Chapter Text
Seungcheol glared down at the book in his hands. He needed it. He really did. But he had absolutely no idea how to work this stupid book takeout machine in the library of his university. He was an engineering student, for goodness sake, yet he couldn’t make heads or tails of it.
He should just leave it and go and buy it like the other students could. But if he did that, then he and his little brother, Chan, wouldn’t be able to eat this week. His loan from the university only went so far. As it was, the loan combined with his mother’s wage only just paid the rent and bills, let alone food. He couldn’t afford to buy the book. He would have to take it out.
With a sigh, Seungcheol tried to use the machine again. His best friend, Josh, had offered to buy him the book, but Seungcheol had refused. He did need it, but Seungcheol was an alpha. Josh was a beta, and Seungcheol didn’t want his pity. He knew Josh didn’t mean for it to be demeaning, but this was only a book. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if he couldn’t get it. He would only accept the younger boy’s offer of money if it meant his family would starve or be homeless, which Seungcheol knew was extreme, but he just couldn’t accept Josh’s help. For a poor alpha, Seungcheol sure was prideful.
Besides, if he took Josh’s money, then he would have to do something for him in return, which he usually wouldn’t mind doing, but he already knew what this favour would be. He couldn’t even really describe it as a favour, to be honest. Josh just wanted to set him up on a date with an omega friend of his. And whilst Seungcheol didn’t particularly mind going on a date, he just really didn’t have the time. In between doing his university work and taking care of Chan, there was no way he could go on a date. Finding a mate would have to wait until he was done with university and had a secure job where he could provide for his family.
‘Can I help you? You look like you want to punch the machine.’
Seungcheol turned around and the glare immediately disappeared from his eyes. Forget what he just said about dating. He’d make time for this gorgeous man who had offered him help. He had short blond hair that was parted in the middle of his forehead, and a few strands fell down into his eyes. They were such a pretty brown colour, and the glossy orbs blinked up at Seungcheol through small and round silver-rimmed glasses. He was on the taller side for an omega, but he was ever so slightly smaller than Seungcheol. If he lifted his head a little bit, he could probably nestle the omega under his chin quite nicely. His body looked small and lithe, too. He would feel almost weightless against Seungcheol, he was certain of it. And god, his smell. It was so sweet, like vanilla ice cream. He’d definitely find the time to date him.
‘Are you okay?’
Seungcheol nodded, only just realising he’d been staring at the omega. ‘Err, yes.’
‘Do you need me to show you how to use the machine?’
The alpha chuckled and scratched the back of his neck. ‘If you wouldn’t mind.’ He handed the omega the book and he smiled when he saw the cover.
‘A children’s book?’
‘Err, yes? Am I not allowed to take it out?’
The omega smiled up at him. ‘Oh, you can take it out. I was just surprised. Most university students don’t take out children’s novels.’ He swiped the book under the bar code reader, then handed it to Seungcheol. ‘I think it’s cute. Can I ask why you’re taking it out?’
‘Oh, I’m an engineering student. I want to make toys for children that are affordable, so I read children’s books to find out what they like that’s not on the market yet. I have a little brother, too, and affordable toys would be great for him, to be honest.’
The omega’s smile got wider. This alpha was so sweet. Most of the alphas he encountered were the stereotypical ones: arrogant and stupid. He’d never met one that could even be described as sweet by any stretch of the imagination. Even without all of that, the omega couldn’t deny that the alpha was attractive. He had a strong jaw, pale skin, and shiny short black hair. He was gorgeous. And imagining him playing with children just made him ten times more attractive.
‘Do you work in the library?’ Seungcheol asked. He wouldn’t usually ask, he wasn’t that extroverted or sociable, but he needed to know more about the beautiful omega. And if he worked in the library, then Seungcheol knew where he could find him.
‘Yes. Only part-time, though. I’m a dance student at the university, too.’
Seungcheol drifted off again, imagining the omega before him dancing. He was certain that he would look magnificent. ‘Would I have seen you in anything?’
The omega laughed. ‘No. I don’t really participate in the shows here. I want to be a dance teacher. I love children, too.’
‘What’s your name?’ Seungcheol asked, biting his lip. ‘You know, in case I need help taking a book out again.’
The omega smirked. ‘Yoon Jeonghan. You?’
Seungcheol smiled. Jeonghan was such a pretty name and it suited him so well. ‘I’m Choi Seungcheol.’
‘Can I call you Cheolie?’
The alpha chuckled. Most omegas weren’t usually so cheeky, but Seungcheol was beginning to think that Jeonghan wasn’t like most omegas. ‘Of course, you can.’
Jeonghan took his phone out of his pocket. ‘Here, put your number in. That way you can call me when you about to beat up the book machine again. I think it would be funny to watch.’
Seungcheol took the omega’s phone and typed in his number. ‘I’m not that violent, not like other alphas.’
‘I know,’ Jeonghan said, his voice softer now. ‘You’re sweet.’
The alpha felt his face heat up and he handed back the phone. ‘So are you.’
Jeonghan smirked. ‘You won’t be saying that once you get to know me more.’
‘So, you’re saying there’ll be a next time?’
The omega hummed and stepped closer to Seungcheol, the quiet sound coming out as breathy and high-pitched. ‘There might be.’
Seungcheol’s hands twitched. Jeonghan was so close to him. He could just reach out and hold him around the waist if he wanted to. But he wouldn’t. He had no idea how he was supposed to court an omega, but manhandling them on your first meeting definitely wasn’t protocol.
He tore his eyes away from Jeonghan’s slim waist and focused on his eyes. They were even prettier up close. So beautiful.
‘Thank you,’ Jeonghan said with a blush and Seungcheol spluttered as he took a step back. Had he said that out loud?!
The omega cleared his throat. ‘I should be getting back to work. I’ll see you around, Cheolie.’
‘Y-yeah. Bye, Jeonghan.’
The pretty librarian smiled before reluctantly walking away. He unfortunately really did have a job to do, as well as some coursework, but the smell of that alpha was intoxicating. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was exactly, but it reminded him of wood, of a forest, but on a hot day just after the grass had been mown. It was gorgeous. He’d definitely be thinking about Seungcheol tonight.
Once he was certain the omega was out of earshot, Seungcheol groaned. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d met an omega that beautiful before that was unmated. He’d be crazy not to see him again, despite his living circumstances.
His phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket and Seungcheol couldn’t help the blush that encompassed all of his face when he read the notification on the screen.
Unknown number:
Hey, Cheolie, it’s Jeonghan. Save my number in your phone. I’d like to see you again sometime ;)
The alpha bit his lip and stared at the message for a few more moments before he saved the number under the name ‘Angel’. That name suited him perfectly, too.