Archive of Our Own ^beta

Namgyu stares at the cardboard box in his hands. It's decorated poorly but it does look like time was spent on it. Arguably, it looks like a child drew on it and stuck a bunch of stickers on. It's addressed to him.

Inside there's a blanket. It's super soft and thick, a dark navy blue colour. It's really cute, actually, even if Namgyu would never say it out loud. There's a little card inside.

There's not much written inside. Just a 'to' and a 'from'. And yet it's the most shocking part of the whole thing.

Namgyu is not a good omega. He's rude and mean and aggressive and loud. He is everything an omega should not be. Nothing about him is sweet or soft or gentle. Maybe his scent, but he tries to cover that up as much as possible.

He's accepted that he's going to die alone. No alpha would ever put up with an omega like him.

Sure, it's not an easy thing to accept. Sometimes he gets jealous when his friends get courted by other alphas in the village. The times he'd cry at night was a secret between him and the stars.

But he's fine with it. He's old now, most omegas his age should already be mated and with a pup. He tells himself he doesn't even want that when he knows damn well he's lying to himself.

So receiving a courting gift on his door step was weird as fuck. No alpha would want him, so he's already accepting this is some cruel ass prank.

Who it's from is even more fucked up. Choi Subong is arguably the most sought after alpha in a fifty mile radius. Namgyu's overheard many omegas gush about the guy. And, look, Namgyu does get it. The guy is really confident and funny, super sweet and kind, too. It also helps that he looks that good too. And, keeping this a complete and utter secret, his scent is probably Namgyu's favourite.

Alright so maybe, just maybe, Namgyu's always had this tiny little crush on the guy. It's hard not to, it's almost a rite of being an omega at this point.

Okay maybe it wasn't that tiny. Maybe Namgyu was, kinda a little bit, head over heels for the guy. But that's super embarrassing because they've never even talked to each other before. Why would he want to talk to Namgyu? All anyone knows about him is that he's mean. No one wants to talk to someone like him.

It's a cruel fucking joke. Subong always seems so nice so he doubts it's actually from him. Maybe some asshole found out about his little crush on the guy and is doing all this just to make fun of him. That was most likely it.

So he throws it away. Chucks the whole box and card into the bin. Crumples it up so no one would ever see it.

He does keep the blanket. It'd be a waste to throw it away and, with the oncoming of autumn, Namgyu's going to need the warmth.

-

"I know it's rude to complain, but do these alphas only know how to hunt a deer? This is, like, the fourth one this week," Mina groans, poking at the meat on her plate.

"It's funny because you'd think getting a pig or a cow would be easier," Junhee adds even though she still eats it.

"They're just trying to show off. Alphas don't think about anything else except for how they can stroke their own ego. That's why everyone else has to suffer," Namgyu replies. He makes no effort to eat any of the food on his plate. Deer is definitely not his favourite food. "I could do a lot better myself but they would never let an omega do their job because they know we'd embarrass them."

And that's another reason Namgyu has accepted that he'd die alone. He's definitely not the nicest towards alphas. There's a little (a lot) of resentment towards them in his heart.

"You say that but look at you," Mina says, grabbing Namgyu by the arm. "There's no muscle here. You couldn't do shit."

Namgyu scoffs, rolls his eyes and pulls his arm away. "There's more to hunting an animal than physical strength."

"Y'know, now that I think about it, I think it's Subong who's been hunting this week. He's normally super good with it," Junhee cuts in, in between mouthfuls.

Namgyu sits up straighter even though he tries not to. He makes a very conscious effort to not react, to not cast his gaze to the very man they're speaking about.

Mina, on the other hand, grins widely, leaning in across the table to talk more quietly between the three of them. "You think he's, like, going crazy? I mean, he's almost thirty and he hasn't even attempted to court a single omega. You know, my mother always said that alphas have to mate quite early or their hormones go out of whack and make them all confused and stupid."

"That's just normal alpha behaviour," Namgyu rolls his eyes. "They're all stupid and confused."

But his body's still tense, even though he's trying to act like it's not.

"They're not all bad. It's just... most of them," Junhee defends, but that's because she's already mated. She kinda has to defend their honour or whatever.

Mina rolls her eyes. "They all are. Even Semi is. Did you know, the other day, she wanted to help me cook and guess what? She didn't even know that the recipe was there for a reason. She wanted to not add baking powder! She's smart in every aspect apart from common sense!"

Namgyu tunes out. A little out of jealousy, but he won't say that out loud. All his friends are mated and he's going to die alone. It's a difficult thing to deal with, even if he tries to pretend like he's grateful for being alone so they won't pity him.

He turns, ever so slightly, all subtly and slowly to the other end of the room where he knows Subong is sitting. Don't ask him how he knows that.

Subong's already looking in his general direction. Frown on his face as he stares at the untouched plate of food in front of Namgyu.

Namgyu probably looks so rude to have left the food Subong had gone out of his way and gotten for them. Even if Subong is not behind the cruel prank, Namgyu doesn't care. He's not doing things so some alpha feels better, crush on the guy or not.

He leaves his plate completely untouched.

-

The next day they're served beef.

-

It takes just over a week before another stupid ass box is left at the front of his door. Namgyu hurriedly picks it up and slams the door shut so no one can see. How embarrassing it'd be for other people to find out someone was joking about courting him. The fake ass pity afterwards would make him want to kill himself.

It's in a similar box, crudely decorated just like the first. Another stupid little note with a simple 'to' and 'from'. Namgyu had kinda expected something similar to the first, or even something just downright mean, but when he looks inside, he pauses and frowns.

A bunch of the really expensive chocolate from the town by the sea stares back at him. Sea salt caramel and fudge.

What's even more shocking is Namgyu loves chocolate. A super hidden secret that he doesn't let anyone really know. Waits until everyone's gone before picking up any of the chocolate left over. The alphas pick it up when they go trading at nearby villages. The times they go to the villages down by the sea are rare. Namgyu doesn't think they've been down there for months.

Whoever's pranking him like this must be incredibly jobless. Devoting all that time to go that far out to pick up these chocolates just to make fun of him? Assholes.

Namgyu throws the box and card away again. He throws the chocolates into his nest for later. Like fuck is he wasting them.

-

"You'll never guess what," Mina says as soon as she sees them. Smacks her hands on the table to grab their attention.

"What?" Junhee asks.

Mina shakes her head. "No. Guess."

"You're pregnant," Namgyu answers, unimpressed with having to guess.

"Ew, no way," Mina says, crinkling her nose up with disgust as she does. She turns to Junhee, quickly and apologetically. "No offense."

Junhee shakes her head. "None taken."

"Anyway, no. I heard from Semi that Subong is currently courting an omega," Mina grins, widely. She loves gossip, it's the main thing that bonded the three of them. "She doesn't know who but he is. It might not even be an omega in this village. Maybe in one nearby because you know we would've heard about it if an omega here was getting courted by him."

Namgyu finds himself having to force himself to act natural. Subong was courting an omega in a nearby village and someone here decided that would be a good time to play such a cruel prank on him. God, Namgyu is going to find those fuckers and kill them.

However, that means that it's someone close to Subong who's doing this to him. Semi's like his best friend and she's only just found out. Or, well, just told Mina. Probably the latter, Mina is definitely known for gossiping. The knowledge about Subong courting an omega will probably make it through every single omega in the village before the sun sets.

But back to the main point. Someone close to Subong is the one doing this horrible fucking prank. Maybe it's even Subong himself. You can never trust an alpha, even if they seem nice.

Namgyu hopes for their sake and his that whoever is behind it stops now.

"Huh. You know, I forgot that could happen. We should try and find an alpha from a nearby village for you," Junhee says, turning to look at Namgyu. "Just don't scare them off. At least wait a bit before you tell them they're annoying and disgusting and you hate them."

Namgyu rolls his eyes. "If an alpha can't put up with me, I wouldn't want them anyway. Besides, life is easier without one."

He's lying. It isn't, not when his heat arrives. It's the worst week of his life that fucks him up for a week or two after. Not like how the other omegas speak of their heat with their alphas. He's not jealous at all. Totally not.

"Namgyu, come on. There's going to be an alpha out there for you. You need to find them," Mina says, all softly as though she's going to startle a deer.

"Why?" Namgyu frowns. "Why do I need to find some alpha at all? They all suck and they can barely tolerate even the slightest disrespect because their egos are too big. Not a single one would be able to put up with me."

Junhee and Mina look at him with that fucking pity like he's a dog that's unloved. It makes him feel sick.

"I mean, you can always just... be a bit nicer to them," Junhee suggests, quietly and gently. That doesn't stop the words from pissing Namgyu off.

"So what? I gotta change my entire self just for some stupid ass alpha? Fuck off," Namgyu snaps, standing up from where he's sat next to her. "I'm going home."

"Namgyu wait," Mina calls out after him but she doesn't follow him. Neither of them do and Namgyu's okay about that.

He storms out into the street and no one bats even an eyelash at him. And that's fine, because he's happy with being ignored. It makes life easier.

He's maybe a minute into the walk back home before someone steps in front of him. It's a good job Namgyu had his eyes peeled to the floor in front of him to see the shoes. He startles upwards, coming to a stop as he meets the gaze of the person in front of him.

Subong looks just as startled as he is. Nervous, too, and it's kinda crazy that an alpha like him is nervous around an omega. Maybe Namgyu comes across that aggressive that even Subong is worried about crossing paths with him.

"Uh," Namgyu starts after a few seconds of them just staring at one another, eyes a little too wide. "Did you need something?"

Subong stares back, blinks once, a few seconds go by before he blinks again. "Uh. Hey."

Namgyu just stares back. Does he come across this scary to other people? "Hey."

There's silence again as Subong stands in front of him, back straight and unblinking.

"If there's nothing you want, I'm gonna-" Namgyu starts, already making a step forward to walk around him. He's stopped when a hand grabs him by the wrist.

"You don't like deer?" Subong asks, hand still wrapped around Namgyu's wrist. Namgyu's very aware of how big Subong's hands are.

Namgyu frowns in confusion. "I mean... it's not my favourite."

Oh, Namgyu suddenly realises he's getting confronted about being disrespectful. He prepares for the fight, to square his shoulders and come across strong.

Subong, however, just frowns slightly and nods his head. "So what is your favourite?"

There's a moment where Namgyu just stares back. He can't understand the question. Not the question itself but why Subong was even asking him. This was the first time they've ever talked to one another and Namgyu doesn't understand it all.

"I- what? Uh. I mean, my favourite is pork."

Subong nods like that's important information. "Okay. Cool."

But he doesn't let go of Namgyu's wrist. This is the closest he's ever been to another alpha in most of his life. It's a little dizzying.

"Okay," Namgyu repeats. He waits a second but Subong doesn't say anything, just keeps staring at him. "Is that it?"

That startles Subong out of whatever he was thinking. "Oh. Yeah, yeah. My bad. I'll, uh, see you around."

"Yeah, sure," Namgyu nods. He waits another second but Subong still hasn't let go of his wrist. "You gonna let me go?"

Subong looks at him all confused and Namgyu has to gesture towards his wrist for Subong to realise. When he does, his eyes widen and he lets go instantly.

"Oh- I- I'm sorry. That was- I didn't- Sorry," Subong gets out. He nods a quick goodbye and all but rushes away.

Namgyu stares after him. He's incredibly confused. Is he that scary that an alpha like Choi Subong is scared of him? He can't help but feel a little proud of that.

-

The next day, they're served pork.

-

Another box is sitting outside his front door. Namgyu really can't keep ignoring this issue but he can't face the embarrassment of the confrontation, either. He picks it up, and shuts the door quickly behind him.

It's the same little card inside. The same 'to' and 'from' and not another word written. He really has no idea what to expect from the contents inside. Is today about to be the day this prank gets even crueler? Is today going to be the ultimate finale and he's going to go outside and everyone's going to laugh at him about the fact the only alpha to ever want to court him is just a fake?

Inside is a book. His stomach sinks when he sees what book it is.

Namgyu likes to read and that, in itself, is a niche interest. He loves all the fictional stories and crazy worlds people can just imagine and put down on paper. The small little library in the village only has a few handfuls of fictional books that Namgyu read in the first year he'd arrived here.

When the alpha's that went to go trading at nearby villages, Namgyu had all but begged for a fictional book. Not something about how to sew or how the rain works, but a story with characters and a plot. They came home with a fictional story following an omega who could speak to the dead. It was the best thing Namgyu's ever read in his life and it ended on a cliff hanger. Years of avidly explaining the plot and the author's name to any of the alphas going out trading and he finally got the second book. And it ended on a cliff hanger again.

In all those years, Namgyu has probably re-read the books at least a hundred times. Maybe he's over-exaggerating but it sure feels like it.

Now he was holding the third book. The third book that he's been almost begging to get.

It's in perfect condition, too, not a single bent page or scuffed corner. Namgyu holds it tightly in his hands so they don't start shaking.

He kinda wants to cry. How cruel of whoever is behind all this to make him feel like he's actually being courted. How evil it is to make him feel loved and listened to for some joke.

Namgyu has to clench his jaw for it to not shake and he has to quickly wipe away at his eyes with the sleeve of his top. It's just so cruel and he hates whoever's behind this.

He throws the box and the card away and delicately places the book in his nest, hidden away so no one can take it.

-

There's alphas from a few villages away coming to stay for a few nights. Something, something, trade agreement. Namgyu doesn't know because he's an omega and not required to know.

That does not stop him from pressing an ear against the back door of the town hall to try and listen into their conversation. It's all muffled and Namgyu can only just make out a word every now and then.

He has to really strain to try and hear anything. That's the reason he doesn't hear anyone walk up to him until they cough.

Namgyu startles back, looking up at them with an excuse on the tip of his tongue. But it's Subong and he looks at him like he's intrigued.

"What are you doing?" Subong asks, whispers it so no one inside would hear it. With how thick the walls and doors are, Namgyu thinks it's unneeded.

"I'm trying to find out why these new alphas are staying here," Namgyu says like it's obvious.

Subong frowns. "Why don't you just ask?"

"I have," Namgyu rolls his eyes. "They tell me I have no reason to know because I'm an omega."

"That's unfair," Subong replies, frowning even deeper. "You still live here, you should know what's happening where you live."

Namgyu looks at him. Is this the first time the guys learning about how unfair it is to be born an omega? Probably. "Well obviously. That's why I'm trying to find out myself."

It's silent for a moment as Namgyu pushes his ear back against the door.

"They're here for some trade agreement with us. They aren't on good terms with many other villages that are home to things we need, like fabrics and certain types of food. They want us to be, like, a proxy I guess," Subong tells him.

Namgyu frowns, pulls away from the door and gives Subong his undivided attention. "And what are we getting from them in return?"

"They're... known for being quite violent. They're great in battle, like, they've never lost a single fight."

Namgyu just frowns even more. "And why do we need that?"

"There's rumours that the village in the mountains up North are going to try and take more land just below them," Subong answers. "And if they do that then we'll most likely be at war."

War. How terrifying. It makes Namgyu feel almost sick. "War?! And this is the first time I'm hearing about this?!"

"Well, I mean, I didn't know you didn't already know about this," Subong says quickly, throwing his hands up in a poor attempt at surrender.

"I'm an omega. The only reason I'm allowed to read is so I can follow recipes and the directions to sew. Of course I'm not privy to this type of thing."

That gets Subong stopping. Frowns at him like he wasn't aware. "For real?"

"They don't say it but it's pretty obvious."

Subong looks like he's offended on his behalf. "That's so fucked up. I thought... like, you guys just enjoyed doing those things."

"God no. I hate it. Cooking is passable but the sewing is fucking tedious," Namgyu groans. They'd made him do hours worth of sewing. Making new items of clothes and blankets for the new-born pups. It was the worst.

"Well, what do you want to do?" Subong asks. He seems genuinely curious and it makes Namgyu confused again.

"I want to go out there and hunt. I bet I could catch a deer way easier than most of the alphas here," Namgyu says. "I bet even easier than you could."

He says it to piss him off. Alphas hate feeling like they're lower than an omega. Subong is going to be just the same and he's going to storm off and that'll be nice because Namgyu's heart is beating really quickly having to be around him.

But Subong doesn't do any of that. He just grins all widely and laughs a little too loudly than Namgyu would've liked given their predicament. "Maybe. You've sneaked up on their little meeting to try and listen inside so you've gotta be light on your feet. And being able to listen in means you've got sharp ears. That's the most important things for hunting a deer."

Namgyu freezes. He stares at Subong like he's some alien creature put on the Earth. Mouth a little parted and eyes a little too wide. "You think?"

"Hell yeah. You'd probably be great at it," Subong grins. "I mean. You know, if you- if you want, one day I can take you out. Out hunting, I mean. And you can try catching a deer."

Namgyu truly does appreciate the invitation but he doesn't know if he'd be able to handle being alone and so personal with Subong. He's having a hard time now, the scent of cinnamon is warm and Namgyu's heart is beating like it's trying to escape his chest.

"Yeah," Namgyu says softly. "Yeah, that'd be fun. Thank you."

Subong grins so widely Namgyu thinks his cheeks must hurt. His eyes even light up, all sparkly like something out of one of the stupid cartoons in the books made for the pups.

"Okay. Yeah, that'd be cool. I can, like, teach you stuff as well. That'd be fun," Subong says, nodding his head at each thought that comes to mind.

He's kinda cute. Namgyu's a little bit endeared. He has to remind himself that Subong is currently courting an omega in some nearby village, he cannot let himself indulge too much. It doesn't help that whoever's pranking him is doing it under Subong's name. It's difficult for Namgyu to shake himself out of the fantasy that Subong is courting him.

He'll let his heart beat wildly for now. Just this once.

-

There's an alpha Namgyu's never seen before standing in the way of where he needs to go. The path here to get back to his home is narrow and Namgyu, as much as he's able to hold his own, still gets a little nervous around alphas he's never met before. Especially one as muscular and big as the one standing in his way.

So Namgyu does what he does best. He straightens his back and squares his shoulders and forces himself to act confident.

"Can you move?" Namgyu asks, face falling into perfect non-chalance as if he isn't the slightest bit nervous. "Please."

Normally, he isn't this polite to an alpha who's taking up the entire walk way, but he doesn't know this one. He doesn't know how he'll react or respond to such rudeness. So he keeps it as nice as he can.

The alpha turns to look at him, cigarette perched between his lips as he looks Namgyu up and down. Was he sizing him up? Was Namgyu about to get in a fight? God, he hoped not. He doubts he could win against a guy like this.

"You weren't at dinner," the alpha states. "I would've remembered an omega like you being there."

He's right, Namgyu wasn't at dinner tonight. They were holding some big welcome to their new trading partners and Namgyu thought that was going to be fucking boring so declined the invite by camping out in the back of the library. He used the time to read the 'Top Tips for Hunting' book he'd found on one of the shelves. If Subong was a man of his word, he didn't want to embarrass himself.

"No, I wasn't. Not like it's any of your business," Namgyu replies, making sure to keep himself as confident as possible, even with an alpha seemingly sizing him up.

The alpha grins, all teethy. "Feisty. What's your name?"

"Why should I tell you?" Namgyu asks.

"Cute," the alpha replies. It comes out a little mocking, like a snake who's about to eat the rabbit. "I'm Kyuho. You know, most omegas are all docile and, dare I say, a little pathetic. You seem a lot more fun."

Namgyu rolls his eyes. All alphas are the same deep down.

He's uncaring as he pushes forward, barging past the alpha. It makes him laugh, though, taunting in a way. It kinda makes Namgyu's skin crawl.

"I'll see you around, omega," Kyuho calls from where he's still standing.

How demeaning. Referred to only by his subgender. God, Namgyu hates alphas.

-

There's no box in front of his door this morning and Namgyu cannot tell how he feels about that. It's only been two days since the last so it's not like it's shocking. At least he doesn't have to worry about it, he can continue to ignore it and hope it goes away.

He comes to a stop on the same bit of path as he did the night before. The alpha is still there.

"Are you homeless?" Namgyu asks, catching Kyuho's attention. "You know they'd be happy to provide a room for you."

Kyuho turns to look at him, grin widening as he sees him. Turns his entire body to face Namgyu. "And miss the pretty omega from the night before? I don't think so."

Namgyu does not blush, thank you. A simple compliment by a stupid ass alpha is not something to make him act like a fawning omega. It's just that no one's ever really called him that before, so his body is struggling to regulate it.

"Shut up," Namgyu retorts, barging past again and walking away.

"Come on," Kyuho repeats, pushing his way into Namgyu's personal space. "You gonna tell me your name yet?"

Namgyu rolls his eyes. "Why should I?"

"We're leaving tomorrow so I ain't got long. I gotta know the name of the omega that I wanna court."

Namgyu chokes on his spit. "Court?! You don't even know me."

"That's why I'm trying," Kyuho grins at him. He's probably enjoying the way Namgyu's reacting.

"Stop talking like that. You're fucking stupid," Namgyu grits out, tries to quicken his pace but he's grabbed by his arm and forced to stop.

"Come on. Don't you think it's fate? You're the only omega I've met that talks back. And it doesn't look like any other alpha wants you."

It's mean enough to hurt. But it hurts more because it's true. No alpha does want him because he's mean and argues back and doesn't let an alpha do whatever they want.

So maybe Namgyu's gotta be nicer to seemingly the only one he's ever met that wants that. Even if the guy makes his skin crawl when he looks at Namgyu like he's a cat and Namgyu's just a mouse. He's already got high standards, he can't keep them any higher.

And, well, his heats are getting progressively worse. He's read in the medical books he swiped from the library that an alpha-less heat takes a toll on the body. And an alpha-less heat for the past 25 years has definitely taken its toll.

It's very cruel that, biologically, an omega needs an alpha. Especially when Namgyu is an omega that's so repulsive to alphas. Life fucking sucks.

Kyuho grins even wider at how crestfallen Namgyu looks and that makes him feel even worse. All alphas suck.

"Alphas want an omega that's submissive. Even if you like this now, you'll hate it in a week or two," Namgyu tells him. Forces himself to go back to his usual confidence as he shrugs the hand off his arm and turns to walk away.

"Stop playing hard to get," Kyuho says, voice getting a little rougher as he grabs Namgyu by the arm again, harsher this time. "You know no other alphas gonna want you."

"God, you're so insufferable. I'd rather die alone," Namgyu grits out, ripping his arm away and pushing Kyuho away.

It's definitely not the best thing to say. He has to remember that just because the alphas in this village leave him be, others don't. So it shouldn't be surprising when he's grabbed again and pushed into the little alleyway between the row of houses. He's pressed harshly against the brick wall, enough for it to dig into his skin.

"And you couldn't even last, like, a five minute conversation without getting pissed off," Namgyu says. "You're fucking stupid for thinking you could put up with me."

"I think you're misunderstanding. I do want an omega who's all docile and submissive but I want to be the cause of it. I want to break you down until you're a good omega."

What did Namgyu say from the very start? All alphas are the same. They're all desperate for control, they all view omegas as nothing but a means to an end.

"You're disgusting," Namgyu spits, pushing Kyuho in the chest until he lets go. "You're so pathetic it makes me feel sick."

Namgyu does intend to leave. To push past Kyuho and make his way back out onto the street but he doesn't get to. The back of Kyuho's palm hits him so harshly it knocks his head to the other side.

He can taste the tang of metal in his mouth. He places his palm on his cheek to ease the burn as much as he can. Has to keep his eyes on the ground in front of him to hide the way they well up with tears.

It makes him feel like he's back in the village he was born in. The alphas there were so cruel, so violent. Namgyu hates thinking of it. Hates thinking of how they touched and hit and spoke of him. It makes him feel sick and yet he can barely pull his head out from the memories.

"See? Look at you now. Silent and subdued. You just gotta learn and I'll be the one to teach you," Kyuho tells him, so sure of himself that it makes Namgyu feel a little sick.

He really is going to die alone. Unless he stops being himself, all he'd ever get is being treated like this.

His heats are going to get progressively worse until he dies. And no one would care either way. Maybe Mina and Junhee would, but they'd be busy with their own lives, with their own alphas and pups and future.

What a terrible dilema. What a terrible life.

"Hey, the fuck are you doing?" A voice calls from the entrance of the alleyway. Namgyu doesn't have to look up to know it's Subong.

Namgyu doesn't look up either. He can't let another alpha see that he really is so defenseless. That he is just words and no fight. If an alpha figures that out, life could get a lot worse for him.

Kyuho moves, though, and stands in front of Namgyu in some mock attempt at protecting him. Or hiding what he's done. "What's it to you?"

"This is my village. Of course I'm gonna get concerned when someone from elsewhere is cornering an omega in an alleyway," Subong retorts.

Great. Now Namgyu's just a defenseless omega being cornered in an alleyway. It may be a correct read of the situation, but no one else is meant to know that.

"And yet it's none of your business what I do with my omegas."

Namgyu wants to die. He'd always kinda wanted to be someone's but now that someone’s said it outloud, it makes him feel sick. It's hard to deal with the fact that the only alphas that would ever want him are ones so horrible and cruel. It's so unfair.

"Now, if you'll excuse us," Kyuho starts. He grabs Namgyu's wrist, the one that isn't pressed against the sting of his cheek, so tightly it hurts. Namgyu yelps out in pain and it's so embarrassing.

Namgyu, who had tried so hard to convince the alphas of this village that he was strong and able to hold his own, is so easily reduced to complete helplessness. It's awful.

"Hey, get off!" Subong demands, pushes Kyuho off of Namgyu with enough force he trips backwards slightly.

And then Subong grabs Namgyu, so gently in comparison that the difference makes him dizzy. He spins Namgyu around to face him and Namgyu hates it when they lock eyes and Subong scans his face. The split lip that's still dribbling out blood and wet eyes must be such a disgraceful look.

Subong looks at him like he's shocked. Eyes zeroing in on the red of his cheek, the cut on his lip and then falling back up to meet his gaze.

"Namgyu," Subong breathes out softly, like he's only just realised it was him and not some other omega. Namgyu’s actually a little shocked that the guy even knows his name.

Namgyu only manages to get out a stuttering breath before Subong's jaw is clenching and he's letting go. It all happens rather quickly after that. Namgyu doesn't even get to blink and Subong's already landing his fist onto Kyuho's face. He doesn't stop either, he just keeps going.

Namgyu doesn't even feel guilty as he just stands there and watches. There's something very satisfying in watching the way Kyuho's nose breaks and the way the blood ends up covering most of his skin.

And, well, it helps that Subong is doing this just for him. Namgyu's a strong omega who doesn't need an alpha to jump in and defend him. He's proven that many times in his life but, well, he still appreciates it. He can't help that it makes his heart beat a little quicker to know Subong's beating up another alpha just for him. It's biological. Evolutionary. Don't blame him for it.

Subong doesn't stop until he's unconscious. Until Kyuho's hands lay limp on the floor and his eyes can no longer open. Subong stands up, steps away from the body on the floor like he's a little surprised and looks up at Namgyu.

It's... really hot. Sue him, Namgyu's still human. He can appreciate when an alpha is good looking just like any other omega.

"Are you okay?" Subong asks, rushing to get close to him again. "Your lip isn't bleeding anymore so that's good."

Namgyu just stares back at him. He's not used to someone taking so much care in his wellbeing. This whole morning has been weird.

"Uh, yeah. Fine," Namgyu gets out eventually. "Thank you."

"Ah, well, I mean, it was nothing. I'm sorry, you probably could've handled it I just... I mean, given everything I just kinda," Subong trails off, making vague hand gestures as he does.

Namgyu, however, is a bit too fixated on the fact Subong thinks he could've handled it anyway. And, well, he probably could've, but he'd come out of it battered and bruised and would probably have to move out the village. But most alphas don't think like that.

Subong is kinda perfect. That's why he's courting an omega in a nearby village and Namgyu needs to seriously stop getting ahead of himself. Subong is just looking out for the others in the village because he's nice and there is nothing more to it than that.

"Yeah, it's fine. Thank you," Namgyu repeats, desperately trying to calm down the beat of his heart. If Subong gets any closer he might hear it and that would be incredibly embarrassing. "Can you just... not tell anyone that I- that I needed... help. It's just-"

Subong shakes his head quickly. "Of course! Whatever you want."

It's sweet. Real fucking sweet and Namgyu almost wants to fall forward into the scent of cinammon and drown in it. But he doesn't. Because Subong's courting an omega from a village nearby.

"Thank you," Namgyu says again. It's probably the most he's ever thanked an alpha before in his life.

Subong grins at him all stupidly. It's really endearing. "I can- If you want, I can, uh, walk you back. Where you're going."

Namgyu frowns. "Why? It's not like I'm worried about getting jumped."

"No, no, I mean... you're hurt."

"Barely," Namgyu shrugs. "It was one hit."

"You were bleeding."

"Barely," Namgyu repeats. He makes an effort not to roll his eyes. "I'm fine."

"I know," Subong sighs. "Can you let me? I mean, like, just because we're... y'know, it's made me wanna make sure you're okay."

Namgyu has no idea what they are. It's probably some alpha thing, the fact Subong's had to help him has made his instincts go all crazy. Namgyu's seen that shit happen before.

So he nods, he'll cave just this once. Next time, he'll make a conscious effort to not allow himself to get too close. Subong's courting an omega and that omega is not him.

Subong grins like he's been given the best news ever and Namgyu can't help but think he looks really good being that happy.

-

Subong lies when he gets interviewed about the fight. He doesn't mention Namgyu at all. The trade agreement is cancelled and Namgyu is just relieved this means he'll never see Kyuho again.

-

There's a box sitting outside his front door. Same stupid decorations as the other three but this time, there's something a little different.

The card still has the same 'to' and 'from' but between them is now a message.

'So you definitely don't need any help'.

Namgyu frowns, looks down into the box and freezes. There's a little knife inside, sharp and silver with a handle made out of real gold. He can't even process that it's incredibly expensive because he's too busy realising that whoever's pulling this prank on him knows what happened between him and Kyuho. They know that Namgyu isn't this strong omega who can fight back.

But that also means Subong has told them. He's told, at least, the person behind this entire thing and now they're using it to mock him.

It makes him feel sick, hands clenching tightly on the box, shaking ever so slightly. His vision goes blurry with unshed tears that he desperately wipes away with the palm of his hand.

It feels horrible. Not just this cruel prank but the fact that Subong lied to him. Betrayed him so easily and for what? Maybe he was behind this whole thing in the first place. Alphas fucking suck and he hates them. All of them, even ones that seem as nice as Choi Subong. They're all the same.

He throws the box and card in the bin with enough force that he can hear it thud at the bottom. Makes an effort to wipe the tears out of his eyes before wrenching the door open and stepping outside.

He storms down the street in his search to find Choi Subong. He's going to put an end to this today. And he's going to make sure Choi Subong doesn't ever think about fucking with him again.

Namgyu finds him with his friends. He's talking excitedly to Semi, Gyeongsu, and Minsu. And, look, Namgyu doesn't give a fuck about betas but for some reason, Minsu pissed him off. He’s actually not a fan of any of Subong’s friends.

When Subong spots him, he stands up straighter, cuts himself off to come to a complete stop as he stares at Namgyu.

Namgyu kinda wonders if he's realising he's been caught out. God, he hopes so. He hopes Subong is nervous.

Namgyu stops in front of him. The other three look between the two of them as Subong goes unresponsive.

"Can I speak to you?" Namgyu asks.

Subong nods so quickly Namgyu wonders if he's about to give himself whiplash. "Yes. Of course."

Namgyu doesn't wait, spinning on his heel and walking away. He can hear how Subong rushes to follow him.

When Namgyu gets to a secluded spot outside, with no one around, does he turn back around to face Subong. And Subong comes to a stop when he does, staring at him like he's just happy to be there.

"Who did you tell about what actually happened between me and Kyuho?" Namgyu asks.

Subong's face drops. "What?"

"Well someone else knows and I didn't say anything."

"I haven't told anyone, promise," Subong says, frowning like he's genuinely confused. Is he that good of an actor? "Maybe someone else saw it. How do you know someone else knows?"

Namgyu has to take a deep breath in. He prepares for how embarrassing it is to have to talk about this. "Someone else, most likely one of your friends, has been pulling this huge, elaborate prank on me for weeks now."

Subong looks at him like he's offended on his behalf. "Who? I'll beat them up if you want."

It's sweet. Namgyu just hopes that Subong really has had nothing to do with this whole thing. Even if he's courting some omega in some other village, Namgyu would be happy with having him as a friend.

"I don't know. But they're mocking me for it. They're..." God, this is so embarrassing. "They've been... pretending to court me for weeks. They use your fucking name, too, which is just mean. And I know they're just mocking me for the fact no alpha could ever want me and stuff and, fine, it fucking hurts but whatever. But the fact that something which you promised to not tell anyone is being used in their stupid ass prank is even worse."

Subong just stares. "Wait. Someone else is courting you?"

"Huh? No, it's a prank is what I'm trying to say. And it fucking sucks. So, look, can you just find out which of your fuck ass friends is doing at and leave me alone."

"Wait, I'm confused," Subong says. "Do you... Not like it?"

"Of course I don't," Namgyu retorts, looking at Subong like he's stupid.

Subong's face falls. He looks like a kicked puppy. "Oh. But you... You accepted the gifts. I thought that meant you were... happy with it."

"'Accepted'- Wait, you knew about this?"

"Of course I did. My name was literally on each card," Subong says, frowning in confusion.

Namgyu feels unwell. This whole time it really was Subong behind the whole thing. It hurts so much, he has to will his body to not let any of the tears building up behind his eyes from falling. That'd just make it even worse for him.

"This whole time you were behind it all?" Namgyu asks like he doesn't want to believe it.

"I... Yeah? Do you... did you not like it? I thought you did," Subong questions, voice dipping into sadness. Namgyu almost gets angry at the audacity of him to be upset. "I thought you accepted me courting you."

"What?" Namgyu asks. "You're acting like it was serious."

"I am serious! I am serious about courting you! It's why I traveled all that way to get you those chocolates from Busan that you like so much! And the book, oh my God, do you know how hard it was to find that? I was looking for it for months!" Subong hurries out, voice a little erratic and tone a little desperate.

Namgyu just frowns. "Why would you put so much time and money into a prank?"

"What?!" Subong asks, exclaims it like he's shocked. "What prank? You think I was pranking you the whole time?"

Obviously. Namgyu just stares back. "Well, yeah."

Subong looks at him like he's at a loss of words. "Why would I do that?"

"Why would you want to court me?" Namgyu asks. "I'm not an omega you'd want. I'm all... mean and loud and- You don't want me."

"But I do want you!" Subong stresses. "I've wanted you since you first arrived here a few years ago. You're so... perfect. I was worried I might have left it too long and another alpha would start courting you but I wanted it to be perfect for you."

Namgyu blinks. Once and then twice. He must be having hearing problems. He makes a note to check in with an otolaryngologist. And then a psychiatrist to make sure he isn't hallucinating, either. "No alpha wants me."

"But I do."

"Stop messing with me," Namgyu retorts, frowning once again. "I know you're courting some other omega in another village. I'm not stupid."

"What?!" Subong exclaims, moving his hands in some vague gesture of confusion. "No I'm not. I don't know where you've even got that from. I've been courting you because I want you. No one else, not any other omega here or in another village."

It just doesn't make sense. He's Choi Subong. He could probably win over a mated omega within an hour, why would he ever want an omega like Namgyu?

Namgyu just frowns, rubs at his head briefly before looking back up at Subong. "But that doesn't make sense. You don't want me. No one does."

"Well then they're stupid," Subong declares. He reaches his hands up to grab at Namgyu's shoulders. Makes it so Namgyu can't look at anything but him. "I want to court you. I want you properly. As, like, a mate and shit."

"Are..." Namgyu starts slowly. He hopes that this isn't just some big joke that's getting way out of hand. "Are you serious?"

"More serious than I've been in my life," Subong says. "That's if you want it. Like, if you liked the gifts up till now."

Namgyu nods, slowly and a bit unsure. "I did."

It makes Subong grin all widely again, all happy like Namgyu has just told him the best news in the world. "So you want it, too? You want me to court you?"

And, well, yeah, Namgyu kinda really does. He really hopes this isn't just a joke gone way too far. How embarrassing would that be? But Namgyu's heart is beating all crazy and his face is all warm.

So he gives in. If this is some elaborate plot to make fun of him, he'll just stab the pretty knife into Subong's neck and run away.

Namgyu nods. "Yeah. I'd really like that."

Subong looks at him like he hung the moon. He's all excited, like he could start jumping up and down and it's really cute. Namgyu's really endeared.

"I'm gonna court you so hard," Subong nods. "It's gonna put every alpha to shame. I'm gonna be the best alpha you have ever met."

Namgyu grins up at him. His excitement is a little infectious. He doesn't have the courage yet to tell him that he already is the best alpha Namgyu's ever met.

"Wait," Namgyu says, eyebrows pushing together. "What do you mean you thought I accepted the gifts?"

Subong pulls away, letting go of Namgyu's shoulders as he stands up a little straighter. Rubs at the back of his neck as he looks anywhere but Namgyu. "Ah, well. It's just... you didn't throw them out."

"How do you know that?"

"Well, I mean. I had to be sure so I... checked. You only threw away the box and card."

Namgyu stares, takes a second to process it. "You went through my bins?"

"Don't make it weird! It was perfectly normal for me to-"

"Oh my God, you're so-" Weird. Stupid. Kinda cute. "Just don't do that again!"

"I won't! I just... needed to know you liked them."

Namgyu stares, tries really hard to maintain the glare but he can't. "I might have liked them."

It's such a vague statement but Subong grins at him. "You did like them! I knew it."

"They were... really thoughtful."

Subong looks like Namgyu's just given him the highest praise known to man. Like a dog whose being pat on the head and called 'a good boy'. "They're gonna get even better. You're gonna love them. I'm gonna court you harder than any alpha could even imagine."

Namgyu smiles back at him. His heart feels like it's about to explode in on itself and, pathetically, it feels like the first time he's ever actually been loved.

-

There's a box sitting in front of Namgyu's door. This time, there is no anger or frustration at the cruelty of the prank, but instead an excitement, a joy that he had thought he'd never be able to experience.

It was still difficult to accept. He still couldn't wrap his head around why Subong wanted an omega like him. Was it selfish of him to let this continue when he knows Subong would get sick of him eventually? Maybe. But Namgyu is selfish. He's wanted this for so long so he's going to let himself have it. In a month or so, Subong's going to realise this was stupid, that Namgyu is the worst omega out there and cut this whole thing off. But until then, Namgyu was going to enjoy it. This will probably be the only time an alpha ever courts him, the only time an alpha even is interested in him despite the clock ticking. He can let himself experience it while he can.

So he grabs the box and pulls it back inside. He has to bite at his lip in an attempt to stop him from smiling. It was futile when he read the card.

'From, Subong (the one and only)'.

He is so stupid. Namgyu is so endeared.

Inside the box was an even smaller box. And inside that box, sits a gold chain. Real gold, and Namgyu has to wonder how much Subong had spent on him. Maybe he really was as serious as he declared he was.

It was so pretty, dainty too, and obviously a courting gift. Jewelry like that was reserved for only the use of courting or mating or any other tradition linked to it.

This was a different gift to all of the previous ones because the only way for Namgyu to accept it is to wear it. Which means people will know. And it's not as if Namgyu doesn't want to show off. To be able to brag that the sweetest alpha in the village wants him. But it's also scary, completely wracking at his nerves because what if it doesn't work out? What if Subong really does decide Namgyu isn't worth it anymore and calls the whole thing off?

Namgyu bites at his lip, pulls at the skin with his teeth. Stares down at the pretty bracelet in his hand and thinks. Weighs the pros and cons of both decisions before he sighs. He's quick as he clasps it around his wrist so as to not overthink his decision and talk himself out of it.

He's a strong omega. He doesn't need an alpha at all and he definitely doesn't need to care about what the rest of the village thinks. He'll be brave and do what he wants, to take what he wants and to enjoy it.

Namgyu holds his arm out straight in front of him. Watches the gold glitter in the morning sun outside. It is really pretty. Namgyu has to bite back the most embarrassing of noises with the back of his hand.

-

"Even Semi doesn't know! At first I thought she was keeping it a secret, and I get it, y'know, Subong's her friend, but she actually doesn't know," Mina rambles on. Face so expressive, you'd think this is nationwide news. "Apparently, he's not told a single soul what happened that day. He beat up some alpha for no apparent reason. How weird is that?"

Junhee just frowns, looking at her from over the top of her book. "Well it wasn't for no apparent reason. He must have had one. It's probably something personal."

"But what is it?! I'm so desperate to know, I feel like I'm going to go crazy," Mina whines, falling back onto the thin blanket stretched out on the grass. "Namgyu, have you heard anything?"

Namgyu turns to face her. "No."

Mina groans again. "You know, if it wasn't for the fact I have no business interfering, I'd go right up to Subong and ask him myself. This is the most interesting thing that's happened in months."

"You'll probably never find out," Junhee says. "You'll just have to accept that you'll never ever know."

"That's so cruel! The most interesting thing to happen here and I don't even know all the details. Life is so unfair sometimes," Mina complains as she sits back up.

"Get over it. It's probably not that interesting anyway. Alphas are like that sometimes," Junhee shrugs before she turns her gaze to Namgyu. "Hey, can you pass me the strawberries? I've got such a craving for them, you wouldn't believe."

Namgyu nods. He doesn't say anything as he picks them up by the box and extends his hand out towards Junhee.

"Thank you! I think-" Junhee starts only to cut herself off.

Mina reaches down so fast, Namgyu doesn't even process it until her hand is tightly wrapped around his arm, just a bit closer to his hand than the middle of his forearm. And there, sitting perfectly around his wrist, exposed from where his sleeve has pulled up, is the dainty bracelet Subong gave him.

Namgyu freezes. He doesn't say anything, doesn't move his gaze from his own wrist, just as the other two do the same. It's so obvious what it is, there's no way he could bullshit himself out of this one.

Mina looks up at him, eyes wide and mouth a little parted. "You're being courted."

"And you accepted it," Junhee breathes out, looking back up at Namgyu's face.

"Don't act so shocked," Namgyu mutters, flicking his gaze between the two of them.

"Who?" Mina asks. "Is it- wait, oh my God, don't tell me it's one of the alphas that visited?"

Fuck no. Definitely not. Namgyu shakes his head quickly. "No way."

He does not want to have to go into that story, even if Mina has been desperate for answers on that one.

"So it's an alpha here?" Junhee asks, eyes shining at the information.

"I'm not telling you."

Mina and Junhee look at each other and grin before turning back to face him.

"So it is an alpha here. Which one?" Mina asks, tone teetering on demanding.

"I told you, I'm not telling you," Namgyu repeats. He knows they won't give up though.

"Are they nice at least?" Junhee questions, eyebrows furrowed in a way that's already so motherly and yet she hasn't given birth yet.

Namgyu has to look down in a poor attempt to hide the smile on his face. "The sweetest."

Mina squeals loudly into his ear as she flings herself onto him and pulls him in for a tight hug. "I'm so excited for you!"

Namgyu tries to show his appreciation, awkwardly patting her on the back until she pulls away. Mina's grinning at him all widely and Namgyu isn't really sure how he's meant to respond. He's so used to being on the outskirts of dating/courting reveals. He's never been the center of it in his entire life.

"If they do anything to hurt you, we'll kill them," Junhee says, incredibly serious.

Mina nods, just as seriously, and Namgyu thinks it's real sweet. He doesn't think they'd be able to do anything, but he appreciates the sentiment nonetheless.

-

Namgyu doesn't know much about courting. He knows the basics, the gift giving and acceptance, because the other omegas share those things. Anything else? Namgyu doesn't have much of a clue.

Is he meant to give something back? He doesn't remember hearing the omega's talk about that, they only seemed to want to brag about the gifts they received.

He stares down at the gold bracelet on his wrist. Subong's given him so much, spent so much time and money on him that Namgyu feels guilty he hasn't given anything back. And also that he accused Subong of being so mean he'd fake courting him for a laugh.

Subong's going out tomorrow, to some village nearby to trade. Something about needing more fabric or whatever, Namgyu doesn't really care. But Subong's leaving in the early morning with a few other alphas and only returning in the late evening.

Namgyu doesn't know how those trips the alphas go on work. Do they stop off and go eat some fancy ass food? Maybe. Namgyu wouldn't know.

So maybe this is stupid. Maybe Subong's going to throw it away because he's going to eat something unique at the village he's traveling to. But Namgyu's half-way through making him lunch that there's no point backing out now.

The dosirak box is full. Namgyu carefully prepared the correct amounts and put them in each little compartment. So much rice, kimchi, meats, and vegetables that the lid on top barely closes.

Namgyu stares at it. Is it too much? Is this what he's meant to do? He doesn't know and he's way too embarrassed to ask anyone.

The sun peeks over the top of the horizon and Namgyu doesn't really have time to debate it. Besides, if Subong doesn't like it, then fuck him. What asshole hates a cooked meal?

So with that, Namgyu storms out of the house. Forces himself to look confident and not like he was a second away from turning back around and throwing it in the bin and curling up in his nest and staying there for the next two weeks.

"Stop complaining," he hears Semi say from just around the corner. She's busy stuffing whatever they need into bags to pay full attention to Subong.

"But I'm so tired," Subong groans back. "Why do they get us up at fuck ass dawn for this shit? Do they not care about my sleep? It's gonna-"

Semi stops what she's doing to turn back around to see an empty street.

Namgyu pulls Subong past the corner until they're far enough away to not be heard. Subong doesn't resist, goes happily wherever Namgyu takes him without questioning a thing.

When Namgyu pulls them to a stop, he immediately shoves the dosirak box into Subong's hands. "Here."

Subong takes it gently, holding it like it's precious. "What?"

"Food. For you. So you don't starve while you're gone. I mean, I was concerned you'd forget and then start dying. And that'd complicate things and- and cause problems for the others that are going with you," Namgyu responds, eyes focused on somewhere that isn't Subong.

Subong's looking at him with so much love that it's going to make Namgyu dizzy. "Of course. It'd be problematic if I starve while out."

"Exactly," Namgyu nods. "I was just concerned about the impacts on everyone else."

"Thank you," Subong says, smiling all softly at Namgyu and Namgyu can feel the way his cheeks heat up in response. "It's really sweet of you."

"I mean, it's just leftovers I had. It would've been stupid for me to make fresh," Namgyu lies through his teeth. He doesn't know why he does it because Subong looks at him as though he doesn't believe a word.

Subong looks at him all soft and happy and, really, it's a little embarrassing. An alpha like Choi Subong reduced so pathetically by just receiving some food? Namgyu feels weak at the knees.

"Of course. Only someone super cute would stay up all night cooking fresh food to give," Subong says, grinning all knowingly.

Namgyu tries to will the pink across his face to go away. "Shut up."

"Thank you," Subong repeats again. "I'm gonna brag about this to everyone else. Gonna show off how cute my omega is."

Namgyu might pass out. That'd be incredibly embarrassing but his head feels like it has no oxygen in it.

This time, it doesn't make his skin crawl. Namgyu doesn't feel repulsed at such a claim. Instead, he feels like he could swoon like those omegas in the fairy tale books he'd read in the library.

Namgyu's face is probably flushed red and he probably looks pathetic but that seems to only make Subong smile even wider.

"Shut up. Now, go back or else they'll leave you behind," Namgyu says, trying very hard to act like he's unaffected. It's completely in vain.

"And get to stay here with you all day? At least try to convince me to go," Subong teases. He must enjoy making Namgyu so flustered. God, this whole courting thing is gonna be torture.

"Just go," Namgyu gets out, quickly. Pushes Subong in the chest in an attempt to get him moving.

"Fine, fine, I'll go," Subong caves, voice still a little teasing. Takes a step back and begins to turn around. "I'll be thinking about you."

Namgyu feels like his face is on fire. Subong's so smooth with it, Namgyu doesn't know he is meant to react.

So Namgyu's not good at this romance thing. He's only ever had the stories the omegas share and the romance in the odd story he'd read to base things on. Normally, Namgyu would overthink this. And he will in a second or two, but right now he doesn't even think.

He reaches out, grabs Subong by the wrist and pulls him back around. Really, he should have thought about this before acting but he doesn't. That's why he leans in, presses his lips incredibly faintly onto Subong's cheek. It's so quick because Namgyu realises what he's doing as soon as he does it.

Namgyu pulls back, almost like he's been burnt and doesn't wait around to see Subong's reaction. He turns quickly on his feet and rushes away before Subong could possibly even process it himself.

Namgyu decides he's going to hide in his house for the rest of the year. God, how embarrassing.

-

Namgyu doesn't get to hide all day, even if he tries. He ends up out late helping Junhee decorate the small little room her pup will be in. She had spent an entire hour debating back and forth with herself on which shade of blue she should use as Mina decided to open up the expensive wine in Junhee's cupboard.

He's excited to get home and do nothing. No spontaneous decision to cook an entire meal for some alpha. But he comes to a stop just in front of his house.

"What are you doing?" Namgyu asks. It startles Subong so much he almost falls back onto the floor from where he's crouched.

There's another one of Subong's cutely decorated boxes in his hands. Namgyu has to bite harshly onto the inside of his cheek to stop himself from smiling.

"You're meant to be inside," Subong whines, standing up. "It's, like, the early morning."

Namgyu just shrugs. "I was with..." Well. What are Mina and Junhee? He's never really thought about it before. Does he get to call them his friends or is that too much? "My friends."

To Namgyu, they're his friends.

"Oh, well... This is a little embarrassing then," Subong says, gesturing to the box held delicately in his hands.

"You know you don't need to give them to me all secretly anymore, right?" Namgyu asks, walking forward and unlocking his front door. "Come on, you can come inside."

Subong blinks, still standing on Namgyu's front door. "I- Are you sure?"

Namgyu rolls his eyes. "I wouldn't have invited you in if I didn't want you to."

A second goes by before Subong nods, slowly stepping inside and closing the door behind him. He's trying very hard to not make it obvious that he's looking around, but he's not very subtle. Namgyu finds it cute.

"Oh, here," Subong starts when Namgyu walks further into the living room. Subong digs around in the box in his hand to pull out the dosirak box and passes it to Namgyu. "I thought I'd give it back."

Namgyu takes it in his hands. It's completely empty, not even a single grain of rice remains inside.

"Thank you," Namgyu says, looking back up at Subong. "Did you... Did you like it?"

Subong nods his head so quickly it almost startles him. "Totally. I think you've ruined me though. I don't know how I'm meant to eat other food now that I've had yours. You know, when the others saw, they were all, like, confused because I normally eat whatever I can pick up as we go. And I got to tell them my omega made me food."

It's sweet. Really fucking sweet the way Subong seems so genuinely elated at the idea. It was worth staying up all night to make Subong lunch. He's not the biggest fan of cooking, but he'd be happy to do it again for him if he keeps looking so happy over it.

"Good," Namgyu says, softly. "I'm glad you liked it."

Subong grins back. "Oh, and here, I got this for you," he says, passing the box in his hands to Namgyu

Namgyu has to put down the dosarik box on the table before taking it. He moves to sit down on the sofa, grabbing Subong by his wrist and dragging him down to sit next to him.

"You didn't need to get me anything," Namgyu says. It's true, but Namgyu hopes he doesn't listen. He enjoys receiving gifts from Subong so he hopes he never stops.

"But I wanted to," Subong replies. "I think you'll like them."

Namgyu doesn't wait any longer. Opens the box to reveal another box. Namgyu almost tells him he could save the environment if he stops double-boxxing these gifts. He pulls it open to see fruit. Sliced up and glossy.

He frowns, looking back up at Subong. "What is it?"

"The village we went to makes them. They're, like, sweetened fruit that are all chewy. These ones are apple," Subong points to one type. "And these are lotus root. They call them jeonggwa. It's meant to be real nice."

It's exciting. No one's ever brought him back weird and different foods or items from other villages. Who would? So he's only ever had the basics that get brought back for the whole village to share. The common ones like chocolate and fruits from up north.

"Thank you," Namgyu breathes out. He feels like he could cry but that would be so embarrassing. Over some candied fruit? How far Namgyu's fallen. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"I know but I told you I'd be thinking about you. And I saw these and they looked so sweet and it reminded me of you so I got them," Subong answers. "Something sweet for someone so sweet."

Namgyu is not sweet at all. He's mean and argumentative, the complete opposite of sweet. "I'm not sweet."

"You are. I remember when your friend... what's her name? Junhee! When she got pregnant, you would sneak extra food from the kitchen that she was craving that day," Subong replies. "You're so sweet."

Namgyu blinks. How the fuck does he know that? Namgyu was, like, 99% sure no one was around when he was doing that. Even Junhee and Mina have no idea he was doing that. "How do you know that?"

"Why wouldn't I? I've been, like, a little in love with you since you first arrived. Like, don't take it weirdly, but it's a bit difficult to look anywhere other than you," Subong says it like that's obvious.

"You... You're actually serious about this, aren't you?" Namgyu asks, even though it was mainly rhetorical.

"Of course. Who could not be just a little in love with you?" Subong asks and, well, Namgyu could name many people who aren't. Actually, he thinks only Junhee and Mina do and that's strictly platonic.

"I just... I don't get it. You're Choi Subong. You could have any omega you want. The prettiest, the nicest, the most calm and submissive. Why would you pick me instead?"

"Why would I want them when I want you?" Subong asks. He says it like he's genuinely confused, like he can't understand the question. "You're prettier than all of them. You're sweeter than all of them. And, well how boring is calm and submissive?"

Namgyu stares back. He looks for any sign that Subong's lying but he can't find a single thing. He looks so genuine and it's weird. Namgyu had kinda assumed Subong was just... being stupid by wanting to court him. He was expecting an inevitable break up of the courting and then Subong would find a better omega. But he didn't account for the fact Subong seems to know him. Really know him, better than anyone else. He knows how much Namgyu likes the chocolates from near the sea, Namgyu's favourite book series, that Namgyu secretly stole food for Junhee. And he still wants Namgyu.

No one has ever wanted him after knowing a little about him. But Subong does.

"Subong," Namgyu breathes out.

"Hm?"

"Can you... Can you kiss me? Please."

Subong, as Namgyu finds out, does not need any convincing. He doesn't seem to even think it through like Namgyu would as he closes the distance between them. He presses their lips together so gently, holding Namgyu like he's something precious. It's soft, slow, perfectly gentle. And, well, Namgyu's never kissed anyone before, so he's kinda grateful it's not as demanding as he's seen some of the alphas kiss their omegas.

And it's warm. It makes Namgyu's entire body burn, all the way down to his toes. He has to clutch onto Subong's sleeve to keep himself grounded.

Subong pulls away eventually and Namgyu feels like he can breathe again and also that he's choking. He misses it already, feels like he could very easily become addicted to it.

"Namgyu," Subong starts. "I really, really like you."

Namgyu takes a second to get enough air into his lungs so he doesn't trip over his words. "I really, really like you too."

Subong rewards him with the widest grin he's ever seen. Namgyu wants him to always look so happy.

-

Namgyu's woken up early. Real fucking early. He can tell by how the sun is only just about to peek over the horizon.

There's another loud knock on his door and he curses whoever thinks it's okay to wake him up so early. Some people have no fucking respect.

He throws on the first items of clothing he can grab before swinging the door wide open.

"What?!" Namgyu asks, biting and harsh before he stops. Subong grins back at him.

"Hey, you free right now?" Subong asks.

And, well, Namgyu does kinda want to go back to sleep but this is Subong. Anyone else did this type of shit and Namgyu would slam the door straight in their face. But they're not Subong.

"I mean, yeah, I guess. Why?" Namgyu caves. How embarrassing is it to be kinda in love with an alpha.

"Great, let's go hunting," Subong says, grinning all widely and excitedly like it's not the crack ass of dawn.

Namgyu frowns. "Now?"

"Well, yeah. I tried to see if I could take you hunting and I got told you weren't allowed. Something about safety or whatever, I think it's a load of bullshit. So we have to go now before anyone finds out," Subong replies. "Come on, let's go."

Subong reaches down and grabs Namgyu by the hand, pulling him out of his house so fast, Namgyu only just manages to shut the door behind him. Namgyu lets himself get dragged down the street.

Namgyu has no idea where exactly they're going. He considers that maybe Subong's actually been planning to kill him the entire time but shrugs it off. What a long winded way to do it.

The forest Subong pulls him into is large, trees reaching impossibly close to the clouds. It's not like Namgyu's never been in one before, he'd had to travel through a couple to find somewhere else to live but even then he'd never strayed off the path. Subong doesn't even seem to look for a path.

"You gotta be real quiet," Subong whispers as they slow down. "You gotta make sure you don't tread on anything that can make a noise."

Namgyu nods, pays attention like it's the most important thing ever. And, well, he'd been kinda wanting to do this since he was a child and now he was. He wasn't going to do anything to ruin that.

"Here," Subong says, pulling Namgyu into a small clearing. "I got it all set up. This place is the best to start."

Namgyu looks around. The sun is still rising, barely lighting up in between the trees. It's, arguably, a little bit unsettling, but Subong's excitedly explaining the best type of animal to catch and the easiest way. Namgyu's barely listening. He's a little too focused on how animated Subong is explaining it.

"And you know how to use this, right?" Subong asks, pushing an entire bow into his hands. Massive in size, made out of perfectly crafted wood.

Namgyu just stares at it. "You're... letting me use this?"

"Well, duh. How else are you meant to catch a deer?" Subong asks.

Namgyu doesn't know how to use this. Not even how he's meant to hold it. He's never been allowed to. "I don't... know how to use this."

Subong just grins, like that's exactly what he wanted to hear. "I'll show you!"

He seems so incredibly excited and Namgyu can't help but also feel the same. Subong moves closer, grabbing the front of the bow and helping lift it up.

"You gotta hold it like this," Subong starts, moving Namgyu's fingers upwards. He's delicate as he does and Namgyu feels warmth spread right to the tips of his fingers. "And then hold this bit up to your face."

Namgyu frowns. "On my face? Will that not hurt?"

Subong shakes his head, hand still needlessly lingering on the side of Namgyu's face. "No. It's so you can aim better. I think, at least. It does do that."

Namgyu looks up at him. "Do you know how to use this?"

"I've been using this thing since I was a kid. Relax, I know what I'm doing," Subong waves it off. "And then you put this here."

It's almost like Subong's talking to himself. Standing impossibly close to Namgyu as he fiddles around. If Namgyu was focused on the actual situation at hand, he would be aware of what Subong was doing. Unfortunately, Namgyu's a little bit focused on the way Subong looks when he's so focused.

"And then you just pull back and shoot," Subong says, turning finally to look at Namgyu. It shakes Namgyu out of his staring, putting his focus back on the bow and arrow in hand.

"I'm meant to keep the string against my face?" Namgyu asks, again, because it doesn't make sense. Subong nods and it just makes Namgyu frown. "That's going to hurt."

"It won't, promise," Subong says, smiling all sweetly at him. Namgyu doesn't look convinced. "Do you trust me?"

"I've only really known you for, like, a month," Namgyu retorts, voice flat.

Subong pouts, bottom lip jutting out. "Come on," he whines.

Namgyu, apparently, has a thing for alphas that are lame and stupid. Or maybe it's just a Subong thing. Something about him makes Namgyu feel all weak.

"Fine," Namgyu relents. He was always going to. "But if I get hurt, I'll kill you."

Subong nods. "Just pull it up, aim, and then shoot, okay?"

He's not an idiot. Namgyu won't say it out loud, but he does listen. Does exactly what Subong tells him, even if he's a little nervous. He hopes he was telling the truth, that he's not about to cut up his face. He really will kill him if he does.

Namgyu can't help but squeeze his eyes shut as he lets go. He only opens them when he feels Subong grab him by his shoulders.

"Holy shit, wait, you're actually good," Subong says, cheering kinda loudly into Namgyu's ear.

"Hey, why are you shocked about that?" Namgyu replies.

He looks at the arrow stuck in the middle of the big tree in front of him. It wasn't where he wanted it to go.

"I was so bad when I first started learning how to use these things. I think I almost killed someone," Subong explains. "You're much better than I was. You're gonna be catching a deer in no time."

Namgyu can't help the way his lips pull upwards. "You think?"

"I know so. Come on," Subong starts, reaching down and grabbing Namgyu's hand. "Let's go find one."

Namgyu lets himself go wherever Subong leads him.

-

They don't catch a deer but they do catch a rabbit. Mainly thanks to Subong, but Subong acts like it was all Namgyu that did it. Namgyu thinks it's the sweetest thing in the world.

-

Namgyu's happiness doesn't last long. His heat hits out of nowhere and he'd forgotten how badly it hurts. His stomach twists and pulls like his own body is trying to rip up his organs. The blood under his skin burns and freezes against his muscles to create a paradox of torture and suffering. Life hates him.

It's like he died and went to Hell. That might have been nicer than this.

"Come on, you need to drink something," Mina tells him, leaning over the wall of his nest with a bottle in her hand. "You'll feel better hydrated."

He'll feel better dead when he physically can't feel anything anymore.

They're not allowed in his nest. They'd asked when Namgyu had just moved in and they started being friends. Back then, Namgyu couldn't think of anything worse than other people in his nest. Now, though, he kinda wants them to come sit with him inside but, well, he doesn't know how to ask. The humiliation of asking burns his skin at just the thought.

Namgyu groans, pushing his face further into the pillow. "No. I don't want anything."

"Then how about you eat something?" Junhee asks, face appearing next to Mina's. "You need to keep yourself fed."

Namgyu feels like he could cry. "No."

There's a knock on the door and Namgyu groans again. He wants everyone to just go away. Junhee turns and leaves them.

"Why have you got a book in your nest?" Mina asks, leaning her hand down towards it. "You're gonna hurt yourself with it in here."

Namgyu doesn't know where the energy comes from as he quickly grabs at her wrist. "Leave it alone."

Mina blinks, stares back at him all shocked. It takes a second before she's grinning all mischeviously. "Oh? Don't tell me it was a courting gift?"

He needs new friends.

"Mina, it's for you," Junhee calls out, saving Namgyu from the questioning he knew he was about to receive.

"This isn't over," Mina says before pulling away and off to the front door. Finally leaving him alone.

Namgyu lets the freedom of being left alone wash over him, pulling himself tighter in as he attempts to ease the pain. It doesn't work.

The new silence of Mina no longer yapping in his ear is nice. He can hear Mina talk with Semi at his front door albeit very faintly.

"I gotta stay. You know how difficult Namgyu's heats are," Mina says.

Great. Apparently everyone knows how bad his heats are. He doesn't have the energy to roll his eyes.

"You need me to get anything?" Semi replies. Namgyu knows she's only saying that for Mina. Semi and him do not get along.

"We'll be fine," Mina answers. "I'll see you later, okay?"

And then the doors shut and Namgyu only has a few seconds before Mina appears again. He groans loudly as soon as he sees her.

"Uh, uh, uh, you're not getting out of this one," Mina says, stopping Namgyu from turning around. "Tell us everything."

"Tell us what?" Junhee asks, face once again appearing right next to Mina's.

Namgyu glares back at them. "It's none of your business."

"Namgyu's courting gifts. His alpha must know him well," Mina says, pointing towards the book right next to his pillow.

It makes his body feel a little light at the term she uses to refer to Subong. His. If Namgyu wasn't in such crippling pain, he'd probably be kicking his feet without even realising.

"Oh, they love you," Junhee smiles. "Please, tell us who it is. It's killing me."

"No."

"Come on, 'Gyu, we're dying over here! Your alpha got you that book you've been dying to get ahold of for years," Mina rushes out, voice pleading. "What else did they get you at least?"

And, well, maybe Nangyu does want to brag. All the other omegas got to rush to their friends and show off their new courting gifts, Namgyu should be able to too.

"This," Namgyu says, grabbing at the blanket tangled up next to him.

The two of them 'aww' loudly. It makes him all embarrassed at how they're acting.

"That's so cute," Junhee tells him. "What else?"

They're so fucking nosy.

"He got me those chocolates from down by the sea. The caramel ones. And the fudge," Namgyu mutters. He says it quietly, just a little embarrassed.

"He?" Mina repeats. "That narrows it down."

"I told you it'd be a 'he'. Look at him," Junhee replies. Namgyu has no idea what she means by that.

Mina rolls her eyes, smacks at Junhee's arm. "And? What else did you get?"

"The book," Namgyu says. "And this."

He reaches a hand under his pillow and pulls out the pretty little knife. Perhaps he shouldn't keep it there but he likes to. Likes keeping something Subong gave him in his nest and close by so he's safe.

"Holy shit," Junhee gets out. "He's crazy for you."

Mina nods her head quickly. "Please, please can you tell us who it is?"

Namgyu pretends to think about it. "No."

Both their faces fall in sync.

Mina doesn't get to beg again because there's another knock at his door. When will people leave him alone?

Luckily for him, both of them move away and towards the door. Namgyu strains his ear to listen in.

"Take it," Semi says as soon as the door opens. Namgyu has no idea what she's referring to or why she's back. The last person Namgyu wants to turn up is back for a second time. The world isn't kind to him.

"What is it?" Mina asks.

"His alpha found out he's in heat and wanted to help," Semi answers. The words take a second to process. "He's so fucking gross."

Mina seems to only hear one thing from that. "You know who's courting him?! And you didn't tell me?! We're breaking up."

"Please, I only just found out a second ago."

"Jesus Christ, it reeks," Junhee groans, walking back towards his nest.

Namgyu knows it's over. They're about to find out because Subong has done whatever the hell he's done. Namgyu makes an effort to sit up in the nest, to look out through his open bedroom door and into the living room.

Junhee comes into frame, large box in hand, held with an unreasonable distance away from her. Namgyu thinks she's overreacting before he smells it. It's strong, overwhelming. It's all cinnamon and it's so obviously Subong that Namgyu's body reacts almost instinctively. Crawls to the end of the bed to swipe the box out of Junhee's hand as soon as she gets close enough. He's in heat, cut him some slack.

He tears into the box, uncaring about how it isn't even decorated this time. Subong must have been in a rush, especially given the short amount of time between Semi's two visits.

Inside, sat folded absolutely terribly is one of Subong's hoodies. The one he wears frequently, that fits his frame perfectly. And he'd given it to Namgyu, soaked in his scent. He'd probably stripped it off and rubbed the whole piece of fabric along his neck until every single inch of the cotton was drenched in cinnamon.

Namgyu's running hot as it is, the faintest bit of sweat along his forehead. Even then, Namgyu doesn't hesitate as he puts it on. Lets the fabric swamp him until only his fingers stick out of the sleeves.

Maybe Subong's magical and put a spell on it because as soon as he's drowning in cinnamon, the pains all through his body ease up. Not entirely, it still hurts, but not as much as before.

He looks up to meet Mina, Junhee and Semi staring at him. Since when was she allowed in his fucking house?

"Choi Subong, huh?" Mina asks, all teasingly and Namgyu just groans, putting his head into his hands. Totally out of embarrassment and not because the sleeves are still covering his hands and smell of cinnamon.

"It's cute! Y'know, I wouldn't have put you two together but now that I think about it, I get it," Junhee says.

"He's been obsessed with you. He's been planning this courting for, like, an entire year," Semi adds. "I think he's been into you since you told me to go die."

Namgyu remembers that. It was his third day in this village when he'd met Semi and by proxy Subong, Gyeongsu, and Minsu. He can't even remember what happened but Semi had said something about him being new and he'd gone all defensive. Told her to "go die" and that "pathetic ass alphas like her will die alone"... or something along those lines.

That's a crazy thing for Subong to see and fall in love over.

"Aww, that's so cute! He really likes you for you," Mina gushes. Namgyu can't tell if that's genuine or a dig at him.

"Ooh, you think Namgyu was the reason he started trying to dye his hair purple? With the random ass flowers and shit?" Junhee asks and, God, that would be so... pathetic of him. Namgyu has to bite back the grin at the thought of it.

"Probably. Actually, now I think about it, ever since you arrived, he's been going out of his way to seem impressive," Semi muses. “He was never this… alpha-y before you turned up.”

Subong is so incredibly pathetic. And stupid. And embarrassing. And Namgyu is kinda really in love with him.

"Oh my God, that's so cute! Namgyu, your alpha is so crazy for you," Mina teases.

It makes Namgyu groan again. "Oh my God, get out."

"You get your alphas scent and want us to leave?" Junhee adds, just as teasing.

Namgyu is getting new friends.

"Get out," Namgyu replies, pulling at one of the pillows from his nest and throws it with as much strength as he could. It doesn't even touch them.

Mina and Junhee laugh like it's funny. Mina grabs Semi by the shoulders and starts pushing her out the door.

"We're going, we're going," Mina says from between her giggles.

"Wait," Semi says. "You want me to give Subong anything of yours that's scented?"

Namgyu blinks, face instantly getting warm. "What?"

"I mean, it's normal to share scented items during a heat or a rut. To make sure each of you like each other's scent," Semi answers. He hates that she knows more than him.

Mina and Junhee instantly turn back around, grinning at him like they've already decided for him.

"Take your top off," Mina demands.

Namgyu stares up at her, almost scandalized. "What?!"

"Junhee, grab his arms."

"Get off me!"

"Calm down, this is for your own good!"

"Stop it!"

-

Namgyu's heat is a lot less painful this time. He hopes he doesn't have to give back Subong's hoodie.

-

"I told you," Mina repeats. "Semi wouldn't tell me how Subong reacted. You'll have to ask him yourself."

Namgyu frowns. "It's not like I care, it's just... Personal, isn't it? What if he hates it? That'd be so humiliating."

"I really don't think you have to worry about that," Junhee says. "Every morning he looked for you and looked all sad when you weren't there."

He's so lame. Namgyu's crazy for him.

"Really?" Namgyu asks, quietly and softly.

"You're so in love," Mina teases, reaching over to shake him by the shoulders. "It makes me so happy."

"Shut up," Namgyu mutters, smacking her hands away.

He comes to a sudden stop when his eyes meet Subong's from across the street. Subong looks just as surprised to see him before he's grinning all widely at him, ditching his friends to stand right in front of Namgyu.

"Namgyu," Subong breathes out. "You... I missed you."

Junhee pats Namgyu on the shoulder before grabbing Mina's arm. "We'll leave you to it."

"Hey, wait, I wanted to hear what they're saying," Mina argues, voice growing faint as Junhee leads her away.

And then it was just Namgyu and Subong.

"I missed you too," Namgyu says. He means it, too. He loved having Subong's scent in his nest but he kinda would've prefered having Subong himself there.

"Are you okay? Semi mentioned that your heats are bad," Subong asks.

He hates Semi with every fiber of his being.

Namgyu groans. "Why would she tell you that?"

"I'm sorry. I was asking her if you were doing okay," Subong replies and, well, Namgyu can't be too mad at that.

"I'm fine. Your... Your hoodie really helped," Namgyu answers. He can already feel his face heating up at telling him that.

Subong grins like he's pleased. "Really?"

Namgyu nods. "Did you... Nevermind."

He doesn't have the courage to ask if he liked Namgyu's scent. Especially it sweetened by his heat.

Subong tilts his head to the side slightly. "Did I what?"

"It's embarrassing," Namgyu shakes his head, looking anywhere but Subong.

"Well, thank you. For scenting an item for me. It... You smell really good," Subong replies. Namgyu kinda wants to hit him at how he knew exactly what he was asking anyway. "I don't think I could survive when I actually spend a heat with you."

And that does make Namgyu's face flush entirely. Heats him up from the neck to the tips of his ears. "Don't say things like that!"

"But it's true," Subong replies, grinning all teethy and teasing. "I think I'd sink my teeth right in then and there and mate you before I could even think about it."

"Stop," Namgyu whines out, smacking gently at Subong's chest. He can feel his knees already begin to tremble. "You can't say those things."

Subong just grabs Namgyu's wrist and pulls him in until his face is pressed into his chest. He wraps his arms around Namgyu's frame tightly and all Namgyu can smell again is cinnamon.

"I'm being honest," Subong says into his ear. Presses his nose into the side of Namgyu's neck. "Can't wait 'til I can mate you. Want everyone to know you're mine. I hate that any other alpha can look at you and think they have a chance with you."

Namgyu thinks it's sweet that Subong genuinely thinks any other alpha wants him. He really enjoys how possessive Subong is, that's why he won't bring that up. Something he has always hated about alphas now has become one of his favourite things.

"They can't," Namgyu replies, muffled into Subong's chest. "Only want you."

Subong hums, tightens his grip and presses in even further into Namgyu's neck until he's rubbing his cheek directly into Namgyu's scent gland.

Namgyu's never been scented before. No one has ever wanted to mix their scent into his until they both smelt like each other. He always used to cringe at it in the romance books or from the other omegas talks about it. He gets it now. He wants them both to stay a perfect mixture of vanilla and cinnamon.

"Stop," Namgyu gets out. It's not very convincing. "We're in public."

"Good. I hope everyone sees so they know you're all mine," Subong mumbles out. Namgyu can feel his breath on his skin and it makes the hairs on his arms stand up. "Do you know how crazy it made me when I smelt you in heat? I thought I was going crazy. Had to lock myself inside so I didn't burst into your house and mate with you that very second."

Namgyu feels dizzy. Lightheaded like all the oxygen has been sucked out of his lungs. He's kinda grateful Subong's holding him so tightly or his legs may have given way and he'd have crumpled onto the floor.

"Subong," Namgyu breathes out. He doesn't think he has the ability to produce any other word or sound.

Subong must take pity on him. He pulls back, just enough so Subong can grin down at him. He'd look completely composed if it wasn't for the shakiness of his breath.

"Come on," Subong starts, pulling back fully to pull Namgyu along down the road, hand still tightly interlinked with Namgyu's. "You should eat. You're probably starving. Some super cool alpha went out the other day and brought back a fuck ton of pork."

He's sweet. He's so incredibly sweet Namgyu might cry. Maybe his teeth are going to start rotting just by being around him.

Namgyu just smiles back in response. He enjoys walking down the street hand in hand with Subong. It's so simple, so basic most omegas wouldn't even mention it when gushing about their alphas. But Namgyu loves it.

"Subong," Namgyu starts again. He doesn't have the courage to look at him. "When my next heat comes, will you... Like you said, will you mate me?"

Namgyu can't help but be nervous, the question coming out so quietly, Namgyu worries Subong hasn't heard him.

Subong is quiet, coming to a complete stop. It makes Namgyu stop, too, because he doesn't want to let go of Subong's hand.

He worries for a second that he's said something wrong. Maybe that wasn't right, maybe he's done something wrong and fucked up the whole courting process.

Namgyu can't worry for too long because Subong's face splits into a wide grin and he's moving forward, grabbing Namgyu tightly around the waist and lifting him up so his feet can't even touch the ground as he spins them both around. Namgyu's frozen, clutching tightly onto Subong's top for security.

It's one and a half spins later that Subong puts him down back on the ground. Grins at him so wide his skin must be protesting the stretching.

"I'm gonna mate you so hard. I'm gonna be the best you could have ever dreamed of. No, even better than what you could have dreamt of. I'm going to put every single alpha to shame," Subong rushes out, all excited and happy. He looks like he might start jumping up and down from happiness.

Subong is incredibly stupid. Namgyu is completely and utterly in love with him.