Chapter Text
The first time Yoo Jonghyuk met Kim Dokja was at the end of summer break of his first year of middle school. There was an insistent knock on the door, how annoying, Jonghyuk swung open the door with a glare. “About ti-,” The words fell short, “Oh? Smaller Yoo,” were the first words Kim Dokja said to him. “Get your hyung for me,” His nose had wrinkled at the use of the honorific. Before he could retort about it, Jonghyuk’s brother, Jonghyun was already speaking, “Kim Dokja, you’re here.”
It was the first time he’d ever seen his older brother smile so easily, “Jonghyuk get the guest slippers.” Simply from that observation Jonghyuk became curious about Kim Dokja . Despite clicking his tongue, Jonghyuk went to fetch the slippers from the closet down the hall. “So bossy,” tutted the boy and Jonghyun had scoffed. There was no irritation in Jongyun’s actions, rather it was amusement. When he returned, it was only Kim Dokja in the foyer of the apartment. He tossed the slippers in front of the guy.
“Thanks kid,” Jonghyuk finally got a chance to properly take in the other’s appearance. Although Kim Dokja had referred to him as a kid, which irked him, the other wasn’t much bigger than Jonghyuk himself. Having a leaner build, not completely filling out his school uniform, which had a different emblem than Jonghyun’s. Plus he only had at max two inches over him, which spoke volumes, even if Jonghyuk was tall for his age. Kim Dokja had pale skin, dark hair, and even darker eyes.
Kim Dokja had to have been the most average person Jonghyuk had ever seen. Regardless of the fact, he had at least another year before he presented, Jonghyuk could assume the guy was a beta. Probably with a scent that was nothing noticeable. As if reading his thoughts, “Starting the posturing even without the presentation, huh.” The corner of Kim Dokja’s lips curled up, “How admirable of a pup .” The back of neck heated up at the words, “I did nothing of the sort,” irritation flared at his temples.
“I’m sure,” the other replied smoothly, stepping past him and steering towards the kitchen. He followed suit, “I never did anything like posturing.” The boy in front of him hummed, “and I believe you.” Jonghyun stood at the kitchen counter cutting vegetables, “Kim Dokja stop terrorizing the brat, he’s already got such a temper.” A smile flashed at him, “I did nothing of the sort, right Jonghyuk-ie ?” He didn’t bother to reply, choosing to walk away back to his room grinding his teeth at the way Kim Dokja called his name.
___
Over the course of the year, Kim Dokja appeared more often than not, still choosing to annoy him to no end. Jonghyuk didn’t understand how Jonghyun wasn’t affected by how obnoxious his friend was. Another thing Jonghyuk couldn’t place was Kim Dokja and his brother’s relationship, it didn’t help that Jonghyun never commented on it. Only Kim Dokja and each reply was something along the lines of “ we were lovers in a past life, y’know? Now we’ve reincarnated as best friends. ” Or, “ Your hyung just loves my face too much to see me go. ”
He would’ve believed that Jonghyun and Kim Dokja were merely friends, if they didn’t catch the way Jonghyun looked at the other. Yet they simply couldn’t be a couple despite the physical affection because it lacked all intimacy. Not that Jonghyuk knew anything of relationships being an anti-social thirteen year old. Then again he could never imagine his brother in a romantic relationship, nonetheless with Kim Dokja, it just felt wrong.
Jonghyuk had just returned from night school, glancing at another pair of shoes in the foyer. Too small to be Namgung Minyoung’s, he walked to the living room to figure out whose shoes were there. “You weren’t lying,” a voice spoke with interest, “It really is a smaller copy of SP!” A girl laid on her side on the living room couch, propping her head up with her hand. “Why would I lie about that?” Kim Dokja rolled his eyes at the girl as he pushed her legs off the couch and sat down.
Without missing a beat the girl threw her legs over Kim Dokja’s lap, he didn’t push them off. Jonghyuk narrowed his eyes at the contact between the two, feeling peeved. Too focused, he didn’t even ask who SP even or who this girl was. Words slipping past his lips without much thought, “Kim Dokja, I didn’t realize your preference was one lacking such,” he paused doing a once over of the girl, “ maturity .”
The girl sat up, swinging her legs off Kim Dokja’s lap and stood up, “You’re not cute at all brat .” She was short, barely reaching his chin, skinny as well, yet by her stance Jonghyuk knew she was an alpha. “Who knew an alpha could be so puny,” Jonghyuk muttered and Kim Dokja laughed, “I don’t want to hear anything from you!” Turning her attention to the other, she dove to the couch and locked her arm around Kim Dokja’s neck, putting him in a chokehold. “You’d be lucky, if I even gave you the time of the day!”
“Like I’d want you to, Han Sooyoung” The two wrestled, mostly consisting of Kim Dokja trying to escape the girl's hold whilst she pulled on hair. “Jonghyun!” His older brother came into the living room with a look of annoyance. The way they froze, Jonghyuk assumed his brother’s scent flooded the room. “So childish, I can’t leave you alone for more than a few minutes,” Jonghyun scolded them.
Apparently Han Sooyoung was a freshman from Jonghyun’s school, who had taken notice of Jonghyun. “Jonghyun my ass, he is the Secretive Plotter, SP!” Kim Dokja thought it was funny how Han Sooyoung had stalked Jonghyun. According to Sooyoung, she’d never liked Jonghyun because of how “two-faced” he was. She never understood his actions or motives, which annoyed her to no end.
She was sitting in the corridor, wasting time before heading back to class when she noticed Jonghyun. He was talking to another class rep. muttering about a meeting before sending them off. Only for another class rep to come along asking for the other and Jonghyun sending them a different way. Which led to them being unable to have a class rep. meeting, “Must you make everyone’s life difficult, SP?”
Jonghyuk had thought it was fitting for his older brother.
Just like Kim Dokja, Han Sooyoung became another constant in his life.
____
Valentine’s day was possibly the worst holiday, girls made school unbearable and got on Jonghyuk’s nerves. Pulling him aside to confess and crying loudly when he didn’t reciprocate their feelings. Or he had other guys sneering at him for the chocolates he’d throw away, having no need for them. At least this Valentine’s day was on a friday, so he wouldn’t see his classmates for a few days.
The next morning, he woke to his brother cleaning before leaving the house, which wouldn’t be noteworthy if it was a weekday. His brother never left the house often, much less on a Saturday, “Namgung Minyoung will be back sometime today.” Without another word, he left out the door. Namgung Minyoung was their guardian, but she was never home due to her work as a martial arts teacher. Traveling to different places to train and have matches against other master’s.
It didn’t make much money, but she could afford two boy’s living expenses as she came from old money. “ It takes a lot to keep a bastard quiet, ” She’d cackled once, “ A lot more when the bastard has two boys of her own.” She grinned at Jonghyuk before ruffling his hair, he liked her as she was an admirable person.
His guardian had arrived a little past noon and the first thing she did was pinch his cheek and asked if he worked out properly. “With a face like yours, you ought to be out on a date today, no?” he grimaced, “At least, Jonghyun puts his face to use.” The slight confusion must’ve shown on his face because Namgung Minyoung laughed and ruffled his hair.
“Ah, Jonghyun didn't tell you he was out on a date did he?” he brushed away her hand, “It doesn’t matter to me.” For the rest of the day, he mulled over what his brother could be doing out because it certainly wasn’t for a date. SP didn’t interact with anybody but Han Sooyoung and Kim Dokja. It was unlikely he’d be on a date with either, Namgung Minyoung just liked to tease everyone.
It was almost eight pm, when he heard some commotion downstairs, which meant SP had finally returned. “SP, y’know your mug is quite useful at times,” he heard Kim Dokja. Slightly alarmed, he canceled his game queue before making his way downstairs. Kim Dokja was taking off his wet shoes with a box in his hand. “Oh, so you’re the one I’ve been smelling all over the house,” Namgung Minyoung called out as she came from the kitchen.
“Jonghyun, you’ve got to know my nose is stronger than that,” she walked over and pinched his cheek, “Silly baby alpha.” Namgung Minyoung made SP look tiny and Kim Dokja even smaller, “Forgive me, I thought your sense of smell would’ve weakened by now.” Their guardian laughed, “As if they could land a hit on me, nonetheless my face” SP gave a small grin, “I meant from old age.” She laughed more before raising her leg and kicking SP in the behind.
“Cheeky lil alpha,” her attention finally focused on Kim Dokja, who was smiling. “You’re awfully small, even for an omega,” Jonghyuk felt like his perspective was set upside down. Kim Dokja was an omega . Even without being presented, Jonghyuk was relatively well at telling others secondary gender. Jonghyuk would’ve thought Kim Dokja an alpha before an omega. “Ah, you are simply too tall,” Kim Dokja replied before doing a small bow.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Kim Dokja,” Namgung Minyoung grinned largely, “Jonghyun must like you a lot if he tried to hide you from me .” Jonghyuks head was still reeling from the shock that the biggest nuisance he knew was an omega. “I wasn’t trying to hide him,” SP retorted before walking to the kitchen. Kim Dokja followed, but not before acknowledging him “Oh, Jonghyuk,” the corner of his lips rose to a mirthful grin.
“Nice pants,” he made no response, choosing to glared while his guardian snickered. Turning back up the stairs to actually put something on over his boxers.
“So you two were on a date then?” Namgung Minyoung questioned while Kim Dokja hummed before replying, “I suppose so, I guess the story of the couples discount isn’t helping in convincing you.” Something twisted in his gut and he felt annoyed with SP. The woman rolled her eyes and shot a look at SP, which he couldn’t really read, Jonghyuk assumed her scent played a part in the message. “What’s with the cake? Is it to commemorate your first date?”
It was the first time Yoo Jonghyuk ever saw Kim Dokja look somewhat coy.
“It’s actually my birthday,” Kim Dokja could speak so much nonsense and not bat an eyelid, but turned awkward at the mention of celebrating his birthday. He felt so unbearably irritated because SP spent the entirety of the day celebrating Kim Dokja’s birthday on a date . It was simply wrong and out of character for his brother.
“Happy birthday Kim Dokja,” Minyoung smiled and Kim Dokja gave a shy “Thank you.”
They lit candles on the cake and sang happy birthday to Kim Dokja. The trio only ate the cake because “ how can you say no to me on my own birthday .” They spent the next hour simply talking, well mostly Kim Dokja and Minyoung, who told the other he needed to eat more. The boy waved her comments away, but remained interested in their guardian’s life and stories. “I’d teach you some things, but even for an omega you’re too tiny,” Minyoung wrinkled her nose, “I’d break you with a single finger.”
The woman retired to bed first and Jonghyuk went back to his own room, feeling annoyed with SP. Kim Dokja didn’t even mention his birthday , after a few minutes, Yoo Jonghyuk decided to return downstairs. As he rounded the corner to enter the kitchen, Kim Dokja was pulling away from SP’s embrace with a small murmur of “thanks for today.” SP simply nodded before returning back to doing the dishes. “Hey, Kim Dokja come here,” Jonghyuk called out and the elder looked at him.
“Isn’t past your bedtime?” He called out as he walked towards Jonghyuk with a stupid grin.
As Kim Dokja neared, Jonghyuk pulled him into a tight hug, “happy birthday, you fool.” When he pulled away, he lightly brushed his lips against Kim Dokja’s cheek. Jonghyuk walked off, returning back to his room, feeling less irritated. “How tsundere of you, Jonghyuk-ie!”
Jonghyuk had mixed feelings about the way his stomach fluttered when he held the other.
___
Kim Dokja and SP began their last year of high school, Han Sooyoung in her second year, and Jonghyuk his second year of middle school. Throughout the year the two oldest weren’t at the house much, focusing on studying for their exams. The times that Kim Dokja did come around, Jonghyuk studied him trying to figure out how he could possibly be an omega. The only thing he could really place was the other’s long eyelashes. Along with the fact that he wore scent patches that occasionally peaked from underneath the collars of his shirts. He wasn’t sure how he’d never noticed them before.
When his birthday rolled around, Kim Dokja and Han Sooyoung had decorated the house with streamers and balloons. There was a large banner that read, “ Happy birthday brat! ” There was also a cake, which was baked by Kim Dokja that none of them trusted to eat. Kim Dokja himself didn’t even take a bite, they all disregarded his words of not wanting a cake to begin with. Han Sooyoung and Kim Dokja rolling their eyes, while his brother watched him suffer with words of “How could you not have a cake?”
They’d brought him to a nearby bakery, buying a cake.
They sang to him, which was embarrassing, but the whole night felt tolerable when Kim Dokja had briefly hugged him and ruffled his hair. At that point, Jonghyuk was a few centimeters taller.
____
“You’re too ugly, that girl Min Jiwon only favors you now because you hang out with SP,” Han Sooyoung was yelling as usual, “That makes sense.” Without seeing him, Jonghyuk knew the other wore a false smile and on queue he heard Sooyoung cry out. In the living room, the girl was holding her forehead while SP and Kim Dokja sat on the couch with the latter's legs draped across his brother’s lap.
Since knowing Kim Dokja was an omega, Jonghyuk realized why Kim Dokja was a rather affectionate person. Showing through physical touch, albeit a bit unconventional, with flicks to the forehead, pinches to the cheeks, a few slaps and punches not that any of it did real damage. Or it was like now, simply being in contact with another person.
“It was happening before I met her,” SP added with a slight lilt in his tone, eyes glimmering with mirth. “Shut your mouth,” Kim Dokja’s foot smacked the other’s abdomen, “Han Sooyoung, your best friend is here.” Jonghyuk glared as the attention of the room shifted to him as he made his way to sit. Only to realize there was only the floor next to the short alpha girl. “Oh cut the crap Kim Dokja,” there was a laugh, “that brat is the least tolerable one here, but keep it up and it’ll be you.”
“As if you’re the most pleasant Han Sooyoung,” he refused to sit on the floor, nonetheless next to the frowning girl. Noticing his dilemma, “aw poor pup , you can sit here.” Kim Dokja patted his lap while Han Sooyoung cackled. Jonghyuk didn’t hesitate and sat, only for Kim Dokja to let out a yelp. “I was joking, you’re heavy” the elder tapped his arm and Jonghyuk stood feeling slightly smug. “Stop looking so smug,” the other swung his legs off Jonghyun and the couch, letting Jonghyuk sit.
“Blatant favoritism,” Sooyoung sneered as Jonghyuk sat, “How could I deny a lil pup a seat.” Sooyoung rolled her eyes at the same time as Jonghyuk.
“Back to the matter at hand,” She clapped her hands together, “SP what do you mean Min Jiwon bothered him before.” SP shrugged, nonchalant, but Jonghyuk knew that the elder was hiding his amusement. “Just as I said, she’s been courting him before I’d met her,” there was a scoff on the other side of him. Jonghyuk picked up on the topic rather quickly, noting that Kim Dokja was receiving the affections of someone named Min Jiwon.
“She is not courting me,” Kim Dokja retaliated, “stop twisting the situation, you know Han Sooyoung’s gullible.” SP raised an eyebrow, “Did she not bring you flowers or offer to pick you up when you told her you rode the subway?” A look of shock splayed over Han Sooyoung’s face just as Jonghyuk could feel his brows pinch together. “Jonghyuk, that’s courting right?” his brother asked as if knowing the growing annoyance he felt. He was thankful for Kim Dokja’s exasperated groan, “Jonghyun, you insufferable bastard, why must you make my life difficult?”
The two exchanged looks, “I already apologized for telling her you’re courting me.” SP turned away without another word feigning a lack of forgiveness. Jonghyuk knew his brother could care less about what others would say about or of him. There was a wretch in his stomach at the words Kim Dokja spoke. Sooyoung mocked gagging, before continuing.
“You two are disgusting, but did she actually do that?” Han Sooyoung asked with sharp eyes, mostly looking to SP for confirmation. There was a curt nod, “Who would’ve thought?” She wrinkled her nose while looking Kim Dokja up and down. “How many courtships of yours were reciprocated again?” Jonghyuk let out a huff, finding Kim Dokja’s words humoring.
The next half hour was spent with Han Sooyoung defending how she chose not to date because there was no one to her taste. Along with how she had plenty of pursuers, Jonghyuk found some truth through the narcissism. The alpha girl wasn’t ugly, a bit far from it with sharp and distinct facial features. She wasn’t the prettiest, but neither unattractive. Jonghyuk was sure that Han Sooyoung’s scent leaned toward the more pleasant side too.
Which led to him thinking about Kim Dokja’s scent.
____
The start of the fall season, Jonghyuk found himself becoming more irritated rather easily. More symptoms appeared with the passing days, his gums ached, body felt sore no matter how much he stretched, his nose felt stuffed and more sensitive, then there were the headaches. I’ll be presenting soon , Jonghyuk noted to himself.
SP had noticed too, giving the advice “ I’d advise you to avoid Han Sooyoung in the upcoming days, her scent is rather profound. ” A girl in his class named Lee Seolhwa had brought it up with him when she saw him pinching and rubbing his nose. Commenting, “ Ginger tea helps with the irritation.” She presented as an omega recently, taking a few days of absence and donning scent patches. Compared to her, Kim Dokja was rather lacking in his secondary. Lee Seolhwa being more curvaceous despite Kim Dokja being older. Jonghyuk chalked it up to him being a male omega.
He called Namgung Minyoung on a rather intense day of symptoms, “‘Not too surprising. Stay home the next few days,” There was few muffled voices in the background of the call, “Give me a second.” Minyoung gave a few shouts, “Anyways, I’ll call the school to let them know because we can’t have that temper of yours running wild.’” Jonghyuk grunted and Minyoung tutted in response, “You know I’m not wrong little one.” He didn’t retaliate, only hanging up after his guardian instructed him to buy bottled water and granola bars, things of the sort to keep his body strong.
Deciding not to delay, Jonghyuk grabbed an umbrella before making his way to the nearby grocery store. It was a rainy day, but it was rather nice on his nose, dulling the scents of the world around him, not that he could truly smell them. The past week his nose felt clogged, but gave no real physical problems. Rather it was as if everything was extremely faint and his nose was working overtime to try and pick the scents up. The trip was a short and pleasant trip.
As he walked to check out, he thought about buying scent patches at a nearby pharmacy.
When he returned home, there were two pairs of shoes in the foyers, both soaked with rain, No Han Sooyoung. Peaking into the living room, neither his brother nor Kim Dokja were there. It meant they were studying in Jonghyun’s room. He walked up the stairs with bags in hand, taking a look at Jonghyun’s door, nodding to himself as it was closed. Making his way down the hall, he swung his door open and nearly dropped the groceries.
Kim Dokja was in the process of removing his shirt giving him a clear view of his chest and torso. His eyes zeroed into the slight plumpness to Kim Dokja’s chest and his small waist, clearly the other was an omega. There were no scent patches on his neck either. “Hey, Jonghyuk,” the other greeted with a smile. Jonghyuk looked away, refusing to look at Kim Dokja, who made no movement to cover his chest. The shamelessness of Kim Dokja, “I just need to borrow a shirt, SP’s are too large,” Kim Dokja began to rummage through his closet.
Jonghyuk gently sat down the groceries, feeling as if he’d drop them at any second.
Turning to face the other, assuming he’d already grabbed a shirt, he was wrong as he took in the sight of Kim Dokja’s back. He admired the slender neck, along with the dips on his lower back. There were a few scars on his sides which Jonghyuk wanted to ask about but didn’t. Another thing he’d observed was that Kim Dokja was very thin. He’d know that the other didn’t eat much, but he felt the urge to make him eat more. Kim Dokja slipped a shirt on, “Thanks for the shirt, Jonghyuk.”
The shirt had fit length wise, but Kim Dokja didn’t fill it out as Jonghyuk would. Kim Dokja was beside him, peeking at the bags. At this proximity, Jonghyuk’s nose twitched, “What’s with the bags?” As soon as he spoke, a realization washed over his face. “Sorry, I forgot,” Kim Dokja’s hands rose and covered his neck glands. “It’s fine,” Jonghyuk had replied, for the first time in days he was able to pick up someone’s scent. It was brief, but definitely a hint of the other’s scent, smellying vaguely floral with a deeper note to it, Amber.
“Well, see you later,” Kim Dokja left down the hall.
Later that night, Jonghyuk woke up feeling intensely hot with the image of Kim Dokja’s bare torso haunting his thoughts. The base of his dick throbbed and Jonghyuk filled with shame.
He was presenting as an alpha.