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.

His heart stutters before steadying. He remembers briefly how shy he’s been this morning after waking up tangled in Suho. After everything they’ve done last night, he half-expected to humiliate himself, to crumble under the awkwardness and shyness but Suho has breezed past it,

pretending nothing happened, even cooking breakfast like it was just another day. That steadied Hyuntak, giving him enough ground to act normal. Thank fuck for that. Suho leans back enough to meet his eyes, lips curved in that infuriatingly cute way. “Please take me with you?”

Hyuntak glares, though it lacks real bite. “You’re so clingy.” Suho only chuckles and tightens his hold, nuzzling his face into Hyuntak’s shoulder like a dog marking territory. Hyuntak bursts into reluctant laughter, shoving at him with half-hearted protests

that quickly turn into a sharp yell for Suho to knock it off. Finally, Suho relents, pulling back just enough to lock eyes with him. They hold the look for a breath too long before Suho leans in, pressing a brief, teasing kiss to his lips.

Hyuntak startles but when Suho pulls him closer by the waist, he finds himself instinctively wrapping his arms around Suho’s neck and meeting him halfway. He doesn’t know why he gives in so easily, why he stops thinking altogether.

Maybe because he’s finally done pretending he doesn’t want this. Maybe because he’s admitted, if only to himself, that he fucking likes kissing this bastard.

Their mouths find each other with startling ease, every glide and pull seamless, as if they’ve done it countless times already. Suho pushes him against the wall, crowding in and Hyuntak doesn’t fight it.

Then, it hits him. This isn’t like last night’s fevered desperation. Suho is fully conscious, fully himself. The kiss is neither frantic nor painfully slow, it lingers in that middle ground. Hyuntak sighs against Suho’s mouth, fingers threading through his hair,

shivering when Suho’s palm sneaks beneath his shirt to touch bare skin. He flinches at the warmth but doesn’t pull away. He leans into it. Because the truth is, he loves this. Hell, he loves the softness of Suho’s lips, the way he seems to know exactly where Hyuntak will melt.

Suho is such a damn good kisser. Hyuntak feels it build, his throat catching as a sound escapes him when Suho presses a leg between his thighs. The kiss threatens to tip into something heavier when Suho abruptly breaks apart for air, lips still brushing his.

Suho lingers for a moment longer, planting one last quick kiss at the corner of his mouth before pulling back slightly, chest rising with ragged breaths. “I think we should go,” Suho says but his lips hover close again, like he can’t help it.

Hyuntak isn’t any better. He stays frozen in place, chest rising unevenly, gaze fixed openly on Suho’s mouth. He doesn’t even know what expression he’s wearing. Only that he feels half-expectant, like he’s waiting for something more without even realizing it shows on his face.

Suho notices though, and Hyuntak swears he hears the faintest sound, almost a growl before Suho exhales and eases forward, not for another kiss but to rest his forehead against his shoulder, right by his collarbone.

“We should go,” Suho repeats, quieter this time. It’s more like he’s saying it to himself rather than to Hyuntak. Hyuntak finally breathes out, nodding without thinking, the motion slow and absentminded.

At the laundromat, Hyuntak sits at the back with Suho leaning against his shoulder. They watch the slow churn of the machines in silence. He hears Suho yawn, the sound muffled beneath the mask Hyuntak had insisted he wear earlier.

Hyuntak finds himself yawning too as his gaze lingers on the machine in front of them, lulled by the spin and the mingled scents of detergent and dirty clothes. Time passes lazily, maybe about ten minutes before the first cycle ends with a click.

Suho stands first, stretches briefly before loading in the next batch of laundry. Hyuntak doesn’t bother to get up, letting him handle it. It’s not that he minds doing it himself but there’s something pleasant about watching someone else take over.

It isn’t hard work, just a nuisance one he’s fine handing off. The little bell above the door jingles, pulling Hyuntak’s eyes to the entrance. Another customer steps in and Hyuntak instinctively tracks the newcomer’s movements, likely just here to pick up their laundry.

He doesn’t feel the need to tense, not with Suho busy and unbothered at the machine. The man and Suho make eye contact. Hyuntak catches the moment Suho’s eyes widen, startled recognition flashing across his features.

The man seems just as familiar with him because he closes the distance easily, tapping Suho on the shoulder like they’ve known each other for years. From the back, Hyuntak raises a brow, watching their exchange with vague curiosity. Huh.

But then Hyuntak notices the way Suho fiddles with his mask. Even while talking easily with the guy, Suho keeps tugging at the fabric like it isn’t sitting right. He doesn’t interfere, though, just sits back and watches.

He hears the faint sound of Suho’s laugh and Hyuntak narrows his eyes, staring at the way the other man’s smile crinkles and how his eyes all but disappear when he’s speaking to Suho. So, yeah. They know each other. Probably too well.

Hyuntak doesn’t blink away his focus until Suho finally gestures toward him. The other guy follows the signal and glances over. Their eyes meet across the room and Hyuntak nods politely and a bit restrained before Suho excuses himself and comes back to sit beside him.

The man leaves without another word. “You alright?” Hyuntak asks, keeping his tone neutral, though he feels Suho’s weight press against his shoulder again as he adjusts his mask once more. “Yeah.” Hyuntak isn’t oblivious. He doesn’t need anyone to spell it out for him.

He can put two and two together. That guy earlier was an omega. No wonder Suho kept shifting his mask like he couldn’t quite breathe right. The scent must’ve been clinging to the air and with Suho in pre-rut, of course it would make him uncomfortable.

“Someone you know?” Hyuntak asks again, glancing at his own hands before looking back up at him. Instead of answering, Suho takes his hand, fingers sliding between his and pulls it close until Hyuntak’s wrist rests against his nose, right over the pulse point.

Hyuntak doesn’t even bother to point out the obvious, that he doesn’t have a scent. He just watches as Suho inhales slowly, visibly grounding himself. “My ex,” Suho murmurs against his skin. Oh.

His gaze shifts away. It clicks into place now, why that exchange felt too familiar, too easy between them. He’s used to Suho only having that kind of closeness with Sieun. Seeing it with someone else, even if it’s just the past, grates at him.

And of course, the ex had to be an omega. Because Suho’s an alpha. And who knows how many omegas Suho has dated before. It’s not a question Hyuntak ever wanted the answer to. Suho leans toward him again, trying to scent him a second time but Hyuntak pulls away this time,

standing up to busy himself with the clothes. He shuffles laundry from one machine to another with more force than necessary. Suho follows him, the clingy bastard, like he refuses to let him carry the chore alone, both of them half-arguing through the simple act of doing laundry.

Hyuntak gives up eventually, staring blankly at their clothes while his thoughts drift. “That was three years ago,” Suho finally says, voice muffled behind his mask. “We broke up just before college.” Hyuntak gives him a look. “I didn’t ask.”