#mating bites

At least he’s fast. Before they all presented, Steve was the fastest boy in the Hawkins schoolyard. After, he was the second fastest omega, and still the fastest boy, but the alphas all acted like it didn’t matter. (Billy Hargrove sneered, “It just means he’ll tire fast, might pass out before the end of the chase,” at the time; he died of cholera in a Continental Army camp in ‘81.)

He just wishes he knew who would be chasing him. How else will he know if he’s moving away from danger? Or towards it?

Maybe he’ll get lucky, find a good place to hide for the night. Or none of the alphas will pick his scent to follow…

Steve’s never been particularly lucky, though. So he prays the alpha who catches him will be good. Kind.

Still, he is standing in the meeting house in only his shift, alongside a few dozen other young omegas, waiting to be seen by a midwife and examined. To have his small breasts squeezed and his hips pinched. To lift his skirt and show off the thatch of hair over his mound and prove his ripeness. To receive the tansy-bitter cider that will ensure he is wet enough for safe coupling.

The young alphas are undergoing a similar ritual just a few miles to the east in a nearby village—the Chase requires some distance to ensure fairness—but their drink will have herbs to make their blood hot.

His turn comes, and after a quick poke and prod Steve is done, the bitter drink lingering on his tongue. The pair of midwives finish their task soon after, and the omegas are herded out into the cool, summer night. As soon as their feet touch grass, they run. This race has no start or finish line.

There is only time and distance and capture. Only the Chase.

Steve runs, grateful to have simple, leather slippers on to protect his feet. Plenty of the others are barefoot; they are easy prey, having to stick to the roads and open fields, or risk being slowed by the forest floor. It also means the majority of the runners head south, down the road.

Steve goes northward.

He slips between trees, taking cover in the woods, but without the moon and stars overhead, he loses track of where he is going. His path veers to the east.

Towards the alphas.

When he comes out of the dense patch of trees, he realizes his mistake as he spots a figure jogging towards him, a young man in nothing but his breeches. “Damn it all,” Steve mutters, cursing aloud for the first time in his nineteen years. Turning around will do him no good, the trees a hindrance more than a help now.

He turns south, and the alpha turns with him, their paths set to converge.

Steve prays the alpha is gentle.

Then he hears the growling.

That’s all the warning he gets before he is tackled to the ground. He’s on his belly, hips pinned, but he can smell the alpha. The scent is sickly sweet and oddly stale, and it stirs no interest within Steve. His mother said that the right alpha—the right scent—would calm him when he was caught. Steve has never felt less calm in his life.

He struggle beneath the alpha’s weight, frantic in his desire to escape, but large hands hold him still, press his body into the ground as the alpha ruts against his backside.

Steve hears a whoop in the distance, a joyful sound so unlike the growling above him. Some lucky alpha has caught a promising scent.

The alpha above Steve leans down to sniff at his neck, still growling. It stops the rutting for a moment, but that mild relief is dashed to bits as the alpha yanks on Steve’s shift, tearing it at the side seam. His bottom is exposed to the night air along with the wetness at the top of his thighs. At least the alpha’s frenzy keeps him from removing his breeches as he returns to rutting his clothed cock against Steve.

Another whoop fills the air, closer this time, followed by a snarl. Steve tries to lift his head, to see how close this other alpha is, only for his head to be pushed down. “Stay back,” the alpha on him growls, voice rough.

“Not your omega,” the new voice growls back, rich and deep.

“Not yet.”

“Not ever. He’s struggling. Your omega should be pliant by now.”

“Let me go!” Steve finally forces from his throat. “Smell wrong.” He kicks up, fighting now it seems he has a chance.

“I caught the Harrington bitch, I’m keeping him.”

Another snarl, followed by a dull crack. Then the alpha is off of him and Steve scrambles to get upright, holding his split seam together as he watches the new alpha get the other onto his feet and throw him to the side. “Don’t touch him again,” he says, putting his body between Steve and his attacker.

“I shan’t forget this, Munson,” the alpha growls before turning tail and running south.

Steve’s rescuer watches the retreating alpha for several long seconds, then turns to Steve. “Are you hurt?” he asks softly, closing the distance between them.

“No,” Steve whispers. But he’s shaking, his legs weak, and he almost collapses when he breathes in and catches this new alpha’s scent: fresh and green with a hint of honey. He smells right.

His hands settle at Steve’s waist, gripping just enough to support him as he murmurs, “Scented you on the breeze. Knew you’d be perfect, but you sure are pretty too.”

Steve examines him as best he can, the big, dark eyes and wild curls escaping from his queue, his delicate fangs just visible as he breathes hard, his mouth open. His hands are warm through Steve’s thin shift, his hold firm yet gentle. Another whiff of that sweet, green scent fills Steve’s nose, and he feels more slick trickle from him, his cunt clenching. His mouth waters too, more wetness to ease *this* alpha’s way in. Pressing in, Steve tucks his nose to the alpha’s neck, needing to breathe him in, suddenly desperate to be full Full of that scent, yes, but also full of heat and seed and blood.

Words fail him and he keens. The alpha answers with a soft chuff, a hand moving to cup Steve’s plush bottom, guiding their still-covered hips together. The heat of him feels good, pressed up against Steve’s hotter cunt. “Alpha, please,” Steve whispers, mouthing at the spot on the alpha’s neck where his scent is strongest. Where his taste is sweetest.

“Yes.” A hand slides up Steve’s back and into his hair, tilting his head further to the side. “Take your taste, Omega.”

His little fangs easily pierce the thin skin beneath them as Steve bites down, giving into his need without further thought. This alpha—his alpha—has allowed himself to be claimed. Steve’s never heard of an alpha finishing the Chase with a claim, their bonds only ever completing after, when the omega moves into their home and their bed. Steve moans, his prick spurting his pleasure, sweet blood on his tongue as he cleaves to his alpha.

“Feel better?” he asks, a his hand rubbing Steve’s back to soothe him.

Steve hums in response, mouth still occupied as he licks and sucks at his bite. His alpha moans at the attention, his hard cock throbbing between them. Steve needs it, his cunt aching, pulsing around nothing. Pulling back, he gasps, tugging at his alpha’s loose shirt which comes off easily, but they must work together to undo the laces on his breeches and force the garment down his legs. Finally freed, his heavy cock bobs in its struggle to stand tall until he takes it in hand, smearing his own wetness from the head over the shaft. Mouth hanging open at the sight of him—at the size of him—Steve reaches to touch. He’s claimed this alpha, claimed his right to this cock.

It kicks in his hand as his alpha’s hips thrust. “Mine,” he husks, and his alpha nods, surging forward to finally capture his lips in a kiss.

His alpha is careful as he brings them down to lie in the soft grass, as he settles between Steve’s spread thighs and rucks up his shift. A sure finger slips into his channel, just enough to feel, enough to know he can press in, that he can fill Steve with ease, his body open and accepting. And he does, sliding in too fast, Steve’s body accommodating the intrusion as he hisses through the pain of being stretched by his girth.

Then he’s moving, rutting into tight, wet heat, his knot tugging at Steve’s sensitive rim until it catches. His hips keep moving, thrusting forward as he spills his own heat. As Steve’s cunt clenches down and locks around his knot, reaching his own peak with a gush of slick.

They lie together, panting, clinging to one another as their bodies cool, finally sated. In the distance, they can hear more whoops and growls, even some plaintive yips as other alphas fight and other omegas are claimed.

Steve hums, fingers tangled in his alpha’s hair.

“Name’s Edward,” his alpha murmurs, “Eddie,” introducing himself with his eyes closed as he nuzzles against Steve’s ear.

“Steve.”

“I know.”

“You do?”

“Everyone in these parts knows the Harringtons.”

“Then why don’t I know you?”

“I’m just from a little farm up past Forest Hills. I only came home for the Chase. Wasn’t sure I’d even find an omega tonight, but it’s hard to track a scent in Boston.” He nips playfully at Steve’s earlobe. “But as soon as I smelled you I knew: I’m yours, Steve.”

“Mine,” Steve agrees, nosing at his claiming bite. Soon, their bodies will separate. Soon, they will return to the Hawkins Meeting House, and their families will agree to the mating. They will wed, and Eddie will take Steve to Boston. To a city where he can do and see and learn so much more than Hawkins has to offer.

And then Eddie will bite him in return, completing their bond.

Steve is the first omega to return from the Chase without a bite. The first to make his own claim.

Typically, once their preheat starts, Changbin and Seungmin like to hole up in Changbin’s room as soon as they’re done with any schedules they can’t push or cancel. Since Seungmin lives with Felix, they prefer to be at Changbin’s at first, until they’re ready for an alpha to join them. Depending on his mood, Hyunjin will join them or go stay with Felix until their heat truly begins.

This time started out no differently, but this morning as Seungmin’s heat has nearly started, Jeongin got a call from Changbin. He told him to get ready, because Seungmin was insisting on moving the nest to his and Chan's apartment. Since he still hasn’t presented, their home is still a decent place for one of the omegas to start their heat. He assumed that Seungmin was craving Chan’s scent. Yet, here they are: Seungmin is semi-frantically putting his nest together on Jeongin’s floor, grabbing at blankets and clothes with pursed lips to place and replace them until they’re perfect. All the while, Jeongin watches from his bed with a dopey smile on his face.

“Innie,” Seungmin whines, snapping Jeongin out of his fond haze. “I need another blanket. Can you go grab Channie hyung’s?”

“On it.” Jeongin moves carefully around the outside of the nest, darting in and out of Chan’s room so he can appease Seungmin as soon as possible.

They’re all fairly confident that Jeongin is going to present as an alpha – and if not, a beta – so he’s taken to trying to mimic Jisung and Felix’s behavior regarding the nests when possible for the last couple heats. Seungmin seems to have forgotten that when Jeongin stops at the edge of the nest, just leaning over to hand him the blanket.

He takes it and moves to place it before turning to Jeongin with his nose all scrunched up. “What are you doing? Come on.” He grabs Jeongin’s wrist and pulls.

Jeongin doesn’t manage to keep his feet as he stumbles over the wall of the nest, landing face first in the pile of clothes Seungmin has yet to place. He crawls over to sit with his back against the side of his bed so he can be out of Seungmin’s way but still close enough for him to reach him if need be. When his phone starts vibrating over on the nightstand on the other side of the bed, he looks over to Seungmin, wanting permission to leave the nest to answer.

Once again, Seungmin is pouting. “Hurry.”

Jeongin hops up, grabs his phone, and steps into the hall. “What’s up, hyung?”

"How’s Mini doing?" comes Chan’s worried voice. The beta prefers to be available at the start of the members’ heats and ruts, always wanting to provide whatever he can to ease them through it. Unfortunately, just as Seungmin arrived this morning, 3Racha got called into a “mandatory” and “urgent” meeting.

“He’s alright.” Jeongin pokes his head back into the room to see Seungmin surveying his work. “I think he's just about finished his nest. He’s been a little whiny, but not too deep into it, yet.”

"Okay, good. Do you think you can hold down the fort for a little while longer? I didn’t think this would take so long, but we should be able to head out soon. Same with Lino, Hyuni, and Lix, though they may take a bit longer."

Jeongin takes the opportunity to head to the kitchen. “Of course, hyung. I’m grabbing a few more water bottles and snacks, and I’m sure we can make it until one of you gets here.”

“Innie!”

“Chan hyung, I’d better go.” Knowing that tone, Jeongin starts making his way back toward his bedroom. “We’re almost at the crying-if-he-gets-no-cuddles phase.” He hears Changbin giggle and realizes that if more than one of them got to step out for the phone call, they won’t be heading out quite as soon as Chan implied.

Seungmin’s voice sounds a touch watery this time. “Innie, come back!”

“Should I call one of the others?”

“No, we can try to reach them. Just be with Seungmin.”

When Jeongin returns to the nest, he has to fight his smile when he sees Seungmin pouting with a pillow clutched to his chest. He barely hesitates to climb into the nest this time. After putting the snacks and drinks on his bed, he sinks to his knees and places his hands on Seungmin’s. “What do you need, Mini hyung?”

Seungmin sets the pillows aside, leaning forward to reach out and wrap his arms around Jeongin’s neck as he climbs into his lap. He sighs heavily, relaxing into him and nuzzling his neck as if searching for his nonexistent scent.

This close, Seungmin’s sweet vanilla peach scent is strong enough for even Jeongin’s weak nose to pick up. He can feel just how much Seungmin’s temperature has risen since he got here this morning, taste the sweat coating his skin each time he presses a kiss to his temple. They sit like that until Jeongin’s legs start to ache, and he feels Seungmin’s slick bleeding through onto his pants. “Mini, baby, do you wanna lay down?”

Seungmin lets out a small whine and tightens his grip slightly. “You’re not gonna leave again are you?”

“Of course not,” Jeongin smiles, petting the back of Seungmin’s head. “Not if you don’t want me to. How do you wanna lay?”

“Like this.”

Jeongin can almost feel Seungmin’s reluctance to let him go, even if it’s just for a second. He whimpers and his eyes sparkle with unshed tears when Jeongin stands.

“It’s okay, puppy.” He reaches down to gently drag his thumb over Seungmin’s lovely cheek. “You got my pants all slicked up, I’m just taking them off before I lay down.”

Seungmin’s pout is adorable. Jeongin misunderstands when he reaches out with grabby hands, trying to hand over the pants in case he wants to add them to the nest. Seungmin reaches past them, grabbing his wrist and pulling him back down. “Would rather have your hoodie.” He starts to pull at the hem of it, and Jeongin chuckles.

“Whatever you say, hyung.” He tugs it over his head and watches Seungmin bring it up to his face and inhale deeply. “Imagine how that’ll feel when I actually have a nice scent for you to smell.”

Jeongin’s amusement at the act turns to bafflement when Seungmin strips out of his own shirt to pull Jeongin’s hoodie on. “Mini hyung, you’re already so hot, are you sure you–”

“Yes!” Seungmin huffs out, wrapping his arms tightly around himself. He pulls the neck up so that it covers his nose and mouth. “Lay down, Innie, or I’m climbing back on your lap.”

Jeongin still doesn’t understand why Seungmin would want to wear his hoodie now, of all times. It would’ve made more sense if it were Jisung or Felix’s, or maybe even Chan’s, so the scent could help soothe him until one of the alphas arrive. Still, now isn't the time to fight the needy omega. He complies immediately, and Seungmin is on him in the next instant. They cuddle for a while, until Seungmin does get too unbearably hot in the hoodie. He’s crying, the cramps from his heat only adding to his misery. Still, Jeongin has to convince him to take it off - some omega instinct that he could never understand pushing Seungmin to fight to keep it.

Luckily, by the time Seungmin is whimpering and rutting against him, they hear Jisung, Chan, and Changbin arrive. Seungmin immediately cries out in a shaky voice, “Alpha! Need you, Alpha! Please!”

Jisung is in the doorway in no time. “I’m here, baby. Alpha’s here.”

A sob escapes Seungmin’s throat as he voluntarily detaches from Jeongin for the first time in the last hour to reach out to Jisung. “Need your knot.”

“I’ll give it to you, baby. Look at this pretty nest. You did so well, puppy. Can I come in?”

“Please,” Seungmin whines.

As Jisung steps inside, dropping to his knees to crawl over to them, Jeongin sits up. He rubs Seungmin’s back then presses a kiss to his shoulder. “I’ll come by later to check in on you, hyung.”

He only gets a little whine in response, but Jisung leans past Seungmin to press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Innie. We'll chat after this needy puppy gets a couple knots.”

Seungmin whimpers again, this time turning to look at Jeongin even as he pulls at Jisung’s waistband. “Innie…”

He presses a kiss to Seungmin’s lips. “Alpha’s gonna take care of you, pup. I’ll see you later.” One more kiss and he makes his way over to Chan and Changbin, still standing at the edge of the nest. Chan almost immediately begins scenting him, taking advantage of his time spent cuddled with Seungmin to get some secondhand omega pheromones to help coax his body into the shift he needs to help soothe the omega’s heat.

“Thank you, Innie-yah. Sorry we took so long. Thank you for taking care of our puppy. ” Chan’s grip on his waist tightens. “God, I love when I can smell him on you like this.”

“Of course, hyung.” He peeks over Chan’s head at the watery moan coming from Seungmin. “I’m sure you would rather get it straight from the source, though. Maybe you should go help Ji hyung out. I’m sure your scent and attention will get them both there a little faster.”

Chan nuzzles in and gives him one more squeeze. Jeongin can feel that he’s already starting to get hard. “Our maknae is so smart. Love you, Innie. See you later.” With that, he pauses briefly at the edge of the nest, Seungmin calling for him before he even finished asking for permission.

Another set of arms wraps around his middle before Jeongin can turn from the beautiful, and extremely hot, view of Jisung lovingly pounding into Seungmin as Chan kisses him and wraps a hand around his length.

“Innie, baby,” Changbin murmurs, one hand drifting down to cup him where he’s beginning to fill out at the sight. “I think Seungmin-ah is well taken care of right now, but if you want, we can join them. Maybe you should get a reward for taking such good care of him while we were gone.”

☪︎

Changbin lays him down to the right of Seungmin. From this vantage point, Jeongin can hear Seungmin’s breathy moans and Chan’s whispered sweet nothings all the better. He knows the view is better, too, but he can’t tear his eyes away from Changbin as he strips down in front of him. What his hyung doesn’t have in height, he more than makes up for in muscle; his body is so perfect, it’s a wonder that they manage to keep their hands (and teeth, Felix), off of him as much as they do on camera. Finally, Changbin kneels to straddle him, leaning down to capture his lips. Jeongin’s hands immediately find their way to Changbin’s hips, but they can’t stay there. He feels compelled to draw them across his back, shoulders, biceps, chest, basically anything he can reach.

“Fuck, hyung, you’re so hot,” Jeongin breathes against Changbin’s mouth. Hands full of that perfect ass, he urges Changbin to grind against him; they groan in unison. Jeongin can feel the slick dripping from his hole and literally shivers in anticipation. He puts a little whine into his voice. “Hyungie, don’t tease. You said I was getting a reward.”

Changbin grins down at him. “Careful, Innie-yah, you’re starting to sound like our little Seungmin-ah. Maybe I should be getting ready to fuck you instead.” He moves as if to get off of him, but Jeongin stops him with a punishing grip on his hips and a low growl.

“In-Innie,” comes a whimper from beside them. Changbin and Jeongin both turn to see Seungmin’s glassy eyes on them, hand outstretched; Jeongin reaches out and takes it at the same moment a tear spills over and his mouth drops open in a moan. Seungmin squeezes his hand, this time with Chan’s name on his lips as the beta wraps his own around the weeping head of Seungmin's cock.

Changbin shifts then, taking Jeongin’s length, lining it up, and sinking down slowly. The three of them moan in unison. Jeongin can’t help but buck his hips up. Changbin’s hands come to rest on his chest. He raises back up and drops his hips slowly, tantalizingly. “Ah, Iyen-ah, you feel so good.”

“Bin,” Jeongin sighs. “I thought you were done teasing.”

Changbin leans down to kiss him once more, before he starts to bounce, now riding him as if it were his job. Jeongin brings his free hand up to his mouth, licking it before taking Changbin's cock in hand, letting his own movements provide the friction he needs.

The symphony of Seungmin and Jisung cuming together only adds to their passion. As soon as Seungmin’s hand slips from his, Jeongin slips his hands around Changbin’s hips. He gets his feet under him to thrust up as he pulls Changbin down roughly to meet him. Soon it’s Changbin’s turn to whine his name between moans and gasps.

“You close, ah, Bin-ah?” Jeongin pants.

Ever the helpful hyung, Chan materializes beside them to jerk Changbin off until he cums with a cry. A few more pumps of his hips, and Jeongin follows him over the edge.

“God, I can’t wait til you can knot me,” Changbin sighs with a smile as he lays down against Jeongin’s chest. They hear a whimper from Seungmin, and Jisung soothing him as his knot has probably just deflated.

They all bask in the afterglow for a few minutes. Seungmin curls onto his side, close enough to rest his forehead against Jeongin’s shoulder. The contact allows Jeongin to feel just how hot Seungmin still is.

In the next moment, Seungmin is whimpering again, calling out for Chan. “Hyung, I need you. Please.”

Changbin presses a kiss to Jeongin’s jaw, then starts to get up. “We better clean up, Innie-yah. You still have vocal lessons today, don’t you?”

“I can’t wait til I can cancel schedules because one of you is in heat.”

They all laugh, and Jeongin and Changbin head off to his bathroom. By the time they emerge, Chan is balls deep, and his knot is beginning to swell. Changbin immediately rejoins the nest, while Jeongin gets dressed. He says a quick “Bye, hyungs” as he heads to the door.

Changbin comes out into the hallway. “Iyen-ah, he smells upset, can you come back for a sec?”

“Innie!” As he nears the door to his room, he can hear Seungmin’s cries. “I need to tell him something! Innie, come back! Please!”

Seungmin has crawled closer to the edge of the nest. Chan and Jisung look concerned and confused. He rushes over, kneeling down to get close to him. “What’s wrong, baby? Channie’s getting ready to give you his knot. What else do you need?”

Seungmin is shaking as he pulls on Jeongin’s hand. His voice is low enough that only Jeongin can hear as he starts begging, “Please, Innie, please. When you present, please let me have your first knot. Please.”

Jeongin is stunned speechless. It’s the general assumption among them that Jeongin will present as an alpha, he has all the precursors for it. Still, Seungmin actively moving away from Chan when he was so close to being knotted, the thing his body is desperately craving, to ask Jeongin for a future knot that isn’t even fully guaranteed? Typically when the omegas are in heat, they don’t even really want Jeongin’s help; they love him and being with him, but he doesn’t have the knot to satisfy the fire within. So, why on earth is Seungmin asking him this now?

Each second he spends in confusion, Seungmin is crying and pleading, so he can’t prolong it. He kisses him, wiping the tears away, and murmurs against his lips, “Of course, Seungminnie. You’ll be first to take my knot, baby. But for now, you gotta let the hyungs help you. Channie is ready, and I bet Jisungie will be ready to go right after. Keep you filled up til Lix, Hyuni, and Minho get here to help, too.”

“O-okay.” Seungmin’s whimpers subside as he kisses him back. Jeongin nods to Jisung, who comes up behind him, no doubt pumping out soothing alpha pheromones as he scents him. Jeongin can see the tension in Seungmin’s body start to dissipate as Jisung slips a few fingers into him. “Yo-you’ll be b-back tonight?”

“Of course, Mini hyung. All night, if you want me to.”

Seungmin nods before letting out a little moan. Jisung brings his other hand up to caress Jeongin’s cheek for just a second. “Alright, baby, we’ve gotta let Innie get to his lesson, but Channie hyung’s got a big ol' knot waiting for you; can I take you back to him?”

Seungmin finally relinquishes Jeongin’s hand, and Jisung opts for picking him up to bring him back to the center of the nest. Jeongin watches them get settled, then heads out to his lesson, mind abuzz with thoughts of knotting Seungmin.

☪︎

Seungmin is exhausted. And starving. And sticky.

Felix hums, and Seungmin can feel the vibration through his chest. “Mini, you’re awake already?”

“Hungry,” he murmurs. “And gross.”

Sunshine beams down at him in the form of Felix’s smile. “I’m glad you’re feeling hungry again. Looks like we’ve successfully made it through another heat, puppy.” He punctuates the thought with a pinch on the cheek.

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles. Seungmin has been babied a lot over the last few days, but now that his heat-brain is gone, he’s ready to go back to acting like he doesn’t like it. Mostly. He sits up and looks over his shoulder to see Minho and Changbin cuddling. He whines, “Hyungs, can someone take me to the shower?”

Changbin is up right away, though rather than carrying him bridal style, as he assumed he would, he throws Seungmin over his shoulder.

“Yah, hyung, what gives?” Seungmin smacks his ass. “This isn’t what I meant!”

Changbin sets him on the counter of Jeongin’s bathroom and moves to turn on the shower. “Then you should’ve asked Yongbok to take you. You wanted me to carry you, so I did how I wanted to.”

Seungmin frowns, earning him a drawn out kiss. “So, where’s everyone else?” Felix walks into the room in all his naked glory. Seungmin bites his lip and wonders if there might be time for one more knot. Changbin has to snap in his face to shake him from the thought.

“Innie went to pick up food. Channie hyung, Hyuni, and Hannie had to pop over to the studio for a bit, but they’re supposed to be back in time for dinner.”

“We better get cleaned up and ready for them, then.” Felix gently gets Seungmin back on his feet and guides him into the shower.

They spend at least twice as long as they should under the spray. Once cleansed of the slick, sweat, and cum, they just bask in the warmth together, trading gentle kisses. A knock on the door and call for dinner time is what finally gets them out. Soon enough, they’re dressed in Chan’s clothes for Felix, Jeongin’s for Seungmin, and settling in on the couch next to Jisung and Hyunjin.

Jeongin hands bowls of kimchi jjigae, Seungmin’s favorite, to them, earning Seungmin's smile and gratitude. The smile he gets back is just a little strained. He nearly questions it, but then Jeongin is pressing a kiss to his lips before settling down on the floor in front of him. “Glad you’ve got your appetite back, hyung.”

Maybe he still has a little bit of heat-brain or something and is just seeing things. Everyone seems happy, the alphas and betas a bit tired, but being able to work together during his heat keeps anyone from getting too exhausted. Seungmin, however, is getting sleepier and sleepier with each bite of the stew. Between the food and sitting between his two alphas, he becomes relaxed enough that he starts to nod off and doesn’t even realize it until someone gently takes the bowl from his hands.

“Mini, do you wanna go back to your place tonight, or spend one more night here?” Jisung murmurs in his ear, the soothing tone all but ensuring that he is not leaving this couch awake. Seungmin noses into the crook of his neck and just stays there, breathing in his brown sugar and pear scent until he falls asleep.

When he wakes a few hours later, it’s to another scent: Chan’s subtle blackberry and chamomile. He loves it, but finds that he’s missing the atmosphere of Jeongin’s room after so many days spent in it. Maybe because his nest used materials from everyone, and he’s just still in a place where he wants to feel surrounded by the whole group’s scents. He shakes his head at the thought, snuggling into their leader and drifting back to sleep.

They get back into their routine over the course of the next couple weeks, but one thing feels a little different. Jeongin seems off, but Seungmin can’t figure out what the problem is. The only answer he gets from him is that he has a lot on his mind, but Jeongin refuses to open up about it. Seungmin knocks on the door to the Dimple Dorm, determined to find out what’s been bothering their maknae. Once Jeongin opens the door, his question is answered. A wall of cherries and chocolate hits his nose almost immediately.

Jeongin is finally presenting.

“Oh! Hyung, I, uh,” Jeongin starts, nostrils flailing before he takes a big step back. “I guess you can probably tell what’s happening. Did you need something?” Seungmin doesn’t know what to think of Jeongin creating distance between them. It could be that he’s still adjusting to being able to smell people’s scents, but a tiny part of him worries that it’s because he is put off by Seungmin’s scent. Logically, he knows that’s silly, but the thought nags at him enough not to come in without an invitation.

“No, I don’t need anything. I was actually coming to see if you did. Chan hyung told us you were cancelling your schedules today, so I wanted to come check on you.” He doesn’t understand why he’s starting to feel a blush come on. “Wanted to see if you needed anything.”

Jeongin rubs at the back of his neck and gives a small smile. “Thanks, Mini hyung. I’m okay, though. Minho hyung stopped by with breakfast and again later with a ton of snacks earlier, and Channie hyung should be headed home now with some fried chicken.” He pauses for a couple beats while Seungmin nods and prepares to say goodbye. “Did you wanna eat with us?”

He lets a smile break across his face. “I’d love to, and, uh, congratulations. I, well, we knew you were going to be an alpha. How are you feeling about it?” He follows Jeongin into the living room, only hesitating for a second before sitting close enough to lean into him and take in his scent. The wave of the tangy tartness of cherries and rich sweetness of chocolate is enough to make his mouth water.

Jeongin rolls his eyes with a smile as he lifts his arm to wrap around Seungmin, giving him the opportunity to scoot in a little closer. He seems to know exactly what Seungmin is thinking, answering the question before he asks. “I overall feel good about everything. My scent glands are still feeling pretty sensitive, though, so hyung recommended waiting a couple days before we can start scenting.”

“That’s ok. I kinda figured, considering you barely smell like Channie hyung at all.” Seungmin snuggles in as much as he can, careful to avoid his glands. He thinks about how unpredictable presenting can be. Jisung had been scenting Hyunjin within hours when he presented as an alpha, unable to get enough of his strawberries and cream scent. They both ended up getting adorably scent drunk. and Jisung had gone into rut the next day. Felix, on the other hand, had been in prerut for about a week and only began aggressively scenting Seungmin and Changbin once he was in rut.

Then he remembers that at the start Felix was mostly only scenting Changbin, clearly more drawn to him on that first day. Not that he could blame him; Changbin’s scent is shockingly subtle but no less pleasing. The combination of jasmine and pomegranate is one of Seungmin’s favorites as well. Will Innie feel that way, too? All of their members smell incredibly good; what if he prefers Changbin or one of the beta’s scents more than mine? What if he likes everyone’s more than mine? Before he can continue that line of thought, Jeongin is knocking on his forehead.

“What’s going on in their hyung?” Jeongin looks and smells concerned. Seungmin had completely forgotten that now Jeongin could smell changes in emotion, and that he could smell his. “Your scent is changing. Are you okay? I can handle it if you feel like you need to scent me.”

The alpha pheromones that Jeongin undoubtedly is emitting on instinct rather than by choice are already helping to soothe Seungmin. He brings his scent back under control almost immediately. “No, Innie-yah, I’m fine. You’re helping me already. Sorry, I just got a little lost in thought.”

“I am?” Jeongin looks confused for a moment before he realizes what he’s doing; a pretty pink starts to color his cheeks. “Right, pheromones. Um, anyway, do you wanna talk about whatever you were thinking about?”

Seungmin wracks his brain for something that would make sense to explain it without revealing the truth. “I was thinking back to when I presented. Feeling the heat for the first time was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. I hope it won’t be like that for you.”

Jeongin looks thoughtful. “I feel like it won’t be? Your presentation seemed worse than Ji hyung and Lix hyung's. I think it’s true that first heats are more intense than first ruts. You’ve heard that, right?”

“Oh, yeah. Guess I was worrying for nothing. Thanks, Innie.”

Soon enough, Chan arrives with their food. Seungmin opts to head out after dinner to spend some time with Felix since their day is pretty packed tomorrow. He chickens out when he goes to ask for Jeongin’s shirt. He generally prefers clothes to be offered to him, but Jeongin is used to not having anything to offer. He’s not sure why it feels awkward to ask.

Luckily, when he gets home, it’s clear that the nesting fairy had dropped by while he was out. Sitting at the foot of his bed is a hoodie, clearly smelling of chocolate and cherries. Typically, he would go along with the ruse of not knowing which member takes the time to “sneak” good nesting materials into the members’ beds and dropping them off in the omegas’ rooms, but he’s so happy to have it that he shoots a quick kissy face emoji to Minho.

The rest of the week seems to crawl by as they all anticipate Jeongin’s first rut. The only benefit of it not starting right away is that it’s given Chan the opportunity to clear their schedules for the end of the week. It also gives them time to have a group meeting. They all gather at Changbin and Hyunjin’s place that Thursday night. When he arrives, Seungmin realizes that Jeongin has become comfortable scenting based on the cherry chocolate scent that’s mixed with Minho’s honey, almond, and fig. Seungmin bristles when the combination of scents hits him; his chest constricts, and he can nearly hear the whine of his omega, recognizing that Jeongin hadn’t wanted to scent him first.

Will he want to give his first knot to someone else, too? If he prefers the others’ scents, he might just break his promise to give it to me.

Seungmin remains a little on edge throughout dinner, despite having reminded himself more than once that Jeongin doesn’t break promises, and he doesn’t even know how Jeongin feels about his scent yet. Afterward, Chan recommends they settle in the living room to talk.

“So,” their leader claps his hands once then turns his gaze to Jeongin. “Now that our Jeonginnie is presenting, I figure it’s time to talk about mating again. It’s important that everyone feels comfortable and like they can make their own choice, regardless of what any of the rest of us want.”

“Channie hyung, do we really need to discuss this again?” Minho interrupts.

“Yeah, you know we all love each other and want to officially become a pack,” Felix adds.

Chan tries to pout, but it’s more like a delayed smile. “Okay, I get it. But can we check in about mating bites? I just don’t want anyone to feel pressured to do something so permanent.”

Hyunjin stands then, shaking his head, and a few of them share looks of confusion and concern. The worries are abated, however, when he walks over to settle into Chan’s lap and gently takes his face in his hands. “I feel like I can speak for all of us when I say that the only thing that would be better than registering as a pack would be to have a mark that binds us together even further.”

The rest of the group is nodding, and Seungmin notes with slight amusement that Chan’s eyes are starting to look glassy. His gaze drifts back to Jeongin, and they lock eyes. There’s something in his smile that soothes Seungmin’s omega a little bit.

“Alright,” Chan seems to have given up on having this well-meaning but ultimately pointless little meeting. “But if anyone wants to talk more about it privately, you know you can always come to me.”

Jisung puffs out his chest. “Or me, your resident head alpha.” It earns him a pillow in the face, but he’s laughing.

With things settled once again, they decide to make it a movie night, since they’re all together. Seungmin scoots over so that he can cuddle into Chan and Hyunjin. Almost as soon as there’s extra space next to him, Jisung plops into it and leans into Seungmin. Felix remains happily curled up in Minho’s lap while Changbin and Jeongin cuddle up across the room. Seungmin tries not to notice the way Jeongin inhales deeply once they’re all settled in, letting out a sigh of contentment. The slight tightening in his chest shows that he clearly failed.

Still, he’s comforted by Chan, Hyunjin, and Jisung’s bodies and scents surrounding him, and the rest of the night is lovely. When they return home, Seungmin invites Felix into his nest.

“I love sleeping in here with you, Mini,” Felix is rambling just a little as he strokes Seungmin’s hair. “I forget how, like, grounding it can be to be surrounded by everyone’s scents like this.” Seungmin can hear the smile in his voice when he adds, “Innie’s fits right in, too, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Seungmin sighs into the crook of his neck. “I wish I had more of it, though.”

“I’m sure you’ll get plenty of stuff with his scent soon.”

Seungmin knows he’s grumbling for no reason, because Felix is obviously right, regardless of what Jeongin thinks of his scent, he wouldn’t deny him nesting materials; even if he did, Minho would unquestionably always make sure Seungmin gets everything he wants. “Do you think Innie will think so? That my nest is comforting?”

“Maybe not at first…”

Seungmin bolts up to look at him, concerned that his worst fear is about to be confirmed. Felix almost instantly starts to pump out soothing pheromones, reminding Seungmin that he’s had more trouble than usual controlling his scent lately,. He drags him back down so that Felix is able to cover his body with his own and bring them face to face.

“Mini, jagi, that’s not what I meant. He’ll love your nest. I just meant that he’s a baby alpha now. In general, our place smells so much like me. Remember when I presented?”

Realization dawns and Seungmin nods. He knows new alphas can be a bit territorial sometimes. Felix’s leather and plum is very prominent in Seungmin’s nest.

“So it just might not be the most comfortable when it smells so much like me and Hannie, but eventually it’ll be just fine,” Felix explains. “Though, we don’t know anything for sure yet. He was fine tonight, but we did keep our distance a little. Plus, if I know our Bini hyung, he was letting out a steady stream of pheromones the whole time.”

They fall quiet for a bit, Seungmin lost in his thoughts; Felix humming peacefully, knowing that he needs the time to work through his thoughts. Soon enough, Seungmin’s mind drifts back to his heat and Jeongin’s promise. He really doesn’t want to pressure him in any way by bringing it up, but it’s slowly killing him not knowing if he’s going to stick to it.

“Lix-ah?”

“Yes, my sweet Seungminnie?” Felix more or less purrs the words. The vibration of it just adding another level of relief and reassurance to his hold.

“Think we should build Innie a nest at Changbin and Hyunjin’s place for his rut?” Seungmin thinks of his conversation with Chan earlier. “Hyung thinks he’s bound to start by tomorrow night. Saturday at the latest.”

“That sounds like a great idea, jagi. I’m sure he’d love it.” Near silence overtakes them again, though this time for sleep rather than overthinking. Felix sighs after a moment. “I wish I could be there for it.”

Seungmin presses a soft kiss to his lips. “Like you said, tonight was alright. Hopefully you can be around during his next one. This time you’ll just have to settle for extra quality time with Hannie.”

Felix lets out a dramatic gasp. “Oh, how will I ever survive it.”

Their giggles turn to kisses and caresses until they’re struggling to stay awake.

The next day, Seungmin gathers everything he can that smells just of him to meet Changbin. When he gets to the Dimple Dorm, he finds the omega scenting Minho with vigor. A large pile of blankets, cushions, and clothes sit on the floor in front of them, so Seungmin dumps his own bag of nesting materials onto it. Minho reaches out and pulls Seungmin into his lap. “Gimme that sweet peachy scent. I wanna smell extra good for Innie tonight.”

“Hyung,” Seungmin whines, pretending to hate the affectionate nuzzling into his neck. Then he tries not to sober too much at the thought: “I think you smell plenty good all on your own.”

Changbin leans over to stage-whisper, “Don’t tell him I told you, but Minho hyung was just saying last night that he might like your scent best of all of ours.”

Minho chuffs at him like a big cat but doesn’t argue, just continues his ministrations. Seungmin considers teasing him for the apparent admission, but he appreciates the sentiment, especially with the way he’s been feeling lately. The three of them cuddle together on the couch for a while until Chan appears smelling heavily of Jeongin’s chocolate and cherries. They all sit up a little straighter.

“Can you guys get started on the nest?” Chan asks with a smile. “And Minho-yah, can you make sure there’s nothing we’re missing in the snack/water department? Actually, maybe one of you omegas should head back in with him? I think he’s nearly at his breaking point.”

Luckily, Changbin seems to be on the same wavelength as Seungmin. “No no, hyung, we have to make the nest. But maybe Minho hyung can? We just spent the last, like, half hour scenting him.”

They get to work, trading articles of clothing every now and then, working on the edges first before working their way in. After just a few minutes Minho and Jeongin emerge from his room. The scent of rut comes on like a wave, nearly bowling them both over. Jeongin is shirtless and glistening, cheeks and chest pink, breathing heavily.

Chan’s head pops around the corner. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just that Innie said he likes to watch when they build nests.” Minho says, leading the maknae over to the couch. “Plus, being so close might make things easier if his need becomes too great.”

The betas take a seat on either side of the new alpha; all three keep their eyes on the omegas, each with a different emotion shining in their gazes. Seungmin can feel his ears heating up under Jeongin’s stare. He’s sure that everyone can smell the reaction both he and Changbin are having to the alpha’s presence. The three on the couch are whispering amongst themselves, only adding to the anticipation he’s feeling. He peeks over at Changbin; they nod in silent agreement, moving to finish faster. Seungmin finishes placing the last cushion and turns to look back at the couch. Jeongin is still staring at him, looking like he’s ready to pounce. Of course, Seungmin can’t help but notice the way he’s palming the large bulge in his pants.

“You all ready, Mini?”

☪︎

Jeongin really does love watching the omegas build a nest. He understands why it’s important to them in this moment to make it, but it’s like his blood is boiling. The hyungs have been whispering a steady stream of encouragement since they first sat on the couch; they praise his restraint, knowing that he’s two seconds away from ripping off his and Seungmin’s clothes.

Since his presentation began, it’s been an endless barrage of new scents and feelings have been slowly overwhelming him. Those hitting him the hardest have all been related to his youngest hyung. It’s like a peach vanilla candle has been burning on his chest, filling his nose, his thoughts, and gradually warming him to the point of near madness.

After just a few minutes in the room, Jeongin had picked up the more syrupy sweet scent of the slick beginning to form. His hand drifts to his cock of its own accord when Seungmin turns his back to him to finish the far side of the nest. He doesn’t think he can take much more of this.

Finally, Seungmin places the last cushion and turns to face him. It takes everything in him not to tackle him to the floor. Instead, he growls out, “You all ready, Mini?”

The big brown eyes that meet his are overtaken by blown out pupils. Seungmin crawls toward the couch a bit, then glances at Changbin, who gives him a big smile and nod. His tongue darts between his lips when he looks back to Jeongin. He holds out his hand and speaks softly. “Come into the nest?”

It’s all Jeongin needs. He’s in front of Seungmin almost instantly, one hand gripping the back of his neck to draw him in for a bruising kiss, the other wraps around to get a handful of his ass to pull Seungmin flush against himself.

Now that he’s started, Jeongin can’t stop until he knots his favorite hyung, his omega, his Seungmin.

He kisses him like it’s keeping him alive, tongues dancing and teeth clashing until he pulls back just enough to tear off Seungmin’s shirt. Jeongin’s hands make a rough path from his shoulders to his hips before he quickly turns, dipping Seungmin to lay him down on the floor of the nest. The high pitched yip that escapes Seungmin goes straight to his cock.

Jeongin’s lips lock onto his neck, teeth skimming the scent gland just below his jaw. The sweet peach and vanilla coat his tongue and for a moment his mind just goes blank. Next thing he knows, both of their pants are off and he’s sucking a hickey onto Seungmin’s hip, garnering soft moan. So close to the source of that delectable slick, Jeongin realizes he can’t wait any longer. He flips Seungmin over onto his stomach as if he weighs nothing.

His strong hands bracket Seungmin’s hips, and like the perfect omega that he is, Seungmin presents himself: keeping his head down, back arched, and ass up, legs spreading to better accommodate his alpha.

“Fuck, Mini.” Jeongin’s voice drops to a rasp, thick with need. He slaps one cheek, squeezing before using both hands to pull them apart and take in his slick-weeping hole. “So wet and pretty for me.”

The mewl that Seungmin lets out as Jeongin’s tongue plunges into him is music to his ears. He alternates between exploring with his tongue and lapping up his delicious slick, changing whenever Seungmin’s moans and whines signal that his climax is beginning to build. So immersed in his omega’s scent, a lustful haze has descended over Jeongin, he can’t get enough of it. His cock is throbbing, but it’s not until Seungmin actually speaks that he’s actually able to make himself back away.

“Alpha,” Seungmin moans. “Knot me, alpha, please.”

Hearing Seungmin call him ‘alpha’ makes Jeongin’s teeth ache. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Jeongin knows he should still go slow, regardless of how turned on Seungmin clearly is. Still, he can’t hold back. Jeongin sheathes himself completely in one powerful thrust. Seungmin cries out, and it almost breaks the spell. Clarity strikes him, the knowledge that he could’ve hurt Seungmin giving him pause, but in the next breath, Seungmin is whining, begging him to move.

“Fill me up,” he pleads, wiggling his hips and pushing back into him. “Please, alpha, I need you. I need you.”

It’s all Jeongin needs; he ruts into him with abandon. Each snap of his hips elicits another gasp or moan from the man beneath him. He shifts his grip from Seungmin’s hips, one on his shoulder, the other threading into his hair. With new leverage, Jeongin renews his efforts, slamming into him. It’s not until later that he learns that all the while, he was repeating the word ‘mine’ with every thrust.

Soon enough, Jeongin starts to feel an entirely new sensation. The heat pooling in his gut seems to travel lower, building at the base of his cock. As his knot swells and begins to catch on Seungmin’s rim, he’s overcome with the need to have Seungmin even closer. Almost as if it’s the only thing that will allow him to survive past this minute. Jeongin pulls him up so that Seungmin’s back is pressed to Jeongin’s chest.

Instinct tells him to lick over a spot on Seungmin’s neck, and for the first time since he entered the nest, Jeongin perceives another presence. Someone – Minho? – is clutching at his shoulder. The voices sound almost as if they’re coming from underwater, muted and warbled pleas of ‘stop’ and ‘wait.’ For the first time in his life, Jeongin turns and snarls at his hyungs, “Mine!”

They might have said more, but all he hears is Seungmin’s choked out, “Yours.”

With it, Jeongin locks into his tight hole. The pressure on his brand new knot is pure ecstasy. He bursts, filling Seungmin up, just like he begged for, and in that same instant, his teeth sink into Seungmin’s scent gland – locking them together for a lifetime.

☪︎

Now that the haze of desire and need have subsided, Jeongin worries that he may have taken things a bit too far.

He continues licking at the mating bite on Seungmin’s neck, less because of the alpha impulse now, and more because he’s not sure how to face his hyungs.

“Innie.” Seungmin grimaces a little as he turns back to look at Jeongin. “Innie, are you okay?”

He realizes that his grip on Seungmin had tightened. “I’m sorry, Mini.”

“Sorry?” Seungmin reaches back, fisting his hair and pulling his face close enough to kiss him. “What could you possibly be sorry for, jagi? You kept your promise and gave me everything I wanted.”

“But is it really okay that I bit you like that?” His voice is low, hoping to keep the conversation between the two of them.

Seungmin does his best to turn to face him better. “Innie, I really love your knot, but it’s very inconvenient in this moment.” They both laugh, the tension eases. “I know we should’ve made an actual plan for it, but I also know that you knew I wanted you to.”

Jeongin lets out a soft sigh. That had been part, if not most, of why he did it. He wasn’t in a very coherent place at that moment, but it was so much more than his alpha wanting to claim Seungmin’s omega. He had felt it in his bones. He knew that Seungmin was calling out to him for it, that he was meant to bare his mark. “I love you, hyung.”

Another kiss is pressed against his cheek before he hears the responding “I love you, too, Jeongin-ah.”

It’s then that Jeongin feels another body press against his back. The pomegranate and jasmine that soothed him so well the night before floods his senses. He tenses as Changbin’s arm reaches over his body to stroke Seungmin’s side. He remembers the surge of possessiveness that had overtaken him just before he bit Seungmin. All he feels now, though, is warmth. Seungmin is his mate. His. But he’s Changbin’s, too, mating mark or not. And Changbin is also his, while he in turn is also Changbin’s. Jeongin accepts the kisses on his shoulders and neck, reveling in the pleased omega scent coming from both sides. So Changbin isn’t upset with him.

He cranes his head up to peer at Chan and Minho. Chan has tears running down his face. Jeongin starts in an attempt to get to his hyung, his pack leader. The movement draws a hiss from him and Seungmin alike, as it pulls at the knot locking them together. All he can do is reach a hand out with a strained, “hyung!”

Both Seungmin and Changbin are petting him where they can, saying soothing words. Chan crawls to him and presses a kiss to his forehead, his cheeks, and finally his lips. “It’s okay, Innie! I’m not upset, I promise.”

“Yeah, hyung’s just emotional seeing his babies mated like this,” Minho’s voice has a teasing lilt to it, but his eyes are looking a little glassy as well. He cards his hands through Jeongin and Seungmin’s hair. “Or half mated? Guess we really should’ve talked more about mating bites the other day.”

“See, I was right to call a meeting!” It comes out watery and full of love.

Finally, Jeongin’s knot begins to deflate. It’s an odd sensation, and it has Seungmin whimpering. Jeongin wraps an arm back around Seungmin’s waist to hold him as close as possible. He murmurs into Seungmin’s hair, telling him how good he is and how well he did for him. After a couple more minutes of sweet words and caresses, Seungmin allows Jeongin to pull out so that he can turn to face him.

Chan moves to spoon Seungmin after one more kiss on Jeongin’s head. “How are you feeling, Mini baby?”

Jeongin wants to cry when he sees the radiant smile that breaks across Seungmin’s face. “So happy, hyung. So happy.” He leans in to nose at Jeongin's scent glands.

Jeongin is feeling soft and happy, but the fire building within him is becoming undeniable. He knows that soon he’ll be lost to his base desires again. Seungmin obviously notices his growing hardness, too, reaching between their bodies to stroke him lazily.

Soon enough, the urgency of his rut is too much, and he’s taking Seungmin apart again.

☪︎

Epilogue

“So, it’s agreed?” Chan looks each of them in the eye. There’s a chorus of agreements with minimal teasing.

Between the two omegas and three betas, no one was too tired a couple days after Jeongin’s rut. Luckily, claiming Seungmin had actually seemed to take away some of his possessiveness over him, allowing Seungmin to have more breaks than Changbin had during Felix’s first rut. It made it possible to have this meeting just a few days after his rut ended. Still, they’ve spent every free minute in each others’ arms since then.

Ultimately, they’d decided that their bond as a pack could be represented well with what might be seen as a unique union. They’d previously discussed just pack bites, but that idea hadn’t sat perfectly with a few of them. Now that Jeongin had bitten Seungmin, Hyunjin had come up with a wonderful solution.

Jeongin and Seungmin couldn’t deny their bond, but it didn’t mean they didn’t love everyone. It was very important to them that Seungmin bore Jeongin’s mark. The happiness and satisfaction that flooded through him every time he saw it was nothing short of sublime. But that didn’t mean there wasn’t room for others.