Archive of Our Own

Jisung's days don't follow any certain routine, because he cannot be bothered to hold on to any strict schedule for too long. It's already a miracle he shows up to all his classes on time.

However, there are certain things he checks off his mental list every day.

-Grab coffee with Minnie and Lixie, regardless of the hour.

-Hit the studio, even when there are no deadlines.

-Find Minho-hyung, and greet him if possible.

The timing of these things doesn't matter, only that they happen.

Jisung will meet the others for their morning coffee if he wakes up early enough before his first class, if not they'll debrief in the afternoon. Sometimes Hyunjin joins them, dragged along by Felix after they finish dance practice.

Sometimes it's not even actually coffee. Jisung used to order herbal tea during that brief, and delusional, period he thought he could quit caffeine. Seungmin laughed at him and pushed a matcha latte in his hand after a week. What was he supposed to do? Deny such a rare and generous gesture?

After the cozy apartment he shares with Seungmin, and more recently Felix after the blond all but moved into Seungmin's nest, he considers the studio his second home.

It's technically open to all the music production majors, but everyone in the department knows it's pretty much Chan's. Chan is on good enough terms with the faculty to get away with it, and the other students are usually too in awe of him or too eager to work with him to ever kick up a fuss about how he basically lives in there. The older omega is there so much his scent is embedded into the soundproofing foam on the walls. Changbin and Jisung's scents linger to a lesser degree, though still enough to tell they spend a significant chunk of time there too.

Jisung shows up randomly to work on what he can for projects or for fun, even if it's two awkward sentences or yet disjointed melodies. He has to tell himself that creating something is better than nothing at all. Anything worth doing is worth doing badly, and music is worth more than most things in his life.

Sometimes he does nothing productive but just pesters Chan into going to his actual house. Sometimes he reads the latest chapter of one of his manga for inspiration, or naps on the lumpy couch. Being in there is not always easy, it's where he has to face most of his frustrations as a creative, but where he can feel the most fulfilled too. He knows his purpose there, it's why he makes it a point to stop by.

Seeing Minho however is the best, and probably the most important, part of his day.

Even if Minho doesn't see him. He usually doesn't. Jisung doesn't mind it, it's enough to watch the alpha for a few minutes every day. It soothes something in him to just know Minho is there, calmly going about his own day. Though he tucks every little greeting close to his heart when their paths run close enough that Minho gives him a cute nod or a soft hello.

The older is friends with Chan and Changbin, and recognizes Jisung as their friend. Sometimes Felix and Hyunjin are around Minho to talk to him as his underclassmen, and they become Jisung's excuse to approach instead. Sometimes the red-head younger alpha Minho is friends with is there, but he vacates the premises as soon as he spots Jisung heading towards them. He didn't used to, he seems to have learned better.

It's another early afternoon, and Jisung is taking advantage of the warming weather. Lazing about on the lawn with their Omega Council, swirling the ice in his clear plastic coffee cup when he spots Minho. That's two things crossed off his daily list at once.

His eyes track the alpha as he cuts across the quad to his next class. Jisung knows his schedule like the back of his hand, and the routes he likes to take through the campus. Minho doesn't like being late. Unlike Jisung, he's quite dedicated to his routines.

But he still pauses when he sees the campus tabby laid out on the grass sunbathing, and slowly crouches next to it to not spook the old cat. He has such a goofy smile on his face, his front teeth peeking out cutely, when the cat rolls over to be petted. Which is incredible because that hellcat hates literally everyone. Except apparently the angel that is Lee Minho, who does look the part in his fuzzy pink argyle sweater and the sun glinting off his light blond hair like a halo.

The scene is sweet enough to give anyone cavities, but Jisung has always had a terminally sweet tooth.

"I'm going to eat him."

"You sure he won't give you indigestion?"

"Shut up, Seungmin."

"Leave him alone," Felix says from where he is sprawled over Seungmin's lap soaking up the sun, much like Minho's new feline best friend only a few feet away. His freckles are already getting darker. "I think it's romantic."

"If Jisung's amateur stalking is what you find romantic, I question why you are dating me," Seungmin says.

"Love at first sight," is Felix's immediate answer. They are gross. Jisung tells them so.

For Jisung it was not quite love at first sight, even if Minho is objectively one of the most beautiful men he has ever seen. Nor love at first scent, though he knows that happens to a lot of young foolish wolves.

Jisung falls in love from afar and from near. Part of it is instinct he can't quite explain to others, Hans have always been scarily in touch with their inner omegas. Part of it just watching Minho exist. He just looks so sure of who he is and where he is going, it's something Jisung envies. Minho seems firm but never mean. Gentle, without being a pushover. Too kind really. To strangers he doesn't know, and to friends when Jisung is close enough to witness.

It's also the way Minho stares.

The alpha's unwavering gaze can actually be considered quite rude at times. Jisung is used to being looked at. He is a pretty little thing, looks cute and smells delicious, he's never been humble about that. Most people turn their heads to look at Jisung, take a whiff of his sweet scent. For a minute. Then they notice he doesn't file down his claws much. His teeth are too pointy, and he doesn't hide them well enough.

Minho doesn't back away though, doesn't always lower his eyes in submission. Sometimes Minho just keeps staring at Jisung.

That's when Jisung knows Minho needs to be his.

🍫🌶️

The official Mating Run happens only once every four years.

It's about the Moon, but it's also about fate. Being at the right place at the right time, and with the right people, is not something that can happen just every day. Or even every year. Jisung is lucky enough to be attending, luckier even that Minho hasn't graduated, when another highly anticipated running year rolls around.

There is no question he will run, he is a Han.

His parents are alumni of this very old and very prestigious school, and they mated during The Run. So did his grandparents. His family has always been Jisung's image of what love can be, intense but unwavering. He takes after them too much, feels things a little too strongly sometimes, but his mother always tells him it's a gift to be filled with love the way he is. And everything Jisung knows, he has learned from his dam, the scariest and the coolest omega he knows.

Omegas tend to be respected and feared in equal measure. It's only natural when they have the ability to give life as well as take it. Alphas might have bigger canines, but their bites fade like any other bruise. It's omega fangs that are sharper, deadlier. Only omega bites that can claim someone, rewire biology with their unique venom. Modern society might have moved beyond the old ways, mostly, but primordial instincts are hard to shake completely.

Mating Runs are one of those traditions that still remain. A rare opportunity where alphas can prove their worth, to show they are just as strong and fast to catch their omega and get their bite.

Some omegas dream of being chased to be courted. Jisung never did. He doesn't even like running.

Jisung would have liked to hunt, sorry, run, along side his best friends who are incredibly strong omegas of their own right, but Seungmin and Felix are medically exempt.

After the two omegas fully committed to the decision to mate, Seungmin started going under immunosuppressive therapy so that his body wouldn't attack Felix's venom and his bite could take. It'll be Felix's turn next.

They poke fun at him for taking the easy way out falling for an alpha, but his friends know Jisung too well to actually question his decision to join The Run. They, and by that he means mostly Seungmin, do question whether he will achieve the outcome he wants. As far as they know Minho has no intention of running.

But Jisung believes in destiny.

"Minho-hyung will catch me." Jisung says, with the not entirely unearned confidence of an omega who has never been denied anything in life.

Seungmin turns to watch Minho sitting a few tables away in the same cafe they are, eating a cup of pudding and wiggling in his seat from happiness.

"Does he know that?"

"He doesn't need to," Jisung shrugs, "I'll make sure of it."

"Riiiiight. You sound sure at least."

"More sure than I'm feeling about our friendship at this moment in time."

"Don't take that tone with me Han Jisung, I know the consistency of your slick."

"We agreed to never talk about that again!" Jisung whisper-yells at him. "People are gonna misunderstand!"

"Oh you should be so lucky," Seungmin hisses.

Jisung's lip curls up on one side to bare his teeth at the other. A show of fangs is a classic sign of aggression between omegas, though Seungmin and him have lived too close for too long to be truly offended by the gesture.

And Seungmin always gives as good as he gets, the ginger in his scent kicking up from pleasant to biting in a flash. Jisung grins at him even wider, and lets the cayenne that hides under his own normally sweet scent permeate through the air, ready to choke the other omega out.

"Ladies, ladies," Felix cuts the rising heat with his decadent chocolate perfume melting in between both, laughing as he settles down with all their drinks. "Tone it down, please? You are scaring the poor alphas."

Jisung looks around, there are a couple of alphas anxiously glancing at their table. One actually looks like he is gathering up the courage to approach them. Jisung turns away immediately in dismissal. Minho doesn't seem to have noticed any of this, scrolling through his phone and still enjoying his dessert.

Jisung will run, he has always wanted to, though the desire only took a solid shape in his mind after he met Minho. The real problem is whether Minho will. And how to get him to sign up.

Besides friendly surface level interactions when Chan and Changbin are present, Jisung isn't that close with Minho. Not like he wants to be. And you can't just ask someone you aren't really familiar with whether they are joining a mating run.

A lot of people, sans Felix and Hyunjin because they are shameless perverts, are private about their sexual lives and partners. Minho seems extremely private about his. Chan and Changbin won't tell him shit because they are, unfortunately in this case, very good friends to the alpha.

Jisung only knows Minho isn't dating someone because he hasn't seen him with anyone out and about ever, or even smelled anyone else on him strong enough to indicate long term contact. He might be hooking up with people of course, though there is no bite mark on his neck, which thrills Jisung. He fantasizes about putting his own on Minho's delicate throat, and the golden opportunity has finally presented itself.

On the other side of the room Minho eventually gathers up his trash and gets up to leave, and he notices them right as he is passing by their table. He pauses and takes a subtle inhale before coughing, tip of his pretty nose just a touch rosy. Right, they must still smell very sweet and spicy over here. Jisung hopes Minho has a taste for it.

The alpha seems to come back to himself, and gives them a little wave, "Yongbokkie. Jisung-ah… and Seungmin, right?"

Of course Minho knows Seungmin's name too, Felix never shuts up about his man.

"What? No Seungmin-ah?" The guy in question mutters, and promptly gets kicked by Felix on the shin.

"Hello, Minho-hyung!" Felix says, giving him a tiny seated bow. Him and Hyunjin are a year below Minho and don't share classes, though Jisung knows they have recently been practicing together for a department showcase coming up soon. He's used up every single excuse he can to go spy on some of their practices.

Ever the social lubricant, Felix engages Minho in small talk while Jisung watches and surreptitiously sniffs at Minho. Minho smells like cinnamon, stronger than Seungmin's, and a trace of vanilla less classic for an alpha. It compliments all of them quite well.

With the way he looks, and his sweeter than usual scent, Minho could pass for an omega so easily. Jisung would still want him. Would be a little complicated, and he'd suffer through the same medical treatment Seungmin and Felix are going under but… there are worse things he'd do for love.

Minho gives them another smile as he leaves, and Jisung returns it with the heart shaped grin he is known for. Unlike the way his canines were supposed to agitate his omega friend, aimed at an alpha the gesture could be considered flirtatious. Look at that, my, my, how pretty your teeth are. What a wonderful bite you might have. Jisung doesn't show his teeth fully to just anyone, but if Minho understands the overture he doesn't give any indication.

A little bummed Minho didn't noticeably react to his sharp little fangs but still glad he saw the older for the day, even got a greeting, Jisung continues watching him through the windows until his blond head disappears around the block. He sighs forlornly, cheek squished against his hand, gaze still on the street that is now empty.

What's that saying again? Hate to see him go, love to watch him leave.

"Oh God, he's making that face again."

"What face?"

"The one where he is composing another song about Minho in his head."

Jisung kicks Seungmin in the other shin, "Hey! You like those songs asshole!"

🍫🌶️

They are crammed into cheap plastic seats in the auditorium to support Felix, and Hyunjin. Changbin is definitely here just for Hyunjin. Though Jisung would have invented some reason to show up even if only Minho was dancing tonight.

Minho is just so talented. The way the alpha dances is poetry in motion, total control over each limb, his body lines impeccable. Jisung breathes music. Minho moves with it. It's not one of his songs that is playing, maybe it'll be one day, but the way Minho's body follows the rhythm still makes Jisung feel like they are connected somehow.

He hasn't felt like this since he presented in high school, and his gums were terribly itchy with his new fangs coming in. He was a whiny brat about it, and Seungmin gifted him a chew toy. An honest to god puppy chew toy from the pet store, which wasn't fucking funny! Except, he kept the damn thing instead of chucking it at Seungmin's stupid head like he should have, and bit through the cheap plastic during his first few heats. The other omega had looked at him with a knowing grin every time he came back to class after a cycle leave.

Watching Minho dance feels like he is teething again. He rubs at his mouth, irritated and feverish. He just needs to bite something. Preferably the alpha's strong arms, or thick thighs, or his soft stomach. Minho, he is sure, would make a great chew toy.

Seungmin turns to him, arching a brow at his fingers still pressing on his jaw, and Jisung immediately tucks his hands under his thighs. It's still not funny.

As if the other omega is not slicking in his seat watching Felix thrust his dainty little hips on stage. Jisung wore s-liners in his underwear today because he is, if nothing else, self-aware. Thankfully everyone in the audience was required to be patched up to not overwhelm the room, because Jisung doesn't want to even think about what either of their scents might be telegraphing right now.

Unaware of their silent exchange, Changbin hoots and hollers for Hyunjin when the dancers take a bow. Somehow among the three of them, the cheerful alpha manages to be the least embarrassing.

Once they are let back into the backstage, Seungmin and him make a beeline for Felix who is glowing with sweat and excess glitter. They are congratulating the blond, when he spies Yang Jeongin approach and give a flower bouquet to Minho. Minho ruffles his hair. Those are not even his birth flowers.

Jisung is not jealous, because he knows better. The two alphas' scents are rarely on each other for long.

He accidentally makes eye contact with Jeongin when the younger looks over to where they are standing, and Jeongin frowns. What the hell is that supposed to mean?

"Hey," Seungmin detaches his mouth from Felix's glittery cheek long enough to come nudge his elbow, "What about him?"

"What about him?"

"Jeongin-ssi is really good friends with Minho."

"I'm aware," he grits out.

"You think we could ask Jeongin?"

"Ask him what?" Hyunjin appears as if he is summoned by the spirit of scheming.

Jisung is as subtle about his fixation on Minho as a sledgehammer to a lock pick. So Hyunjin knows, even if as a beta he can't quite pick up the subtle changes in Jisung's own scent when the older is within sight.

Changbin miraculously hasn't caught on. The alpha is normally very astute, both emotionally and olfactorily, but Jisung has tried to act absolutely normal around his hyungs whenever Minho shows up at the studio. And Hyunjin had to be threatened into not spilling his business to his mate, lest he lose attending their Omega Night privileges.

Those two have no secrets, not from each other, and unfortunate for Jisung's mental image of Changbin, not from anyone in hearing vicinity either. But it all works out somehow, because Jisung doesn't want to picture how his hyungs would take the news, and then clumsily try to help him with his love life.

He's doing just fine. He has a plan, it's a work in progress, but he has one.

"Uh… To hangout?"

"I think he'd be down," Changbin answers, "He drops by while we are at the studio sometimes, but Chan is always too busy to hangout. I'm sure he'd like friends closer to his year."

Jeongin drops by? To see Chan? Jisung knows he has bit of a Minho-tunnel-vision, but how did he miss that? Jeongin also keeps glancing over at their group and frowning, which currently doesn't include Chan because he had to talk to faculty and couldn't make it.

Hyunjin, Seungmin, and Jisung all look at each other. Felix looks between all of them, turns to see Jeongin fidgeting next to Minho, and then grins something devilish.

Yes, they will have to talk to Jeongin.

Changbin tilts his head, "I feel like I'm missing something."

"Don't worry babe," Hyunjin says, and distracts everyone by proposing celebratory drinks and figuring out where to go.

They, very casually, wander over to Minho and Jeongin to invite them as well. Jisung, also very casually, says "Chan-hyung wants to congratulate you too, he was sorry he couldn't watch the showcase but said he'll join us as there soon as he wraps up his meeting with Prof. Park."

Chan did not say that. But he will, as soon as Jisung texts him and begs, because Chan can never really deny him anything when he pouts enough about it.

The two alphas agree to come, but Minho says they'll also meet them later at the bar because he has to talk to some of the other dancers before leaving. Jeongin decides to wait with him like a good little friend. Or because he doesn't really want to hang with them too long without Chan there. Rude.

They catch up over the first round, Changbin's treat before Chan will insist on paying for the rest, while waiting for the others. Seungmin is determined to annoy Changbin into buying him the most pretentious and expensive mocktail since he can't drink while on immunosuppression. Jisung and Felix cheer him on each side, turning their best puppy eyes on their hyung.

"You three are menaces. Min and Han-ah were always like that, but you fit right in Lix. Where did Seungmin even find you?"

"Hah. So funny story—"

"Not that funny," Jisung faceplants on the table.

"Hush," Felix pats the back of his head, "So me and Sungie had this incredible one night stand freshman year, right?"

Changbin almost chokes on his cosmopolitan. Jisung never told him or Chan that he technically met Felix before Seungmin did, because it's frankly a little embarrassing. It had in fact been an incredible night, the two omegas had clicked immediately and had a wonderful and slickful time. Though by morning they had decided to become friends.

Felix had been taking his walk of triumph back home, with a promise to meet Jisung for coffee later, when Seungmin had come out of his room. All disheveled with his glasses low and a cozy cardigan on, smelling like a whole tray of gingerbread cookies, like he was the quintessential boy-crush character in a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Felix had taken one look at him before they almost all suffocated on the sudden smell of gooey double chocolate brownies. Felix was back in their apartment, this time in the other bed, before a fortnight. He could have at least waited a month.

Jisung is obviously happy for his best friends, but he'll also never live it down.

"That was me and Sungie," Felix draws a line between them in the air with his pointer finger, "Then me and Minnie." He completes a triangle. "So if we could just get all three of us in a room…"

"I don't think I needed to know all that." Changbin says, looking just a touch green, at the same time a fascinated Hyunjin blurts, "Can I watch?"

"I keep inviting Jisungie to be our third, but—"

"That's a slickery slope." Hyunjin grins. He has a beautiful smile, full lips, teeth that are very straight and very blunt. Also very annoying.

"Look at you making slick jokes, and not a drop of slick between your cheeks. Are you proud of yourself?"

"I'm very proud of you wife," Changbin says and smacks a big wet kiss on his cheek.

Being surrounded by couples as nauseatingly lovey-dovey as Changbin and Hyunjin, and Felix and Seungmin when they get going, will drive Jisung crazy one of these days. But he knows he is going to act, way, way worse, when it's his turn.

"I'm just saying! These two had already fucked before I met either of them," Felix waves a hand between Jisung and Seungmin which makes them both squawk. Then face each other, outraged at the other's outrage.

He hisses, "I'll sell your soul to Satan for one dance with him."

"Wow, cheap. But keep talking shit and I'll go tell him we were each other's first."

"God, I wish I had been there," Felix sighs wistfully, then turns to him with his best pout, "What about for my birthday?"

"First of all, it's my birthday too. Second of all, me and Minnie would end up killing each other, and then you'd be without a best friend or a mate—"

"Murder already? I keep telling you pups to behave."

Chan's hands lands on one shoulder each, and Jisung turns around to see the other three have finally made it to the party. He hopes Minho hasn't overheard any of their conversation.

"We are behaving!" He yells, louder than he should, "We behave so well!"

Smooth, Seungmin mouths. Jisung refrains from hitting him, because he is behaving. In front of Minho.

Minho, who has gotten rid of the striped satin shirt he was wearing on stage and is now in a tight black tank top and loose red cardigan falling over one shoulder, exposing his bicep and his armpit. He looks like a tall glass of water. After the booze he's had Jisung desperately needs hydration. It's only responsible.

Minho slides into the seat Jisung strategically left open, as Chan predictably offers to grab them the next round as the oldest. Jeongin elects to go help Chan carry the drinks back instead of sitting, which he'd also expected. It's the first time they've been this close, cramped in the booth, with all of their friends in the same space. Minho's knee knocks into his as he adjusts in his chair, their elbows brush on the table.

Unlike the audience, the dancers were not wearing patches so Minho smells particularly strong tonight. Hot cinnamon sugar. He obviously didn't shower after the performance. Jisung shakes his head to dislodge the thought of tucking his nose right into Minho's exposed armpit and taking a big whiff. That'd be impolite, right?

He tongues at the groove of his fangs as his mouth floods with saliva. It's too peppery even if he's mostly desensitized to the taste of his own venom. It kind of ruins the nice cocktail he's been drinking, but it didn't pair well with cinnamon anyway.

The rest of the night passes in a blur. Jisung is a little drunk on actual alcohol, and a lot on Minho's sheer presence. The alpha is a furnace next to him, and all his remaining mental faculties are focused on not flopping right onto Minho's strong shoulder, and nuzzling in to steal some of his warmth.

Thankfully Jisung is still wearing the scent patches so he doesn't also need focus on controlling his scent, and hopefully the others besides the Council will assume the flush on his face is from the drinks.

Minho makes a bad joke and nudges his shoulder when Jisung is the only one to catch it and laugh. The purposeful contact is electric. Jisung flushes even brighter red.

He won't remember any of their conversations later. Just Seungmin making faces at Jeongin who keeps staring at Chan. The echo of Felix's deep laugh and Changbin's high pitched cackle. Sticky residue on the table from the beer Hyunjin spilled. Minho's feline eyes glowing in the low amber lighting.

A blurry picture Chan took of all of them time stamped 1AM outside, to commemorate the first time all of them managed to hangout together, despite all eight knowing each other one way or another.

It'll be the first of many, but Jisung will treasure this evening forever.

🍫🌶️

Hyunjin flicks on the desk lamp as soon as Jeongin takes a seat.

They are gathered in one of the study rooms in the library Jisung reserved just for the occasion. It's probably the last time he'll do so, he's never liked studying in the library. The silence feels too oppressive, he is too conscious of every little noise he makes, the music that might still be audible from his headphones.

They aren't here to study though.

The youngest in the room doesn't seem appreciative of the light aimed directly in his face, but Hyunjin does love the dramatics.

"Is this really necessary? I only came because Felix-hyung called."

"Since when are you two even friends?" Seungmin asks, and turns on the overhead light they had dimmed for their ambush.

"Since orientation? Felix-hyung was kind enough to give me some advice then and—"

"Doesn't matter!" Jisung interrupts, "Jeongin-ah. We are all friends now, and we just want to chat. I think we can help each other, you and I."

"I don't see how."

"You see, Channie-hyung had mentioned he would be running this year."

Chan did actually say that. Perpetually busy and single, the oldest wants to give it a chance before he graduates at the end of this year. He is also tragically unaware of how many people might be interested in chasing after the Bang Chan.

"But I think you already knew that. I'll bet you already signed up."

"No- I—"

"It's okay, we all know you have a gigantic crush on him," Felix squeezes his bicep, and gives the boy a friendly shake.

Seungmin follows, "We also all know Chris will refuse to notice, unless you literally catch him."

"I can help," Jisung smiles, lips pressed closed. He doesn't want Jeongin to misunderstand. "I can start nudging Chan in your direction and make sure no other alpha gets close in the meantime. If, you convince Minho-hyung to run as well."

Jeongin might be surprised at his offer of aid, but he doesn't seem surprised by him bringing up Minho. He's too sharp-eyed for that.

"If you know Minho-hyung enough to want his knot, and God knows why you would," Jeongin mutters, "You know he doesn't really care for 'Alpha Bullshit'. He probably hasn't even noticed The Run is happening this year."

"Tell him it's good cardio," Seungmin says, "He can just come as your emotional support wolf and treat it as a nice 10K. Get his steps in. At night. In a restricted area."

"Hyung likes nature right?" Felix cuts in trying to be helpful, bless him, "That section of the forest is basically a national park!"

Jeongin actually seems to consider this.

Jisung is still miffed about the snide knot comment. He just knows Minho's knot will be as beautiful as the rest of him, and anyone would want it, excuse you Yang— But he doesn't start another argument in defense of his intended's knot, not wanting the young alpha to decide against helping them.

Besides, they'll basically be family soon. If Jeongin catches Chan. And when Jisung lets Minho catch him.

"So here's what we're gonna do…"

🍫🌶️

The weather is nice enough for a picnic outside.

They use the group chat, freshly made after the night at the bar, to get everyone to come out to the park on the weekend. There are wooden tables with benches scattered around with a small grill next to each.

Hyunjin brings fruit and fancy charcuterie. Jisung and Changbin buy probably enough meat to feed an army, of eight. Though Chan is the one who takes over the actual grilling. Changbin insists on helping, but quickly gets replaced by Felix.

Seungmin doesn't even get up to offer, says he contributed enough with snacks. It's quite the conundrum how Felix can cook fine, but adding Seungmin to the mix distracts both of them so bad nothing edible comes out of the endeavor. Between the two, and Jisung who can't really cook either, it's a wonder they don't collectively starve at home.

Minho shows up and without so much as a hi hello starts assisting the other two blonds with the meat and roasting the vegetables he brought. He is wearing a baseball cap backwards and sunglasses pulled over on top. White t-shirt stretched over his wide chest, basketball shorts, and sandals with socks. He looks like a cross between a frat bro and a grill dad, which to his own mortification is doing it for Jisung.

Half his attention on the alpha that makes him salivate more than the smell of the food, he and Jeongin try to assemble a simple cake the younger got the ingredients for. It's more store bought whipped cream than anything else, and Jeongin eats more of the strawberries than he puts in the cake.

While they are arguing over optimal berry decoration on top, Minho walks over to their side of the table with a piece of freshly cooked meat held between his fingers. Jisung automatically opens his mouth to receive it, lips brushing against Minho's warm fingertips as he closes his mouth around the morsel. Changbin whines about Minho passing him right by even though he called dibs, but Jisung barely hears it or even cares.

His future alpha just fed him.

He is going to feed everyone here, technically, but he hand-fed Jisung.

Jisung feels like his heart swells three sizes, the way a hamster's balls do when they are happy. Proportionally dangerous, as his heart will no longer be able to fit inside his chest, it'll break out from his ribcage and splatter right in front of Minho's sandal clad feet.

Just another casualty of love. And good food. Possibly hormones.

Impending heart failure aside, the meat is delicious. Perfectly cooked. Jisung did know Minho cooked a lot, he occasionally drops extra bentos to the studio to feed Chan and Changbin, which Jisung has also greatly benefited from in the past.

The feral omega that nests inside his mind rolls around panting happily, imagining what a good provider his alpha will be. Alphas are supposed to pamper their omegas, and he might not act like a stereotypical alpha most of the time but Minho takes care of people well.

Seungmin coughing pointedly brings him out of his fantasy about how else Minho might be able to take care of him. The other omega waves his paper fan straight at Jisung's face to clear the sudden oppressively sweet air. It feels like he is inhaling spiced hot chocolate. A touch too warm for the breezy spring season.

"Phew, that's strong. You good Han-ah?"

"Sorry! My heat was pretty recent haha, pheromones still all over the place. You know how it is."

Complete and utter bullshit. Jisung's last heat was at least a month ago, and he is incredibly regular. Felix purses his lips with wide eyes looking to the side because he can never contain a reaction, and Seungmin dramatically rolls his own. They know Jisung is lying, every heat is somehow everyone's business at their place.

Hyunjin too looks at him over his lowered sunglasses with raised eyebrows. The effect is a little ruined by the whole slice of watermelon he has shoved inside his mouth.

Ridiculous as he is with the reddish juice running down his chin, Hyunjin makes lounging at a rickety picnic table look like it ought to be on the cover of a magazine. The way he is leaning back Jisung can see part of the tattoo of a bite mark on his hip peeking from the edge of his crop top.

Changbin and Hyunjin have matching tattoos of each other's bites, Changbin's on his bicep, because they can't biologically mark each other. Hyunjin loves the idea of everlasting bites though, thought the tattoos would be romantic. They are, and they look very cool.

It also makes Jisung think about what permanency entails, whether through ink or venom. To mark someone's flesh forever, to be marked by them in return. It gives him the worst kind of urges.

Chewing on his own piece of fruit he turns to watch Minho again. What would it be like to be mated to Minho? Would the other flaunt Jisung's bite the way Hyunjin shows off his ink? Would he let Jisung scruff him while they are with their friends, fingers brushing at the edge of the scar? So riled up by Jisung's teasing at his mark would he snap and bend Jisung over the wooden table and—

Seungmin exhales a bone deep sigh but keeps fanning him, the fan pointed away from the rest of the table and the grill. It's nice.

Jisung tries to control himself, he does, but Minho looks so good flipping the meat and cutting them into pieces. He makes everything looks so easy. Involuntarily, his jaw starts moving rhythmically, his throat clicks, a low chattering sound emits from his throat. He is sure his pupils, laser-focused on the alpha, are dilated. If Jisung had a tail it would be twitching.

"And then Binnie thought it was a good idea to lick— I'm sorry. What the hell is that noise you are making?"

"Oh God, you'll get along even better than I feared," Jeongin says quietly, "Hyung loves cats."

Jisung doesn't say "I know", because it would be bragging at this point, but he hisses playfully.

"Is that like an omega thing?" Hyunjin asks, clumsily mimicking his chattering.

"No, it's a Jisung thing. Their family is super weird," Seungmin says around the pepero hanging limply from his mouth. He's been trying to get someone to take the bait, but so far no one has.

"I'm telling mama you said that!"

Seungmin is not wrong is the thing, Hans are weird. But weird is just another word for romantic. Jisung's father actually failed an entire year on purpose, just so he could still be attendance when his mother would be able to join the quadrennial Mating Run.

They talk about their families for a bit. Jeongin tells them that Minho grew up in an all beta household which is why he is, he waves his hand in the air, "like that." Changbin has alpha sisters which is why he is Like That.

Jisung comes from a long and unbroken line of male omegas. It was one of the reasons why from childhood Seungmin, the only male omega in his family, spent so much time at their place learning from Jisung's mother. Felix's family is very traditional, alpha dad, omega mom, three kids one of each subgender.

"Have any of you guys thought about kids?"

Jisung knows deep in his gut that Minho will be an excellent father. He can picture the soft alpha sitting on the floor a tiny pup on his lap, while Jisung watches over them and acts up just to hear the burbling laughter of their baby and Minho huffing at them all charmed.

The pup would have Jisung's cheeks and Minho's pout. It would be devastating.

Jisung knows from experience how hard it is to say no to an omega weaponizing their cuteness. He's positive his own son, sure to be another omega, will be even worse than him.

"What about you two? Felix-hyung, you love kids."

"It's too early, but we might adopt in the future? Or look for an alpha donor."

"Oh fun," Hyunjin claps, "If you could have any alpha to be your baby daddy who'd you pick?"

Felix and Seungmin look at each other for a second, before nodding and saying "Changbin" at the same time. Hyunjin cackles himself off of the bench.

It's a good day.

The bright sun warms their back, delicious food warms in their bellies. Both Jisung's stomach and heart is full to bursting.

They might have organized this get together with ulterior motives, but seeing all their friends together is lovely. Because they are all friends now, their occasionally intersecting little groups finally morphing into one.

It's common for there to be friction, especially between omegas when a big group starts forming, because they can get too territorial. Seungmin, Felix, and Jisung love each other to death though, even if two of them would never admit it out loud. And Chan is the most gentle omega there is.

The alphas all somehow fit too, no tension between any of them besides friendly bickering. No clashes between their scents nor their temperaments.

It feels like they were always meant to be together.

It feels like a pack.

 🍫🌶️

Jisung enters yet another study room, this time reserved by Seungmin because he refused to do it himself, with an iced coffee in hand. Only 5 minutes late. Great, he's already ahead of schedule.

"Good morning, my bitches and studs and non-binary betas!"

Jeongin frowns, "Hyung, that doesn't apply to anyone here."

Felix tilts his head, "Hm, I think Hyunjin is kinda non-binary with it."

"Thank you," Hyunjin says around a mouthful of croissant.

Seungmin flicks off the crumbs that land on his sleeve with a disgusted face. They aren't really supposed to eat here, but everyone does.

"So. Minho-hyung agreed to run with me, for moral support." Jisung can't help the laugh that bursts out of him. They hoped that silly angle would work of course, but he's still surprised that it actually did.

"He called my 'puppy crush' on Chan-hyung 'embarrassing' after the day in the park. Which is I suppose his prickly way of giving his blessing."

"Great. So now that everyone is on board, we can commence with the next phase of our plan."

"There are phases?"

"Yes. Obviously, all plans have phases. Please keep up! We still have a few weeks left before the run. We need to spend as much time with our targets—"

"Please don't call them targets."

"Yeah sure, spend time with the loves of our lives as much possible. Get them more used to our scent, make it so they can recognize even the faintest trace. Flirt where you can, make yourself an option."

Felix, who might as well be legally blonde at this point, laughs and says, "What, you gonna do the bend and snap too?"

"I might." Jisung strikes a pose, "Have you seen my ass?"

Which is met with Felix sticking his tongue out and shaking his head side to side obscenely, because the other omega has in fact seen his ass, and more.

Hyunjin looks him up and down, then nods, "He's got a point."

"Thank you! Anyway, the point, is to establish yourself as a viable candidate for their inner wolf."

"Speaking of wolves and instincts, I'm kinda worried about Minho-hyung. I can't really focus on him after I get on Chan's trail."

"Right, he doesn't do 'Alpha Bullshit', and there will be plenty of that during the run. You know how bloody some of the fights get."

"Hyung is a little intense yeah, but he wouldn't hurt a fly. He knows how to fight, but it'd be against his own philosophy to use that violence against someone not trained."

"He's a 'pacifist'," Jisung says, he's gathered that much.

"Doesn't he box?"

"Pacifistically, one would say."

"Literally no one would say that," Seungmin huffs.

Jisung ignores him, "Don't worry Ayen-ah. I'll be tracking Minho, and no alpha is gonna get close enough to even bother him."

"If you say so, Hyung." Jeongin looks a little skeptical at that, but Jisung has a reputation as one of the scariest omegas on campus for a reason. This is something that'll make some alphas want to chase him to prove a point of course, but he won't let any altercation happen close to Minho.

"Alright, meeting adjourned. See you next week?"

They can't always get all eight of them in one place but keep meeting in small groups to further their agenda. Jeongin and Minho 'run into' Jisung, when Jeongin invites the other alpha to check out the new sushi place near the school Jisung would be waiting at. Jisung 'suddenly remembers' he needs the studio for a secret project, and shoos Chan out to go with Jeongin for clothes shopping in his place.

The Omega Council, now with honorary beta and alpha members Hyunjin and Jeongin, meet again. Mostly to gossip, play games, and eat too many snacks.

Summer is almost here, and with it the air around the campus comes alive with anticipation for the Mating Run just around the corner.

 🍫🌶️

They manage to get everyone together again for a dinner about a week before The Run.

It oddly feels like the final supper. Except there is karaoke after.

There is unlimited drinks, but Jisung doesn't partake this time. For one, he has always been a lightweight and he wants to remember every single thing about this night. For two, he is on light cycle suppressants as an official participant of the Mating Run, and the medication interacts with alcohol badly.

The suppressants are to make sure no one going into the run is already in heat or rut. If any mating occurs it will trigger cycles shortly after, but administration doesn't want anyone's minds too addled during the chase. It is also to make sure everyone's pheromones are at a baseline, no one gets the advantage of heightened scents to find one another.

So that's some of the group stone cold sober, and some sloshed on cheap beer and highballs. Changbin and Hyunjin keep professing their love for Chan, who watches them with an embarrassed grimace and a box of pineapple juice cradled in his hands. Jeongin has consumed a concerning amount of energy drinks seeing this unfold, all the while he and Seungmin compete over ballads.

Jisung's glass of bright green cream melon soda is leaving condensation rings on the table next to Minho's pink strawberry one. Would it too presumptuous of him to ask to trade for a taste? Wrap his own lips around the straw that was sitting on the corner of Minho's mouth just a moment ago? It feels a little juvenile to be excited at the prospect of an indirect kiss, when he'd rather lick the strawberry flavor right out of Minho's sweet mouth.

His throat feels parched though. He sang several songs already, a duet with Seungmin, rapped with Felix, and even belted out a rock solo.

Minho gets up to sing next, and cues up an anime opening. Jisung gives a delighted shout when he recognizes the opening notes, and noticing his recognition Minho waves at him to join him at the mic.

Jisung can't say no, even if his vocal chords were too tired to work he couldn't say no.

It's a cheerful song. Bubbly and bright, all shoujo heroine cute. It suits Minho's voice. It suits both of their voices. Jisung is overcome with the need to write a peppy love song of his own just to have them sing it together.

After they are done Minho tells him, "I like your voice, Jisung-ah. You have an incredible range. But I already knew that, Chan-ah used to brag about you a lot."

"Used to?" He says mock offended, and counts it as a win when Minho giggles. "Your voice is lovely too, Hyung-ah. But I already knew that too, Channie showed us the song you helped him record."

"Tell me you are joking."

"Nope," He waggles his eyebrows, "I'd love for you to take me for a drive."

It feels easier to tease the older about the unsubtle lyrics, than to say what he's really thinking. If he was drunk like the others he might have waxed poetic about Minho's singing itself for hours. Could have described his mellow and smooth voice in detail, filled pages with notes on how steady it is, how well the other conveys emotion with the slightest changes in pitch.

He could have written another song, or five, for Minho to sing.

The rest of the group takes turns singing while Jisung tries to pay attention and cheer, instead of getting lost in Minho's presence alone.

The other two alphas do an energetic song filled with guitars together, dancing in front of the screen. Hyunjin and Chan sing something bordering on sultry, but Chan has to basically hold up a drunk Hyunjin up the entire time. Seungmin and Minho are pushed into singing a band pop song and sit back down immediately like they can't stand sharing the stage for too long.

None of them are wearing patches but small and enclosed public spaces like this have incredible air filtration. Even with eight people it's not suffocating, only the mildest versions of their scents remain, which blend together quite well.

At some point Chan switches seats to sit next to Jisung, "I heard you officially signed up Hannie."

"Aw, were you nervous to run alone Hyungie?"

And Jisung delights in the way Minho's face immediately snaps up to them.

Hook.

"Mhm, and where did you hear that Channie-hyung? I didn't take you one for idle gossip," he says back to Chan even though his eyes remain locked on Minho's. The sign ups are pretty private, unless you are organizing a whole scheme with your friends. But eventually info leaks, especially about the more sought after runners.

"Where? Everywhere!" Changbin laughs, "Pretty sure every eligible alpha on campus was talking about you this week Han-ah."

"Every alpha?" He tilts his head to the side innocently. Instinctively he knows Minho's eyes follow the motion, the alpha's gaze on his exposed mating gland almost a physical weight. He can't mark it of course, but alphas can dream too.

Line.

"Oh like you don't know," Changbin scoffs.

"Hannie, are you sure? I know it's been a big deal for your family but it does look like there might be too many runners this year. Will you be okay?" Chan worries, a lot. It's nice, though frankly unnecessary in this case.

Jisung’s teeth, and claws, are sharper than most. The run will be a cake walk. That's not what he says though, not the game he is playing.

He makes his eyes bigger, puffs out his cheeks, squirms in his seat a little hands clasped in front of his face.

"Then I hope a nice alpha I can trust reaches me before any other."

Jisung catches Minho's pupils dilate even in the darkness of the karaoke room with only colorful flashes from the screens.

Sinker.

🍫🌶️

People say it's natural to get cold feet the night before your wedding, which is what a mating run essentially is. It's even more binding than a piece of paper. He'll bind their bodies on a genetic level, permanently.

His best friends are giving him their version of a bachelorette party in their apartment. They have eaten an inadvisable amount of cheesecake. Seungmin made fancy coffees despite the late hour, that Jisung refused because he was already feeling too jittery and didn't need the caffeine to make it worse.

So after much grumbling Seungmin also made Jisung ginseng tea, because it is supposedly good for enhancing endurance and stamina. There was a lot of eyebrow waggling involved when Felix was pouring him the cup.

Jisung alternates blowing on the tea and his drying nail polish, Felix tried so hard to paint little pastel pink hearts on them. In contrast to the cute design, the ends of his nails on his right hand have been filed into very sharp points.

He flexes his claws again, he's been fidgety all night, more so than usual. He's been so confident about it all until now. He's still confident. He knows Minho will be there. He knows the alpha isn't uninterested. Everything else will work itself out.

"Maybe I'm just nervous because I'm a virgin…"

"Bullshit. You've literally had sex with both of us!" Felix yells, waving his free hand between himself and Seungmin. Who is now bent over cradling Felix's other palm, trying to paint the blond's own long nails a shiny silver. He's surprisingly good at it.

"Fine, a knot-virgin."

"That's not what your neon green silicon heat aide said," Seungmin mutters, and gently blows on Felix's ring finger.

Jisung splutters. That's the last time he is leaving his room unlocked in this apartment. Whatever happened to respecting another omega's privacy, never mind the fact that the three basically live in each other's nests.

"It's not the same and you know that!"

"I don't actually," Seungmin says archly, "I've never liked alphas."

Before Jisung can sarcastically congratulate him on being a gold star omega lover, Felix interrupts, "No, Sungie's right babe. You really can't compare the two."

Can't you? Now Jisung really needs to know how Minho's knot is going to feel like inside of him. Is he bigger that Jisung's dildo? He assumes so, he has seen the alpha walking around on campus in his slutty gray sweatpants.

Jisung usually can't come from his toys alone without stimulating his clit, but the toys aren't attached to a living breathing alpha that won't tire like his arms or his legs. A warm blooded and fall-scented alpha that can angle his stupid big cock just right until Jisung sees stars that aren't the glow in the dark ones on his ceiling.

He thinks about it too long, his scent deepens.

Seungmin gets up to open a window and then goes to get more snacks and water, since he's the only one not trying to smudge his nails anywhere.

"You could always join us Sungie, we could triple the slick!"

"Lixie, please stop saying that. And I think you are just fine with the double dose."

Felix pouts, he looks unbearably cute but at this point they are immune to each other's begging faces. "But our scents scents go so~ well together."

"Tell you what twin, if this mating run doesn't work out," which it will because Jisung doesn't do things by halves, "I will consider being your third."

"I never agreed to this!" Seungmin yells from the kitchen. The jealous bitch. Jisung should have never introduced them.

🍫🌶️

The Run will begin at dusk.

In the acres of lush forest the university has claimed ownership over since it was built on top of it a couple centuries ago. It's sacred land. Moon blessed.

It's so silly if he pauses to think about it, that they are getting school sanctioned fucking time thanks to such blessings, but tradition is stronger than common sense. Instincts are even stronger.

Jisung knows instinct can be a beautiful thing, he has always listened to his, but there is no reason to make it more than what it is. Their ancestors didn't get down less nasty than Jisung will here tonight. Moon willing, of course.

The participants start arriving at the clearing where flat grass turns into tall trees, separated in little groups of omegas and alphas. Some are talking with friends who came to observe the beginning, some are warming up, some eating.

Chan bends down to touch his toes next to him while Jisung glances around surveying the people gathered. He immediately finds Jeongin's ginger head in the crowd, looking directly at them. Or at Chan's ass.

Changbin is there too, flexing and showing the boy how to stretch. Minho and Hyunjin are sitting at a bench next to them, holding something in their laps.

"What are they doing?" He nods towards their friends. Chan's eyesight has always been better than his. Chan lets out a flustered little laugh when he looks up and his attention is rewarded by a wave from Jeongin.

"Um. Looks like they are eating… noodles. Carb-loading?"

"Aren't you supposed to do that the day before?"

"Really?"

"I don't know Hyung. I'm not really a runner."

"Hannie…" Chan has his best concerned older brother face on, "Aren't you literally about to do an intense and hours long run?"

Truth be told, Jisung doesn't like running. He tends to trip over his own feet even at regular speed. It feels less fulfilling than other exercise. People who talk about a "runner's high" are all lying masochists.

Jisung's goal tonight is not to actually run but to track and observe. Let alphas come to him, because they will, and eliminate them. Make his way closer and closer to Minho. He'll also keep his nose out for Chan in the meantime until Jeongin has the older's trail, but he knows the baby alpha will catch on quick. He looks sharp and ready.

So is Jisung.

"Hah. If you ever see me running," he licks behind a hollowed fang already tasting a drop of pepper hot venom on his tongue, at least a 30,000 on the Scoville Heat Scale. "You should run the other way."

Felix and Seungmin show up right then to send off their fellow omegas, and collect their phones for safekeeping since they can't bring anything with them besides the clothes on their backs. Seungmin haughtily stares down alphas that look over at them, while Felix fusses over their running outfits.

Chan is predictably in all black, loose exercise shorts and a muscle top. Jisung chose comfy white joggers and a matching long sleeved compression shirt. He isn't trying to blend into the forest at night.

"I wouldn't change Minnie for the world," Felix says, "But it might have been fun to get chased a little, you know?"

"You could always do an unofficial—"

"I'm not running for anything," Seungmin says resolutely. "Maybe if you give me a scooter."

"I should have known you would find a way to cheat at this too," Jisung sticks his tongue out, then dodges swing before Chan steps in between with disapproval written across his face. Felix cackles at both of them when they immediately stand down like puppies that just got scolded by their mom.

They still good-naturedly bicker for a while, Seungmin threatening to use Jisung's phone to send his secret embarrassing selfies to everyone in the group chat and Felix assuring him he won't, but eventually it's time for the running omegas to get their head start.

Jisung hugs his Chan quickly just once, because he loves his Channie-hyung and this is a momentous occasion, and also to brush their wrists together for a very light scenting earning a confused look from the older.

"For good luck."

Chan smiles at him, eyes squinted shut, beautiful dimples and the larger than usual omega canines the older rarely shows, on display. Jisung really hopes he will have a great run, and a great mate at the end of it.

He looks back over his shoulder to where the alphas have also started to cluster after bidding their goodbyes, smiling when his eyes land on his chosen alpha. Anticipation buzzes across his skin, fizzes up in his blood. Jisung is a shaken soda can and when he's opened he's going to splash everywhere, sticky sweet, hopefully all over Minho.

He turns to face the diverging paths through the trees, calves tensing up. It's time.

"Don't wait up for me~" he says to his best friends before taking off.

"Wasn't gonna!" "Have fun!" They yell at the same time.

The visibility is worse after the sun sets, but that's the point. They aren't supposed to be led by their sight but by their sense of smell. Jisung's nose is stronger than a bloodhound's. His canines are sharper too.

For a short amount of time it'll be only omegas in the forest, though not so short that they can't find good hiding spots deeper inside. He tracks Chan's sea salt and caramel scent for a while, but doesn't run in as far, Jisung isn't planning to hide from the alphas that'll soon come through here.

He diverts a couple of alphas on Chan's trail with a few well placed brushes of his wrist still carrying the older's scent on tree bark before doubling back. Thankfully, it's Jeongin who actually stumbles into him first. He is already on the correct path, that's very promising.

Jisung tilts his head at the true direction Chan went, You got this?

The young alpha nods, I got it.

From this point on Jeongin will have to find and catch Chan himself. He still has to prove himself worthy of the older omega after all.

Jisung steps aside with a flourish, and turns towards where he thinks Minho will pass through. There are actual running trails in here that people who are deranged enough to run for fun are occasionally allowed to use. Most participants will not prefer them for the Mating Run, as they are too conspicuous, but Minho definitely would.

Unfortunately, as much as he wants to be entirely focused on Minho, there are other alphas here tonight that do want to chase Jisung down.

"There you are!"

Ah, there's one. Average height and build, could be considered handsome if Jisung's standards of beauty hadn't been permanently altered by meeting one Lee Minho.

"I've been looking for you," the guy says, eyes scanning up and down his body. But of course he's not the one Jisung is looking for, bummer.

Who me? Jisung points a clawed pointer finger at himself, pursed lips pulled into an insincere smile. The filed edge of his painted nail shines in the moonlight that reaches down into the thick canopy. The alpha doesn't seem to notice. Dumb mutt.

He moves closer, "You smell so good, Han-ssi. Your scent would pair with mine well."

The alpha smells pretty inoffensive too. Sandalwood, rich and woody. Jisung still isn't interested. His scent goes well with a lot of people so what, that can't make a good match on it's own.

He lets out his pheromones slowly, the alpha perking up like it's an invitation. But in the next moment Jisung's scent turns acrid.

Hot chocolate is a sweet treat, but drink too fast and you'll burn your tongue.

"Oops," Jisung closes in and slashes up.

It's humiliating for an alpha to walk out of a run with claw marks but no bite, but it's not Jisung's problem if other people can't tell predator from prey.

The second alpha that catches up to him is smarter.

Jisung might have gotten a little too cocky, or a little too distracted trying to sniff out Minho's scent as it gets sweeter with the vanilla coming out more as he perspires, because he doesn't notice the guy approach.

He is blind-sided by the arm that suddenly appears in front of him and slams him into a broad chest by the throat with a paradoxically polite, "Pleasure to make your acquaintance Han Jisung."

It's not nice, but it's an old well known tactic. A chokehold, with the alpha's wrist where another scent gland sits angled towards the mouth, to get an omega to bite during the struggle.

But this alpha doesn't deserve Jisung's teeth. Jisung clamps his mouth shut and tucks his chin in. Tries to move the arm choking him, clawed hand leaving gouging lines on the flesh as he keeps struggling and scratching, but the alpha admirably holds on.

A for effort. F for, well, not being Lee Minho.

Jisung is not as easy to push around as his smaller stature might suggest.

He's been hitting the gym with Jeongin lately in preparation for the run, and is ready to throw down.

He moves his right hand down behind him instead, and grabs the alpha's crotch, sharp nails meanly digging in to his penis making the guy howl in pain. The alpha curls forward in reflex, and Jisung steps back into him bending forward as well, disrupting his balance. In the next motion he grabs the bleeding arm again, and flips the alpha on the floor over his shoulder.

He crouches down next to the guy curled in fetal position on the ground, and smacks at his face until he can focus his teary eyes on Jisung.

"If you can get up, don't try to follow me again. Or I'll rip it off next time."

That'll teach him.

The next person Jisung has to fight turns out to not be an alpha at all.

He's been closing in on Minho's scent for a while when he runs into another omega directly in Minho's predicted path. Cute thing, doe eyes, button nose. Smells like cotton candy. Sweet, but nothing much behind it.

"I think there is an alpha chasing me," he says, "Smell nice too, don't they? Think I should give them a shot?"

Like they are just two omegas giggling over juicy gossip, nameless alphas nothing but things to entertain them. The other has no idea. That Jisung doesn't find this funny at all. That he just suggested "giving a shot" to Jisung's alpha.

"I think you should run." Jisung snarls at him, sharp white teeth fully visible. "The other way. Right now."

"Oho, what's this? Feeling possessive are we?"

Jisung just hisses like an enraged cat, lips pulled back, little bit of burning spittle flying out.

Here's the reason omegas can't just bite each other at a run, why Seungmin and Felix have to take a bunch of medication and go under monitoring.

Omega bites are lethal to each other.

The proteins that make up an omega's venom are unique to the individual, and registers as a foreign threat for another omega's antibodies trained to recognize only their own as 'self'. The competing venom could lead to a cytokine storm, the severe immune reaction killing the omega if antivenom isn't injected in time. Neither are carrying any right now.

The omega hisses back, chest puffed up, scent rising up.

When Jisung wields it on purpose, and not just losing control because Minho is around and looking scrumptious, his scent is a weapon.

The other seems to realize this when the scent that Jisung pushes out burns his nose and makes him cough on his next breath, eyes tearing up from the heavy cloud of spice. It's not just cayenne, but ancho chile, sweet and smoky and earthy. A trace of cinnamon of his own, some nutmeg. Cloves, warm as well, but pungent and bitter too.

The scent is of course only a warning. His venom will be much worse.

This guy is nothing but spun sugar and artificial fruit. He knows he is outclassed, and with a huff says, "Ugh. I didn't want your stupid alpha anyway."

His voice is choked up though, the attitude is hardly convincing. Jisung stares him down with narrowed eyes in silence, and the omega bolts the other way.

Just like Jisung suggested before. He could have just listened.

Ironically, Minho spots him before Jisung lays eyes on the other.

Jisung hears his soft gasp behind him and whirls around, almost falling over. Which would have been quite embarrassing after managing to not fall on his ass once this whole evening. When Minho's gaze finally meets his, eyes bright even in the darkness of the forest, Jisung gets that swoopy feeling in his gut like he swung a little too high too fast on the swings.

He might fall after all.

"Jisung! " Minho exclaims, a little louder than Jisung expected, then takes out his Air Pods. Ah.

"Hi Hyung! Having a good run so far? Whatcha listening to?"

"Nothing."

Who on earth listens to nothing while running? God, he's so weird. Jisung wants to open up his skull and lick his ridiculous brain.

"Seriously? Nothing?"

"Yeah, just figured I'd block out the noise." Of people mating around them, is the unspoken implication. Jisung doesn't have a comeback for that, some people can be really loud. One of those people being Jisung himself on occasion. Hopefully very soon.

The older takes a sniff at the air, Jisung's chocolatey scent already a thick and hot warning sign around them, his feline eyes narrowing in instinct.

Then they grow wide.

"Oh god, are you okay?!"

Jisung looks down. Right, his hand is still covered in blood. Jisung wipes his claws down his own shirt, leaving streaks of red behind on the previously pristine white fabric. He can't bear the thought of getting some other alphas' filthy blood on his Minho.

While Minho flutters around him, his obvious concern warming Jisung from inside out, he says, "Hyung, stop- Hyung! I'm okay. It's not my blood."

"Oh. Well, I'm still glad I ran into you. I was looking- ah. Never mind."

"Looking for me?" Jisung simpers.

"I just mean, I knew you were here too. So is Jeongin, and Chan, which is why I—"

"I know. You are such a good hyung, accompanying Jeongin tonight." Jisung steps closer, "But he's a big boy, and you are too."

It's not so dark that Jisung can't see Minho's blush crawl up the apples of his cheeks up to his ears. He's so fucking cute. Jisung wants to push him to the ground already, but more than that he wants Minho to want to kneel himself.

He slowly backs the alpha into a tree. Minho has plenty of opportunity to escape, Jisung isn't physically stronger than him, but he doesn't seem to be in a rush to leave and continue his marathon.

"Were you though, Minho-hyung? Looking for me?"

His eyes are locked on Minho's mouth, the way his full lips part on his shaky inhale, how his Adam's apple bobs as swallows dryly.

"Not on purpose. But I thought I caught your scent and wanted to… check on you as well. These runs can apparently get pretty violent."

Oh yes, Jisung is pretty familiar. He steps closer, their noses almost brushing.

"Mission accomplished then. I'm safe and sound." Which can't be said for the people who were foolish enough to test Jisung's patience tonight. "So you wouldn't be too upset concluding your run now?"

"No," a quick flash of Minho's tongue wetting his lips, "Not upset."

Jisung closes the final inch between them, gives Minho one closed-mouth peck. Even that brief innocent contact elicits a full body shiver, the bubbly feeling traveling from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.

He gives another kiss to Minho's cheek, makes his way down his defined jaw. Peppering soft kisses on both sides, nuzzling in to enjoy the alpha's warm cinnamon scent kick up in response. Minho keeps nudging his sharp nose to the side of Jisung's head to try to get him to come back up for a real kiss, making these tiny pleading noises, but Jisung's already too—

He leans back, and turns his face to the side to spit on the ground. God, his mouth is already so wet.

"Hyung. Do you even know what an omega's spit can do?" He curls his lip over one sharp canine, and taps on the enamel with the tip of his claw, click click click.

"You can. Can secrete venom," Minho's pupils dilate as he stares unblinking at his revealed fangs. Very flattering, Jisung rewards his focus by pressing their hips together. "When you want to-ah— bite someone."

"Gold star. Normally it would be fine, but the way I feel right now my saliva is probably 90% venom."

"Oh." Minho finally blinks. Then blinks again. "Can I have a taste?"

That's… not what Jisung expected.

He must have looked surprised enough that Minho rushes to explain himself, "I heard you become less sensitive to the venom after mating so I—"

A quick exhale of an admission, "I'd like to feel the real thing first."

Jisung almost bites off his own tongue at that, but someone here needs to be responsible so he manages to say, "It'd burn your tongue, baby."

"That's okay," Minho gives him a bunny toothed smile, "I love spicy food."

Jisung didn't know that. He hadn't noticed Minho ever eating anything particularly spicy when he was with their friends. He is excited to learn something new about the alpha. That even with all he knows, there must be so much he hasn't seen, so many things to yet discover.

Overwhelmed with affection for the ridiculous man, Jisung grabs Minho's face, so very careful to not prick him with his nails. Minho's cheeks are squishier than they look. His facial features, his jawline, cheekbones, his nose, are all so sharp, but his skin is soft.

Minho is so soft. Jisung always hoped he'd be.

He kisses Minho more intentionally this time expecting his petal pink lips to be just as soft. They are even softer. Minho yields quickly when Jisung traces his plush upper lip with his burning tongue, tentatively meets it with his own. The first brush of their tongues is electric. Jisung wastes no more time, he has dreamt about kissing the alpha for too long.

Once it's allowed to run free, his need is a voracious thing. He presses the alpha fully against the tree, taking advantage of the way Minho gasps into it to delve in. Minho tastes salty, with a little spice of his own, slightly different than Jisung's. Must have been the noodles they watched him scarf down right before the run.

Minho kisses back enthusiastically, sucks on Jisung's tongue like he can't get enough of the taste. Seems like he really does like the heat. Then the alpha surprises him again, and tries to lick behind Jisung's fangs, tracing the grooves for venom to travel through.

Jisung barely detaches their lips to pant a warning into Minho's mouth, "Careful, Hyung. They are sharper than you think."

Minho runs his cute little tongue over his bottom lip shiny with spit. Little redder now, both with the force of their kissing and the effect of capsaicin present in Jisung's venom.

Jisung has never loved the taste of his own toxins, mild as it is to him. It's just something he has had to exist with, but seeing it have this effect on Minho gives him a new appreciation of his own biology.

He loses track of how long they have been kissing, torsos flush together, Jisung grinding slowly against the leg Minho slipped between his at some point. Just a little make out session and he can already feel how hard the alpha is. It only makes the hunger flare up even stronger in Jisung's gut. Everything a littler hotter, much wetter.

Minho gets uncoordinated so fast, drool running down his chin, his larger canine clicking against Jisung's in his haste to turn back into the kiss. Jisung moves away to breathe for a minute, and then presses his nose into Minho's cheek laughing.

He's so endeared. His alpha is so cute, so pliant.

Absentmindedly he realizes they are still right next to the common running trail. And takes a hold of Minho's hand to start tugging him in between the trees, to a nice little clearing he'd spotted while he was doubling back to meet the alpha.

Once they reach a comfortable spot that looks lush with wild grass and flowers, he turns around to hook a claw to the zipper of Minho's dark windbreaker. Tugs it down revealing the sweaty exercise shirt underneath, lets the nylon fall to the floor. He runs eager hands over Minho's shoulders, pressing down just to feel the muscles. But Minho takes it as a command, lowering himself down immediately on his discarded jacket.

He blinks up at Jisung expectant, and what is Jisung supposed to do when faced with those pretty begging eyes? Not tackle him down?

Jisung kisses him silly, one hand holding himself up next to Minho's head, the other on his jaw to angle his chin up for more pepper hot kisses, swallowing his airy moans when Jisung moves to fully seat himself on the alpha's lap.

Even through their clothing the first full drag of his throbbing pussy over the erection tenting Minho's shorts feels divine. Pressure just where he needs it.

The seat of Jisung's pants is already soaked. Just another stain to add to the blood that'll probably not wash off. It's not worth it to get it cleaned, maybe he should just rip them off. Or they might tear with the tight grip Minho's hands has on them, using the fabric to pull Jisung harder into the grinding motion.

"I've been waiting— for this. For so long."

"You have?" Minho pants.

"Soooo long, fuck." He leans up, pulling up Minho with him to take his shirt off. Traces his hands down his strong arms, his chest, squeezes at the sides of his soft stomach.

"You've never said anything!" Minho peels Jisung's own compression shirt off of him, and seems quite taken with his tattoos. Curious hands tracing the letters on his side and on his chest, while he tries to suck bruises into Jisung's throat.

He could bite down if he wanted to. The alpha can't leave a permanent mark like an omega could, but that doesn't stop Jisung from wanting Minho's teeth in him. Maybe he could get the indents of Minho's teeth tattooed like Changbin and Hyunjin did, he had been itching for a new tattoo.

"I think there were some hints." Jisung tilts his head for easier access to his scent gland, Minho laps at it like he's trying to drink spiced hot chocolate right from the source. "Plus, I was savoring the chase."

"So I was the one being chased?"

"You were, darling." Jisung grabs Minho's small hands in his, and puts them back on his hips on the next roll, fingers tangled together, "Wouldn't you say you are caught?"

"Ha-ah, looks that way."

Jisung could make a song out of this. Minho's already reedy voice, the rustle of the leaves above them, the buzzing of the insects in the trees. He wonders what kind, is it too early in the season for cicadas? Jisung should know, he was obsessed with bugs for a solid year and a half in elementary school much to Seungmin's chagrin.

But it's impossible to concentrate on anything when Minho keeps making desperate noises into his neck as he ruts up into him. He feels so hot and hard underneath Jisung, it's already too much.

It's not enough.

Jisung has a goal, and it's behind breathable polyester.

He reluctantly gets up and shimmies out of his joggers. His underwear beyond saving. Though he does enjoy the way Minho's eyes get bigger as soon as Jisung is completely bare in front of him.

Jisung frames his tiny flushed omega cock standing proudly at the top of his vulva in between two of his clawed fingers. Fingers sliding through the bush matted down with slick, smeared all around while Jisung was shamelessly rutting against Minho's still clothed length.

Minho scrambles up to gets closer, hands stroking up and down Jisung's legs and looks up at him again, waits for permission like a good little alpha until Jisung grabs him by the hair and gets him close enough to feel his breath ghost over his pulsing core.

Minho closes the final distance himself, lapping the slick off of his pussy while his perfect nose nudges against Jisung's weepy little o-dick. The slick should be more sugary than his scent, almost syrupy. Sweets can help a burning mouth after all, a more pleasant distraction for Minho's palate.

He lets out a deep groan when the alpha licks up a long stripe and closes his mouth fully around Jisung. It's a good thing Jisung's skin is pretty much immune to his own venom so the traces of it still in Minho's mouth doesn't burn, but registers as a pleasant tingle. Still, Minho's ardent mouth is a little too overwhelming directly around his cock, and Jisung has other plans for his first orgasm of the night.

He tangles a hand in Minho's pale blond hair again and tugs his head back. The alpha's glazed over eyes and lower face smeared with slick an arresting sight.

He nudges Minho into sitting back with his foot, then kneels himself between the alpha's legs to get him just as naked. Minho is wearing running shorts over leggings. Very sensible. Also quite annoying how many layers are in the way. It's not cold this time of the year, even if the temperature drops at night. Alphas run warm anyway.

"Why are you even wearing full leggings? It's June."

"Lots of insects in the forest this time of the year, I didn't want any bug bites—"

Jisung helps lift his hip to tug the tight fabric down over Minho's toned thighs, and gives the newly revealed supple flesh a tiny bite without breaking the skin.

"Haha. Very cute, bug."

He tears the underwear off with his claws for the cheek. The alpha can walk out of the forest in just his shorts.

Minho's cock, much like the rest of him, is a thing of beauty. Long and thick, curved just so. Scorching hot in his hands when Jisung grips it firmly, earning a delightful gasp from Minho when he squeezes a little too hard.

He catches the drop of precum leaking out the flushed red tip on his thumb and pops it in his mouth. He moans at the taste, he just wants to devour Minho.

"You could. Jisung-ah, could you—"

"I don't think you really want me to do that Hyung-ah." Not unless you enjoy sticking your dick in hot sauce. Taste buds are stronger then the thin and sensitive skin around genitals. "Let's revisit that once you are immune too, hm?"

When he looks up from his new favorite dick, he sees Minho pouting at him and can't help but laugh. Still, Jisung can't use his own spit to ease the stroke lest he cause an unwanted burn. He taps two fingers on the pouty lips until Minho opens up.

He holds out his other palm, "Now spit." His precious alpha obeys immediately.

Jisung smears that hand on the shirt on the grass next to them. "To get rid of any of my saliva remaining in your mouth first."

He brings his fingers back to Minho's mouth still wide open, and presses down on his tongue.

"You can suck now, baby."

Minho does. Laves his tongue over the digits, sliding wetly over and between the fingers. Jisung slowly drags them out, and uses the same hand to jerk Minho off.

"Good boy, Hyungie."

The alpha flops back down with a muttered curse, hips bucking up into Jisung's fist helplessly.

Jisung has never actually been with an alpha before. He has only fooled around with other omegas, no alpha worth his attention, until Minho. He squeezes the base where the knot will form, a little fascinated. It's nothing like his inflatable silicone aids. Minho is already so big as is, how would a knot even fit? He is aching to find out.

He straddles the alpha, balancing himself one hand on each pec. Then gets distracted pushing them together so he leans down to lick in between the valley of Minho's tits up to the hollow of his throat, before he starts slowly, glacially, sinking down. He wants to savor every inch.

The stretch doesn't burn but it isn't easy either, Minho is big.

"Good fucking lord. How do you even run around with that thing?"

"So. Good?"

"That's what you got from that? It's so good, Hyung-ah, you feel so good."

"Can I- Can I move Jisungie?" 

"Yes. You can do whatever you want."

Minho starts slow, thrusting up and down in small increments. The glide of his cock against Jisung's inner walls is exquisite, but the size is still overwhelming. Once it feels like he's not being split in half, Jisung tries to go faster, greedy for friction. Tries to gyrate his hips more, while the alpha kneads at his thighs and murmurs encouragement.

There are fireflies sparking in his vision, but are there actually any around? As he throws his head back in pleasure Jisung catches flashes of moonlight between the leaves, looks down to see the shine of sweat collecting on Minho's chest as he heaves with the effort of bouncing Jisung on his cock. It's not fireflies, but the light, heat, and magic of having the alpha under him like this.

Before long though Jisung gets frustrated, turns out you need more core and thigh strength to actually do this compared to just frotting with another omega. He starts whining when he can't pick up speed like he wants to, can't get the angle right.

"What can I do, Jisung? Tell me what you need."

"Fuck me."

Minho gives a small slap to the side of his leg, "Up. Sit up just a little. Like that. Let me do the work."

"Show me what you got, alpha."

Minho plants his feet on the dewy grass and fucks up into him. One hand settles on Jisung's hips to hold him still for his thrusts, fast and hard. The slap of their flesh is obscene, seems louder than any other sound in the forest to Jisung's ears, even his own moans spilling helplessly from his open mouth. With two of the fingers of his other hand Minho rubs over Jisung's tiny cock, almost making him scream.

The more their pheromones mix like this, sweaty skin sliding together, the closer Jisung feels his heat catching fire.

Alphas tend to run hotter in general, but with his heat rapidly approaching Jisung's temperature will soon pass Minho's. He feels like his blood is already boiling. Like his fingertips can leave burning marks across Minho’s skin, cauterized lines along everything he touches.

Maybe it's the temperature difference. Maybe it's just the rising fever making him delirious.

Jisung bends forward to pull on the blond strands again and Minho tosses his head back with a groan. His lovely throat is bared, and Jisung mouths around his Adam's apple, feeling it move under his tongue every time he swallows. His gums are itchy. He could bite down, so, so easily. It’s a dangerous, delicious thought.

He watches the jugular vein pulsing on the side of Minho's neck. Presses down on the carotid artery with his fingers to count his pulse running fast like a rabbit trying to finish a race still, much faster than 100 beats per minute. Jisung had a human anatomy phase too, sue him.

Minho stills underneath him like he knows. Not yet though. Jisung wants to be knotted before The Bite. He is a romantic like that.

"Jisung. Sung-ah, I-" Minho stutters when Jisung clenches around him. "I have to tell you something. I can't knot—"

Pause.

"What do you mean you can't knot? I need your knot! The whole point of this damn run was your knot—"

"I mean I can! I can. but I…" his voice lowers into an embarrassed whisper, "I usually have someone fucking me to get there."

"Oh. Oh." Jisung only needs a second to recalibrate before the mental image of knotting Minho fully forms in his mind, and he feels a fresh wave of slick gush out of him.

He coos, "Oh, baby, why didn't you just say so."

Minho covers his face with his small hands, "I've just mostly been with other alphas! And I wasn't actually expecting anything to happen during the run besides babysitting so it's not like I sneaked in lube—"

Jisung lifts up on his knees and sneaks a hand down to slide it through the puffy lips of his pussy, which has been leaking like a faucet around Minho's cock this whole time, before pulling his fingers up and letting Minho see the shine of it. "You were saying?"

"Right. You can do that too."

"Marvels of being an omega."

Jisung uses his own slick to circle a finger around Minho's rim before slowly easing it in up to the knuckle. Minho's just so tight, and warm inside. He wonders if his cunt feels the same for Minho, as he pushes his finger in and out, gathering more slick as he goes.

"I'm starting to see the appeal," Minho wheezes once he curls his finger inside.

He considers the position, it's a little awkward if he still wants to get fucked while giving Minho what he needs. Jisung swings around on the alpha's lap facing his thighs, one hand still fingering Minho while his clawed hand closes around Minho's cock to aim it before lowering himself.

More slick squeezes out as the alpha's cock spears him open again, smearing along Minho's pubic hair, collecting in the divots of his hips. The sticky scent of chocolate slowly covering the scent glands on the inside of Minho's strong thighs releasing puffs of aromatic cinnamon.

"Is it always so wet?"

"For you it is."

Minho's hands fly to his slim waist to steady him before sliding down to fondle Jisung's ass. Just kneading at the flesh and moaning, pulling apart his cheeks to watch his cock disappear into Jisung's hole. Jisung wishes he could watch too, but he is a little occupied.

He gives Minho a look over his shoulder, "Focus."

Second finger goes in easier. He doesn't really need to stretch Minho, Jisung is tragically lacking an extra knot to give right now, he just needs to find—

"Ah, there! Sung- there. God, your fingers. Are so much longer than mine."

They find their rhythm again quickly. Their bodies meant to fit one another, in any shape, form or position. Jisung presses against Minho's prostate every time the alpha jostles him just right. It feels more overwhelming somehow, when he can't look at Minho, gaze on his own clawed hand squeezing at Minho's thigh for balance, the flesh whitened with pressure under his grip. He wants to see if he'll leave bruises after.

"I'm close, it- the knot's gonna happen, please, Jisungie—"

And Jisung can feel it now, the mass swelling at the base of Minho's cock, hitting him just right, stretching his pussy a just little wider on every thrust.

"Wait- Hold on." 

Jisung lifts up again, shushing Minho's mournful whine. He turns around because he needs to be face to face with with his alpha when the knot pops. He tries stimulating Minho's prostate from outside, pressing on his perineum once his fingers can't reach well inside from his seat.

Minho's breath hitches, eyes fluttering shut, trembling all over. He's so beautiful.

"Come on my darling alpha, you are doing so well. Let me see you come."

The knot fills and locks in the next time Minho bottoms out, ropes of warm cum painting Jisung's insides. The sensation of the knot stretching him out to the fullest and Minho filling him up is too much for Jisung to take.

His orgasm knocks the wind out of him. He is panting like he just ran a whole marathon, which he hasn't. It was a leisurely stroll at best, if a little violent.

He lets out a pleased sigh as he comes down, clenching down on the knot just to feel it. He wants to appreciate this. It's his first knot.

Once Minho's lidded eyes meet his, Jisung gives him a sharp toothed grin. Licks over his little razor fangs, tracking the way Minho's gaze follows his tongue. He leans over to kiss him again, unhurried this time, tongues tangling lazily now that they are both spent.

He only stops so he can trace his nose down Minho's neck. The alpha smells tantalizing up close, Jisung has been aware of his scent the entire time but it's different now. Sharper. Cinnamaldehyde right in his nostrils.

He pauses, breath ghosting over Minho's mating gland. They don't actually have to do this part right now. Jisung is hungry for it, but he can starve himself longer if Minho needs him to.

"Are you sure, Minho-yah?"

His dam might have raised a borderline feral son of a bitch, but he also raised a gentleman.

Minho just whines and yanks Jisung's head closer by the hair. Okay, message gleefully received.

His mouth fills up again with active venom.

He traces his fangs across the skin first, feels Minho shiver across his whole body even through the knot still lodged inside him.

His teeth sink in like hot knife through butter. It still hurts, Jisung knows that, but Minho takes it well, like his tender flesh was made for Jisung's deadly bite.

The blood rushes into his mouth next, it tastes sweet just like the man.

The fangs inject the venom straight into Minho's scent gland. Venoms are not truly toxic to alphas, but they have the ability to alter the pheromone proteins in their scent glands, until an alpha's scent permanently changes. Jisung will need to bite him a few more times to make it last.

He doesn't have to do it on the neck after, he can bite Minho's other glands too, on his wrists, the inside of his gorgeous thighs. Anywhere he can, several times over, for good measure.

This first bite will cause Minho to enter a pre-rut stage soon as well. He already looks ruined, but that might just be how he looks after a good fuck. Jisung is a quick study. He'll see the differences between regular-knot Minho and rut-knot Minho soon enough.

Maybe it's not about knotting him at all, and Minho will look like this when he is the one fully filled. Jisung has a selection of toys for that, they can take turns.

While thinking about their imminent combined heat and rut, Jisung licks the wound clean. His spit should accelerate healing by neutralizing the anticoagulants in the blood. The eugenol from the cloves in his venom are analgesic and will numb the area soon, giving Minho some relief. His saliva has natural antiseptic properties too, to make sure his bites don't get infected.

Jisung happily zones out while lapping at the wound, feel of Minho's knot warm inside his pussy, taste of Minho's blood still coppery inside his mouth. He's savoring the way their scents are starting to truly blend, letting out delighted little chirps, when a different noise makes Jisung pause short.

"Hyung. Are you… purring?"

That can't be it, alphas don't really purr. But it's not quite a growl that comes out of Minho's mouth either, not the way an alpha would normally growl when they are trying to assert dominance at least.

From behind his bared teeth Minho makes a garbled sound more similar to a Rottweiler's rumble. Playful, happy.

As he should be, he is right where he is supposed to be. Under Jisung.

His big bad hyung is not a wolf, but a giant puppy.

He settles more comfortably, chin over the crossed arms laying over Minho's chest.

"So, how long do you usually knot?"

"Um, I don't know… It goes down pretty quick normally, but I've never actually knotted inside someone," he says with a shudder.

He needs a minute to process that. He's Minho's first. He's Minho's first. He's Minho's—

He can't move much like this, but he rotates his hips in a tiny circle to feel the delicious stretch again. It doesn't feel like that fat knot is going to go down any time soon. It fills him up perfectly, still occasionally spurting inside.

So this is what it feels like. He closes his eyes, lets the alpha run his hands through his hair in soothing motions.

Jisung is definitely the one purring now.

"What do you say when we get out of here, I fuck you with my knotted strap?"

Minho's dick twitches inside him.

He laughs, "Oh, I felt that."

"Please stop talking or we'll be here until dawn."

"Hyu~ng, I thought you liked my voice."

"I'm sincerely regretting signing up for this run."

"No you don't!"

Minho huffs out a short laugh into his sweaty hair, "No. I don't."

It takes close to an hour for Minho's knot to go down. The only reason they aren't shivering naked in the forest at night is their combined body heat, pushed even higher with pre-heat and pre-rut setting in.

A truly disgusting amount of cum and slick drip out and runs down both their thighs when Minho gingerly pulls out. Icing on his cute little cinnamon bun of an alpha.

Minho takes care of him well after, even venom-high as he is. Massages Jisung's tired fawn legs, giving him soft kisses, little love bites with his blunter alpha teeth. Uses his torn underwear to wipe both of them before they pull their remaining clothes back on.

When they are ready, Minho carries him bridal style out of the forest. Jisung giggles into his neck, giving the still irritated bite wound tiny licks, the feral little hamster in his mind running on a wheel of mine mine mine.

Minho keeps to a nice jogging pace like he is just completing his exercise, except he has an arm full of sated omega as extra weight training. He doesn't break a sweat, because for all that he wouldn't use it for violence, his muscles are strong and sturdy. Jisung purrs, his alpha can lift him up so easily, probably be able throw him around too. Maybe if Jisung asks nicely. Onto a soft surface so he doesn't worry about hurting him. Much.

And Jisung is exhausted, he deserves the princess treatment. He fought a bunch of stupid princes to have his shining knight.

He nestles in close to the big beautiful imprint of his own teeth on Minho's neck and dozes off satisfied.

🍫🌶️

Jisung leads Minho into the room with a gentle hand on his back.

The alpha must be tired.

It's been eight days since The Run.

The first five days following were spent in a blissful combined haze of heat and rut, where they fucked on every available surface in Minho's previously bachelor apartment. Jisung bent over the kitchen counter, Minho bent over the back of the couch. Jisung waking up in the middle of the night to Minho already rocking into his heat slick pussy. Minho opening his eyes to Jisung's mouth around his rut hard morning wood.

Jisung is a self-proclaimed pro at sucking strap, but a real alpha cock takes getting used to, he has to mind his sharp teeth well. At least his saliva is no longer a hazard. Minho agrees it still tingles. And that he likes it.

There was a memorable occasion where Jisung sat Minho on his knotting dildo and then sat himself on Minho's cock, the alpha fucking up into him, and each motion down drilling his own prostate. When they were both knotted, Jisung held Minho's wrists up one after the other, and gave a deep bite to each of them. Rubbing their wrists scent glands together, still bloody, until their scents were truly combined.

The sixth day was just because Jisung could not get enough of the other and refused to let Minho leave their new nest.

He supposes he is glad Minho has his own apartment for the space and the opportunity to defile each room if not for privacy, because Jisung would have gleefully subjected his best friends to all the noise in revenge for what they put Jisung through during their combined heats.

The group was actually ready and excited to meet the day before, everyone eager to see the new couples after the conclusion of the Mating Run, but Jisung was still feeling a little too hissy about sharing him even with his friends, which Minho at least found adorable.

Jisung can't be blamed though, their newly blended scent is incredible.

The bite changes the alpha's scent gland, fusing some of the omegas own scent into it. But the venom also functions as a transcription factor for previously silenced pheromone protein genes, inducing the production of a brand new scent in the alpha.

Minho smells strongly of cinnamon like always, but the vanilla in his scent is overpowered by Jisung's own chocolatey scent fusing into his. And now he also smells like oranges. Subtle but refreshing. The pepper in Jisung's scent and Minho's fresh citrusy note create a delectable flavor contrast, the sweet and tangy brightness of the orange cutting the heat of the cayenne wonderfully.

Together they smell like Jisung's new favorite dessert.

So the next day the pack is finally all gathered at Chan's place.

The eldest insisted on hosting despite the other established couples offering to do it, but everybody knew none of the four could cook and it was an empty gesture. Minho did bring several tupperwares of his own homemade goods, which Chan accepted with an amount of thankfulness that was bordering on rude to everyone else present.

They spread all the food across the coffee table to share everything, sprawled over the couches and the cushions on the floor.

Felix and Seungmin are already sitting cozy on the couch, so Jisung settles in next to them. And Minho sits down after getting the drinks, throwing his leg over Jisung's own. Changbin is in the armchair, with Hyunjin perched on the arm of it leaning over his alpha. Jeongin sits on the floor back against Chan's chest, Chan's arms around the younger.

Jeongin grabs Chan's hands in his bigger ones and sets them on his stomach. It'll probably make it hard to reach the food but the alpha looks entirely too self-satisfied. Jisung can't even blame him, he gets it.

It's not really about subgender, they just happen to be both possessive brats.

Mating itself doesn't need to technically occur in the forest. The point is for the alpha to prove he is worthy, and for the courtship to be fully accepted by the omega. Though most get carried away after a chase with adrenaline pumping that they don't wait.

Jisung surely didn't. He went into the run with a goal, and instinctively knew Minho wasn't going to come out of there without a pretty bite high on his neck for all to see.

Chan didn't bite Jeongin, but he did accept his courtship. He is blushing terribly, but doesn't move away form the youngest alpha either.

Jisung looks over the room smiling, soaks up the comfortable feeling of a pack that finally has all of its pieces together.

They eat, drink a little too. Jisung turns completely red after a single glass of soju, and Minho can't stop poking at his cheeks.

When his alpha gets up and pulls up his sleeve to collect the dishes, Felix whistles.

"Both wrists too? Really, Jisung?"

Minho doesn't preen but it's a close thing. Jisung is learning to decipher all kinds of reactions from him, and that was definitely a bashful but smug huff of laughter.

Jisung grins, full teeth, "Be glad he is not in shorts showing off his thighs."

"You feral mutt." Seungmin leers.

"Takes one to know one, bitch~" Jisung blows him a kiss.

Felix climbs on Seungmin's lap, "He is being prickly because he missed you." Then he throws his legs over Jisung's currently unoccupied lap. "We both missed you."

Jisung missed them too, his best friends, his omegas. They were the first two people in the entire world Jisung wanted to talk to all about the things Minho and he got up to. And he will, as soon as Chan and Changbin aren't in hearing vicinity. He can already imagine Felix grilling him for even more salacious details and Seungmin's theatrical groaning over their next coffee date.

And he can imagine Minho there too.

Can imagine a new life, new daily routines, featuring his mate.

Sometimes he'll drag Minho to grab coffee before class, the alpha's face still sleep soft and grumpy. Maybe sometimes the older will join the others after practice for an afternoon treat. A pastry, and a chocolate orange flavored kiss.

Some days he'll get a pat on the butt for a job well done along with the lunch specifically prepared for him when Minho drops by the studio. A hand on his neck rubbing the tension away after long frustrating hours when a melody won't just hit right. Another voice harmonizing with his that makes singing feel easier than breathing again.

Most importantly, he won't have to look far again, he'll always find Minho close. And he'll get all the greetings he wants.

Good morning, see you later.

Welcome home, good night.

I love you.