Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Soobin walked into the room and was immediately tended to by the staff there. He took off his coat and placed it onto the awaiting hands of an eager young man, who was probably one of the students volunteering at the alumni event. Soobin gave him a smile, a nod and a small ‘thank you’. The young man immediately beamed, he looked visibly excited, his whole body was shaking in anticipation. But when he was about to open his mouth to say something, Soobin was already greeted by a euphony of greetings and cheering. He smiled and put his hand up in acknowledgement and was immediately led away by the people who had been in the room before him.

“Steve, that was one hell of a speech!” Someone called his English name, and Soobin inwardly cringed when he felt hands patting on his shoulders as the people gathered around him. 

“Gosh, it’s so difficult to see you nowadays, Mr. Chief Executive Officer.” 

“You know he’s busy.”

“I heard about that project with EA Corp. Beautifully executed!” 

Soobin acknowledged all of the compliments with grace as he greeted them one by one. When offered drinks, he politely declined, using the well prepared reason ‘I drove here’. And then half an hour into the alumni reunion wearing the soft, polite smile for so long that his face felt numb, Soobin wondered why he decided to come here in the first place.

He’d come to the US for a business trip, and dropped by his old university while in town to deliver a speech per his professor’s request. Soobin hadn’t planned on coming to the after party, but he’d look at the list of guest speakers when he was bored and that made him change his mind. 

“Did you hear the news about Ben Choi?”

Soobin turned his head slightly. A few people in his circle also looked up in anticipation at the mention of the name. Some of them not so discreetly looked between Soobin and the person who brought up the topic. Not one single person from Soobin’s year didn’t know about Steve Choi and Ben Choi’s notorious friendship during their university days.

“I can’t believe he managed to fool us all these years.” Another Alpha said. “But wasn’t he close with Steve? They were literally attached at the hip back then.”

And then it was the cue for people to turn to Soobin. One Alpha asked with wide eyes: “Oh my god, you must know, right? I thought you guys were together all the time because you were both Koreans, but it makes so much sense! Were you dating? Were you guys… you know.” He wiggled his eyebrows in suggestion. 

An Omega who accompanied him squealed in excitement. “Oh, that is so romantic, like in one of the novels where Omegas disguised as an Alpha and found love!” 

“Love, huh.” Someone snickered and nudged Soobin. “Come on, you can tell us. Did you know he was an Omega?” 

“I didn’t.” Soobin said in a tone that didn't leave any room for any interpretation. Someone let out a noise of protest as if they didn’t believe him, but Soobin didn’t look like he wanted to entertain the questions so the others nudged that person, signaling for them to stop pushing. 

“Yeah, that is a surprise. And he came out himself too.” A woman from Soobin’s left side said as she tried to change the direction of the topic. “An Omega, owning a multi million art business. Whoo.” She let out a breath and many snickered. 

And that was when it dawned on Soobin, the reason why he’s been feeling more agitated than usual. While he was used to dealing with a lot of Alpha, most of the time those instances had been professional and in Korea it was considered good manners to hide one’s pheromone. Many of his foreign associates also respected Korean culture enough to do that whenever they met (or it’s probably because of the influence of his family name). Yet, in informal situations, the Americans don’t usually hide their pheromones, and it was aggravating the hell out of him. He felt his patience thinning as his eyes continued to wander around the room. 

“No, but that is such a slick move. Look how the press and the left wingers refer to this as ‘empowerment’. He’d been enjoying all of the privilege as an Alpha, and never worked his way up as himself –“

Soobin, who had been rather quiet ever since he entered the room suddenly let out a laugh, cutting the man off, and the whole group went silent. 

The man who was confronted looked astonished that Soobin was talking to him. He opened his mouth again but before he could say anything Soobin had said: 

“Last month you took a picture with him at a conference and boasted about it on your Twitter for days.” Soobin casually recited the caption and took a non-alcoholic drink on the tray of a server who was passing by. He smiled at the server and whispered a little ‘thank you’ to him. He turned back to the embarrassed man, took a sip from the drink and said: “A word of advice: pick one script, and be consistent with it.”

Soobin then lightly patted the speechless man's shoulder and walked away from his entourage, ignoring many of the calls. He scanned the room once again, disappointment lacing his heart and the agitation was pushing him to the edge. He was ready to leave, but then his eyes caught onto another pair of eyes from across the room.  

His heart skipped a beat, and nervously, he downed the glass of sparkling water in one go. He would have preferred a glass of wine, but he really did drive here. Soobin swallowed and turned to put the empty glass on the tray of a passing server. He then took a deep breath, before making his way over to the group of people on the other side.

Choi Beomgyu, the talk of town, was chatting animatedly with a group of people by the bar. He also had his own circle, though the size grew much smaller after his public announcement. Yet he did not seem to mind one bit, he didn't act any differently when delivering speeches and hosting art conferences as an Alpha.

But there was something different, Soobin noticed as he walked closer. He could pick up a scent that he hadn’t felt in a long time. A scent which, when not hidden away and purposely repressed by its owner, was thriving and flaunting its sweetness to people nearby. To Soobin, it was a soothing presence in a room full of Alpha.

Beomgyu's entourage noticed Soobin first (technically, he had locked gaze with Beomgyu for a second, but the other didn't acknowledge him when he made his way over). 

"Look who’s here.” One of Beomgyu’s friends, Heeseung, whistled when Soobin moved closer.

“Soobin hyung,” Taehyun, one of the few who knew of Beomgyu’s secret even before the announcement greeted him, and Soobin smiled at him. Even though Beomgyu’s group of friends had grown smaller, the perk of it was that the ones who stayed were all real friends. Which means most of them knew about his and Beomgyu’s relationship back then. Not many knew they had dated for a while.

Soobin would have liked to think they parted on good terms, but not all who knew agreed. Heeseung was an example of those who were set on believing that Soobin had been a total asshole, and Taehyun was an example of those who had a more objective view. Probably because he had also been Soobin’s friend too.

“Long time no see.” Soobin said when he approached the group, and raised his glass at Beomgyu’s direction. The latter lifted his eyes up to look at him, his lips parted, the corners curved into a smile:

"Congratulations on your engagement." Beomgyu said, lifting his glass of wine at Soobin with a teasing smile. "I read the article.”

“What engagement?” Soobin asked nonchalantly, as he took a sip of his drink.

“Come on,” Heeseung lifted an eyebrow and sighed. “Have some respect for your fiancé, even if you’re that desperate for a last fling before the ring.”

“I do not know what tabloid news you’re referring to, but neither me nor my legal representative confirmed any engagement I’m alleged of having.” Soobin told him. "I have so many people saying they're engaged to me that I have lost count."

“This one is different though.” Beomgyu said, and Soobin turned to look at him.

Soobin’s voice was much softer when he said, “how so?”

“It was your dad who provided the news.” Beomgyu pointed out as he casted his eyes downwards, expression unreadable.

“He can’t exactly force me to marry against my will and as far as I’m concerned, I’ve only ever been engaged once. And it was broken off two years ago.”

Soobin could feel many of the people surrounding them trying to quietly slip away, as the tension between them became more palpable. Some lingered close enough to listen in, but one look from Heeseung and Taehyun and they scurried away. The two friends were the only ones who stayed near, but they had also resolved to watch in silence.

Beomgyu looked up at him, fingers circling the rim of the cold glass he was holding absentmindedly. His eyelashes fluttered softly when he asked: “What if your daddy kicked you out of your family business? You’re not his only child, after all.”

Soobin looked at him for a second and chuckled. “I haven’t thought about that. But when that happens, perhaps your business could use a Chief Executive Officer?” He leaned a bit closer, and said, “careful”, when a server brushed past them. His hand was on Beomgyu’s waist, pulling the smaller man out of the way. 

“I think we have enough Alpha in leadership positions.” Beomgyu said when Soobin removed his hand. 

"Is that why you announced your real gender?" Soobin whispered, and then it was silent for a few moments before Beomgyu frowned. "To show people that an Omega can run a multi million business?" 

They stared at each other, and when Soobin thought Beomgyu would either punch him in the face or kiss him (one of them was less likely than the other), the other leaned in and asked: "Do you want to go somewhere to catch up? We haven't seen each other in a long time, after all."

Soobin looked at him, his mind was slowly processing the meaning of the words and when it did, he nodded: "Sure. I can drive us, I didn’t drink.” 

"Great."

Before they left, Soobin thought he heard Heeseung ask Taehyun: "Do you think he's drunk? Should we let him go like that?" ("Just leave it," Taehyun had replied). 

But Soobin was pretty sure Beomgyu wasn't drunk. He's had experience with a drunk Beomgyu, and this wasn't it. Beomgyu could still keep a straight line when they walked to his car, and he looked relatively normal when they made small talk on the way. 

However, it wasn't as if Soobin didn't know anything about Beomgyu these days. They didn't exactly part on bad terms and while, admittedly, there had been some (read: a lot of) bitterness on Soobin's part, they didn't erase each other's existence from their lives. Soobin still followed Beomgyu's personal Instagram the other had used since his college days, and could sometimes see him through mutual friends' stories. 

But even so, Beomgyu's announcement still came as a shock to him. Maybe out of curiosity, or due to some residue feelings he hadn't been able to sort out ever since they broke up, Soobin made the decision to accept his professor's request and join the reunion. Probably a part of him wondered what Beomgyu would look like living as an Omega. That was something he couldn't have imagined when they were together.

But now that he saw the other, Soobin wondered if anything had changed at all.

"So you're really not engaged?" Beomgyu asked as he got into the car. So naturally one could think he's been getting into Soobin's car for years. 

"Positive." Soobin said as he checked the rearview mirror. "My dad was pushing for me to get married with his associate's son. The poor boy already had someone he loved too."

"Okay. I just don't want a scandal."

Soobin laughed and turned to look at Beomgyu. "Seriously?"

"It's not good for the stock price. And you're kinda a scandal magnet." Beomgyu leaned on the window and said as-a-matter-of-factly. "I keep seeing you on the news with a different person every month."

"I don't even know half of them." Soobin chuckled. 

"So you do know the other half." Beomgyu lifted an eyebrow and turned to look out the window. "Right, what was I expecting, you've got a fair share of admirers ever since we were in college."

"And so were you. You were the most desirable bachelor in the most popular magazine last year. Everybody was obsessed with you."

"Not so much now." Beomgyu said, he put his elbow on the window and smiled bitterly at Soobin. "I was right, wasn't I?"

Soobin looked at him, waiting for the other to elaborate, and Beomgyu did. 

"I lost quite a lot of friends and contacts. Rumours started to pile up regarding my past." He drawled lazily. "Some business associates were afraid to make deals with me, for fear that they would be excused of having an affair with an Omega, and some who didn't mind… had quite a lot of other propositions for me." Beomgyu turned to Soobin and smiled. "But that's okay. None of that is my fault. The world is just shitty."

Soobin stared at him. "It is." He agreed.

Beomgyu lifted his eyes up and their gaze met. "Sorry, we haven't met for a long time and I just complained."

"I don't mind listening to you."

Soobin said, and Beomgyu laughed. "You're always too nice for your own good.”

"It's just courtesy." He said, reaching over to pull Beomgyu's seat belt over him, and when he was met with Beomgyu's questioning eyes, he leaned in to whisper in his ear: "I always do that for the people I sleep with."

Beomgyu lifted an eyebrow, a smile slowly spreading on his lips and Soobin could feel the scent of lilies of the valley become even thicker. "Do you mean as in the past, or as in the future?"

Soobin put his hands on the steering wheel and shrugged. "Depends." 

"On what?" Beomgyu asked.

Soobin stared at the front, ignoring the way Beomgyu's pheromones were teasing his own, infiltrating his system and trying to get him worked up (and succeeding at it). He cleared his throat and asked: "Where do you want to go to catch up?"

Beomgyu didn't answer him at first, and when Soobin was about to turn to him, he heard the other man ask a rather irrelevant question: "Are the windows tinted?” 

"What?"

"The windows of your car. Are they tinted?"

Soobin blinked, and reflexively he answered: "Yea, they are -"

Soobin could only hear the clacking of the seat belt being unfastened, and then Beomgyu was on him. Soobin didn't know how he did it, but all at once, the Omega had his knees on either side of Soobin's thighs. He reacted promptly, his arms snaking around Beomgyu's waist, pulling him down so the other man was sitting flushed on Soobin's lap.  

"What is the meaning of this?" 

 "I thought you knew the moment I asked to leave."

 "I thought it was just the pheromones." Soobin looked at Beomgyu's lips.

"What's the difference?" Beomgyu whispered and leaned in, and Soobin closed his eyes as soft lips fell on his own. There’s a big difference , Soobin thought, and he would have elaborate and elicit a serious debate out of it had he not been too busy kissing Beomgyu. Soobin wounded his arms around Beomgyu, holding him even tighter as the kiss deepened. He couldn't tell if the desperation was his own, Beomgyu's, or both, but he could taste it on his tongue when he opened his mouth, and felt it in the way their pheromone rejoiced in being intertwined, once again.

 Beomgyu was finally back in Soobin's arms, and Soobin wondered if he could ever let him go, ever again.

 "Beomgyu, god." He said breathlessly as the other fumbled to unbuckle his belt, lips leaving his own just to nibble on his jaw. His hands slithered under Beomgyu's shirt, roamed all over his back until Soobin's fingers finally arrived at the black collar on Beomgyu's neck. It was the kind of collar unbonded Omega wear to protect themselves from being marked. Beomgyu’s body suddenly tensed as Soobin tugged on it lightly. The Alpha's fingers hovered over the hook, and he whispered: "You don't need this, do you?" 

 Beomgyu let out a small warning growl in his throat as his hand came to wrap around Soobin's wrist, holding it in place, but without much power.

"Take it off, Beomgyu." Soobin demanded, but Beomgyu didn't move, he'd only tighten his hand. Soobin couldn't see Beomgyu's face because he was burying it in Soobin's neck, but the way his body was shaking told him that the Omega was resisting the order with all his might. Soobin was also shaking himself, and he breathed out. His resolve finally crumbled and he bit back a sob as he nuzzled his face into Beomgyu's neck. His voice quickly turned into a plea: "Please, Beomgyu, take it off." 

Beomgyu slowly moved to look down at him, and Soobin met his gaze. The latter let his facade break and fall down in pieces. Gently, he nosed Beomgyu's neck through the cold surface of the collar. "Please." He whispered, all too aware of how pathetic he looked.

Beomgyu breathed out. He leaned away, back against the steering wheel as he looked down at Soobin from above. Slowly, his hand went behind his neck, and Soobin could hear the sound of the biometric lock being opened by Beomgyu's fingerprint. When the collar fell down onto the floor with a dull 'thud' Soobin held his breath as he reached out his hand. And after seeing that Beomgyu didn't move away, he gingerly touched his neck. The Alpha's fingers found a patch of skin that felt a bit different behind Beomgyu's nape, and the latter shivered as it was touched.

It was a mating scar. Soobin left it there almost two years ago.

Soobin let out a shaky breath. He looked up at Beomgyu: "Can I touch it?"

"You're already touching it." Beomgyu didn't look any better than Soobin was. He was just as messed up and breathless. Hair sticking to his face, cheeks flushed and eyes dazed. It was amazing how a mate bond could affect them that much.

"I want to smell it, and nuzzle against it." Soobin clarified. "Can I do that?"

Beomgyu bit his lips as he looked at Soobin with watery eyes. After a while, he quietly said: "I don't want you to bite though."

"I will not." Soobin gently brushed Beomgyu's cheek with his thumb. "I won't do anything you don't like."

"... Okay."

Soobin looked up. Beomgyu loosened his hold on Soobin’s wrist, and, “Okay,” he said again, before leaning down, resting his forehead on Soobin’s shoulder, his nape exposed to the Alpha.

And just like that, the moment Soobin saw the mark of his teeth on Beomgyu’s nape, he didn't waste a second before he pulled Beomgyu closer, a hand on his neck, the other pulled his shirt down and out of the way as he littered kisses from Beomgyu's collar bone to the back of his neck. The closer Soobin got to the mating scar, the more Beomgyu's body trembled. His hands grabbed at Soobin's shirt, bunching it up and Soobin had to grab both of his hands by the wrists and put them behind his head, so that Beomgyu's arms were around Soobin's neck. 

Soobin breathed in his Beomgyu's pheromone, basking in it and let out a content sigh. He could feel tears pricking at his eyes, felt like a man wandering the desert for years who finally found his oasis. 

“Hyung…” Beomgyu croaked, voice shaking as he looked at Soobin with puppy eyes.

Soobin pulled his face down for a kiss, and when he pulled away, he said: “Not today, baby.” The endearment both foreign and familiar to his own ears, and for a moment he was unsure how Beomgyu would take it.

“Why?” Beomgyu didn't seem to think much of the word, but he looked as if he would break down, even if he’d just come. It wasn’t sexual, his Omega instinct was calling for him to satisfy his Alpha mate. Soobin kissed him again when he whined: “Don’t you need me?”

“I do.” Soobin assured and pulled him closer. “But not today. I don’t have protection with me.” Hearing his reasoning, Beomgyu’s sanity seemed to have returned a bit, because he didn’t persist anymore. But much to Soobin’s surprise (and absolute delight), he turned his head a little bit, exposing his nape even more in an invitation. 

“Don’t bite too hard.” He muttered as he held onto Soobin much tighter.

“You don’t have to let me do that.” Soobin kissed his ear. He licked at the mark, nibbled on it a little bit, but didn’t bite, even though his mouth was watering at the idea. 

"It's okay." Beomgyu whispered as he closed his eyes, his head thrown back beautifully. "It's okay." He repeated in a shaky voice, and Soobin's heart constricted painfully.

But he didn't bit him in the end, and opted to find release for all of the bottled up desire somewhere else. He kissed Beomgyu's ear and quickly went to undress both of them.

Soon, the windows were fogged with steamy mist.

Fifteen minutes later. 

Soobin let out an exasperated laugh as he found some wet wipes from the compartment in between the front seats once he calmed down. “Don’t,” He said when Beomgyu tried to touch him again. Soobin took Beomgyu’s hand in his and started to clean his fingers.  

“Why?” 

“Because that’s aggravating to me. I’m still very turned on.”

“We could go back to your hotel.” Beomgyu suggested even as he moved from Soobin’s lap to the passenger’s seat. 

“I would love that, if I didn’t have a flight to catch at six in the morning.” Soobin said as he crouched down to find Beomgyu’s collar which was discarded earlier. 

Beomgyu looked at him when Soobin leaned in. “You're coming back to Korea?” 

Soobin caressed Beomgyu’s mark one last time before helping him put the collar back on. “You sound like you don’t want me to leave.” He said wishfully. 

“I don’t. You should stay.”  

Soobin’s movement stopped, and he turned back to look into Beomgyu’s eyes. “Sure.”

Beomgyu blinked, as if he didn’t expect Soobin to agree at once. Hell, he probably didn’t expect that Soobin would agree at all. “Seriously?” 

“Yeah, Yeonjun can handle that million dollar deal on his own while I’m here having mind blowing sex with my ex. Sure he’ll understand.” Soobin said sarcastically when he was finally back in his seat and Beomgyu burst out laughing.

“Gosh, I thought you were serious for a moment.”

Soobin wanted to tell Beomgyu that he was, but he couldn’t. He stared at the steering wheel blankly.

“I mean, I can come see you when you’re done with work anyways.” Beomgyu slowly said, after he finished laughing.

Soobin looked up in surprise. Beomgyu looked at him, and said: "I have something I want to talk to you about." He stopped, and added gingerly: "Unless you don't want to, that's also fine, I mean I understand, we broke up and all-"

“It’s fine.” Soobin cut him off as his heart rate started to accelerate, but he tried to appear calm. He didn’t want to look that desperate, yet he couldn’t help confessing: “I came to this event to see you anyways.”

Beomgyu let out a little gasp. “You did? Why?”

Soobin ran a hand through his hair and looked at Beomgyu. “Curiosity, I guess.” Soobin decided half of the truth was still the truth. He put his arms on the steering wheel and leaned on them. “When we dated, you had always made it clear that you hated being an Omega. I wonder what changed."

“Probably because I'm not…” Beomgyu started, but then stopped and heaved out a breath. “Not around people who make me feel like I'm inferior.” He muttered.

Soobin chuckled dryly. “‘People who made you feel inferior’. Was that why you were so miserable after we mated? I made you feel inferior because I'm an Alpha?" 

“No.” Beomgyu spoke slowly as he corrected Soobin: “But you loving me because I'm an Omega kind of has a similar effect.” 

At this, Soobin felt a nerve snap. He let out an incredulous laugh. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation again. After one fucking year.” He turned to Beomgyu: “I didn’t love you because you were an Omega. We knew each other for over a year in college before you told me your real gender and I loved you even before that." 

“You knew about it before I even told you though.” Beomgyu said. “And I know you love me, but the pheromones probably helped.”  

“Fucking hell, Choi Beomgyu.”  

“Tell me, Soobin, who was it that begged me to take off my collar so you can feel the mark?” 

“You could have said no if you hated it that much.” 

“But you wanted it.” 

“Back then all I wanted was to stay with you but you had no problem telling me no, so don't start with that now.”

“That’s different!” Beomgyu half screamed, and Soobin was taken aback when he turned back to look at the Omega, who was on the verge of tears. Beomgyu was shaking as he tried to hold back the sobs. Seeing that Soobin was silently looking at him with a loss for words, Beomgyu used the heel of his hand to wipe away the tears, and turned to open the door. “Forget this, I don’t know why I even- just forget it." 

Soobin cursed as he also opened the door and got out of the car. He caught up to Beomgyu in no time, and grabbed his wrist, spinning him around.  

“Beomgyu, Beomgyu, baby, look at me.” He said and held Beomgyu’s face tenderly in his hands. 

“I’m sorry. I can’t… I just -” Beomgyu shook his head, as he spoke incoherently between sobs. Soobin’s heart broke into a "I will not." Soobin gently brushed Beomgyu's cheek with his thumb. "I won't do anything you don't like, you know that." He promised, and casted his eyes down. He swallowed, as if it physically pained him to say: “Of course, if you don’t want to -”

"Okay."

Soobin looked up. Beomgyu loosened his hold on Soobin’s wrist, and, “Okay,” he said again, before leaning down, resting his forehead on Soobin’s shoulder, his nape exposed to the Alpha.

And just like that, the moment Soobin saw the mark of his teeth on Beomgyu’s nape, he didn't waste a second before he pulled Beomgyu closer, a hand on his neck, the other pulled his shirt down and out of the way as he littered kisses from Beomgyu's collar bone to the back of his neck. The closer Soobin got to the mating scar, the more Beomgyu's body shook. His hands grabbed at Soobin's shirt, bunching it up and Soobin had to grab both of his hands by the wrists and put them behind his head, so that Beomgyu's arms were around Soobin's neck. Beomgyu shuddered as Soobin nosed at the mark, his moans muffled as he buried his face in the crook of the Alpha’s neck.

Soobin breathed in his Beomgyu's pheromone, basking in it and let out a content sigh. He could feel tears pricking at his eyes, felt like a man wandering the desert for years who finally found his oasis. 

Beomgyu's fingers dug into Soobin's back tighter when the other's fingers found Beomgyu's entrance. Soobin’s long, calloused fingers circled around it a few times before nudging one in experimentally. Wet and hot, his finger slipped smoothly right in, causing Beomgyu to let out a little sob as his hips started to move in sync with Soobin's finger. 

Still nosing the mark, Soobin followed his memory as he worked his finger inside Beomgyu, finding the spot where he knew Beomgyu loved to be touched the most. One finger soon turned into two, and then three, and when it got to four, Beomgyu was an incoherent mess. He wailed as Soobin fucked him with one of his hand, while the other was on Beomgyu's cock, using Beomgyu's own slick as lubricant as it moved along the shaft.

It didn’t take long for Beomgyu to orgasm. He came shaking violently, hips rolling, pushing on Soobin’s fingers as he rode off the pleasure. Beomgyu rested his chin on Soobin's shoulder, drooling on the man's expensive tailored suit, his own ruined long before because of the slick his Omega reproductive gland released, as well as the liquid leaked from the tip of his cock. 

“Hyung…” Beomgyu croaked, voice shaking as he straddled Soobin, wet entrance massaging Soobin’s cock through his brief. “Want you inside.” 

Soobin pulled his face down for a kiss, and when he pulled away, he said: “Not today, baby.” The endearment both foreign and familiar omto his own ears, and for a moment he was unsure how Beomgyu would take it.

“Why?” Beomgyu didn't seem to think much of the word, but he looked as if he would break down, even if he’d just come. It wasn’t sexual, his Omega instinct was calling for him to satisfy his Alpha mate. Soobin kissed him again when he whined: “Don’t you need me?”

“I do, I do.” Soobin assured and pulled him closer as he pulled his brief down, freeing his hard cock. It sprung out and slapped lightly against Beomgyu’s butt cheek. “But not today. I don’t have condoms with me.” He said and held onto the base of his cock as he started stroking it against Beomgyu’s cleft. Hearing his reasoning, Beomgyu’s sanity seemed to have returned a bit, because he didn’t persist anymore. But much to Soobin’s surprise (and absolute delight), he turned his head a little bit, exposing his nape even more in an invitation. 

“Don’t bite too hard.” He muttered as he held onto Soobin much tighter.

“You don’t have to let me do that.” Soobin kissed his ear. He licked at the mark, nibbled on it a little bit, but didn’t bite, even though his mouth was watering at the idea. His breath got heavier as he started to rut his hips against Beomgyu, cock nestled between the fleshy cheeks. His hands came to knead on Beomgyu’s ass, pushing them together to get more friction as he thrusted harder and harder. Beomgyu was leaking, his slick coating Soobin’s cock and Soobin swore if he wasn’t careful he would have slipped inside many times. And the thought of entering Beomgyu accidentally when he wasn’t supposed to, when he was trying to not to do just that - actually turned him on even more. Soobin had some problems and he acknowledged that.

“Fuck.” He cursed when he came, stars exploded in his eyes and Soobin swore his eyes rolled back for a second as his cum splattered on Beomgyu’s butt, back and even the steering wheel and the leather seat. 

Beomgyu held him through his orgasm, a hand came to wrap around his throbbing cock, moving up and down, milking the last of the cum out and Soobin could only bury his face into Beomgyu’s nape, whimpering pathetically.

 “Wow.” Beomgyu said after a while, as he looked at his hand in amazement. “Do you even masturbate?” 

Soobin let out an exasperated laugh as he found some wet wipes from the compartment in between the front seats once he calmed down. “Don’t,” He said when Beomgyu made to lick his fingers. Soobin took Beomgyu’s hand in his and started to clean his cum off of Beomgyu’s hand.  

“Why?” 

“Because that’s aggravating to me. I’m still super turned on.”

“We could go back to your hotel.” Beomgyu suggested even as he moved from Soobin’s lap to the passenger’s seat. 

“I would love that, if I didn’t have a flight to catch at six in the morning.” Soobin said as he crouched down to find Beomgyu’s collar which was discarded earlier. 

Beomgyu looked at him when Soobin leaned in. “You're coming back to Korea?” 

Soobin caressed Beomgyu’s mark one last time before helping him put the collar back on. “You sound like you don’t want me to leave.” He said wishfully. 

“I don’t. You should stay.”  

Soobin’s movement stopped, and he turned back to look into Beomgyu’s eyes. “Sure.”

Beomgyu blinked, as if he didn’t expect Soobin to agree at once. Hell, he probably didn’t expect that Soobin would agree at all. “Seriously?” 

“Yeah, Yeonjun can handle that million dollar deal on his own while I’m here having mind blowing sex with my ex. Sure he’ll understand.” Soobin said sarcastically when he was finally back in his seat and Beomgyu burst out laughing.

“Gosh, I thought you were serious for a moment.”

Soobin wanted to tell Beomgyu that he was, but he couldn’t. He stared at the steering wheel in silent frustration.

“I mean, I can come see you when you’re done with work anyways.” Beomgyu slowly said, after he finished laughing.

Soobin looked up in surprise. Beomgyu looked at him, and said: "I have something I want to talk to you about." He stopped, and added gingerly: "Unless you don't want to, that's also fine, I mean I understand, we broke up and all-"

“It’s fine.” Soobin cut him off as his heart rate started to accelerate, but he tried to appear calm. He didn’t want to look that desperate, yet he couldn’t help confessing: “I came to this event to see you anyways.”

Beomgyu let out a little gasp. “You did? Why?”

Soobin ran a hand through his hair and looked at Beomgyu. “Curiosity, I guess.” Soobin decided half of the truth was still the truth. He put his arms on the steering wheel and leaned on them. “When we dated, you had always made it clear that you hated being an Omega. I wonder what changed."

“Probably because I'm not…” Beomgyu started, but then stopped and heaved out a breath. “Not around people who make me feel like I'm inferior.” He muttered.

Soobin chuckled dryly. “‘People who made you feel inferior’. Was that why you broke up with me? I made you feel inferior because I'm an Alpha?" 

“No.” Beomgyu spoke slowly as he corrected Soobin: “But you loving me because I'm an Omega kind of has a similar effect.” 

At this, Soobin felt a nerve snap. He let out an incredulous laugh. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation again. After one fucking year.” He turned to Beomgyu: “I didn’t love you because you were an Omega. We dated for two years in college before you told me your real gender and I loved you even before that." 

“I know you love me. But you gotta admit the pheromones helped.”  

“Fucking hell, Choi Beomgyu.”  

“Tell me, Soobin, who was it that begged me to take off my collar so you can feel the mark?” 

“You could have said no if you hated it that much.” 

“But you wanted it.” 

“Back then all I wanted was to stay with you but you had no problem telling me no, so don't start with that now.”

“That’s different!” Beomgyu half screamed, and Soobin was taken aback when he turned back to look at the Omega, who was on the verge of tears. Beomgyu was shaking as he tried to hold back the sobs. Seeing that Soobin was silently looking at him with a loss for words, Beomgyu used the heel of his hand to wipe away the tears, and turned to open the door. “Forget this, I don’t know why I even- just forget it." 

Soobin cursed as he also opened the door and got out of the car. He caught up to Beomgyu in no time, and grabbed his wrist, spinning him around.  

“Beomgyu, Beomgyu, baby, look at me.” He said and held Beomgyu’s face tenderly in his hands. 

“I’m sorry. I can’t… I just -” Beomgyu shook his head, as he spoke incoherently between sobs. Soobin’s heart broke into a million pieces as he pulled the younger into a hug. 

“I’m sorry too.” Soobin whispered and kissed his head. “I missed you. When I heard the news I thought maybe you worked out… whatever issues you had, and I just want to see how you are, and maybe we could talk… and the mark, I thought you would have removed it.” 

“You would know if I did.” Beomgyu sniffed. 

“I know, but still, it was agonizing. I just… Everyday I'm just scared that one day you wake up and decide that you would do it.” He admitted, but then Soobin closed his eyes, and as much as it pained him, as much as his instinct was screaming at him, he said: “But it’s alright. If you want to do that.” 

Beomgyu was silent for a while, before he gently pushed Soobin away, but not completely. Just enough so he could see the Alpha’s face. “What do you mean?” 

“If you feel like removing the mark is what you need, do it.” Soobin told him and cupped his cheeks.  

Beomgyu widened his eyes. “Soobin, I-"

He was cut off as Soobin’s phone vibrated. The Alpha was about to turn it off, but Beomgyu stopped him. It was just a second, but he had managed to compose himself. He looked at Soobin and said: “Take it.” 

“Beomgyu…”

“This isn’t a conversation we can have in this place.” He looked around the parking lot and stepped back. “I’ll see you again. I want to talk." 

“Really?” Soobin looked at him.

“Really. I’ll come find you after I'm back in Korea.” Beomgyu said, and added: “I promise.” 

Soobin looked reluctant, but he nodded. “Okay."

"Okay."

— 

"The last team's proposal is very original." Soobin commented, tapping his pen on the business plan in front of him. 

"But also risky." Yeonjun said as he quickly wrote something on the paper. "The majority of our patronage on the medicine side are middle aged Alphas and while I think most of them are disgusting, they wouldn't react well to that product."

"That's exactly why I want to do it. We need to broaden our range. Young people are better at promoting once you have instilled brand loyalty into them." Soobin said and pushed a clear file towards Yeonjun. He's finished assessing the business plan with notes and comments. "I've been looking at the reports, every other branch is doing well, but medicines flunked hard, and that's pulling us back. I don't want to waste money to appease the old geezers on the management board."

Yeonjun looked at the documents. "Well, convincing those old geezers is going to take a lot of energy." 

"I don't mind. They have seen my judgement. I've never made a single wrong decision ever since I'm assigned this position." 

Yeonjun looked up, put his elbows on the table and linked his fingers together as he looked at his little brother. He said: "Medication that helps regulating Omega pheromones so they don't get nausea and physical pain when having sex with someone who is not their mate… Do you know what this would sound like to the public?" He asked, and answered the question himself: "'Are we supporting infidelity now? Are we encouraging Omegas to have affairs? What's the point of marking, if we're just going to disable the effects of it?' Those are the questions you need to answer if you want to go through with this plan." 

Soobin didn't react to the challenge in his brother's voice. He simply fiddled with the controller of the projector and soon, the screen lit up. Pointing to the words on it, Soobin said: "I'll have my assistant send you the documents later, but here is the debate surrounding sexual imbalance between the genders. It has generated immense media coverage since July." Soobin then turned to Yeonjun: "No, we're not supporting infidelity. We're supporting sexual freedom regardless of gender. If mated Alphas can have sex with others without physical pain, so can Omega. Fidelity is integrity and self-perseverance, not something regulated by pheromones."  

Yeonjun lifted an eyebrow and changed his position, he leaned back on his chair and said: "Very well said. But are you sure this is nothing personal?"  

Soobin didn't answer right away, and it was confirmation enough. The older one laughed. "Choi Soobin, if this is your way of trying to woo Choi Beomgyu…" 

"It's not." Soobin said. "And what's wrong with motives being personal? Everything starts with personal experience." 

"Staring with personal motives is okay, just don't let it cloud your judgement."

 Soobin turned off the projector and said calmly: "I said what I said. The numbers don't lie. This is good publicity." 

Yeonjun shrugged. "Fine. You're the CEO." 

"And you're the Managing Director. You know this."

 Yeonjun laughed. "I can't deny that." He pushed the documents aside and sat more comfortably: "But I'm also your hyung. And business talks aside, this hyung wants to know about your relationship with a certain Omega businessman that's been making headlines these days." 

"I told you everything you needed to know." 

"You didn't tell me shit, I found out myself. Thanks to Choi Beomgyu coming out as an Omega, I was able to make the connection between him and the mysterious Omega you mated with two years ago. Who also dumped you two months after you mated."  

Soobin glared at him. "He didn't dump me. It was a mutual agreement."

Yeonjun only shrugged.  

"Honestly, you guys hid it so well." Yeonjun ran his hands through his hair. "I still remember how shocked dad were when you told him you mated with someone, only to come home later saying that you guys broke up. That was a rollercoaster of emotion." 

"He didn't want anyone to know that he was an Omega." Soobin explained. 

"Then what changed now? For him to come out like that?" 

"I don't know." Soobin wasn't sure. He had hoped that some of the reasons had to do with him, but at the same time he didn't dare to hope. 

"Darling, as an Omega, I can assure you the inferiority complex is our ultimate starter pack." Yeonjun said. "And seeing the precedent..." He paused, but quickly continued: "I can understand him to some extent. His family is weird for making him feel like he has to live as an Alpha, but I also think that it's his own issue and you can only help so much." 

"I told him to remove the mark." Soobin blurted out. 

Yeonjun stared at him for a while, before slowly saying: "And I assume you do it because you want to terminate the bond, so you both can move on and mate with someone else?" 

"I don't want to mate with someone else." 

"Then are you stupid?" Yeonjun rubbed his temples. He didn't prepare for the news his little brother told him. "Soobin, do you know what impact that would have on both him and you? And don't tell me it's a normal procedure now. The fact that it doesn't permanently impair you doesn't mean that you don't suffer for years after it. Some people were diagnosed with depression for the longest time. And it's not even guaranteed that you can mate with another person properly after that. You know this." 

Soobin didn't answer the questions, and only closed his eyes tiredly. 

Yeonjun pushed the documents he's finished signing to the side, and continued as he tapped his finger on the table to make a point: "Your bond wasn't unwanted. Both of you agreed to it. You said so, right?"

"Well, maybe we didn't think it through. Maybe he didn't think it through." 

 Yeonjun looked at Soobin and sighed. "Look, hyung's not in your situation, so I can't really tell you what to do. But Beomgyu could have done that two years ago when you guys broke up. Your bond was new then, it would have been easier to just do that. There's a reason why he kept it all this time. The mark doesn't affect Alphas as much as Omegas… sexually." 

Soobin looked up at him with red, tired eyes. "As you can see, I don't really benefit from that." Soobin had attempted to date someone else, but the intact bond kept reminding him of his mate and he found no enjoyment whatsoever. 

"My point is that," Yeonjun made the Italian gesture. "If Beomgyu wanted to break it off, he would have done it and not waited until this day." 

Soobin sat in silence as he let the words sink in. 

"So, breaking up the bond now is not the answer." Yeonjun concluded. "So talk to him again. Resolve whatever. Get closure. Then you guys can decide what to do next. Business transparency, did you forget all of what dad taught us, Choi Soobin?" 

Soobin nodded.  

"And If you think it's better to have the mark removed, I hope that it's for your interest." Yeonjun continued.

Soobin didn't reply, but only nodded in acknowledgment. Seeing him like that, Yeonjun cleared his throat and tried to change the subject: "Anyways, how is it with the Omega dad set you up with?"

"God, no." Soobin mumbled. "He's nice, he bakes and stuffs. I still have his cookies in my office if you want some." He said tiredly. "He also has someone else he likes. We agreed to meet a few more times to calm the parents before telling them we're not compatible."

"Thought so too. You're still mated with Beomgyu for god's sake. I don't know what dad is thinking."

Soobin nodded, and when he opened his mouth to reply, a knock on the door jolted both of them out of the small bubble they were in.  

"What is it?" Yeonjun frowned and looked at the watch on his wrist. "There's still a minute left until my next schedule…" 

"Excuse me, Director Choi and Mr. Choi, but a guest by the name Choi Beomgyu is here for Mr. Choi." 

Soobin dropped the shiny black pen he was holding ungracefully, and Yeonjun chuckled. "Speak of the devil." 

"Lead him to my office. I'll be there shortly." Soobin ignored his brother and said. 

"Yes, sir", replied his assistant.

—

 When Soobin got to his office, Beomgyu was already there. The younger man was wearing casual clothes, and he looked much younger because of that. The white T-shirt with Beomgyu's favourite flannel and faded skinny jeans reminded Soobin of their college days. His heart ached with the fond memories. 

"Hey." Beomgyu said with a smile, but Soobin didn't reply right away. He walked around his work desk to put the documents on top of it, his eyes on Beomgyu all the while. "What?" The younger man asked, his smile fading. "Is there something on my face?" 

"You're not wearing the collar." Soobin voiced his observation. 

"Ah." Beomgyu said, and shrugged. "I figured that if I let people know that I already mated with someone, they would be less likely to hit on me. A mated Omega's pheromones could only affect their partner, after all." He rubbed his neck, and as if on cue, the scent of lilies of the valley with a hint of vanilla filled Soobin's senses. 

"Oh," Soobin said, his mind a bit dazed. He said: "Do you want something to drink? I can have my assistant prepare you something." 

"Coffee would be nice. And are those cookies?" Beomgyu’s gaze was fixated on the pretty transparent box with an assortment of butter cookies on the coffee table. 

"Uh…" Soobin started awkwardly, then quickly decided to save himself some trouble and not telling Beomgyu where the cookies were from. "Yeah. Do you want some?"

"Yes, they look nice." Beomgyu said and sat down on the couch as he opened the box of cookies. "Are you busy though?" He said, studying the teddy bear shaped cookie before taking a bite.

Soobin called for his assistant through the intercom and told him to prepare some coffee, and shook his head. "No… Yeonjun hyung actually made me take the day off." Bless the man, Soobin thought. He gestured to the sofa. "You want to sit down?" 

But Beomgyu didn't take the seat offered. He  wandered closer to the bookshelf on the side of Soobin's office and looked at it. "So this is where you work." 

Soobin suddenly realized that it was the first time Beomgyu was here. "I got assigned to this office a year ago." After convincing the shareholders that he was capable of taking on such responsibility. "What about you? Can I drop by your office sometimes?"  

"Sure." Beomgyu agreed at once. "But it looks nothing like this… this corporate-y room." 

"Is that so?" 

"We work in art… and even though I founded my company, Taehyun is the person who's running the more technical things. I'm mostly there to paint, make some decisions, and assess the art works." Beomgyu said as he took out his phone and swiped through it. He then walked towards where Soobin was standing next to his desk to show him the pictures. "Here. My studio." 

It was a broad and bright space, with sunlight, plants and a miscellaneous of decorations which do not belong in one category, yet somehow they managed to look good together. Probably because it was Beomgyu who organized them. They would have looked very different under Soobin's hands. Soobin had no artistic bone in his body, Beomgyu had said so a long time ago. 

"It's a bit messy though." Beomgyu said as he leaned closer to show him more pictures, and Soobin could smell his shampoo and his body mist, which was also a mixture of flowery vanilla scent. He wondered why Beomgyu needed a perfume like it, when his pheromone was naturally that way. And then it dawned on him that since they were already mated, Beomgyu's pheromones are much duller to other people. Besides him, nobody could really tell what Beomgyu's pheromones feel like. 

"It's pretty." Soobin commented, as his eyes fell on the side of Beomgyu's face. 

The compliment got a smile out of Beomgyu. The younger tucked his phone away and looked up. "Anyways, are you really not busy? I came unannounced after all. I'm surprised the reception let me in." 

"I told them as soon as I came back. You said you'd come."  

"Mm." Beomgyu hummed, as he leaned back against the bookshelf. 

"And I'm not busy." Soobin said again as he sat down on his chair, turning to the side to face Beomgyu. He thanked Yeonjun for giving him the day off. He had another business trip to another city and had only come back that morning.  

"You look tired." Beomgyu said softly, as he walked closer. He leaned gingerly on the desk, half sitting on it as his hand brushed Soobin's cheek gently.  

Soobin hummed and closed his eyes. 

"I know we said we would talk… but it doesn't have to be now, you know." Beomgyu muttered. 

Soobin opened his eyes in alarm. "It's fine. I have no schedule for the rest of the day." 

"Then maybe we can talk over dinner." Beomgyu said as his finger absent-mindedly traced Soobin's ear, his jawline and his chin. 

Soobin let him do whatever he wanted. He looked at his watch. "Then what are we supposed to do until dinner?" He looked up after asking, to find a suggestive smile on Beomgyu's lips. 

Soobin reflexively turned his head towards the door. 

Soobin's family business had been rather traditional before he took over. The CEO's office used to be a closed space with a big and heavy wooden door. Soobin had spent the majority of his childhood in that office doodling dragons and aliens, but he hated it. When he was in charge, one of the first things he did was moving to a newer part of the building, where offices are open spaces with more sunlight and better views. His current office was like that, separated from the remainder of the floor by a mere glass wall, the only means of privacy were thin blinds, which were half open. The design was supposed to reflect corporate transparency, but that didn't mean his employees needed to know about their boss' romantic rendezvous. Not that Soobin had ever brought anyone to his office.

 And more importantly, should they engage in sexual activities even before talking things through? Probably not.

 But then again, he'd never been able to resist Beomgyu. 

And so when Soobin's assistant came knocking with Beomgyu's coffee, Soobin's movement came to a halt, and he had to put a hand over Beomgyu's mouth to prevent the whine he was letting out. 

But Beomgyu wasn't having any of it, he frowned and turned his head.

"Don't stop…" Beomgyu begged, hands reaching out to press on Soobin's head, wanting him to go back to doing what he had been doing. "Please, hyungie…" He sobbed as his legs tightened, trapping Soobin in between.  

Seeing that Beomgyu was too far gone to care, and his hand wasn't going to block all of the sounds he was making, Soobin made a quick decision and pulled off his tie, and shoved it rather forcefully into Beomgyu's mouth. 

"Let me send him away first." Soobin whispered, and thought that there was no way his assistant didn't know, with the blinds suddenly closed and the door locked like that. Beomgyu didn't even hide that he was an Omega when he came in, Soobin could already imagine the topic of office gossip for the next few months. 

When his assistant left, Soobin leaned down to take the bunched up tie away, and almost immediately, Beomgyu let out sobs as he shook violently, and Soobin realized the younger man had cummed. His cock was twitching, shooting white strings of cum onto his belly, while his asshole was a wet, slippery mess. The clear liquid of his slick leaked out, dripping onto Soobin's work desk and the older man didn't know how he could ever work on this desk ever again.

 "Did you come already?" He muttered. 

"Just the front." Beomgyu mumbled, as he spread his legs. Soobin's cock twitched at the sight, when Beomgyu's hands slithered downwards and opened his butt cheeks, revealing the twitching entrance. Soobin reached for his wallet, where there was a condom inside.  

Soobin stared at the obscene view as he rolled the rubber on his shaft, and lined the head right at Beomgyu's entrance.  

"Put… Put it in my mouth…" Beomgyu suddenly said, and for a second Soobin looked at him confused, because Beomgyu's body language was very clearly and explicitly telling him where to insert his cock. And seeing his confusion, Beongyu rolled his eyes a bit as he motioned his head to the bunched up piece of fabric on the side, which was Soobin's expensive tie. 

And then it dawned on him. Soobin looked at Beomgyu in amazement. He picked up the tie, but before he put it in Beomgyu's mouth just as he asked, Soobin told him: "Tap on my arms if it gets too much and you want me to stop, okay?" 

"Okay." Beomgyu nodded, and Soobin held his jaw, making him open his mouth.  

"I would love to put my cock in here, but it's booked for another event." He said, pushing the tie in Beomgyu's mouth, pushing in until Beomgyu's cheeks were stretched to accommodate the object. Soobin stroked his lower lip with his thumb, before leaning down to bite on it lightly, making Beomgyu jolt.  

The tip of his cock was flushed against Beomgyu's entrance. And it was probably agonizing for Beomgyu, because he threw his head back, legs spread into an M shape as he put both of his feet on the table, while opening up for Soobin.  

Soobin didn't waste time before pushing in, the act which elicited a rumble from Beomgyu’s chest, as he couldn’t make any sound because of the bunched up tie in his mouth. Soobin swore he could have cum right there, the inside of Beomgyu felt as hot and wet and perfect as he’d remembered. He stopped for a few seconds to keep composure, and right before Beomgyu’s impatience thinned out, Soobin started to move. He slammed into Beomgyu who readily took all of his thrusts with equal enthusiasm.  

“Fuck,” Soobin cursed, hips moving on his own in a messy rhythm. He felt like a virgin, going crazy over the first time being inside his lover, yet Beomgyu didn’t seem to mind. Even when he couldn’t make much sound, his slick came out in streams, dripping onto the carpeted floor and Soobin honestly wanted nothing more than to drink all of it. He was so turned on he couldn’t think straight. “Fuck, baby, let me come once first…” He buried his head into the crook of Beomgyu’s neck, feeling the thick pheromones wrapped around his head, making him dizzy. With a particular hard thrust, his cock twitched, and he came deep inside. 

Beomgyu followed him a little bit later, shuddering as slick gushing out. Soobin let his cock slip out of Beomgyu with a small sound, as he held both of Beomgyu’s thighs and spread them apart. Beomgyu’s eyes went wide when Soobin’s tongue licked at his entrance, all the way to his perineum and back. And then, he almost sobbed as he heard obscene slurping sounds. Thanks to the gag in his mouth, the whole floor was spared from his pleasure induced wails.

 Beomgyu could barely catch his breath when Soobin moved away, because the next second, he was lifted up and seated on Soobin’s lap, the other sitting on his CEO chair. Soobin kissed Beomgyu’s cheeks and the side of his face comfortingly, yet his veiny hands were already working on replacing the used condom with a new one. Soon enough, he was entering Beomgyu again, the other shut his eyes, tears from over stimulation seeped out under thick eyelashes and Soobin kissed them all away. Because of the gag, Beomgyu couldn’t close his mouth, so drools were pooling at the corners of his lips. Soobin tucked a strand of wet hair behind his ear and kissed him again, as he thrusted leisurely. He pulled the tie out of Beomgyu’s mouth, despite the little whine of protest.

“Sorry, the gag is hot, but I can’t kiss you like this.” He whispered and that immediately convinced Beomgyu. The younger closed his eyes when Soobin kissed him slowly and deeply, much like their love-making this time.

“Oh god, yes…” Beomgyu moaned as Soobin’s calculated movement made the Alpha’s cock pressed against all the right places inside. "It's been so long, too long…"

An hour later.

As they catch their breaths, Soobin held Beomgyu in his lap, looking at the flushed and drowsy omega.

Soobin caressed his cheek, and he knew Beomgyu would probably chalk it up as pheromone induced talk, but he still said with all his heart: "I missed you."

Soobin didn’t expect Beomgyu to turn his head, so his lips met Soobin's palm, placing the tiniest of kisses there. And then Soobin heard him say: "I missed you too."

Suddenly, Soobin kind of understood what Beomgyu was feeling. Because at that moment, he too, thought that maybe it was pheromones induced talk. 

He desperately wished it wasn’t, though.

—

“You didn’t scent my mark.” Beomgyu said quietly when Soobin left to find a change of clothes for both of them.

“I thought you didn’t like it.” Soobin said as he browsed through his office wardrobe. He was already wearing another shirt, but there was nothing else that could fit Beomgyu. Soobin thought briefly before hitting the intercom for his assistant. When he was done, he turned around to find Beomgyu with an unreadable expression.

Beomgyu was leaning on the headrest of Soobin's chair. His cheeks were still flushed and his breath barely regained its normal rhythm. He curled up in the small space, with only Soobin's jacket covering the nakedness, as he peered at Soobin through thick, wet eyelashes. He looked so vulnerable like that. Soobin wanted to pull him close and feel him, but wasn’t sure if he could do so, given the state of their relationship. The person who carried his mark, who was supposed to be the closest to him, was ironically the one he had to be conscious around.

"I think your assistant knows." Beomgyu said.

Soobin could only nod his head in agreement. "Probably." He replied, having just asked his assistant to find new clothes that were definitely not his size. Soobin then made his way to the mini fridge in his office.

"He didn't seem very surprised." Beomgyu commented as his eyes caught a clear file on the floor with some papers in it. "Did you bring a lot of people to your office?"

"For business purposes, yes." Soobin said, rather cautiously, as he took out two bottles of water. He opened one, and walked back towards Beomgyu. Their conversation was suspended for a short while when Beomgyu suddenly crouched down to pick up the fallen documents. 

"... Interesting product proposal you have there." Beomgyu said when Soobin finally came back. "Pheromone regulating pills for mated Omegas… are you guys going through with it?" He asked, and stopped as realization dawned on him. "Sorry, was that supposed to be confidential? I didn't mean to look." 

He received the bottle of water from Soobin, who took the clear file and placed it back on the desk. Soobin had cleaned the surface with tissues, but the carpeted floor was still a problem. He figured he would leave it to his assistant again.

"It's fine. I'll have you sign a NDA on your way out." Soobin said jokingly, which elicited a grin from Beomgyu.

"For the business information, or…" he gestured to his still very naked self. Soobin had accidentally ripped Beomgyu's pants, and Beomgyu came on his own shirt. There was no way he could wear the clothes he wore when he entered again.

"I don't think it would be necessary for the latter case." Soobin said, knowing all too well that his assistant had already spilled the tea to his co-workers by now.

"Would it be a problem for you?"

"What is?" Soobin said as he leaned his back against the bookshelf, eyes on Beomgyu's figure as he watched the Omega sitting on his chair, behind his work desk, in his office. It created some sort of false satisfaction, which was soon broken by Beomgyu himself.

"Sleeping with an Omega in your own office within working hours." Beomgyu nonchalantly said. "Like, your public image has always been so unproblematic. Won't this make your employee think, 'ah, he's just another Alpha'?"

"They can think whatever they want, I don't care." Soobin looked him in the eyes as he slowly said: "Plus, if they knew it was my mate, they would understand." Workplace laws protect mating bonds. In an emergency situation when one is in heat or rut, rooms can be cleared for that person and their partner. Most good companies have designated rooms for that and Soobin's was no exception.

Beomgyu didn't respond to that.

Soobin studied Beomgyu's expression contemplatively. “You look unhappy."

"You can tell?" Beomgyu lifted an eyebrow, sarcasm dripping from his voice. 

"Yeah, I can tell because you've always been like that the last few months before you broke up with me." Soobin said casually and took a sip of water. 

Beomgyu didn't deny that.

"I don't get you at all." Soobin said. "You freaked out after we mated, and wanted to call things off. But you never removed the mark. And now you're showing up here."

Seeing as the conversation had reached another pause, Soobin asked the question that has been on the back of his mind for a while.

"Why did you come to see me, Beomgyu?" 

Beomgyu glanced at him as he tapped his fingers on the desk, following an invisible tune. "The sex is really good."

Soobin felt his heart ached. But he only lifted an eyebrow at that, trying to sound calm. "Sex? Did you want to have sex one last time before removing the mark?" 

Beomgyu shook his head and explained: "Well you see, unlike Alphas, mated Omegas can't exactly have sex with others without experiencing severe discomfort." He swung the chair around to face Soobin, and the other saw a scowl on his face. "So while you're out there having lots of fun with-" he gestured to the direction of the coffee table, "other prettier, younger Omegas, I'm forced to celibate."

Soobin looked at the opened box of cookies on the table. 

Beomgyu folded his arms as he snickered. "You didn't open it, so you didn't know. The Omega who made the pretty cookies left you a very nice note, it was also infused with his sweet pheromone."

Soobin walked towards the box, and indeed, next to it was a small greeting card Beomgyu had placed there.

/ Soobinie hyung,

Thank you for the great times >3< I'm glad the one my dad introduced to me this time is you. You're so gentle and understanding, the best Alpha I've ever met. 

Please enjoy these cookies I baked with love <3

Hueningie /

Oh. Soobin thought. He turned around to see an unimpressed Beomgyu, and it probably wasn't appropriate, but Soobin's heart was cheering. The jealousy was evident in Beomgyu's voice, but then he could just be pissed because he couldn't have sex freely while (he thought) Soobin was getting some. After having successfully demoralized himself, Soobin said:

"I don't deny that there have been attempts to see other people. But nothing has gone that far. Unfortunately, I am also practicing involuntary celibacy." 

Beomgyu looked at him questioningly. "Why? It's not like your body punishes you if you have sex with another person."

Soobin laughed in exasperation. "Do I have to spell it out for you, Choi Beomgyu?" He ran a hand through his hair. "I can have sex with anyone I want, yes, but I don't want to. Even if you've managed to convince yourself that it's just the mark for me… It's not."

Beomgyu swung the chair around so he didn't face Soobin anymore, and a part of Soobin was amused seeing how Beomgyu was so natural doing that. As if he belonged to this place. It was after a while that Beomgyu turned back, face molded into a stoic one that Soobin knew as the business face. Yet the fact he was still very naked, and looked so tiny in Soobin's chair made him look adorable. Soobin tried to keep a straight face when the other said:

"I said I wanted to talk, and I'm going to. But before that… since both of us are businessmen, I'll just cut to the chase and tell you my proposition, as well as the terms and conditions."

Soobin nodded. "Fair enough." He motioned for Beomgyu to start. 

Beomgyu took a deep breath and said: "Let's discuss the pros and the cons of us…" Soobin's poor heart skipped a bit when Beomgyu said, "getting back together." He clarified: "By discussing, I mean we can try again. Getting to know each other, with me really living as an Omega, now that I'm out."

Soobin didn't respond verbally to that, and only slowly nodded.

"Well? What do you think?" Beomgyu asked.

Soobin looked at him. "What would happen then, if it doesn't work out?"

Beomgyu was silent. After a long while, he said:

"Then I will remove the mark, and set you free."

As soon as he finished the sentence, Soobin could see the corners of his eyed got a bit red. Beomgyu swung his chair around again.

Soobin wanted to hold him so much it hurts.

"Fine." He said. "Let's try again."