Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Harua was not a morning person. In fact, he believed that having to get up before the sun did, should be a federal offence that ended in jail time. So why, why had he signed up for three - three! - 8am classes this semester? Oh, right, because he was a dumbass. And because he didn’t listen to Yuma. He could still hear it, how the older omega lounged on the couch, sipping tea with that smug, all-knowing look only older omegas had mastered.

“You’re seriously picking an 8am lecture? On a Monday?”

“It’s fine,” Harua had shrugged, clearly delusional. “I’ll adjust.”

Yuma had just raised an eyebrow. “You literally sleep through your alarms every other day.”

“Not this semester. New year, new me. Plus, I’ll be done by noon!” he had said. “I’ll have the rest of the day to work on art and just chill”

Yuma had just snorted. “You’ll be crying by week three.”

Spoiler alert: It was week two, and Harua was already crying.

His alarm had first gone off at 6:30am. He’d hit snooze at least 3 times at this point. The omega shoved his face further into his pillow and tried to blow up his phone with his mind. 

“Get up, Harua” Yuma groaned from his bed across the room, launching a pillow at the younger boy. It landed on Harua’s back, startling him enough for him to finally rise up out of his bed like some zombie from a grave and turn his alarm off. Meanwhile, Yuma went right back to sleep. Harua tried to blow the other omega up with his mind next. 

The younger omega rolled out of bed, and grabbed some clothes for the day before shuffling down the hall towards the bathroom. Haura could hear the shower running but that didn’t stop him from banging on the door until the water finally shut off and Taki emerged, looking slightly annoyed. 

“Patient, much?”

Harua just growled at him, shoving his way into the steamy bathroom so he could steal the rest of the hot water next. It was after 7am by the time he left the bathroom, clothes on, hair and teeth brushed. The kitchen was bustling with movement as Fuma made coffee and slide a mug across the dining room table to his mate, Kei, who was finishing up packing lunches for whatever younger pack members had classes today. They two older alphas were already dressed for the day, looking much more awake, and quietly discussing weekly grocery lists like actual adults do. Taki was in here too, stealing pieces of bacon off Jo’s plate when he thought the other beta wasn’t looking. 

Harua liked the hustle and bustle that came with everyone’s schedules lining up like this in the morning. The presence of his packmates was comforting, even if they could be annoying as hell sometimes. But living together also meant there was never a moment of true silence - someone was always talking, teasing, laughing. Today, however, Harua felt like a ghost with the way he floated into the dining room area, nearly knocking into Maki who suddenly appeared from the kitchen, with his own plate piled high with food. 

“Morning, sunshine,” Maki greeted, biting into a piece of toast as he took a seat at the table. His voice was deep, a little smug, like he was enjoying the fact that Harua was still half-asleep. “You look like shit”

“Die.” Harua muttered, reaching for the coffee pot to pour himself an extra-large mug full, and then pouring so much caramel creamer into it, the liquid inside turned almost white. 

The alpha just laughed, waiting for Harua to take his usual seat beside him before reaching over and ruffling Harua’s already messy hair.

“Awww, is little Harua cranky?”

Harua batted his hand away, growling, but his cheeks felt warm. Maki had this habit of being too comfortable with him - touching his hair, throwing an arm around his shoulders, stealing his snacks. Harua never knew if Maki did it because he was naturally affectionate or if he was just messing with him. The younger alpha has been doing it since Taki dragged his ass in through the front door and practically begged on his knees to Kei and Fuma to let him stay. 

Harua saw Maki as “Taki’s dumb alpha friend” at first. The two younger boys had been friends all throughout high school but a few weeks before graduation, Maki’s parents dropped the bomb that they were moving back to Germany because his father had gotten a promotion he couldn’t pass up. However, Maki had already accepted to go to the university in town that fall, so Taki had the ingenious idea that the younger alpha could just stay in the pack apartment for a few months. 

Kei and Fuma were a bit reluctant at first, the apartment was already getting a bit tight for space and adding in a new alpha meant he would need his own room. 

“Jo and I can share a room!” Taki suggested, causing Jo’s head to snap up from his sketchbook. 

“Woah, wait. I didn’t agree to that!” The older beta protested. 

“Is it okay with Maki’s parents?” Kei had asked, watching Taki as the beta was still on his knees, rubbing his hands together pleadingly. 

“Yes! They’re totally fine with it and Maki’s totally chill, I swear. He’s not some douchebag alpha… no offense” Taki cleared his throat, giving the two alphas in front of him his best puppy dog eyes. 

Kei just sighed, glancing at his mate who shrugged. Fuma had no objections to it, he had meet Maki a few times before and liked the kid. 

“Fine. Only until school starts,” Kei agreed and Taki shot up to his feet, leaping forward to hug the two of them. 

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! Only until school starts”

Famous last words.

Harua figured the young alpha would move out by September, so there was no point getting attached. Then their first year started, and then their first semester ended and Maki had just stayed - but at that point nobody wanted him to leave either.

Harua dragged himself across campus at 7:42 in the morning, clutching an iced coffee like it was the only thing keeping him from dropping dead in the middle of the walkway. He shuffled into the digital art building, barely processing the people around him, his thoughts operating at 2% functionality. His sketchpad was in his bag, his tablet was charged, and the hoodie had stolen from the front closet was extremely comfy, and Maki’s, judging by the slightly spiced rum smell sticking to it. The only thing missing? The will to live.

He dropped into his usual seat in the lecture hall, slumping forward like gravity had suddenly increased tenfold. The professor started talking, and Harua tried his best to listen, but all he heard was: “Good morning, everyone - today we’re going to - blurgh, color theory, blah blah - contrast and saturation - blah, blah, blah.”

Despite everything - the cursed 8AM lectures, the bad sleep habits, the never-ending caffeine dependence - Harua really, truly liked his program. He was a Digital Media major, and for the most part, it was exactly what he wanted to be doing. Every day, he was learning something new, whether it was a new technique, a different rendering style, or some obscure software shortcut that made his life a thousand times easier.

And yeah, it was stressful. Deadlines piled up, critiques could be brutal, and nothing killed motivation faster than a professor saying, “Make something meaningful by next week.” But even on the rough days, Harua reminded himself: This is what I want.

It was funny, people always assumed being in an art program was some dreamy, paint-splattered fantasy and Harua just sat around sketching pretty things and sipping oat milk lattes like he lived in a Pinterest board. In reality, he spent hours hunched over a screen, redrawing the same panel until his wrist ached, suffering in group projects where no one knew how to color match, and being forced to sit through feedback sessions where someone said “this just doesn’t feel inspired” and left it at that. But even the bad days doing what he loved were still better than good days doing anything else.

One of Harua’s favorite electives this semester was his 2D Animation & Storyboarding class. It was held in the university’s basement-level computer lab, and while the room was a little cold and always smelled faintly like energy drinks and burnt plastic, it was still one of the few places he could actually zone out and focus. 

It wasn’t a huge class either, just small enough to start recognizing enough faces to trade tips, complain about frame counts, and quietly judge each other's storyboard thumbnails. It was mostly full of people from his own program - Digital Art, some Digital Marketing students, and the occasional Graphic Design kid who looked like they hadn't slept in three days. So, Harua was confused, when he saw an ugly, unfortunately familiar face sitting across the room from him. He had glared at the guy from the back row of the lab, stylus hovering over his tablet, lips pressed into a thin, unimpressed line.

This alpha, Naoya, wasn’t even a digital art student, Harua was 99% sure the guy was in the business program - like Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and wearing ties to work every day business. The alpha didn’t even bring a tablet. He was using one of the dusty loaner drawing monitors from the school. He didn’t talk about animation principles, didn’t show up to critique days with anything but a smirk and some god-awful stick figure animation that made Harua's eye twitch.

The first couple of weeks, Harua had just brushed it off. He figured it was just a coincidence, and that the alpha just needed an elective credit, or maybe he thought it would help future marketing pitch decks or whatever. But then Naoya started sitting closer, and wouldn’t ever leave him alone. He smelled awful, like overripe fruit, almost rotten, and hot plastic. It always gave Harua an instant headache whenever he got too close, and having a headache while staring at a bright screen all day is a bad combo. 

He also always makes comments about Harua’s looks, his lavender and vanilla scent, or the way he carried himself. Harua figured it was just another cocky alpha who thought he could flirt his way into an omega’s good graces. It was all annoying, sure, but harmless. However, it didn't take long for it to become persistent.

The alpha started waiting for him after class, sitting beside him in the lab even when there were empty seats, brushing his hand too close when they reached for the same notes. No matter how firmly Harua said no, the guy kept acting like it was a temporary answer, not a final one. Naoya was slick in the worst way - oily charm, empty compliments, and way too smug.

“So, what are you doing after class?”

“You draw this stuff at home too? You should show me sometime.”

“That’s a cute style you’ve got there. You ever animate anything... spicier?”

Harua felt his soul physically leave his body at that last one. He hadn’t even responded, just put in his headphones and pretended to be way too into keyframing a simple walk cycle. All he knew that this guy was ruining what was supposed to be one of his favourite classes, and was getting real sick of it. 

Harua was used to being underestimated. People would take one look at his soft features, his omega status, his small frame, and assumed he was fragile, or easy to push around. But Harua had spent his entire life proving people wrong. He had never considered himself weak. He was an omega, sure, and absolutely loved embracing his more feminine side, but he was also independent, strong-willed, and more than capable of handling himself. So, when he heard that familiar, unwanted voice behind him, he didn’t freeze, or panic, he just kept walking. 

The hallways were practically empty since most students had already left for the day, the sun long gone, replaced by dim overhead lights flickering in the old building. Harua had stayed late to finish a project in the computer lab, fully engrossed in rendering files until he lost track of time. The thick concrete walls blocked his cell service so he had set an alarm to remind him to go home, the chiming scaring him when it finally went off. 

“Finally caught you alone.”

“Not interested,” Harua said flatly, not even bothering to look over his shoulder to see who was talking to him. He already knew that voice from when it haunted his nightmares. 

Footsteps continued to follow him. 

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“Wow, you’re so fucking observant.”

“You’re cute when you’re feisty.” Naoya chuckled lowly. 

Harua rolled his eyes. “And you’re still a creep.”

The door to the outside was just ahead. If he could get through it, then he’d be that much closer to having cell service so he could call one of his pack members.  But before he could reach the door, a firm hand grabbed his wrist.

Harua’s entire body tensed. He immediately tried to yank his wrist back, but the grip was too strong. “Let. Go.”

The alpha stepped closer, towering over Harua and blocking his path.

“Why do you keep fighting me?” Naoya asked, voice filled with mock concern. “You know you’d be better off with an alpha who can take care of you.”

Harua’s fury flared. “And yet, here I am, taking care of myself just fine.”

Naoya's jaw clenched and fingers tightened around Harua’s wrist, enough to make him wince.

“I could make you feel good, you know.”

Harua’s skin crawled as the alpha’s scent shifted - going from something dominant to something darker. He knew exactly what he was trying to do, this fucker was actually trying to force a reaction and make him feel weak by overpowering him pheromones. 

“I could make you purr, sweetheart.”

Harua’s nails dug into his own palm. Instead of panicking, the omega exhaled slowly, remembering to breathe in through his mouth and not his nose, just like Fuma had taught him in case he ever found himself in a situation like this. 

“Holy shit, you’re so pathetic” 

Naoya stiffened at Harua’s mocking laugh.

“Excuse me?”

The omega finally yanked his wrist free, stepping back just enough to put space between them.

“You think you can intimidate me into wanting you? I wouldn't want you,” Harua scoffed, giving the alpha a look of absolute disgust. “Even if you were the last fucking alpha on Earth”

The words cut through the air like a blade and for a second, the alpha just stared at him.

“Try that shit again, and I’ll break your fucking nose.” The omega warned, starting to walk backwards to the door. 

“You think you’re tough, sweetheart?” the alpha laughed, but his eyes were full of fury.

Harua took another step back, hand on the door handle.

“I don’t think. I know.” He yanked the door open, breathed in the fresh, clean outside air and didn’t stop running until he was back on the street his apartment was on. His wrist ached where Naoya had grabbed him, but he tried to ignore it.

Harua hated alphas. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration, but he could safely say he hated most alphas - the entitled ones, the pushy ones, the ones who thought omegas were just prizes to be claimed. Alphas were supposed to be kind, protective, strong, but never forceful. Alphas were supposed to be like Kei, Fuma, and Maki. Not like that asshole on campus, and not like the countless others who thought "no" didn’t apply to them.

Harua’s hands were still shaking by the time he got back to the apartment. His scent was probably a mess - frustrated, bitter, laced with the leftover anxiety from his escape. The second Harua stepped inside, he knew the others could smell it. Almost everyone was in the living - Kei and Fuma discussing something over the counter, Yuma and Jo curled up on the couch, Taki scrolling through his phone beside them. Then Harua walked in, and the entire mood shifted. He could feel the way everyone turned toward him, picking up on his messed-up scent. The omega just kicked off his shoes harder than necessary, barely sparing anyone a glance as he made his way toward the bathroom.

“Harua?” It was Kei, his voice careful but concerned.

“Not now.” Harua shrugged him off.

“Are you okay -”

“I said, not now, please” 

Kei’s brows furrowed, but he didn’t push, just exchanging looks with his mate. 

The moment the bathroom door locked behind him, Harua felt his breath hitch. He turned the water on scalding hot, stepping in before it had fully warmed up. The hot temperature burned his skin, but it was better than the feeling of anger crawling under his skin. Harua squeezed his eyes shut, and he cried. Silent tears streaming down his face, mixing with the water. He hated this, he hated that he was letting this asshole affect him so much. He scrubbed at his skin, as if that could wash away the feeling of unwanted fingers on his wrist.

By the time Harua stepped out of the shower, his body felt exhausted. The hot water had washed away the tension in his muscles, but not the frustration curling in his chest. At least his hands weren’t shaking anymore. He dried off slowly, wrapping a towel around his waist because he didn’t want to put on his dirty clothes again, and let his hair stay damp as he walked down the hall to his bedroom. Harua opened the door and froze, because waiting on his bed, and casually scrolling through his phone, was Maki. 

“What -” The omega’s voice cracked. He cleared his throat, grip tightening on his towel. “What are you doing?”

Maki glanced up, eyes taking in the fact that Harua was just in a towel. “Waiting for you.”

Harua’s face heated instantly. “…Why?”

The young alpha shrugged, like it was no big deal. “Just felt like it.”

“You - just - ugh,” He groaned, stomping toward his dresser. “Get off my bed.”

“Nah, I’m comfortable.”

Harua grabbed the first clothes he could find, marching toward the closet to change. By the time he emerged - fully clothed now, thank god - Maki was still there, scrolling lazily through his phone.

“Alright,” Harua sighed, crossing his arms as he sat at the bottom of his own bed. “What do you want?”

He was waiting for his younger packmate to start prying, asking about what happened and what he was so upset about but Maki just locked his phone and finally looked at him with a calm expression. 

“Wanna get lunch tomorrow?”.

“…What?” 

“Lunch. You, me, food. Between classes.” Maki made a motion like he was eating a sandwich. 

Harua’s mouth opened. Then closed. He hesitated for only a second nodding.  “Yeah. Okay.”

“Cool.”

-` 💛 ´-

Harua had been having a decent day. Not great, not terrible. Just normal. And after the mess that was yesterday, normal was all he wanted. He had stayed barely more than two minutes after class ended just to finish typing out his notes, the other students trickling out when he smelled that unfortunately familiar, nasty alpha smell. Of course this asshole was back. The omega immediately bristled, shoulders going stiff. He quickly stood up, slamming his laptop shut and shoving it into his bag. 

“What are you still doing here?” Harua barely glanced at him, unplugging his charging cord and shoving that into his bag too.

“I wanted to talk to you. You should come out with me this weekend.” Naoya leaned against the desk Harua’s stuff was on, way too close. 

“I’m busy.” The omega slung his bag over his shoulder. 

The alpha tilted his head. “You didn’t even check your schedule.”

“I’m busy forever.”

“You’ve been acting a little cold toward me, don’t you think?”

“I think you should take a hint.”

Naoya stepped closer and Harua didn’t need to look up to know that the guy was looming, trying to force his presence onto him, trying to make himself more dominant. Harua just gritted his teeth.

“I’m being serious,” the alpha continued. “I don’t like being ignored.”

“I have a boyfriend, dumbass.” the words flew out of Harua’s mouth before he could even think twice about it. But it made the alpha pause, so he doubled down on his lie. “And you know what else? He’s an alpha, and he’s gonna kick your ass if you keep bugging me.”

Naoya's expression shifted. “…You’re lying.”

“Touch me again, and you’ll find out.” Harua slung his bag over his shoulder, walking past the other guy like his heart wasn’t about to pound out of his chest. 

Harua could feel the alpha’s eyes on back, watching him as he left the lecture hall, but then like a miracle, he saw Maki waiting for him across the hall. For a moment, he had forgotten they had agreed to get lunch today. The young alpha was leaning casually against the wall, scrolling through his phone, looking completely unbothered. Harua nearly cried in relief. Without hesitating, he flung himself straight into Maki’s arms.

“Babe!”

Maki’s entire body locked up as the full-grown omega launched himself into his chest. Harua wrapped his arms around the alpha's shoulders, clinging to him like they’d been dating for years.

“I missed you so much,” Harua practically purred, loud enough for the asshole alpha behind him to hear.

“What the -” Maki tried to pull away to look at his packmate but Harua squeezed tighter, burying his face against Maki’s shoulder.

“Just go with it, please” Harua whispered, his own scent was frazzled, uneven - betraying the emotions he was trying to keep under control. But Maki was still holding him close, arms secure around his waist, reminding him he was safe. 

Harua's distressed scent made Maki’s head hurt, and that alone was enough to send every nerve in the young alpha’s body on high alert. His shoulders went stiff, his muscles tensed, and his alpha instincts flared immediately. Maki tilted his head slightly, noticing the figure standing a few feet behind Harua, glaring right at them. For a brief, dangerous moment, Maki considered confronting him right then and there. He wanted to demand what the hell he just did to his packmate, but another part of him reminded him that Harua was scared, and his priority wasn’t some pathetic excuse of an alpha, it was getting Harua the fuck out of there.

So instead of reacting with aggression, Maki pulled Harua closer, his grip tightening around the omega’s waist, so their chests were pressed together. Then he leaned down, dragging his nose slowly across Harua’s scent gland, right at the curve of his neck. A grounding touch, but also a silent claim. Maki could feel the way Harua’s body slowly relaxed at the familiar scent, his smaller body slouching against his chest. 

“Let’s go get lunch, yeah?” Maki murmured, voice casual - like the omega wasn’t still slightly trembling against him.

“…Yeah.” Harua’s wide eyes flickered up to him.

Maki didn’t wait. He turned them away from the scene, arms still firm around the omega, guiding him down the hallway without looking back. Because Harua was his packmate, and no one - no one - got to touch his packmate like that and walk away unscathed. The bastard would regret this soon enough.

Harua collapsed onto the bench seat with a dramatic huff, arms crossed as he stared blankly ahead. They had left campus completely, walking a few blocks until they reached a small, quiet park nearby. The late afternoon sun was warm, but the shade under the tree cooled the air just enough. Maki set their packed lunches, courtesy of Kei, down on the picnic table, before sitting in front of Harua, arms crossed, still staring at him like he was waiting for an explanation.

“Alright,” Maki said finally, voice calm but firm. “What the fuck just happened?”

Harua knew he owed the alpha an explanation. After all, he had just thrown himself into his packmates arms, and dragged him into a fake relationship without so much as a warning.

He sighed, slumping forward and resting his chin in his hands. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

Maki’s brows shot up. “Try again. I’ve never smelled your scent get like that before”

Harua made a vague grumbling noise, avoiding eye contact but Maki, not having it, unpacked their lunches and slammed a pair of chopsticks down onto the table in front of the omega. 

“Explain.”

Harua puffed out his cheeks, clearly reluctant, but eventually, he exhaled through his nose and begrudgingly started talking. He told Maki everything - how the creepy alpha had been pestering him for weeks, and how he never took no for an answer, brushing off Harua’s rejections like they were temporary inconveniences, and that yesterday was the first time he had actually put his hands on him.

Maki’s jaw ticked, his fingers curled into tight fists against the table, nearly snapping his chopsticks in half. The more Harua talked, the angrier he felt. Maki wasn’t the kind of alpha who enjoyed acting dominant or aggressive, but something about the idea of someone cornering Harua, touching him without permission, forcing their scent on him… it made his blood boil.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Or Kei, or Fuma? Hell, even Jo would’ve helped you kill him and hide the body” Maki finally asked, voice lower than before.

Harua pouted immediately, his gaze dropping to the table as his shoulders hunching slightly. “…I wanted to handle it on my own.”

Maki just stared at him, floored.

“Harua,” he started, exasperated. “That’s not -”

But the omega interrupted, crossing his arms stubbornly. “I don’t need some big strong alpha to swoop in and rescue me.”

Maki blinked, caught off guard. Harua’s face was flushed, his expression tense and frustrated.

“You guys already treat me like I’m fragile just because I’m an omega,” Harua muttered, poking at the edge of the table with his nail. “I just… I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of thinking I needed help.”

Maki felt his anger waver slightly. Because… yeah, the pack loved to dote on Harua. They'd buy him things all the time they thought he might like, and they liked how the omega was always down for a cuddle or a hug. But he was also bossy, loud-mouthed and self-sufficient. He was the kind of omega who stole the pack’s clothes and acted like they belonged to him, who argued for fun, and he was also the kind who would rather die than admit he needed help. Of course he hadn’t told them. Maki sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“Okay,” he said, his voice softer now. “I get it.”

Harua looked up, surprised. “…You do?”

Maki nodded. “Yeah. You wanted to handle it yourself. I get that.”

Harua blinked at him, clearly not expecting Maki to understand, but before he could feel too victorious, the alpha leaned forward, expression darkening.

“That being said - next time, you tell me.”

Harua opened his mouth to argue but Maki didn’t let him.

“Harua,” he said firmly, “I’m serious. I don’t care if you think you can handle it, omega or not. I don’t care if you want to prove something. If some asshole is grabbing you and making you uncomfortable, you tell me. Or you tell Kei. Or Fuma. Or anyone in the pack.”

“But -”

“No ‘but.’” Maki let out a deep breath, trying to push down the lingering anger in his chest as Harua pouted harder, sinking into his seat. “…Just don’t scare me like that again, okay?”

Harua’s lips parted slightly. He stared at Maki for a long moment, something unreadable flashing across his face. Then, finally, he looked away and grumbled under his breath.

“…Fine.”

Maki huffed out a small laugh, leaning back. “Good, now eat your lunch.”

Harua exhaled heavily, the tension in his shoulders finally loosening as he finally grabbed his chopsticks and opened up his lunch box. Then, because he was Harua, he picked up one of the onigiri’s from Maki’s bento box and stuffed it into his mouth like nothing had happened.

Maki just stared at him. “Did you seriously just steal my food after that whole conversation?”

Harua chewed obnoxiously, shrugging. “I was stressed. I needed it.”

“You’re lucky I’m not Jo, he would’ve bitten your hand off for that” Maki just shook his head because Harua was smiling again, and right now, that was all that mattered to him.

They continued to eat lunch, Maki defending his food from Harua’s wandering chopsticks. He was trying to steal food more than usual - which was probably a sign that today had been more stressful than he wanted to admit. There was still one last thing weighing on the omega’s mind. He cleared his throat, feeling his cheeks heat slightly.

“Uh… also sorry,” he muttered, tapping his recently painted nails against the table. “For, you know… throwing myself at you back there.”

Maki raised an eyebrow. “Which part? The dramatic greeting, or the part where you called me ‘babe’ like you meant it?”

Harua’s face burned instantly. “Uhm, all of it?”

“Don’t worry about it.” Maki chuckled, reaching for his drink.

“…You don’t mind?”

“I mean, I’m glad I was there to help. That guy was a creep.” Maki shrugged. 

Harua relaxed slightly, shoulders slumping.

“Yeah,” he muttered, picking at his sleeve. “That’s kinda why I wanted to ask you something…”

A part of Harua felt ridiculous asking this, but he’d already embarrassed himself enough today - might as well commit. He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly.

“So, I panicked and told him I had a super scary alpha boyfriend who was gonna kick his ass if he ever thought about messing with me again”

“And I’m supposed to be the super scary alpha?” Maki snorted, and Harua could help but giggle as well. 

Anyone who actually knew Maki well, would never think of him as a “scary alpha.” Sure, Maki could look intimidating. He was tall, with sharp eyes that gave off a permanent air of disinterest, and all those gym visits with Fuma meant he was putting on a bunch of muscle but underneath all that, Maki was annoying. And kind of an idiot - a himbo if you will. He was the guy who stole food off Harua’s plate before the omega was finished eating, laughed at his bad jokes, and draped himself over all of the pack members like an oversized puppy. Scary? Please. But maybe to strangers, if Maki put on his resting bitch face and didn’t say a word, he could actually pull it off.

“Yeah…so, would you mind just… pretending to be my boyfriend whenever we see him?” Harua saw that Maki froze mid-sip so he rushed to explain. “Just when he’s around! So, he gets the hint and fucks off sooner rather than later.”

“Oh.”

“It’s not, like, a big deal or anything.”

“Right.”

“It’s just, you know, for convenience.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And you’re good at acting, so it’ll seem believable.”

“Naturally.”

“And, like, people already kinda think we -”

“Harua.”

The omega clamped his mouth shut, worried he had offended the alpha somehow by being weird but Maki was grinning at him. A knowing and absolutely infuriating grin. Harua’s stomach flipped, and he instantly regretted everything.

“…Is that a yes or a no?” he grumbled.

Maki leaned forward, resting his chin in his palm. “Oh, it’s a yes” 

-` 💛 ´-

Harua wasn’t scared of the Naoya, okay - he just didn’t want to deal with him, that’s all. It had been a few days since the whole incident anyways and Harua hasn’t seen the dude since, so he was almost convinced himself that the problem was solved. For the first time in weeks, the omega felt at ease. If all it took was Maki standing there, looking vaguely uninterested and intimidating, then Harua would gladly keep up the act.

The omega jogged up the steps outside the engineering building, answering Kei’s group chat message that asked everybody what they wanted for dinner.

[Kei]

what does everyone want for dinner?

[Taki]

meat!!!!!!!

[Jo]

something with rice

[Yuma]

shouldn’t fuma be asking us this since he’s the one whose actually gonna cook

[Kei]

hey i’m doing the grocery shopping!

[Yuma]

is it still grocery shopping if you’re just ordering online for someone else to pick the food for you?

[Kei]

shut up

[Harua]

surprise us fuma

[Fuma]

👍🏻

Harua was about to lock his phone, already heading toward Maki’s workshop when he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure walking in his direction. His stomach dropped at the sight of the stupid, stinky alpha. He really, really didn’t want to find out if the guy had actually gotten the hint - or if he was still clinging to some insane, twisted hope.

Shit, shit, shit. 

His heart kicked up as he instinctively ducked behind the nearest plant. Which was… not the best hiding spot. He felt ridiculous, peeking behind the large green foliage like some spy from a kid’s cartoon. 

He could hear Naoya’s footsteps getting closer and Harua looked around frantically for a better hiding spot. He's only been to this building once before, and it was to give Maki his notes he forgot one day and - Maki, right. He was the whole reason he was back on this side of campus in the first place anyways. His packmates' class was just down the hall, and if Harua could sneak his way there before the guy noticed him, he’d be safe.

Okay, just act normal.

He took a deep breath, straightened his shirt, and made a quick dash back into the hallway. He had almost made it, almost, but the moment that familiar, smug voice called out his name, his stomach sank.

“Hey there, sweetheart.”

Harua’s jaw clenched. Ignore him. Find Maki. Just walk away.

“Still glued to that boyfriend of yours?” Naoya said casually, following Harua even as the omega moved faster. “I saw him in class earlier. He didn’t seem too busy. Not until that girl sat next to him, anyway.”

Harua forced his expression to stay neutral. Girl? The omega turned his head slightly, eyes flickering toward the classroom doors just down the hall. Come on, Maki. Get out of class already.

As if on cue, the door finally swung open. Students poured out, chatting and stretching as they walked past. Harua’s shoulders slumped in relief when he spotted Maki. But his packmate hadn’t noticed him yet, too distracted by an omega who was standing way too close for Harua’s liking. 

Harua’s stomach did a weird little flip as the omega was leaning in, smiling up at Maki, touching his arm like they were already familiar. Harua couldn’t hear what they were saying, but it was obvious what was happening. And worse, Maki wasn’t stepping away. The moment of unease must have flickered across Harua’s face, because the alpha beside him let out a low chuckle.

“Huh. Looks like your ‘boyfriend’ is popular.”

Harua gritted his teeth. “She’s probably just asking him for notes”

"Uh-huh, I’m sure she is” Naoya tilted his head, amused. 

“I mean,” the alpha continued lazily, “I guess I can’t blame him. You’re cute and all, but omegas like that? They know how to take care of an alpha properly.”

Harua’s entire body stiffened at the casual insult - the implication that he wasn’t a real omega, like Maki would be better off with someone else but he just dug his fingernails into his palm, silently screaming at his idiot packmate to turn his head even an inch. 

Aika smiled up at Maki, all delicate lashes and perfectly curated innocence. To anyone watching from the outside, they looked like two old friends catching up.

“Still waiting on your little shadow?”

Maki’s jaw tightened, looking down to the omega in front of him. She stood a few feet away, arms folded delicately in front of her, head tilted just slightly as she smiled up at him. Her perfume hit him a second later - soft, floral, too sweet. Like it was trying too hard to be pleasant.

“Not that I blame you,” she added lightly. “He’s adorable in that clingy kind of way.”

“Don’t start,” Maki said flatly.

“Start what?” Her smile widened. “I’m just saying. You always had a soft spot for needy types.”

Maki let out a quiet exhale through his nose, already losing patience. He and Aika dated their last year of high school and then for a few weeks during their freshman year of University. But she didn’t like the fact that Maki had joined a pack she wasn’t a part of. She was a totally normal person, until things didn’t go away. Then came the guilt-tripping, the crying voicemails, and the “I just miss you, I thought we had something special.”

Maki had broken it off firmly, but she still didn’t always listen. Instead of having a complete meltdown, she came back to class with the same smile, and same sweetness, like nothing had happened. And Maki, for the sake of avoiding drama in shared classes and social circles, hadn’t made a scene.

“It’s not your business anymore.”

Aika’s gaze flickered briefly - something sharp passing behind her lashes - but her tone stayed light.

“Is that what we’re pretending now?” she said softly. “That I don’t know you better than anyone else does?”

Maki didn’t answer. He didn’t have to but the omega stepped closer. Her scent pressed at his instincts like fingers tapping at a bruise.

“You didn’t used to avoid me, you know. Not like this.”

“You didn’t used to ignore breakups either.”

That made her flinch, just slightly. Then her smile returned a beat later, thinner this time. “You’re cute when you’re cold,” she said. “But I know that’s not the real you.”

He took a step back, putting distance between them again. “The real me doesn’t want you near him.”

Aika just smiled like she knew something he didn’t. “Well,” she said, brushing imaginary lint off her sleeve, “tell your omega I said hi.”

Maki resisted the urge to sigh, speaking of which - where was his packmate? Harua was supposed to meet him after class.  Maki turned his head, trying to look for the familiar face above the crowd of people moving down the hall. 

“Oh, shit”

Down the hall, Harua was standing stiffly next to the last person Maki wanted to see. His eyes narrowed instantly. Harua was obviously tense, clearly trying not to react to something the guy had said.

Harua was debating if getting suspended for clawing this guy’s eyes out was worth it when the familiar smell of rum filled his nose. 

“Hey,” The omega turned his head, his entire body relaxing at the sight of Maki only a few steps away. His strides were purposeful, and his golden-brown eyes were focused on Harua like nothing else mattered.

The alpha beside him let out a quiet scoff. “You sure he’s talking to you?”

Maki’s gaze was serious, and obviously pointed right at him, but all Harua could see was that omega Maki had been talking to, trailing after his packmate like she wasn’t done with him. Something petty and stubborn burned in Harua’s chest. He wasn’t going to let that smug asshole think for even a second that Maki was interested in someone else. Before he could second-guess himself, Harua moved straight into Maki’s space. He met his packmate mid-step, grabbing his wrist and yanking him forward.

“There you are, babe.” Harua stood on his toes and kissed him, on the mouth, right in the middle of the hallway. 

It wasn’t deep, barely a kiss at all, their lips lightly brushing against each other. But it was close enough, real enough that he felt Maki inhaled against his lips - close enough that it was definitely not fake to anyone watching.

Maki’s brain fried itself. Because what the fuck. One second, he was storming over to pull Harua away from that bastard alpha, and the next, all he could taste was that vanilla flavoured lip gloss the omega always had on. Everything else disappeared. The annoying alpha? Gone. The omega who had been flirting with him? Didn’t exist anymore. The busy hallway full of students? Muffled, background noise. There was only Harua. Only the warm press of his body, the soft scent of lavender, and the lingering taste of something sweet.

Maki barely registered when Harua pulled away, and when those wide brown eyes locked onto his, something defiant and smug hidden beneath the surface.

“I’ve missed you.” Harua sighed wistfully, tucking himself into the alpha’s chest. 

It took an embarrassing amount of time for Maki to remember what was happening, and to remember where they were, who was watching, and why Harua had just kissed him in the middle of a crowded hallway. Because this wasn’t real - it was for show. Maki forced himself to snap out of it. He licked his lips just to taste Harua one more time before his arms lifted on instinct, pulling the omega against him in a loose, casual hug.

“Yeah,” Maki murmured, voice steadier than he felt. “Missed you too.”

Harua’s stalker lingered for a second too long, then, with a muttered curse under his breath, he turned and walked away. Maki didn’t move until he was completely out of sight, and even then, he didn’t let go.

The moment they were alone, Harua let out a deep exhale, pressing his forehead to Maki’s chest for a second before stepping back.

“Um, thanks,” Harua muttered, avoiding eye contact with his packmate. 

Maki didn’t know what to say, because his first thought was to almost say something stupid like, "You actually kissed me.", "You taste like vanilla ice cream.”, or "Do it again."

He had to act normal, and play this off like it was nothing, like he hadn’t just felt his entire world tilt because of one fleeting kiss. So, he did what he always did - he slung his arm over Harua’s shoulders, and forced a lazy grin onto his face.

“Yeah, well,” he said, voice smooth and unaffected - a perfect lie. “Gotta sell it, right?”

Harua snorted, looking way too pleased with himself. “Mhm. You’re a natural, babe.”

Babe. Maki ignored the way that one simple word made him want to slam Harua against the nearest wall and lick every single trace of that damn vanilla lip gloss off his lips, and see if it tasted just as sweet the second time. 

“Maki?”

Maki snapped out of it, looking at Harua who was looking up at him curiously, tilting his head slightly. “Huh?”

“I said, let’s go get lunch” Harua rolled his eyes, grabbing the wrist of Maki’s arm that was still across his shoulders and dragging him towards the food court. 

Now, Maki sat against the thick trunk, legs sprawled out comfortably, while Harua leaned back against his chest, nestled between his thighs, tablet balanced in his lap, stylus in hand as he sketched something for his storyboarding class. The wind was soft, birds loud enough to cut through the distant hum of campus life. Somewhere nearby, someone was playing music, barely audible, all warm acoustics and gentle vocals. Maki picked up a piece of grilled chicken with his chopsticks and held it in front of Harua’s face, but the omega kept sketching.

“Eat,” Maki murmured, poking the food at him.

“In a second.”

Maki didn’t drop his arm so Harua sighed through his nose and leaned forward, taking the bite with a quiet grumble.

“Bossy.”

“Ungrateful.”

“You love it.”

Maki didn’t answer, but the smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth said yeah, I do.

Harua shifted a little closer, his weight settling more comfortably against Maki’s chest as he chewed the piece of chicken. Maki fed him another bite without looking, and the omega accepted it this time without argument, chewing quietly as he kept drawing.

He finished swallowing and cleared his throat, just once. “Hey… about earlier.”

Maki made a small sound, more of a grunt, like he was listening. Harua’s fingers hovered above his tablet for a second.

“I… um. I probably shouldn’t have kissed you like that. In front of everyone, I mean. We never really talked about doing that. Like - mouth kisses.” He wasn’t looking at Maki, but he could feel the alpha shift behind him.

Maki leaned his head back against the tree, eyes half-closed as he replied. “It’s fine.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

Another pause. Harua's hand slowly resumed sketching, if only to give himself something to do.

“It just… felt kind of impulsive. I guess I was a little pissed.” The omega huffed. “Naoya was being gross again, and then I saw you with Aika and maybe she was just asking for notes but -"

Maki’s voice cut in, quiet but even. “She’s been bothering me again.”

That made Harua freeze. “Really?”

“Yeah.” Maki shifted slightly, his chin now brushing Harua’s shoulder. “Caught me after class. Again. She keeps asking me out to lunch, I think this is the 6th time in a row”

“Wow. Subtle”

“Right?”

Maki let out a short, humorless laugh, then reached into the lunch container and casually fed Harua another piece of chicken. Harua took it without thinking, still chewing on what Maki had just said, figuratively this time.

“So,” Harua started carefully, “me kissing you like that… actually helped?”

“Yeah. She was probably watching.”

Harua turned his head slightly, enough to look back at him over his shoulder. “So… you’re saying my dramatic, jealousy-fueled kiss was actually productive?”

“Very.”

“Well. You’re welcome, I guess.” Harua huffed out a breath, lips twitching into a reluctant smile.

“Best kiss I’ve gotten out of a fake relationship.” Maki grinned lazily, eyes still half-lidded.

Harua tried to elbow him. Maki caught his wrist and didn’t let go. The breeze moved through the branches above them, warm and quiet, their fingers still loosely connected.

“If we're going to make this look real, maybe we should, you know, include that. Kissing. On the lips."

Maki's smirk softened into a thoughtful expression. He nodded slowly. "Makes sense. It'll sell the act better."

Harua nodded in agreement, though his heart raced at the thought. "Right. For the act."

There was a brief pause, the air between them charged with unspoken thoughts. Maki's gaze flickered to Harua's lips, then back to his eyes.

"And if it keeps Aika off my back, and Naoya off yours, all the better."

Harua chuckled softly, trying to mask his own relief. "Exactly. It's all about appearances."

They held each other's gaze for a moment longer, the weight of their agreement settling in. Harua's mind raced with the memory of the earlier kiss - the warmth, the unexpected jolt it sent through him. He pushed the thought aside, focusing on the practicalities.

"So, we're agreed. For the sake of the act, we include... that."

Maki nodded, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes. "Agreed."

They both turned their attention back to the campus around them, but the agreement hung in the air, adding a new layer to their facade - one that neither was quite ready to dissect.

-` 💛 ´-

“Okay,” Harua said, twirling his phone in his hand as they came to a stop outside the stationary store, “I promise this’ll be quick.”

Maki gave him a flat look. “You said that last time. You were in there for thirty minutes comparing pen tips.”

“I’m an artist, Maki. That was a life decision.”

“You were picking a three-pack of gel pens.”

“Life. Decision. Now, pens first, then shoes. I swear.”

“You better.” Maki crossed his arms. “I’m not leaving without new sneakers.”

Maki followed Harua like a tired boyfriend on his 40th Target trip, watching him move from one display to the next, his fingers gliding over packaging like he was choosing a new weapon for battle.

The omega turned back, holding two identical packs of fineliners. “Okay, be honest. Which black looks blacker?”

Maki stared. “…They’re literally the same.”

“You’re not looking with intention.”

“I don’t even know what that means.”

“This one has a finer nib, but this one’s archival ink,” Harua muttered, holding two pens up like they were holy relics.

“You’re literally going to lose them both within a week.” Maki stood behind him, visibly suffering before grabbing one of the packs. “Get this one. The black is darker.”

“No, it bleeds. Ugh, you don’t get it.”

Yuma, from a few feet away, leaned on a shelf and sipped his boba. “You two argue like an old married couple.”

Harua didn’t even look up. “I could say the same about you and Taki.”

Taki, who was flipping through a planner he had no intention of buying, blinked. “Excuse me? We don’t argue.”

Yuma raised an eyebrow. “We literally just spent ten minutes fighting about whether cereal is a soup.”

“Because you were wrong.”

Maki just shook his head. “Are we done yet?”

Harua turned back to him, holding up a third pen now. “Nope. New contender. Welcome to the pen-off.”

Behind them, Taki let out a gasp, dropping a small box back onto the shelf like it had burned him. “That pen is 45$” the beta stared at the box in horror. 

“Alright, let's get out of here before you break something and owe the store your life savings” Yuma grabbed Taki’s wrist and began to guide him out of the stationary store. “We'll meet you guys in the food court”

“Let's go back to that store we passed by earlier. I want to look at that weird shirt with the cat holding a knife again.” Taki let himself be dragged out by the omega, giving their other two packmates a cheerful wave. 

“Don’t let him buy anything violent!” Harua saluted them off with a grin, then turned to Maki. “Let’s go look at the notebooks quick too”

The mall is bustling with weekend shoppers, the buzz of chatter and clattering trays filling the air. Maki and Harua walk side by side, boba cups in hand and a small paper bag from the stationery store swinging from Harua’s wrist.

“You got the pens, the notebook, and that weird little pencil pouch shaped like a frog,” Maki said, sipping from his drink. “It took you an hour to choose all that”

“Wasn’t it worth it? A promise is a promise.” Harua bumped his shoulder against the alphas as they walked. “You said I could have pens, and I said you could have shoes.”

“Sounds like a weird couple anniversary tradition.”

“Put it on the calendar. One month: pens and sneakers.”

They turned the corner into the food court, scanning the crowd for Taki’s bleach-blonde hair and Yuma’s impossibly fluffy cardigan. They’re nowhere in sight, so Harua offers to go buy food while Maki grabs a table for all four of them to sit at. The omega balanced the takeout tray in one hand, weaving his way through the tables when he spotted the familiar flash of too-pink lipstick and an all-too-familiar perfume that made his stomach twist.

Aika was standing at Maki’s table, smiling a little too sweetly, one hand resting on the table’s edge like she had any right to be there, with her two friends flanking her. Maki looked like he was about to pull his hair out so the omega picked up his pace, slipping through the crowd with intentional purpose.

“Excuse me,” Harua said lightly, breezing between Aika and her friend with just enough shoulder to make it look like not an accident. One of the girls let out a small “Hey!” of protest, but Harua was already sliding into the seat beside Maki like he’d always belonged there.

He set the tray down, then without a word, grabbed Maki by the collar and kissed him. Not a sweet little public act, a real kiss. Open-mouthed and confident, to say mine, and firm enough to say don’t you forget it.

Maki froze for half a second - just long enough for Harua to feel his surprise - then his hand came up, fingers brushing lightly against Harua’s thigh under the table, squeezing as he kissed his packmate back. When Harua finally pulled away, he stayed close to the alphas side, smirking up at Aika with a smile far too sharp to be friendly.

“Oh,” Harua said, blinking innocently. “Didn’t see you there.”

Aika’s expression didn’t crack, but her scent wavered, faint irritation just barely bleeding through the layers of faux sweetness.

“We were just catching up,” she said smoothly. “Old friends and all.”

Harua leaned into Maki’s side, hooking his arm around the alphas. “Aw, that’s sweet. So glad he has new friends now.”

Aika’s smile thinned as Harua just reached for the bag on the tray and handed it to Maki with a little wink.

“Eat up, babe. You’re gonna need all the energy you can for later.”

“Right.” Maki cleared his throat, biting back a laugh. “Thanks.”

The three omegas stood there for a beat longer, until Aika finally took the hint. She turned with a little flip of her hair, murmured something to her friends, and walked away, heels clacking across the tile. Harua didn’t look away until they were out of sight, finally slumping in relief. But not for long. 

“OH MY GOD.”

The omega turned slowly, dread pooling in his stomach. Yuma was standing a few feet away, his eyes wide with horror as he held a bag in one hand, and gripped Taki’s wrist in the other like they both just witnessed a murder. Taki, to his credit, looked more surprised than panicked, but still definitely shook.

“Did you - was that - was that tongue?!” Yuma shrieked, pointing a finger so fast it nearly spilled his drink. “Are you two together now?! Since when?! Why didn’t you tell me?! I tell you everything!”

“Oh… right.” The younger omega winced. “I never told you.”

“Told me what?! That my baby omega is dating the pack’s socially constipated baby alpha?!”

Maki choked on his rice.

“Okay - first of all,” Harua said, pointing a finger back, “You’re barely a year older than me. I’m your baby brother if anything, don’t twist that. Second, calm down. Third…” He glanced around to make sure there was no one important nearby that might overhear them before looking back at Yuma. “It’s fake.”

The older omega’s jaw dropped.

“I’m sorry,” Yuma said slowly, “you made out in the middle of a public food court for a fake relationship?”

Maki cleared his throat, still chewing. “It was strategic.”

“Strategic??”

“Aika was there.”

“Ohhh. That explains it.” Taki finally spoke up, eyebrows raised.

Yuma looked between the two of them like they were speaking another language. “Who the hella is Akia?”

“Maki’s crazy ex” Taki explained, shoving Yuma down into the booth seat across from their other packmates.  “You guys are seriously committing to this bit, huh?”

“What happens when the lines blur and someone catches feelings and you ruin the pack dynamic and Jo starts stress-cooking again and -”

“Yuma. Relax. I’ve got it under control.” Harua reassured his best friend before clearing his throat and sitting up straighter. “You two need to swear you won’t tell Kei or Fuma, though.”

Yuma narrowed his eyes, arms crossed dramatically. “Swear? Like, full secrecy pact? No loopholes?”

“Yes, obviously. Swear on your scent glands or something.”

Taki blinked. “That feels like a bit much.”

“It’s not.”

Yuma tilted his head. “Okay but why not? Kei would definitely tease you, sure, but Fuma - he’d probably throw you guys a celebratory dinner and make everyone say one nice thing about your fake relationship.”

Harua’s smirk faded, just a little, as he looked away. “Kei might laugh it off, but Fuma… he wouldn’t get it.”

Yuma frowned. “Fuma loves you, though.”

“I know. That’s the problem. He’s like a dad. And not in that distant ‘cool uncle’ kind of way. He actually cares about what I do.” Harua sighed, his voice was a little quieter now. “He checks in. He reads my project updates. He still asks if I’ve been sleeping enough.”

Taki shifted, lips parting like he wanted to say something, but Harua kept going.

“And if he thought I was using a packmate, and being dishonest? He’d be… disappointed.” He didn’t say the word ashamed, but it hung in the air anyway.

Yuma reached out, squeezing Harua’s wrist gently. “Okay. We won’t say anything.”

Harua looked up, blinking fast. “Promise?”

“Promise. But when it eventually turns into real feelings and chaos explodes, I reserve the right to say ‘I told you so’ in front of everyone.”

“Seconded.” Taki raised his hand lazily.

“Fine. Just… don’t tell the alphas. Especially Fuma.”

“Our lips are sealed,” Yuma said, zipping his mouth shut and locking it with an invisible key.

Harua's shoulders slumped with visible relief.

“Thank you.”