Chapter Text
Jisung lived in the slums ever since he could remember. He learned as a kid that he needed good legs to run really fast, so he could dash away and avoid the beatings of the bigger kids on the streets. Eventually he met Jeno, who took him under his wing. Jeno didn’t talk much, but he fought like a feral wolf and never lost a fight.
Jeno left after he was presented as an alpha. He was scouted by someone with influence to be a bodyguard in training. Before he left, he gave Jisung a name in the better part of the city - Renjun.
Renjun didn’t take Jisung under his wing, but offered him a job in the bakery he owned. It was almost an hour ride but Jisung looked forward to his time at the job every day. At the bakery, he felt safe and free, and it gave him money that he could save up and go to college. Jisung wasn’t good at baking, but he had good looks and was patient and considerate, so he did the cashier work and attracted a lot of nearby students as customers.
The entrance exam to NCity college was just months away, and Jisung prepared for it diligently in the bakery after his work hours. He couldn’t study at home- his uncle was loud and often drunk, nor at school- the only people staying later than normal hours were the delinquents, so the bakery was perfect. He started around the hundreds rank in his grade, and in the last midterm he was top twenty. His dream- leaving the slums, majoring in astronomy so he could eventually work in the observatory, was closer and closer in his grasp.
He was preparing for the entrance exam one day when Renjun came in for an inspection. Usually, Renjun wasn’t around the bakery- he was the owner and left the operations to the manager. He came in once a while, but unlike the other days where he just typed on his laptop while Jisung studied, today he sat across from Jisung, looking over at him.
“What is it?” Jisung asked. He felt self conscious. Renjun had a pretty and approachable face, but also a pair of intense eyes that seemed to see through everything.
“Are you presenting soon?” Renjun asked.
“Presenting? Yeah, should be in a couple months,” Jisung said, face heating up. Asking someone about presenting usually implied a romantic or sexual interest, did Renjun-
“Okay, I just wanted to give you a heads up. If you present as an alpha you probably can’t work here anymore,” Renjun said.
“What? Why?” Jisung was sure he’d present as an alpha, given he was tall, with a darker complexion and had a low voice. That was the norm of how alphas looked.
“Because I’m omega, that’s why,” Renjun said. “And I haven’t found a mate yet.”
“Oh,” Jisung blushed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll refer you to another job if that happens,” Renjun said.
“Thanks Renjun.”
Renjun needn’t have worried, because when Jisung presented several months later, actually, a couple days before his entrance exam. He wasn’t an alpha.
He took the presenting procedure at the local lab, where the result would be sent to his address two weeks later. When he got home that day, with a big smile on his face, acceptance letter from NCity in his hand, he saw his uncle and aunt waiting for him around the table. A table that usually had dried bread and steamed vegetables had chicken and pizza, even a cake.
An uneasy feeling rose in his stomach. His uncle and aunt were never close with him, they always saw him as a burden and used him as free labour. This was unusual and it gave him a bad feeling. Then, he saw the presenting letter from the lab, on the table, blue paper with a gold stamp at the very top.
“Jisung, you’re finally back,” his uncle said and rushed to Jisung’s side with a greasy smile. “We have some good news for you!”
“You’ve presented as an omega! Can you believe it?” His aunt said, hands raised to the air.
“Omega?” Jisung felt his mouth drop at the same time his stomach did. He didn’t want that. He thought he might present as an alpha, but most likely a beta, and that was the best option for him. Omega? That was the worst option, especially around here.
“Yes! We had posted your results and got a lot of offers from the alpha families already,” his aunt said enthusiastically. “Aren’t you lucky? A lot of them have a keen interest in you. Take a look.”
Jisung swallowed. This was why he didn’t want to present as an omega. The omegas who were presented in the slums were usually sold off to alphas who couldn’t get a partner. The ones who couldn’t get partners were usually the cruel and abusive ones. They were also older and some quite hideous. Worst of all, Jisung would have no freedom at all.
“I have no interest in them,” he said, squeezing his hands into fists.
“What? Are you kidding? This is our one chance to be rich!” His uncle roared.
“Jisung, don’t be ridiculous-”
Jisung couldn’t look at their faces anymore. He turned around and left.
He walked and walked, ignoring the pain in his knees and feet and kept going. He balled up the admission letter from NCity college in his hand. He finally had his future in his grasp, but now he was presented as an omega? His throat was dry and he felt his eyes prickling.
He didn’t want to go back there. What if some alphas were already showing up at the door. He remembered the screams of his next door neighbour two years ago, yelling how they did not want to go, but was carried around like a sack of meat by the alpha, her parents face looked defeated. He would get it worse. His uncle and aunt didn’t even care for him.
But where could he go? Jisung looked up and saw that he was walking in the distance of the bakery.
Yes, the bakery. Wasn’t Renjun an omega? He should talk to him.
****
“So, what did you want to talk about?” Renjun asked. He came immediately after Jisung told him it was urgent.
“I presented,” Jisung said.
Renjun arched his eyebrows. “Is that so? As an alpha?”
“No,” Jisung shook his head. “As an…omega.”
“Oh,” Renjun’s eyes lit up. “Then you can continue working here.”
“It’s not that,” Jisung pursed his lips, looking down at the floor.
“Then?”
“They want to sell me off,” Jisung said. “Sell me off to one of the alphas. I can’t, absolutely not. I need to go to school. I just got accepted to NCity, my dream program. But if I don’t agree, I don’t know where I can go. I’ll lose my home…” he trailed off, his voice muffled. He blinked and tears rolled down his eyes.
“Those scums,” Renjun said.
There was a period of silence while Jisung sniffed. Renjun passed him a tissue box.
“I never thought I’d be an omega, because I don’t have the looks to be one. So I don’t even have a backup plan. Nothing to help me through the heat. And I don’t want to attend those omega domestic schools…”
“Forget those, you gotta go for your dream school. They accepted you didn’t they?”
“But how? I don’t have the money, or a place to stay.”
Renjun pursed his lips and tapped his fingers on the table.
“There is a way, but I don’t know if you’re okay with it.”
****
Jisung twisted his tie nervously around his neck. It was his first time wearing a tie and a suit. He looked around him. He was in the lobby of Kwangya hotel, an upscale hotel in NCity. He looked at his reflection on the marble walls. He looked awkward and small with the grey suit Renjun lent it to him. He didn’t have anything formal and Renjun told him he needed to look presentable. He thought back to what Renjun said.
“My friend Chenle is looking for an omega for hire. Since he’s an alpha and is in love with another alpha, his parents are super against it,” Renjun had said. “So they’re setting up dates after dates hoping Chenle would meet an omega and have a connection. What you’re going to do is - to be Chenle’s omega partner to trick his parents.”
“It shouldn’t be too hard. He doesn’t live with his parents, and only meets them for social events. You just need to be his partner when they visit him.”
“I can guarantee your virtue with Chenle. He’s someone that treats consent very seriously, and is serious about treating people with respect. I’ll talk to him, see if he can provide you accommodations for school, in exchange for your help.”
Renjun had talked to Chenle since then and Chenle requested a meeting with Jisung. Jisung was thankful that he at least had this opportunity. It sounded like this alpha isn’t looking for romance and won’t take advantage of him, both of which was what Jisung wanted. But- Jisung chewed his lips nervously, looking around at the hotel. Chenle must be well off, if they were to meet here. Was he going to be happy when he saw Jisung? Jisung was not pretty, pale or delicate, like what most popular omegas were. What if Chenle didn’t like the look of him and the deal was off? There were plenty of omegas who would love for a chance like this.
“Jisung?” Someone called out.
Jisung looked up, and saw a boy in a black hoodie and black pants. He was very pale, almost glowing in his outfit.
“I’m Chenle, come with me.”
Jisung nodded quickly, and followed behind the boy.
Jisung noticed Chenle was half a head shorter than him, had broad shoulders but looked to be slender than he expected. Jisung’s only alpha exposure was Jeno, and the aggressive alphas occasionally that come and cause havoc in the slums. Chenle looked completely different from them.
Chenle led him to a reserved area in a Japanese restaurant, behind screen panels. The view beside them was NCity’s skyscrapers, and Jisung stared. He had never seen such beautiful views of the city before. Chenle went ahead and ordered food, and the waitress left them to give them privacy.
“So, you work for Renjun?” Chenle asked. His voice was light and Jisung found it really pleasant to listen to.
“Yeah,” Jisung nodded. “I worked in his bakery for almost two years now.”
“That’s why I trust you,” Chenle nodded. “I wouldn’t hire any omega for this. It needs to be top secret.”
“Of course.”
“You know about the conditions, yes?”
“I think so,” Jisung said. “Renjun mentioned that I cannot reveal our actual relationship to anyone outside of you, me and him, and that I will not interfere in your private life. I also cannot get attached, or fall in love with you.” Which is never going to happen, Jisung looked at the boy in front of him. Chenle took his hoodie off, revealing his messy brown hair. Up close, he had soft pink cheeks and large cat-like eyes. He looked like a kid. He looked even younger than Jisung is, and as an omega Jisung figured he would eventually fall in love with alphas like Jeno, and not some pretty baby like the one in front of him.
“Right. In exchange I will provide you with accommodation close to NCity. So are you good with this?”
“Yes. But umm, there’s one thing-” Jisung started.
“Go ahead.”
“How about…my heat?” The last word was spoken in a tiny voice, and Jisung could feel his face going red. He had thought about this on the way here. If Chenle had no intention of helping him through his heat, what could Jisung do?
Chenle didn’t respond. Jisung looked up and saw Chenle’s eyes widen, his pale face growing red.
“Haven’t thought that deep,” Chenle scratched his head, darting his eyes anywhere but at Jisung’s face. “But if you have some alpha you’re smitten with, you’re welcome to bond with them. Just…just don’t think I’ll help you,” his last words were rushed in the end.
“What if I don’t want to bond at all?” Jisung said.
“Oh! Just take some resistance blockers then,” Chenle’s blush went away and he looked back at Jisung’s eyes. “They’re super helpful.”
“I…don’t have that kind of money.”
“That’s what you’re worried about?” Chenle laughed, then stopped short when he saw Jisung looked down at the table. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make fun of you. Don’t worry, I have mountains of them at home,” he said, chin tilting up like it was some accomplishment. “I’ll just give you one of my stacks. They work well. I’ve been taking them ever since I presented two months ago.”
Two months ago…so Chenle was older than him by two months.
Food soon came to their table, and Jisung stared at them. He had never seen this kind of food before, except through the windows of restaurants. Chenle urged him to try the raw fish, calling it sashimi. When Jisung took it into his mouth, his eyes widened when the taste melted on his tongue.
“Is it good?”
Jisung nodded furiously.
Chenle smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”
Jisung liked his smile. It reminded him of the cats he saw lazing around the beach under the sun. As they continued eating, Chenle gave his entire family history to Jisung to help him prepare.
“My family is all great people and they love me, but they can be a pain in an ass about tradition,” Chenle said. “That’s why I need your help on this.”
“Of course,” Jisung nodded. “And I can’t emphasize how grateful I am for you on this.” Getting away from having to sell himself to greasy aggressive alphas and befriending this friendly alpha in front of him instead, Jisung couldn’t believe his luck.
Chenle waved his hand. “This is a win-win situation. Besides,” he leaned forward, “I’m glad you’re the one for the job. We’re about the same age and you seem pretty genuine. I think we will get along well.”
“Thanks Chenle,” Jisung said.
Dinner passed quickly with the nice company, and soon the plates were cleared off. Chenle paid the bill, but not before Jisung saw the price - this dinner was worth the entire month of his savings.
“That tasted good. So, let’s head to your accommodations? I got the keys in my pocket and I will drive you there,” Chenle said.
Accommodations. That word alone sounded like a ticket to freedom. Jisung had dreamt about the days he could disentangle himself from the grip of his aunt and uncle, and the slums. Still, he had stuff back at his old place.
He told Chenle so and Chenle decided to go with him, saying he was curious where Jisung lived. Jisung felt a little bit anxious about Chenle visiting the slums, since it wasn’t a pretty sight. He didn’t know how Chenle would feel being there.
The feeling was strengthened when they arrived at the edge of the slums. Chenle was talking about the stores and restaurants on the roads before then, but once they made that u turn into the slum, he became quiet. There were junkies waiting on the sides of the road, cigarettes in hand, eyes trained on Chenle’s nice car like a predator looking at a prey.
“Not a nice area right? Sorry, I should have come here myself,” Jisung mumbled. He was off to a good start with Chenle and didn’t want the alpha to have any bad impression on him.
“No, it’s not that,” Chenle said, his eyes fixed on the road.
They finally arrived at Jisung aunt’s and uncle’s place, and Chenle parked on the side of the road, hiding behind a large tree per Jisung’s instruction. Jisung looked at the car before heading to the apartment, and prayed it wouldn’t get stolen or scratched.
Jisung opened the door, feeling relieved when he noticed his aunt and uncle weren’t there. Chenle followed him in. Jisung felt a bit self conscious. Everything in here was worn down, and the living room itself was small, almost the same size as the table where they just had lunch. He glanced at Chenle, the alpha just looked interested. He was looking around the place with curiosity.
“Feel free to sit on the sofa, I’ll get packed quickly,” Jisung said. He ducked into his room.
Jisung didn’t have much stuff. There were only his clothes, his notebooks for studying, a small telescope, and photos of his parents to pack really. He squeezed everything in his backpack, ecstatic to have this done, when he heard the door open with people talking in the background.
“-you don’t understand, the market price for an omega would be much higher, ” Jisung’s uncle said in the background. Then he stopped short and called out with an aggressive voice, “-who are you?”
“I’m Jisung’s friend,” Chenle said calmly.
“So he’s back, isn’t he?” Jisung’s uncle said. “Jisung? Come to the living room now!”
Jisung pushed his door open.
“I’m just here to grab my stuff,” Jisung said, his backpack slung over his shoulder.
“Excuse me?”
“I was accepted to NCity and will be going to college,” Jisung said.
“To live and study by yourself? You need an alpha to take care of you,” Jisung’s aunt said.
“Yeah, surprisingly there’s a few who still are interested in you even though you haven’t been here. Thanks to my convincing-” Jisung’s uncle said.
“He has an alpha,” Chenle said, standing up.
“What?” Jisung’s uncle stared at Chenle. Jisung’s uncle was almost a head taller than Chenle, and much wider too, but Chenle looked calm and confident.
“I will take care of him,” Chenle said. Jisung whipped his head and looked at him. Chenle gave him a reassuring nod.
Jisung’s uncle laughed uproariously, and his aunt joined in.
“You?” His uncle looked at Chenle up and down. He looked at Jisung. “Did you find your fellow omega friend to trick us?”
“No, he’s-”
“There’s no trick here,” Chenle said. This time his voice was no longer the airy and light, but it carried weight and strength and vibrated throughout the room. “I’m taking him with me and that’s final.”
Jisung felt his whole body turn weak. His uncle and aunt stared at Chenle, stunned.
Chenle grabbed Jisung’s hand, “let’s go.”