The bustling corridors of the A-List production studio echo with the hurried footsteps of crew members and the occasional murmur of excited fans hoping for a glimpse of their favourite stars. Among them, Kai, with his characteristic energy and mischievous grin, darts down the hallway.
"Kai, can you grab another mic pack from the storage room?" Calls out a producer, their voice barely audible over the studio's ambient noise.
"On it!" Kai responds with a salute, his enthusiasm undimmed as he skips down the corridor.
He snickers to himself, recalling the extravagant gifts they've showered him with.
"Heh." Kai's voice echoes softly down the empty corridor as he continues on his errand. "Getting all this expensive stuff just for a bit of fun? This is too easy."
His cheeks flush with a mixture of excitement and embarrassment as he recalls the intimate moments he's shared with Haneul and Daewon over the past month. Each encounter is etched vividly in his mind– Haneul's teasing whispers, Daewon's hesitant yet eager touches. He remembers the thrill of their stolen kisses in secluded corners of the studio, the warmth of their bodies intertwined late at night after filming wrapped.
Pausing mid-step, a determined expression settles on Kai's face. His heart races with a heady mix of anticipation and uncertainty. He's enjoyed the luxurious gifts and the attention lavished upon him, but he's equally aware of the unspoken expectations that accompany such generosity.
"I should thank them properly." He mutters to himself, his fingers absently tracing the edges of his shirt. The memories of their encounters fuel his resolve as he plans to reciprocate tonight with drinks, a small gesture of gratitude for the kindness he has been shown.
Pushing aside his momentary hesitation, Kai resumes his journey down the hallway, his mind racing with plans and possibilities. As he turns the corner, the distant chatter of crew members discussing another guest on A-List catches his attention, momentarily distracting him from his thoughts.
"Hu-Young is so cool!"
"Yeah, but it's a shame he's an omega. He's the coolest in his group."
Kai's expression darkens, his brows furrowing in indignation.
"What do you mean a shame?" He interjects, stepping into their conversation.
Kai stands firm, hands on his hips, his stance defiant and his eyes ablaze with fury.
The crew members startle at his sudden appearance, their voices faltering mid-sentence. They exchange uneasy glances, unsure how to respond to the fiery omega before them.
"He's cool, period. Who cares if he's an omega?" Kai challenges, his tone fierce and unrelenting. "If he were a recessive alpha, would you still say it's a shame?"
"N-no, of course not." One of them stammers, averting their gaze.
"Good. Keep that in mind." Kai retorts sharply as they hastily retreat, leaving him alone to stew in his thoughts.
"Yeah, that's what I thought." He huffs to himself, shaking his head in frustration. "Can't believe people still look down on omegas like that. If I hear anyone else talking trash, I'll beat them up!"
Unbeknownst to Kai, Hu-Young is standing just around the corner, his presence masked by the shadowed alcove. He watches Kai storm off, a mixture of surprise and admiration flickering across his face.
As Kai marches away, his pheromones leave a trail of sugar and ginger, a sweet yet biting scent that lingers in the air, mingling with the lingering whispers of his confrontation. The scent is a testament to his defiance, a reminder that even the softest aromas can carry the sharpest edges.
Later that evening, after the day's filming wraps up, the studio hums with a quieter, more relaxed energy. The crew packs up equipment, their chatter blending into the background noise of a long, exhausting day ending. Kai spots Daewon deep in conversation with his manager. Daewon's face is a mask of composed seriousness, his jaw set in a firm line, and his dark eyes focused intently. The angles of his face are sharp and unyielding, like a statue carved from marble, revealing nothing of the thoughts swirling beneath the surface.
As Kai approaches, the manager eyes him warily, her expression tightening before she nods at Daewon and excuses herself. Kai doesn't miss the tension but barrels forward with his usual vigor.
"We're going out for drinks, my treat!" Kai announces cheerfully as he bounds over to Daewon.
Haneul appears beside them, slinging an arm over Kai's shoulder with a lopsided smile. "Without me? Rude!"
Kai playfully shoves Haneul away. "No way, idiot! You're coming too, of course."
Daewon watches the playful exchange with a soft smile. He subtly glances at Kai, his own hand twitching.
"Alright, let's get going then!" Haneul declares, his arm still draped casually around Kai's shoulders as he steers him toward the exit.
Daewon follows closely behind. His eyes are glued to Kai's back, the sway of his movements hypnotic. He's lost in thought, trying to summon the courage to take Kai's other hand. It seems like such a simple gesture, yet it feels monumental.
The dimly lit pub buzzes with the energy of Friday night revellers as Haneul and Daewon guide a very tipsy Kai towards the exit. Kai's arms hang over their slouched shoulders, his steps faltering with every hiccup and giggly protest as they practically drag him out of the pub.
"I want more snacks! I'm not done yet!" Kai exclaims with a drunken grin, his cheeks flushed a rosy hue.
Haneul chuckles, his arm secure around Kai's waist. "We have snacks at home, remember?"
Kai leans into Daewon's side, their faces mere inches apart.
"Well, I see two snacks right in front of me." He snickers, laughter bubbling in his voice.
Daewon's cheeks flush as he exchanges a glance with Haneul, who bursts out laughing.
"Alright then, let's get you home." Haneul says, his tone affectionate as they manoeuvre Kai out onto the bustling street.
The trio makes their way back to Haneul and Daewon's shared apartment, the journey filled with Kai's drunken antics and random bursts of song. They return, finally, to the sanctuary of Haneul and Daewon's shared apartment, where the night air hums with the lingering energy of the city. Once inside, they stumble into the bedroom, their movements clumsy yet filled with a playful energy.
Clothes are shed amidst giggles and hushed whispers of affectionate words. Kai, caught up in the euphoria of the moment, revels in the attention of both Haneul and Daewon. Pleasure ignites between them, an intimate dance of bodies and desires that speaks of both passion and affection.
Midway through their passionate entanglement, Kai suddenly freezes, his eyes widening as a wave of nausea sweeps over him. His stomach churns uncomfortably, and he sits upright on the bed, his face contorted in discomfort.
"Kai, what's wrong?" Daewon's concerned voice cuts through the haze of desire, his hands hovering over Kai's shoulders.
"Peaches! Peaches!" Kai's voice rises in panic.
With gentle understanding, Haneul and Daewon allow Kai to push them away. His urgency propels him off the bed, a desperate attempt to reach the bathroom. But his body betrays him; he collapses to his knees before the door, a violent torrent of vomit spilling onto the floor. Each heave wracks his slender frame, the room spinning as he purges the excess alcohol, returning painfully to the harsh reality of his drunken state.
Haneul and Daewon exchange a glance, their faces etched with worry as they witness Kai's distress. The scene is a stark contrast to the heated moments they shared just minutes ago. Once the ordeal is over, Kai collapses, spent and unconscious, on the bedroom floor.
They move swiftly, cleaning up the mess with quiet efficiency, their concern for Kai palpable in every motion. Haneul gently picks Kai up, his strong arms cradling the smaller omega with surprising tenderness as he sets him down on the bed. Daewon watches, his yellow eyes shadowed with guilt, before he tucks Kai in with a careful precision, smoothing the blanket over Kai's slender frame.
As they sit in the aftermath, Daewon's brow furrows with guilt.
"We shouldn't have let him drink so much." He says, his voice a quiet rumble.
Haneul sighs deeply, running a hand through his hair, the strands slipping through his fingers like silk. "I know... we got carried away. We should have been more careful."
"I didn't expect him to get so sick," Daewon adds. "He seemed to be holding his liquor well."
"Yeah." Haneul agrees, his voice tinged with regret. "He's usually so resilient."
Together, they sit by Kai's side, watching over him with a mixture of tenderness and concern. The apartment, once filled with laughter and lively conversation, now sits in heavy silence, broken only by the soft sounds of Kai's breathing. The moonlight filters through the window, casting a pale glow over the scene, highlighting the stark contrast between the revelry of moments past and the quiet aftermath.
Daewon's hand rests gently on Kai's shoulder, a silent promise of protection. Haneul, sitting cross-legged beside him, absently traces patterns on the sheets, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The scent of caramelised sugar and spicy ginger lingers in the air, a poignant reminder of Kai's presence.