Archive of Our Own ^beta

“God I fucking hate this thing,” Riki muttered quietly as he looked in the mirror of the company dressing room.

Said thing he was referring to was a scent blocker. End of year award shows had come around and this was Riki’s first show as a presented wolf. He and his hyungs have been getting used to his presentation over the past few weeks but this was the first time ever Riki had to wear a scent blocker and he hated it.

It was a mandate for award shows, all artists and the audience had to wear blockers due to the amount of people attending and the sheer volume of pheromones that would be released from everyone’s varying emotions during the night if they weren’t to wear them. It was a precaution so no overwhelming scents affected anyone.

Riki adjusted the scent blocker on his neck and did his best at adjusting his collar over it. The public didn’t know Riki had presented yet and that’s how the company and the boy himself decided to keep it for now. Everyone kept talking about how he would certainly become an alpha but after he presented as an omega, both the dancer and the company were unsure what the public’s response would be.

Riki wasn’t ashamed of being an omega at all. In fact he actually greatly appreciated his subgender and was learning more about himself and teaching all his alpha hyungs about himself and his feelings as an omega every day. He knew realistically, his fans would be supportive regarding his sub-gender, but also realistically knew people would also be disappointed.

There had been far too many instances of omega idols appearing on variety shows and interviews where the hosts were just disrespectful and straight up harassed and belittled the idols. However changes were being made, omegas were earning more respect and being treated as they should be : as equals, as human beings, but there were still some people who didn’t view omegas in a respectful manner.

As well as this, everyone was more than aware of how omegas in the industry were over-sexualized. There were some backwards thinking assholes who just believed omegas were just meant to submissive, undeserving of respect and their sole purpose was to please alphas and betas.

Riki was still underage but the amount of persons who already sexualized him was significant and quite frankly he was frightened that it would increase if people found out he was an omega, so for now they’ll keep it hidden.

“Hey baby,” Sunghoon greeted, snapping the youngest out of his thoughts as he appeared behind him in the mirror.

“Hey Hoon-hyungie,” Riki said as he turned around before bringing a hand up to scratch at the blocker that was irritating his neck again.

But a gentle hand on his wrist stopped him, “Don’t do that Riki-yah, it’ll make it worse.”

Riki groaned in frustration which made all the other hyungs who were moving around the room and getting their things in order to leave for the show turn their attention to him.

“Everything alright?” Jay asked eyeing the two in concern as he came a little closer.

“No, this thing is awful hyung,” the young omega said pointing to the blocker on his neck.

The hyungs all gave Riki a sympathetic look while Sunghoon interlaced his fingers with his boyfriend’s own.

“I know it sucks baby, but you have to wear it,” Sunghoon told him empathetically.

“It’s just so irritating and my neck feels so itchy and hot,” Riki whined.

Sunghoon came a little closer and leaned his forehead onto Riki’s before releasing calming pheromones. The elder alpha didn’t have his scent blocker on as yet so the scent of sandalwood and sea salt floated into Riki’s nose and almost instantly brought him some comfort as he relaxed against Sunghoon, his boyfriend wrapping his strong arms around his waist as Riki leaned his head on the alpha’s own.

Riki purred in contentment and the members all had to suppress a coo. Since his presentation when Riki was extremely relaxed and felt comfortable he would involuntarily purr and it was genuinely the cutest noise ever.

“Hey Riki-yah,” Jungwon called gently as he stood by Jay who was a few feet away from the couple.

“Hmm?” the maknae responded.

“Maybe you don’t have to wear the blocker,” the leader suggested, causing all the members to turn to him.

“What do you mean?” Riki asked curiously as he straightened up.

“Wonie… are you suggesting what I think you are?” Heeseung asked.

“I mean, it’s a possibility,” Sunoo added as he looked around at the group who seemed to be thinking something over as they all shared similar looks.

Riki’s brows furrowed, all the alphas seemed to be having a conversation just by looking at each other yet he had no idea what was going on.

“Can you guys stop being cryptic and tell me what you’re talking about?” the omega asked, slightly irritated.

“Sunghoon can scent you,” Jake told him which made Riki gape at the suggestion.

“I can scent you to mask your scent and then you don’t have to wear the blocker,” his boyfriend explained.

Riki’s brow furrowed, when he was unpresented, since he used to cuddle up to the members a lot, their scents would all rub off on him. He wouldn’t be able to smell it yet when he was around other alphas or betas, they’d pick up on the combined scent of the group on the boy. It would confuse people as they were unable to tell both if he was presented or not or his subgender until they asked.

It always confused people before and considering his hyungs were all alphas their scents were exceptionally strong and would last for quite some time before fading.

However this was different, this was just Sunghoon they were suggesting to do it. His boyfriend, his alpha despite them not actually being mated. The alpha had scented his clothes and blankets for Riki when he was nesting during his first heat, but this was different. This would be the first time Sunghoon actually just scented him. It sounded somewhat intimidating but also really special. After all Sunghoon was his alpha and his partner, he trusted him.

Since people didn’t know Riki presented yet, it could work. They’d never measured exactly how long their combined scents had lasted on him before, but after thinking about it, Riki thought it was worth a shot if it meant he didn’t need to wear the awful fucking scent blocker.

“Okay, let’s do it,” Riki nodded as he ripped the scent blocker off his neck, finally feeling like he could breathe.

Sunghoon was blushing furiously at his boyfriend’s agreement. As much as he has wanted to, he’s never scented Riki. It sounded a little daunting if he was being honest, yet he wanted to, Riki agreeing made his heart flutter that his omega trusted him so much. Although internally his alpha side was jumping for joy that his omega would smell like him and only him.

“Umm Hoon-hyungie if you’re not comfortable. You know you don’t have to right? I don’t want to pressure you, I’ll just wear the blocker if you don’t want to,” Riki said unsurely as he played with his fingers.

Sunghoon cupped the taller boy’s cheeks and looked him in the eye, “I want to Riki. I do.”

The omega blushed before giving the older a smile which the alpha returned.

“Do you want to sit down Riki? From what I’ve heard first scentings can be very intense especially from an alpha partner,” Sunoo told him.

“Sunoo-hyung’s right and you also just presented,” Jungwon added.

“Yeah, sure whatever makes this easier,” Riki agreed.

Sunghoon lead Riki over to the couch and the boy sat down.

“You’re going to want to relax Riki. Don’t let yourself feel tense, just relax and take deep breaths,” Jay told him.

“Just relax your body and let Sunghoon do his thing,” Jake advised.

Riki nodded and took their advice as he relaxed against the back of the couch.

“You ready Riki?” Sunghoon asked gently.

“Yeah, I think so,” Riki agreed.

The omega put his hands to his sides and let his body relax against the couch as Sunghoon leaned closer before their necks touched.

The touch almost felt electric, like someone had shocked him and Riki jolted back making all the members look at him in concern.

“Are you okay?” Sunghoon asked worriedly.

“Yeah, yeah it just felt…wow. I don’t really know how to describe it,” Riki answered honestly.

“You and Hoon have a strong relationship, there’s a lot of feelings involved and that can translate into scenting. It can feel very intense so that’s why you have to relax,” Heeseung said.

“Are you sure you want me to continue?” his boyfriend asked him gently.

Riki nodded before squeezing one of Sunghoon’s hands in his own, “Yes, I want you to. I’m okay it just surprised me.”

The alpha nodded and gently intertwined his fingers with Riki’s before leaning forward again. Riki relaxed more this time, feeling a little more prepared for what was coming, he was shocked the first time from what he felt but now he thought he was better prepared.

This time when Sunghoon’s neck met his, it felt smooth almost, it felt gentle. Riki could feel their love for each other, the long hidden feelings that they held for each other before their confession on the balcony after Riki’s presentation and the strong bond between them.

It felt almost like their first kiss, gentle and sweet but passionate. Riki felt like he was on Cloud 9 in the same way he was when their lips met the first time. He shut his eyes as he began to feel more relaxed as Sunghoon’s scent of sandalwood and sea salt took over his senses and felt just as comforting as the first time Riki smelt it.

He felt Sunghoon’s other hand come up and gently caress from his jawline, down to his neck as he covered Riki in his scent. The alpha’s neck moved from his before he went on to Riki’s left side and rubbed their scent glands together on that side too.

Riki felt so safe, his alpha’s actions made him feel loved and cared for as he leaned his head into Sunghoon’s getting their scent glands even closer despite there being barely any space between them. Riki felt almost drugged as his alpha’s scent came over him and wrapped around him. He felt so protected and safe as he could hardly make out his own scent as he just became encased in Sunghoon.

After a few more minutes the alpha pulled away and Riki slowly opened his eyes, he almost felt drugged. Sunoo was right, it was intense but in the best way possible as he felt a surge of both his and Sunghoon’s emotions and feelings for each other in a way he didn’t even know was possible.

“You with us baby? You feeling okay?” Sunghoon asked as Riki’s eyes focused on him.

Riki took in a deep breath, noticing how he could just smell sandalwood and sea salt all around him before he relaxed. His head felt clearer and he could feel him coming back to himself as the room around them became as clear as it was before.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Riki nodded to his boyfriend who was looking at him in concern.

“You feeling completely fine Riki? No dizziness or anything?” Jake asked.

“I’m alright, really,” he said as he turned to stare at Sunghoon, “I’m really good.”

Sunoo came over and gave Riki a cup of water which the boy drank gratefully. Being scented for the first time was an experience but he felt fine, the only difference being that he could smell Sunghoon on himself, his own scent of strawberries and sweet cream almost completely hidden but his nose picked up on it since it was still his own scent.

“Well you certainly smell like Sunghoon,” Heeseung said as sniffed around him, “I’m sure he’s happy about that,” the eldest smirked at the aforementioned alpha.

“Thank you Sunghoon,” Riki smiled at the alpha.

“Of course baby, anything for you,” the elder responded before leaning in and pecking Riki’s lips.

Right after that, Jungwon told them the van was ready for them so all the members except Riki made sure they on their scent blockers and had everything they needed before the group headed off to the award show.

The award show was going well, the members got to witness their label mates as well as other groups perform before they had to go on stage. So far, the show had been going off without a hitch.

Enhypen just did their performances, so the group was done for the night besides Riki. The show decided to select multiple artists before to do a collaborative stage where select artists from different companies had a solo before a group performance of all the artists together at the end.

A staff member came over and pointed to Riki indicating he was needed to get ready for the performance and he nodded. The hyungs all smiled encouragingly at him and pat his back before he had to go.

“Fighting!” Sunghoon told him enthusiastically as he briefly gave his hand a squeeze.

Riki felt slightly nervous but absolutely thrilled as he waited backstage for the performance to begin. He had gotten changed into his performance outfit, which was very reminiscent of their group’s vampire concept which he greatly appreciated.

His friend Shotaro from NCT U who was a beta was also performing on the collab stage so the two were excitedly chatting as they hadn’t gotten a chance to in months. Riki ended up telling the elder Japanese boy that he presented a little while ago which the older was surprised at but also congratulated him because he knew about Riki’s delayed presentation.

“Let me guess, you presented as an alpha? Because your scent is very alpha-y,” Shotaro said in a somewhat teasing tone.

Riki chuckled remembering that Sunghoon’s scent was on him so Riki really did smell like the older considering alphas weren’t known to have particularly sweet scents but there were some exceptions, like Sunoo and Jake who both had the scents of delicious desserts.

“Actually no,” Riki responded slowly which made Shotaro raise his eyebrows in surprise. No one outside his members and the company knew about his presentation and his sub-gender but this wasn’t just anyone. This was one of his close friends, he could trust the older beta.

“I’m an omega,” Riki said softly.

Shotaro gaped at him briefly before his lips curled into a sweet smile, “Aww Ni-ki, that’s great, really! But also a little surprising since.. you know.”

Riki nodded knowing exactly what the beta meant, “Yeah I know, literally everyone expected me to be an alpha, but I’m not and I’m really okay with that. I’m happy as I am, being an omega is honestly great.”

Shotaro smiled at him and pat his shoulder gently before his face morphed into one of realization, “Wait so then… this isn’t your scent.”

Riki shook his head in response.

The older gasped, “Do you have a partner?” he whispered excitedly.

Riki blushed before looking down at the floor which basically just answered Shotaro’s question.

“Oh my god!” he continued to whisper excitedly, “You do! Who is it?” the beta went on enthusiastically.

Riki found himself laughing at how excited his friend was and it reminded him of why he missed spending time with the older so much considering him and his hyungs have just had absolutely packed schedules recently.

“It’s Sunghoon actually,” Riki admitted which made his friend gasp in surprise.

“Really?” Shotaro asked shocked by the revelation.

“Yeah,” Riki smiled feeling bashful.

“Aww Ni-ki-san, I’m so happy for you. When did this happen?”

“When my heat ended. I’ve liked him since last year but my presentation kind of gave both of us the guts to actually confess to each other,” Riki explained, “Sunghoon’s great, he really is. He’s the one who scented me,” Riki smiled to himself, feeling like he had just admitted something so intimate with talking about how his alpha scented him before the show.

Shotaro smiled at Riki fondly before pulling the younger into a gentle side hug, “Well you look so happy, congrats Riki.”

The dancer thanked the elder Japanese boy before the staff came and told them to get into position for their performances.

Shotaro smiled and gave him a wave before the staff lead him to the opposite side of the stage for their entrances.

Riki relaxed and took in a deep breath, he was ready to show everyone out their a great performance. Dance was in his veins, it was his passion and he got the opportunity to do it with other fantastic idols and even with one of his friends.

When his cue came on Riki stepped out on the stage and the music kicked up. He could hear the cheers of the audience and could even make out the voices of his hyungs from where they were seated near the stage as he let his body move to the music, sharp but elegant and with precision and grace, ensuring to let every detail show.

Dance was truly his ultimate passion and as the performance went on and the other idols came out for their parts, Riki didn’t realize that due to his pheromones increasing due to the happiness he felt being on stage and the excitement of doing what he loved, that Sunghoon’s scent was starting to fade from his high emotions.

The performance came to an end and all the idols exited the stage, everyone bowing to each other and Riki quickly hugging Shotaro before he returned to the dressing room to get changed back into his suit.

When Riki changed out of his stage outfit, he realized he needed to use the bathroom, so he left the dressing room and asked a nearby staff where one was and they gave him directions.

As he was walking down the hall, Riki passed a group standing near the wall talking with one another who he recognized as Helix, their name meaning that they were all well rounded idols who could sing, dance and rap; but also that their music would wind around you and draw you in. There were four members, all alphas born from 2000-2002. Riki knew of them, they debuted a year after Enhypen and had been doing well in the industry this year and he’s seen them a few times at music shows.

Riki bowed in greeting before walking past them and continuing on to the bathroom, failing to notice that due to his excited pheromones when performing earlier that his own scent was slipping through and the eyes of the older boys darkened as he went on to the restroom.

Once he got there and did his business, the adrenaline from performing had really worn off and Riki realized something. He didn’t smell a lot like Sunghoon anymore and his own scent of strawberries and sweet cream was stronger than the one of sandalwood and sea salt which was on him earlier.

“Shit,” he muttered to himself as he finished washing his hands and dried them with a paper towel.

No one was supposed to know Riki presented yet and the scenting was supposed to cover him for the night, but he didn’t think about if his emotions heightened that it would allow his own scent to return. Riki didn’t have a scent blocker on him so there was no way for him to cover his scent and go back out to the award show and with everyone else wearing blockers, his scent wouldn’t go unnoticed and people would know.

Riki sighed frustratedly as he took out his phone from his pocket and opened it to his contacts. He clicked on Sunghoon’s name wanting to let the older know that his scent had faded and see if he could come get him.

As he held the phone to his ear and let it ring, he looked up when he heard the door swing open to see Helix entering the bathroom. Riki didn’t pay them much mind as the phone continued to ring but as he looked out of the corner of his eye he noticed how one of the members was standing next to the door while the other two Sangwoo and Hyun leaned on the counter of sinks, while only one member entered a stall.

Alarm bells started going off in Riki’s brain as he saw in his peripheral vision that they were just staring at him. He took the phone from his ear and ended the call, realizing that Sunghoon wasn’t going to answer before opening the group chat and sending a message that Sunghoon’s scent faded off of him and asking at least one of them to come get him.

Riki proceeded to try and call Jungwon as the leader was one of the most reliable when it came to answering his phone but still got nothing. He really didn’t want to walk out of the bathroom with his scent on full display for everyone to smell, however the way the members of Helix just seemed to be standing around and staring at him with an almost predatory look in their eyes while Riki kept trying all of his hyungs’ numbers was telling him to get the fuck out of the bathroom.

Riki was always one to listen to his gut and he really hoped that he was just being paranoid and on edge about his scent being exposed as he passed the two members standing by the sink and approached the door. Right as Riki grabbed the handle, a hand slammed over it, keeping it shut and Riki felt his heart sink as he realized his gut was right.

“Do you need something?” Riki asked coldly as he looked at the tall, blue haired boy, Hwa who was holding the door shut.

“Where do you think you’re going?” came the voice of the alpha who had entered the bathroom stall.

Riki turned around to see the older alpha who he recognized as their leader, Dohyun.

“Are you not going to wash your hands?” Riki asked with a bite to his voice.

“Ooh, he’s a feisty one boys. I like that… especially in an omega,” the blonde boy said as he narrowed his eyes at Riki.

Riki felt his heart skip a beat but kept a cold, pointed stare directed at the alpha as he tightened his grip on the door handle. He wasn’t surprised that they knew considering how his scent begun coming out in the bathroom, but he felt himself growing increasingly uneasy as the alphas eyed him up like he was a piece of meat.

“I’m not an omega, I’ll be going now,” Riki said sharply as he yanked the door open only to have it shut by Hwa once again who grabbed the dancer’s wrist and stood in front of door, holding the boy in a vice grip as he moved him away from the door.

Riki was by no means a weak guy, his dancing and exercise made him quite physically fit and he had some decent muscle to himself. However unfortunately, way back when existence was created alphas were given the ever cursed ‘alpha strength’ when they presented so the grip from the older boy on his wrist was bruising.

“Fucking let go of me,” Riki gritted out as he grabbed the older’s hand to try and remove it but somehow his grip only tightened and Riki could feel his wrist ache but kept up a strong resolve as he brought a leg up and kicked the guy right in the crotch, making Hwa release his hand and collapse to the ground.

Riki took the chance to sprint for the door but the two members near the sink grabbed him by the arms just as he was about to grab the handle and pulled him back, pinning Riki’s arms behind him.

“Get the fuck off of me!” Riki yelled as the pair yanked him back harshly and held him against the bathroom counter.

“Now where’s the fun in that pretty boy?” Sangwoo sneered at him.

Dohyun walked over as Hwa seemed to finally recover from the hit Riki gave him and came to stand beside the leader.

“You little bitch,” the older alpha growled as he marched up to Riki and grabbed him by the throat, not choking him but giving it a bruising squeeze that made Riki release a pained whimper.

“Alright Hwa, relax. Go stand by the door,” Dohyun told him.

The other alpha grumbled before doing as he was told.

“So Enhypen’s Ni-ki, the Nishimura Riki is an omega, would you look at that boys?” the leader chuckled darkly as he stared Riki up and down.

“Let me the fuck out of here! What the fuck is wrong with you people?” Riki yelled at them as he kept fighting the holds he was restrained in.

“You really have quite the attitude for an omega. Don’t you know you’re supposed to obey your alphas?” Hyun smirked sinisterly at him.

“I’m certainly not your fucking omega and I don’t listen to you assholes. I’m my own goddamn person, now get the fuck off of me,” Riki snapped back.

Dohyun tsked before stepping forward and grabbing Riki’s face in his hand, turning it back and forth like the boy was an object.

Riki was absolutely terrified but he would not let them see it. He was praying that his hyungs had seen his message and were coming here now because he really needed them.

The dancer raised his leg to try and kick the alpha’s knee however the older male just grabbed his leg and stared at him darkly.

“Don’t try the same tricks twice sweetheart,” the alpha chastised him as he moved his hand up and gripped at Riki’s thigh.

“Stop it!” Riki yelled feeling disgusted at how this asshole was touching him and feeling tears start welling up in his eyes as his hand moved higher and higher before he squeezed Riki’s hip harshly, pressing his nails in so hard that Riki swore he could feel them dig into his skin.

“I can’t believe that those six alpha idiots got an omega,” Dohyun chuckled as he looked around at his members.

“And such a pretty one too,” Hwa sneered as Dohyun moved his hand again and Riki felt the asshole squeezing at his waist and hips before he put a hand on the side of Riki’s neck and tilted the boy’s head.

“Get your fucking hands off me!” Riki snapped at the alpha despite wanting to sob from how violated and disgusting he felt as Dohyun brought his head closer to Riki’s scent gland and inhaled deeply. With the alpha this close he could smell his scent of black coffee which burned Riki’s nose from how bitter it was.

“He smells so fucking sweet,” Dohyun sighed grossly as he took his hand and traced over Riki’s chest and squeezed his waist.

“Well we can’t just let a sweet omega like you go to waste can we?” the alpha smirked sinisterly at him as he opened the top buttons of Riki’s shirt.

“NO! Stop it! Get the fuck away from me!” Riki screamed as he felt the tears behind his eyes fall as he thrashed about in the alphas’ grips.

Finally Riki’s prayers were answered as the door to the bathroom door opened, knocking Hwa to the ground and the hyungs of Enhypen appeared in the doorway, their neutral expressions turning to ones of shock and fury when they saw their maknae with tears streaming down his face and the top buttons of his shirt undone as he was pinned to the counter by three strangers.

“Get the fuck off of him!” Jay yelled furiously as he, Heeseung and Sunghoon surged forward to grab the three other alphas and rip them away from Riki.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Heeseung snapped as he held Hyun by his shirt.

“How dare you put your fucking hands on him!” Sunghoon growled at the leader who he was holding in a vice grip before he drew a fist back and punched the elder boy, sending him to the ground.

Riki watched as Jake grabbed Hwa by his collar and all his hyungs backed the other group against the wall.

“Listen here and listen fucking well, I don’t know who told you that you could put your hands on our maknae but I swear to you, you’re going to fucking suffer,” Jungwon barked at them, stating not a threat but a promise.

“You don’t ever put your fucking hands on anyone, regardless of their sub-gender. You goddamn pieces of shit,” Sunoo snapped at the group.

“I should rip you apart for touching my omega,” Sunghoon growled out, “But I don’t give a fuck about any of you and I care more about making sure my baby is okay. So all of you are going to get the hell out of here and don’t you dare try to run because security will be coming straight for you.”

“This will be reported and your career is done. Now get the fuck out!” Jake ordered all of the alphas who nodded and went racing out of the room when the hyungs released them.

Riki watched all his hyungs threaten those assholes as he gripped onto the counter behind him as he trembled in fear, his scent of strawberries and sweet cream was bitter from the fear and distress that was coursing through his body.

The hyungs all turned back to Riki and the youngest felt his knees go weak as his body collapsed making Sunghoon dive forward to catch him and lower him to the ground but Riki flinched away from the elder’s hold since his brain was still reeling in fear and he couldn’t handle anyone’s hands on him right now as his breathing picked up and his chest heaved up and down.

“Riki, Kiki, sweetheart look at us, it’s okay. It’s just us, it’s your hyungs. You’re safe pup,” Jay said trying to ground the shaken omega.

Jay’s voice sounded like it was underwater as Riki’s blood thundered in his ears while he gasped for breath.

“I-I c-can’t b-breathe…” Riki panted as he felt tears slipping down his cheeks.

“Yes you can Ki, yes you can. It’s okay you’re gonna be okay. Just focus on my voice, listen to my voice : in for four, hold for four, out for four,” Sunghoon’s voice reached his ears.

Sunghoon, the person who embodied comfort and safety for Riki, he was here, his hyungs were here. Riki shut his eyes as he focused on his boyfriend’s voice who was still guiding him through his breathing until his breath finally evened out and he calmed down.

Riki opened his eyes to see all his hyungs sitting in front of him with fury but mostly concern held in their eyes.

“That’s it Riki-san, hyungs are here. We’re right here,” Jake assured him.

“Riki?” Sunghoon called him gently, “Is it okay if we touch you now?”

And Riki nodded because his hyungs’ touches, their holds always felt safe and comforting, not painful and violating and Riki needed to feel safe, he needed his hyungs to hold him right now.

Riki nodded rapidly, “Please.”

The group all moved slowly as to not startle him as they engulfed Riki in a hug and the dancer felt himself sob. What was a great night was ruined by an awful and traumatic experience. Riki felt sick to his stomach.

“I should’ve just worn the fucking scent blocker,” he sobbed, “I should’ve just put the stupid thing on. This wouldn’t have happened,” he cried.

“Hey, hey! Look at me, look at me Nishimura Riki,” Sunghoon said firmly as he cupped the dancer’s face in his hands making Riki look at him through teary eyes.

“This is not your fault love, it will never be your fault. They shouldn’t have touched you. It’s not your fault. Fuck I should’ve answered your call, I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner,” Sunghoon apologized.

And something in Riki ticked, because if Sunghoon wasn’t going to allow Riki to think it was his fault, he wouldn’t let his alpha think it was his either.

“It’s not your fault Sunghoon a-and it… it isn’t mine,” Riki said, stating the last part only half-confidently as he was trying to convince himself.

“It’s not your fault, not your fault at all Riki-yah,” Jungwon told him with fierce certainty and if his hyungs kept assuring him like that, Riki could come to believe it. After a while the group let go, Sunghoon sitting with Riki leaning against him and the other members around them.

“Pup, if you don’t mind us asking, what happened? I mean we thought your scent was covered,” Heeseung said, voice gentle and assuring to ensure the maknae knew he wasn’t blaming him at all.

Riki took in a deep breath before he allowed himself to try and explain, “During the performance, my emotions were really high. I released a lot of pheromones and I think they got rid of the scent. I-I needed to use the bathroom and I passed them in the hallway,” he explained, voice hardening as mentioned his assailants.

“I just bowed and walked past them, when I got in here I realized Hoon-hyungie’s scent was fading and I could smell my own scent that’s when I called all of you but while I was, they came in and I got an uneasy feeling. I tried to leave but they blocked the door and they knew I was an omega; they must’ve smelt me in the hall. I tried to leave but they all grabbed me and then just started touching me and saying how I was such a pretty omega and they couldn’t let me go to waste,” Riki finished, taking in a deep breath to try and not cry again but failed when he felt fresh tears slip down his cheeks.

“God, Riki I’m so sorry, I wish we got here sooner,” Jungwon apologized, sounding guilty.

“Stop it hyung,” Riki said sharply, “Don’t blame yourselves, any of you. It’s not your fault, it really isn’t.”

“And it isn’t yours Ki, so don’t you dare think it is,” Sunoo told him gently as he slowly brought a hand up and cupped Riki’s cheek, searching for any signs of discomfort.

Riki gave the alpha a small nod and Sunoo rubbed his soft thumb over his cheek gently as he wiped at the tear tracks on the maknae’s face.

“Ready to go home Riki-san?” Jake asked.

Riki nodded rapidly, he’d had a long enough day and now he just wanted to get back home. Despite not being in heat he felt a need to make all his hyungs scent their clothes and nest again, which he thought was odd but then he remembered how he read that omegas may nest as a sign of high stress.

“Wait, but what about my scent?” Riki asked quietly, he didn’t want to leave the bathroom with his scent exposed right now, not after what happened.

“Do you want me to scent you again?” Sunghoon asked hesitantly.

“Yes, please,” Riki nodded, he wanted to be encased in Sunghoon’s scent right now, quite frankly he just wanted to make a nest with all of his hyungs’ scents but he knew he couldn’t do that until they got back to the dorm and would just take what he could get for now.

“Okay baby, I know you’re really stressed right now but try and relax, I don’t want to hurt you,” the alpha said sincerely.

“I don’t know if I can relax Hoon-hyung…” Riki stated unsurely, still feeling stressed and tense, he wouldn’t feel relaxed until they got back to the dorms.

The hyungs sighed, they knew Riki was extremely stressed right now and they didn’t want to force him into trying to relax when he genuinely couldn’t.

“I know baby, I know. But can you try? Just focus on a good memory, something happy. Can you try that?” Sunghoon asked.

“Okay… I’ll try,” the omega agreed.

The members stood up off the floor while Sunghoon gently picked Riki up and sat him on the counter. The dancer closed his eyes to try and let his brain focus on a good memory and not the awful event that happened just now. But all that flashed through his brain were those alphas and their violating touches and-

“Riki, Ki relax, relax love,” Sunghoon soothed him and that’s when Riki realized his scent went bitter again due to his rising stress.

“I can’t hyung… I really can’t,” Riki sighed. He was too stressed right now, it was too much.

“It’s okay Kiki, it’s okay,” the alpha soothed him, “Can I hug you?” he asked which earned him a quick nod. He slowly pulled Riki into a hug and leaned the omega on his chest.

Riki felt safer as Sunghoon held him, not completely relaxed but safe as he realized the alpha had removed is scent blocker without him noticing as he inhaled the relaxing pheromones of sandalwood and sea salt. The young omega buried his face in the alpha’s neck to greedily inhale the scent wanting all the comfort that it offered him at the moment.

“Keep your eyes closed and just focus on my voice okay Kiki?” Sunghoon asked.

Riki just hummed in agreement as he took in his alpha’s scent.

“So just try and listen to me and only me and focus on what I’m telling you, try and picture it. The day we were on the balcony, the sun still looking golden and just showering us in that light.”

Riki pictured it, how Sunghoon looked ethereal as the sun on his face highlighting every single part of him. The way his dark eyes looked as though they were glowing and he looked so ethereal.

“How you were so adorable when you rambled on about how you liked my scent. You remember what you told me Ki?” the alpha asked sweetly.

“Yeah, I do,” Riki chuckled slightly, “I said it’s my favorite, it really is.”

“How you thanked me was so sincere, you were so honest and that’s what gave me the confidence to tell you I was clinging to you during you during your heat and me admitting I want to be your alpha.”

Sunghoon was describing it almost like a picture, his mind was the camera and every word from the alpha was him setting up his shot and adjusting the lens to get a little better focus and a little more detail.

“When you admitted that you wanted me to be your alpha, I thought my heart would explode. You’re the most perfect, beautiful boy that I’ve ever met and you wanted me.”

Every word was so sincere and filled Riki with that same sense of warmth he remembered feeling those weeks ago during their confession.

“Remember how both our scents increased and how they just joined together, both so different yet almost like a perfect harmony as one,” Sunghoon continued.

Riki could almost see it all over again.

“And I took your soft hands in mine and I told you that I like you, but I was afraid of jeopardizing our friendship. God I’m so glad I told you,” the alpha sighed with a light chuckle at the end.

“That adorable giggle that you let out before you told me you liked me too. I thought my heart would explode,” Sunghoon said softly.

The image was becoming clearer, like the lens was being adjusted yet it wasn’t quite there.

“Then you just laid yourself bare to me. You told me that you liked me and how you were afraid of yourself, afraid that you wouldn’t be a good partner. You were afraid you were too sensitive, too stubborn and that you thought if you were an alpha and those instincts mixed with your personality that it would be a disaster. And then you told me how Sun and Wonie assured you when you told them all of that, like the great hyungs they are and how they gave you the confidence to trust yourself,” the alpha described.

The picture was almost in focus.

“You asked me if I wanted you and I said I did. ‘I want every single bit of you, the good parts, the bad parts, I want all of it. I want to be with you to comfort you during your worst moments and be proud and celebrate beside you at your best. Wonie and Sunoo are right. Your insecurities aren’t true, in fact I admire your stubbornness and even though you’re sensitive you are so strong willed, mature and intelligent. But you can always be vulnerable with me, you’re safe with me. I love you.”

Sunghoon repeated what he told Riki that day word for word and just like that the picture was in focus. Now all that was left was to take the shot.

Riki could see it all, one of his happiest memories, could hear their conversation, smell their scents all over again as they were bathed in golden light and he relaxed.

Sunghoon brought his scent gland to Riki’s and gently moved his head back and forth as he scented his omega. After a few minutes, Riki smelled like Sunghoon and the alpha swore he never smelt anything better.

Sandalwood and sea salt covered his scent and encased him in safety and comfort. His brain cleared of the haze that was there momentarily after the scenting.

He opened his eyes to see all his hyungs staring at him with expressions of fondness and concern.

“You okay baby?” Sunghoon asked as he stared at him tenderly.

“I will be,” Riki answered.

As soon as they got back to the dorm, Riki took a shower, scrubbing at his skin wanting to
get all the unwanted touches from those alphas off his skin. He felt better afterwards but then sped back to their room where his roommates were sitting on their own beds changed into pajamas.

Riki could feel how stressed he was and his wolf was just yelling at him to nest and remembering how safe and comfortable he always felt surrounded by his hyungs’ scents he immediately did. The omega went into the closet and grabbed two t-shirts he knew Sunoo wore a couple days ago but hadn’t washed as yet which still had his scent on them. He snatched two of Jungwon’s hoodies and hurried out of the closet and to his bed and threw the items on it before arranging them around the bed in the way he liked.

The hyungs had been momentarily confused when they saw Riki come back in the room and rush into the closet. But when he came out with their clothes, they realized the omega was nesting although it confused them as he wasn’t in heat.

“Riki-yah? You okay? How come you’re nesting?” Sunoo asked sounding worried.

Jungwon gasped in realization which made the other two alphas turn to him.

“Remember one thing we read during Riki’s heat when we were learning how to take care of him, omegas nest when they’re really stressed,” he said quietly as he glanced at Riki who was arranging the clothes to make his nest.

“Shit, this whole thing affected him really badly,” Sunoo muttered, “What do we do?”

“We do our best, we listen and comfort, and we give him what he needs,” Sunghoon said.

The three nodded before getting off their own beds and approaching the omega who had climbed onto his bed and was sniffing at their clothes.

“Riki?” Sunghoon called softly as he sat down on the bed.

Riki’s eyes shot open at feeling someone in his nest and he let out a deep growl. He was stressed and needed this to be his safe space.

Sunghoon scooted back in shock that Riki had growled at him before remembering that nests were omegas’ safe spaces. Riki was in a lot of distress at the moment and he needed this place to feel safe, Sunghoon had to respect that.

He grabbed Riki’s favorite hoodie of his and the soft, navy blue blanket from his bed and opted to sit down next to the bed as he scented them and told Jungwon and Sunoo to call the other hyungs and ensure they brought some scented clothes or blankets.

“Riki? Baby, it’s me. It’s just Sunghoon, you’re safe,” the alpha soothed the worked up omega.

“Hoon?” Riki asked.

“Yeah, Ki, yeah it’s just me,” the alpha smiled gently.

“I-I feel really stressed,” Riki admitted, “And I feel the need to nest, just something about having all your scents around makes me feel safe,” he explained.

“Of course baby, of course,” Sunghoon said as he finished scenting the blanket and hoodie and looked up at Riki.

Riki realized that he had growled at Sunghoon earlier and immediately felt guilty, “Sorry for growling at you, but just ask to come in? This is like my safe space so it’s special.”

“I get that,” the alpha said empathetically. “Can I come into your nest Riki?”

Riki nodded wanting his boyfriend to be by his side right now, in fact he really wanted all his hyungs around.

The alpha slowly got up and onto Riki’s bed as he handed the omega the hoodie and blanket in his hands which Riki immediately ran his face along before arranging the blanket so it was under him and placing Sunoo and Jungwon’s clothes around as well before slipping Sunghoon’s hoodie over his head.

Moments later, the other maknae liners returned with the oldest three in tow holding their own clothes. Heeseung gave Riki his torn up pink hoodie and a t-shirt, Jay gave him a sweater of his along with a baggy shirt and Jake gave Riki the pair of shorts he gave him last time and a hoodie.

They all watched as Riki moved around his bed setting up his nest how he liked before he laid down resting his head on his pillow and inhaling all their scents. It was perfect, it was exactly what he needed at the moment, Riki felt so much less tense as the scents from all his hyungs soothed him.

The alphas watched as their maknae finally seemed to settle down and Heeseung was about to sit on the edge of Riki’s bed when Sunoo and Jungwon frantically shook their heads at him. So the eldest gave them a questioning look and moved to the floor. Jungwon then quietly explained Riki’s nest and how it’s his safe space to the other hyungs who all gasped before nodding in understanding.

“Ki, how’re you feeling?” Jay asked gently.

Riki sighed as he rolled onto his side to face his hyungs while Sunghoon sat near his legs, his presence providing comfort.

“A little better… sorry that you guys have to deal with me like this,” he apologized knowing that he’s not his usual self.

“You don’t need to apologize pup, we don’t expect you to be fine Kiki, what happened to you was terrible. You’re allowed to feel whatever you want to,” Jay assured him which made Riki’s heart fill with warmth a little.

“You can talk to us, any of us,” Sunghoon continued, “you just tell us whatever you need and we’ll get it done for you.”

Riki bit his lip as he’d been thinking about it since earlier when the incident occurred but was finally getting a chance to say what he needed, “Um, I’m really not like completely fine. What happened was really violating to say the least so for now can you guys just ask if you can touch me? I mean I still like physical contact from you guys as it’s comforting but now it feels kind of… weird I guess. I’m sorry that I can’t really explain this well. Just be slower is what I’m saying I think.”

The hyungs all felt their hearts break a little as they knew how much physical touch was their maknae’s love language and how much it was a comfort to him when he couldn’t really put his feelings into words. It hurt a part of their souls a little to hear Riki say that. Physical touch wouldn’t be the same for their maknae and they wanted to go and rip those alphas apart for hurting him like this, but what mattered now was Riki and as his hyungs they’d give him whatever he needed and respect his boundaries.

“Of course Riki-ah, that’s no problem. We’ll go at your pace,” Heeseung agreed.

Riki gave his hyungs a smile, it was small but it was sincere, he was truly so grateful for them. As horrible as what happened to him was, he knew that he’d be alright, his hyungs are here. They’d always protect him.

“Thank you hyungs,” Riki told them.

“Of course Ki, we’ve got you. We’ll always protect you.”