The Art Teacher | Jikook ✓ | The Next Chapter

Part 18

Jung-nam

"No."

I stare at the raven, mind unable to process the monosyllabic, two letter word. No.

"What? What do you mean, 'no?'"

All my life, I have understood that no means no, but this is different. It's vague and so open ended, I feel as though I might scream. Ki-moon doesn't tell me no. It's not in his nature. I'm his baby alpha, his puppy to spoil. Every want I've expressed, the elder has met with a smile and kindness. He's always been there for me, always granted every wish.

But not today.

Today, the puppy is being scolded, sent away to another room to think about what he's done. The only problem is that I can't figure out how to breathe. My eyes are wide and everything around me except for the omega before me is frozen. He is the only source of movement in my world right now, but he is looking at me with such a foreign look that I am beginning to feel lost. Perhaps I am a puppy who's stumbled into the wrong owner's house. Yes, that has to be it. This isn't my Ki-moon. My Ki-moon would never look at me like this.

Brown eyes aim at the floor. "No, I'm not what you want, Jung-nam. Please never bring this up again. You're confused."

"No, no, no." I cup his face. "That's wrong. You are what I want. You've always been what I want. I joined Asp!re because of you. Everything is always because of you. I love you."

"Baby—Jung-nam, just trust me. I'm ugly, damaged, unwor—"

"You're my perfect person, my lovely leader, my everything. You're all I want. When I'm around others, nobody looks as good as you. Nobody feels as good, sounds as good, smells as good, tastes as good. Nobody compares, whether they be alpha, beta, omega. No matter their color, gender, anything. When I'm scared or nervous, it's your hand I want to hold. When I'm happy, it's your laugh I want to hear alongside mine. Your scent calms me down. You make me feel ready for anything. I don't want anyone else. Do you want me with anyone else?"

His eyes flash red and he gets out of my lap. "No. But that doesn't mean I should be with you."

Standing up as well, I keep the distance since he put it between us for a reason. "But do you want to?"

The omega runs off, locking himself in his office.

"Ki-moon, please don't lock me out. Not this room, and not your heart. Please let me in. I just want to talk."

The elder stays silent, but I know he's crying. I can smell it. So I release my own pheromones in an attempt to calm him. Although I can smell him calming a little, I know this isn't enough, so I exhale. "Moonie, you're going to make me do sappy things until you see I don't see any reason not to love you."

Quickly, I grab a guitar and blush, tuning it and adjusting the capo. I wasn't expecting to sing today. I hate singing by myself, especially for others. I joined because of my dancing, not because of my vocals, but Ki-moon would never judge me, even if my voice were to crack, so I close my eyes and sing, changing the pronouns to match Ki-moon.

I'm in trouble I'm an addict
I'm addicted to this boy
He's got my heart tied in a knot
And my stomach in a whirl
But even worse I can't stop calling him
He's all I want and more
I mean damn,
What's not to adore?

I chuckle and scrunch my nose up, feeling shy. I've recorded myself singing this song for Ki-moon so many occasions, but I've trashed it every single time.

I've been playing too much guitar
I, I've been listening to jazz
I called so many times
I swear, he's going mad
And that cellular-er will be the death of us
I swear, I swear

My teeth chew on my lip.

And oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oooh oooh oooh

I'm running my mouth just like I got him
But I surely don't
Because he's so-o-o-o-o-o-o
Rock and roll!
And out of my league
Is he out of my league?
Let's hope not

Soft cries sound from the other side of the door, but I don't stop. I can't stop, not now. He needs to hear it. I need to say it.

I'm in trouble
I'm so cliché
See that word just wears me out
Makes me feel like just another boy
To laugh and joke about
But even worse, I can't stop calling him
I love to hear that voice
And honestly, I'm left with no choice

I've been playing too much guitar
I, I've been listening to jazz
I called so many times
I swear, he's going mad
And that cellular-er will be the death of us
I swear, I swear

And oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oooh oooh oooh

I'm running my mouth just like I got him
But I surely don't
Because he's so-o-o-o-o-o-o
Rock and roll!
And out of my league
Is he out of my league?
Let's hope not

And oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oooh oooh oooh ooh ooh oooh oh

The door opens and the omega sniffles, rubbing his nose. He doesn't say anything, just walks forward and presses our scent glands together. Ki-moon rests his head on my shoulder, continuing to let our scents mingle and mesh together. "I'm not out of your league. Don't ever let me hear you say that again."

I chuckle. "Yes, Ki-moon, but that means I expect the same from you. I love you. I'm in love with you and have been since I was thirteen. When I met you at twelve, I felt something even then. There's this magnetism, this need. It's so much more than a one-dimensional, sexual need. It's like if I don't have your scent nearby, I'll lose it. I can't get enough of it. It's stuck in my nose. Like how you need to listen to a song that's stuck in your head or else you'll go mad, that's me with your scent. It's why I get so close and breathe you in. Your scent is my oxygen."

My elder exhales shakily, squeezing my waist. "I feel the same. When I was still in heat, I thought I would die if I couldn't smell you close to me. Everything in me told me I had to get to you, now. It's so..." He squeezes tighter. "I... I'm scared, Jung-nam. What if I hurt you?"

Suddenly, I feel things start to click into place. "I'm eighteen."

"You're eighteen," he repeats quietly.

"No one is coercing me. I'm of sound mind and body."

"No one is coercing you. You're of sound mind and body."

"I love you."

"You love me."

"I want this."

"You want this."

"I consent."

He looks into my eyes. "You consent."

"You would never hurt your baby alpha."

Something stirs in his eyes and they burn red. "I would never hurt my baby alpha."

I lean down and kiss his forehead. "Will you try?"

Ki-moon bites his lip, crimson eyes locked on mine as the air becomes thick with the scent of melons. "I don't want to start out as dating. I know you. I trust you. I want to be boyfriends."

My breath catches in my throat and I nod dumbly, my eyes watering. "I would love that, Moonie."

Author's Note: Anyone appreciate the double update? Also, Ki-nam is finally a thing! I'm so happy.

What do you think of the story so far?

Make sure to take care and love yourself as best as you can.

With lots of love,

-BBM