Chapter Text
Hyunjin preferred mornings now that he'd found his mates.
It was nice, calm and a happy reminder that he got to wake up to the loves of his life for the rest of his life.
Today he woke to warmth.
A hand draped loosely over his waist, trapping him against the matress. Its owner breathing gently onto his nape, making the hairs there raise in contentment.
In front of him was another body, folded towards him in peaceful sleep.
The rest of the pack was amongst their own tangled mess within the nest that Jisung had somehow convinced them to sleep in last night.
It was nice, their scents blending together in a mix that Hyunjin had come to recognize as heaven.
He slowly blinked his eyes open, squinting at the bright sun that poured in from the large den windows.
For a minute he didn't move, relishing in the peaceful quiet before having to get up and face the world.
He shifted, turning his head so he had a good look at the person who had their arm around him. Changbin.
Changbin was sleeping peacefully, his mouth slightly agape with how relaxed he was. Face buried half into the pillow, a wind away from drooling.
Hyunjin whispered softly, getting his attention without waking the others.
"Binnie-Hyung," no response. "Bin" He felt Changbins arm squeeze his waist gently as he raised his eyebrows, eyes still closed.
"Hmm?" He hummed quietly, clinging to sleep.
"I need to get up." Hyunjin said, holding back a laugh as his muscular mate let out a long, petulant whine.
"Can't you stay for five more minutes, it's so warm." Changbin mumbled, voice think with sleep.
Hyunjin had half a mind to give in but was already thrown off from not being able to wake with his alarm.
"Binnie, I can't be late to the studio." He said apologetically. Changbin sighed, lifting his heavy arm and freeing Hyunjin.
Hyunjin slipped from the nest, careful and slow so he didn't wake anyone else.
Not that he needed to, after the night they'd had, his mates were sure to sleep like the dead till at least noon.
Once out of the nest he looked over his mates.
Jisung was laid wildly across Minho, foot to the elders face. Seungmin was still peacefully curled up, at his back was Jeongin who pressed their backs together. And Changbin, who had scooted closer to soak up warmth. And Chan was already missing from the pile.
His absence didn't shock Hyunjin, Chan was almost a textbook workaholic, which didn't help with his insomniac tendencies.
The sight, though missing a piece, made Hyunjin smile fondly.
He felt so lucky to have such perfect mates, and an even more perfect life. Years ago he couldn't imagine such a thing, but everyday it was his reality.
Turning he made his way to his room, he needed to change into something more presentable.
His room was a lot more neutral in smell and attitude. I was his calm place, mostly bare with crazy paintings and drawings strewn about.
Hyunjin changed quickly, slipping into a comfortable pair of black slacks and a cream sweater that had a wide boat neck that he brought attention to with a few pieces of jewelry.
With a quick glance to his phone, he checked the time. It was a bit later than he was used to, but he would still be early to the the studio.
Dressed, he grabbed his studio bag, a few sketch pads from his desk, and his lap top before making his way back to the main room.
The nest was still there, but he paid it no more than a passing glance.
As he was about to open the door a voice startled him. "Leaving without saying bye?" Chan, the packs Alpha asked.
Hyunjin turned.
Chan stood a few paces behind him, a mug in hand and a soft, messy style about him.
"Aish," Hyunjin hissed, hand comically clutching his chest dramatically. "You scared me. Step louder next time."
Chan's lips quirked up in a smirk, lifting the mug to his lips to hide it.
"I just don't want to be late to the studio. I thought you'd already left." Hyunjin said, when he caught his breath.
Chan nodded, closing the space. His free hand reaching out to Hyunjins waist.
Closer now, Hyunjin could smell his clear pine scent, a grounded earthy smell that he could breathe in all day. It was calm and relaxed, blending with his own burning scent.
"Okay," Chan nodded.
Tilting his head up he placed chaste kiss on Hyunjins lips, which Hyunjin reciprocated as best he could with how quickly Chan pulled back.
"I'll see you later then. Also, please eat something, you can't leave without breakfast and just work all day." Chan said, hus insistancr of the last part enticing Hyunjin to roll his eyes.
He thought for a moment about turning the statement around on the Alpha who seemed to survive off little more than caffeine and will power, but decided not to.
He nodded, leaning in for one more kiss. Chan let him. This kiss was longer more intentional. It tasted of coffee and toothpaste, neither minded.
Chans hand crawled up to hold his face steady as he took more. Hyunjin barely registered it, even when the thumb brush gentle strokes on his jaw. He was too taken by the taste of his Alpha.
The kiss continued to divulge into a place that Hyunjin didn't have time for. So, despite the protest of his body he pulled back.
"I gotta go." He reminded his leader.
"You do." He agreed, kissing Hyunjins jaw once more before stepping out of the intimate bubble they'd created, smell lingering on Hyunjin.
Hyunjin opened the door under the warmth of Chan's fond gaze.
"Text me when you get there."
"Yes dad."
"Yah!"
Hyunjin shut the door before Chan could deny the title.
He was quick to head to the elevator that led directly to the parking garage.
He considered walking, it was only a brisk 35 minutes if he didn't stop for coffee. But it was a chilly day and he was already behind.
So he got into his car, an inconspicuous blue sedan, and headed to work.
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As he pulled into the lot of the strip mall, he could see two of his students already waiting by the door.
Their eyes were locked onto his car and he watched as they snuggled deeper into their jackets, clearly being theatrical in trying to make him feel bad.
It wasn't working.
Despite him being the instructor of the studio, many of his students were close to his age, some older than him. So they'd developed a close relationship.
Hyunjin had especially gotten close with two beta students, Yeji and Daegu, the two who happened to be dramatically pretending to freeze in front of his studio.
Hyunjin rolled his eyes at their antics. Though, and he would never admit this aloud, he found it endearing in a way.
Parking and shutting off his car he stepped out. He'd barely had time to lock it when Yeji called to him.
"Hyunjin-nim!" She dramatically whined. "Why are you just now arriving."
Hyunjin used one hand to flick through his keys.
"Hey! Is that anyway to talk to your teacher?" He shot back pointing the studio keys at her, in a mock threat.
She shrugged as if she really didn't know, or rather didn't care to know.
Hyunjin shook his head unlocking the door.
"Why're you late anyway?" Daegu asked, shifting attention.
"I'm early." Hyunjin corrected.
He pushed the door open the students following him inside.
"You're early for normal people." Yeji interjected. "But for you it's like afternoon."
Hyunjin ignored the jab, flicking on the lights and dropping his bag by his desk.
He opened the windows to let the sun flood in, luminating canvases and the finished and hung works
Yeji and Daegu, realizing that Hyunjin was not going to explain his 'late' arrival. They also set themselves up. Going to their regular spots near the windows where they got the best light.
Hyunjin tidied a little, making sure materials were laid out and readily available for when his usual students arrived.
It didn't take him any time at all, having prepared the night before. Feeling sure things were in order he sat off to the side of the large room. Slipping on an apron and picking up a brush to continue working on a painting he'd been doing for the past three classes.
Yeji barely let him get started before she broke the silence.
"I'm starving."
Hyunjin didn't even look up as Daegu responded.
"You say that every day."
"Well, I'm starving every day." She shot back quickly.
"Then why don't you eat before you come here?" Hyunjin asked, finally looking to her and Daegu.
"To be fair. We got here suuuper early. We didn't have time." She answered as if there was no way to argue.
And while Hyunjin could probably go back and forth with her about not having to come early or going to get breakfast on her own, he wouldn't.
It had practically become part of his routine to grab a coffee with them in the morning, not to mention he did promise Chan he'd pick up breakfast.
Now remembering Chan, he quickly flicked out his phone and shot him a text about arriving, and graciously added that he was getting breakfast so that the Alpha didn't worry.
"I'm not going to argue with you Yeji-ssi," he said putting the phone down and standing up.
Deagu sure wasn't going to fight, despite how often he pretended not to be apart of Yeji's antics, he more often than not shared a mind with her.
The three of them stepped out together moving in their familiar way to the corner Cafe that they'd been to enough times that the barrista hardly asked them what they wanted anymore.
Yeji was at the door first, having skipped there when the anticipation of pastries overwhelmed her.
She held the door for Hyunjin but not Daegu who began bickering with her about it.
They spar about it but it was all in good faith. More like two siblings than anything.
Inside the Cafe was warm, warmer than the studio and the bitter smell of coffee, was a wonderful reminder to Hyunjin of his mate, Changbin.
there was light morning conversation that played like music through the cozy space and low, golden lights added to the atmosphere.
Hyunjin nodded when the barrista suggested their usuals, and told them to sit anywhere.
Yeji didn't need to be told twice, practically bolting to a half booth along the wall. Daegu followed behind her, already trying to get dibs on the spot by the window where the sun poured in the most.
Hyunjin stayed at the counter taking their drinks and nodded when he was told they'd bring the pastries to his table.
Handing Yeji her drink, Hyunjin sat down along the cushioned booth seat. He has a clear view of the door but didn't pay any attention to entering or exiting patrons.
He instead let his mind wonder to the place it usually did without stimulus, his mates.
He wondered what they were doing, what had Minho cooked for breakfast if anything? Was Changbin getting up for work yet, Jeongin's class started in an hour, had he gotten up?
He thought about if Jisung was feeling lonely, being the groups only omega he was often alone, unable to work without unreasonable conditions.
Sometimes Chan worked with Jisung when Ji was having particularly bored weeks, but a corporate setting is not Jisung's place.
Hyunjin remembered that time he broke Chan's copy machine by sitting on it, trying to print some less than tastefull photocopies. He had pologized to Chan for days for it. Though Hyunjin knows he was happy to apologize since Chan liked to forgive in bed.
A form of forgiveness that he and his mates took advantage of often. Even Sungmin, the most civilized among them had moments of intentionally causing trouble just to enjoy a rough night with their leader.
Chaos. That's what they were.
Hyunjin loved it though, every single day.
Yeji snapped her fingers in front of Hyunjins face dragging his attention back to them.
"Hellooo, earth to Hyunjin."
Hyunjin blinked swatting her hand away.
"What?"
"You're staring off into space again"
"Am I?"
Daegu snorted, turning his face away. Hyunjin rolled his eyes, the corner of his mouth twitches up.
"I was thinking."
"Dangerous Activity." Yeji teased.
"When you do it." Daegu added, pointing to Yeji.
"YAH!" She hissed at him kicking him underneath the table and restarting their idle back and fourth.
Hyunjin laughed at their antics sipping his drink.
Then the door opened.
Again, Hyunjin had been paying it no mind, but something behind his eyes compelled him to look at whoever was coming in.
He looked, curious to this pulling feeling. And saw him.
Hyunjin had never been so stupified in his life.
All sound faded into a single muffled tone, indistinguishable and intelligent.
The cafe faded into a blur of browns and golds, shapes that framed the blone haired beauty in front of him.
Hyunjin watched as he looked around the room curiously as if it were his first time there. He traced the image over and over again, the splash of freckles on his face. The spun gold that glinted on his head, brown doe eyes that called to the Alpha in Hyunjin.
He clutched his chest, and felt his knees buckle when those wide eyes found his.
Hyunjin held his gaze for less than a moment, but in him somthing snapped.
His heart stuttered, heat rushing to his face and chest, it was uncomfortable and consuming like fire.
And it hurt so bad he could scream, but he remained frozen, eyes locked.
He felt like something in him had been shaken awake, ripped from its peace for the soul purpose of being with this man.
Every instinct cried out to protect to own him. To be at his side for the rest of eternity and make him happy for as long as he lived.
Like a puzzle piece fitting right where it's needed.
The man walked to the counter, darting glances at Hyunjin. Clearly, acutely aware of the intense stare Hyunjin had trained on him.
And Hyunjin knew he should stop staring but he didn't want to.
No, want was too strong of a word. Because he didn't have a choice.
He couldn't look away, his eyes trying to brand the image of the man in front of him into his brain.
The curve of his lips. The bridge of his nose. the constellation of freckles that danced a cross his face. The way his brow creased in confusion. The pointedness of his chin. The slender, pale neck that was covered by a collar. All of it.
His blood ran hot, and a word flooded his mind. Growing louder and more intense as if solidifing its meaning.
Mine.