Chapter Text
The sound of the clock on the wall clicks, tapping over and over again. The plain gray walls stretch out endlessly, a never-ending dreadfulness. Kai smooths down his hair and fixes his glasses on the bridge of his nose. He bites at his lip, red from repeated abuse.
The beta starts to walk down the hallway. A large white door was in his view ahead. His destination.
When he reaches the door, he glances at his shoes. They’re in pristine condition, just as he kept them all these years working under this company. Perfection: everything needed to be perfect. He’d kept everything perfect for a day like this. The day he could finally walk down this hallway, knowing he’d finally got that promotion.
Business Solutions Manager, Huening Kai.
The well-deserved promotion after everything the beta’s gone through for this company. All the time and energy he sacrificed working in the home appliances team under the fierce scrutiny of his previous manager and team members. But he knew all his sucking up and deceiving would return him in favor tenfold.
This position means *everything* to him.
Kai swallows, runs a hand through his hair, and looks at the doorknob sternly, definitively. He needs to introduce himself to his boss, the head of product development, Choi Soobin. The alpha who’d been so far from his grasp before his new position. Someone now he could talk to as practically equals if that was something attainable.
He steps in. The room is practically dark, but the curtains are open, casting a blue hue across the room. There is a rustle, and the beta gets a whiff of aroused pheromones. The mixed smells of sweetened raspberry and rich amber take over his senses. Kai spots the silhouette revealing something so obscene, so lewd, it’s hard to process it fully in the moment. But the noises, then a thud and the sound of a zipper being pulled up, are heard.
Scents are often subtle for the beta, but moods tend to bring out clearer smells. It’s no wonder he’s able to sense these pheromones more clearly than normal as he sizes up the scene.
His eyes start to acclimate to the lighting, and he finally processes what he has just walked into. He’d just walked in on his boss getting head. The other man is turned away, already attempting to fix himself up. Was he a subordinate, another stakeholder?
“Did you not see the sign on the door!” Soobin explodes, voice dripping with venom, his amber scent burns.
Kai isn’t able to finish his thoughts, but he’s curious. What an interesting thing he’d just walked into. He’s not phased in the least by the alpha’s tone, not when he was worked and treated like a mutt prior. But despite his curiosity, he knows this absolutely does not put him in a great position. Soobin starts to walk in his direction, eyes tearing him apart. He needs to act like the puppy he once was.
“You stupid-” Kai’s grateful Soobin’s wrath doesn’t come with a lick of spit. Instead, he’s pinned up to the door, the alpha’s palm flat against its paint, menacing eyes staring down at the beta. It’s hot, but only because Soobin is objectively handsome, unlike the average old man that thinks they own the place just because they have more experience than you.
“Who are you?” The lights are finally flicked on, seemingly by the other man in the room. Kai’s able to get a quick glance before he focuses back on Soobin.
Kai swallows deeply, quickly changing the look in his eyes, fearfully coy. “I- I’m the new business solutions manager, Huening Kai. I swear I didn’t see the sign,” that was the truth. He swears there was no sign, but maybe he’d been too preoccupied with his thoughts to have seen it. He wishes he had because he’d rather not have made his first impression on his new boss like this.
“Oh the newbie, well…” Soobin glances back at the other guy and lets out a chuckle, the other guy playing along. He’s handsome as well, fairly young. Kai wonders who he could be. “Looks like you’re no longer going to be a part of this company, so don’t even bother introducing yourself.”
Kai’s eyes blaze with fire, “No, you can’t do that.” he needs this job, he’d worked so fucking hard to get here.
“I can. Otherwise, you’ll walk out of this room and go to HR. I can’t let that happen,” Soobin tilts his head with a raised brow, that menacing grin still upward.
“I won’t!” Kai’s desperate, and he isn’t afraid to show weakness on his face and in his actions. He grabs at the alpha’s arm, “I promise I won’t say anything. I. Didn’t. See. Anything.” the beta nods, looking into Soobin’s eyes dramatically.
“Right, because this room. The cameras are “broken,” so if you go to HR, there won’t be any proof. And YOU-” Soobin places his index finger under Kai’s chin, “won’t have any proof, and you’ll look like a complete fool to the office. You’ll end up losing your job anyway.”
“Exactly,” Kai’s voice trembles in a breath, “I’ll take this to my grave. I *need* this job.” Kai puts on a great show of desperation, eyes faking the look of tears welling at his water line.
At that, Soobin lets Kai breathe. Backing up, the alpha changes his demeanor completely, “Well, great. Kai, was it? Come sit.” he gestures the beta over, “Taehyun, get his file for me, would you?” he requests.
And as Kai takes a step forward, his gaze meets Taehyun’s dark eyes as he walks past, that hint of raspberry still lingers. An omega. There is an aura about him that makes this so much more interesting.
When Taehyun returns, Kai takes notice of the way the omega stands near Soobin’s desk, but doesn’t leave. His arms cross over one another, standing with poise, yet Kai can read the anxiousness of his skin in the form of tiny sweat droplets on his forehead. Who wouldn’t be scared shitless getting caught doing such a deed in the workplace?
Taehyun must be Soobin’s secretary. How cliché, Kai thinks.
“Let’s see here,” Soobin hums, “Huening Kai, twenty-eight, beta,” the alpha mumbles, “Oh you’ve worked here for about five years, and oh- you worked for the home appliances unit,” he says, eyeing Kai’s file, “Rough I bet, how did Mr. Jang treat you.” he chuckles leaning back into his chair.
Kai clenches his hand into a fist at his side, to the point his veins are popping out, being reminded of such. Kai remembers the omega is watching, so he loosens his grip. He knows Taehyun saw because his eyes shift away, and his gaze lowers.
Soobin hums, “Guess so, Taehyun can attest to that, right,” he throws a glance at the omega standing.
Taehyun flinches and Kai might desire the omega for understanding his pain if that’s what was being implied.
“Yeah, he worked for Mr. Jang for a couple of months quite a few years ago, filling in the secretary position until they were able to hire a new one. Came to me with bruises-”
“Soobin-ssi,” Taehyun intervenes sternly, “Let’s not talk about my personal life right now.”
Taehyun worked for Mr. Jang? Had it been before Kai had been hired, during his early days? There were rumors that a really bad incident had happened just before Kai got hired. People gossiped about how the incident had only spiraled that vile alpha Mr. Jang to become more and more fucked up. Kai resented that incident and blamed whoever was involved. Because maybe Kai wouldn’t have had to deal with such turmoil and pain.
Rather than desire, Kai may resent Taehyun.
Soobin clears his throat, “Apologies, Secretary Kang, I shouldn’t be talking of such.”
“Well, congratulations on the promotion, how anyone in Mr. Jang’s team was able to move up to such a position is quite astonishing.” Soobin hums, eyeing through the beta’s file.
“Looks like I was the exception,” Kai chimes in, voice smooth with certitude. His mind stays fully on Soobin in front of him, making every effort not to glimpse back into recollections of the past.
The corner of the alpha’s lips curve into a devious smile, “Seems like you’ll be a great addition to our depatment,” he reaches a hand out waiting for Kai to take it.
Kai smiles in return, shaking Soobin’s hand firmly, “Thank you for accepting me into the team, I *promise* I won’t disappoint.” their hands linger a moment, and Kai intently eyes the alpha. It’s bordering on implications and whether Soobin or even Taehyun sees, it’s all merely for the fun of it.
“Alright,” Soobin pulls back with a bit of antsiness, his hand running through his kept hair. Kai likes that Soobin must have caught a glimpse of something, and if he knew the omega wasn’t watching him, he’d eye himself with triumph. “Looks like we’re done here for today, go on out and introduce yourself to the team.” Soobin continues before he turns to Taehuyn, “Secretary Kang, can I have you watch over him today? Matter a fact, all week.”
“Soobin-ssi,” Taehyun responds as if it’s an absurd task.
“I’ll be watching you as well. We can’t fully trust you right off the gate, You understand Kai-ssi.” Soobin turns his gaze back toward Kai, “And don’t worry, Taehyun, I can manage.” Kai takes note of the drop of honorifics then; it must be out of habit.
Once Kai is out of the room, Taehyun follows behind. And when the door shuts, the omega corners Kai against the office window. Even though the shutters are closed, doesn’t Taehyun know Soobin can still see their silhouettes?
“Are you really not going to say anything? I don’t think I can trust you.” Taehyun’s voice is a low hiss, but it’s sexy, and that subtle sugary berry with what seems like a hint of rose, Kai can’t help but want to inhale.
“Taehyun-ssi, I don’t know what you’re talking about?” Kai says with a sweet smile and a slight tilt of his head.
“You!” Taehyun seems to miss the point at first, almost letting himself lose control, but when the realization hits, he laughs, mouth angling upward in disbelief, “Right, maybe I can trust you,” the omega lets out a breath of relief, and Kai can see the tremble in that breath before a hand is patted against his shoulder.
ᝰ
Kai takes a sip of grape juice, staring at the book on his lap. He can’t concentrate when all he can think about is the happenings of his day. Along with the ghostly memories of how he was treated in his old position and the made-up image of what it must have looked like between Soobin and Taehyun before he had interrupted them.
He has no physical scars lining his body, but the way his throat seems to close up and suffocate him every time he- He swallows, burring that feeling, touching his throat lightly where he’d been left afflicted.
Instead, his mind goes to the feathery touches of Soobin and Taehyun, or maybe it was rough and messy.
Did Taehyun casually bring some work for Soobin just for it to turn on him? For him to go from his receptionist’s desk to his knees on the floor next to his boss's desk instead. Was it normal, did they do this often?
Kai starts to palm himself, and the sound of leather thrums as he shifts in his chair. He closes his eyes and plays through the different images of Taehyun and Soobin going at it in that very office. Wishing, craving, he could have seen the real thing. But instead, has to imagine it. His subtle peony scent makes itself known through his lustful actions as he starts to unzip his pants.
Kai knows, he knows he has better things to do than this. He should be going over plans he prepared for his team and thinking about ways he can get to know everyone better. But instead, he’s here on his couch, touching himself to the thought of his new boss and secretary doing things to each other.
He knows how bad it is, to partake in a sexual act at the work site. He knows he should rightfully go to HR and report it, but he knew the moment he walked in on it that he could use it to his advantage. Whether it was simply to get off or maybe for-
Kai bites his lip, desperately pulling himself free from the confines of his pants and underwear. He knows how sick, rotten, and perverted this is. But god, does it consume him.
He starts to pump himself raw, a low breath escaping himself. Then he grips his cock and shakes it a few times as he takes a moment to spit into his hand aching for that smooth glide.
He can’t make a mess because he’s still fully clothed, but he needs to make it quick, his mind yearning for that fulfilling feeling.
His mind goes to Taehyun on his knees, mouth full as Soobin shoves himself deep. He’s reminded of the choking sound he swore he heard just seconds before the scene had dispersed. Before he ruined it. Was it sick to think he wanted to be the fly on the wall as they continued their time? Was it sick to think he had a chance to join in when they’d never even met him before?
He swallows hard, pumping himself faster, “fuck,” he mumbles under his breath. His mind goes to other things, what it would look like with Soobin bending Taehyun over the table. What Taehyun would sound like being fingered open on the corner of the desk with piles of paper beneath his stomach. Their consuming pheromones twisting through his senses. He didn’t belong there, but fuck did he want to.
Kai feels the way his stomach coils and the heat runs through his body. He’s close. He slows his pace for a moment, but the moment he continues the fantasise in his head he starts to jerk himself quickly again.
Feels so good, so fucking good. The way Soobin fucks into Taehyun, pinning him roughly against the table. Taehyun begging, begging for more. Soobin fucking him harder and faster giving each other exactly what they want, exactly what they need. The perfect release to ease their stress.
Kai cums hard in his palm, his breathing unsteady and uneven as he comes down from his high. But it’s perfect, the way his body feels resurrected and light. He knows exactly what he needs. 
ᝰ
“Hey, why is Secretary Kang watching the team so much this week?” Beomgyu, fellow beta and one of the data analysts in Kai’s team, chimes in. He leans over, talking to Yeonjun, an alpha, one of the technicians.
They’re close enough to Kai’s desk that by default means he’s part of the conversation. It’s only been a few days and those two have particularly taken a liking to Kai which is quite reassuring but they were definitely quite the gossipers.
They both glance at Kai for answers when in reality realize they have their answer the moment they stare at Kai for a second too long.
“Oh, is it because of you?” Yeonjun questions leaning in the direction of Kai.
“I *am* the new lead manager,” Kai responds not wanting to play too much into the gossip.
“Hey look, even the boss has been stepping out of his office to get an eye on you as well,” Beomgyu points out.
Kai glances back at where Taehyun had been standing at the water machine. Looks like Soobin had joined him. His hand lands on Taehyun’s shoulder, holding the paper cup up to his mouth to take a sip of the water. Soobin whispers in his ear, and Taehyun chuckles. Their chemistry is so…
Yeonjun hides a laugh beneath his hand shoving Beomgyu shushing him a second later. Beomgyu whines, “What? Yeah so what the office jokes about boss and Secretary Kang being the IT couple of the office.”
“It’s not that-“ Yeonjun starts before Kai interrupts.
“Are they actually dating?” Kai’s curiosity comes out abruptly. They suited each other well, I mean, they are quite literally perfect for each other.
“No way! It’s just a running joke. You know Secretary Kang always at Boss’s beckon need, cuz I mean, it’s his job. And I mean look at them, they’re always so fond of each other. But I assure you, those two are not anything more than colleagues,” Beomgyu responds, Yeonjun nodding in agreement.
“Plus,” Yeonjun nudges Beomgyu, “Secretary Kang got a divorce about a year ago. They were so in love, despite his lover supposedly being a beta.” Yeonjun clasps his hands together fondly before getting serious again, “But you know, people don’t constrict themselves based on sub-genders, right,” he winks at Beomgyu, “It’s nice to know we can love more freely,” he finishes happily.
Beomgyu clears his throat, changing the topic slightly, “Yeah, well, apparently, he had an affair. Lost mad respect points from me when the rumors started going around. But it’s hard not to like the guy when he’s so mopey yet sweet. Right,” Beomgyu looks at Yeonjun for agreement.
Kai can’t help but eye Soobin and Taehyun then. An affair? He raises a brow, then gets back to work.
ᝰ
It’s another day in the office. Kai hands files to each one of his team members. “These are a few of the tasks that need to be looked over for the rest of the week. Let me know if you have any questions, and hand them in by Friday evening.”
“Yes sir,” Beomgyu two-finger salutes. Everyone else turns to their desks.
Kai sighs sitting down in his chair, “were you always like this?” He asks listlessly truthfully uninterested in whether Beomgyu was or not. Even though he asked.
“Am I being annoying?” Beomgyu questions instead.
“Maybe, too energetic, but that’s good,” Kai responds disinterested to move the conversation any further.
Beomgyu hums happily turning back to his desk. Kai was lucky enough to have been blessed with Beomgyu being the closest to his own desk. And maybe that’s why Beomgyu interacted so much. It wasn’t a hassle, and in a way he brought a sense of positivity to the office. It’s just hard getting used to this energy.
A couple of hours pass. Team members get up and do their own thing, even take their time to work with other members. In this case, Yeonjun was stood by Beomgyu’s desk. A reoccurring scene.
Kai won’t have to make a comment about it unless he sees bad results in their work. And so far he hasn’t had enough time with them to say anything. Otherwise, if he didn’t know any better, they seemed to be slacking off with each other more than they should.
At one point yeonjun glances at Kai before turning back and whispering to Beomgyu. He wonders why they always seem so interested in him. They seem the social type though, so it might simply be because of their interest in getting to know him, and becoming closer as a team.
“Hey boss,” Yeonjun whispers.
“You don’t need to call me that,” it felt weird anyway, especially since if anyone was to be called boss in the office, it was Soobin.
“Right, manager-nim. Want to have lunch with us today in the cafeteria?”
There is no reason to say no, but that doesn’t mean he should let his guard down, “Sure.”
Beomgyu stuffs his face with a spoonful of rice as Yeonjun watches him fondly. Kai can almost feel endeared by how simple life seems for the two. He’s sure they have their own worries and struggles, but there’s a radiance to them that seems innocent, a lack of awareness in a sense. How could they have worked so long for this company and just be…fine? They were fortunate to have a good depatment.
Kai wasn’t. He had to be fine, he is fine. This is the start of a better life.
“Kai?” Beomgyu speaks up catching Kai from his thoughts.
He unclenches his fist and smiles, “Yeah what’s up?”
Beomgyu eyes him oddly but clears his throat a second later, “Nothing, so what did you bring for lunch?” He points at the lunch bag Kai has sitting in front of him. Yeonjun leans over in anticipation as well. However, before Kai’s able to explain anything, the two get distracted by something behind him.
Kai isn’t able to react when whoever it is that had distracted them makes himself known, taking a seat next to Kai. The two in front of him sit dumbfounded, clearly lost for words. It’s Taehyun.
“Secutary Kang?” Beomgyu mumbles.
Taehyun moves his tray of food back on the table, giving the two a slightly raised smile.
“Why are you-” Yeonjun starts.
“Can’t I get to know the new team manager,” Taehyun quickly interrupts, faking a smile in Kai’s direction. He wants something.
“No, it’s just that-” Yeonjun pouts his lips, “You’re always having lunch with the boss.”
Taehyun takes the chopsticks in his hand, slowly going for the meat on his tray. He grabs it and then places it gently into his mouth. He chews it slowly, and the two in front continue to stare awestruck. At that moment, Taehyun turns and eyes Kai, “I do, but Soobin-ssi has been more interested in the noodle shop down the road lately. He doesn’t seem to want to spend his lunches with me anymore,” his eyes sear into Kai’s, the two just stare at each other like its a game and Taehyun’s the only one battling.
Kai blinks a few times before turning back to his own lunch. He doesn’t care, doesn’t care what Soobin does, doesn’t care what Taehyun’s frustration is implying.
“You two always have lunch together, wonder why he won’t take you out?” Yeonjun questions, meanwhile, Beomgyu questions silently that maybe it’s a couple’s quarrel. Kai sees the way Taehyun’s brow twitches as he listens to those two, and he emanates a slightly sour smell that Yeonjun seems to notice the most.
“Kai, can I talk to you privately after lunch?” Taehyun eventually asks.
Kai can’t reject his request.
Both Beomgyu and Yeonjun leave the lunch table hesitantly. They seem worried for Kai as they walk their trays to the return station. It takes them a moment because those two dilly-dally till the last moment, but eventually, they’re gone.
Taehyun turns his body toward Kai, “Let’s talk somewhere more private.”
It’s a small, empty office. Hardly bigger than a supply closet. Who the hell has to work here? He thinks, but it looks vacant, so it’s probably safe to say no one has to suffer in such a space.
Taehyun stares Kai down, and the look in his eyes borders on honeying lust. His pheromones hit him subtly, now emanating that same sickly sweet raspberry. But Kai knows that’s not his intention, so it must be his defense. The only way he’s gotten around is in the office, huh? Getting his way by seduction. Kai doesn’t fault him, though, working here, working under Mr. Jang can do that when there’s no other option for survival.
Taehyun steps forward, placing a hand on Kai’s chest. Kai’s eyes follow his hand there; two can play the game of seduction. Kai fakes a heavy breath, filling his chest with air and stepping back in tune with Taehyun.
Taehyun raises a brow, then dares to press his hand firmly against Kai’s chest, feeling the plush muscle there. Kai pretends to falter, sitting down on the empty desk that fills almost the entire room.
There’s a beat of silence as Kai stares up with an innocent look of intrigue. “You’re mistaken,” Taehyun says, dropping his hand.
“I’m not, what is it that you want?” Kai knowingly responds.
“You’ve ruined everything,” He responds quickly, “Ever since you walked in, Soobin- he, he hasn’t put out.” he says it as if it means nothing, but Kai knows it must mean a lot, to have gone this far?
“That has nothing to do with me.”
“It’s your fault. Ever since- he’s scared. He keeps talking about how he can’t risk doing it anymore. That anyone could walk in.”
“And that’s my problem how?”
“It’s your fault I’m not getting my daily fill, now if you’d please just talk to him. Do fucking something!” He’s desperate now. Practically begging. But Kai isn’t one to care for begging unless he’s the one doing the begging.
*A memory flashes through his mind. He’s on his knees, tears rolling down his eyes. Please, he sobs, please stop. But the last sane cell in his brain reminds him that this was all fucked up.*
“pathetic,” it rolls off his tongue, not meant for Taehyun, but rather for himself. Except it seems as though Taehyun misunderstands.
“Right, you don’t get it. I sound crazy, disgusting even. But-” there is a tremble in his voice, but he’s equally desperate now, “this is the one thing-!” he stops himself before he inhales sharply.
“Please, can you please just tell him that it won’t happen again.”
Kai doesn’t know why Taehyun thinks Soobin will listen to him. Like all he has to do is say a few magic words, and then suddenly, he’ll have his plaything back.
“Fine, I’ll talk to him.”