Chapter Text
Jun woke slowly, hazy, warm, with the sheets still holding Dylan’s scent. For a moment he didn’t even open his eyes, he just smiled sleepily into the pillow, stretching an arm across the bed, expecting to feel Dylan’s waist, his back, his warmth.
His hand met empty sheets. Jun’s eyes snapped open. The spot beside him was still warm…but empty. His pulse jumped instantly.
“Dylan?” His voice came out rough, panicked, still half-asleep.
He sat up so fast the blanket slipped from his shoulders. The apartment was quiet, too quiet. He swung his legs off the bed, running a hand through his messy hair, heart thudding.
Logically, Dylan wouldn’t leave. Emotionally? Jun was two seconds from sprinting out the door barefoot.
He stumbled out of the bedroom and...Stopped dead.
Dylan stood in the kitchen, back to him, drinking water from a glass. Bare legs. No pants. Just one of Jun’s hoodies, long enough to almost cover him but not quite. His thighs were parted casually as he leaned against the counter, like he had no idea what he looked like. Or maybe he did.
Jun forgot how to breathe for a second.
Dylan turned at the sound of his footsteps. His hair was messy, eyes sleepy, cheeks still a little flushed from warmth and afterglow. He blinked at Jun like he was the one who had woken him up.
“…Morning” Dylan said, voice hoarse.
Jun snapped out of his trance, grabbed the nearest pair of pajama pants from the back of the couch and practically threw them at Dylan. “Wear these.”
Dylan caught them with one hand, staring blankly. “…Why.”
“You are...you are not wearing anything” Jun said, flustered. “Nothing. Under that.”
“So?” Dylan raised a brow.
Jun’s jaw tensed. He did not trust his voice. He didn’t trust his legs. “Dylan” he managed, stepping closer. “Put them on.”
But Dylan only shrugged, set the pajama pants on the counter and continued sipping his water.
“I’m letting air flow there” he said calmly, almost bored. “It’s hot.”
Jun’s entire spine went stiff.
Dylan lifted his eyes lazily, gaze dragging down Jun’s shirtless torso and back up again, then leaning his hip against the counter in a way that absolutely wasn’t innocent.
Jun stepped closer, lowering his voice until it was barely above a breath. “You are still… leaking.”
Dylan’s lips curved slowly. “I know” he said.
“Dylan.”
“What?” His tone turned mischievously sweet. “It’s your apartment.”
Jun’s pulse slammed against his ribs.
“And” Dylan continued, voice softening into something warmer, deeper, “I’m your omega.”
The words hit Jun harder than anything else this morning.
Dylan took one more slow sip of water, then set the glass down, watching Jun’s reaction closely.
“So, if I leak around…” Dylan shrugged lightly, tugging Jun’s hoodie lower on his thighs with a teasing innocence that was absolutely not innocent. “…it’s your fault.”
Jun’s throat worked, breath uneven.
“Dylan” he warned again but it came out more like a plea.
Dylan tilted his head, hood falling slightly off his shoulder. “Then come make me stop” he murmured. Means fuck me again this morning.
Jun nearly dropped to his knees.
Jun didn’t answer with words. He didn’t even think. One second Dylan was leaning against the counter with that smug, soft, impossible expression…
…and the next, Jun crossed the kitchen, hands sliding under Dylan’s thighs, lifting him clean off the floor with a low growl that vibrated through his chest.
“Jun...?”
Dylan’s arms instinctively wrapped around his shoulders, eyes widening as Jun hoisted him effortlessly, holding him like he weighed nothing. Jun’s hoodie rode up dangerously high on Dylan’s hips, exposing warm skin against Jun’s palms.
“You” Jun said, breath hot against Dylan’s ear as he adjusted his grip, “are testing me.”
Dylan swallowed, pretending he wasn’t flustered. “I’m just standing..”
“You are not just standing” Jun snapped softly. “You are walking around half-naked in my hoodie, smelling like last night and telling me you are my omega. What did you think would happen?”
Dylan tried to look away, face burning. “I..I didn’t think anything.”
Jun huffed a breath, disbelieving and fond and tightened his hold.“Liar.”
He carried Dylan across the apartment, slow, deliberate steps, like he wanted Dylan to feel every second. Dylan’s legs clung around him instinctively with each movement, his breath hitching, fingers curling in Jun’s messy morning hair.
“Put me down” Dylan muttered half-heartedly.
“No.”
“Jun...”
“No” Jun repeated, firmer, leaning down to brush his nose against Dylan’s cheek, scenting him lazily as he walked. “You are not walking around like that where I can’t see you.”
Dylan shivered. His voice went embarrassingly soft “I wasn’t ... trying to tease.”
Jun kissed the side of his jaw, barely a touch. “You don’t have to try.”
By the time Jun reached the bedroom, Dylan’s heartbeat was pounding against his own chest. Jun set him down gently on the bed but the moment Dylan touched the mattress, Jun followed, caging him in with an arm on either side.
Dylan exhaled shakily, looking up at him. “Why are you...acting like this…?” acting like how clueless innocent he is.
Jun nudged his forehead to Dylan’s, voice dangerously soft.
“Because you were gone when I woke up” he murmured. “And for a second, I thought you left.”
Dylan froze. “…I wouldn’t.”
Jun breathed out like he needed that confirmation. “Good.”
He shifted lower, pulling the blanket over Dylan’s hip, brushing his thumb over the exposed skin of Dylan’s thigh like he was grounding himself.
“Now stay” Jun whispered. “Just for a little longer.”
Dylan swallowed, cheeks warm, voice small. “…Okay.”
Jun settled beside him, pulling Dylan into his chest, arms locking around his waist like he wasn’t planning to let go for the rest of the morning.
“Stay” Jun repeated, lips brushing Dylan’s temple. “Mine.”
Dylan buried his face into Jun’s throat, hoodie sleeves slipping down his shoulders. “…Yours.”
Jun held him tighter.
Dylan lounged on the couch, legs tucked under him, hoodie loose and hair mussed from the day. His body still hummed with the heat of earlier, his mind hazy and soft and he let himself sink into that strange, indulgent feeling of… being taken care of. Jun had cleaned him up, fed him, tucked him into the blankets, kissed his forehead, whispered that he was his.
Now, sprawled like an overachieving omega princess in Jun’s living room, Dylan let the TV play softly, not really watching, just letting the world blur around him. The weight of the day, the heat, Jun’s lingering scent, it all made him dizzy in the best way possible.
He sighed contentedly, stretching his arms over his head. “Mm” he muttered softly to himself. “This is… nice.”
The door clicked open. Dylan didn’t even need to turn to know who it was, he could smell Nano instantly, the faint brightness of him carrying in from outside. Nano padded over and to Dylan’s surprise, didn’t say a single teasing word about the day’s… events. He just settled on the couch beside him, close but not too close, knees brushing against Dylan’s.
Dylan blinked, caught in a haze and tried to straighten his hoodie just a little, though it did nothing to hide the scent still radiating from him.
“Uh… hey” Dylan muttered awkwardly.
Nano didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stared off at nothing, expression soft, contemplative and for once the mischievous little omega didn’t say a single teasing thing. He just let the silence stretch.
Normally, Nano would have teased him mercilessly but now....
“Did you… have a good day?” Dylan finally asked, voice small.
Nano glanced at him, faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yeah. You smell… happy.”
Dylan froze. The words were simple but not so Nano levelled. He opened his mouth to protest, to deny but Nano just shrugged lightly, as if shrugging off the tension between them and letting Dylan sit in his own space.
Dylan exhaled slowly, letting his shoulders relax.
He leaned back into the couch, letting the TV continue while his mind wandered back to Jun. The day had been overwhelming, sweet and… grounding. But somehow, Nano’s quiet company made it feel like something wrong.
He let his eyes close for a moment, resting against the couch, still aware of Nano sitting silently beside him.
Dylan leaned back in the couch, flicking the remote half-heartedly as the movie played in the background. Jun was beside him, sprawled comfortably, occasionally glancing at Dylan with that mix of amusement and protectiveness that made Dylan’s chest tighten.
“So… where is Nano?” Dylan asked casually, shrugging.
Jun glanced up from the bowl of snacks he was arranging. “He said he had something to do. Can’t come tonight.”
Dylan raised an eyebrow. “Hm. Okay, I guess.” He turned back to the screen, not letting himself think too much about it.
But as the movie droned on and the popcorn went stale, Dylan couldn’t shake the subtle tension in the apartment. Pepper had popped by earlier, supposedly just to check in but every time Dylan mentioned Nano asking about his classes, texting him or even joking about him, Pepper’s expression shifted. Tight jaw, slightly furrowed brows, the kind of thing that didn’t escape Dylan’s observant eyes.
When Jun excused himself to get a glass of water, Dylan decided to poke the bear or in this case, his brother.
“Per” Dylan whispered, sidling up to the kitchen counter where Pepper leaned with his phone in hand, “you… you are acting weird. What’s up with Nano? Did he tell you something?”
Pepper froze mid-scroll, eyes flicking toward Dylan, then away. His fingers tightened slightly around the phone. Dylan could read the hesitation like a signpost.
“Uh… nothing” Pepper said, voice a little too casual.
“Come on” Dylan pressed, poking his brother lightly. “I know you are hiding something. You are not subtle. Did something happen? Is he… okay?”
Pepper let out a soft sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s… nothing bad, don’t worry. Just… Nano has been handling some stuff on his own.”
Dylan tilted his head, sensing there was more than Pepper was letting on. “Uh-huh. And… you are okay with that? You are not… worried about him?”
Pepper finally looked at Dylan, expression softening a little. “Of course I am” he said quietly. “He is…like my little brother, you know? I just… he wanted to handle it himself, that’s all. He will tell you when he is ready.”
Dylan narrowed his eyes, poking his brother one last time. “You mean… he is up to something, isn’t he?”
Pepper shook his head, smiling faintly, though it didn’t fully reach his eyes. “He is just… thinking about some things. Don’t read too much into it. Just focus on enjoying dinner with Jun while he is here.”
Dylan grunted, half satisfied, half suspicious. He straightened, walking back to the living room where Jun was already sitting with a fresh drink.
“Jun” Dylan said casually, plopping back down on the couch, “Nano is hiding something. You noticed?”
Jun nodded “If suddenly coming to my bed to sleep and crying halfway means something than yes. He is going through something”.
Dylan opened his mouth and shuts “What do you mean by...?”
“I asked him. He said he just need some time alone. But it’s fine. He will come back when he is ready. For now… focus on me.” Jun added kissing top of Dylan’s head.
Dylan felt a small smile tug at his lips. Jun leaned closer, nudging him with a knee. Dylan rolled his eyes but didn’t push away, he didn’t have the energy or maybe the will, to fight it tonight.
The movie continued, the apartment quiet except for the unspoken tension about Nano lingering just out of reach. Dylan found himself wondering what the little omega was up to but part of him didn’t mind leaving it a mystery for now.
Later, Dylan found Pepper in the living room, sprawled across the couch with his headphones in, pretending to scroll through something on his phone. Dylan, however, wasn’t in the mood to wait politely. He plopped down beside him, elbow nudging Pepper’s side.
“Per” Dylan said, voice low but sharp. “Tell me what’s going on with Nano. I know he told you something.”
Pepper stopped scrolling and one eyebrow slowly rose. “Uh… you know, you are awfully observant” he said casually, though the twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement.
“I’m serious” Dylan pressed, leaning closer. “I can tell. He is acting… weird. And you are acting weirder. Just tell me.”
Pepper sighed, leaning back. “Fine. But don’t get mad at him or me.”
Dylan crossed his arms, eyebrows furrowed. “Go on.”
Pepper finally met his gaze. “Nano… he told me he likes me.”
Dylan blinked, momentarily speechless. Then, after a beat, he furrowed his brows harder. “And?”
“I said no” Pepper admitted softly, shrugging.
Dylan narrowed his eyes, poking Pepper in the shoulder. “Wait, hold up. Are you saying you don’t… like him?” Which is kinda weird cause Dylan remember Pepper being absolutely amused after meeting Nano. He assumed they had something going on.
Pepper froze. A faint blush crept up his neck. “Uh… yeah. Obviously I like him.”
Dylan’s eyes went wide, his poking intensifying. “WHAT? Of course you like him. And you just...just rejected him?”
Pepper laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not like I don’t care, Dylan. But he is still figuring things out. I want him to know there are options, people around him who care, before he decides it’s only me. He is… young. Just came back from England. He spend half his life abroad. He should have the chance to see the world, meet people, figure out what he really wants before he pins himself to one person.”
Dylan groaned, flopping back against the couch. “You are overthinking everything. It’s obvious you like him, so why torture the poor omega?”
Pepper smirked faintly, eyes warm. “I’m not torturing him. I’m being responsible.”
Dylan blinked, then tilted his head. “…You are ridiculous.”
Pepper shrugged, grinning. “Maybe. But that’s your life lesson for the day. sometimes you hold back, even when you know your feelings, just to give someone the space to figure themselves out.”
Dylan huffed, shaking his head but couldn’t suppress a small laugh. “Half your life abroad, huh? I guess that’s fair. But seriously… you better not break his heart.”
Pepper leaned back, eyes glinting. “Nah. He is clever. He will figure me out eventually. And when he does… well, he is going to be mine.”
Dylan snorted, muttering under his breath. “You two are ridiculous together.”
Pepper only smiled faintly, leaning back into the couch with a quiet confidence, leaving Dylan both exasperated and quietly reassured that somehow, things would work out.
The dining room was filled with soft chatter, clinking silverware and the warm scent of home-cooked food. Dylan sat beside Jun, arms folded lazily, while Pepper sat across from him, eyes flicking constantly toward Nano.
Nano, usually a whirlwind of energy at family dinners, bouncing from Pepper to Dylan to Jun, giggling over the smallest joke, had completely changed tonight. He sat straight-backed, shoulders squared, his expressions carefully measured. Gone was the bubbly little omega who would melt into Pepper at every chance.
Dylan noticed immediately, raising an eyebrow at Jun. “He is… different tonight.”
Jun nodded subtly.
Pepper, meanwhile, was starting to feel a pang of guilt in his chest. Every time he caught Nano’s carefully restrained gestures, the subdued tone of his voice, the almost clinical way he responded only when absolutely necessary, it hit him. I pushed too far.
Nano spoke only when needed, delivering statements with precision, the warmth and mischief replaced by a careful maturity that was slightly beyond his years. Even when the conversation involved his favorite foods or plans for the next few weeks, he remained calm, almost guarded.
Pepper tried to keep the conversation light, joking occasionally but every time he looked at Nano, he caught a flicker of something he hadn’t seen before.
Dylan, sensing the tension, whispered to Jun, “Usually he is all over Pepper by now. What happened?”
Jun glanced at him, voice low. “Whatever is that Pepper better fix it soon.”
Dylan frowned, watching Pepper clear his throat and lean back in his chair, looking helpless for a moment.
Pepper’s heart sank as he met Nano’s gaze. The omega was no longer bouncing on his chair, no longer curling into him with all his soft energy. He looked… distant, composed, almost as if he had put up a wall.
Pepper had wanted Nano to experience life, to grow, to explore but he hadn’t realized how abruptly his insistence had forced Nano to act older than he was ready for.
He reached subtly across the table, just resting a hand near Nano’s, careful not to overstep. Nano’s fingers twitched ever so slightly but didn’t move toward Pepper.
Pepper exhaled quietly, realizing that perhaps patience was the lesson here. Nano had to come back to his old self on his own terms. He could guide, support and love but he couldn’t push.
The dinner continued but the air was subtly different. The usual chaos of Nano bouncing around was replaced with a quiet, thoughtful tension, leaving everyone to navigate the delicate balance of affection, guilt and growth.
Pepper walked through the campus cafeteria, tray in hand, spotting Nano sitting alone at one of the long tables. Normally, the younger omega would be bouncing from one table to another, leaning on Pepper whenever he could or stealing bites from someone else’s plate with a mischievous grin. But now, Nano sat perfectly still, straight-backed, notebook open, sipping water with a calm, deliberate air that made Pepper’s chest tighten.
Pepper sighed, setting his tray down with a quiet clink. He had brought Nano’s favorite drink too, a milk tea with extra pearls, just the way Nano liked it but instead of the usual squeal of excitement, Nano glanced at it, nodded once and returned to his notes.
Pepper pulled up a chair beside him, sliding in silently. He didn’t need to speak, just watching Nano quietly had become its own kind of conversation.
After a long moment, Nano’s small, thoughtful voice broke the silence. “P’Per…”
Pepper looked over, eyebrow raised. “Yeah?”
Nano shifted slightly, hands fidgeting with the straw of his milk tea. “Do you… think I’m… mature enough for you now?”
Pepper blinked, caught off guard. His chest tightened in a mixture of guilt. He didn’t mean that way. He didn’t know his word will give different meaning to Nano. He felt like a villain from drama.
He wanted to tell Nano that he had always been enough, that the bubble of distance and refinement didn’t matter.
“You have always been enough” Pepper said finally “It’s not about being ‘mature’ or ‘ready.’ It’s about being yourself. I want to see you grown, Nano.”
Nano’s lips pressed into a thin line, as if he were holding back a smile. He looked down at his drink, then glanced up at Pepper with those thoughtful, earnest eyes. “I just… I don’t want you to think I’m still a kid, or… dependent. I can be serious when it matters.”
Pepper reached out, gently resting a hand on Nano’s, squeezing it lightly. “I know that. I can see it. But you don’t have to be change yourself like this to be mature. Don’t forget how to be you.”
Nano nodded.
“Go out with me” Pepper said loudly and clearly.
Nano blinked twice and stared at Pepper “is...is that because I have grown now?”
“No, it’s because I want you to grow but with me next to you. I don’t think I can afford seeing you losing yourself like that.”
Nano exhaled, finally letting himself relax a little, a faint blush on his cheeks. Taking a careful sip of his milk tea. “I ..”
Pepper smiled warmly, brushing back a strand of Nano’s hair that had fallen over his forehead. “I have always noticed you, Nano. Even when you were bouncing off walls and stealing my food.”
Nano’s lips twitched, almost a smile but still restrained. Pepper leaned back slightly making a mental note that he just had to let him find the balance between growing up and staying playful.
Pepper had been quietly working on his laptop when a familiar giggle floated over from the kitchen. He looked up, brow raising and caught sight of Nano leaning against the counter, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips.
“What are you up to?” Pepper asked, setting his laptop aside.
Nano’s grin widened. “Oh, nothing. Just… maybe stealing your cookie.” He reached for the plate of chocolate chip cookies Pepper had left cooling.
Pepper lunged, mock sternness on his face, though his heart was already softening at the sight. “Wow. What happened to the mature omega?”
Nano squealed and darted sideways, cookies in hand, hopping onto the counter with a flick of his wrist. “I am mature But… mature omegas still deserve cookies, don’t they?”
Pepper groaned, flopping back in his chair with a smile tugging at his lips. “You are impossible. You know that?”
Nano winked, setting a cookie down beside Pepper. “Maybe. But you love it.”
Pepper laughed, leaning back, letting Nano crawl onto his lap, settling comfortably against him. The mischievous grin softened into a bright, genuine smile.
“You haven’t changed” Pepper said quietly, running a hand down Nano’s back. “Even if you are trying to act all serious and grown-up, this” he gestured at Nano leaning into him, giggling softly “...this is still you.”
Nano’s grin turned sheepish, and he rested his forehead lightly against Pepper’s chest. “I guess… I missed this. I missed feeling safe enough to just be silly around you.”
Pepper’s chest tightened. “You will always be safe with me” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Nano’s head. “Silly, playful or serious… I don’t care. I just want you to be you.”
Nano’s eyes sparkled, he laughed freely, the sound bouncing through the apartment. He leaned back into Pepper’s arms, letting himself be held, cuddled and playful again, his warmth radiating through Pepper.
Pepper realized in that moment that he had worried too much about pushing Nano to grow up but watching him laugh like this was exactly what he had hoped for.
Dylan stepped out of his room, hoodie half-slipped, just woke from an evening nap, only to be immediately confronted by the sight of Nano draped all over Pepper on the couch. They were giggling softly, whispering to each other, Nano’s small hands fidgeting with Pepper’s sleeve while Pepper’s arms held him loosely, amused and indulgent.
Dylan’s first instinct was to scowl, though it came out more like a dramatic groan. “Ughhh… how can you two be this… ?” He flopped onto the armrest, pretending to be disgusted, wrinkling his nose like the sweetness in the air was physically unbearable.
Nano’s ears twitched and a sly little smile appeared on his face. He shifted slightly, enough to poke Dylan lightly in the ribs. “Oh, don’t act like you are any better” he said, voice teasing, playful. “I know you have a soft spot for all this stuff. Admit it, omega.”
Dylan scoff, eyes narrowing at the nickname. “I do not”
Nano’s grin widened and he leaned closer, tilting his head. “Uh-huh. Sure, you don’t.”
Nano smirked, wiggling closer against Pepper, still not letting Dylan off the hook. “You are a little jelly.”
Dylan groaned again, burying his face in his hoodie. “I am not. This… this… sweetness is revolting. You two are so… so… perfect it’s annoying.”
Nano let out a soft laugh, poking Dylan’s side again. “Perfect? Nah. You just want someone to smother you like this too, admit it. I see that fiery little omega brain of yours plotting.”
Dylan froze, heart thumping a little faster than he wanted. “…I do not want that.”
Nano leaned back slightly, raising an eyebrow, voice teasing but warm. “Mm-hm. Sure. But I know better.”
The doorbell ringed.
Dylan stopped mid-glare at Nano, then stomped toward the door with exaggerated annoyance. “If that’s another delivery man asking for the wrong apartment again, I swear..”
He swung the door open And stopped.
Jun stood there. Messy from rushing over. Still in his research lab coat. And holding a small bouquet, soft cream roses mixed with pale blue forget-me-nots, tied with a simple ribbon.
Dylan blinked once. Twice. “…What are these for?” he asked, voice flat. But his ears were already pink.
Jun lifted the bouquet a little, face calm but eyes warm with every shade of I missed you today. “Flowers” he said simply.
“Obviously.”
Jun suppressed a laugh. “They are for you.”
Dylan narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
Jun shrugged lightly. “Just felt like it.” As if it was the most normal thing in the world. As if giving Dylan flowers between classes was as natural as breathing.
Dylan’s smug smirk crept in instantly, wicked, impossible to hide. “Oh? ‘Just felt like it,’ huh?”
But before Jun could retort something flirty, Dylan hooked a finger into his collar, yanked him forward and pressed a quick, warm kiss to his lips.
Jun melted instantly, bouquet wobbling, cheeks flaming red. Pepper choked on the couch. Nano gasped, eyes sparkling like he had been given front-row seats to the best drama of the year.
Dylan pulled back with a smug little tilt of his chin. “Just felt like it” he mimicked.
Nano burst into a giggle, clutching Pepper’s sleeve. “SEE?” Nano pointed accusingly at Dylan. “YOU ARE NO BETTER. You tease us for being sweet but look at you pulling P’Jun in for a kiss at the door”
Dylan shot Nano a murderous look, Jun hid his grin behind the flowers and Pepper just sighed like an exhausted parent watching children misbehave.
But even with all the teasing and chaos, Jun’s hand found Dylan’s. And Dylan didn’t pull away.
***