And then, I met you. || Jeongcheol ||

11

Seungcheol's brow furrowed hearing Omega's words.

Jeonghan, you're not imposing anything. Don't blame yourself, okay.

I appreciate your kindness. But I know I've disrupted the track of your life, Jeonghan placed his hand on his head in frustration. Fuck, I have disrupted my own life.

Seungcheol stood still for a moment, his gaze fixed on Jeonghan. The room was filled with a tense silence before Seungcheol moved closer, the sounds of his steps echoing the room.

I don't know about your life, but you haven't disrupted mine, Seungcheol spoke, his voice was calm and firm. He approached Jeonghan, closing the gap between them.

You're here because I want you to be, okay? I chose you and the baby myself, of my own accord.

Jeonghan's eyes widened slightly, unable to comprehend what to react on the Alpha's words as the heaviness of Seungcheol's words started to sank in.

So please ~, Seungcheol continued after a brief pause, as he looked directly into Jeonghan's eyes. You still have time. You can still choose not to have this kid and go back to your normal life.

There was a seriousness in Seungcheol's tone that the Omega could inherently feel. As he met the Alpha's gaze, Jeonghan felt a surge of conflicting emotions, centring around his choice.

He hadn't expected such understanding and support from someone he barely knew, especially an Alpha, given the complicated circumstances they found themselves in.

It's not like Jeonghan hated Alphas but he didn't like them either. For him, in his world no Alpha existed apart from Joshua but Seungcheol ~

Normal life? Jeonghan muttered sarcastically, more to himself than to Seungcheol. Did I ever have one?

Think carefully and decide. Take your time, and tell me, the Alpha didn't press further, instead retreating to the kitchen, leaving Jeonghan to wrestle with his thoughts alone in the room. The silence continued, enunciated only by the distant hum of appliances and the rattle of dishes by the Alpha.

Alone with his thoughts, Jeonghan's mind raced. The notion of a "normal life" felt like a distant dream, an unattainable fantasy. His life had been nothing but a series of tumultuous ups and downs, each twist leading him further away from any stagnancy or stability.

As he sat there, in the quiet of the apartment, his mind filled with what the Alpha said. A chance to reclaim a life free of entanglements, to sever ties and embrace a different path—Was it truly within his grasp? Will he ever have a normal life?, the Omega laughed at himself at this thought.

His gaze drifted to the window, where the first hints of morning light were entering. How could he possibly ease the complexities that bound him to this moment? How could he choose the best thing for himself when every path seems worse?

Or maybe he already made a choice – better or worse he didn't know but it felt so right.

**

The Alpha stood by the door, his backpack slung over one shoulder as he prepared to head out for college. He glanced back at Jeonghan, his voice a bit awkward.

I've made the food. It's in the kitchen. Eat it when you're hungry, okay?

Okay, Jeonghan nodded, his gaze lingering on Seungcheol's departing figure.

The Alpha paused for a moment, his eyes meeting Jeonghan. If you need anything or can't find something, call me, okay?

What will you do? Come running?, he couldn't help but ask, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

Yes, I will...., If you call me, I will come running.

Seungcheol stood there, his backpack slung over one shoulder as he waited for a response from Jeonghan, but none came. Instead, the Omega sat there, his eyes fixed on the Alpha, searching for something within the depths of those steady eyes.

Silence settled between them, a comfortable yet uncertain pause. Seungcheol finally broke the quiet, his voice gentle.

Okay, then I am going. Take care of yourself, Jeonghan, he said, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. And please don't sleep on sofa. Sleep on the bed. Okay!?

Okay, Jeonghan managed a small smile in return as he nodded slowly.

The Alpha nodded back. With a final glance, he turned and headed out the door, leaving Jeonghan to ponder the path ahead and the unexpected kindness of an Alpha he barely knew.

**

The days unfolded like chapters in a story as the pair fell into a series of quiet companionship and routine.

For Jeonghan, the Alpha's presence became familiar amidst the chaotic narrative of his life. Mornings began with the soft rustle of sheets as Seungcheol roused himself from his slumber, ready to face the day's demands.

In the silence of their small home, Jeonghan often found himself in the realm of dreams while the world outside stayed into motion. The gentle aroma of breakfast travelled through the air into the Omega's nose everyday, care sprinkled into each dish prepared by Seungcheol's hands.

Before the sun reached its peak, the Alpha would depart for college. His schedule revolved around his responsibilities—college, practice, and his part-time jobs. His days were a whirlwind of classes, followed by practice sessions where he poured his energy into his sport. Later, he would head to his part-time jobs, working tirelessly until late into the night.

Jeonghan, on the other hand, spent his days resting at home, attending to his own thoughts and the growing life within him, and sometimes Jeonghan's thoughts became echoes bouncing off the walls of their shared space. Novels and series became his companions, offering refuge as he gulped down plenty in the meantime along with constant flickering of television and the sound of remote.

As dusk settled, Seungcheol returned, his presence finally breaking the silence of the empty hours. Their conversations were small and limited but filled with an evident understanding.

Jeonghan settled into this routine comfortably, his days flowing seamlessly within the walls of Seungcheol's home. The snacks always seemed to replenish themselves, showcasing the Alpha's attentiveness. Without needing to voice his desires, Jeonghan found himself with an abundance of munching options, always within reach.

Amidst the routine, Jeonghan's mind wandered freely, unburdened by the living outside. The guise of a " vacation for refreshment" granted him relief from the explanation, at least that's what he told Joshua, though it was Seungkwan who went on vacation ( he stole the idea from him )

It had been two weeks since he last attended college. He avoided contacting Joshua, creating a space where he could immerse himself in the quiet sanctuary of Seungcheol's home. The absence of Joshua's presence was a deliberate choice—an act of postponing it knowingly by the Omega so he could divulge into the present a little bit more.

Jeonghan's days settled into a surprising contentment, compared to what he thought. The smell of good food and the warmth of the shared home began to fill a void he hadn't fully acknowledged. There was something reassuring about the anticipation of meals with Seungcheol, that the Omega sometimes questioned himself.

Their interactions were limited of course, as they kind of overlapped each other—Seungcheol returning as Jeonghan drifted into sleep on the sofa, and Jeonghan waking to find himself placed in the comfort of Seungcheol's bed. It was an unspoken pact, the Omega never questioned the Alpha due to subtle understanding between them.

The Omega often found himself sitting on the sofa, fighting the urge to sleep so he could try to catch a glimpse of Seungcheol's return, though hardly succeeding in it. The mornings brought a soft familiarity once again, waking in the Alpha's bed without question, without words exchanged.

The Omega knew he was getting comfortable around the Alpha. As the days turned into weeks, he found himself surrendering to the gentle sea of their unspoken connection, allowing himself to be carried by the waves of Seungcheol's silent care. And the Omega didn't want it.

**