“I know that,” Suho says softly. “Yeah, but we never really said it. I love Sieun. I know you do too. And as long as he’s happy, that’s all that matters to me. I mean that. His happiness comes first, and I figured you understood that too.”

“That’s why.. that’s why I’m actually relieved he has you too, beside him.” Suho is quiet, waiting for him to go on. Hyuntak presses his lips together, then admits, “I was… not good around you. You got on my nerves.” That gets a chuckle out of Suho.

Hyuntak continues before he can comment. “You seemed okay at first,” he says, glancing at him briefly. “But the way you fucking teased me? It ticked me off. It still kind of does. I mean—before,” he corrects quickly, in case Suho takes it the wrong way.

“But I never really gave us a chance, you know. I thought just coexisting was enough. We live together, sure, but I never tried to know you. Not really.” Suho hums. “Maybe I didn’t try hard enough either.”

Hyuntak scoffs, elbowing him lightly. “I had walls up. Around you. So even if you did try, it wouldn’t have worked. That’s on me.”

“That’s true,” Suho grins. “The only times you ever talked to me were either to ask about Sieun or when you’d throw me a half-assed thanks if I cooked something.” Hyuntak laughs in spite of himself. “I was an asshole, huh.”

“You were,” Suho teases. “Do you know how much it pained me when you wouldn’t even look my way? I thought I was invisible sometimes.” Hyuntak’s head snaps toward him. Suho’s already looking, smiling, amused.

“Well,” Suho shrugs. “A little. I got used to you ignoring me. You’re kind of cute when you’re annoyed.” Hyuntak rolls his eyes and glares at the ceiling again. “You’re a fucking asshole too. But yeah, well… I’m sorry. ‘bout that.”

Suho hums again, quieter. “It must’ve been confusing for you.” “What was?” “You’ve known Sieun longer,” Suho says. “Then suddenly he’s got a mate you’ve never seen before. Me. I figured it threw you off.”

Hyuntak shakes his head. “We started dating at the same time. It wasn’t about who came first.” “But your feelings for him,” Suho pauses. “They go way back, don’t they? You’ve been with him longer.” Hyuntak stays silent.

“Sieun cried over you, you know,” Suho continues, voice lower now. “He felt guilty. Said it wasn’t fair what he was doing to you.” “Why?” Hyuntak asks, his throat tightening at the thought of Sieun blaming himself.

“You know how bonds work. You can’t explain it. It’s a pull, an instinct. Alpha and omega mates don’t choose it. It’s just there, growing inside you whether you want it or not. I know you love him. But it’s okay to admit that all of this probably felt unfair.”

“Okay,” Hyuntak says at last. “Yeah. I did. For a moment. But it didn’t last. As long as Sieun’s happy… that’s enough for me.” Suho doesn’t reply right away.

“I was envious, too,” Suho says. “Of what you had. Even without a bond. That connection? That was real to me. That’s so awesome, you know. Maybe even more.” Hyuntak frowns. “Yah, what you and Sieun have is real too.” Suho just smiles at the ceiling.

That unsettles something in Hyuntak, makes him speak again without thinking. “You know, Sieun’s nose? It’s terrible with pheromones. Has always been. Your bond, it wasn’t because of that. You get that, right?” “I do.”

“Bond’s just… a bonus. Special in its own way. But not everything. You know how much he talks about you? If I had a coin for every time he praised you, I’d be rich. He’s fucking obsessed.” Suho snorts. “He said the same about you. Said you’re cute.”

“Cute?” Hyuntak scoffs. “Not amazing or cool?” “Yup, cute. Adorably annoying. He said that too.” Hyuntak gives him a glare, disbelieving. “I should be mad, but if it’s Sieun, then I’ll allow it.” “I do, too.”

Hyuntak wanted to flim him off but he scoffs instead. “You’re an asshole who gets off annoying me.” “Your reactions are fun.” “Jerk.” They fall into an easy silence. Hyuntak notices the strange lightness in his chest.

Six months of unspoken words finally spilling out. It feels like something loosened inside him. Suho’s voice breaks through the quiet, a little slower this time, like sleep is tugging at the edges of his mouth. “Aside from calling you cute… he also said you’re a kind soul.”

Suho sighs, softer this time. “Seriously, though… I’m glad we’re talking. Finally. Getting to know each other. If you’d told me months ago we’d be lying next to each other like this, I’d laugh.” Hyuntak doesn’t answer right away.

He’s too busy watching the ceiling blur, his eyes stinging with sleep. But he means what he says when he finally mumbles, “Yeah… I’m glad too.” It’s quiet again. Their breathing is steady. It almost feels like a dream.

Suho shifts slightly, rolling to his side. He presses his back gently against the wall, body turned to face Hyuntak now. His gaze is soft, eyes half-lidded, like he’s watching him through the haze of sleep.

It’s warm when Hyuntak stirs awake. His sleep-fogged brain hasn’t quite caught up yet as he shifts slightly, instinctively burrowing his nose against the warmth beside him. A soft sigh leaves his lips when he realizes he’s being held, arms loosely wrapped around him.

And then it hits him. Unlike last time, it’s not panic that comes first. Just mild surprise. One quiet heartbeat of realization, followed by the slow crawl of awkwardness, embarrassment catching up to him.

His hand is still slung around a waist. His face is tucked too close to the other’s throat, bodies pressed close. He doesn’t dare move. The memories of last night start piecing themselves together.

The conversation at the hush of the night, tentative hands, that lingering hug.. and the kiss. The kiss he initiated. The things they said after. His grip tightens slightly on Suho’s back. He’s not spiraling (thank god) but the embarrassment is hot beneath his skin.

He still wants to scream into a pillow. A few minutes pass like that. Then Suho shifts, just pulls closer. And then Suho does it again. He groans, overly dramatic, dragging a leg over Hyuntak’s hips, pulling him in like there’s still space left to close between them.

They’re already pressed together chest to chest, yet Suho somehow manages to squeeze him tighter. That’s when Hyuntak finally catches on. He smacks Suho’s back with a weak, sleepy hand. “Stop pretending you’re still asleep.”

Silence stretches for half a second before it shatters with Suho’s laughter. Low, gravelly, and laced with sleep. It rumbles deep from his chest and vibrates against Hyuntak’s skin. “You’re so stiff,” he teases, amused.

Hyuntak doesn’t say anything, but something stirs in his chest. Something stupidly fond. Maybe it’s the intimacy of this moment. Maybe it’s the fact that waking up like this, in Suho’s room, wrapped up in Suho’s arms, feels more intimate than anything they’ve ever shared.

Suho snuggles closer with a pleased sound, nosing into Hyuntak’s hair. One hand is still draped across his middle, the other tucked beneath his neck like a pillow. “Good morning.”

Hyuntak’s fingers twitch again before he slowly starts tracing lazy circles on Suho’s back. “…Morning,” he mumbles.

“Did you sleep okay?” There’s a teasing there, but it doesn’t bother him. Not really. That voice.. deep and low, drowsy makes the question feel endearing more than anything. Hyuntak still feels shy about it, though.

“…Fine,” He’s actually kind of proud of himself for managing to answer. Suho shifts again like he wants to look at him, but Hyuntak holds firm, arms tightening, forehead buried even deeper against his chest. “Are you shy?” “Ask that again and I’ll kick you off this bed.”

Suho snorts. “It’s my bed, though.” “Don’t care.” A pause. Then Suho’s hand slides from Hyuntak’s shoulder, down the curve of his side. It’s a lazy, affectionate gesture that makes Hyuntak’s skin buzz. “Could be our bed from now on,” he whispers.

This crazy bastard. Hyuntak genuinely considers kicking him now. Why is he already fucking flirting first thing in the morning? Then again he doesn’t really mind it. Which probably makes him just as crazy.

"Sieun's not gonna fit in here. Maybe in his room when he comes back..." Hyuntak murmurs, heart thudding in his chest. There’s something in those words—an implication, something like a promise, still unspoken but undeniably there.

Suho doesn’t respond right away but his arms tighten around him. And now Hyuntak can feel Suho’s rising heartbeat. It catches him off guard but makes him think he likes it. The same way he likes hearing Sieun’s. He likes knowing Suho’s heart does that around him, too.

“When are you letting me see your face?” Hyuntak says nothing, cheeks warming. His entire body feels like it's on fire. How the hell is he supposed to survive this level of soft teasing? He badly wants to play it cool but he couldn’t help feeling shy.

Especially after last night where they basically shared spit for fuck’s sake. “Why do you need to see my face so bad?” he mumbles into Suho’s shirt. “I just want to.” “You’re so full of shit. Stop messing with me.” “I want to look at your embarrassed face,” Suho grins.

Hyuntak groans. “Don’t bother. You know I’m cute.” “I bet you are.” Fucking bastard. He screams internally. “Shut up.” "Come on," Suho whines, dragging the word out. “Go Hyuntak.” He stays still. Stupid Suho. "Gotak-ah, come on."

Now he’s smiling. Suho’s whines are weirdly satisfying. There's something funny about it (and flattering, honestly) that Suho sounds like a desperate idiot just to see his face. It’s about damn time Hyuntak started teasing him more often.

Suho leans in even closer. “Tak-ah.” A jolt. “Let hyung see Tak-ah’s face, hm?” Fucking. Bastard. Hyuntak shoots up, startled, especially since Suho’s lying against the wall. His hand flies to his ear, face burning as their eyes meet for the first time this morning.

Suho looks surprised too, maybe because of how hard he was shoved but before either of them can say anything, Hyuntak feels himself tipping near the edge of the bed, seconds from falling.

Suho catches him by the waist and pulls him in, Hyuntak’s face ending up pressed against Suho’s collarbone again. “You could’ve hit that pretty head of yours.” Okay. That’s it. Hyuntak shoots upright, grabs a pillow, and smacks Suho with it. Hard.

Suho bursts out laughing beneath him, but Hyuntak doesn’t stop, he keeps slamming the pillow into his face. This asshole really is pushing his limits. But then, in the middle of it all, Suho grabs him again, pulling him close.

Hyuntak’s hands instinctively plant themselves on either side of Suho’s face to avoid crushing him. He’s bent over him now, staring right into those wide, laughing eyes. And Suho’s gaze doesn’t waver. If anything, it’s shining. From the laughter or... something else entirely.

“There’s that cute face.” Hyuntak’s stomach flips violently. He actually wants to squeeze at it just to stop that twisting feeling. “Good morning,” Suho says again, grinning up at him, fond.

Hyuntak tries to look away. He really does. But how is this man already so attractive fresh out of sleep? His gaze drops to Suho’s mouth and for a second, he forgets he’s still awkwardly bent over like this.

“...Good morning,” he mutters, brain absolutely short-circuiting, eyes glued to his lips. Suho bites back a smile, and Hyuntak’s eyes follow the motion like he’s lost his damn mind.

“Wanna pick up where we left off last night?” Suho asks, tone light, affectionate. Hyuntak stares. Lips, eyes, face, and finally forces himself to speak like he hasn’t been ogling this man for two whole minutes. “...Let’s brush our teeth first.” Suho bursts out laughing.

Mortified, Hyuntak yanks himself away, bolts upright, and heads straight for the bathroom door without a single backward glance. Fuck. He hears Suho’s laughter echoing across the living room. He presses his forehead against the bathroom door and lets it thunk there.

Fucking idiot. He gave himself away. Again. It always backfires when he tries to tease. Always. Ten times harder. After a while, he cools down and washes his face, trying to scrub the shame out with it. When he exits the bathroom, Suho is lounging on the couch, head tilted.