𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 || 𝐉𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧

XI

“Josh, have you ever taken care of an omega in heat?”

If the alpha had thought about it for more than a minute, he could’ve figured out this was an ambush the moment he stepped into his friends' apartament to look after Jisung and instead found the couple and Mingyu sitting on the couch, waiting for him. Still, he was too easily distracted by his baby’s giggles and Taeyong’s amazing hot chocolate, and by the time he realized what was going on, it was too late to run away.

“Uh…” He says intelligently, facing the judgement filled stare from the three omegas. “No?”

“That’s what I thought.” Taeyong nods, even though he obviously already knew the answer — Joshua tells him practically everything anyway, there’s no way he could’ve found time to fuck an omega in heat and not have his best friend notice it. “We called you here cause we want to make sure you’re going to treat Hannie right.”

“Oh no, we’re not doing this—” He tries to protest and get up, eyes going wide and neck burning up, but all Taeyong has to do is throw him a look and the alpha is sitting down again, resigned. “It’s non-optional, unless you want us to keep bringing it up until it happens.”

The other two nod along to the oldest’s statement, and Joshua huffs, embarrassed and annoyed. “I’m pretty sure I know how it goes, Taeyong. I’m an alpha, it’s been ingrained in our minds from the moment we first pop a knot.”

“I’m sure you know the mechanisms,” Ten rolls his eyes. “But I’m telling you, as an omega, it’s not just that. Most alphas tend to think omegas in heat is what you see in porn or what other dumbass alphas boast about, but it’s so much more than that.”

“It’s not that we don’t trust you to take care of Hannie, we know you’re going to be careful,” Taeyong says kindly, more appeasing. “But more so that we want this to be a good experience for both of you, so it’d be nice for you to get a heads up on what to expect.”

Joshua feels his defensive posture slip away a bit, relaxing further into the armchair he’s in. “Alright.”

“Well, first of all, none of us know what Jeonghan is going to be like in heat, and actually, neither does he.” Taeyong says. “This is his first time letting an alpha take care of him, so it’ll be a new experience for him as well.”

“My bet is that it’s going to get really intense.” Mingyu interrupts. “Especially because you guys… well, you share some sort of bond, even if it’s not that type of bond.”

“He’s also been nesting with your clothes for a while, and he’s scented by you. Odds are, his omega will recognize you as his alpha really quickly, so you have to know it’s your responsibility to have a clear head, Josh.” Taeyong warns.

Joshua nods silently, swallowing the lump in his throat. The conversation is uncomfortable, having them say talk about these details of their intimacy so outrightly, but he knows the three are just looking out for them, especially Jeonghan.

“I don’t even need to tell you to not do anything stupid like mark him, right?” Ten bluntly asks, and Joshua shoots an offended look.

“Of course I’m not going to mark him without his consent, Ten. What do you take me for?”

The omega only shrugs. “Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen well intentioned alphas get lost in the heat of the moment.”

“And we know you care for him.” Mingyu says, and his big innocent eyes are dangerously probing. “Don’t you?”

There’s something more to this question than what it may seem, and the silence before Joshua's answer is telling enough. “Of course I do. He’s my, uh, best friend.”

“Right,” Mingyu narrows his eyes. “Best friend.”

“Regardless, Jeonghan is really trusting you Josh, in his most vulnerable moment.” Taeyong says sternly. “And we trust you too, of course. Don’t let him, or us, down.”

Joshua feels a weird surge of protection just at the thought of it; it might sound possessive of him, but Joshua's alpha can’t help but feel more responsible for Jeonghan than ever, and he will take care of him. "I won't."

“Now,” Ten grins widely, a dangerous spark of mirth in his eyes. “If there’s anything you want to ask us, as omegas, we promise we won’t tell Wonwoo about it afterwards.”

Joshua rolls his eyes. “I think I’m good, thanks. I don’t know if I wanna have a mental picture of any of you during, uh, that .”

“God, you’re so boring ,” Ten rolls his eyes. “If Jeonghan whines to me later about how bad you were at it, I’m not going to let you live it down.”

“I don’t think Josh will be bad at it.” Mingyu says mildly, as if he’s given the idea thought . “But then again, the fact that it’s him is probably going to do half of the job for Hannie.”

“The other half is still pretty important though.” Ten points out with a snort, and really, Joshua absolutely hates where this conversation is going.

“Can we move on from discussions about my sexual performances, please?” He whines. “I came here to get fed and play with Jisung, but I think I might leave traumatized.”

“Alright, alright, you big dramatic baby.” Taeyong giggles, leaning down and placing a kiss into Joshua's cheek like he does sometimes, when he’s particularly endeared. “I think we’ve tortured you enough, but you know that whatever else you need, you can reach out to us. Don’t go all constipated alpha on us.”

“I think it’s a little too late for that, but I guess that’s just Joshua constipation.” Mingyu ponders, lazily stretching his arms above his head.

“Yeah, and it goes quite well with the Jeonghan constipation.” Ten agress. “But who knows, maybe three days fucking non-stop will help— I wouldn’t be surpised.”

Joshua throws a pillow at Ten, and there’s one last screeching laughter before he finally shuts up.