me, though. It’s my alpha!”

“Since when have you been the type to listen to your alpha?”

And that question makes Renjun pause, because his best friend is right. His alpha had never interfered with his alpha friendships before. Had never felt so wary, so unnerved. Not with alpha Dejun from college. Not with Chenle’s alpha ex-girlfriend.

“I feel like there’s something going on, that everyone knows about, except me.”

Chenle makes a sympathetic noise. “Renjun, you gotta ask. Ask and you’ll find out, okay?”

Okay?

Renjun breathes out through his nose. Things aren’t okay.

“Sure.”

+

If Mark and Jeno notice something off about Renjun, they don’t mention it.

For that, he's grateful.

It’s a chilly day again, but they’re having lunch in the cafeteria of their building, a wide space filled with the smell of caffeine. There's tall glass and steel chairs and a handful of vendors offering the self-rightious employees an enticing, overpriced alternative to their meal prep.

Renjun lets the betas talk, enjoying having lunch with people he can legitimately call his friends. Since graduating and leaving his college social life behind, Renjun had a hard time meeting new people. He'd fooled himself into thinking his ex-partner was all he needed. He was wrong, and they’d broken up.

That was two years ago.

Renjun checks his phone.

He told Donghyuck he would meet him at 3.

It was 2:45.

There’s no fuss from his friends when he stands to leave, they were used to his shorter lunch breaks, to his apparent zeal when it comes to his work. He doesn’t bother explaining that, for once, it's not his work that keeps him from enjoying the full hour of lunch. It's a young man, a man he claims to dislike. He puts on his jacket in silence. He slips out the chatter-filled cafeteria, letting the drop in noise soothe him as he makes his way to the elevator.

The walk to the cafe is embarrassingly short. He arrives early and considers walking out entirely. But then the menu catches his attention, seeing an extensive list of items under the Tea category.

Renjun imagines what the blend of turmeric and blueberry could taste like. He imagines how it would be if he admits to another alpha that at the old age of twenty-six he’s rather clueless about his own alpha and its needs.

This last thought has the potential to torment him for several minutes, but thankfully, it’s his turn to order and the barista successfully brings him out of his cluttered thoughts.

With his drink in hand, he finds a spot to sit at by a window. He uses a napkin to wipe crumbs left by a previous patron and takes out his phone.

While scrolling through his company chat, he feels a presence beside him. He looks up, meeting eyes with Donghyuck.

“Hey, I said I’d treat you! You already ordered.” Donghyuck chastises, gesturing to Renjun’s drink.

Renjun feels his cheeks warm. He’d ordered without thinking, having completely forgotten this was an apology meal. “I forgot.”

Donghyuck chuckles. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be right back.”

Renjun doesn’t watch him go, adjusting himself on the chair and putting his phone away, only to bring it back out within seconds. He’s nervous. Dammit.

“I don’t know about you,” Donghyuck starts as he approaches their table a few minutes later. “But I could always go for some cheesecake.” He places a small plate with a large slice of cheesecake on it between them. 

Renjun studies the dessert. He’s lactose intolerant. And he loves cheesecake. “I’m a fan.”

Donghyuck's eyes go brighter. 

Renjun grabs a fork and takes a bite. And then another. He wants to take off his blocker. He sighs.

“Can I ask you something?” Renjun starts.

“Shoot.”

“Was I acting weird yesterday?”

Donghyuck looks confused. “You mean, like more than is adequate for an alpha entering another alpha’s pack?”

A pack? “What do you mean?”

“I mean… Mark, Jaemin, Jisung, Jeno. They’re - well, to use an archaic term - my pack. I’m the only alpha in the friend group. That is, until you came along.”

Renjun bristles. Donghyuck isn’t on the offensive at all, but the words were inherently threatening. He can feel his alpha become increasingly alert. It doesn’t make sense, though.

“I’m not following. I’m sorry… A pack?”

“It’s a dumb word, I know. But it’s that biology coming through. The guys and I have been friends since we were teens. We have a bond, you could say.”

Is this the joke that Renjun hadn’t been let in on? Is this what he had been missing? Of course group bonds weren't something new to him, conceptually. But he'd never actually seen one outside of families or college dorms.

He felt inexperienced all of sudden, childish. But Donghyuck isn’t pedantic, or pompous. He’s just… he’s just Donghyuck.

Renjun tries to relax. He takes the approach he does with his supervisor, when he wants to advance the conversation but isn’t knowledgeable enough to do so. 

Honesty.

“Truthfully… I hadn’t even realized. I didn’t piece it together. Like, at all.”

Donghyuck cracks a smile. “I figured.”

Renjun studies him, his tan skin and kind eyes. He's empathic towards Renjun, aware of his uneasiness. It's a blatantly omega-like trait. Every time he smiled, it was disarming. Calming. He wasn’t a typical alpha at all.

Renjun tries to relax. He finds himself seeking out the other's scent.

“Can I still hang out with you guys? I’m not sure I understand what I’m supposed to do?”

“Oh.” Donghyuck blinks, having been staring at Renjun for a moment. “Of course, I don’t mind at all. This isn’t something formal or anything. The bond kinda happened by accident, if I’m being honest.”

The admission piques Renjun’s interest. “Oh really? Can you tell me about it?”

“Well, I’ve known Mark since we were little kids. We even studied the same thing in college. And we met Jisung as seniors in high school. He studied somewhere else but it was still local. Jaemin and Jeno, we met in college. And we all just clicked. It happened pretty organically.”

Renjun leans back in his chair. He likes that Donghyuck was ready to divulge information. That he isn’t showing signs of possessiveness or intimidation.

“That’s pretty great,” Renjun finally says, quiet. He doesn’t understand what it means that his own alpha responds in such a peculiar way to Donghyuck. He doesn’t want to stop hanging out with them. But maybe, biologically, it just isn’t plausible? Not with Donghyuck in the picture.

“Can I ask you something?”

Renjun blinks, squaring his shoulders. “Yeah, you can.”

“Why the blockers?”

+

Renjun can’t focus for the remainder of the work day. 

He can’t focus on his commute back home. Not that there was anything to focus on. But he’s so out of it, he doesn’t even bother setting up a music queue on his phone, or listening to a podcast. Or calling his father.

He just stares out and replays his coffee break with Donghyuck. Over and over.

“Dude what’s up with you?”

Chenle has been home for less than an hour, but he’s quick to notice something is up. 

Renjun is glad he asks, in a way. He’s been planning to loop Chenle in but doesn’t even know where to begin.

“I don’t even know where to begin, Lele.”

Chenle stares at him from the living room couch. “Seeing you act this melodramatic is kind of hilarious.” 

Renjun sighs. He can sense his own scent, the uneasiness that lingers in it. Chenle’s scent reaches out outward, like a gentle hand beneath a blanket.

“So Donghyuck helped me understand some things about last night. Apparently, they all have this casual group bond.”

Chenle’s eyes bulge.

“Yeah. So since there’s only one alpha in the pack, it’s kind of awkward for my alpha to just infiltrate.”

“But you’re not infiltrating? You’ve been invited over again and again.”

“Yeah, I know, but my alpha is feeling all kinds of agitated.”

Chenle mulls it over for a while. “Group bonds are not that deep though. Alphas shouldn’t be responding like that.”

“So… what are you saying?”

“Well, I think the blockers are still a problem.”

“Ugh. You sound like Donghyuck.”

“Wow, this was a long and intimate conversation, huh?”

“Shut up. I suppose. He just said the guys should get familiar with my scent. And that, maybe. I mean, if I want, we could scent each other.”

“Whaaaaat?”

Chenle and Renjun are very similar in various ways. They’re both kind of cagey about scenting. They don’t scent with just anyone, not even partners. There’s no profound reason for it, it’s just how they are. It’s something that had brought them together when they’d first met, two prudish college freshmen braving the world filled with brazenness and scent promiscuity.

Renjun is silent.

Chenle observes him. “I mean, is that something you could want?”

And that’s the thing. Ever since Donghyuck had brought it up, he’d known. He’d known it was something his alpha was interested in. Immensely.

“I think it could be.”

+

“Dude, that’s amazing!”

Renjun grins back at Mark, his cheeks almost hurting from how big he's smiling. He waves his fists in the air. He’s just made a huge sale with a difficult client. It was an account his supervisor had transferred to him after his colleague had failed to look after it. It was a test. 

And Renjun had passed. Big time.

“Oh my god," Renjun sighs, replaying the conversation in his head.

“I’m telling Jeno. Maybe he can mention it to big boss.”

Renjun lowers his arms. “Nah, she’ll figure it out at the senior staff meeting. I don’t want to gloat.”

“But you have to. How else are they gonna keep tally of your successes? You gotta toot your own horn, every chance you get.”

Renjun is only half processing Mark’s wisdom. His mind is still reeling from the client call. It was one of many great calls this week, but this one is by far the best. The promotion he’s had his mind on is becoming more and more likely.

He stands up from his chair and hugs Mark. It startles a laugh from him. “Dude!”

Renjun laughs. “I know!”

+

The group chat explodes, as much as a group chat with twenty-six and twenty-seven year olds with full time jobs can.

Renjun is happy to receive their congratulations and praise and he’s quick to accept when Jaemin offers to cook for them that same night.

“To be fair, Jaemin was already planning on cooking tonight,” Mark tells Jeno and Renjun as they hold on to the overhead rails on the train later that day. “So don’t go thinking he’s a better friend than I am.”

Jeno rolls his eyes. “I would never. Is Chenle coming?”

Renjun nods, checking his phone. “Yeah he is. He might arrive earlier than us, he works close to Mark’s.”

“Sweet.”

Renjun hums, looking out the train windows as they zoom aboveground, between buildings. It’s a scenic commute that Renjun hasn’t grown tired of yet. He thinks about Donghyuck’s private message from earlier.

His phone feels heavy in his hand.

+

When they walk up to Mark’s building, Renjun figures it’s now or never.

“Hey.”

Jeno raises an eyebrow, listening.

Mark grunts to show he’s listening as he fishes for his keys in his work bag.

“I was thinking. Is it alright if I remove my blocker?”

Mark’s hand slows down. “Of course man. Fine with me.” He resumes looking for his keys. Completely nonplussed. As if Renjun had just asked if he could call his mom, and not, you know, reveal the most intimate aspect of his physical identity.

Beside him, Jeno smiles, eyes disappearing. “For sure. You don’t even have to ask.”

Renjun’s cheeks burn. “I know, I know. I like to ask, though. My scent is… strong.”

Mark unlocks the apartment building and Renjun peels off the blocker. It takes a second for the seal to break, but when it does, his alpha almost purrs with relief.

Both betas have similar reactions with varying degrees of success hiding it. Jeno hums politely, appreciating it. Mark’s nostrils flare and his eyes widen, and Renjun has to look away.

“Dude, you’re an alpha?” Mark’s voice cracks and Jeno bursts out laughing and Renjun can’t help but join in as they make their way up the stairs.

“I am.” Renjun smiles sheepishly, feeling liberated.

Jeno shakes his head. “You smell amazing.”

“Thanks?”

They’re laughing when they arrive to Mark and Jaemin’s unit. Chenle is there already, gaze immediately meeting Renjun as they communicate quietly. There are no distressed signals to fuss over so Chenle relaxes, amused. And soon Jaemin is responding too, gaze appreciative as he says, sincerely, “I’m glad you’re getting comfortable.”

Renjun is touched, feeling slightly overwhelmed knowing everyone in the room can receive his scent.

But his alpha is pleased, and he feels relaxed. Excited, even.

Jaemin isn’t done cooking yet so they hover around the kitchen counter overlooking the living room. Mark pledges he’ll stay out of the way while Jeno offers his help.

Jisung and Chenle are in conversation so Renjun takes the opportunity to text the missing alpha.

The blocker is off

nice! How’s it going

It’s fine. Feels weird but good. 

When are you arriving

i don’t think i’m gonna make it actually

Renjun’s smile slowly disappears.

i’m sorry! We can celebrate some other time

My treat

Renjun makes an effort to maintain his composure. He’s not even sure why the message messes up his composure in the first place. They’re a big group, so having one person missing really isn’t uncommon.

It’s all good, i’ll see you 

Jisung comes to join him on the couch. His scent is light and floral, unimposing but alluring all the same. “Mind if I sit?” He asks, voice gentle.

Renjun smiles, nodding. Jisung leaves some space between them at first, allowing Renjun the opportunity to initiate contact. Renjun knows that Jisung feels safe with him, that he wouldn’t have approached him otherwise, but Renjun’s pheromones are strong, dominant. He hesitates and Jisung seems to understand.

His omega pheromones are subtle, wrapping around him at a delicate pace. Renjun sighs, leaning into it subconsciously. 

Chenle quietly comes to sit on his other side, and the familiar scent is welcome, Renjun’s alpha becoming increasingly pleased. He places his hand tentatively on Jisung’s thigh, his touch light.

Jisung’s eyelids flutter, exhaling softly.

From the kitchen, Jaemin breaks out into a loud laugh and Mark and Jeno join in immediately from somewhere out of sight.

The laughter kind of breaks the spell for Renjun, who still feels nervous without his blocker. But Chenle nuzzles his neck discretely and Renjun sinks into the couch, happy with the attention. 

Jisung’s voice is deep when he asks for permission to scent him and Renjun can’t bring himself to deny him, to deny himself the pleasure. So Jisung nuzzles his nose along Renjun’s collarbones, and his omega pheromones are so gentle and soothing, so clear and unassuming. It's fresh laundry in an open field. It's comforting and light. Renjun breathes out his nose quietly, finally allowing his own pheromones to press just as gently into Jisung.

But it wasn’t gentle enough. Jisung’s eyes widen, his leg jerking in response to the unmistakable alpha overtones. Renjun pulls away, apology already on his tongue, but Jisung is smiling.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

Renjun stares, his heart thundering in his chest.

“Foods ready!” Jeno announces.

“Somebody help me with these jugs,” Mark projects, his foot keeping the fridge door open as he uses two hands to move an overfilled jug of lemonade.

“I got it,” Renjun answers weakly. He squeezes Jisung’s thigh before standing up, making his way to the dinner table.

Dinner passes quickly, the way it does when you’re having a good time. Jaemin makes him reenact the client’s praise and Mark adds his own anecdotes (“That’s a big deal, trust me guys. I know it's just like basic praise, but this guy is hard to read. And, like, a notorious asshole. Renjun is like an asshole whisperer. Wait -”). Jeno laughs and Chenle watches with a quiet adoration in his eyes, and Jisung is happy to chime in to tease and prod every now and then.

Renjun is still buzzing by the time Chenle and he return home. He’s not even sure what he’s more happy about - the giant sale or the fact that his first scenting in years was not a horrible failure.

+

Scenting Mark happens later that week.

Renjun is back at his and Jaemin’s place but they’re alone this time, Jaemin away for the weekend to visit family.

Renjun doesn't like to stay over people’s homes too late, he's a homebody in that sense. But Mark had started massaging Renjun’s head, his fingers in his hair while his head laid in the beta’s lap. And it had been so hard to focus on the television in front of them, let alone muster up the strength to pack up and leave. 

Renjun makes an appreciative noise in his throat and Mark wiggles his eyebrows.

“Feel good?”

“Mhmm.” Renjun closes his eyes, shifting to his side and getting comfortable on the sectional couch.

Mark's fingers are perfectly calloused, scratching softly at the base of his head. They make goosebumps erupt on Renjun's arms. Mark’s cool pheromones wrap around his neck like loose velveteen ribbon. It's impossibly gratifying. Renjun fights the urge to reach out with his own aromatic greeting.

“It’s okay, you can scent me.” Mark whispers the words. 

“Mm. My scent is strong,” he warns.

Mark says nothing, moving to massage between Renjun’s shoulder blades.

Slowly, Renjun releases his pheromones, ears alert to every bit of reaction from the beta so close to him. 

Mark’s hands stop and Renjun stills as well. He can hear Mark breathing him in behind him and Renjun can’t resist, he sits up, turning to peer back at Mark.

“Is this okay?”

“Yeah, wow. Yeah, it’s okay. Just…” Mark lowers his gaze, craning his neck to allow him more access. Renjun’s alpha is alert, pleased at the show of submission from a beta whom he already holds in such high regard. 

Renjun is overwhelmed with the buzz that begins to run beneath his skin. He’s grown to care for Mark so much, is the thing. Seeing him go so pliant for him - just for Renjun - makes his mind go blank.

It seems like there’s no air in his lungs, or his head, as he inches forward, dropping his pheromones along the column of Mark’s neck. When he makes contact, he picks up another scent here, pure and smoky. It’s Donghyuck. He's never smelled it like this, hanging off someone's pours. An incriminating whiny noise falls from Renjun's throat.

Mark chuckles. “Keep going. Please.”

Now that he's gotten here, Renjun is not dumb enough to stop, nor does he want to. He noses along, nipping across his neck and eventually moving his hand to Mark’s shoulder so he can keep him in place as he looms over him. “Good?”

“Y-yeah.” Mark opens his eyes and looks up at him. He ducks his head, moving to scent Renjun back. It’s a like a dance, a back and forth. It feels soothing, like it alleviates an itch he's had deep within him.

“Jeez, Renjun. You’re, like, intoxicating.”

“Yeah?” Renjun smiles, his hand moving to card through Mark’s hair, to cup his cheek softly.

“You know, at first it was hard to believe you were an alpha. But I can see it now. You’re really intense.”

Renjun feels himself pouting. And whatever expression he makes has Mark laughing.

“You know, I’m glad we met. And I’m glad you like the guys.”

“Of course I do.” Renjun reaches over to scratch Mark’s neck. He likes the skinship.

“I’m sorry for not telling you about the group bond sooner. If I had known you were an alpha, I would have.”

“It’s okay Mark. I know. It’s alright.”

“I wish you wouldn’t wear the blockers so much.”

Renjun watches the beta, his toes wiggling under the blanket. “You know why I have to.”

Mark sighs. “I suppose.”

+

The new week brings a cluttered calendar and a warm front.

The humid air is unwelcome for Renjun, who hadn’t bothered to check the weather app before leaving for work. By the time he reaches his work building, he’s shed his jacket, holding it in his hands and feeling overly sweaty and inadequately dressed.

But Jeno greets him in the elevator. They arrive at the exact same time again, so the morning can’t be so bad.

“It's October and it's hot,” Renjun comments, by way of greeting. 

The others in the elevator agree with a few nods and sympathetic smiles.

Renjun moves to stand by Jeno. “How are you?”

“Alright. Big boss has an 8:30 today that’ll likely go into the afternoon. So I’m basically on vacation.”

Renjun laughs. “If only.”

They make it to their floor and part ways and Renjun makes quick work of getting settled into his workstation. Mark isn’t at his cubicle, likely sitting in on the 8:30.

Within minutes, Renjun gets a text message.

Good morning! Hows work

It’s Donghyuck. Renjun gulps.

Literally just sat down lol

lol me too

are you free to grab lunch today? My treat

Renjun reviews his calendar. He had purposely reserved the noon to 2pm block for himself to catch up on last week’s workload. But it was only Monday, he could catch up later in the week.

I am actually

12:30

Reallly??

yessssss

I know a place

perfect

send me the address

Renjun locks his phone after sending the address. He licks his lips. He has a meeting with another department in twenty-five minutes. He should prep for it, as he’s the sole representative from his small team. He should, and he tries.

But it’s hard, because for some odd reason, his mind keeps conjuring the faint smoky scent that had been left on Mark’s skin.

+

“Renjun, hey.”

Renjun fits himself into the seat across from the other brown-haired alpha. “Hey, how are you?”

Donghyuck passes a finger along the tips of the laminated menu before him. “Happy to get a break, to be honest.”

“Tough at work?”

Donghyuck groans. “You could say.” 

For once, Donghyuck isn’t very forthcoming with his responses and Renjun knows to respect that. He drops the subject for now, gesturing to the menu with his eyes. “They have really good banh bot loc and, well, pho. Of course.” 

The restaurant had the word ‘pho’ in its name, one would hope it had good pho.

Donghyuck's eyes light up. “Good because I’m starving.”

“I don’t usually eat this early but I’m kind of hungry, too.”

Renjun watches as Donghyuck studies the menu.

“Remind me to buy some boba for my assistant. She loves this shit.”

Renjun smiles. “I will.”

“I’ve been giving her a hard time lately. I think something is going on that she’s not telling me about. She’s made these huge mistakes with my calendar. Costly. Three times, she forgot to transfer callers to me. Important buyers…” Donghyuck sighs. “I sound like an ass, I’m sorry.”

Renjun shakes his head. “You don’t. That sounds frustrating. Is she new?”

“Not at all, which is why I think it’s a personal matter. I’m tempted to ask HR. But I’ve never had an assistant besides her. I don’t want to raise any alarms. Just want her to trust me.”

“You should try talking to her first before getting HR involved.”

Donghyuck stares off, seriously considering Renjun’s advice. But before he can respond, there’s a waiter at their table asking for their orders. When he’s gone, Donghyuck quirks his chin.

“Blocker again?”

“Huh? Oh, right. I mean, I’m going back to work after this.”

Donghyuck nods, understanding. He doesn’t say anything, allowing Renjun the space to elaborate if he wants to.

He doesn’t.

Donghyuck starts again, “I saw Jisung and Jaemin the other day.”

Renjun takes a sip of his water. “Oh yeah?”

“They mentioned how nice it was when you took off the blocker. They seemed happy.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I think they just want to see you comfortable, you know? You’re a friend now. Chenle, too.”

Renjun feels his cheeks warm, he looks down, allowing himself to feel good about it. His alpha is still restless, it’s always restless around Donghyuck, but his statement has a pacifying effect on Renjun.

It makes him bold.

“And you, what do you want?”

Donghyuck sits up in his chair. “What do you mean?”

Renjun isn’t sure either. But strangely, he gets the sensation that Donghyuck is keeping something from him, that there’s more going on here than he’s letting on.

Renjun stares at the other alpha’s eyes. “Is it okay for me to be - to be scenting your friends - your pack? Is this what you want?”

Donghyuck stares back, his expression not entirely readable to Renjun. “I… I wouldn’t have mentioned it if it wasn’t okay.”

It was generous of him, diplomatic. 

But Renjun can’t shake the feeling that there's more going on here. His alpha rears his head and he’s grateful for the blocker, for the confrontation that’ll never happen between them. 

Not here at least.

+

When Renjun gets home, Jisung and Jaemin are there, helping Chenle set up a new alarm system.

Renjun’s eyebrows rise almost all the way up to his hairline. “Alarm system?”

Chenle ignores him and Jisung rises from their huddle around the instructions pamphlet. He helps the alpha bring in the groceries and unload them into the scratched counter of their kitchenette.

“Jaemin got a two-for-one discount and he offered the second to Chenle. Apparently it’s smart so there’s an app for it. I think you need an ethernet though…”

“Sounds confusing.”

“It is,” Jisung sighs.

Renjun is aggressively uninterested in this installation, so he stays out of their way for the three hours that it takes them to finish installing.

When he finally leaves his bedroom, he finds them piled together on the couch under several blankets, having barely won their battle against the hi-tech alarm application. 

Renjun approaches them curiously.

“Did you guys die?”

Jaemin groans. “And to think I have to install this in my own apartment now.”

Chenle chuckles, pheromones attempting to assuage the other. 

Renjun softens at the sight, reaching over to ruffle Jisung’s hair. “Don’t fall asleep, unless you’re planning to spend the night?”

Jisung’s eyes close at the alpha's touch, pheromones releasing naturally. He makes a nonverbal sound, as if thinking it through. He snuggles closer to Chenle. 

Jaemin snorts.

Renjun sighs.

“You guys are free to stay, just know that the couch is not as comfortable as it looks.”

He gets no response, so he wishes them a good night, hesitating only a little before nuzzling under Jisung’s jaw. The omega preens, murmuring a soft good night in return.

It’s a wonderful sight.

+

They don’t hang for a while after that. 

It gets hard to align their schedules and autumn passes with breezes that get gradually cooler.

After a few weeks, Renjun admits to himself that he misses the gang and although the absence is technically a bad thing, he’s happy to be missing anyone at all.

When he mentions this to Chenle, the beta rolls his eyes and calls him a helpless romantic. But his scent is warm and affectionate.

And then, on a morning where Renjun had woken up sweating, after a night of dreaming of alphas and oak and potency, Jeno messages him.

Need drinks today. several

Renjun is sympathetic.

You and me both

kimmies?

Down! Should I tell mark?

Already did. I think he’s in a meeting…

Renjun peaks into Mark’s cubicle. He’s wearing his headset and is gesturing with his hands. Yup, a meeting.

Yeah he is. I’ll tell him when it’s done 

Yeet

Yeet? What is yeet

wait don't answer that

omg I’m so old 

😂

get back to work

Yes captain

Mark is eager to join them when he learns of their plan later. He even suggests leaving work early which Renjun judiciously shuts down.

They ride together from work, splitting a cab and laughing the whole way there because Jeno has learned how to do the best impression of their IT guy. 

Kimmie’s is kind of run down. But the beer menu is diverse and the patrons aren’t too young. On Wednesday’s there’s trivia and on Friday’s there’s live music.

Today is Thursday which means they’re among the first ones there for happy hour. Renjun doesn’t mind though. He orders his favorite blonde ale and finds a table near the darts. 

At the bar, he can see Mark swallow a shot before bringing a flight towards their table. 

“For us!”

Jeno’s eyes widen. “Yay!”

Mark falls to sit beside Renjun, bringing his arm around his shoulder and nuzzling into his neck. 

“Take this off already.” Mark mutters, voice petulant. He’s eyeing the patch on Renjun’s gland.

Renjun was actually planning on it already, in an effort to get more accustomed to letting his scent loose in public. He'd just gotten distracted in the cab. 

He peeks at Jeno, whose sweet smile is reassuring.

Renjun lifts a hand to his neck, fingers lifting the edge of the blocker.

“Hey!”

Oak fills the air, crisp and prominent. Renjun’s fingers pause, and his heart picks up speed.

“Hyuck!” Jeno stands to hug the second alpha, ruffling his hair and using the gesture to force him to sit.

“I haven’t even ordered,” Donghyuck whines, glancing at Renjun and smiling at Mark.

“Dude, these are for us.” Mark explains, gesturing to the platter of eight glasses with beers of varying shades of brown. “Also, you got here fast.”

“My office is a block away. Remember?”

Mark shrugs, turning to Renjun with an expectant look. 

Donghyuck picks a glass with a dark, almost black beer. A stout. Renjun fingers at his patch, thinking. 

At his hesitation, Mark brings a hand to Renjun’s knees, comforting him. Jeno asks Dongyuck a question that makes the other alpha smile. It changes his whole face, makes him glow.

But Donghyuck always glows.

Renjun peels the blocker off quietly. The seal breaks a few seconds later, and Donghyuck stiffens.

Donghyuck doesn’t frown with his mouth, he's too graceful to allow such a slip. But his eyes change. His scent spikes. Jeno doesn’t notice, as he continues to laugh. 

Renjun picks a beer at random, and downs it in one prolonged gulp. 

“Woo!” Mark cheers for him, eyes filled with mirth. Jeno looks over to them, and so does Donghyuck. But interestingly, Donghyuck cannot maintain eye contact.

Renjun stares at him directly. Unabashed. He can’t help it. Donghyuck is flushed under the yellow lights, a sheen on his skin that makes it look bronze. 

Mark stands to bring more beer.

Renjun's attention splinters as he turns to watch the beta leave. He looks for something to do that’ll get his alpha to relax, to stop probing at Donghyuck. He looks out at the floor, at the other tables that are rapidly filling up for happy hour. At a quiet couple at the far end, their heads together as they giggle at something on a phone screen in their laps.

He undoes the top button of his own shirt, tugging his collar open so he feels less constrained. 

A whine from Jeno has his attention returning to his own group. He finds Jeno scenting the other alpha, right here at Kimmie’s.

It’s a subtle scenting, nothing PDA heavy, but it makes something churn in Renjun’s stomach. 

Mark comes back with a proper pint and taller glasses and Renjun exhales, feeling relief at the beta’s return.

Soon, they’re all talking again, voices loud as the music increases in volume. The drinks are as good as ever and at some point there’s chicken and spicy sauces and Renjun is laughing a lot.

He sees now that Jeno really had been having a tough time, because he’s attached to Donghyuck in a way that’s different from his usual demeanor. More needy and grabby. 

His own alpha is responsive to it, is the thing. Renjun's pheromones begin to filter out thickly, strong and dominant and hard for him to reign in after a while.

He feels exposed, watching Donghyuck sneak unreadable glances at him. He feels drunk too, more drunk than he should be from just a few beers. 

Briefly, Renjun wonders if this is what will get him kicked out of the group. If he has officially flown too close to the Sun.

But then he senses a shift. Mark is leaning over the table, gesturing with his arms while Jeno points back at him with a dopey smile on his face. They're talking loudly, but Renjun stops listening. Even the music goes quiet in his ears.

Donghyuck’s scent changes. 

His pheromones sharpen, picking and prodding. Renjun’s alpha rises to attention, keen.

Renjun tries to keep his focus on Mark’s demonstration. He can’t.

“Renjun.” Donghyuck interrupts. “Come with me?” 

Jeno quirks an eyebrow. 

“We’ll be back.” Donghyuck adds.

Mark is barely paying attention, properly drunk as he stands messily to take Donghyuck’s spot.

Of all the sounds and scents and sensations of the night, the thing that confuses Renjun most is Donghyuck's curt tone now. Is he upset? Did he finally break through the facade? Renjun is alert, grasping at every note of Donghyuck’s jagged scent.

They move to where the bathrooms are, a poorly lit hallway with years of graffiti layered on the walls. It’s odd seeing Donghyuck not seem put together, his lips in a thin line. But he is still handsome, legs long and waist thin. It’s just that his expression is harsh, his scent spiking the more Renjun stares.

“Hyuck.” Renjun starts. The nickname is new on his tongue, tender. The other alpha doesn’t respond negatively - not yet anyway - so he takes a step closer. “Are you okay?”

Donghyuck is silent. Renjun doesn’t know how to mollify an alpha. He’s never wanted to, until now.

“I am, Renjun, just give me time. So I can get used to you.” He’s breathing shallowly. “It’s intense.”

Renjun has never had an alpha admit his dominance was overwhelming. They usually hint at it with their behavior, by overcompensating in some other way. Or flat out avoiding him. Renjun’s alpha is pleased, amused. Hungry.

“I know, I get that a lot.” He considers putting another blocker on, but for the first time, the mere idea of a blocker leaves a vile taste in his mouth. Immediately, he knows it's not an option.

Donghyuck gulps, licks his lips. Renjun watches. Donghyuck’s musky pheromones are alluring. This fact alone confuses Renjun, so much. They should repel him. But the feeling coiling in his stomach is something else entirely.

It was different from the other pack members. This strong scent makes him feel predatory. Violent.

But Renjun hates feeling violent.

“I should go.”

“Renjun - hey, wait -”

He doesn’t wait, and he doesn't listen. It all becomes clear almost magically in that moment. He’s aroused. And it doesn’t make sense. 

“I…”

His walk after turning around is brisk, darting around patrons and patting his pants pocket to make sure he has his keys, wallet, and phone. His jacket and bag are still back at the table but he can’t risk returning. His pheromones are clear and his pants are getting uncomfortable between his legs and it’ll be obvious to anyone what’s happening. 

Renjun hasn’t felt this out of his depth in years.

The cold autumn air is harsh on his sweaty skin. But it’s welcome.

It’s time to go home.

+

Chenle is in his room with the door closed when Renjun gets to his apartment.

Renjun has several missed calls from Mark, and Renjun is livid with himself, because Mark is not the person he yearns to hear from right now. 

The realization scares him and upsets him in equal parts.

His rut shouldn’t happen for another three months, there is no hormone imbalance to blame. Showering is only partially helpful. It brings down his body temperature in increments but the alone time forces him to replay his night, over and over. 

Donghyuck’s scent. Had it been reaching out to him? Is that part of the group bond, or was it something else? 

His alpha hadn’t acted the same way it did with the other guys. But how could it? Donghyuck isn’t like the others, he's an alpha. 

But Donghyuck, with his easy smile and quick jokes and perceptive eyes, isn’t a typical one, is he? 

And Renjun? Is he typical? Is he out of line? He’d done as Donghyuck had suggested. He’d scented more than half of his pack. Had begun letting his overpowering scent loose. Had even let the guys get close to his dear beta friend, Chenle.

Renjun shutters. He's been so vulnerable. And unlike so many times before, his alpha likes it. He trusts these people, and yearns for them.

But with Donghyuck… it’s not the same feeling. It’s an urge, a primal one.

It’s a feeling he knows, and his body knows it too. 

But Renjun is closer to thirty in age than twenty. He’ll be damned if he doesn’t at least try to keep his urges in check.