𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 || 𝐉𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧

X

Joshua first notices it when his favorite shirt goes missing.

It’s pink, soft and oversized, and it’s gone from his drawer even though he’s fully certain he washed it last week. He doesn’t give it much thought at first, but the next day, he can’t find his gray Vetements hoodie. It keeps happening, until he does a quick sweep of his closet and realizes a lot more items are missing than he initially realized.

The thing is, Jeonghan borrows his stuff all of the time. A shirt and underwear after sex, a jacket so he can go home, a hoodie just because he thinks they’re comfortable; he’s shameless about it, and Joshua's alpha is certainly not complaining. The reason this time feels different is the fact that unlike every other occasion, Joshua doesn’t see Jeonghan wearing any of them, and in fact, when he asks the omega about it, he deflects easily.

Joshua only understands what’s going on when he notices the change in Jeonghan's scent. It creeps up on him, but once he pulls the omega in to cuddle on the couch, it’s impossible to ignore: it’s sweeter, stronger, and stirs such a deep protective feeling in Joshua's chest he has to physically stop himself from growling in the middle of their Star Wars binge night.

Jeonghan is going into heat, and the fact that Joshua can tell so early just from his scent is yet another sign his alpha is way too attuned to his best friend’s omega. He doesn’t know what to think about that, so he tries his best not to — something he’s becoming exceptionally good at these days.

He doesn’t know why the omega is suddenly too embarrassed to admit he’s been taking Joshua's clothes to nest when they’ve been doing it for so long, but he suspects it has something to do with the fact that for the last few weeks, the line they’ve been toeing for so long is getting harder and harder to see.

Neither of them have outrightly mentioned it, but that night at the club made it a lot harder for either of them to skirt around the glaring realization that whatever it is their relationship has become, it’s nothing either of them expected. Joshua can feel it so clearly these days, the loaded silence whenever it’s just the two of them, basking in an intimacy they’ve built without care for the consequences; words that neither of them can articulate, gestures that try to convey messages they’re not yet ready to talk about.

Sometimes, Joshua worries they’re running out of time; he's just not sure what for.

When Jeonghan finally brings up his heat, it comes out of nowhere, at least for Joshua. They’re having dinner at the younger's place, and the alpha has just finished telling this funny story from one of the interns in his departament when Jeonghan suddenly speaks.

“My heat is coming up.” He says it, too casual not to be rehearsed, and a little like he’s testing out the waters.

Joshua is suddenly a lot more alert than he was a minute before. “Yeah… I’ve obviously noticed my clothes mysteriously missing, even if for some reason you’ve been pleading not guilty.”

It’s meant in a lightly teasing manner, and it’s a relief that Jeonghan laughs a little. He looks nervous, posture too upright and scent too obvious, and it reminds Joshua of months ago, when the omega still felt so unsure about them. “Sorry, It’s just— I don’t know, really, why I got embarrassed. Do you mind?”

Joshua chuckles at that, eyebrows quirking. “Why would I? That deal even precedes this deal. You know I’d never deny anything that can help you, Hannie.”

Jeonghan nods at that, and he hesitates for only a moment before asking. “Would you maybe want to help… in another way?”

Joshua's heart lurches in his chest, and even if he tries to school his expression into something more neutral, he’s sure that the spike in his scent and the darkening in his eyes must be obvious. “What do you mean, Jeonghan?”

He’s not being purposely obtuse, but he needs Jeonghan to say it. This has been something out of limits from the moment they’ve started this, and if the omega is interested in changing it, then he’s the one who has to take the first step — Joshua would never dare to do so otherwise.

“I know we agreed that it’d be too intense at first, but it’s been months… and I was thinking maybe spending my heat together might be good. For both of us, or the pup, you get it.” Jeonghan fumbles with his words a little, entire face flushed red. “Only if you want to, of course. I’m going to be fine either way, so don’t feel pressured because I know it’s a lot.”

As Joshua organizes his thoughts, his instincts to soothe the omega take over as he reaches for Jeonghan's hand without barely thinking about it, intertwining their fingers. Jeonghan squeezes his hand back, appreciative of the gesture, and Joshua finally speaks; gentle, but firm. “Hannie, what I want is not really as important in this situation, but are you sure that is what you want? I don’t want you to make that decision just because you’re scared this isn’t going to happen otherwise, because I really do think it’s just a matter of patience.”

There’s a shadow of something in Jeonghan's eyes before his expression softens, some of the nerves replaced by inhibited fondness, a look Joshua has gotten for so long but that has only taken a new meaning recently. There’s still a lovely blush to his cheeks, but his eyes are genuine and vulnerable when he looks into Joshua's. “Of course what you think matters Shua, don’t say that, taking care of an omega in heat can be a lot. I’m not just bringing this up because I’m impatient, though that’s also a reason — it’s just, well , I trust you. I think you’ll take care of me, and if by the end of it we have a pup, then that’s ever better, isn’t it?”

Joshua doesn’t think he could find the right words for the way his chest bubbles up in overwhelming affection even if he tried. Hearing this from someone he cares for so deeply, and knowing that Jeonghan wants it — he doesn’t think his alpha has ever felt happier, and neither has he.

“Hannie, I—” He chuckles a little wetly, because he’s definitely emotional right now. “I don’t think flattered is the right word, but you have no idea how it makes me feel to know that you trust me that much. If that’s what you want, then of course I’d love to take care of you.”

The omega’s smile is shy but still bright when Joshua brings their joined hands towards his lips, placing a soft peck there. “You’ve always taken care of me, you know.”

Joshua laughs at that, nodding. “Well, then I guess it’s just one more way I can now.”

They just look at each other for a moment, and there it is again, that empty space waiting for either of them to address it. Before they do, Jeonghan gently pulls his hand away and goes back to eating, quickly moving past it. “It’s probably coming up next week, so you should talk to your boss. I was thinking my apartament? I don’t wanna leave your place stinking like me.”

Joshua privately thinks he wouldn’t mind that at all, but instead just nods along. “That’s fine. I know you’ve already been nesting but if you want me to scent a few blankets for you to take, I can do that tonight too.”

“Thank you.” Jeonghan smiles, and then laughs a little with a shake of his head. “I think I lied before, about the reason I was embarrassed about it this time. Well, one of them I think.”

“Oh?” Joshua retorts, genuinely curious.

“It’s just that this time, I’m actually nesting.” He giggles, stirring his food. “As in, preparing for the baby you’re going to put in me.”

Joshua chokes on his rice, coughing repeatedly for a few seconds, and Jeonghan doesn’t stop laughing even when the younger turns beet red. “You can’t just say stuff like that right in the middle of dinner, Jeonghan.”

The omega shrugs, but Joshua can see how his ears betray him. “You asked. Besides, just trying to prepare you for what’s to come.”

Joshua only stares at his best friend for a moment, dumbfounded before letting out a chuckle that trails into a hesitant grin. “Well, duly noted.”