Chapter Text
A groan clawed up his throat and scratched at his insides, almost sputtering past dry lips as he swallowed it, refusing to let out a sound to prevent losing focus.
Currently, Yeowoo was doing one of the more dull tasks required of him. Habitually swiping book after book under the propped-up scanner. Mind wandering to anything other than the necessary but incredibly mundane task at hand. His shoulders slump while fingers absentmindedly tap away at the keyboard every so often, adding new information to the database without much thought.
The library was nearly empty, save for a few people reading quietly in the further corners, so Yeonwoo resigned himself to sorting through the endless stacks of recently acquired books. Carefully aligning their spines on the cart to be shelved later.
As he scanned each bar code, the piercing ping from the scanner grew cyclically deadening, long nails faintly clacking against the keyboard with every other word he typed. He made a mental note to trim them once he returned home.
The tediousness of his work was mind-numbing, yes. But the small silver lining in the form of crisp, fresh pine blanketing him he had grown accustomed to, and the slightly chemical, yet mellow aroma of inked parchment provided a welcome distraction, even if just marginally so, as he stole glances at the digital clock towards the bottom right corner of his computer screen. His impatience building.
The library was on the cusp of closing for the evening —sun dipping below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of purple and hints of blue. Therefore he wasn’t the least bit surprised that most of the usual patrons were now gone. Leaving him alone save for the occasional rustle of pages as he flipped through newly purchased books and the chime of each one he scanned.
Yeonwoo swung his legs out in front of him. One after the other, letting them dangle in the air in an attempt to stimulate muscles he knew he would have to stretch out later. He raised his head from where it rested on his collarbone, fighting against the pull of sleep to turn honey eyes towards the open scene sprawled out before him.
Neatly organized rows of tables stretched out. Little pieces of paper, and knick-knacks from the patrons who’d forgotten to clean after themselves, resting on top. Carefully cataloged books to his right that yawned past as they patiently sat on pine shelves, waiting to be read. The sight brought a warmth flooding into his chest, helping clear some of the fog in his tired mind.
It was a small but positive testament to how his painstaking work showed some results.
The patrons had been surprisingly obedient when he’d informed them of the library rules. He didn’t know whether it was his designation that allowed for such a smooth transition, but they had made sure to heed his warning, so he couldn't complain.
Previously, the shelves would have been cluttered with all sorts of objects. Snack trays and leftover food wrappers, to random knick-knacks. Don’t even get him started on the tables.
Unlike most libraries, Yeonwoo allowed the patrons to eat there. They just had to clean up after themselves —that was his first order of business when he began working here. Now, there was minimal clutter for him to clean up. The people had done well to organize their things and leave the places they worked in relatively clean, save for a scrap of paper or a wrapper here and there. He could fix that later.
Two more hours and I’m done , he thought.
His mouth widened into a poorly suppressed yawn, an unoccupied hand instinctively rising to cover it. Yeonwoo wiped a tear nearly falling off long lashes and hurried to glide the last book under the scanner. Letting out a triumphant huff, his fingers twitched, as a yet-to-bloom grin tugged at chapped lips. He stepped back.
He always enjoyed a good stretch after a long day of work. Relishing in the momentary illusion of calm it brought, even if just for a few moments.
He brought his hands above his head, arching his back, then letting out an exhale of pure relief. Yeonwoo allowed himself to feel the pull on his muscles, letting it grow uncomfortable before releasing it. The long-awaited euphoria blissfully cascaded deep into tired bones. Slowly, he brought stretched-out hands back down to his sides once the relief subsided. The after tingle had him shuddering.
He was in desperate need of a taller chair to avoid standing for hours on end. Despite finishing his work and feeling restless, he couldn’t leave his desk without making sure everything was done in totality. Yeonwoo longed to get up and take a stroll, but the perfectionist in him wouldn’t allow it until he was sure he had done good.
He silently cursed himself along the way, begrudgingly beginning his final review. In times like this, he wanted to rush and get things over with, but much like with everything he did, he couldn’t finish unless he was sure he hadn't made any mistakes. He already had enough of those.
Meticulously, he double-checked every detail, painstakingly skimming through stacks of books on his left. Making sure everything was spelled and organized in proper order. The process seemed endless.
A relieved sigh from the back of his throat released when prompted with a green screen with white letters displaying ‘done’ in dramatic cursive.
A tired smile formed at the thoughtful gesture from his shift lead. Eunchae had always been kind to him, finding small ways to alleviate the more strenuous aspects of his work. He crouched to grab his stainless steel water bottle resting under the desk next to the stack of printer papers to be used later and steadied himself before unscrewing the cap to take continuous sips of his still-warm drink.
The hot tea flowed down his throat, going along its passage to warm his core. Yeonwoo mentally thanked Junhyuk for the millionth time. Now, the unusual Christmas gift made sense as he parted from the straw with a pop to lick moist lips, satisfied.
After placing the bottle back down where he’d plucked it from, and cleaning up the clutter that accumulated throughout the long day. Yeonwoo turned to follow the sharp angle of his desk. Reaching behind the entryway he opened the gated barrier. One of the newer additions to the place since he’d begun working here.
He did a little hop past the gateway, momentarily running his hand along the carvings. Yeonwoo always found the designs that Ha Yejin ordered to be quite endearing.
Surveying the space in front, he made his way to and halfway through the row of tables while admiring marble columns, and the shelves made of birch attached to them. Those same shelves lined with so many books that the thought of what was in their pages excited him.
Passing the tables and curling left, Yeonwoo began his exploration of the many aisles to the right and now left of him, wandered further in. Despite working in the library for several months now, he still struggled to navigate the spacious area. No amount of Eunchae’s detailed tours and guides were of any help when it came to the further reaches of the library, especially the second floor.
Eunchae, despite being a beta, had a bold and outgoing energy that was not characteristic of her dynamic. Most betas tended to keep to themselves, avoiding contact with Omegas due to the large gap between them. Never entertaining or even thinking of interacting with the other two dynamics. Especially omegas, whom they had the most complicated relationship with. Eunchae seemed unfazed by these norms.
So when the beta came to him with eagerness and excitement with an undercut of nerves permeating through every word she spoke to him, Yeonwoo couldn’t help but agree to her request. He could also be of some use to Junhyuk, so how could he say no?
With a quick flick of his gaze side to side, his eyes finally landed on what he had been searching for; a towering marble column that was the front-most part of the sought-after bookshelf. Its smooth surface had a large ebony plaque reading fantasy, contrasting nicely with the Corinthian-style marble column it was nailed to. Fingers traced along the column for a few seconds, running his hands along them, before stepping into the fantasy section.
As he browsed through the shelves, his steps took him to different sections of the aisle. Now and then, pausing when a book cover caught his eye, and stayed when the blurb on the back or first page required more concentrated focus.
While he was easily impressed, Yeonwoo had higher standards when it came to finding something that truly captured his attention. The pads of his fingers ran along smooth pine shelves. Painting damp patterns as he browsed shelf after shelf at a leisurely pace.
Somewhere far off, he heard the faint sound of a bell signaling that one of the few patrons in the library had left or someone new had come in.
His ears perked at the sound, briefly interrupting his focus on the book he held in his hands, before picking up where he left off. As someone who never quit a book halfway, he had to make sure it would be interesting enough for him to read all the way through. Sitting on a conveniently placed stool after brushing it off, he read the first chapter. Just as an introduction to know whether he would continue.
Interesting would be a severe understatement when describing how captivating the writing style of this author was and how grand the world they had thrown him into was. It was so engaging as if he really was in this world. He couldn’t wait to sink into it.
Thankfully this time, Yeonwoo remembered where he had come from and didn’t get lost in the maze of shelves. He was well aware that he shouldn’t stray too far, but as he passed the mystery section his steps stuttered and ultimately stopped.
Refusing to allow him go any further.
The books called out to him, telling him to come and take just a few more peeks.
Well, what was one more?
He slipped into the walkway after much (zero) deliberation, starting another browsing session. In his second favorite section of the library. Perhaps it was because this was where the scent of pine was the strongest, or perhaps it was because this was where he found his favorite books and authors. Maybe it was because this aisle happened to be the calmest place in the library despite its location. Making it quiet and peaceful even when the bustle of the place was at its peak. Regardless, Yeonwoo couldn’t resist, always frequenting the aisle at least twice a day, three if he was lucky.
(Except on days when things had become too much. The thoughts in his head needing immediate silencing. Only to find that he’d spend hours in between the shelves. A pile of already read books to his right and too much time having passed.)
His finger caught on a particularly interesting one. Its spine, the color of aged parchment and rough fabric, sandwiched between two other books hugging it. With a gentle tug, he pulled it out. Yeonwoo looked over the cover to reveal it had a cloth barrier with a small tear in it. It took several moments to realize there was a woman behind it. The cloth ripping right where her lips would be and dulled eyes looking back at him.
Normally, Yeonwoo would have read the blurb or at least the first page of a book before deciding whether he was interested, but this one was different. Not only was it written by one of his favorite authors, but with such a chillingly simple yet captivating cover?! He knew the mystery in this must have been good.
Carefully balancing both books in his arms, bringing them toward his chest he began making his way back to his desk. The mystery aisle wasn’t one of his favorite aisles only because it was his favorite genre, no. Yeonwoo could easily find his way back to his desk when he was done with his relatively short browsing.
Only a little more and he could rest for the weekend. He may have loved his job. However, he would never say no to the calm of his dorms and the accompanying scent of leather.
His desk came into view, and he could feel the familiar pull to get settled and sink into that awaiting chair, contentment almost overflowing into excitement.
Suddenly, the chime of the door opening rang throughout the near-empty space. Yeonwoo stopped in his tracks.
Standing at the entrance of the library, yards away from him, stood a woman. She, having not seen him just yet, paused for a moment. Letting out what seemed to be a breath before sliding the bag on her shoulder down the length of her arm. Catching the handle with her hand. She began shrugging off her black trench coat to reveal a well-fitted navy turtleneck.
The library wasn’t closed. They close at the same time, 9 pm sharp. On the dot every day. The closer the clock hands inched towards that time, however, the fewer people were in the library with him.
She tucked her coat under the arm that she held her bag with and lifted her gaze. Yeonwoo stiffened and could feel eyes on him. If not for the thick glasses and cap she wore that obscured most of her features, he knew he wouldn’t have been as composed, as he bowed his head in greeting before taking a few steps toward his desk.
He saw her pause, eyes lingering on him before bowing her head in return. A shiver crawled up his back, although he couldn’t see it, Yeonwoo could feel her gaze following him as he carefully arranged his books on the desk. He was used to being alone at this time. Being alone with someone else in this large library was uncommon.
Yeonwoo’s hands trembled as he placed them on top of the pile of books, slowly running them along the smooth covers. He could still sense her eyes on him. For some reason, it didn’t make him feel as uneasy as it usually did when people looked at him for what he felt was too long.
The atmosphere seemed to have shifted when he saw her. Something about the way she carried herself didn’t set off any of his honed alarms. Yeonwoo couldn’t figure out why, despite the fact she was the more domineering type.
Following the angle of the desk back to the gate, his fingers just grazed the surface of the dark wood. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the stranger approach a step and enter further in. She made her way towards the further back tables, followed by setting her things down.
His eyes lingered on her a moment longer before he tore them away, reaching for the key to the gate nestled in the pocket of his baggy pants. His fingers fumbled with the keys before catching himself. He pushed it open once he turned the key albeit with a little more force than intended. Once inside, his mind still buzzed as he tried to regain his grasp on his barring.
He turned the corner after a few steps, and pushed open the door, revealing the quaint space that was the break room. The simple yet inviting setup had a small wooden table adorned with a sleek kettle and an array of teas in various tins closer to the back of the room. A comfortable lounge to the farther left of that, decorated with plush pillows of all shapes and sizes scattered along the sofa, along with blankets so soft Yeonwoo could spend all day laying in the cushions bundled up in them.
His favorite piece of furniture in the room, however, was the extremely comfortable, unfairly soft chair, tucked in the corner of the room Ha Yejin had gotten him. Yeonwoo didn’t know where she’d gotten such an expensive item, but he was grateful.
He still needed to find a way to show his appreciation for the gift, however.
Yeonwoo furrowed his brow, shame bubbling to pour down his back as he grabbed the wings of the chair. He carefully maneuvered it out of the room to line up perfectly with his desk. It was a unique mix of a rocking chair, with curved rockers, plus a wing-back chair, with soft plush cushions. Just looking at it was enough to release all the strain on sore muscles.
He picked up his books from where they rested on the walnut counter, placing them on the rocker before hooking his foot under the footrest to drag it closer to his desk. Lastly, spinning to tumble into his chair.
He sunk into the plush armchair, resting there for a while, letting himself enjoy the softness caressing his cheek. Almost hugging him. After a little more nestling into the soft cushions, he separated himself a little to kick off his shoes. Curling up into the soft cotton that cradled and dissolved all the tension of the day away.
Yeonwoo couldn’t resist rubbing his cheek against the plush cushions once more, releasing a pent-up sigh. He needed to thank Ha Yejin for this. It had been a month since she’d gotten it yet he hadn’t said a word to her about it since.
Yeonwoo appreciated the offerings people would gift him on account of his Omega status. He’d gotten lucky, for once, in winning the immediate favor of a kind shift lead and an even kinder director, the Alpha and Beta taking a liking to him over the months he had worked here.
They were endlessly kind and patient with him, never berating him for messing up. It confused him at first, and he knew this was the typical treatment of omegas. Yeonwoo, though, hadn’t been an omega for that long.
His lashes fluttered, and he forced them open before reluctantly uncurling himself and pulling his face from the soft cotton furnishing to pick up the book he’d placed by his side. As he settled himself into a comfortable position and swung his legs over the arm to sink further into the soft covering, Yeonwoo flipped to the first page and began.
The first line was what initially hooked him on his first read, even upon rereading the prologue.
The apocalyptic setting was a nice and intriguing contrast to his usual reads. Sky heavy with ash yet to fall, the depressing setting of farmers having to work in those conditions. While two Alphas overlooked them as they talked about a topic as if the farmers weren’t there. His eyes devoured the page and stopped only whenever something piqued his interest enough to reach for the sticky notes and pencil stored in the cupboard to write them down.
The soft rustling of pages turning, the occasional crinkling and ripping of sticky notes he would place in between pages steadily increased. Pages marked with colorful notes, each one donning a scribbled word or two as a reminder of an important passage to be revisited later. By the time he reached the end of the prologue, his intrigue had escalated to a fever pitch, and the need to keep reading.
Before he would delve back into that story, however, he cautiously poked his head out from behind his desk to find the woman from earlier was no longer seated where he’d last seen her. The only trace of her presence was her neatly draped trench coat over the back of a chair and her leather bag resting on the table.
She must have gone to find a book in the library.
He sucked in a breath before settling back into the plush cushioning, furrowing his brows in concentration. One finger carefully holding his place in the pages, though now he sat up straighter.
The gentle creaking as he rocked back and forth helped his focus, debating whether or not he should get up from the unfairly comfortable chair and help. Or leave her to find what she was looking for.
Since he’d started working here, Yeonwoo prided himself on his growing patience and time management. People could spend hours searching for books and he wouldn’t bat an eye. Offering to help in some cases when he saw someone too nervous to do so themselves.
Now, however, having such little time meant they were on a time crunch. The book he was reading may have been good, sure, but he was willing to set it aside for the next few minutes or so if it meant helping someone in need.
He gently smoothed out the sticky notes in between the pages, taking a larger one to place where he left off. Reluctantly, Yeownoo began to separate himself from the comfortable position in which he lay, but before he could fully stand, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the quiet library and had him pause.
He looked up and saw her emerging from a pathway that led to the further reaches of the library, behind the dozens of tables and just in front of the lounge parallel to him. She made her way back to the desk she was currently occupying, strides long and reaching her desk in no time, two books in hand to place them atop the table.
He watched her maneuver some things before sinking back into his chair, relieved as he shifted to curl up once more, but conflicted. She had thankfully found what she needed, so logically there shouldn’t have been any reason for him to feel the creeping sensation of disappointment. Yet, it nipped at his toes like a stubborn shadow, refusing to leave him be and enjoy the rest of his time that would be over in. He glanced at the clock, one hour.
Yeonwoo observed as she settled herself, there was nothing all that unusual about how she sat down, opened her book, and started reading. Something, however, something left him unable to look away as she sat there, something tugging at him. It took him a while, but he realized, her cap was off. Her hair concealed most if not all her features but, he could subtly make out the sharp outline of her jaw and pointedly attractive nose.
What heightened his confusion about whatever this was, however, was when she held her book in one hand. Finger stuck in the pages of her latest read, to roll up the sleeves of her turtle neck and reveal pale, strikingly toned arms.
He wondered if it was just him or had the library had suddenly become stuffy. He swore he could feel his sweater sticking uncomfortably on his skin. Maybe that’s why he was being so unusual, even by his standards.
The library heater had been running all day. It must have been the heat getting to him. With the number of people that had been roaming around a few hours prior and others studying, it was no wonder even the larger-than-average library had gotten a little toasty.
Yeonwoo sprung to his feet, the chair behind him scraping against the wooden floor an inch in the process. Hastily fumbled his shoes back on, he strode his way towards the gate.
Once he opened and closed it behind him, he walked straight ahead towards the tables, only now realizing he would pass this stranger on his way to his destination. Maybe he could just wait it out? A little more heat wouldn’t hurt anyone, especially when the moment you stepped outside, the thick cloud that formed as you exhaled was instantaneous.
He didn’t have time to regret his decision. Sadly, he was already nearing the halfway mark, and he couldn’t simply turn tail now simply because of cold feet.
Yeonwoo couldn’t help but fiddle with the chain attached just below his collar. It had been a new habit of his to fiddle with it. Ever since his mother had gotten it for him now that he’d entered society as an omega.
His steps, which were previously slow and contemplative, turned quick when he reached the halfway point, eager to pass by. As his luck would have it, however, he wouldn’t be allowed to pass without interaction of sorts because then he saw her. Or at least, part of her behind thick glasses.
A shiver ran down his spine as what looked to be dark eyes behind circular lenses slowly, lazily looking him over briefly met surprised honey ones before she lowered her gaze back to her book. Then he stumbled.
Yeonwoo could barely see her eyes under the hazy lenses of thick glasses concealing half her face. But despite only catching a partial glimpse, he’d reacted like a teenager. To make matters worse, his feet caught on absolutely nothing and he stumbled.
Face heating as the embarrassment came not long after. He hurried his steps, ears tinged a tad rosy. To think he wasn’t even halfway to his destination, yet he’d embarrassed himself so much already. Racing past the halfway point, each step seemed to echo embarrassingly loud. Yeonwoo regretted his decision that morning to don boots.
He was two tables and closing in, ready to make the sharpest turn left and he would be in the clear; when he stupidly looked up from where he’d made sure to keep his gaze, to find what he assumed were her eyes on him.
By whatever force of nature he managed to keep his steps even and didn’t falter once to fall flat on his face. As he closed in, Yeonwoo had calmed down, or as much as he could if his lip catching on teeth was anything to go by. He’d reached her table and kept walking when he’d caught her bowing her head.
He paused, surprised at the action, and stood there stupidly in shock before returning the gesture.
Then scampering away from eyes he knew were watching his retreat. He couldn’t believe how much effort it took just to pass by one person, especially when the library was barren save for them.
After what felt like the longest walk of his life, face flushed and hands shaking, he turned left. Just in time to catch a whiff of something woody, and the slightest bit of sweet. He didn’t care to think about it too hard, as the moment he turned he was scurrying if not running to get away from his embarrassment.
✦•····•✦•····•✦
The thermostat let out pleasant beeps as he finished readjusting it, his reward being a little tune at the end that elicited a fond smile. Spinning around, his eyes scanned the small pocket of space he had been occupying.
The ‘room’ was hardly a room at all, and more a hole tucked into the side of the library. Nothing more than a tiny hideaway barely the size of a powder room that wasn’t of any use. He came here specifically when the temperature needed adjusting. Now that was done with, there was no reason for him to stay any longer. The air in the cramped space felt stale and devoid of any lingering scents, reminding him of things he would like to forget.
He veered towards and out of the exit, conveniently there was no door. The columns of the shelves gave him what seemed to be a warm welcome back as the amber glow of the lights shone above.
The lights.
He pulled out his phone for a quick peak of the time, humming as he turned back around to shut off the lights in the tiny space. He headed westward to start his regular cleanup.
Flicking off the computers he took some of the wipes on the front table to wipe off the desks, then did a brief sweep of the rooms before switching the lights, and locking the doors behind him. Making his way to do the same to the rooms waiting on the opposite side of the library.
Shelf after shelf passed by in quick succession as he walked, his steps bouncing along the unknown tune that was currently stuck in his head and refusing to leave him be.
He would be sure to bother Junhyuk about it once he’d gotten home. His roommate had the habit of blasting his unclothed taste in music around their shared rooms, and Yeonwoo was positive one of his horrible songs had wormed its way into his head and was currently wreaking havoc. He would have fun with that later.
The door creaked as he pulled it ajar, his hand releasing the knob to re-roll up the sleeves of his two sizes too big sweater that had decided to hang past and over the tips of his fingers. He kept the door open as he worked. Picking up wrappers and tiny objects from the most unorthodox places, one of which included the inside of one of the computers.
Yeonwoo wouldn’t ask how that happened.
With a brief flick of his wrist, he ran the sleeve of his sweater to soak up the accumulating sweat on his forehead, satisfied with his work. The room was spotless, a 180 from the mess it was minutes ago. Dusty, messy, and reeking of pheromones to be rid of once he’d sprayed a little air freshener that helped air out most of it. It used to be worse. So much worse, and he was beginning to understand why Eunchae was so desperate to have him work here. Why him though, out of every other omega, Yeonwoo still had yet to figure out.
He turned off the light and shut the door, kicking his leg into a skip, before making his way towards the stairs leading to the upper floor of the library. As the lingering feeling of sluggishness began to creep in, he reached for his phone and plugged in yellow earbuds, waiting for the Bluetooth to connect.
He’d already played one of the songs on his favorite playlist beforehand so he could dive straight into the music. He’d reached the base of the stairwell, taking his first step up, when the thoughts he’d labored to push down after that embarrassing incident regretfully came rushing back. With all their exaggerated specificity.
He still couldn’t get over it. Something as simple as a nod and a brief look of what seemed to be a dark eye left him an embarrassing wreck. Not to mention a glimpse of a strong, well-defined, forearm. Yeonwoo chalked it up to the new influx of Omega hormones coursing through his system unrestrained… somewhat.
Halfway up the steps, the gods must have pitied him, (or cursed him) because music boomed in his ears, prompting a full-body flinch. He lost footing. Felt his world tilt. Almost fell backward but grabbed the railing with a vice grip. Catching himself last minute. Lashes fluttered rapidly. One foot on a higher step than the other. Yeonwoo quickly corrected himself. Hurriedly shoving his hand in his pocket to grab his phone and viciously mashing the side buttons.
Yeonwoo let out a relieved sigh from the pits of his core when he reached the highest point of the flight of stairs. After that assault on his senses, it’s a wonder his ears weren’t ruined. Passing 3 shelves, and making his way to the small closet hidden behind the last bookshelf, he turned the doorknob to snatch up a broom. It was time to get to work.
With the music now at a comfortable volume, hoping to add a little more fun to his mundane task, he chose to play a little game with himself. The sweeps of the broom against the hardwood floors soon turned rhythmic and went along the beat of whichever song played in his ears. Quick and rushed when a fast song played, movements putting more strain on his arm muscles while being manageable. Or slow and more listless when a song with a softer melody played —giving himself some respite before it picked up again with an upbeat tune.
He found the monotonous task all the more enjoyable now. Cooled him and the thoughts waiting to burst to the forefront of his mind at the thinnest opening.
Thoughts Yeonwoo couldn't for the life of him, determine whether he liked or disliked. He wouldn’t think about it.
Sweeping had gone by in record time, and he didn’t know if it was the time crunch that prompted such a performance or the music in his ears. His eyes wandered around where he stood in between two shelves on the opposite side of where he previously remembered being. This spot seemed cleaner than the rest, and he attributed it to the fact that this area was the most closed-off space in the library. Despite being open for anyone to use.
The books here were barely touched by the usual patrons.
Yeonwoo would know since he was rigorous with inventory. One book, however, two actually, were gone. Reaching out to read the covers of the books around the two missing ones, he quickly understood that the topics of the books were based on alpha and omega studies.
He placed the books back in their respective places. Double-checking that the authors were aligned properly, then picked up the long handle of the bucket like pale, before turning to make his way back to the broom closet and back downstairs. Now that he had, he lifted his head towards one of the clocks hanging on the wall, 30 minutes.
Yeonwoo nearly jumped, making haste as he ran to the stairwell, dread crawling along his skin. Despite the urgency of the situation, Yeonwoo didn't know why, but a few shelves along his way, he paused; sniffed the air, and turned.
The scent of rich, warm sandalwood: Faint, and mixed with an undertone he couldn’t quite name captured him as he went into one of the aisles. The one he hadn’t bothered to clean earlier, given it had appeared spotless. If he had known about this, though. He would have likely stayed here for the remainder of the time he had.
Yeonwoo had never found other scents all that interesting, aside from using them to gouge emotions. Moreover, he never found anyone’s scent so overwhelming. So intoxicating. He inhaled, deeply, seeking out more sandalwood and notes of something just as captivating. Just a little sweeter. It pulled at him as he followed, reaching corners of the library even he hadn’t visited.
Sometimes when it was stronger, it enveloped and soothed him, lulling his brain and leaving him in a daze of sorts. Other times it would turn faint, almost disappearing.
It was one of those moments, the wave of disappointment that came with the loss of that intoxicating aroma that filled him with sudden clarity. The candle of warmth he followed snuffed out.
Leaving him just standing there. Cold. His eyes snapped open, only then realizing he’d closed them somewhere along the way in his impromptu game of chase.
Yeonwoo was stunned into silence.
Never before had he done such a thing. Many patrons came and went as he worked. Many with their scents starting to linger in certain areas of the library they frequented. None of them, however, made him follow their trail. Made him mourn the loss of something he had no concept of.
It must have been the new influx of omega pheromones.
A full-body shiver wrecked him, his hands quickly coming up to cover half his face in mortification. Cheeks flushed with color at the growing realization of what he’d just done.
Never before had he been more embarrassed of himself. For him to follow a scent this far into the reaches of the library? He'd heard of omega's getting scent drunk. He just never thought he'd be one of them. Yeonwoo had never been happier there was no one there to witness such an improper display.
What made it worse was he didn’t hate it. How shameful.
Turning he scolded himself before exiting the aisle. So imagine to his surprise, not long after that embarrassing incident he would take to his grave, maybe roll in it at his mortifying stunt. His eyes scanned the rows of seemingly endless shelves around him and to Yeonwoo’s horror, he was lost.
He was rendered speechless a second time, biting the inside of his cheek so hard he could almost taste the metallic liquid threatening to ooze out if he bit any harder. With how embarrassed and infuriated he was with himself, he might just do it.
Fingers brushed against soft denim, reaching into his pocket with a heaving sigh. He pulled out his phone and aggressively punched in the code before going to his messages and tapping one of the pined texts he’d made sure to keep.
Sadly, getting lost in the library for him wasn’t new. It wasn’t his fault the place was so unnecessarily big.
So, to mediate the time it would take for him to find his way back to his desk. Ha Yejin and Eunchae both came together to make a customized map just for him so he could get back to his desk.
It took a while, but eventually, he was able to pinpoint where he was in the library and began to find his way back. Soft music played in his ears, he stopped to double-check he was making the right turns before picking up pace again.
Eventually, he was able to make it to the broom closet to place said broom inside, meaning the staircase was not far off.
Just as he thought the stairs were up ahead and as he took the first step down, a fast-paced rhythm played in his ears while he bounced on the tips of his toes down the stairs, a smile on his face. It was one of his favorites.
Yeonwoo was much more familiar with the first floor than the second, so he wasn’t as glued to his phone trying to find his way back to his desk. Reluctantly pausing the music he took out his earbuds, and looked around. He needed to get back to the chair that now called his name as he longed to rest, even if just for 15 min.
He checked the time displayed on his now locked screen, scratch that, 10 minutes. He wouldn’t be able to rest even just for a moment, would he?
Yeonwoo wouldn't mourn it too long because he’d finally gotten to his destination. The now-donning realization he would have to talk to that stranger to inform them he would be closing up soon was nearing. His hands suddenly clammy.
She sat, now having crossed one leg over the other, sleeves still rolled up and hands periodically turning the pages of her current read.
Air filled his lungs, chest expanding as he let the breath in then out. Trying to gather up as much courage he could muster now that he was all but one shelf away from the study area.
Courage gathered and ready, he was about to take a step forward, but something from the corner of his eye caught his attention. He took steps towards it. The bookshelf to his right pressed against the wall had something peeking out of one of the books on the middle shelf.
A glossy black screen reflects the light that hits it from above. He moved to pluck it out. Quickly realizing halfway through it was a phone, he hurried and snatched it up to bring it close.
Yeonwoo inspected the object to promptly find it was dead, a pout forming on his lips. Pulling out his phone, he opened the calendar to remind himself that come Tuesday he should put up a sign of sorts to alert the patrons about the missing phone.
Lost and confused about how exactly to go about finding the owner, Yeonwoo was pulled out of his trance when that all-encompassing scent of sandalwood and an undertone he just couldn’t pinpoint took hold and overwhelmed his senses.
He didn’t have time to turn around and lay eyes on the person who’d had him running around the upper floor of the library like some foolish omega pup. He had never smelt someone that intrigued him before. And a large hand gripped his shoulder before he could turn to do so.
Yeonwoo froze.
“Excuse me?”
An Alpha.
The buzzing in his ears and immediate numbness that consumed his senses was all he could process. Increasing terror nipped at his toes to grab and plunge him into that bottomless well of hopelessness, he had not felt it in so long, but it came back with just as much familiarity and force. As if it never left.
Hey, Yeon Nyeon you miss me ~
He could not hear the voice calling out to him, the hand on his shoulder shaking him, shifting. They had moved a step towards him.
He smacked the hand away, moving away and finding his back pressed against the wall. Somewhere, a voice similar to his told him he was cornering himself.
You ready for some fun?~
There was no reason for him to be scared. No one was here with him. He wasn’t here with him. It was just him… him, and a stranger.
I have a lot planned for you today, Yeon Nyeon~
The same stranger who now stood in front of him, as he clutched the phone, eyes fixed on the floor. Yeonwoo tried to breathe, but he couldn’t. Something clogged his airways. Wouldn’t let him get a lick of air and the place said stranger touched burned.
He barely registered them stepping closer. Bringing up his hand, palm forward, signaling for them to stop where they stood.
He tried to calm himself, though muffled as he could barely hear himself through the fog. What did Yeseul say to do when in times of distress? What did she say— Scents.
Yeseul told him to release comforting notes of his own to help calm himself.
He couldn’t.
He’d blocked them off.
S uch a pretty face like that, too bad you’re nothing but a beta tester~
Everything was fine seconds ago. He was fine seconds ago, and all it took was one brief touch to send it all crashing down. He could feel the tears threatening to fall as he closed in on himself and everything around him turned static.
Everything was shaking.
I can fix that though. What’d ya say, Yeon Nyeon?~
Could feel himself detaching.
Why not be my bitch~
He couldn’t breathe.
Who would have thought the class knot-hole is an omega after all!~
Breathe. Breathe. You idiot. BREATHE . Just breathe.
Something. He didn't know, but something was reaching him through the fog. Calling him through the haze.
So he answered, desperate for something other than the cold.
It came to him in slow, deliberate soft waves. Smooth and velvety as it lingered a while. Getting him used to its presence before enveloping him whole in a warmth he vaguely remembered as he slipped back into himself.
Sensation reawakened as his toes twitched. Legs came next as the numbing, cold tingle that locked them in place dissipated, and he stumbled. Feeling had not yet traveled to his upper body. Resulting in a tip in balance and Yeonwoo prepared to be met face-first with the cold hardwood.
Warmth surrounded him. The warmth of a person.
All his senses came rushing back, crashing into him all at once. Sight. Smell. Sound as the blood rushed to his ears. Touch. Touch came the moment he felt warm, large, secure arms holding him, making sure he didn’t fall.
Teary-ridden eyes looked up to meet stunningly dark ones. Almost black, deep purple, looking down at him, face blank, but eyes shone with what, if he looked close enough, would realize worry. That is if he wasn’t so mesmerized by how they pulled him in, dark as a starless sky, yet calming, warm.
Yeonwoo didn’t have time to monologue about this woman who’d saved him amid an embarrassing display of weakness. Simply because, as if he was hit by a 10-ton truck, he heaved in breath after breath, coughs sputtering between every other inhale. All he could smell was rich and warm sandalwood, along with that undertone he finally deduced.
Rose.
She smelled of sandalwood, of rose, and she reeked of Alpha.
Yeonwoo remembered what sent him into his panic in the first place, and pushed himself away from her hold. Tears falling from renewed honeydew eyes. Shame crashed down on him as he struggled to catch his breath. Only increasing 10-fold when the alpha released more of that scent to calm him. Silently telling him to calm down.
And Yeonwoo listened. Let himself breathe with slow, steady intakes of air. Inhaling more of that ever-growing intoxicating scent that had his knees weak and goosebumps take form.
A deep female voice surrounded him. Slow, careful instruction the alpha gave, making his head spin. She ran her hands up and down his back, fingers feather-like in their touch. Trying to comfort. Yeonwoo tried to steadily calm himself. The smooth voice telling him to breathe, though good in intention, did little to help.
He was hot.
Knowing this wouldn't help, he shifted away from them. The warm touch was now gone, and he mourned it a little, before bringing his hands to his chest to feel the rhythmic beating of his heart.
His breathing soon stabilized as he pressed his head against the cool wall. Rise and fall of his chest more fluid and less aching as air mixed with soft notes of sandalwood and tints of rose providing all-encompassing warmth. Though that touch was gone.
After what felt like forever and no time at all, Yeonwoo breathed. Really breathed and wiped now-dried tear stains from red cheeks.
It was slow, but eventually he turned around. Facing the person he now deemed his savior. Yeonwoo knew he shouldn’t, but he was regretful he’d chosen today to start using scent blockers again. Junhyuk was right.
He opened his mouth to apologize for his display, “I-I’m Sorr-”
“Are you okay?”
The voice was deep yet warm and sultry, just as rich as her scent that still refused to leave him. Still supplying comforting notes of sandalwood. Yeonwoo honestly didn’t know if he hated it as much as he usually did or if he liked it, and wanted more. That alone terrified him.
She took a step forward, and Yeonwoo flinched, head still hung low. He couldn’t look at her. Not after that shameful display. He didn’t sense any movement from her after that. Yeonwoo didn’t know whether to be relieved or terrified of that.
“Are you okay?” She asked again, having taken a step back. Her tone changed from a request to a demand, her voice hinting she was concerned.
Seconds, minutes passed, he fiddled with his thumbs before he began the process of gathering his energy to respond. He was tired. More so than before. Slowly lifting his gaze to meet hers, those deep eyes bored into him. As if she could see through him, and his back felt hot.
He briefly saw a flicker of concern, only for it to shift when she looked down at his hands. Yeonwoo looked down himself to realize he’d been picking at his nails, a habit of his, and brought them to his sides to hopefully ease the concern of this alpha whose name he didn’t even know. The sullen silence stretched between them, thread-thin and fragile.
“I– I’m fine,” He managed to stutter after who knows how long. Fingers twitching to pick at his nails once more but stopped when he could have sworn her eyes narrowed at him. The only sound he could discern was the erratic drumming of his heartbeat. He wished he could be devoured by it.
The alpha looked at him expression neutral but clearly unconvinced by the blatant lie.
“You couldn’t breathe for almost 5 minutes, you’re not fine.” She told him, and Yeonwoo cringed.
He bowed his head, “I’m really fine. Sorr-sorry for the trouble.”
When he’d raised his head to look at her, he saw nothing once more. Honey eyes found his shoes more interesting.
“You were clearly not ok, so I helped…. it was my fault for scaring—”
“No, no” He shook his head. “It wasn’t your fault I’m just…” Stupid.
She looked him up and down and Yeonwoo could feel his cheeks warm, “You apologize a lot, don’t you.”
It wasn’t a question. It was a fact, and he didn’t know what to say because it was true. Junhyuk always told him to stop, but he never could, so he didn’t say anything at all.
The alpha turned to bend down and pick up the phone Yeonwoo only now realized he dropped and took slow, very slow, steps towards him to present it to him.
“Here.”
He looked down at the phone and took it from her, plastering on his best smile, “Did you need something?”
She eyed him, before answering, “I want to check out before closing hours.”
Yeonwoo looked around, to distract from his rising blush, and snatched his phone off one of the gaps on the shelves to look at the time. They were past closing time.
Gasping, the familiar shame crept into him once more, only for him to regain his composure when that scent enveloped him again. He looked up, hands close to his chest, to find she’d taken a step closer.
“Is that a yes… or.”
Yeonwoo flushed, “Yes! Plea– Please follow me.” He spun around and walked, ears aflame.
The walk back was quick. The alpha, followed him, three steps behind him the whole time. Though Yeonwoo could feel her… observant gaze trailing every part of him on the way. It burned. Such treatment, Yeonwoo had read, was typical of alphas.
Alphas must keep their distance at all times from an unmated omega, lest there is a situation that needs intervention. He’d never gotten such treatment, given he hadn’t been an omega for that long, but it was much appreciated after that embarrassing and unbecoming display he showed.
Yeonwoo told her to wait at the front of the desk while he went around and opened the gate in a hurry. Not even bothering to close it, and sped to the desk. Once he got behind the desk, some nerves from earlier dissipated a little. He looked up. Now that he could get a better look at her. He couldn't keep from pausing for a second. Really looking at her.
Glasses were long gone, leaving nothing but chocolate brown hair to frame her features, it was the first time Yeonwoo realized… she was beautiful.
His panic had rendered him unable to process it, but now that he had calmed significantly.
She was stunning.
A sharp jawline that accentuated high cheekbones, 80 parts handsome 20 parts beautiful. A pointed chin that added to her already striking features, fit for a noble. Perfectly symmetrical, straight nose so well-placed and proportioned along her face, Yeonwoo couldn’t help but follow the trail it left, up to meet eyes that he found were overlooking him, finally meeting.
Those eyes. Deep, bordering black, purple that reminded him of starless nights and the darkest of purple hydrangeas. They pulled him in, not letting him go as her musky, warm scent encompassed him, pulling him in further. The epitome of an Alpha.
She places the books on the table, snapping him out of his daze. He fought back another blush, thankfully succeeding as he woke up the computer for it to display the screen he was last on. It didn’t take long for him as he clicked around and typed a few things in for the application to load and show him the screen that would allow him to do his work.
Clearing his throat, Yeonwoo reached out a hand, “Your —Your library card please?”
His voice trembled as she took one last sweep of her eyes over him to reach into her pocket.
She placed it into his palm seconds later, her finger brushing against the bottom of his palm. Dangerously close to the scent gland just underneath the protective covering on his wrist. Yeonwoo sucked in a breath.
He quickly swiped the card, the machine letting out a beep that did little to help wake him from the alpha scent-induced haze she caused. Her scent still lingered around him. It was worst that he didn’t hate it. A shuddered breath escaped him when she reached over to retrieve the card, holding his gaze as she flicked her wrist to graze the top of that very covering.
Yeonwoo had never been more aware of another person, much less an alpha. He didn't know whether he wanted to slap the hand away or urge it to give him more.
He could feel her eyes watching, observing every movement as he passed her books under the scanner with trembling hands, though all he felt was warm. All-encompassing, all surrounding warmth as his cheeks flamed, and his chest rose and fell. Trying to breathe but now for an entirely different reason.
Yeonwoo would have normally been in tears by now. So how was this alpha different?
He quickly grabbed a bag from the half-empty dispenser under the computer, bagging her books and offering it to her with both hands.
He looked her in the eyes, only to find she was doing the same, piercing gaze of starless midnight sending shivers down his spine.
“I- I'm sorry for the trouble I caused. I hope- I hope you'll give the library another chance… I'll do better next time.”
The phrases Eunchae hammered into him to say whenever a customer left was the farthest from his mind as the sandalwood scent mixed with more rose, turning the slightest ting of sweet that Yeonwoo almost didn’t catch it.
Reaching over, the alpha carefully took the books from him, smooth, large hands engulfing his as they moved to take the bag. Lingered, and only increased his blush.
How indecent.
Bag at her side, Yeonwoo’s hands moved to rest behind his back in an attempt to hide the warmth he was sure had traveled from his neck to the tips of his fingers.
Her eyes met his. Making sure to trail his every feature before she spoke, that voice just as if not more intoxicating than her scent, sent his goose bumps alight, “I’ll be sure to.”
She held his gaze for a moment longer. Tension that hung in the air between them, strung tight like a fragile thread, ready to snap at any moment. He broke that thread when dipping his head in thanks for her patronage. Just as he raised it to look up again, she turned.
The slightest, blink and you’ll miss it smile donned her face before she fully turned away from him, and walked out the door. The chime of the door closing clearing his foggy mind.
He blinked, sandalwood still surrounded and sending his thoughts into a frenzy, her earlier words replaying in his mind, 'I'll be sure too.'
Yeonwoo flushed as he sank into his chair, the intoxicating scent and softness surrounding him making it worse. Warm hands that caressed his back, engulfing his hands in their own, leaving her scent on them. He didn't know whether her coming back excited or terrified him.