Hyuntak stays quiet for a moment, sensing the worry Sieun hides behind his calm smile. “Really, Tak, I’m on your side here, okay? You decide what feels right for you.” Hyuntak tries to lighten the mood with a joke, “Can’t you just come home early?”

It’s not like he enjoys Sieun worrying about him this much. “I would if I could,” Sieun replies, smiling. “But honestly, leaving you guys was the best decision I’ve made this year. Should’ve done it sooner.”

Hyuntak chuckles, then shyly asks, “Did you know this is how it would end up between us?” “Would be lying if I said no. Knowing Suho, he wouldn’t miss this chance,” Sieun smirks like he knows something Hyuntak doesn’t.

Hyuntak’s a little stunned that even Sieun saw this coming. “And I knew if you gave it a chance, you’d start liking him too.” Hyuntak’s cheeks heat up.

“Suho’s lovable like that, don’t you think?” “Guess, he fucking is.” The smile that blossoms on Sieun’s face after hearing that is so wide, Hyuntak finds himself smiling too. They wrap up the call after some teasing and small talk about themselves.

Even when the call ends, Suho’s still asleep. So Hyuntak finds himself in the kitchen again, cooking eggs. Unlike the first time, he’s sure these will be good as fuck as he couldn’t take any more teasing with Suho from his eggs last time.

He watches the oil sizzle on the eggs, still lost in thought. He isn’t really sure what to do but decides to just go with the flow. It’s not like Suho’s full-blown rut will hit right away. He has a few days, he doesn’t know how many more, before he decides something.

Also, Suho hasn’t said anything. Hyuntak doesn’t want to get ahead of himself overthinking it, but then Suho might decide he’s fine spending it alone. It’s not like Suho would be forceful with him.

His mind suddenly flicks to last night, when Suho practically devoured his neck without hesitation. Would he be like that? He swallows the lump forming in his throat at the thought. He toasts some bread, puts the eggs on a separate plate, and sets them on the table.

He got impatient since Suho still isn’t coming, so he goes back to his room and finds him still asleep. “Hey,” he says, kicking his bed lightly. No response. Hyuntak sighs and sits on the edge of the bed. He pulls the blanket off Suho. “I made breakfast.”

Suho is lying on his side, one arm stretched over his face. Hyuntak slowly touches his cheek and taps it a few times to wake him. He unconsciously holds his breath when Suho takes his hand, eyes still closed, and nuzzles on his palm. “…I made breakfast.”

Suho hums. After a few pats on his cheek with Hyuntak staring at him sleeping contentedly, Hyuntak finally had enough and pulls on his cheek hard enough to make Suho yelp in pain. Suho’s now lying on his back, hand on his cheek, looking up at him with one eye closed.

“I said I cooked breakfast. The eggs are about to get damn cold,” he huffs but it’s undeniably fond. “You cooked?” Suho murmurs. Hyuntak stands, nodding, and walks toward Suho’s room. “Get your ass up here or I’m eating your share.”

They’re now both sitting across from each other. It’s easy to tell when Suho isn’t his usual damn self. He sits silently, eating, staring down at the egg and toast Hyuntak made earlier.

He had acknowledged it before with a smile and a sweet thank you, but for some reason, Hyuntak finds that reaction unusual. Suho is sweet, sure, but he’s also a piece of shit. Hyuntak expected teasing with a hint of affection, not this strange, almost distant vibe.

Well, it’s not like Hyuntak doesn’t know why. Suho’s probably thinking about last night and his pre-rut too. “You underappreciate this breakfast I made,” Hyuntak finally says, taking a bite of his toast while shooting Suho a side glance.

Suho raises his eyebrows briefly, then lets out a small laugh before taking a bite himself. “The eggs aren’t half-burnt this time.” “I’m a fast learner.” Suho chuckles again, and then silence falls between them. Hyuntak exhales with frustration, catching Suho’s attention.

“Stop looking so down.” Suho just stares back with that sad, almost pitiful expression that makes Hyuntak want to shake him. Why is he suddenly looking like a kicked puppy?

“Look,” Hyuntak says, “You don’t have to feel guilty about last night or whatever’s running through your head. Shit’s out of your control so don’t beat yourself up.” Suho manages a small smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Do I really look down?”

Hyuntak rolls his eyes. “Yes, you look like a kicked puppy.” Suho chuckles, then asks, “Are you okay?” Oh, for fuck’s sake. Hyuntak stares him down, furrowing his brow. “Stop asking me over and over if I’m okay. I’m fucking fantastic. Nothing to worry about,” he huffs.

“Seriously, stop worrying about it. I’m fine.” He peeks at Suho’s reaction and finally sees him relax. Hours pass, Suho still manages to cook lunch, though Hyuntak watches him warily.

He’s suddenly become a hawk observing every move. Suho even chuckles at how intense Hyuntak’s gaze is. Sieun had said Suho’s usually okay most of the time and only gets out of it during some random hours Hyuntak doesn’t know about.

At one point, Suho hand-feeds Hyuntak some chicken tenders. Hesitant, he opens his mouth. Suho seems pleased and even licks his thumb, wiping crumbs and the spot where Hyuntak’s lips had been. Hyuntak tries to play it cool. And just like that, more hours slip by.

After what happened in the kitchen, Suho stayed in his room for an hour while Hyuntak tried to calm himself down (and his lower region), then decided to take a shower. It was only after he showered that he realized he was almost out of clothes.

Knowing they probably needed to do laundry soon, Hyuntak left his room and knocked on Suho’s door, feeling a little awkward. Suho opened it, and the eye contact between them hit Hyuntak harder than expected, but he forced himself to act casual. He’s the one who said it’s fine.

“It’s laundry day tomorrow. You should start gathering your clothes so we can bring everything to the laundromat in the morning,” he says, glancing away as casually as possible. “If you still have clothes then no need I guess.” His voice lowers towards the end.

Suho nods, leans forward, close to him and Hyuntak’s eyes stay at the flooring. Suho then chuckles that makes Hyuntak look up. Suho’s laughing a little as he reaches out for Hyuntak’s hoody to put it on his head. “Your hair’s still wet.”

“Yeah,” he answers, a bit stupid since his eyes can only follow every Suho’s move. Their chests are almost pressing. Sieun’s the person who always dries their hair, now that he has thought about it, despite their proximity of Suho right now.

Suho and Hyuntak can’t bother to do that but Sieun always makes out of his way to dry their hair every time. Since Suho’s not saying anything anyway, Hyuntak clears his throat and angles himself away. “I’ll be in my room fixing my clothes.”

He turns his back away and is about to walk away when Suho pulls him by his hood this time and Hyuntak gets annoyed and glares at him. “What? You don’t say anything and you only stare.” “Did I ever tell you you’re cute?” Hyuntak’s ears redden. “Fucking every time.”

Suho chuckles and finally leans forward, resting his head on his chin. They’re about the same height but there’s a notable difference with their overall physique. Suho’s hands stay limped at his sides, just his shin on Hyuntak’s shoulder lazily. “You smell good.”

Hyuntak freezes, heartbeat picking up. His palms itch to push him away. “I just took a bath.” A pause. “And I’m not using Sieun’s shampoo this time.” Hyuntak says and honestly, he’s not really sure why he says that.

His mind just wanders to that day Suho’s almost half-lidded eyes sniff him and follow him because of that scent. “You smell like you.” “I don’t have phe—” He yelps when Suho suddenly bites him on his collarbone so hard he feels his teeth sink in a little through his hoodie.

Suho is laughing at his reaction and Hyuntak, so surprised, glares at him like a dagger and so irritated he pulls Suho for a headlock on his arm and elbow. Just because this dumbass is built like a damn brick doesn’t mean Hyuntak can’t do shit like this.

Suho is the one who yelps this time and coughs as he taps Hyuntak’s arm to loosen it. Hyuntak doesn’t give a damn. Laughter fills the living room. For dinner, they eat the leftovers Suho cooked for lunch and some side dishes from the fridge.

Suho, as clingy as ever, busies himself carrying a laundry basket filled with his clothes and places it right next to Hyuntak’s pile, determined to get everything sorted out together. Hyuntak sighs, not bothering to mention the smell building up in their dirty laundry.

Later, when they finally settle down for the night, Hyuntak notices himself slowly growing accustomed to their usual sleeping arrangement. The warmth radiating from Suho pressed against his back is actually comforting.

The weight and shape of Suho’s bulge fitting snugly against his bottom no longer startles him as much as before. Still, whenever that contact happens, a small, silent gasp escapes Hyuntak’s lips.

Hyuntak, despite his worries, falls asleep easier. He wakes up sometime later, he’s not sure when, because of movement beside him.

His eyes widen slightly, sleep still heavy in them at the sound of a stifled moan and the warm brush of breath against his neck. It doesn’t take long to realize what’s happening.

🔞

Suho tilts his chin up with a gentle touch and leans in for another kiss, slower this time, weary too. “Need to wash my hand,” he murmurs between kisses, exhaling softly. Hyuntak melts into him, a small chuckle slipping out, not yet fully recovered. “Yeah. There’s a lot of it.”

“Do you want me to change your undies?” Suho whispers, lips hovering, breath warm on his skin. His eyes are closed, his body heavy and exhausted from everything that just happened. He almost wants to say yes at the offer but he stays silent instead. “‘M not a kid,” he slurs.

Suho chuckles, pressing another kiss to his lips. “I’m going to the bathroom first, then.” Hyuntak barely nods, still out of it, until he hears the door close. He lingers in that drowsy space for a while, nearly drifting off, when a soft touch on his back snaps him awake.

“No way you’re gonna sleep like that.” A familiar voice beside him. “Come on, do you want me to carry you—” Reluctantly, Hyuntak drags his heavy body up and shuffles toward Suho’s door. He hears Suho’s light laughter behind him.

He goes to his own room to grab fresh underwear and pants. Once alone in the bathroom, peeling off the sticky clothes finally stirs him fully awake. The memories of earlier slowly climb into his head, and he leans his forehead against the cool bathroom wall, blushing like crazy.

He thinks of himself moaning and gasping, melting like putty under Suho’s kisses, proactively chasing his release. He can’t stop replaying himself utterly undone, whispering Suho’s name over and over. Fuck.

He rinses off, letting the water wash away the sticky residue and the haze of the moment. Stepping out, he nearly jumps when he spots Suho leaning against the wall. The only light left on is the soft glow from the kitchen, making the living room feel almost completely dark.

There’s a beat of silence before Suho straightens up, steps closer, and takes both of Hyuntak’s hands. His fingers toy with Hyuntak’s, eyes not meeting his but fixed on their intertwined fingers, a sign Hyuntak knows means Suho’s deep in thought. “Should I take inhibitors?”

Hyuntak remains still. Suho’s eyes won’t meet his, and eventually Hyuntak’s gaze shifts from their fingers to Suho’s face. “Why?” “Just… I figured it’d be better.” “It has side effects, though.”

Suho gives a small smile, looking up at him. Even in the dim light, Hyuntak sees how shaken his eyes are. “Not like I can’t stand it.” They stand there, fingers playing together until Hyuntak finally breaks the silence. “Take one if I say so.”

He feels the tension ease from Suho’s shoulders as their eyes finally meet. Suho’s gaze is clear and focused now. Hyuntak’s cheeks flush hot under that intensity.

Honestly, holding Suho’s eyes like this, fully present and awake feels even more exposing and embarrassing than everything that happened earlier. Suho pulls him into a warm hug, hands slipping to rest gently on Hyuntak’s shoulders. Hyuntak leans his chin on Suho’s shoulder.

“You were so damn adorable earlier,” Suho whispers. Hyuntak’s cheeks flame, and he smacks Suho’s back with a half-hearted protest. “Can you fucking give me a break?” he mutters through the fabric of his clothes. Suho laughs softly, tightening his embrace. “I mean it.”

“I get it. Damn it. Stop saying shit anyway.” Suho chuckles, swaying slightly in the muted light of the living room. Hyuntak yawns, eyelids growing heavy as he rests against Suho. “I’m sleepy.” He feels a gentle kiss on his temple just before Suho pulls him up by the wrist.

“Okay, let’s sleep.” Even half-asleep, Hyuntak squints at him. “For real this time?” Suho cackles, pushing him lightly onto the bed, the mattress dipping under their weight. Before Hyuntak can even breathe out, Suho cages him in with his knees on either side.

Their eyes lock, and Suho grins before leaning down to press a soft kiss to the tip of Hyuntak’s nose. “For real, this time,” he murmurs, settling to his side and pulling Hyuntak close for a cuddle.

Hyuntak exhales at the contact as he huffs. “Maybe if you’d stop your boner pressing against me, that’d be real fucking nice too.” Suho laughs one last time. “No promises.” Right. Looks like Hyuntak’s just going to have to get used to that. They finally sleep.

“Quit being so stubborn already,” Hyuntak mutters with exasperation, dropping the bags of folded dirty clothes. He turns, glaring at Suho who stands there holding two bags feigning innocence like he hasn’t heard Hyuntak repeat the same damn line three times.

“You’re in pre-rut,” Hyuntak tries again, insisting. “You don’t have to come. I’ll only be gone for a few hours.” “I told you already, I took an inhibitor. It’ll last for hours. I’ll be fine.” Suho sighs as if he is the one worn out from arguing so early in the morning.

Hyuntak clenches his jaw. Hyuntak has actually planned this laundry run carefully. He’s out of clothes, all his hoodies are dirty. The last thing he wanted was Suho tagging along. He knows Suho is full of shit because he did his research earlier. Inhibitors aren’t foolproof.

They can fail if an omega nearby goes into heat, especially one with strong pheromones. But of course the idiot insisted, going as far as taking an inhibitor just to prove a point, just to keep trailing after him. This bastard seriously never listens. At all.

Suho drops the bags to his sides and crosses the short distance between them, wrapping his arms around Hyuntak’s waist without warning. His chin settles onto Hyuntak’s shoulder and his voice comes out in a playful whine.

“Come on. The laundromat’s practically always empty. No one’s gonna be there. No mishaps.” He emphasizes on the word, amused. “Besides, I’ve got good control as long as I’m near you.” He says it so casually, not even realizing what that does to Hyuntak.