Chapter Text
Seungmin wasn’t ready to go home the next day, or even the day after. And then when he thought he was ready to return home, Jeongin wasn’t. So the two Betas stayed with the Ateez pack for a total of seven days before they built up the courage to go home. Chan had insisted he wasn’t upset with Seungmin or Jeongin, even though Seungmin knew they hadn’t handled the situation correctly, and had insisted they take all the time they needed before returning. Unfortunately, Seungmin knew that if they didn’t return sooner as opposed to later, things would get more difficult for everyone involved.
For the entire duration of those seven days, Seungmin was only in contact with Chan – and each time he talked to his pack Alpha he had Changbin and either Hongjoong or Seonghwa with him so that he couldn’t work himself up or twist Chan’s words – and he didn’t think the rest of the pack had tried reaching out to Jeongin either. On one hand, Seungmin was thankful for the space. Not having to actually talk to the Omegas or Hyunjin allowed him to work through his thoughts and feelings by himself. On the other hand, the fact that none of them reached out bothered him. Was he not as important to them as they said? Did they say that just to keep him from being upset but not actually mean it?
So far, only Chan had taken time every day – more than once some days – to ask how he and Jeongin were doing and how they liked staying at the Ateez dorm. He didn’t offer information on the pack unless Seungmin asked. Seungmin wasn’t sure how he felt about that, either. It almost felt like he was losing his connection to his pack, and that scared him in ways he wasn’t prepared for. Of course, he hadn’t told Jeongin about any of his feelings but the younger Beta probably knew already. He did tell his therapist when he met with her on the fourth day of being away from his pack and she told him it was natural. She even encouraged him to talk to Changbin about his feelings and get his perspective. Seungmin never did get the courage to do that before he and Jeongin made the choice to return home.
Leaving was as hard as Seungmin imagined. He had become used to being around the pack and had grown so accustomed to having an older Beta around that he didn’t want to leave. But he also didn’t want to impose more than they already had. And Mingi and Wooyoung; the Omegas had taken to cuddling and scenting him whenever they got home from schedules and Seungmin would miss the combination of citrus and blackberry clouding his mind every night. Jeongin had just as hard of a time leaving. He had grown attached to Yunho and Jongho and the thought of leaving had the young Beta pouting the entire time they got their bags together.
“We’re one call or text away. I promise if anything happens that makes you feel uncomfortable, all you have to do is get a hold of one of us and we’ll be there to help. And if the next cycle hits and you’re uncomfortable for any reason, call us and we’ll get you somewhere safe.” Seonghwa was probably just as worried as Seungmin, but about completely different things. Seungmin was worried if he would still have a place in the Stray Kids pack, while Seonghwa was worried about his and Jeongin’s mental health. Learning of the mistreatment – though not entirely intended on the pack’s part it was still mistreatment – Jeongin received was concerning and had been worrying Seonghwa since he found out. And Seungmin knew, probably the same as Jeongin did, that at least one cycle was approaching soon. With their promotions over and everyone off of their suppressants, the company had to make time for them to have cycles before they began working on their next release.
“I know hyung. I’ll call if we need you for anything.” With that, Seungmin and Jeongin said their final goodbyes and followed Changbin and Seonghwa out of the dorm. Chan was meeting them outside of the dorm building. Seonghwa shut the door behind them quickly to keep them from hearing the whines that Wooyoung and Mingi let out but Seungmin still heard them. He accepted the gentle prodding from Seonghwa to keep moving because he knew that if he didn’t, he wouldn’t leave. He’d grown so attached to the two Omegas that the very thought of leaving was upsetting.
Returning to the Stray Kids dorm was different. It was quiet, much quieter than Seungmin believed it ever had been before, and the tension was taut in the air. Seungmin tried not to let it bother him as he made his way to the room he shared with Minho and Hyunjin. Except there was no one in the room. It looked like all of Hyunjin’s belongings were moved out, leaving only Minho and Seungmin’s. The empty room took Seungmin by surprise and he paused in the doorway.
“We thought you’d feel more comfortable without Hyunjin in the same room. He moved into Chan and Felix’s room for now.” Minho’s voice startled him. He turned his head to see his Pack Omega standing behind him, making him realize he was still standing in the doorway. Frowning, Seungmin stepped further into the room and deposited his bag on his untouched bed. Minho followed him in.
“He shouldn’t have been banished from his own room just because of me.” Seungmin could have moved into a different room if they were so worried about him being uncomfortable. In fact, he would have felt better if he was sharing a room with Jeongin instead, but he didn’t voice that out loud.
“It was his choice.” That barely made Seungmin feel better. That meant that Hyunjin wasn’t comfortable with him either and that wasn’t conducive to a healthy pack. They had a lot to work on, but right now that was the farthest thing from Seungmin’s mind. All he wanted was to sleep and try to get used to being in his own dorm again. Minho didn’t say anything more as Seungmin laid in his bed. Instead, he left the room and shut the door behind him.
Just two weeks after returning, Seungmin’s biggest fear was coming true. Both Jisung and Felix went into heat together, and Hyunjin was well into a prerut. Already, the three were isolating the two Betas even if they didn’t do so intentionally. First, when Jisung and Felix built their nest for their shared heat they didn’t bother replacing Seungmin or Jeongin’s scents on the blankets and clothes. That had hurt, but Seungmin reluctantly – though not completely and was still hurt – accepted that their scents wouldn’t add much to the nest to comfort them. Then, when Hyunjin entered his prerut, he wouldn’t even go near them at all or let them near him or the Omegas in heat.
Chan did his best to mediate but there was only so much he could do without starting a fight. A fight was something he insisted they didn’t need to keep the pack together. Minho did the same but sided with his Omegas more than the Betas and insisted their comfort was the most important priority for them.
Finally, after being rejected unintentionally for the first few days of the Omegas’ heat and being yelled at by Hyunjin for trying to help feed Felix, Seungmin had enough. Jeongin hadn’t felt comfortable entering the nest after the first time Hyunjin rejected him, and had spent most of his time in the living room, the farthest room from the nest. So after he set the fruit down, Seungmin stepped out of the nest. Chan hadn’t fully succumbed to the pheromones being released yet, but didn’t even look Seungmin’s way when he moved.
“I’m taking Jeongin back to Changbin where we’ll both be more comfortable.” No one said anything as Seungmin left the room. He sent a text to Seonghwa quickly, asking if they could stay there until the pack’s cycles finish and that he’d explain everything when he got there. Seonghwa’s response came quicker than Seungmin expected and it put a smile on his face when he read that the Alpha was on his way with Yeosang. He was quick in packing bags for both of them and carried them into the living room.
“Hyung?” Jeongin perked up when he saw Seungmin enter with the two bags. Seungmin had made Jeongin his priority and had only left his side long enough to make sure the rest of the pack ate.
“Seonghwa-hyung and Yeosang-hyung are on their way. Will you check this bag to see if there’s anything I missed that you’ll want?” Seungmin handed the bag out to the younger Beta who took it and immediately began searching. There wasn’t much he absolutely would want and Seungmin had already packed everything.
While he did that, Seungmin took the case of water and remaining food they’d prepared for the upcoming cycles and brought it all into the nest room. The den had never been a place where Seungmin felt nervous about entering until now. The nerves fluttered in his stomach like butterflies but he tried to force the feeling as far away as he could as he opened the door. A growl sounded that had Seungmin shaking. Still, he marched on, not daring to look at Hyunjin or his four remaining packmates. He set the water down and put the food in the fridge, carefully stacking everything so it would fit, but wouldn’t fall out when someone opened the fridge. It would be up to them to actually remember to eat, and as much as Seungmin didn’t want to see them hurt or suffering there was no way he could stay with them. He left as quietly as he came in, shutting the door behind him with a finality that broke his heart.
He imagined this was how Changbin felt when Chan ignored him. When he didn’t feel comfortable to even be around them, knowing the hurt he faced. Seungmin knew that Hyunjin probably didn’t mean it. It wasn’t the first time the Alpha had growled at him for overstepping a boundary he hadn’t even been aware of. Hyunjin’s inner Alpha definitely wasn’t fond of the Betas unless he could baby them like he did the Omegas. If Seungmin or Jeongin tried to help feed or clean anyone other than themselves, Hyunjin often snapped and growled at them. Seungmin had come to terms with the fact that Hyunjin was just like that.
Not anymore. Yeosang had told him multiple times in the seven days he stayed with the pack that if the pack really loved him – Hyunjin included – he would appreciate his help during their cycles. His Alphas had never snapped at him for trying to feed or bathe their packmates. It was time he listened to his friend and to do what was best for him and Jeongin.
By the time Seonghwa and Yeosang arrived downstairs, Seungmin’s shaking subsided enough that he was able to carry his bag and lock the door behind them. Jeongin was silent as he led him down to the car. They were greeted with the worried faces of both the Alpha and Beta, who took their bags and placed them in the trunk of the car immediately while the three of them climbed into the backseat of the car. Seonghwa sat between them and immediately put an arm around each of their shoulders.
“What happened?” Yeosang asked as he closed the passenger door behind him. Seungwoo drove off without a word, silently focused on driving but Seungmin knew he would be listening. The man had become a friend to him and Jeongin as well and as such he knew he worried for them.
“They rejected us. They probably didn’t mean it, but…” Seungmin wasn’t even sure how to put everything he was feeling into words. It was more than just feeling rejected and upset. He was uncomfortable around them and it almost felt like a chore to help them this time.
“Jisung-hyung and Felix-hyung are in heat. And Hyunjin-hyung is in rut. Our scents were left out of the nest and Hyunjin-hyung wouldn’t let us anywhere near him or anyone else. Chan-hyung and Minho-hyung didn’t really do anything to correct it. I couldn’t even be around them.” Jeongin further explained as he snuggled further into Seonghwa’s embrace. From the front seat, Seungmin could see Yeosang flinch with sympathy at their scents being excluded.
“I was trying to feed Felix and Hyunjin growled at me. I decided it was best for both of us not to be there for the remainder of their cycles. And he growled at me again when I brought the remaining water and food into the room for them.” Seonghwa’s arm tightened around him slightly as he began shaking again.
“You did the right thing. I’ll text Chan when we get back to tell him you’re with us. When their cycles break, we’ll sit down and talk but you’re not going home until a solution is agreed upon.” Seungmin’s relief was evident in his scent even if the idea of imposing on them more made him uncomfortable.
“I hate to impose.” Seonghwa frowned before leaning down and pressing a kiss to Seungmin’s hair. It hit him that the kiss and hug was the first form of physical affection he’d received besides from Jeongin since he left the Ateez dorm.
“You’re not imposing. I’m insisting. Joongie, Minnie, and Youngie are already building a new nest for you guys and the rest are making sure there’s plenty of scented clothes for you to change into.” Seungmin relaxed at the news. He’d missed his clothes smelling of the Ateez pack, especially of citrus and blackberry.
“Pardon my intrusion, but may I ask a question?” Seungwoo asked, turning to look at them after he pulled up to a red light. Seungmin nodded perplexed. “Back when Changbin was forced out of the pack, Sungho told me Hyunjin tended to be a bit sexist towards Betas. Is that something you experienced?”
The air was sharp with tension as Seonghwa and Yeosang turned their attention back onto Seungmin and Jeongin with curious and appalled expressions. Seungmin sighed sadly, but nodded.
“Any time I try to help take care of them during a cycle he’d growl at me, especially if it was during his own rut. All he ever wanted me around for was to cuddle or to take care of me but otherwise he didn’t want me around.” Seungmin used to spend hours wondering why Hyunjin hated him so much. The Alpha had praised his singing but hadn’t acted as any more of a friend than that. Even when Seungmin went out of his way to comfort the Alpha after Woojin left, Hyunjin never seemed to care. Over time, things got better between them, and maybe Seungmin had grown too used to not having Hyunjin hate him every second of the day for this to hurt so much now.
“Hyung isn’t fond of Betas in general. When we were trainees, he once told another trainee that Betas were useless in a pack. The only reason he accepted having us in the pack was because of how it would have looked if we weren’t part of the pack. I think…I think he likes us as people but doesn’t think of us as packmates. And he still thinks we’re taking Changbin’s side in everything even though neither of us had a say in him leaving. We’re just trying to be supportive as friends are.” Jeongin surprised Seungmin with his wisdom and observation. He no longer was the child that he debuted with but sometimes Seungmin forgot how much he’d grown up.
“I normally wouldn’t say this to anyone but I think it would be better for you both to not be around during their cycles from now on. If that’s how he treated you for trying to help then I can only imagine how he’d act if he was upset.” Seungmin frowned as he took the words in. His own fears were similar, but he had been trying to convince himself they weren’t founded and he was overreacting. At least he wasn’t alone in those fears, and that validated his own feelings.
“Well Seungmin did punch him once already for being an asshole so I can agree with hyung. You always have a place with us even if it’s just to hang out while cycles are going.” Seonghwa stated after a few moments of silence.
“I’ll start looking for a larger place so that they can have their own room when they do stay.” Seungmin frowned, feeling as if everything was going too fast and that he didn’t have much of a say in what was happening, but if he was being honest, he didn’t know where they’d stay otherwise. The likelihood of JYPE giving them a separate place to live without them leaving the pack was slim to none – though they stood the same likelihood even if they did leave the pack. Their contracts only protected them if they joined a pack that wasn’t their Idol group. There was nothing saying they couldn’t be forced to live in the dorm with the pack even if they weren’t part of it anymore.
“We need a bigger place anyway, Seungminnie. Nine people and guests are just too much for our little dorm. And if you decide you don’t want to stay with us, that’s fine, too.” Yeosang stated after he saw the frown on Seungmin’s face.
“I don’t even know where else we would stay.” Jeongin was right, of course. They weren’t close to that many Idol groups and going back home every cycle wasn’t feasible. Well, Seungmin could and he would happily take Jeongin home with him but the Ateez dorm was much closer to them than his parents’ home.
“I meant it when I told you we are here to help you. I’m not trying to steal you from your pack but I will take care of you for as long as it’s needed. And Chan knows that as well. If I tell him you’re uncomfortable around them during their cycles, he won’t argue with me.” Seonghwa truly was terrifying and Seungmin could see why Chan was so afraid of upsetting the Alpha more.
Later that night, after they all had eaten, Seungmin insisted on helping Seonghwa wash the dishes. He’d been gathering the courage all afternoon to confess his discomfort at the dorm to Seonghwa and he hoped this was the moment to do so.
“What’s on your mind, Seungminnie?” Seonghwa broke Seungmin out of his thoughts as he caught himself drying the same dish for at least two minutes already. He blushed as he put the plate on the drying rack even though it was already as dry as it could get.
“Earlier you mentioned us staying here during the pack’s cycles.” Seungmin bit his lip as he picked up another dish to rinse off. Seonghwa hummed as he continued scrubbing at the pot they had used to make dinner. “I haven’t been comfortable in the dorm at all since returning. Everything feels wrong. Hyunjin moved out of the room we shared with Minho-hyung and Jeongin told me Jisung avoids him as much as possible even though they also share a room. I’m not sure I want to be part of a pack that still lacks the ability for basic communication even after we already lost two packmates.”
“I assume your contract is the same as Changbin’s? You can’t just move out of the dorm even if you’re no longer part of the pack?” Seungmin nodded at Seonghwa’s question. It was no surprise to him that he knew what Changbin’s contract said, and since they all had the same contract that meant that he knew Seungmin’s contract as well.
“If I could just room with Jeongin I think things would be manageable for us but that means asking Jisung to move too. And that just doesn’t feel fair to him when he really hasn’t done anything wrong.” Seonghwa stopped what he was doing and turned to Seungmin fully.
“He has, though. Not including packmates’ scents in the nest is wrong. Even if it wasn’t intentional, he still excluded you both from a very important aspect of being in a pack. And that’s not okay. I know for a fact that Hongjoong, Mingi, and Wooyoung would never be able to go through a heat if they didn’t have Yeosang’s scent in their nests.” Seonghwa paused as Seungmin mulled over what he said. He gave him a few minutes, returning to washing the remaining dishes in silence. It was only after he had washed everything and placed it in the sink to rinse off that Seonghwa continued with the idea he’d had, despite how nervous he felt.
“I don’t need an answer right away, and there’s no pressure for you or Jeongin to accept, but it is possible to add you guys to our pack as platonic packmates. There’s no pressure for you to join in cycles if you don’t want, you can move in with us permanently, and you guys can take everything at your own pace.” Seonghwa saw the thoughtful look on Seungmin’s face but decided to push ahead as well, to keep him from spiraling before Seonghwa said everything he needed to. “I told you I’m not trying to steal you from your pack so if you both don’t want to leave, that’s okay. I just don’t want to see you guys get hurt again. I fear if you go back you’ll just get hurt again.”
“Can I talk to Jeongin first?” Seungmin seemed nervous to ask, and Seonghwa tried to give him his most comforting smile in response.
“Of course. This is both of your choice and I don’t want you rushing into a decision. You’re both welcome to stay here as long as you want and we’ll accept any choice you make.” Together, they finished the dishes in relative silence before joining the rest of the pack in the nest they had rebuilt. Seungmin was surprised that the pack had brought them into the nest room instead of building a nest in the living room again, but he couldn’t deny that he felt so much more comfortable in the pack’s nest. He could smell everyone perfectly as he let Wooyoung pull him down to cuddle between him and San. The Beta purred – something he wasn’t even aware he could do – when he was smothered by the smell of blackberry and eucalyptus from both sides. The faint smell of roses was added as Yeosang moved so he was near him as well. Seungmin’s purrs grew louder as he relaxed into the embrace of the pack.
Jeongin shifted his head from where it rested on Changbin’s chest, nestled between three Alphas – his favorite three, Changbin, Yunho, and Jongho – and looked over at Seungmin in surprise. He’d never heard Seungmin purr before and was caught between being surprised and happy that the older Beta felt so comfortable and safe to do so. Jongho reached up and brushed the strands of hair that fell into Jeongin’s face back with a smile. They didn’t have to say anything to know Seungmin had made the right decision by bringing the two of them back to the pack.
From where he had settled between Mingi and Hongjoong – actually the two Omegas pulled him down to them when he first entered the nest – Seonghwa smiled at both of the content Betas on either side of the nest. All he could do was hope and pray that Seungmin and Jeongin made the choice that he felt was better for them – not just because he wanted them in his pack, which he did, but because he didn’t think he could stand by and watch as they got hurt again. It was obvious to Seonghwa that the Stray Kids pack had more issues than they’d initially thought that would need to be addressed and handled before they stopped hurting each other.
It took a few days before Seungmin brought Seonghwa’s suggestion up to Jeongin. He wanted to give the younger Beta time to relax before bringing up something as intense as leaving their pack. Even then, it wasn’t Seungmin who brought the subject up. It was Jeongin on a day that Ateez had schedules, leaving Changbin home alone with the two Betas.
“Hyung?” Seungmin hummed in response. Changbin had left them alone in the nest room, where they had spent most of their time, so he could talk to his own therapist so Seungmin knew he was the one Jeongin was talking to. “I don’t want to go back.”
Seungmin paused for a moment to let his thoughts run wild. He had been worried that if he told Jeongin he wasn’t sure about returning to the Stray Kids dorm or remaining in their pack, that Jeongin would feel the need to follow him or feel abandoned by him. Jeongin’s confession took a weight off his shoulders and Seungmin relaxed from where he’d tensed on accident.
“I like it here. No one tries to force me to cuddle them if I don’t want and when I’m done, they let me go without complaining or making a big deal out of it. And they communicate better. Better than anyone in Stray Kids ever has.” Seungmin agreed with everything Jeongin said wholeheartedly. He’d noticed the same thing and knew what his choice would be when Yeosang told him the next day about his purring and how happy it had made the pack.
“I wanted to give you some time to relax before bringing this up, but Seonghwa-hyung has offered to bring us into his pack as platonic packmates so we can stay. You don’t have to feel pressured to participate in anyone’s cycle and they won’t exclude you just for not being comfortable. We can stay with them and still be a part of Stray Kids the Idol group like Changbin-hyung.” Seungmin gave Jeongin all the time he needed to process the information. It had taken him two whole days to process the same information and come to a decision. His decision being that he wanted to join the Ateez pack, wanted to be surrounded by people who cared about him and wanted him to be comfortable, but he wouldn’t if that wasn’t what Jeongin wanted. He’d stay with Jeongin for as long as he possibly could.
“But if we join this pack, what would our pack think? Chan-hyung’s put in so much work to make our pack better and I feel like leaving is a slap in the face to him.” Seungmin frowned. He’d had a similar fear as well but his therapist had been right. He can’t live his life trying to please everyone else and worry about their feelings over his own. His comfort was just as important as his relationships with other people.
“Chan-hyung will understand. Now that he’s been in therapy he’s able to see the problems in the pack. He may not realize how bad your treatment has been or how it’s affected you, but if you tell him why you’re leaving, he will understand. And if you feel more comfortable, I know Seonghwa-hyung and Hongjoong-hyung will sit through the conversation with you.” Changbin’s voice startled them and they turned to look at him in the doorway.
“I thought you were still talking to your therapist hyung.” Changbin smiled and entered the nest, sitting down between the two and picking up one of San’s plushies.
“We just finished up. But I’m serious. If you want to leave the pack and join this one, you shouldn’t worry about how they will feel about it. Your focus should be on yourselves and not what the others will think or feel. And when things settle down some, you can sit down and talk about things civilly.” Seungmin felt better at Changbin’s words and definitely felt he was making the right decision.
“Will you come too?” Jeongin asked as he shifted to place his head on Changbin’s thigh.
“Of course, if that’s what you want.” Seungmin let out a sigh of relief at that. He definitely wanted Changbin with them when they talked to Chan.
“I feel like I’m losing my connection to the pack. I have since you left. And being rejected just made it that much clearer how much they don’t need me.” Seungmin admitted, curling in on himself. He wondered if this was how Changbin felt when he admitted how he felt before he joined his new pack.
“You were the two I worried most about when I left. I’m not surprised in the slightest that you feel this way. I’m just sorry I couldn’t help you sooner.” Seungmin shook his head, knowing it wasn’t his fault for what happened.
“So, are we taking Seonghwa-hyung up on his offer?” Jeongin sounded hopeful and Seungmin didn’t think he could ever deny him what he wanted. Besides, Seonghwa was probably right in that this was exactly what they both needed.
“Yeah, I think we should. But we should talk to Chan-hyung before we break our bond completely.” Jeongin and Changbin agreed. There would still be a few days left for Hyunjin’s rut and Felix and Jisung’s heat. Then it was likely that Chan and Minho would go through their own cycles. Seonghwa would be happy to hear their decision when he got home.
Two weeks later, Seungmin, Jeongin, Seonghwa, Hongjoong, and Changbin were sitting down with Chan and Minho, fresh from their cycles, to discuss the next steps for Seungmin and Jeongin. They met at JYPE with Seungwoo and Sungho as well. At first, Seungmin and Jeongin let Seonghwa and Changbin do most of the talking, telling the other two Pack Leaders about Seungmin and Jeongin’s decision to leave the pack. Only after they had gotten almost everything out in the open did Jeongin and Seungmin expand on what they’d felt, reiterating everything they had said to Seonghwa, Changbin, and Yeosang about how rejected and disregarded they felt with the pack.
Seungmin started by telling the two how they felt about having their scents left out of the nests and that while they knew Jisung and Felix had their rights to a comfortable nest, it still hurt to be excluded like they didn’t mean anything to the pack. Then went into how Hyunjin growling at Seungmin for just trying to help make sure everyone was safe and comfortable made him feel so unappreciated by him. And no one defending him made him feel even less unappreciated. Jeongin reiterated how uncomfortable he felt in the nest without their scents and how he didn’t feel like he had a place in their pack any longer. How Jisung avoiding him was worse than Changbin leaving for him. And how they both came to this decision together because of everything that had happened even after Changbin left. They needed to worry about themselves first, and what was best for them.
“I can’t say I’m not disappointed or upset about this but I can definitely understand why. I’m sorry we were unable to be the pack you needed.” Chan took the news much better than either Beta thought he would. Minho looked just as disappointed and upset but had resigned himself to acceptance. Seungmin almost wished they would be mad and scream at him, blame him for trying to tear their pack apart or do anything that would justify them leaving but they didn’t. They calmly accepted their decision and didn’t argue with them about it.
“We’ll tell the other three for you. Focus on yourselves and we’ll focus on those three.” Minho finally said, his first words spoken since their meeting began and he had asked them how they were doing. Seungmin still felt uneasy, even if they were accepting their decision. Like everything was too easy with how rough everything had been since Changbin left.
“When do you guys move out?” Chan asked after a few minutes of silence. Seungmin turned to Seonghwa to answer the question instead, as he had everything planned out.
“Seungwoo found us a new place that’s larger so everyone has more room. We begin moving this weekend. It would be easier if we can get their stuff packed up before then so we can move it all at once but if that’s not feasible we can wait until after.” Seonghwa explained, thankful that Chan and Minho weren’t making this harder for any of them.
“No, we can make that happen. I’ll make sure Hyunjin, Jisung, and Felix are out of the dorm whenever you’re ready to pack your stuff so they don’t bother you.” As much as Seungmin hated it, that made him relax. He knew that eventually they would have to interact again, when they went back to work and had to work on their next release, but the less interaction he had with them until then was probably for the best. Maybe, when Seungmin and Jeongin settled into their new bond, they could go talk to the other three to clear the air as best they could before returning to work. Maybe.
The meeting ended shortly thereafter. Seungmin and Jeongin felt better as they left the company building and climbed into the car after Hongjoong. Seonghwa and Changbin were riding with Seungwoo in the other car. Hongjoong turned to them as soon as the door shut behind him.
“How do you think that went?” Hongjoong took his scent blocker off to let his chocolate scent fill the car. There was a time when Seungmin doubted anything could relax him more than Minho’s honey scent but Hongjoong’s chocolate had worked wonders in calming him when his mind became too much. Now, he breathed it in happily.
“Better than I expected. Better than I could have hoped. But I almost feel like it’s too easy. Like they should have yelled or screamed at us for leaving, too.” Hongjoong offered him a comforting smile, one that could probably rival Seonghwa’s.
“They want to support you as much as they can even if it hurts them too. And I know it hurts them to let you go but they want what’s best for you. Arguing or getting mad at you will only make things worse for everyone involved.” There was more that Hongjoong wasn’t saying but Seungmin had a feeling he knew what it was and was thankful it wasn’t being spoken out loud. He didn’t want to worry about how everyone else would feel at the moment.
“And I’m happy about that. It still feels weird, though. Especially after everything with Changbin.” The parallels between the two could be dangerous if Seungmin let himself dwell on them, so he pushed the thought from his head.
“Can we cuddle when we get home? With everyone?” Hongjoong smiled at Jeongin’s request. The fact that the most touch-adverse member of his pack – even if Jeongin wasn’t part of his pack just yet – wanted to cuddle with the entire pack was a good sign for him.
“Of course we can sweetheart. I’ll have Minnie and Youngie get the nest ready.” Hongjoong pulled his phone out to send the message. Seungmin and Jeongin had been added to the pack chat when they told the pack of their choice – something both had been nervous about as Seonghwa and Changbin had been the only ones they talked about it to but everyone else seemed excited for them to join as well – so they were able to see the excited responses from the two Omegas. Then came the flood of questions about how it went and any news they should know about before everyone got home. Seonghwa kept the responses short and simple, insisting everything was fine and they should just focus on getting the nest ready, as Hongjoong requested.
It turned out that when the bond break was mutual, it was easier to break and didn’t hurt as much. Seungmin would be lying if he said it didn’t hurt at all, because it did, but he didn’t feel the overwhelming emptiness Changbin had described when he was forced from the bond. It would be at least two weeks before Chan’s bite would fade enough for the pack to be able to replace them. Those two weeks were probably the most awkward for the two Betas. They had moved into the new house with the pack, having their own room for when they needed privacy, but they had spent most of their time attached to different pack members.
Stray Kids were given a short break while Seungmin and Jeongin recovered but they would have to return to work before Seonghwa and the pack were able to give them their new pack mark. Sungho had done everything in his power to give them even a couple more days but the executives at JYPE cared more about sales than the people that actually earned them money. Sales couldn’t happen if one of their largest groups didn’t release new music.
“We had this same issue with Changbin. I wanted him to have more than one day to adjust to the new bond but JYPE wouldn’t give him that. We’ll do what we have to in order to get you guys some time off so we can create that bond.” Seonghwa promised the day before Seungmin and Jeongin were supposed to go back to work. Changbin had told them how long they had planned their ceremony before it happened, even if none of them found out until afterwards.
“Binnie never told us you were planning on adding him to the pack until after it happened.” Seungmin had the feeling that Seonghwa already knew that, but still felt the need to put it out in the open. Seonghwa’s smile told him he knew already.
“He didn’t want you guys to try and talk him out of it. It’s up to you both if you want Hyunjin, Jisung, and Felix to know. We’ll support you in whatever you choose.” Seungmin appreciated that from Seonghwa. And the rest of the pack. All of them supported the two in everything they needed.
Work was strange at first. The only time anyone besides Chan, Minho, and Changbin talked to them was if it was about work. For the moment, Seungmin decided not to talk to about what was going on with the pack at work. There was no reason to bring everything up, just to hurt them further. Seungmin wasn’t going to force the three to talk to him if they weren’t ready.
It was almost a month before Stray Kids and Ateez had a common day off again. Just as they did for Changbin, after work the day before their day off, they had dinner with the entire pack and Seungwoo. The only person Seungmin had wanted by his side besides Jeongin would have been Chan or Minho, but he felt that doing so would have hurt them unnecessarily. So their only witness was Seungwoo, and that was just fine with them both.
“I told you what my ceremony was like, right?” Changbin asked after dinner was finished. They were still sitting at the table, Seungmin admiring the vases of lilacs, jasmine, and roses that were lined along the center of the table. Apparently, Yeonjun gifted them to the pack when Changbin and Wooyoung told him they were adding the two Betas to the pack.
“You did.” Jeongin answered instead of Seungmin. Seonghwa smiled at them. The smile eased some of the nerves Seungmin had about joining another pack. He remembered how traumatic the experience of their first mating had been for Jeongin and it had haunted him since that day.
“We’ll do something similar except it will be both of you at once. Seungwoo will make sure this is something that all parties want, and then we’ll each add our bites to your necks, ending with me and Hongjoong. Afterwards, you both will add your bites onto our necks to seal the bonds.” Seonghwa explained, even though he’d explained this to them before so they knew what to expect. “If you need time in between that’s not a problem. Binnie cried in between receiving our bites and giving his.”
Changbin didn’t even look embarrassed at being called out as he smiled at the two of them. He’d told them about that too. Changbin had been so deep in his emotions that the feeling of safety shocked him into tears. Seungmin and Jeongin weren’t as emotionally raw as Changbin was so they didn’t think they’d need the time he did. Still, Seungmin and Jeongin both nodded their understanding.
They gathered in the circle of pillows again and Seungwoo went around the circle, asking every single member of the pack if they accepted Seungmin and Jeongin into the pack, and after everyone agreed he turned the question on the two Betas. There was no hesitation in either of their agreements. It was a blur from there.
Jongho was the first to bite them – just as he was with Changbin - first biting Jeongin as the youngest Beta was closest to him, and then Seungmin. But only after they bit each other to start. As soon as Jongho was out of the way Wooyoung took his place. Then Changbin, followed by Mingi, San, Yeosang, and Yunho added their bites. With each new bite that got added, the more intense the feeling was. Both could feel everyone’s emotions, the feelings of happiness and relief, spread through them. Finally, they faced Hongjoong after Yunho pulled away. For the last seven bites, Hongjoong and Seonghwa had braced them so that when it became difficult to hold themselves up they could lean on someone instead. Yunho and San were behind them now, doing the same thing.
“Are you ready?” The Omega asked, flashing his teeth at them but waiting for their response before continuing.
“’T’s a lot.” Seungmin mumbled softly, almost unintelligibly. Hongjoong seemed to understand what he meant as he hummed an agreement.
“We’re almost done, sweetheart. Can you continue?” Seungmin nodded slightly, leaning his head against Yunho’s shoulder. The Alpha wrapped his arms around Seungmin’s waist to try and ground him more. From the corner of his eye, he could see San doing the same with Jeongin.
“I’m going to add my bite now, okay? Then Seonghwa will add his and we’ll give you a break. Does that sound good?” It took Seungmin a moment to fully comprehend what Hongjoong said but when he did he nodded. Hongjoong waited a minute more, most likely to wait for Jeongin’s response as well, before leaning in and placing his bite on the younger Beta’s neck. Moments later, Seungmin felt a sharp bite on his own neck to add to the burning hot pain he already felt. There was some shuffling as the two Pack Leaders switched positions and then after a few moments the final bite was placed on his neck.
Seungmin felt so much emotion flowing through him after the last bite was in place. When the Stray Kids pack was formed, Seungmin didn’t get to experience knowing everyone else’s emotions like this. Only Chan’s. To feel ten other people’s emotions at once was a lot but Seungmin decided he liked the feeling. It was a nice experience. A glass of water was brought up to his lips and Yunho helped him drink. After the glass was finished and pulled away from his lips Seungmin felt better. Jeongin did as well, by the looks of things.
“Are you ready to finish?” Seonghwa asked once he noticed the two looked more conscious of what was going on. Both nodded and Jeongin slowly extracted himself from San’s arms. Jongho approached them and Seungmin watched as Jeongin put his bite on his neck first, guided by Seonghwa on where he put his own mark. Then it was Seungmin’s turn. Hongjoong guided him, making sure his bite connected to the rest of the bites. One by one, Seungmin followed Jeongin in giving the rest of the pack his bite until he reached Seonghwa and Hongjoong. He watched as Jeongin placed his bite on the Pack Omega first and moved in as soon as Jeongin pulled away. By the time he finished with Hongjoong, Jeongin was pulling away from Seonghwa. Seungmin took Jeongin’s place and added his bite to Seonghwa’s neck.
“How do you feel?” Seonghwa asked after Seungmin pulled away. Seungmin felt better than he had expected and told them as such. He hadn’t felt like this after getting Chan’s bite. For the first time in years, Seungmin felt a sense of calm as everyone’s feelings faded away from him and he loved it.
“And you, Innie?” Jeongin reiterated much of what Seungmin said, stating how peaceful he felt with the new bond and the pack. Seungmin finally felt like he did something right in giving Jeongin a home where he could be at peace.
“Good, I’m glad. Let’s get these wounds cleaned up and taken care of and then we can all go to the nest.” Yunho and Mingi helped Seungmin stand up while San and Changbin helped Jeongin get up.
“I’m going to go now. Have a good night, boys. Tell me if you need anything.” Seungwoo said as he stood up as well. After getting their goodbyes, the older man left. Wooyoung locked the door behind him before joining San and Changbin in one of the bathrooms with Jeongin. They were carefully cleaning the bite wounds when he entered. As they worked he silently prepared the bandage to cover the wound.
“I’m going to put this over the wound on your neck, okay?” Wooyoung asked as Changbin and San finished. Jeongin nodded slightly before stilling again so that Wooyoung could place the bandage. He was careful to make sure that all ten bites were covered before pressing the adhesive down gently. “There! Do you want to change into pajamas and go to the nest or do you need to be alone right now?”
“I want to be surrounded by my pack right now.” Changbin smiled as they led him out of the bathroom and towards the room he shared with Seungmin. The older Beta was already there when they got there, pulling out pajamas to change into. The three left them there to change. Both Betas were quick to change clothes before making their way to the nest. Slowly but surely, the rest of the pack joined them and the group settled in a comfortable pile. They talked and watched movies until they fell asleep.
Returning to work after the pack bond settled was strange. He could definitely see why Changbin had seemed so on edge when he returned after he joined the pack, too. It wasn’t just because of his nervousness about Stray Kids accepting his new pack, but because it felt uncomfortable being away from his pack. At least they had each other and Changbin.
“I understand why you were so on edge when you returned to work.” Seungmin felt bad for how the pack had treated Changbin back then. He was sure that if any of them knew how he was feeling at that exact moment, they wouldn’t have acted so brashly with him. Or maybe they would have and not cared. Jisung was still extremely upset over losing Changbin.
“It’s easier now, and it’ll be easier with each other and me here. With two bonded packmates around you, you’ll feel better than if you were alone.” Seungmin found comfort in that.
“I’m sorry we gave you such a hard time when you came back.” Seungmin wanted to correct Jeongin, to remind him that he and Seungmin hadn’t tried to give Changbin a hard time but he kept his mouth shut. Because while they hadn’t tried to upset him they also stayed silent when the rest of the pack had berated him for making the choice that was right for him.
“You guys didn’t. You did everything to give me the space I needed and I appreciate that so much. And since Chan knows this was supposed to happen, I’m sure he’ll make sure the others give you space as well.” It was wishful thinking on both sides. They all knew that if Hyunjin, Jisung, or Felix were hurt enough they would lash out at them just as Hyunjin did before. “If they don’t, let me know and I’ll take you home.”
“They’re going to have questions.” Seungmin didn’t want to deal with questions. He just wanted to get their work done so they could go home and be with the pack again. He wasn’t one for much cuddling, taking second to Jeongin who hated extended skinship, but with the new pack and new bond he craved it. It was probably a side effect of the bond.
“I don’t think I can face Felix if he starts to cry.” Seungmin hadn’t even thought about that possibility. He wouldn’t be able to bear it if Felix started crying. They didn’t want to upset anyone. That was why they made it a point not to bring it up at work.
“Then you tell me if I’m not in the room with you. I promise if you’re uncomfortable at any point we can leave. Chan-hyung, Minho-hyung, and Sungho-hyung will understand. And if the company knows what’s good for them, they’ll give us some space.” Changbin sounded so sure of himself that it eased the panic in Seungmin’s belly.
Together, the three walked into the company and made their way to their respective schedules. And even if the nerves of an argument breaking out were at the edge of his mind, the familiar routine helped Seungmin get through the day. He could tell the same went for Jeongin as well. Up until their dance practice where they would have to face everyone in the group.
Changbin made it a point before anyone else arrived to help them change the bandages so they could hold off on a repeat incident with the bandages coming off too soon. Seungmin took a deep breath to gather the courage he would need to see the rest of his former pack before following Changbin inside.