𝔹𝕝𝕦𝕣𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕃𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤, Beomjun

030

Beomgyu and Yeonjun sit in the back of a black car, the bumbling engine and the quiet radio filling the silence in the back of the car. The luggage that failed to fit in the boot of the car piled high around them. Two small bags rest on Beomgyu's lap and a duffel bag occupies the space between him and Yeonjun, separating him the same way they'll have to distance themselves now they're going back home to face the scrutiny of their clans.

Beomgyu clutches the straps of the duffle bag self-consciously, biting the inside of his cheek to calm his nerves—it does little to help, hurting more than anything. He sighs and keeps his eyes focused on the view outside his tinted window, the green of nature slowly transforming into the lifeless hues of grey leading to the villages.

He used to enjoy car journeys. It was an excuse to space out and watch the world pass by, to admire a pretty view and create his own fulfilling reality.

Here, where the returning journey should feel shorter because less new information is being processed by his brain, the ride drags on. And since his mind doesn't need to take in the contents of the view (he'd done that on the way to the house), his only distraction is what's to come.

With every passing minute he overthinks the way people will treat him when they've returned.

Beomgyu acts impassive to the majority of people's criticism or insults; or any other demeaning forms of hate, but he's not nearly as strong as he pretends to be.

He wears a mask that's close to crumbling and he doesn't want to lose himself like this. As the weak, stereotypical omega they have tried to associate him with since he was younger. It's hard enough for his people not to dismiss him when they know he'll never be the one to lead them, and he thinks his situation with Yeonjun will give them an excuse to turn on him once and for all.

They've waited for this opportunity since he was presented as an omega, now they have their chance.

He's shocked out of his jumbled thoughts when fingers lace with his own and a warm palm provides a comforting touch. His eyes soften in appreciative surprise and he faces Yeonjun, offered a supportive smile when he meets his eyes.

"Don't be nervous." Yeonjun squeezes his hand. "If things go wrong, I won't stop until they're right. I promise."

Beomgyu offers a tight smile, gaze falling to their intertwined hands.

A part of him wants to pull back, knowing it's their bond that'll be greeted with distaste. The other part of him is more stubborn, chasing the warmth to soothe him of his stress—and he knows it works because when he raises the clasped hands, inhales and then kisses the side of Yeonjun's knuckle, some of his troubles melt away.

Besides, Yeonjun seems so sure and Beomgyu doesn't want to doubt him. He just hopes things go well without them needing to work extra hard for it for once.

They've been through so much lately. As selfish as it is, he wants a break. Though he fears now that his heats over old issues will arise, he has nothing to distract him from them now. With his heat there was only so much he could think about, his irritation, Yeonjun, feeling sick...

Now his minds much more expansive again.

"What parts of our time away did you enjoy?" Yeonjun asks and Beomgyu knows it's to to distract him from his thoughts. The distress is probably readable all over his face and his grip on Yeonjun's hand is tight enough to show he needs it. As always, Yeonjun is more than willing to help.

Beomgyu lets out a staggered breath and rolls his eyes. "I was in heat for the most of it. What was there to enjoy?"

A smirk crosses Yeonjun's lips and Beomgyu glares at him in response, preparing for the smart-ass comment he knows is coming. "Me," he replies, exposing his teeth as he grins.